Liberty vs. Something like it...

Liberty has a price most of us will never pay, but enjoy to the fullest. Lately the scuttlebutt over the mosque being built near the 9/11 site has brought people to fisticuffs over whether or not it is appropriate to allow this place of worship to be erected. That it is an offense to the families of those killed in the attack. That somehow the whole of Islam is out to get us and if we let them pray near the World Trade Center, in some bigger picture that only the myopic can see, “they” win.

I’m sorry I guess we’ve all forgotten that this is America and that we do NOT discriminate against other people’s beliefs or where, when & how they worship. We swallow a lot of bullsh*t for this freedom. Think of the Civil Rights Movement which still to this day has to be vigilant in its pursuit of equality. It’s frightening to learn that in Charleston, Mississippi, Charleston High School just had their first integrated Prom in 2008. That’s right ya’ll 2008!!!

However, in America you have the right to be closed minded, bigoted and racist. You can spew your negativity and hate to anyone and on any media outlet who will listen. You also have the right to open your thoughts, to embrace your fellow man, respect his or her rights and try tolerance. Think of it as a lifestyle choice.

“They” only win if we don’t build the mosque. If we fold our arms and say, “no” then we become hypocrites wrapped in a flag of our own indignation. Moralizing that the families of these victims would be hurt or disrespected isn’t consistent with history. Look at Nathan Hale, one of Americas first true patriots, you remember him from 5th grade history class, right? He uttered, “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country,” at his hanging which occurred on 66th & Third Avenue there’s no monument or statue of him, only a small plaque that hangs on the Banana Republic occupying that “sacred” ground.

Never forgetting doesn’t mean turning Ground Zero into a tourist attraction and using its sentimentality to bully your way over other people’s rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. No one said this grand ideal etched in parchment would be easy, it's often a hard pill to take, and we've made mistakes, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Would you?