Ordinarily, I try to stay out of the crazy politics of America. I admit that I followed the last election with glee because of that lovable Mama Grizzly train-wreck, Sarah Palin, but for the most part I try to remember that I'm Canadian and there is really absolutely nothing I can do (besides, we have our own dictator-style government to worry about).
But, I do consider an article written by a Canadian, for a Canadian newspaper fair game. Today, Rosi DiManno of the Toronto Star threw in her two cents on the whole hyperbolized "ground zero mosque" quagmire. She believes (like the Harry Reids, Newt Gingrichs and everyone's favourite crank, Glenn Beck) that just because they (that inflammatory, exoticisation of any one not white and middle-class) have the right, doesn't mean it's right. And the earth spins a little faster, fueled by an overwhelming self-righteousness. You see, they are not Islamophobes, nooooooo, they just think Muslims shouldn't rub it in American's faces that they have a right to their religion.
Aside from the obvious, rational, logical and, well, smart reasons that building a Islamic community centre two blocks away from where fringe radicals committed a horrifying act of terrorism isn't a slap in America's collective face (um, I think I actually just listed them anyway), the best part of this article is where DiManno writes off that racist, hateful piece of human garbage, Pastor Jones (the fuckwit who proposed burning Qurans as a measured response to the Cordoba House) as a fringe radical who isn't representative of the rest of America. "If such vast opposition has not always been articulated well and too much attention focused on the most fringe elements of ignorant bigots — especially that ridiculous Florida pastor who threatened to torch the Qur’an — this stubborn swell of resistance can’t be brusquely dismissed as Islamophobia."
Wait a second, so a few (ha!) racists in America who hate Muslims and want to burn their holy book shouldn't be held up as typical, ordinary Americans? Then why the fuck are we judging an entire religion by the actions of a radical minority? Paradox!
It is painfully obvious that Republican politicians are using this polarizing issue for political gain (crazy? I know!) because it is an issue that is not only up for debate (zoning was approved ages ago) but the two politicians who should actually have a say, President Obama and Mayor Bloomberg, have both backed the project. Not to mention that the people who were most affected by 9/11 and who will be most affected by Cordoba House, Manhattanites support the plan by 53%, with a luke warm 31% opposed.
A couple of years ago, my imaginary best friend, Sarah Vowell, was on the Daily Show and basically summed up what has always rubbed me the wrong way about the right-wing's treatment of 9/11: "They wrap themselves in our attack and then they leave and talk about what snobs we are...If the East Coast Is American enough For Al-Qaeda, It should be American enough for them."
Some wack-job dude in Florida, as well as all those Fox news "pundits" should not get to co-opt a non-existent rage on behalf of those liberal elite that they so hate. Same goes for Canadians who beg the whole not to be judged by the actions of a few crazies but condemn millions of people based on the actions of a few... crazies.
