@hawkeye10,
Quote:That the promoters of this project would do a project that is so divisive calls into question their motives.
Doesn't it occur to you that there was no reason for them to think of their project as being divisive beforehand? Why should they have anticipated any major controversy or opposition to it? There are two other mosques in the same immediate area, which have been there for at least 15-20 years, with no problems. And there is that huge Islamic mosque on 96th street--which also functions without problems.
If it were not for Geller and Spencer and Stop Islamization Of America, and their organized propaganda machine/network allied with the Tea Party, this would never have generated any controversy to begin with. The community board never thought it was controversial. This entire controversy has been manufactured and drummed up by a slightly lunatic anti-Muslim fringe group that is dedicated to opposing mosques, and ridding America of mosques, everywhere in this country. Their issue has nothing to do with this particular mosque, or how close it is to Ground Zero--they don't want mosques anywhere. These alleged flag-waving "patriots" don't believe that the Constitutional freedom of religion should extend to Muslims. They are flat out bigots. And that's who has always spearheaded the opposition to this mosque--Geller and Spencer--and the internet has given them the ability to marshall forces, and promote lies and disseminate propaganda rapidly.
Why on earth should Muslims want to put themselves "in the good graces of the majority"? They are not second class citizens who should have to kiss anyone's ass in order to exercise their Constitutional rights. Just because you have decided you want them to kowtow to you, hardly means they have to do it, or that they are troublemakers if they don't want to do that. They don't have to "reform", it's the attitudes of people like you that have to change. If you can't accept them, no matter where they build their mosques, you'll just have to learn to at least tolerate them. America has always been, and will continue to be, a melting pot. If you can't stand the heat from that pot, then get out of the kitchen.
Do you like to be bullied or victimized or coerced into doing things you don't want to do? You never did answer the questions I raised in my last post about whether you would abandon your plans to build a house because your neighbors, or even the entire community, objected to your presence? Would you go running with your tail between between your legs in order to get yourself into "the good graces of the majority"?
I admire their firm stance. They are conducting themselves with dignity, which is a lot more than I can say about many of the people opposing this mosque/center.
