Ground Zero Mosque?? Or Right-Wing Bigotry??

The latest outrage from the right and some moderates is the proposed building of the Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan. The wedge is being driven by using words like “Ground Zero Mosque”, which the Center is not at Ground Zero, but nearly 3 blocks away. Republican politicians have weighed in heavily, which is not surprising during an election year. Sarah Palin, via Twitter told Muslim Americans to “refudiate” the Community Center. Newt Gingrich, shamed former Speaker of House chimed in as well. “Meanwhile, there are no churches or synagogues in all of Saudi Arabia. In fact no Christian or Jew can even enter Mecca.” Far too many people are falling for this.Newt’s argument and Palin’s word salad are completely flawed. In America, we have religious freedom, which is why we are a better country. The freedoms we enjoy is what defines us.
Following the the attacks on 9/11, we saw no outrage of a Mosque built post 9/11 at the Pentagon. This is hypocrisy. By protesting Feisal Abdul Rauf and Daisy Khan’s plans of a Community Center is un-American, and it’s basically telling terrorists “Okay, you win, we’ll concede some of the freedoms we take such pride in.” Mayor Bloomberg, President Obama, numerous Jewish activists, Russell Simmons and others have all spoken on the Center’s approval.
We are in silly season when it comes to politics, so little stories matter. Let’s review what has been making the headlines. “Ground Zero Mosque”, “Immigration” “New Black Panther Party” and “Gay Marriage”…see a trend here? All minority issues and all have been right-wing talking points. Playing off the fear, intolerance and bigotry of some Americans tends to win elections, please don’t fall for it. In America, we are better than that.

I have friends who have vigorously spoken against the “Ground Zero Mosque” . Some with harsh words for those who approve of the building and some calling it “insensitive.”  John Fugelsang said “Some Muslims hate all Americans. Some Americans hate all Muslims. Both conditions are neatly filed under ‘douchebaggery.” He is correct. We were attacked on 9/11 by Muslim terrorists, that does not represent all Muslims, however some Americans are protesting Mosques in Tennessee and California as well as Lower Manhattan, yet it is not all Americans. I am not a religious person, however, I do respect this country’s religious freedom. Many of the antiquated beliefs of all religions have been sources of tension and bigotry throughout history. In this country, we have made great strides in overcoming them, but we have a long way to go.
I urge people to see through the fear and bigotry being played regarding this issue. Other religions may not be tolerated in some countries, yet as President Obama said “I think it’s very important as difficult as some of these issues are that we stay focused on who we are as a people and what our values are all about,” And Mayor Bloomberg’s statement “Whatever you may think of the proposed mosque and community center, lost in the heat of the debate has been a basic question: Should government attempt to deny private citizens the right to build a house of worship on private property based on their particular religion? That may happen in other countries, but we should never allow it to happen here.”

The Clarification

So, I feel compelled to address this after a brief, yet disturbing conversation with a dear friend. Let's clarify something...liberals are not against the troops, we are against war! In the midst of discussing with her meeting of an old friend of mine, she stated, I paraphrase "Well Kyle, sometimes you do come off as though you are against the troops, you've pissed me off at times". That said, I was bewildered as I have never spoken against the troops. I have shared my disgust at the over 4,400 U.S. casualties in the Iraq war, the nearly 1,200 in Afghanistan. I shared my disgust at the 100,000 + dead Iraqis and the unknown number of civilian deaths in Afghanistan.  I share my disgust that the war in Afghanistan is the longest in our country's history. I share my disgust that the deficit hawks are willing to spend to kill and be killed while spending over a trillion dollars.

This misconception from the right-wing and moderates is baffling, when alot what is seen as support is nothing more than a bumper sticker or flag waving. In 2006, a young liberal minister and a older conservative started "Homes for Vets", which they helped find and finance homes for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. I had the great opportunity to sit down with these gentleman and share my ideas, They did run out of funds in early 2008. However, some vets are still in these homes due to our efforts, no matter how big or small. Walter Reed and the Dingell VA Medical Center received contributions from Street Corner Music, my old employer, of DVD's ,books, and music from us to help occupy time and provide entertainment while our soldiers heal. I was often in the the right place at the right time for an ex-girlfriends son who fought in Iraq and faced numerous challenges upon returning home. It took him over a year to gather himself after war and often finding himself falling down drunk, and it was often myself picking him up and getting him home.

  Further, fiery liberal dog rescuers at Metro Detroit Shelters are putting their efforts forward to help veterans and active duty service members pets, not to mention the work vets like Luis Carlos Montalvan's does for and with  service dogs. There is also the fantastic efforts of IVAW and IAVA do, not to mention VoteVets.org, all of whom I was happy to  march with members in D.C. to protest war. Many who share my political views.

 So, for those who wish to present "opposition" to war, I urge you to recognize it is not opposition to our brave men and women who were sent off to war by President Bush and continued by President Obama. So, the clarification is many people can blindly say they support out troops by waving a flag and simply stating "I support the troops", I say do the little things, do the big things, do what you can

Fox News Nazi Problem

  Nazi Germany comparisons have long been used when discussing the opposition and persons of power you disagree with. I disagree with it from both the left and right. However, at Fox News it is trend when speaking of Hitler and Nazi Germany. Particularly with paranoid host Glenn Beck. Many other hosts, and guests have joined the choir, including former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.

This rhetoric, sparks bigotry and fear in gullible Americans. Whether it be the right-wing talk about health care and "death panels" or bailing out General Motors, Chrysler and banks, the right used veiled  fearmongering to say it was a "takeover" and "Hitler did this!". However, it was not a takeover of any of these industries. It was a tax payer loan that saved alot of jobs in tough economic times. As these companies continue to repay those loans, we will see the private sector grow again.

Newt Gingrich, who was shamed into resignation by his own party years back, has a new book. In this newly published book, says "Obama poses a Hitler like threat", really Newt? That is the best you have? Resorting to this level just to scare people and gain political points shows you hate America and American workers whose jobs were saved from the stimulus and bailouts. Appearing on Fox News Sunday, and again with Meridith Veira,  Newt tried to defend the quote.



Newt, the President, the Democratic Leadership in the House and Senate, and my own ilk are just as American and patriotic as you and the Tea Party, so move on, and don't pretend to be so offended when some made the ill advised comparison to Arizona's immigration law.


 

Senate candidate wishes to do away with Americans with Disability Act??

  Kentucky candidate Rand Paul, who has garnered great support from the Tea Party crowd, stated in an interiew 

" like for example if you have a three story building and you have someone apply for a job, you get them a job on the first floor if they’re in a wheelchair as supposed to making the person who owns the business put an elevator in, you know what I mean? So things like that aren’t fair to the business owner. [...]"

  Paul, son of Republican/Libertarian Congressman Ron Paul is sure to today's Kentucky primary against Trey Greyson. However, for his wish to support business over the individual shows a deep disregard for the work of Richard Pimentel. Pimentel, a public speaker and Vietnam war vet who lost his hearing and crusaded to train businesses and Government agencies in employing and training Americans with disabilites. The Americans with Disabilities Act is great achievement of his.

Terrorist in a Bikini??

 With the crowning of Rima Fakih in the Miss USA pageant, the right-wing has used her Lebanese-American heritage to smear her. While I don't watch pageants, and normally could care a less, but the attack on my fellow Michigander has pushed my hot buttons. The worst smear comes from Conservative blogger, and psycho talker Debbie Schlussel, who is making claims Fakih has ties to Hezbollah. Debbie, Rima's hometown of Dearborn is 4 miles from from, it is a great area to shop in, eat at, and even talk with the large population of Arab-Americans. There is a chance that one or more may have known or is related to someone in Lebanon who supports Hezbollah. Even of Metro Detroit's favorite Arab  American Restaurants, La Shish had ties with Hezbollah. Guess what Debbie, when my grandmother was a kid, her and her best friend found KKK hoods in her friend's attic, which apparently belonged to her friend's Dad. This does not mean my family has ties to the KKK.

While the terrorist accusation was not enough, the right wing then sought retribution for Carrie Prejean and "pole dancing" contest photos began to emerge . The event sponsored by local radio personality Mojo in the Morning, has sparked controversy. Instead of seeing a gorgeous Arab-American woman win this pageant, the conservative machine chooses to show their bigotry and hatred of people unlike themselves. They like to pretend to stand up for Arab women in the Middle East, saying they are oppressed, yet do not seem to notice that Ms. Fakih certainly is not. They choose to ignore what pride Arab-Americans feel with her victory. If you follow the links in this post, you may no longer ask why the right-wing are considered bigots.

Documentos, Por Favor

  With the passage of Arizona's immigration law, the news has been saturated with common sense and compassion from moderates and liberals. While the far right has displayed greater bigotry than usual.

  The argument has been made that targeting undocumented immigrants will lead to "racial profiling" and it will. Ask those in favor of the new immigration law what an "illegal immigrant" looks like. American citizens abroad recognize that America has a poor immigration system, yet targeting individuals is "un-American".

  We are witnessing one of our states transform into a police state. In the year 2010, at a time when more and more American citizens attempt to reach out to one another, some people are more and more isolated. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan granted amnesty to some that entered our country illegally. The Simpson-Mazzoli Act also targeted employers who hired undocumented workers. While the enforcement of this act was lax, it was on target. Thom Hartmann routinely says "we do not have an illegal immigrant problem, we have a illegal employer problem", I agree. Employers favor cheap labor, and most American citizens demand more, that argument is never going away. However, citizens are "legally" allowed to work here. If we crack down on the employers, the undocumented workers will stop coming here to work "illegally". If fines are increased and the chance of serious jail time is initiated, we would likely see a decrease of border crossing.

  In addition to this "misguided" law, there are other factors people are not taking into account. The United States is staggering out of a couple rough economic years. Rounding people up and deporting or jaillng them is removing revenue from our economy. Estimates state there are 20 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. These people send some money home to their families, and the rest goes into the economy. You really want to remove 20 million people from spending on daily needs?

  Arizona has also passed a conceal and carry weapons law, which begins this summer, it does not require a permit. So, while this law already put law enforcement officials in danger, it now puts every Arizonan in danger. Criminals are already carrying without a permit, yet what will become of anti-immigrant gun nuts? Will they just begin opening fire on those seeking  better life? Will they open fire those who are helping immigrants achieve legal status? The scenarios are endless.

  People around the country are opposed to Arizona's new law because we thought about the consequences and possibilities. Humans Rights organizations, ordinary citizens and the federal government are making the case to repeal it, and with possible success, we demonstrate what it is to truly be an American.