re: #219 Obdicut

Who is this “we” of whom you speak? Your statement is correct only to the extent you refer to that part of “we” that has, in fact, engaged in generically anti-Muslim behavor or expressed generally anti-Muslim sentiment. However, “we” do not exist. “We” are a random collection — in this country, at least — of 300+ million individuals. Some portions of “we” were directly affected by the events of 9/11 and hold their position out of personal pain. Some portions of “we” were indirectly affected by the events of 9/11 and have concerns about whether placing an Islamic community center in the general vicinity of Ground Zero is insensitive to those more directly affected. Some portions of “we” support the cordoba Hosue project for various reasons. In other words, there is no “we”, on either side of the debate.

As for the concern that otherwise moderate Muslims will be driven to extremism as a result of this debate, I fully understand the point and do not discount the possiblity or even the likelihood of that happening. The question, as was the case during the so-called Muhammad cartoon controversy, is whether we, as a society, are willing to sacrifice free speech as the price to supposely avoid that risk. I, for one, believe that price is too high to pay.