To those who are supposed to be in charge, re Park 51 Community Center

Sent to Governor Paterson and Assemblyman Sheldon Silver and a few others today:

Please cease and desist trying to influence the building or moving of the Park 51 Islamic community center near the site of the World Trade Center immediately.

To cave to the fear-mongering whose actions are for purely political reasons is to give up the strength of our country, that strength and vision clearly stated in the Constitution. We need to encourage multi-cultural unity and welcome everyone into our neighborhoods, setting a goal of being open and friendly to all. Then we can act in a united fashion against those who would challenge or threaten our lives without compromising the very structure we are trying to protect.

When we say – no we can’t have Muslims creating a gathering place here – we paint all people with a broad brush. Who will be next to be pushed out of our communities?

The people seeking to build this center do so well within the guidelines of our society. There is no reason to prevent them from being a part of that community, in fact we should encourage such building.

When you and our elected officials dither about seeking a politically correct stance and “an acceptable compromise” to a situation only created by those seeking to create fear and division, you fail in your duty to act on behalf of all citizens and to uphold the laws and principals of this nation and state.

In terms of this building being inappropriate because of its proximity to the World Trade Center site: It is a much more disrespectful action to disregard the ideal of religious freedom in the United States.

Denying the building of this community center is using the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001 to underwrite the most base fears of a few and to use those fears for some political end against the very purpose of the United States and its founding principals. My dictionary defines terrorism as “the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims” which is describes the actions of those stopping the creation of the Park 51 Center by stirring fear and isolationism among our citizens.

I insist that you and all of our elected representatives remove yourself from this trumped-up problem and renew your efforts in supporting our state’s and our nation’s ideals for the betterment of all.