The war in Iraq is over THOUGHTS?

[Kevin Green]

Oh, and regarding the Mosque in NYC: I am not opposed to the building of a Mosque, and I'm not that familiar with the rules governing locations of Mosques in the Muslim faith. I will say this: it is a right under the constitution to have freedom of religion and the builder if they follow the law and rules of the NY building code, can build where they wish. However, I think in the eyes of the U.S. public, its more a matter of good taste. I don't think it's in good taste to build it there. To me, it would be like building a church or American Embassy right on Hiroshima or Nagasaki. Not wrong per se, just not in good taste.

exactly

[Tim Elliott]

agree. Extremeism is the key. I don't have any issue w a mosque or Islam. At its root, Islam is a very accepting religion. The guy running the mosque I'm ny was quoted as saying the US got what it deserved on 911. So the issue is what that mosque represents in that spot n what the motivation is. I lost family in 911 n friends n soldiers fighting in oef oif. I don't think the debate is over a mosque in general, its that mosque n what it says to those who go to that site to pay homage to their loved ones.
I don't disagree that every religion has its war n destruction n its extremeism....but a mosque near the 911 site is more symbolic of concurring a country then freedom of religion. We got what we deserved?? Really??
Do innocent people get killed in war, yes. We spend millions to build weapons in order to avoid that. We run campaigns to move civilians before we bomb an area. We go thru an approval process before those engagements. We get killed n shot from mosques n schools in the middle east because we aren't allowed to shoot at them n they know it.
They targeted a building w civilians women n children w a plane full of civilians. That's the difference. Mosques are great if religion is your thing.....that particular mosque n that guy....fuck them both

In that case fuckem.

I think a mosque there is not actually that bad an idea if the motivation is reconciliation. The more that can be done for to send a "cool with Islam, not cool with terrorists" message the better. Less people lining up to shoot at you that way.

Build a mosque there, just do it for the right reasons. The majority of Muslims are still peace loving people and I feel very sorry for them at times. Invite a part of the Islamic community with passive views to build a Mosque there and send a clear message that the fight is with Islamic terrorist groups, not with Islam. Anything that makes a recruiters job harder is good defence.

So much anti Islamic sentiment finds its way into the media. Every time some idiot on TV goes "kill em all" it plays straight into the hands of the enemy. Your pretty much signing on as an enemy recruiter.

[Kevin Green]

In that case fuckem.

I think a mosque there is not actually that bad an idea if the motivation is reconciliation. The more that can be done for to send a "cool with Islam, not cool with terrorists" message the better. Less people lining up to shoot at you that way.

Build a mosque there, just do it for the right reasons. The majority of Muslims are still peace loving people and I feel very sorry for them at times. Invite a part of the Islamic community with passive views to build a Mosque there and send a clear message that the fight is with Islamic terrorist groups, not with Islam. Anything that makes a recruiters job harder is good defence.

So much anti Islamic sentiment finds its way into the media. Every time some idiot on TV goes "kill em all" it plays straight into the hands of the enemy. Your pretty much signing on as an enemy recruiter.

Couldnt agree more....its about taste, motivation and the message it sends. Maybe Ill apply for a spot to build an anti-terrorism education annex right next door...

[Victor Tabeling]

Agreed. People tend towards peace (at least on a large scale). Governments are inherently violent and war bound.

Ryan, I would say they try to control and plan rather than liberate, which is at the core of armed conflict.

[Kevin Green]

Ryan, I would say they try to control and plan rather than liberate, which is at the core of armed conflict.

Victor: Your History degree is no good here!!

Just Kidding...good point...u r the man

[Tim Elliott]

Sometimes, Im reminded of Full Metal Jacket. "Inside every gook, is an American trying to get out". There really isnt. My girlfriend is Chinese. If there was an American in there, I would have found it by now.

[Kevin Green]

Sometimes, Im reminded of Full Metal Jacket. "Inside every gook, is an American trying to get out". There really isnt. My girlfriend is Chinese. If there was an American in there, I would have found it by now.

You are a sick son of a bitch! But I LOVE IT!!!

[ifreez]

To me, it would be like building a church or American Embassy right on Hiroshima or Nagasaki. Not wrong per se, just not in good taste.

Good point. I too think it is about taste.

But, look at this. There are Christian churches in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, because that it the forgiving nature of Christianity, of which Islam came from.

And a very common religion in Japan, apparently, is Shinto. And there is a Shinto temple at Pearl Harbor.

But, dig this. The bigger issue that makes me more sure this whole controversy is just stubborn politics, designed only to get people mad, is that on 911, they attacked the pentagon too. And apparently, there is already a mosque there.

Guys, please don't get duped by these politicians who only want to get you angry for no other purpose than to make the other side look bad.

Furthermore, me thinks that for one to say that Islam is connected to 9/11, is like saying Christianity is connected to the Oklahoma City bombings.

[Kevin Green]

Good point. I too think it is about taste.

But, look at this. There are Christian churches in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, because that it the forgiving nature of Christianity, of which Islam came from.

And a very common religion in Japan, apparently, is Shinto. And there is a Shinto temple at pearl harbor.

But, the bigger issue that makes me more sure this whole controversy is just stubborn politics, designed only to get people mad, is on 911, they attacked the pentagon too. And apparently, there is already a mosque there.

Guys, please don't get duped by these politicians who only want to get you angry for no other purpose than to make the other side look bad.

For me its not the politicians...its personal. Its about the timing of it. The guy who is runnging the mosque, his comments and the opening date...SEPT 11 2011! Come on man...there is no need for that

[Ryan Cook]

Ryan, I would say they try to control and plan rather than liberate, which is at the core of armed conflict.

I wasn't really talking about intent. Just saying that, in the end, the final option for the government to do what it wants is to use violence. Government is inherently violent. Also, any executive/president/emporer (or whatever else) has a ton of incentive to start/participate in war.