Is there a nice way to erect a swasticka over a Jewish graveyard?
Lets say you make it clear that the swasticka is actually a Bhuddist swasticka and not a Natzi swasticka at all , your motives have nothing to do with offending the visitors to the graveyard , none at all.
Feel free to substite a star of David or cross over a Muslim grave yard or a Yellowjacket over the grave of Uga IV or whatever works to fit the particular situation , as long as the general principal is that no one owes any consideration to the emotions of anyone elese, what are we , our brothers keeper?
False analogy, Plane. The correct analogy would be can you erect a GERMAN flag near a Jewish cemetary. Or perhaps more specifically, could you place a GERMAN cultural center near Auschwitz? Not all Germans are Nazis. Not all Muslims are Al Quaeda. The very fact that you and Sirs use this association is strong evidence that the motivation here is prejudice. Sirs similarly states (to paraphrase) that Muslims are associated with terrorism because Al Quada committed terrorism in the name of that faith. This is no more valid than saying Christians are associated with terrorism because of abortion clinic bombers or Mormons are associated with polygamist sects in Texas. Each of these associations are real, and each is equally unjustified. They are based not on rational understanding but emotional misunderstanding. Personally, I think that conforming your actions to the false perceptions of others in order to be "sensitive" is just like caving to other forms of political correctness.
In fact, erecting a Muslim cultural center near ground zero is a very logical move for an organization that wants to fight the perception that Islam supports terrorism. It makes sense to go to the literal "scene of the crime" to present the message that Islam does NOT want to endorse the act. Where better to reach out, day-to-day, to average citizens, tourists and others who see only the face of Muslim extremism in front of them? I understand that people don't WANT them there, but that is entirely a function of prejudice. There is no more validity to the emotional outrage against Islam in this country than there is to the common perception among Muslims that America is out to persecute and destroy them. If we assume that the cultural center and Mosque are exactly what they claim to be, there is no moral or ethical reason not to build it there. It may be unwise, but only in the sense that it is was unwise for a black man to march in protests in the south, or for a schoolteacher to wear a cross around her neck, or for a gay man to come out of the closet. A lot of people will protest about it, and it may cost you. But freedom isn't free.
If the group compromises and moves the location, it would be a gesture of goodwill and speak loudly to the issue of Muslim cooperation in the community. But I suspect that, rather than acknowledge that, the opponents of the Mosque will hail it as a victory for freedom against extremism. It would be exactly the opposite.
