[MD] Theocracy, Secularism, and Democracy

[David Thomas]

Platt:

> If the Russians proposed to place a monument to Russian Communism on the
> grounds of Chartwell, you might think it  inappropriate. Not a perfect
> analogy, but perhaps helpful in understanding the reaction of many Americans
> to the proposed  mosque near the 9/11 site.

The use of the word "mosque" is the divisive element. When you say "mosque"
in America now it means a tile covered, domed building with cryers
broadcasting gibberish from minarets at all hours of the day. In fact the
building is an existing office building, vacant, and damaged from the blast.
It is to be remodeled into a community center (yes with Muslim prayer rooms)
that from the outside without some closer understanding or inspection I
doubt most Americans walking by would distinguish from any other office
building in the area. The "wisdom" issue still remains though but my guess
that it was good All- American entrepreneurial spirit that got them in
trouble. Bombed out vacant building in New York City (one of the priciest
real estate markets in the world) available with little down and almost no
interest from an insurance company wanting to get it off there books at the
bottom of the worst real estate depression in recent times. Go for it!
Whoops, our planning approval just happened to fall right in the startup of
mid-term national elections. Didn't plan that very well, did we. Oh shit.

Or it could be a jihadist plot to take over first New York, then the world.

Dave