"A place is made sacred by a widespread belief that it was visited by the miraculous or the transcendent (Lourdes, the Temple Mount), by the presence there once of great nobility and sacrifice (Gettysburg), or by the blood of martyrs and the indescribable suffering of the innocent (Auschwitz).
When we speak of Ground Zero as hallowed ground, what we mean is that it belongs to those who suffered and died there — and that such ownership obliges us, the living, to preserve the dignity and memory of the place, never allowing it to be forgotten, trivialized, or misappropriated.
That’s why Disney’s early ’90s proposal to build an American history theme park near Manassas Battlefield was defeated by a broad coalition fearing vulgarization of the Civil War (and wiser than me; at the time I obtusely saw little harm in the venture). It’s why the commercial viewing tower built right on the border of Gettysburg was taken down by the Park Service. It’s why, while no one objects to Japanese cultural centers, the idea of putting one up at Pearl Harbor would be offensive.
And why Pope John Paul II ordered the Carmelite nuns to leave the convent they had established at Auschwitz. He was in no way devaluing their heartfelt mission to pray for the souls of the dead. He was teaching them a lesson in respect: This is not your place, it belongs to others. However pure your voice, better to let silence reign. ~Charles Krauthammer, 8/13/2010, National Review Online
“There is nothing surprising in the president’s continued pandering to radical Islam...What he said last night is untrue and in accurate. The fact is this is not about religious liberty... [the proposed mosque would be a symbol of Muslim] “triumphalism” [and that building the mosque near the site of the Sept. 11 attacks] “would be like putting a Nazi sign next to the Holocaust Museum....It’s profoundly and terribly wrong,” ~Newt Gingrich, the former House Speaker
"The decision to build this mosque so close to the site of ground zero is deeply troubling, as is the president’s decision to endorse it...The American people certainly don’t support it.” ~John Boehner, Ohio Republican and House minority leader
“President Obama is wrong...it is insensitive and uncaring for the Muslim community to build a mosque in the shadow of ground zero. While the Muslim community has the right to build the mosque they are abusing that right..." ~Representative Peter King, a New York Republican
"Mr. President, should they or should they not build a mosque steps away from where radical Islamists killed 3000 people? Please tell us your position. We all know that they have the right to do it, but should they? And, no, this is not above your pay grade." ~Sarah Palin
Quote taken from Atlas Shrugs
2 comments:
To Charles Krauthammer.
People didn't 'die' there, they were murdered.
Anwyay, unreal times..
It should be a war memorial, not a damn Mosque....
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