When I first started writing this blog I knew exactly how I felt about this subject. I was a firm believer in allowing the Mosque to be built. However, I knew that my opinion was based upon personal bias because I did not understand the opposition’s point of view. So, when I started this blog my two goals were to: Fully understand and be able to support my own feelings, and to understand what the opposition was saying about the Mosque/Community Center. I can safely say that I have achieved my two goals. My stance on this subject has not been shaken, but actually strengthened based on the evidence and research that I did about the Mosque in Manhattan. The hours I have spent writing this blog has not only strengthened my views but has also opened my eyes to new ways of arguing this view. For instance, in my first few posts I mostly appealed to peoples moral values by saying this Mosque will be a triumph of American ideals of tolerance and unity. But the more research I did the more logical arguments I found. Like, arguing the First Amendment by saying that the Mosque/Community Center should be built because Muslims have freedom of religion. This expansion of m argument base has allowed me to develop counterarguments for the opposition more effectively; which brings me to my next goal: understanding the opposition. Like I said before when I started this blog I really did not understand the opposition. I thought “How could they be against the Mosque?” But the more I researched the more their view points made sense. Through my research I was able to get a grasp on what the Anti-Mosque side was saying. About how the building of the Mosque would be a spit in the faces of those who died, or it’s too close to Ground Zero, or that the money for the Mosque is being acquired trough shady terms. Being able to understand the opposition has lead me to have a deeper connection with the argument, as well as my own view point. Through this project I feel a lot more educated and I feel a lot stronger about the Mosque. LET’S GO AHEAD AND BUILD IT!!!!!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The Mosque: "Class-Links"
1.) http://fightingfreshmenfifteen.blogspot.com/
I enjoy this blog because it is about a topic I really have no clue about, and I love being educated about things I have no clue about. While I do know plenty about sugary drinks like sodas, teas, and, my favorite, Gatorade, I had no clue that it was a big issue. I enjoy my sugary drinks as much as the next person, but this blog brought my attention to the fact that I may have to be paying taxes for it. Before reading this blog I really had no clue that there was even the possibility of their being a tax on SSB's. It made me want to do my own research, but I could not really find much. Which brings me to my next point about this blog. It does a good job working with what it had. Even though the author did not have a lot of material to go off of, he/she managed to write about it for a significant ammount of time, while also keeping it entertaining. Also, the political cartoon about the Tea-Party is hilarious. Cheak it out!
2.) http://legalpotincalifosho.blogspot.com/
I really enjoyed following this blog because it is an issue that I am very interested in. The legalization of certain drugs as opposed to others has always been facinating to me. The author of this blog presents his/her points in effective ways. He/She gets straight to the point and then continually backs up the point with very good evidence. While the author is in favor of the legalization of marijuana (and so am I), when the author explored the other side of the debate it gave more credibility to his points because I could see that they were unbiased. The fact that he/she calls in hard evidence for both sides of the argument shows that the author fully explored both sides of this topic, and again adds credibility to the blog.
3.) http://techspeckk.blogspot.com/
This blog was another one of my favorites to follow for one reason: I'm kind of a hippie. I am in full favor of alternative energy, and this blog does a very good job of making that argument. The author fully explores many different alternative forms of energy and presents ways in which it will make the country and the world better. I also liked this blog because it is related to the goings on of the Middle East in a backwards way. The blog talks about having to cut down on our oil use. Where do we get most of our oil? From the Middle East! This blog backs up my thought that we need to cut back on our reliance on other countries by developing our own alternative energy sources. If you want to read about alternative energy sources I highly recommend this blog!
I enjoy this blog because it is about a topic I really have no clue about, and I love being educated about things I have no clue about. While I do know plenty about sugary drinks like sodas, teas, and, my favorite, Gatorade, I had no clue that it was a big issue. I enjoy my sugary drinks as much as the next person, but this blog brought my attention to the fact that I may have to be paying taxes for it. Before reading this blog I really had no clue that there was even the possibility of their being a tax on SSB's. It made me want to do my own research, but I could not really find much. Which brings me to my next point about this blog. It does a good job working with what it had. Even though the author did not have a lot of material to go off of, he/she managed to write about it for a significant ammount of time, while also keeping it entertaining. Also, the political cartoon about the Tea-Party is hilarious. Cheak it out!
2.) http://legalpotincalifosho.blogspot.com/
I really enjoyed following this blog because it is an issue that I am very interested in. The legalization of certain drugs as opposed to others has always been facinating to me. The author of this blog presents his/her points in effective ways. He/She gets straight to the point and then continually backs up the point with very good evidence. While the author is in favor of the legalization of marijuana (and so am I), when the author explored the other side of the debate it gave more credibility to his points because I could see that they were unbiased. The fact that he/she calls in hard evidence for both sides of the argument shows that the author fully explored both sides of this topic, and again adds credibility to the blog.
3.) http://techspeckk.blogspot.com/
This blog was another one of my favorites to follow for one reason: I'm kind of a hippie. I am in full favor of alternative energy, and this blog does a very good job of making that argument. The author fully explores many different alternative forms of energy and presents ways in which it will make the country and the world better. I also liked this blog because it is related to the goings on of the Middle East in a backwards way. The blog talks about having to cut down on our oil use. Where do we get most of our oil? From the Middle East! This blog backs up my thought that we need to cut back on our reliance on other countries by developing our own alternative energy sources. If you want to read about alternative energy sources I highly recommend this blog!
The Mosque: Links
1.) http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/08/26/debate-close-close-ny-mosque-questions-loom-ground-zero/
Shows the sheer number of opinions of the proximity of the Mosque to Ground Zero, making deciding where to put it all the more difficult.
2.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Exercise_Clause_of_the_First_Amendment
Sites the rights garunteed in the First Amendment. This includes the freedom to religion, which is an argument most people in favor of the Mosque use.
3.) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/12/AR2010081204996.html
The main argument for the Anti-Mosque camp says that building the Mosque would spit on the face of the ones who died in September 11th.
4.) http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2010/08/16/100816taco_talk_hertzberg
Shows that the Mosque is not just a Mosque, it is also a Community Center that everyone can use.
5.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Pillars_of_Islam
Understanding the basic ideals of Islam is the first step to accepting Muslim culture.
6.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11_attacks
In order to fully understand the issue now we have to understand what brought this debate on.
7.) http://kgmi.com/pages/8132535.php
Shows the underlying issue of the Mosque, Anti-Muslim feelings.
Shows the sheer number of opinions of the proximity of the Mosque to Ground Zero, making deciding where to put it all the more difficult.
2.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Exercise_Clause_of_the_First_Amendment
Sites the rights garunteed in the First Amendment. This includes the freedom to religion, which is an argument most people in favor of the Mosque use.
3.) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/12/AR2010081204996.html
The main argument for the Anti-Mosque camp says that building the Mosque would spit on the face of the ones who died in September 11th.
4.) http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2010/08/16/100816taco_talk_hertzberg
Shows that the Mosque is not just a Mosque, it is also a Community Center that everyone can use.
5.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Pillars_of_Islam
Understanding the basic ideals of Islam is the first step to accepting Muslim culture.
6.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11_attacks
In order to fully understand the issue now we have to understand what brought this debate on.
7.) http://kgmi.com/pages/8132535.php
Shows the underlying issue of the Mosque, Anti-Muslim feelings.
The Mosque: Please Washington?
As I sat in front of my laptop I had great difficulty deciding what I should write about for my last blog post. I had already covered both sides of the Mosque argument, as well as presented support for both in my analysis post. I also delved more deeply into the view I agree with, which is to build the Mosque in lower Manhattan. So, without thinking of anything polarized to write about I decided to use this post to ask the government to bring an end to this issue as soon as possible. I beg our Senators and Representatives to quickly decide on a course of action and follow through with it. However, I also ask our government to allow the building of the Mosque. As I have said before the building of this Mosque/community center would become a victory of American ideals, like unity and forgiveness. If America truly is the place we claim to be; a place of great tolerance and freedom then I ask our Representatives to please allow this Mosque. I know it maybe a little old, but Martin Luther King said that “I have a dream.” His dream was to eventually make a country about true equality regardless of race, sexuality, or gender. This song “A Dream” by Common basically sums up my view on this situation. So let’s work towards achieving the Dream that Martin Luther King had for this country. Let’s build this Mosque and show the Terrorists who the true winners are.
Friday, October 22, 2010
The Mosque: The Funny
Throughout all of this serious banter what good is it if we can't laugh at it ever once in awhile. So for your viewing pleasure her is a little humor from Jeff Dunham with Achmed the Dead Terrorist!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The Mosque: Implications
As most people know when people firmly plant themselves on an idea it is very hard to get them to stray from that idea. You can argue for hours and not convince that person of anything that may go against that idea. This issue spans over all areas of debate, and the Mosque in Manhattan debate is no different. As we have seen the two sides of this debate firmly believe in the side that they are defending. So what would happen if the two sides cannot come to some sort of an agreement? I believe the biggest implication will be for the American people. If an agreement can’t be met then the tolerance of the American People will suffer. If the Mosque is not allowed to be built the people of America will not be fully educated about the Islam faith. People will continue to be biased towards Muslims, thus causing more anti-Muslim feelings in this country. With the increase in anti-Muslim feelings people will begin to become intolerent of Muslims. This will lead to an increase in intolerance, and that will bring about its own problems. As these anti-Muslim feelings fester people will begin to lash out against them in progressively more violent ways. It could start as a few protests and it could build and build until people start lynching Muslims in the streets! I am not saying that will happen, but is defiantly as good a possibility as any other. The inability of the two sides of this debate to come together will have very serious implications for the American people in the future.
The Mosque: Initial Backlash
I would like to use this post to allude back to one of my previous posts, Responding to Comments. In that post I defended the building of the Mosque by saying that it will initially be met with disdain, but in time the public will grow to accept it. Much like how our country got used to the Civil Rights Movement back in the 50’s and 60’s. Well we are now starting to see the first signs of the initial disdain I was talking about. It has been reported that the Imam of the proposed Mosque/Community Center, Feisal Abdul Rauf, and his wife have been receiving death threats. To be honest I expected this to happen. Now, the threats are probably coming from extremist groups, like Skinheads or the KKK. But it is still the kind of back-lash I was expecting to happen. This kind of hatred will only build in the coming months, taking on various forms like death threats, protests, and vandalism. But, again how different was it for African-Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. They were protested against, had their property destroyed, and some were even killed. But they fought on and eventually the country came around and we now have equal rights for all races. This is what will happen with the NYC Mosque; it will be met with hatred but as long as the supporters of the Mosque keep on fighting people will eventually accept it, making this country a little bit better in the process.
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