Fear in New York City

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/steinberg/2556458,CST-NWS-stein02.article

August 2, 2010

BY NEIL STEINBERG Sun-Times Columnist

<snip>What did surprise me was the Anti-Defamation League coming out Friday against the Islamic center, issuing a statement that suggests the inflamed emotions of victims' kin should trump our cherished American freedoms.

"The controversy which has emerged regarding the building of an Islamic Center at this location is counterproductive to the healing process," the ADL said. "Therefore, under these unique circumstances, we believe the City of New York would be better served if an alternative location could be found."

The ADL doesn't say how far away the center has to be in order not to wreck the healing process. Three blocks? Six? Off Manhattan island entirely? In a different country? Many Americans would endorse that, happy to join al-Qaeda in its assertion that all Muslims are automatically part of the same jihad -- hey, the Taliban says so! It must be true! -- and it galls to see the ADL, a heretofore-respected organization, slip lazily into this mind-set.

I expect more from the ADL. Given the history of Jews being tarred as an evil foreign presence, I thought we'd be not quite so fast to condemn others based on the same non-reasoning. There are lots of Islamic terrorists, sure, but there are also lots of Jewish bankers. Both are still offensive stereotypes, still slurs, and I can't see how what one group of 19 Muslims did in 2001 should prevent another, completely separate group of Muslims from building a religious center in 2010. How is claiming that any different from saying I can't join your country club because the Jews killed Christ? The ADL thinks the Islamic center spoils the healing process? Well boo hoo -- the Jewish kids spoil the Christmas pageant, too, but they aren't forced to stay home. That's how America works. We adapt. I thought the Anti-Defamation League understood that. But I guess I was wrong.

[LostinVA]

1. k&r

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Healing process?

How long do you suppose that will take to complete?

Seems to me that there are interests who would be satisfied with an indefinite "healing process". They seem to open the wound any time they can.

[marmar]

3. "How long do you suppose that will take to complete?"

Until they decide they can no longer use 9-11 as a political issue......I guess they didn't learn from Rudy G9u11ni.

[KharmaTrain]

4. Sadly Many Jews Have Forgotten...

I was fortunate to know my grandmothers who shared their stories as to what life was like in Eastern Europe around 100 years ago and why they came to this country. The chance for economic opportunity along with religious tolerance is what made this country truly great...and that many Jews have been able to prosper here due to the freedoms of religion but also the social tolerance.

I, too, am disappointed by the ADL's stand on this matter, but I suspect they're succumed to the big money from right wing Jews who forgot about the discrimination their own kin had experienced. Shameful.

[no_hypocrisy]

6. Also forgotten: town planning boards used to put up petty obstacles to prevent

synagogues from being constructed or converted from existing structures.

[lunatica]

5. Americans don't hate enough.

That part about freedom of religion should be torn out of the Constitution and right at the top someone should write in Christian just before the word Constitution to make it clear exactly what religion will be tolerated in this country.

And those Atheists. They need to shut up and go to church and beg God's forgiveness. And women should shut up and go back into the kitchen.

This country is for the Angry White Man made in the image of the Angry White God.