But your right, all this does is put more blood in the water for the political sharks… I still think its all a bad idea b/c right or wrong, if that thing gets built… it will be vandalized… alot.

I disagree with the timing issue only because it’s been a long time – and honestly, the wound will feel fresh for a long long time – I mean, there already is a mosque 4 blocks away, and there are mosques and Muslims all over the city, it’s just this thing has taken on a life on its own and is being used by politicians on both sides of the fence to better their own prospects . . .

I do agree with the fact that it’s sad that this Mosque/Community Center is going to be erected before “we” could put any sort of proper building/memorial up . . . there’s bureaucracy/politics for ya!! It’s the kind of stuff that turns people off to politics in the first place . . . but when something like this strikes an emotional nerve, that’s when people naturally (and rightfully) respond and the politicians feed on the frenzy . . . that’s why I say – and I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – YES, of course! They have a right to go ahead with the building of this Mosque, but it would be a TREMENDOUS gesture if they build it elsewhere ALL THE WHILE acknowledging that they DO have the freedom to build it there, because we have important freedoms in this country, but it just makes better sense to end this “debate” and move forward with, well, I don’t know, tons of other more important things (the health of fire fighters and first responders to 9/11, just to name one) . . . . I don’t know . . . honestly I’m so bored with everything that is going on lol and like I said, there are so many things going on that turn people OFF and I believe THAT’S why people choose to just ignore and play dumb – it’s sad, but true.

I mean its common sense to know that this was going to cause a gigantic problem. Is that what they really want? Even if they do get to set up at that location, its common sense again to know that they are going to face serious amounts of vandalism. Probably to the point where NYPD will have to watch that building 24-7… which will be paid for with my tax dollars… lovely.

See, but I agree that it’s inflammatory and disrespectful AND that they should pick a different spot – it would behoove them to simply say, “listen, there IS religious freedom in this GREAT country and we should be able to build where we like, however – we understand the serious nature of this issue and would like to show that we mean no harm – therefore, we are changing the location – after saying that though, we’d like to address the misunderstanding in this country that not all Muslims are extremists . . . etc.”

The problem is a) that would never happen lol and b) as inflammatory and disrespectful as it is you can’t MAKE them build elsewhere. Yes, it is that simple. Since you brought up citizenship I’d like to comment on the simplicity of that debate as well: the term Illegal Immigrant has the word “Illegal” in it. That should be the end of that debate lol. Now I know, the question is then: “What do we do?” Well, I don’t have the answer, but I’m up all hours of the night trying to find one (no I’m not).

Again – that may be too simple of an answer for people, but it is what it is. Unfortunately, people start getting crazy and want to change rights and laws (like the idea of being born in America doesn’t make you American) that negatively affect the freedoms that this country has – and even though Illegal Immigrants are illegal, and NOT citizens – I don’t like it when people lump every illegal immigrant into one category “Mexican” or “drug-smuggler” – again – not every person who is here illegally is a coke-dealer from Juarez, Mexico. THAT’s the stuff that bothers me – it becomes an issue of skin color and racial profiling and even though a certain people may be here illegally (I’m sure there are illegal Canadians running around somewhere haha) it doesn’t give citizens the right to talk about them like dogs.

You’re right – there is a lot “wrong” with our country (and the world) in this day and age – but isn’t there ALWAYS something “wrong” at one point or another? Every decade, every era, has it’s problems and troubles. There will never be a time of simple, “this is the way it is and we all just get along.” Unfortunately – every single one of us (no matter where we are from or the color of our skin) have SOME FORM of prejudice within us – even if we don’t like to acknowledge it or admit it – it exists. Does that make every single one of us evil and bound for hell? No, it doesn’t – we’re all human and we’re all going to mess up – nothing is “perfect” and we’re just living through yet another tumultuous time – when this one passes ANOTHER tumultuous time will follow.

I don’t even know what I’m talking about anymore – I’m just typing to typing’s sake. lol Let us all enjoy the beautiful weather we’ve been having here in New York! hahaha I’m losing my mind

I guess they have to update the videos shown in driver’s ed courses to include something wild like that to try and send a message to new drivers/teens – the only problem is all those videos do is usually make teens laugh – ugh