"We Stand Together To Win the War Against Terrorism" - George W. Bush, 9/11/01

I didn't mean for my first post to be so heavy, but I can't help it.

Tomorrow is the 9th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in NYC, and the news is just full of controversy over the mosque building and Quran burning. I, for one, would have liked to see more of a memorial over the lives lost, and not one of how ignorance is rampant in the USA. Little over a week ago I stood at the World Trade Center site, and I felt the raw emotions Americans still feel today. I visited the memorial exhibit that outlines the building of the Memorial site at the World Trade Center, and cried at remembrance of that day. It was very moving, but at the same time the only words I could bring myself to say were: "They have to build that mosque".

I'll tell you why.

First thing people fail to remember is not all Muslims are terrorists, and I'm sick of people assuming that just because they are of the Muslim faith they hate Americans, and are advocates of the 9/11 attacks. This is so wrong it sickens me. Is that to say all Christians are supporters of the Ku Klux Klan? Of course not! There are always extremist groups to any ideas, be it religious, political, or scientific. So we have to stop believing that all Muslims are terrorists, because most are just like you and I, busy living their lives and feeling sorrow for those who have died during and since 9/11.


Secondly, and most importantly, not building this mosque is letting the terrorists win. I firmly believe that part of the idea of the attacks were to create hatred out of the ignorance, and bring the Americans down from within. This controversy is just the same. I felt the raw emotion that day in NYC, and I understand why they would be so mad, but that just what the extremists want. They are breeding intolerance, which can quickly spill over into hate. It makes me incredibly sad. The best way for those of us not in uniform and fighting overseas to beat these terrorists is to be tolerant and understanding, and remember who we are fighting against, which is not the Muslim faith, but the Al Qaeda.


And to Pastor Terry Jones, think about what you're doing before you go through with it. Think about the lives you are endangering overseas. Surely God wouldn't be that cruel as to allow such a display of hatred, but that is an argument for another day.


This is dedicated to those who have lost their lives during and since the 9/11 attacks.