| I don't, most of the time. But maybe twice a day, like a stopped clock, Ron Paul and I inhabit common ground. Now, I'm not saying Ron Paul is a stopped clock. Neither, I hope, am I. But here's the two issues where we line up: 1. Fundamental Human Rights are not subject to vote: It is repeatedly said that 64% of the people, after listening to the political demagogues, don’t want the mosque to be built. What would we do if 75% of the people insist that no more Catholic churches be built in New York City? The point being is that majorities can become oppressors of minority rights as well as individual dictators. Statistics of support is irrelevant when it comes to the purpose of government in a free society—protecting liberty.
2. The Empire lobby needs an enemy in the Middle East, and Islam fits the bill: Just think of what might (not) have happened if the whole issue had been ignored and the national debate stuck with war, peace, and prosperity. There certainly would have been a lot less emotionalism on both sides. The fact that so much attention has been given the mosque debate, raises the question of just why and driven by whom? In my opinion it has come from the neo-conservatives who demand continual war in the Middle East and Central Asia and are compelled to constantly justify it. They never miss a chance to use hatred toward Muslims to rally support for the ill conceived preventative wars. A select quote from soldiers from in Afghanistan and Iraq expressing concern over the mosque is pure propaganda and an affront to their bravery and sacrifice.
No Empire. No state promotion or oppression of religion. This liberal can stand with Ron Paul here. |
