A Mosque at Ground Zero

I've been hearing bits and pieces lately about a group of Muslims who wish to build a huge Islamic center near the site of Ground Zero in New York City. Read that again. A Mosque at the site of one of the worst terrorist attacks in the history of the world, carried out by radical Muslims. Here's the worst part: There are actually supporters of this idea, including Anthony Cuomo, a Democratic Governor candidate for the state of New York, and also New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. Their argument lies on the basis that America stands for freedom of religion, the freedom of speech and expression, and the tolerance our country has for immigrants from all over the world and the cultural and religious background from which they come. Ok, fine.

But we're talking about a site where Muslims crashed airplanes into large buildings and killing more than 3,000 Americans in one fell swoop. I understand that not all Muslims are terrorists, and in fact I have been friends with some throughout my life, however, the simple idea of constructing such an edifice near that site is a slap in the face to the friends and families of those who were lost on September 11, 2001. While it may be unfair, Muslims are probably more often than not stereotyped into being terrorists just because they wear a turban or speak in a language that we don't understand. It is no different than Mexicans or Latinos being targeted by the new law in Arizona, whether or not they are illegal aliens. Furthermore, I know that not every white person is a Neo-Nazi white supremacist.

On the other hand, I feel that allowing the building to be built is nothing more than laying down arms against the war on terror. Plain and simple, how do we know their actual intent? Freedom of Religion in the context of the Bill of Rights simply meant freedom from the mighty hammer of the Church of England. However, it was still written under the context that the religion being practiced would be some form of Christianity. If the Muslims we are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan think we are infidels, how do we know the Muslims living in America don't feel the same way? Just recently there was a bombing attempt in Times Square. Just an "ordinary" Muslim who had a job and a family (and secret ties to Al-Qaeda). Who's to say the people building a Mosque on our sacred ground in NYC don't have a similar agenda? The fact is, we just don't know, and personally, I would rather err on the side of caution.

Again, I feel it is unfair to label all Muslims as "radical terrorists", however I had no problem with the Patriot Act, and would support another one if it were necessary. America is a melting pot, yes, but when we don't even care what ingredients we put in the pot is when disaster will strike. Remember, all of those responsible for 9/11 were allowed into the U.S. in the first place. If the intentions of those building the Islamic center were truly peaceful, they could just move it out of respect to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 and build it somewhere else. Why insist on placing it there? History shows that as the Muslims waged war in the crusades and throughout history, they erected Mosques on the site of their fallen enemies strongholds. Do not let them continue to wage this "holy war" on our soil, and please do not support the construction of such a building near the former World Trade Center site.

Stay vigilant, America.