I had to drive John home to register for his Junior year classes. In the evening, we went out to dinner with the two kids rooming with the parents.
On the way over, I thought about the current controversy surrounding a plan to build a mosque close the Ground Zero. I brought that up with my brother (he being surprisingly well versed in current events and politics). In a good mood, I was determined to keep up the conversation at the dinner table so as to avoid awkward moments.
Anyway, though I don't think the plan is very tactful, I fully support their right to do so. If it's legal, then why should we prevent them from doing so? I think a benchmark test of the much touted Americans freedoms and rights is allowing people to do things despite of the repugnance that action elicits from within us.
My mom said that they absolutely should not be allowed to do so because it is insulting and not in good taste. I tried explaining to her that things considered in good taste changes with every generation. Miscegenation. Same-sex marriage. That's not a good standard to prevent people from doing something they want. In addition, just as the sins of the father may not be visited upon the son, we cannot hold everyone of one religion responsible for what their fringe group did.
"...then they came for me,
and by that time no one was left to speak up."
-Martin Niemöller
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