The Craziness of the World Today
I am sort of in a general venting mood about the state of this country, again. I want to first start off with the craziness that is the Republicans. Actually, more on the Tea Party and those supporting candidates. You have Rand Pau, (Republican Senate nominee for Kentucky) who doesn’t agree ‘completely’ with the Civil Rights Act, and more recently, doesn’t think government should fine mining companies for safety violations. You know, the very same industry when in April of this year, a West Virginia mine had an explosion that resulted in the death of 29 workers. [Think Progress]. Let’s not forget how he, along with Angle and friends defended BP and continue to support deep water drilling, despite the overwhelming evidence that it is far from safe. Remember, 11 people died in the Deepwater Horizon blowout in April, and resulted in the worst environmental disaster in US history. But, “whatever” says the Republicans. Then they follow, “Who cares?”
And Sharon Angle (Republican Senate nominee for Nevada), oh boy, she outshined the former Republican favorite for that Senate seat, remember, the “chicken lady,” she now looks like Einstein. But, Angle, wants to remove Social Security (no, I’m sorry, “transition out” or “privatized”), abolish the EPA, hell, even wants to remove the Department of Education. I guess the last one I would understand, since Republicans would want to rely on people being absolutely stupid. The Social Security issue has been talked about, not just by Angle, but other party members, as well as removing Unemployment Benefits. History Lesson: F.D.R. (you know, Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served a record 4 terms [in case you're among the stupid, Presidents can only serve 2 terms], who was the President that brought us out of the Depression, he signed Social Security and Unemployment Insurance into law 75 years ago, as means to provide hard working Americans some form of financial security when they become senior citizens, and for Americans who lose their jobs at no fault of their own to be able to, I don’t know, buy food and have shelter. Republicans have referred to SS as “ponzi schemes,” or even question if is constitutional. If these people managed to take the House and Senate back, the Presidency by 2012, those of us currently working now, will probably work until we die or live on the streets. [Shore News Today].
But I think one thing that really burns me, this whole issue with the EXTREMELY misleading “Ground Zero Mosque.” First of all, it’s a Community Center (with a basketball court and a culinary school) with 2 of the 13 floors being the actual Islamic worship part. Second, it’s NOT at Ground Zero, it’s two block from it. I don’t understand how this is ‘inappropriate.’ 3,000 people died from that tragedy, many firefighters and first responders risked their lives to save many. There were Christians, Jews, and even Muslims that died, people off different nationalities. New York itself is a cultural center for the US. The Word Trade Center was a symbol for that, and denying the building of an Islamic Cultural Center two blocks from the site, would be completely against what this country stands for.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” -the first right in the 1st amendment.
I love that part. Anyway, I am not a Muslim, not a Christian, not Jewish, or Buddhist, or Hindu. I am a free thinker, a human being, and an American. I learned the history of this country, and the reason the Pilgrims came was to escape Religious Persecution of their homeland. This country was founded on the principles of Religious Freedom, so if there can be churches that are actually across the street, there should be no reason that a cultural center that has only 2 floors that are for Islamic prayers, can be 2 blocks away.
Now, because of the Religious intolerance of this country, the only problem building there is how intolerant and ignorant people are. People that are generalizing all Muslims as terrorists that do evil things, are the same kind of people that, I don’t know, do evil things against Muslims of peace. How about the Christian groups that terrorize abortion doctors? What about priests the molest kids? If this is how it is, maybe churches should be abolished too. That may sound extreme, but I believe in freedom for all, and if one group has their freedom taken away, then no one should have it. Same goes for the issue of same-sex marriage. If homosexuals can’t marry, then neither shall heterosexuals. Now, I get my opinion may not matter as I follow no Religion nor do I believe in the concept of marriage, so they don’t apply to me, but I speak for all that are being judged for the behavior of a few. It’s intolerance, plain and simple, it’s disgusting, and it is un-American.
Clip from Monday, August 16th episode of Rachel Maddow (with Chris Hayes filling in):
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
And here are a few blog articles posted on the Washington Post:
The Park 51 Islamic Cultural Center and American Values
Redemption Story
And a link for Keith Olbermann’s special comment on August 16th:
There is no ‘Ground Zero Mosque’
