The debate over the proposed building of an Islamic center and mosque a few blocks from "Ground Zero" has resulted in off the charts displays of demagoguery, shameless hypocrisy, and logical leaps that abandon any hopes of reason winning the day. Fundamental American values and beliefs have been tossed aside like yesterday's trash amidst a sea of hysteria, fear mongering, and emoting masquerading as argument.
Have we lost our collective minds? Is there any more fundamental American principle than that of religious freedom? It is part of the bedrock upon which the nation was built and such sacred beliefs should not be subject to the emotion and irrationality of the moment. To the contrary, these are the moments that test our strength and legitimacy and it is at times like this that the rule of law must prevail. If not, we step backward from centuries of progress toward the reality of America living up to the ideal of America. Perfection isn't what distinguishes the American experiment. Our ability to move closer to that more perfect union and our ability to get it right even under duress is what has made us what we are when at our best. It's that endless striving for what we want to be that fuels the notion of American greatness. If ever an issue should unify conservative and liberal partisans, this should be it. If we can't stand together for First Amendment rights and the rule of law, what hope is there for agreement on anything?
One of the best pieces I've read about why the mosque should be built was posted by Doug Bandow of the Cato Institute. If you haven't read it yet, you can find it here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/doug-bandow/america-home-of-the-free_b_690768.html
Among his concluding thoughts is that, "Religious faith is too important to become a political punching bag." He's correct, but unfortunately that's just what has happened.
Those arguing against the building of the mosque have used a variety of flawed arguments and comparisons. In some cases, what has been exposed is that too many among us, in spite of denials to the contrary, equate Islam with terrorism. (If I need to convince you that this is wrong, please save yourself a few minutes and read no further. I have nothing for you.) From playing the Hitler card to suggesting conspiracies without offering evidence, much ugliness has surfaced. Worst of all are those political operatives who appear willing to sell their souls for votes and profit. The amount of demagogic pandering to the lowest common denominator while abandoning any pretense to logic or principle has been sickening to observe.
Unfortunately, no one is surprised by the exploiters trolling for votes, ratings, book sales, or whatever other blood money they hope to extract from the situation. What I find most disappointing is the lack of support from many honest brokers and clear thinkers who have decided that we should bow to the emotion of the moment. Since when is unpopular a grounds for abandoning legal and Constitutional? You don't have to like something to recognize right from wrong. And our nation, or any nation for that matter, is ill served by replacing rule of law with mob rule when founding principles demand something else. The graveyards of history are overflowing with the remains of despots and dictators who ruled based on whimsy, personal preference, fear, and selfishness. They are also filled with the bodies and souls of martyrs that lived and died in the pursuit of justice and liberty. Which legacy will you follow?
While all comparisons, metaphors, and analogies are bound to be somewhat flawed by definition, I'll offer one that works for me with the hope that it will be useful for some of you.
One of the most inspirational illustrations of America at its best occurred in Little Rock, Arkansas, in the fall of 1957. Like now, emotions were running high against something. Back then it was admitting black students into previously all-white Central High School. Similar to now, popular protests and threats were prevalent. Also like now, politicians and other public figures made statements for and against, many of them of the polarizing variety. A chief supporter of the segregationist cause was Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus. He deployed the Arkansas National Guard on September 4, 1957, with instructions to physically block nine black students from entering the school. President Dwight Eisenhower attempted to de-escalate the situation by summoning Governor Faubus to a meeting, during which the President warned the Governor not to interfere with the Supreme Court's ruling supporting desegregation.
Eventually, on September 24, the President ordered the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army to Little Rock and federalized the entire Arkansas National Guard, taking it out of the hands of Governor Faubus. Under the protection of the 101st, the nine students successfully entered the school on the very next day, Wednesday, September 25, 1957.
In the face of fear, anger, emotion, intolerance, and even well-meaning arguments against ending segregation, the rule of law prevailed. Of course, racism and segregationist beliefs did not go away. But is there any person of good will who doesn't see that moment as a benchmark for the kind of progress that has contributed to the notion of America as that, "shining city on a hill?"
So to those of you opposing the building of the mosque, I respectfully ask you to reconsider your position. This shouldn't be about our comfort zones or our fears. Religious freedom and our standard for tolerance are at stake.
America is never greater than when we meet history's challenge to stand for those timeless things that inspire us to be better than we've ever been before. I think this is may be one of those moments.