Do They Really Need the Ground Zero Mosque?

I disagree with so many of President Obama's actions up to this point that it would really make my blog monotonous and boring to constantly rant and rave about these things on a daily basis. But there is one rant and rave that I refuse to silence. I am sickened to the point of extreme nausea that our President has not (and will not, I am sure) use his influence as President and as a Muslim to persuade the Muslims to build their new mosque at some place other than Ground Zero. So let's leave the President out of this controversy.

I would like to consider the Muslims in New York in general. First, current figures indicate that there are about 800,000 Muslims in the Big Apple. Second, of over 1200 mosques in the United States, at least 100 are located in New York City, distributed throughout the various boroughs. According to the same source, this number does not include smaller "storefront" mosques as well as those conducted in individual Muslim homes. Some of the larger mosques accommodate over 3,000 people at each service. And new mosques are under construction with increasing frequency. So why do they really need the Ground Zero Mosque?

The answer of course is they really don't NEED to build a mosque at Ground Zero. For three reasons: First, Ground Zero is down-town where there is virtually no residential population, and only a small percentage of those who do reside downtown are Muslim. Second, IF there IS really a legitimate need for a mosque somewhere in the area of downtown, there are certainly city lots available at less expense than the lot only a block from Ground Zero. Finally, almost any lot anywhere else in Manhattan would serve the purpose AND would not arouse such great feelings of betrayal and hostility with the non-Muslim population of New York, and of the rest of nation as well.

Earlier I mentioned that I did not want to harp on my disagreements with the President on a daily basis in this blog. But I would like to point out one thing. President Obama just today pleaded Americans to "tolerant of religion." Oh, does this warrant "a whole 'nother" blog. But that can wait for another day. Back to the point, I am outraged that Mr. Obama expects "Americans" to be "tolerant." I take "Americans" to mean any citizen who is NOT Muslim. I also interpret President Obama's "tolerance" to mean that OTHER religions need to "tolerate" Muslims. I can't argue with religious tolerance. I think it is a good thing. BUT, I think it works both ways, Mr. Obama. Should not Muslims ALSO TOLERATE OTHER RELIGIONS?!

And, most important, IF MUSLIMS are so TOLERANT and understanding of other religions, as well as TOLERANT of the feelings of the majority of Americans, the group of Muslims undertaking construction of the Ground Zero Mosque would have ALREADY CANCELLED their plans for the Ground Zero Mosque. Out of their tolerance for other religions, and in sympathy of the heartache and the outrage of MILLIONS OF NON-MUSLIMS, these people would simply select a lot or an abandoned building several blocks (or miles) from Ground Zero. They would have their new mosque and they would greatly demonstrate their understanding and sensitivity toward the feelings and the grief of so many Americans who lost loved ones on that day that will "live in infamy."

I will be surprised if the Ground Zero Mosque is not built. I will be surprised if Barack Obama speaks out against this terrible undertaking. But I will NOT be surprised that, as Americans continue to voice their outrage and anger at the very idea of the Ground Zero Mosque, we do not continue to hear the tired crowing of our President, the "enlightened" members of the New York commission which is so eager for the mosque to be constructed, and, of course, Muslim mouth-pieces, in loud, discordant shouts for "tolerance." Yes, only Muslims are "tolerant." Other Americans are just bigoted, Muslim-hating, and, above all, INTOLERANT, malcontents who won't give the poor, mistreated Muslims an even break. After all, the Muslims just want to build a mosque...