Tuesday, August 17, 2010

45 Park Place

Rob Rogers 08-17-10
Let's see. While dismantling the Constitution to the United States is fun and all, it's becoming the norm from people on the Republican side of the line. The last couple of weeks or so it's been because of a "mosque" that is being planned "at" the World Trade Center. Firstly, it's not a mosque--it's a community center that will have basketball courts, a culinary school and a prayer center but it is not a mosque. Secondly, "at" the World Trade Center is also misleading. As you can see here. The main issue that I have is all the people saying that they can't build it that close to the former World Trade Center. Yes, they can. It is private property that they purchased fair and square. The First Amendment guarantees that everyone in the country can practice whatever religion they want and the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees that the States treat everyone the same.

Newt Gingrich wrote in a blog post: "They ignore the fact that more than 100 mosques already exist in New York City. Meanwhile, there are no churches or synagogues in all of Saudi Arabia. In fact no Christian or Jew can even enter Mecca." Dear Newt, do you know why Saudi Arabia has no churches or synagogues? Because it is against the law there to practice any other religion in Saudi Arabia. As for Christians and Jews not being able to enter Mecca, well, it's kind of the same thing as a Catholic priest not being able to marry. Sure, it sounds kind of stupid but it's part of the religion so why can't we respect that?

Timothy McVeigh--who blew up the Oklahoma City Federal Building back in 1995--was Catholic so clearly we should ban the building of Catholic churches near that memorial. If, for some reason, this community center is not built and somehow the case goes to the Supreme Court and they deny its construction then it is a blow to our First Amendment rights. Which means, if that happens I will start protesting the building and expansion of all churches in my area.

How about instead of using the First Amendment to harm some innocent Muslims, we figure out a way to shut down the Westboro Baptist Church? I'm sure it would be a better use of our time and hatred.

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