Posted by Sir Four at 9:38am Aug 24 '10I must be naive, but when I first heard of this story back when it was still a fringe issue (referenced here), I also didn't see what the big deal was, and didn't imagine it becoming such a controversy.
Of course one of the ironies here is that to oppose the project, one must believe all Muslims are tainted by 9/11 and are likely to be shifty America-haters. Yet the justification of the Iraq war, supported by most conservatives, hinged on a portrayal of Iraqis (Muslims!) being a benevolent people in need of liberation from a ruthless tyrant. We spent billions of dollars and thousands of lives fighting for a people whom we distrust and hate so much that we want to suppress their right to build in Manhattan?
Of course one of the ironies here is that to oppose the project, one must believe all Muslims are tainted by 9/11 and are likely to be shifty America-haters. Yet the justification of the Iraq war, supported by most conservatives, hinged on a portrayal of Iraqis (Muslims!) being a benevolent people in need of liberation from a ruthless tyrant. We spent billions of dollars and thousands of lives fighting for a people whom we distrust and hate so much that we want to suppress their right to build in Manhattan?
Re: Personally, I say: Let 'em build a mosque. - Sir Four