RE: Islamic Culture Center; Islamic Culture in liberal democracies

I also just wanted to say bravo to James for that post. At least there are some people in this world who still believe in allowing the freedoms that makes Liberal Democracies great.

I also wanted to add to this discussion with some interesting points I have been recently reading about on the news especially concerning Islamic culture and the veil. (Sorry i don't have accompanying articles to go with this but I read them a while back and have been stewing this over)

1. As it turns out, France has banned the veil - an Item of clothing worn by an estimated 5,000 people in France. The president claimed that the veil is harmful to women's rights.

2. A poll was taken in Canada that showed that the majority of the population would like to see the veil banned.

3. Kosovo has banned the veil now too in the hope that it can join the EU (I know this one came from BBC world News)

4. A court in Australia ordered a Woman to remove her veil while making a testimony although it is not Australian Law. (ABC News Australia)

I believe the veil is a good example of a discussion on the government limiting civilian rights of self expression:

I firstly have no idea why liberal democracies have decided to begin banning an item of clothing that comes to represent someone's faith and why this is seen as popular. This really does make me uncomfortable as I see this as crossing the line - just because someone is wearing a veil does not mean that they are dangerous in any way.

Secondly, I find the Kosovar reaction to these bannings also rather disheartening. Ieeen trying to fit in to join the EU, they have not only alienated part of their population but have highlighted the discrimination taking place against Muslims in Western European society.

The forth case from Australia that I pointed out raises an important question about security. Although some Australians (especially of the older, more socially conservative generation) are very suspicious of Muslims, most urban Australians are in fact VERY liberal and have no desire to ban the veil. The judge's request for the witness to remove her veil was because they needed to see her facial expressions in order to judge whether she was being truthful in her testimony.

So I leave you all with this question: is it OK to ban the veil outright? Should it be mandatory to remove the Veil in certain high security areas ie. Banks, the Airport and Court? Where should the government draw the line?

Embrace the Islamic Cultual Center

For a long time I've been embarrassed to be a member of a generation that gets most of its news from Jon Stewart. However, in response to Denise's post, I must apologize to Mr. Stewart. This "mosque (i.e. Islamic cultural center)" debate is the most absurd debate that the tea party has yet raised. Ok, not as bad as the conspiracy that the President was grown in a Kenyan lab by Nasser, Saddam, and Gadaffi as part of an intricate plot to place a sleeper agent in the White House...but almost.

As the Daily Show's investigation showed, intolerance towards Mosques is a growing trend in America. What is your goal Tea Party, to emulate the Know-Nothing Party and its fears of "Romanism (Catholicism)"? The cultural center will be blocks from Ground Zero, farther than an actual Mosque that already exists. Charles Krauthammer, the conservative Washington Post columnist, has compared building the cultural center to building a German cultural center at Auschwitz. While I sometimes agree with Mr. Krauthammer's views, he could not be more wrong with this analogy. Every Muslim is not a member of al-Qaeda, and virtually every Muslim-American was mortified by the events on 9/11. Just because the terrorists acted in the name of Islam does not mean that they represent the views of Islam. I certainly am not represented by deranged individuals who shoot up abortion clinics in the name of Christ.

I understand why people are uncomfortable about the location of the cultural center, although I suspect that is mostly because of a lack of information and the way the story has been covered by the media. There is of course nothing I can do to stop my own party from opposing the cultural center, as it continues to become increasingly beholden to the Tea Party. However, I am ashamed to see the Democrats rallying around the nativist banner as well. Incredibly Harry Reid and Howard Dean have publicly come out against the building of the mosque, but I suspect that this has something to do with the election in November.

I was pleasantly surprised when President Obama came out in support of the cultural center, and was bitterly disappointed when he backtracked the next day. Again, I suppose this is simply politicking, but I would urge the President to stand by his convictions here. Obama's term has been full of bold leadership and decisions on many issues, not all of which I agree with, but I respect that the President is focused on improving the country and not re-election. Mr. Obama, no American president has ever been more popular in the Islamic World. Come out in support of the Cultural Center. Explain how this shows America's openness and diversity. Make a tangible demonstration of why freedom and democracy should be embraced over sectarianism and bigotry. Show the world why bin-Laden and Ahmadinejad are wrong, and why America is better than them.

Jon Stewart on the Islamic Community Center

Honestly, I'm ashamed that this whole thing is an issue. I have to laugh to keep from crying. Thank you for making that easier, Jon Stewart. Too bad that when you actually stop to think about it, it shouldn't be an issue at all.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Municipal Land-Use Hearing Update
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party