The Republican Party is intent on making Islamophobia the cornerstone issue of Election 2010. GOP candidates are in a race to see which can be most opposed, if not to Islam itself, to an Islamic group’s plans to convert a building it is already using (a former Burlington Coat Factory) into a community center. The building happens to be a couple of football fields away from the site of the World Trade Center. Newspaper shorthand calls it the “Ground Zero mosque,” though neither descriptive is strictly accurate.

Anyway. I asked Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s campaign for her thoughts. The prepared response:

Advertisement

“Out of respect for the families who lost loved ones in our nation’s worst terrorist attack, if I were making the decision I would prefer that the Mosque be constructed a few blocks away from the World Trade Center site,” Senator Lincoln said. “However, the people of New York City didn’t ask for my opinion and I believe the local community, including family members of 9/11 victims and church leaders, should make that decision together.”

You can figure where her opponent, Republican John Boozman lands. He’s been demagoguing it for some time now, particularly since President Obama expressed his support for the 1st Amendment.

Put simply, the construction of the Ground Zero mosque is an insensitive, aggressive political statement whose principle purpose is to irritate the public and stoke controversy. Instead of acknowledging this reality, the President bought the activists’ plea for religious expression hook-line-and-sinker and caved to the winds of political correctness in support of the building.

Somebody is sure enough stoking controversy. For balance, Jon Stewart’s take:

Advertisement
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
Mosque-Erade
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Invest in the future of great journalism in Arkansas

Join the ranks of the 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts who know that the Arkansas Times is the go-to source for tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been on the front lines of the fight for truth, and with your support, we can do even more. By subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers and expand our coverage. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make a difference with your subscription or donation to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article Today’s gun news Next article All that “infighting” at C.A.T.? Maybe people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones