Mosque at Ground Zero

I am surprised that this issue is still being talked about.  68% of Americans and 53% of New Yorkers oppose the building of the mosque at ground zero.  I will now settle the argument once and for all.

A quick summary of both sides of the debate are easily shown in the chart below.

As you can see each side makes compelling arguments but there is clearly only one winner: no mosque.  


Many people whine about how the Muslims have every right to build their mosque.  We have "amendments" and "legal protection" of minorities in this country.  "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."  That is from the first amendment, an amendment that some might argue is first because it is the most important.  However, I see it as being the first and therefore the most outdated of all the amendments.  It is about time we tossed out old amendments that we don't agree with at this exact moment.  If there's ever a time when a different religion (maybe Christianity?) needs protection we could always bring it back.  We shouldn't have to follow all the rules all of the time.  Rules are for pussies.


Sensitivity is key in this debate.  The fact is that building a mosque at ground zero is insulting and brings up painful memories.  There are just things that you don't do at certain places.  Memories hurt.  We all know that you wouldn't go to Pearl Harbor and eat sushi, wear an outfit made of vegetables to a Lady Gaga concert, or be Mexican anywhere in the United States unless you are insensitive.  Each of these instances makes Americans uncomfortable and the same goes with the ground zero mosque.

Some other whiners would also say that it is technically a cultural center and actually a two minute walk from ground zero.  Blah blah blah.  I don't care.  Other people would also nag and say that innocent Muslims were killed in the attacks of 9/11 too.  Yeah and your point is?

Now that I've settled this debate watch this video of Dan Rather on Letterman right after 9/11.  It has nothing to do with this debate, but in it he says, "It's a mistake to believe that this has anything to do with the Islamic religion."  I sure don't know what he's talking about but it is a good interview.



Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoAOKX0deDA
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2ocnOqUuGM&feature=related
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hUQ9J07lWg&feature=related