A Mosque at ground zero?

This is a true test of what the US stands for, free speech, religious freedoms and our tolerance of the differences that come about from individuals or groups exercising these freedoms. I don’t think the American people would stand for a US militant extremist recruiting center being built next to the Murrah Federal Building site in Oklahoma City as it would be disrespectful and inflammatory. So what motivation must this group have in picking this specific location is probably a better way to look at the issue? Do they have a constitutional right? Yes. Is it disrespectful and inflammatory? In my opinion, yes. Was this a location that gave them the biggest bang for the buck? I am no real-estate genius but I have to think that you can get a lot more bang for your buck (over $100 mil) building this in any other location within the US. I pay less for my 4 bedroom house than most folks in NY city pay for a 1 bedroom apartment!! Was the location picked because a high concentration of people of that religious belief live near the location? Last time I looked NY State had around 140 mosques/community centers, 30 in Brooklyn and another 12 in NY City proper. So maybe they need another one (and who am I to say they don’t) but it doesn’t appear as if this specific location is in dire need. So if it’s not financial and it’s not because they are lacking adequate locations to worship within the city; what must it be? In my opinion this location was selected to incite a controversy and further disrespect to those that hold this site sacred within their hearts. No good can come from this decision as it will further place a wedge between the Muslim and Christian faiths. I respect the right to practice your religion of choice wherever and whenever you so choose but I would ask that respect be given for those that oppose this plan equally. What is missing in this plan is compassion and understanding; compassion and understanding for those that were deeply scarred from the events that took place on 9/11 and, unfortunately for those of the Muslim faith, it was done in the name of that religion. I would ask that the leadership within the Muslim faith take this as an opportunity and stand up against this blatant attempt to further alienate the religion and show respect, understanding and compassion.

Imigration reform why????

I am not sure what all the controversy is over the need to re-form our immigration policies? It appears to me that what we have works well; it’s not rocket science. The basic tenants of the US policy are that if we, the US, have a need then we allow folks to come in and fill the need if we don’t then you have to stay home. Simple…. So the only reason that someone would think that we need to reform the policy is if they 1.) don’t think we are filling the needs or 2.) they just want to let more folks come in…. Let’s look at number 1, this seems easy, we have as a nation over 9% un-employment so I don’t think that one can say that we need more folks to come here and fill the need? So it must be 2, well to that I ask why? Why would we want to let folks in now when we have over 9% un-employment, a national debt that is going god know where (up) and we have millions of Americans currently on some form of government assistance. Doesn’t sound as if it’s a good time to reform our policies and potentially add to these growing problems. Now, I am all for letting folks come on over and visit, spend money and help grow our economy but they need to go home when the visit is over. The “going home part” seems to be an issue so maybe we should focus on reform on that part of the immigration policy. Maybe the folks that support number 2 say that we need to let more folks in because it sucks where they live and we need to help by letting them chase the American dream? Well, I will give ya that, it probably does suck or else they wouldn’t want to come in but again we have a current policy in place that allows the US to determine if you are the type of individual that we want… Go through the procedures (here is the link http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1275.html ) and see if you pass, if you don’t then I’m sorry; try Canada or France. Or perhaps you could stay where you are and try to make it a better place to live, maybe even better than the US. Look, most of the folks that want to come live in the US are from nations that are hundreds or thousands of years old. They have had all that time to put a government in place that would resemble what they think the US has to offer. Why not look at the history of our great nation, that’s the blueprint on how to do it.

The First Rant

I just heard the top political figure in the US say "I have my own pollsters and I know that some things "we" are doing don't poll well but it's the right thing to do". When did we as a country elect a "king"??? If the majority doesn't want to do something isn't that a mandate not to do it? Don't they work for us? I am not saying that we should be governed by polling but for god sake to say that the majority of people don’t agree but the hell with that is just a bit too egotistical for my taste I know the majority doesn’t always makes the best decisions but if you don’t like it you get the chance to work hard to bring the minority thinking forward and make it the majority. That’s what a democratic society is all about!!! When I became an adult (some of you may say I still haven't) I stopped having to do things just because someone said it was good for me. God forbid us as a democratic country reward hard work and success or encourage people to stand on their own two feet and make something of/for ourselves.... No, it is better to play like Robin Hood and re-distribute the wealth however, un-like Robin Hood we now want to vilify anyone that has managed to become “to successful” and bring everyone to the center. Healthcare reform, financial reform, stimulus, government ownership of private companies, welfare...??? Well, I am about to undertake my own version of a stimulus package. I am going to go to the store and buy some beer; this will stimulate on many fronts. It will interject some much needed money into the local economy, the store owner will make a small profit and in turn he will order more goods, the company that supplies the goods will then produce more goods ( hopefully beer) thus requiring them to employee people and on and on and on... All this is goodness but not as good as what the beer will do for me, it will allow me to exercise my inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness. The beer will make me feel happy and in the end isn’t that what we all want? I encourage you to peruse happiness. The side benefits will stimulate something or someone; even if it’s just you and that’s OK.