Eugene Robinson: Jefferson Would be Ashamed of Republican Mosque Panderers

[babylonsister]

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/jefferson_would_be_ashamed_of_republican_mosque_panderers_20100816/

Jefferson Would be Ashamed of Republican Mosque Panderers

Posted on Aug 16, 2010

By Eugene Robinson


snip//

President Obama was correct to say Friday that Muslims “have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in the country,” and that this “includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances.” Obama’s remarks came at a White House dinner marking Ramadan, the Islamic holy month.

The first White House observance of Ramadan was hosted in 1805 by Thomas Jefferson. He invited the Tunisian ambassador to the President’s House for dinner, and changed the time of the meal from the usual “half after three” to “precisely at sunset” so the envoy could comply with the Ramadan obligation to fast during daylight hours.

Jefferson’s well-thumbed copy of the Koran is now in the Library of Congress. If the author of the Declaration of Independence were alive today, he would surely face censure from the big-mouthed, small-minded coterie of Republican presidential hopefuls.

Sarah Palin wrote on Twitter that the “Ground Zero mosque is UNNECESSARY provocation; it stabs hearts.” Newt Gingrich wrote that “there should be no mosque near Ground Zero in New York so long as there are no churches or synagogues in Saudi Arabia.” Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said that the mosque would “degrade or disrespect” the site. Mike Huckabee asked whether supporters of the project believe “we can offend Americans and Christians, but not foreigners and Muslims.” Mitt Romney is against it, too, citing “the wishes of the families of the deceased and the potential for extremists to use the mosque for global recruiting and propaganda.”

This is pandering, pure and simple. A CNN poll showed that 68 percent of Americans opposed a plan by “a group of Muslims in the U.S.” to build “a mosque” two blocks from the World Trade Center site. I wonder what the results might look like if pollsters had phrased the question differently—if they had asked, say, whether “a group of Americans” should be allowed to build “a center promoting moderate, peaceful Islam.” It might be, though, that most people oppose the project however the issue is framed.

And that’s why we have a Bill of Rights that protects our freedoms against the whims of public opinion. Jefferson understood this. A bunch of opportunistic politicians—who love to quote him—obviously do not.

[JuniperLea]

1. If we want to be told where to build Jewish Temples, or Christian Churches...

Then go ahead with this lunacy of telling Muslims where they can or cannot build.

People just don't think anymore.

[JBoy]

2. "Kebabs do not threaten our way of life".

But they come with sharp sticks! Surely that's no coincidence.

[LatteLibertine]

3. People are saying

it's "inappropriate". I'd say it's inappropriate if you feel Islam and all Muslims should be equated with Al-Qaeda. I do not.

I'd say terrorists have no legitimate claim to Islam. In the same way that "Christians" who bomb abortion clinics have no real claim to the gospel of Christ.

President Obama should make those points.

[tammywammy]

4. Completely agree! Good post. n/t

[Douglas Carpenter]

5. kick and recommend!!

[Ter]

6. He'd be ashamed of both parties

If alive, he'd be a Libertarian.

[roxiejules]

7. Just to clarify the backdrop to the dinner...

We were at 'war' with the pirates:

http://wiki.monticello.org/mediawiki/index.php/Tunisian_Envoy

The backdrop to this state visit was the ongoing conflict between the United States and the Barbary states, autonomous provinces of the Ottoman Empire that rimmed the Mediterranean coast of North Africa. Soon after the Revolutionary War and the consequent loss of the British navy’s protection, American merchant vessels had become prey for Barbary corsairs (pirates). Jefferson was outraged by the demands of ransom for civilians captured from American vessels and the Barbary states’ expectation of annual tribute to be paid as insurance against future seizures. He took an uncharacteristically hawkish position against the prevailing thought that it was cheaper to pay tribute than maintain a navy to protect shipping from piracy.

The crisis with Tunis erupted when the USS Constitution captured Tunisian vessels attempting to run the American blockade of Tripoli. The bey of Tunis threatened war and sent Mellimelli to the United States to negotiate full restitution for the captured vessels and to barter for tribute.

Jefferson balked at paying tribute but accepted the expectation that the host government would cover all expenses for such an emissary. He arranged for Mellimelli and his 11 attendants to be housed at a Washington hotel, and rationalized that the sale of the four horses and other fine gifts sent by the bey of Tunis would cover costs. Mellimelli’s request for “concubines” as a part of his accommodations was left to Secretary of State James Madison. Jefferson assured one senator that obtaining peace with the Barbary powers was important enough to “pass unnoticed the irregular conduct of their ministers.”

[smalll]

8. Yeah, but 1805 was a relatively low point in the Muslim assault on the West --

the siege of Vienna (1683) and 9-11 (2001) were not exactly memorable or immiment at that point. And if we're going to go back to great men of the 18th century, what about Voltaire? What did he say about the fanaticism and intolerance of the Muslim religion?

"Ecrasez l'infame!"