I’d love to write about what I think of the entire spectacle, but I think there are a few technicalities that need to be addressed first:
- It’s not a mosque. It’s a cultural center. For those who learn better from examples than facts, if you take the concept away from the Muslims and apply it to my people, although they often are, places that are dedicated to the history of Ireland are not necessarily Catholic churches.
- Ground zero is not a proper noun. It is not a brand. The “g” and the “z” should not be capitalized unless the word “ground” happens to be at the beginning of a sentence. It does not mean, automatically and without clarification, the place where the World Trade Center buildings once stood. The same holds true for the term “holocaust.”
- The property where the cultural center is to be is not on the property where the World Trade Center once stood.
- The United States Constitution specifically and clearly (quite) protects people from being discriminated against based upon their religion.
- The United States Constitution does not specifically protect people from being discriminated against based on a) being gay or b) the date, time and location of death of one or more of their loved ones.
- The national shit storm did not start as a result of Barack Obama’s statements over the weekend, as reported by Katie Couric, which is to be expected, and Gwen Ifill, which is not. The right wingers have been screeching about this on their talk shows for weeks.
- Newt Gingrich would be wise to read up on a parade that went through Skokie, Illinois once upon a time before he starts trying to line up the Jewish vote.
- People in New York – including politicians – who justify their position on this issue at least in part by saying it’s consistent with “70 percent of America” automatically and irrevocably forfeit their right to condescend toward anyone who is not a New Yorker.
