These words that I write, they keep me from total insanity. -Charles Bukowski

Aug 25, 2010

Ground Zero Mosque...

I've been wondering about this one.  As we all have heard, they are trying to build a mosque/muslim community center near ground zero.

Well let's cut right to the chase because there's only two sides to this argument.  You're either for it or against it.

Bullshit.

Do I think they should build a mosque that close to ground zero...well no.

But I've been a soldier for the last 12 years.  I joined the army on May 5, 1998.  And in that time I've learned a lot and had some of my views on the world shaken to their very foundations (a few even knocked down), and developed some new ideas.

Now at one point I would've been a very vocal opponent of any Muslims even getting near ground zero.  Over the years my opinion has changed, I believe they call it maturing.

At one point I would've told you that my enlistment in the Army was to fight for the flag of the United States of America.

These days, I would tell you that I am a defender of the principles that this country is founded upon.  I fight for the ideas on which this country has built itself.  I don't fight for a flag.

Now you can disagree with me, I don't mind.  That's pretty much the idea.

A flag to me is a symbol.  A powerful symbol, to be sure.  But nothing more than a symbol.  It's just a piece of cloth.  That's why I don't get my panties all in a bunch when someone burns one.  I mean, that's what you're supposed to do with an unserviceable one anyway.  I don't fight for anything tangible.

I fight for the ideas.  The ideas are what make us free.  (And that's hanging by a thread these days.)  The ideas are what made us great.  The ideas are what made us the envy of the world.  The ideas are what made us the leader of the world.  The ideas are what made us the standard by which all other countries have and will be judged.  The ideas are what's worth defending, what's worth fighting for, what's worth dying for...

I certainly did not fight for a country that when someone does something people don't like, they curl up and bow to pressure.  I didn't fight for a country that would throw away the principles upon which it was founded, when the road got a little rough.

Forgive the redundancy but allow me to remind you what those principles are...


Amendment ICongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment IIA well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. 
Amendment IIINo Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IVThe right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment VNo person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VIIn all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Amendment VIIIn suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIIIExcessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IXThe enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment XThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.


I took the liberty of highlighting the applicable portion.  Seems pretty straight forward to me.  They signed it like 234 years ago.  They told us what we should be doing way before we needed the help.  On this one, at least.

The ideas that this country was built on are what matter.  They are what make you free.  They are what allow you to protest this.  They are what allow me to write this and you to read it.  They are what allow them to build it.

Its all been said a thousand times before but it bears repeating because it seems that no matter how many times its drilled into our head we keep forgetting...it is exactly the times when it is the most difficult that we, as Americans, must adhere to our founding principles even more tightly than ever before.

Later,

I love you Mom...





5 comments:

  1. I understand your point. I rarely get my panties in a wad over such stuff either, but not so much because of the rights of Americans, which are good things - good ideas. On the other hand, try to put in a landfill or a prison or nuclear facility, etc, and people suddenly will fight you tooth and nail - and win. There are laws that say you cannot put in a liqour store, tattoo palor, bar, etc, within so many feet of a school or church. I guess these things are offensive to some. Yep, Americans are not really so free to build anything anywhere, but by golly you can put a mosque anywhere.

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  2. "it is exactly the times when it is the most difficult that we, as Americans, must adhere to our founding principles even more tightly than ever before."....it is a cultural center, it was my understanding that the mosque has already been built in that same neighborhood, and has been there for many years. it is a very dangerous and slippery slope you go down when you start taking away people's rights because you don't like their religious beliefs or when you blame them for the actions of a few. Just ask the Japanese Americans during WWII. They are not building ON the WTC sight, it is 2-4 blocks away and by New York standards that could be quite a distance.
    -M

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  3. I found your blog through a link from another blog I read. God bless and keep you in your service. I'm 58 and you are dead on right: The constitution permits people to do things that are offensive, bad judgment and unpopular. We cannot permit the Constitution to be undermined by talk radio, bloggers and knee jerk reactions. If liberty goes out the window for this building today, MY building will be tomorrow. If the Constitution does not "win" in this debate our country is in a lot more danger than a mosque or cultural center can ever threaten it with. Thank you, brother!

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  4. Hi MP, It's been a while since I have visited your blog. Personally I like the sniper pik but, I realize you are toning it down.

    I will stand beside you regarding this and S-P is absolutely correct about the "offensive, bad judgment and in poor taste. The mosque in this location encompases all of these and more.

    Having that said, I will stand up for and against s-p for talk radio and those who argue against building the mosque in that location. You can't have it both ways. As Daddy use to say, "what's good for the goose is good for the gander!"

    How's that William Shakespeare book coming? Has it become a doorstop yet or did you leave it for some other classic readers. Just wondering. LOL

    Pops,
    Conservative Outrage

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