So, this is the first post in my new Internet home here... I explain the name of the blog and the focus a little farther down, but for now lets get to this weeks issue...
(Image from here)If you follow news or politics at all, it would not have been possible to not hear about the newest August Swoon debate, the now dubbed "Ground Zero Mosque." As I will every week, I will look into the two political sides to this debate, and how each major party plays into the argument.
Donkeys
The Democrats have what seems to be a simple point here... Defend the constitution and bill of rights, save the debate on "emotions of families" for those politicians who are up for election in November. Obviously this debate has become politicized to the point that many are using Mosque damnation to gain votes and popularity... The Democrats though as a party are standing firm in there defense, which is probably the best move. They risk stomping on their overall argument of equality if they disenfranchise over 1 billion people worldwide.
Elephants
This is more complicated. As you may know, there really is no longer a single solitary Republican party. Instead, the conservative groups have separated into smaller franchises, many called "tea parties" which serve as a grass routes movement of the Republican party. Because party leadership had failed for the last three to four years to provide proper direction for its followers, the message formation is now solely in the hands of there electorate. The general opinion seems to be that while they do have the right to build the mosque, conservatives feel that it is insensitive to build it in this location due to its proximity to ground zero, and the emotional damage it might do to someone who lost a loved one in the 9/11 attacks. While this argument may be popular with the small conservative (and mostly catholic) base of the Republican party, it is not a strong populous argument. As has been demonstrated in this debate, you cant have your cake and eat it too, and defenders of the mosque builders seem to be balking at the newly revamped conservatives viewpoint. It is once again a situation where there policy serves themselves well, but the development and expansion of the Republican message is lost in the muck.
We will see what September brings, but it is high time this debate ends. It has become popular fodder for TV talk show hosts, who always say "this debate is dumb" but have continued to talk about it for weeks. With any hope, the 24/7 news cycle will pick up a new story soon, and let us hope that it is more meaningful than this. Freedom is freedom, regardless of your personal feelings. That is why America is the greatest nation in the world, because you can build this mosque. Lets support what makes us great, and move on.
On the name of this blog, its origin is quite unique. My high school English teacher was Austin stand up comic JC Shakespeare, who also starred in some small time movies and TV series. One of his more famous works was in the film Waking Life, where he played the character "Burning Man." The clip is below, and the reference to my blog title seems to be fairly clear.
I sincerely hope you enjoy my work, and I certainly welcome any and all criticism.
All the best,
PM
