Europe shows the result of total insistence on tolerance
The American people, having been put through endless sensitivity training over the past few decades, know offensiveness when they see it. And they see it in the mosque proposed for lower Manhattan.
So, yes, the American people are a bit stunned to find the fingers pointed at themselves when controversy erupts over a $100 million Islamic project just two blocks from where 10 terrorists brought down two 110-story towers in the name of Islam. They don’t find this turning of the sensitivity tables ironic, but outrageous.
They are more than irked to hear the speaker of the House of Representatives suggest that those Americans speaking out against the mosque should be investigated to see who’s bankrolling them, not least since the identities of the mosque’s donors are still being withheld.
They hear lofty talk about tolerance and upholding the First Amendment — or at least part of it — and they think, “The freedom to practice Islam in this country does not hinge on the specific placement of one mosque in downtown New York. That’s not what this is about.”
They find it hard to believe that reputedly moderate Muslims dedicated to “improving Muslim-West relations,” as the Cordoba Initiative group behind this project says it is, would be surprised to learn that Americans’ wound hasn’t scabbed over in nine divisive years. Or think that they can demonstrate good faith by tacking on a 9/11 memorial at the last minute.
In fact, if the Cordoba planners and their supporters understand anything about America in 2010, they will see a country that can’t seem to snap out of an economic downturn, that is underemployed and overextended, where an entire coastline stands to be covered in oil (until it isn’t), where the states are suing the feds over a health care law and the feds are suing a state over an immigration law and everyone is suing everyone else over gay marriage laws, where anti-war protesters are throwing pies in the faces of Democratic senators and flight attendants are cussing out their passengers and taking the emergency chute.
And they will think, maybe this is not the very best moment to gauge the national reserves of tolerance and patience.
The wiser heads among us will think about the ground zero mosque and that immigration law, and their thoughts will turn once again to that place that so often lately has been showing us the future consequences of our present actions: Europe.
They will recall that the political class’ general prescription for everyday Europeans’ misgivings about their substantial Muslim influx has been more insistence on tolerance, more multiculturalism and the dismissal of any concerns to the contrary from polite political conversation.
They will observe that the result in formerly tolerant places like Holland, where a filmmaker and a politician critical of Islam and immigrants were assassinated, and Belgium, where certain immigrant-heavy areas of the capital Brussels and the port city Antwerp are virtual no-go zones for people who look European, has been a spike in the popularity and electoral success of openly anti-immigrant, anti-Islam political parties.
They will note that the failure of political leaders in these countries, and in places like Denmark, Switzerland and even Britain, to deal seriously with popular complaints about the other has not ended the complaints but made them louder and uglier.
And they will conclude that even in America, with a prouder history of assimilation and inclusiveness than Europe has, it would be prudent to meet this outrage with something other than finger-wagging.
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508 comments Add your comment
Jefferson
August 19th, 2010
5:18 pm
md, so when someone flies the stars and bars should they be subjected to ridicule and score ? Maybe the power company should not provide them with electricity?
Jefferson
August 19th, 2010
5:18 pm
md, so when someone flies the stars and bars should they be subjected to ridicule and score ? Maybe the power company should not provide them with electricity?
Jefferson
August 19th, 2010
5:19 pm
You can say that again…
josef nix
August 19th, 2010
5:21 pm
md
Flying the Confederate flag? We do it every day on every governmental building here in Georgia!
md
August 19th, 2010
5:21 pm
“md, so when someone flies the stars and bars should they be subjected to ridicule and score ?”
Again, one has the right to ridicule and scorn them………appropriate??
saywhat?
August 19th, 2010
5:21 pm
I am SO waiting for Bookman to return so I can read a local news blog and NOT have to see the non-stop ignorant rantings of Kyle’s resident moron. Unfortunately Cynthia’s place suffers from a number of similar, if less prolific, brain donors.
md
August 19th, 2010
5:23 pm
“Flying the Confederate flag? We do it every day on every governmental building here in Georgia!”
Since when?? The flag was changed in 2001………..
josef nix
August 19th, 2010
5:25 pm
saywhat
I’ll be glad when the Bruin gets back, too…but I do appreciate Kyle’s giving us a place in our Diaspora…I’ll take RW’s advice and visit him in the future so he can keep his count up in the respectable range!
josef nix
August 19th, 2010
5:27 pm
md
Check any standard reference. The current flag is based on that of the Richmond slavocracy… the former was based on the battle flag…
Jefferson
August 19th, 2010
5:28 pm
md, is that a definate maybe?
saywhat?
August 19th, 2010
5:28 pm
md, it is fully appropriate for the community center/mosque to be built exactly where planned.
While it is legal to compare a certain group of American citizens to terrorists based only on their religion, is it appropriate?
AmVet
August 19th, 2010
5:29 pm
Well, this horse is about beaten to death.
Same song, different chorus.
I guess the money shot question now is, will Dr. Laura do “color” commentary for the Beckerhead or HeadRush?
Jefferson
August 19th, 2010
5:30 pm
On a slow day, make hay…
md
August 19th, 2010
5:33 pm
“md, it is fully appropriate for the community center/mosque to be built exactly where planned.”
And there are many that will argue that displaying the confederate “battle” flag to honor fallen soldiers is totally appropriate as well – and many that will disagree…………..
And Jo – we all know which flag causes the stink.
josef nix
August 19th, 2010
5:33 pm
md
Tried to post you a link on that, but evidently Kyle’s blog is not amenable…just google stars and bars
RW-(the original)
August 19th, 2010
5:34 pm
josef,
There’s at least one blindingly obvious reason Kyle doesn’t have to worry about keeping his comment count up.
josef nix
August 19th, 2010
5:34 pm
md
Yes, we know which one causes the stink…and some get so blinded by the stink that they put up the far more offensive one…just sayin’
josef nix
August 19th, 2010
5:35 pm
RW
Don’t I know it!
Hillbilly Deluxe
August 19th, 2010
5:42 pm
The current Georgia Flag is based on the Stars and Bars, not the 1956 flag.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flags_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America
Jefferson
August 19th, 2010
5:43 pm
Sonny,er George will let you vote on it !!!
md
August 19th, 2010
5:44 pm
“and some get so blinded by the stink that they put up the far more offensive one…just sayin’”
Should they not??
“Offensive” is the key to the entire argument………..
And personally, I think they should be able to build it wherever they want, but isn’t the idea to get along with your neighbors??
Strip clubs and porno shops sure do have a hard time finding homes too……………must be that double standard stuff.
Jefferson
August 19th, 2010
5:47 pm
So how’s the tax cuts going? Will congress agree to keep the middle class taxes the same or will we pay a little more?
josef nix
August 19th, 2010
5:50 pm
Hillbilly
Glad to see you. Sometimes I think you and I are the only two who know that! Why did it take your link and not mine?
md
August 19th, 2010
5:51 pm
“Will congress agree to keep the middle class taxes the same or will we pay a little more?”
They are probably busy trying to figure out how they are going to slide their next payraise through without the dummy public noticing it.
Probably as a rider to an unemployment extension………..
What a job huh – how many others get to vote for their own raise????
Reform, folks, reform……….
josef nix
August 19th, 2010
5:53 pm
md
My argument during the flag flap is that they should just run up the white flag of surrender since both “sides” seemed to have plenty of suitable sheets in the closet and L-rd knows the Georgia textile industry could use the bidness…
RW-(the original)
August 19th, 2010
5:57 pm
Would you guys please quit trying to revive the flag flap before we end up having to go back to that Denny’s placemat we had for a couple years.
Hillbilly Deluxe
August 19th, 2010
5:59 pm
Why did it take your link and not mine?
I don’t know. I just copy and paste the web address.
josef nix
August 19th, 2010
6:00 pm
RW
Wasn’t THAT one a pip?
saywhat?
August 19th, 2010
6:01 pm
RW-(the original)
August 19th, 2010
5:34 pm
“josef,
There’s at least one blindingly obvious reason Kyle doesn’t have to worry about keeping his comment count up.”
ROFLMAO. I certainly hope that is not why “the blindingly obvious reason” is tolerated. I would be embarrassed to have that blight on my blog.
bxnyc
August 19th, 2010
6:01 pm
FACT. There is a mosque inside the pentagon. I repeat, there is a mosque inside the pentagon. This is a made up contraversy. The media loves to follow these hot button shiny objects and ignore the real issues. You probably can tell from my nom de plume that I live in NYC, actually I worked 3 blocks east of the WTC and visited daily during the warm months.I also know the proposed location of the cultural center (not mosque as pushed by the right & bought into by the braindead media) this in no way impinges on the site. BTW,every year the pious politicans gather survivors, throw flowers in a makeshift reflecting pool,read off the names of those who died to tug at the heart strings of the grieving and then do absolutely nothing. Now comes a group attempting to fill the void with a cultural center that will include a 9-11 memorial so what happens? The religious bigots come out in force and claim to have all the answers. Mr. Wingfield,you sit hundreds of miles away and pontificate about a place you might have visited but know very little about and then you fan the flames of hate. The stupidity of asking moderate muslims to pledge fealty to america is apalling,you should be ashamed.
md
August 19th, 2010
6:02 pm
Jo,
“Offensive” is relative. I’ve never flown the flag or owned slaves, so makes no difference to me – but it does to others. Same thing with the mosque – doesn’t affect me – but to others, especially in NYC, it seems to be a problem. Let them sort it out.
Grand Forks
August 19th, 2010
6:03 pm
“BTW, what was your take on those 73 Republicans listed in that link? Any faves?”
Why, are you looking to try them out?
Hillbilly Deluxe
August 19th, 2010
6:04 pm
RW, Josef, md
I can’t remember where I read it but somebody said the Georgia flag should be a sheet of clear plastic. That way anybody could look at it and see whatever they wanted to see.
As for me, unless we’re going to war with one of our neighboring states, we don’t even need a flag. ‘Course, I’ve never been big on symbols.
I will agree that that blue thing was a monstrosity on the order of Izzy the Olympic mascot, who looked like a slug with teeth. The Olympic mascot should have been based on our native marsupial.
md
August 19th, 2010
6:05 pm
“There’s at least one blindingly obvious reason Kyle doesn’t have to worry about keeping his comment count up.”
ROFLMAO. I certainly hope that is not why “the blindingly obvious reason” is tolerated. I would be embarrassed to have that blight on my blog.”
Another great example of that double standard stuff.
Grand Forks
August 19th, 2010
6:05 pm
“I am SO waiting for Bookman to return so I can read a local news blog and NOT have to see the non-stop ignorant rantings of Kyle’s resident moron. ”
Well, at least you admit to being a moron. Sucks for you though.
josef nix
August 19th, 2010
6:07 pm
md
I’m pretty much the same as you on that. What I do pay attention to, though, is the rhetoric surrounding whatever the issue and who is playing it to what end…
md
August 19th, 2010
6:08 pm
“I can’t remember where I read it but somebody said the Georgia flag should be a sheet of clear plastic. That way anybody could look at it and see whatever they wanted to see.”
If they could see whatever they wanted to see, wouldn’t we still have the same problem??
Shoot, that clear rag would represent every demon known to man……..
josef nix
August 19th, 2010
6:09 pm
Hillbilly
I took to boycotting the Olympics when the native marsupial was not chosen as the mascot…
Hillbilly Deluxe
August 19th, 2010
6:10 pm
If they could see whatever they wanted to see, wouldn’t we still have the same problem??
Isn’t that what they do now? And that applies to most any symbol, not just the Georgia flag.
md
August 19th, 2010
6:11 pm
“What I do pay attention to, though, is the rhetoric surrounding whatever the issue and who is playing it to what end…”
I concur…..makes for great political theater. If these buffoons knew any better, they would stay out of it all together.
religion sucks
August 19th, 2010
6:11 pm
So my only question is, exactly how far away is okay for them to build the mosque? Because, if you can say it is too close, you should be able to say what is acceptable.
Curious Observer
August 19th, 2010
6:12 pm
I disenfranchised myself but somebody had to give. It was a single mom, a woman whose husband is on disability or me.
I chose me.
@@, I don’t agree with many of your political opinions. But you’ve earned a salute from this old guy. I wish everybody had your compassion.
josef nix
August 19th, 2010
6:14 pm
curious
In re @@’s decision…I may or may not agree with her given the issue, but from what I’ve seen, she walks the walk instead of just talking the talk…would that there were more like that…
md
August 19th, 2010
6:18 pm
“she walks the walk instead of just talking the talk…”
And she runs too…………
(supposed to be a funny, but I also give her tons of credit in today’s obese society)
RW-(the original)
August 19th, 2010
6:20 pm
As for me, unless we’re going to war with one of our neighboring states, we don’t even need a flag. ‘Course, I’ve never been big on symbols.
It gives us the illusion of being independent states.
josef nix
August 19th, 2010
6:20 pm
Hillbilly, md
Back during the flag flap one of the antis was telling Unmnetionable to “put yourself in their shoes, how would YOU feel?” He answered, “well, put yourself in my moccasins and how do you think I feel on a bad mohawk day when my feathers are in a ruff when I see the Stars and Stripes?” And when given a sympathetic nod, he went on to say, “it’s the flag of MY country and I’m from a military family. I stand, salute and say the pledge, too. And I mean it. But at the same time I’m not blind to what happened to “my” people under its furls either.”
AmVet
August 19th, 2010
6:21 pm
I liked the Placemat Flag. It made me want to order the Grand Slam…
HDB
August 19th, 2010
6:21 pm
I’M BACK!!!
@@ August 19th, 2010
5:12 pm
HDB:
According to a new poll 81% believe that Obama is doing poorly at handling the economic crisis.
You’re in the minority AGAIN!
Ah pooh!!!
Story of my life!!
Rafe Hollister August 19th, 2010
5:12 pm
“HDB: don’t want to get into a tax argument as this is about the Mosque and Muslims, but almost 50% of our citizens pay no federal income taxes. I don’t think the country can survive long if people learn that they can vote themselves more of the producers money.”
Just remember, that includes people on fixed incomes/pensions, Social Security, and disabilities. Factor that in….and those who are considered “moochers” would only be about 27% of that. Have no argument that more need to step up….but that also means that Corporate America has to begin hiring!!!
md
August 19th, 2010
6:29 pm
“Have no argument that more need to step up….but that also means that Corporate America has to begin hiring!!!”
I don’t see that happening unless the reps take back congress giving the perception of a balanced gov’t. Too much uncertainty currently with hc bill, cap and tax, deficit, inflation, dollar falling, etc etc. The “perception” is not business friendly………….
josef nix
August 19th, 2010
6:30 pm
Doing my part to get Kyle over 500…fresh bone to gnaw on upstairs, though…