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Posted by stevebenen at 11:09 am
August 13, 2010
Charles Krauthammer Recycles Bigoted Lies to Villify Muslim Community CenterPosted by stevebenen on @ 11:09 am
This is cross-posted from Political Animal.I’m not surprised Charles Krauthammer opposes the construction of the Cordoba House at Park51 in lower Manhattan; I’m a little surprised his column on the subject is so astoundingly bad. Given all that’s been said on the subject, it seemed likely he’d know what pitfalls to ignore, instead of aiming right at them.
He begins by trying to convince us that Ground Zero is a special, sacred place.
When we speak of Ground Zero as hallowed ground, what we mean is that it belongs to those who suffered and died there — and that such ownership obliges us, the living, to preserve the dignity and memory of the place, never allowing it to be forgotten, trivialized or misappropriated.
That’s why Disney’s 1993 proposal to build an American history theme park near Manassas Battlefield was defeated by a broad coalition that feared vulgarization of the Civil War…. It’s why the commercial viewing tower built right on the border of Gettysburg was taken down by the Park Service. It’s why, while no one objects to Japanese cultural centers, the idea of putting one up at Pearl Harbor would be offensive.
And why Pope John Paul II ordered the Carmelite nuns to leave the convent they had established at Auschwitz. He was in no way devaluing their heartfelt mission to pray for the souls of the dead. He was teaching them a lesson in respect: This is not your place; it belongs to others. However pure your voice, better to let silence reign.
Got it. In fact, I heartily endorse the premise of Krauthammer’s observation — Ground Zero really is special. I wouldn’t want to see a fast-food place built at the site of the fallen Twin Towers, and I wouldn’t want a strip-mall, either. I’d balk at the idea of building a church, a mosque, a temple, or a synagogue at Ground Zero, just as quickly as I’d oppose an amusement part at the site.
But Krauthammer is making a compelling case against an idea that doesn’t exist. Literally no one is suggesting that the Cordoba House be built “at,” “over,” or “on” Ground Zero — it’s proposed location is a couple of blocks away. Indeed, within a two-block radius of Ground Zero, there are all kinds of establishments — restaurants, coffee shops, office buildings, churches, strip-clubs, etc. — and Feisal Abdul Rauf wants his proposed community center to be among them. What does Ground Zero’s sacred qualities have to do with this? Nothing at all, which is why this debate is so ridiculous. ...........(more)
The complete piece is at:
http://blogs.alternet.org/speakeasy/2010/08/13/charles-krauthammer-recycles-bigoted-lies-to-villify-muslim-community-center/
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