Tuesday, February 7, 2012

American Government 2/6/12

In Class - Short video clips (Arturo Rodriguez and the United Farm Workers) and the "Take our Jobs" Initiative.  Reflect on Friday's discussion.  If you did not participate in last Friday's discussion, turn in your written work (1 1/2 pages).

Homework - Continue to update your blog.  QOW due by Saturday, February 11.

QOW - The Constitution of the United States guarantees freedom of religion.  Considering the events that took place on 9/11, is it appropriate to build a (Islamic Cultural Center; ie. mosque) near Ground Zero?  Use specific evidence from a minimum of two sources.  Be sure to include an MLA works cited with your response.   

Click on the title post for some more information.

21 comments:

Angela Moralez said...

I believe that Muslims should be able to build a mosque near ground zero its not really appropriate because there was many people killed in 9 11 and they want to preserve the area to show respect for those people who died but also it says in the Bill of Rights in the first amendment that we have the freedom of religion. So how come the Muslims cannot build a mosque near ground zero. Not all Muslims are terrorist, we should stereotype people its not right .I’m pretty sure if Christians wanted to build a church near Ground Zero we would allow it so we should let the Muslims build their Mosque. It’s not right to deprive them of their first amendment. People don’t want Muslims building their Mosque near Ground Zero because they don’t want them near it but Muslims are everywhere. They drive our taxis, they have restaurants, and they are even doctors too. I’m pretty sure if they wanted to attack us by now they would have. I know some feel disrespected if a Mosque was built their but that’s the Muslims religion so they shouldn’t disrespect it. They wouldn’t like if we disrespected their religion.
Kirpalani, Reshma , “Ground Zero Mosque” ABC News July 13, 2011
Peyser, Andrea, “Mosque Madness at Ground Zero” New York Post, May 13, 2010

HARPER said...

I think that we should not have a mosque near or around ground zero. Even though we have freedom of religion. One reason why we shouldn’t have a mosque is, because they have crashed our planes in to the buildings that has killed over millions of people. That’s just on what I think.

Walid Shoebat says” advises police to investigate Islamic groups and mosques
He says he's a former Palestinian terrorist who once bombed an Israeli bank”
I just don’t get this guy is he for the mosque or not .the reason why I say that is because he said “that he bombed an Israeli bank”.

The Islamic people work for us. Some is Islamic people even run the school, big companies, become teachers, also become lawyers, but most of all their doctors.
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Says “of Saturday they have opened a no fly zone to labia.”


So can you answer this what does “AMERICA NOT AT WAR “mean to you.

http://www.islamophobia.org/news.php

Anonymous said...

I don’t think that it is appropriate for the Mosque to be built near Ground Zero because I find it disrespectful to the families who lost someone on the 9/11 incident. Ground Zero is their cemetery, but if the Muslims want to build the Mosque where they choose to, they can, because everyone has the freedom of religion. The Mosque they’re trying to build right now is not strictly a Mosque; they’re trying to build a community center for not only Muslims, but for everyone and every religion. People are assuming that all Muslims are terrorists, but we can’t blame the entire religion according to what happened on 9/11. There were Muslims killed that day also. In my opinion, despising the fact that it is disrespectful, building the Mosque 2 blocks from the Ground Zero will be okay because I know they don’t mean any harm. People need to stop being so pessimistic about the idea of Muslims marking their territory when they just want a place to worship.



"Religious Freedom and the Mosque near Ground Zero." 05 Aug. 2010. Web. 10 Feb. 2012.

"3 Reasons the Ground Zero Mosque Debate Makes No Sense Read More: 3 Reasons the Ground Zero Mosque Debate Makes No Sense | Cracked.com Http://www.cracked.com/blog/3-reasons-the-ground-zero-mosque-debate-makes-no-sense/#ixzz1lxvPxPth." 20 Aug. 2010. Web. 10 Aug. 2012.

margaritaladia said...

A mosque is a place for worship, just like a church or a temple. If a priest or a monk decided to build a church or a temple two blocks away from Ground Zero, I'm sure people wouldn't mind. The Muslims need a place to worship just like everyone else who has a religion. It just happens to be that the only available place to build it is two blocks from Ground Zero (according to the video we watched in class). Americans are stereotyping that all Muslims are terrorist when they're not. About sixty Muslims were also killed in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. This community center which was supposed to be called Cordoba House was an approved project by the local community in May 2010. So why can't they build their mosque? Because the families of the 9/11 attack oppose it. But why hate a religion just because it's the religion that the terrorist believe in? The Constitution allows us to have freedom of religion, so the Muslims should be able to practice theirs. The building is not only a mosque but a community center, when and if the project begins, it will give people employment. I don't think there should be a problem building their mosque and community center in Park Place. They are not building it on Ground Zero.


"WTC Muslim Center." WTC Muslim Center ProCon.org. 31 Jan. 2012. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. .

Higgins, Heather M. "'Ground Zero Mosque' Moving Forward." CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs. CNN Belief Blog, 10 Sept. 2011. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. .

monica barriga said...

I don’t think it’s appropriate to build a mosque near ground zero. Even though America does have freedom of religion, many relatives well see the mosque as an insult because of what happened in 9/11. Proponents argue that, “It will be a disrespectful political ploy by radical Islamists that will inflict emotional distress on families who suffered causalities on Sept. 11, 2001.” If they were to build it, I think many problems or hatred will start to happen because almost everyone thinks that Muslims are terrorists especially because the twin towers were attacked by Muslims. It should just stay as it is a place of memorial for those who died and a sacred burial ground. We never know if they actually keep some ties or something with Islam, and they communicate them everything that’s happening. They should not fool nobody when they say that the mosque will honor the 9/11 victims. Another person named Jasser said, “It’s the place where war was declared on us as Americans.” In despite of this, it is true America is considered for the right to worship whom you want to and for the Freedom of Religion, but just because Muslims attacked doesn’t mean all of them should be considered terrorists. In order so there will not be any problems they should just not build the mosque around or near the Ground Zero.

Akhavan, Kamy. “Latest Pros and Cons of ‘Ground Zero Mosque’ Debated in Popular New Resource from ProCon.org.” PR Newswire.
2012. Web. 11 February 2012.

Jacoby, Jeff. “A mosque at ground zero?” boston.com. 6 June 2010. Web.11 February 2012.

Kevin Lee said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kevin Lee said...

There really is no reason that the Cultural Center (NOT a mosque) shouldn't be built. Americans seem ignorant of the vast difference between moderate Muslims and Muslim extremists. The former group is a peaceful and normal group of believers, while the latter group likes to strap bombs to their waists and kill civilians for Allah. Opponents love to call the Imam a radical extremist when he is actually a moderate Muslim that promotes peace and religious harmony. For example, we don't consider all Christians crazy just because Anders Breivik, a man who killed 77 people in 2011 for his Christian ideals and extreme Islamic hate, happened to be a Christian extremist. Most Christians are normal, moderate believers, and the same goes for Muslims. I believe that ALL religious extremism, no matter what, is evil and that every religion is plagued with it. There's also the common sense argument that Freedom of Religion protects their right to build a "Mosque" wherever they want, and the fact that the Cultural Center is actually supposed to be two blocks away from Ground Zero. They should call it "Kinda Near Ground Zero Cultural Center" instead of "Ground Zero Mosque", for accuracy's sake.

Peyser, Andrea, “Mosque Madness at Ground Zero” New York Post, May 13, 2010
"Anders Breivik Behring Pictured Minutes after Norway Massacre Ended." The Telegraph. 07 Feb. 2012. Web. 11 Feb. 2012.
Gladstone. "3 Reasons the Ground Zero Mosque Debate Makes No Sense | Cracked.com." Cracked.com - America's Only Humor & Video Site Since 1958 | Cracked.com. 20 Aug. 2010. Web. 11 Feb. 2012.

Lisa Martinez said...

I believe that Muslims shouldn't have a mosque near ground zero. I know we have the freedom of religion in the US and they have that right. But as from what happened on 9/11 it was there people who did it and why should they be honored for that. If they were a American Citizen then i say they should just put them up on the momument already made for them. I don't think all Muslims should have one huge mosque when they are the ones who caused that horific day. Sure it wasn't all of them but put it this way.. if we were to do that in their country they would probably just kill all americans instantly and not let them have a say. Least we let them come into our country and live here. We lost millions of lives during 9/11 from the plane crashes and it wasn't fair to any of us that on a normal day you wouldn't expect never to see your dad,mom,sister,brother,grandma,etc ever again..and that is what happened.

"Religious Freedom and the Mosque near Ground Zero." 05 Aug. 2010. Web. 10 Feb. 2012.


Jacoby, Jeff. “A mosque at ground zero?” boston.com. 6 June 2010. Web.11 February 2012.

AFlores said...

In the United States by the constitution we as the people are guaranteed to have freedom of religion. Under our right for freedom of religion, humans are able to practice any type of religion or not practice a religion. This only makes sense to allow Muslims to be able to build a Mosque near Ground Zero. Not letting a Mosque be built would be taking rights away from Muslims-Americans. Another reason why a the Mosque should be built is because there already was a Mosque built inside the Pentagon and on September 11, 2001 not only certain people were killed but Muslims as well. Moreover, this practical Mosque is not only being protested but others in states like Tennessee, Taxes, and even in California. Allowing the Mosque to be built will be letting the world show that the United States does not take away any rights even if there are or have been “bad apples” from their religion or ethnicity. But yet, with the Mosque being built near Ground Zero, there are some Muslims who are con not pro the Mosque.

Work Citied
Vitello, Paul. “Islamic Center Exposes Mixed Feelings Locally.” New York Times. 19 August 2010. Web. 11 February 2012.
“Mosques already near World Trade Center Site.” MSN. Associated Press. 18 August 2010. Web. 11 February 2012.

Freddy F said...

The 1st amendment protects the freedom of religion along with other things, having said this I believe the U.S. should grant them permission to build the mosque / community center; however I also believe that they should build the community center somewhere a little farther from ground zero to avoid hurting people’s feelings. This way everyone is happy, the Muslims get their community center and the people don’t get their feelings hurt. I mean why so much insisting on building the community center there anyways? Is there something special about that location? If not, then why not make the people happy and just change location. Overall though, I can’t decide whether its appropriate or not because there are two sides to this story. On one side, the pro- mosque moderate Muslims have the freedom of religion and they had nothing to do with 911 or other terrorist attacks, prohibiting the establishment of the mosque would really hurt/insult them and make them feel like they are getting blamed for the events of 911.on the other side, people who tragically lost someone during/as a result of 911 might feel greatly insulted by the mosque, and might also feel like the mosque is a sign of conquer because throuout history “where the Muslims conquered principal cities, they constructed their mosque in the place that was the centre of the religion of the conquered people.” This would be like a slap to the face to the victims of 911 if they do build it and a slap to the face to the Muslims if they don't allow them to build it,either way its a lose lose situation.
Works cited:
Daragahi, Borzou. "New York Mosque Controversy Worries Muslims Overseas."Latimes.com. Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2010. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. .
"Mosque History." Kanaankanaan.com. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. .
Sattar, Miral Sattar. "Ground Zero: Inside the Park51 Mosque - Video - TIME.com."TIME.com. Ed. Craig Duff. Web. 11 Feb. 2012.

Aaron To said...

I believe that if they want to build a mosque near "ground zero" they can. I understand their circumstances to be against the construction, but however it is not necessary to obstruct one's rights to religion and worship. Also the 1st Amendment of the Bill of Rights states that the people of United States receive freedom to exercise religion. Their is no reason to not allow the construction of the mosque besides the discrimination against the people of the Muslim community. In addition, the stereotype that people of Islamic culture are terrorists. Many people died in the 9/11 terrorists attack, but the Muslim community is not to blame. It was merely coincidence that the hijackers of 9/11 were Muslim. The Muslims are just like everyone else in our community. They help make up our population.

"Ground Zero Mosque - Answering Critics of the Ground Zero Mosque." About.com Islam. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. .

Muehlhauser, Luke. "The Ground Zero Mosque." Common Sense Atheism — Atheism Is Just the Beginning. Now It's Time to Tackle the Harder Questions. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. .

Bryan said...

I believe that everyone who comes to this country should have freedom of religion. Building a mosque near Ground Zero is a little bit disrespectful. I think it’s disrespectful to victims of 911 and to the victim’s families. Muslims do have a right to practice their religion. I think the reason the people in New York don’t want this Mosque built is because they believe that building this mosque is giving victory to the terrorist. When everyone thinks of a Muslim, they think that there is a terrorist. Not all Muslims are terrorist. Muslims just want a place to practice their religion. Mostly everyone who goes against this idea says that it’s disrespecting the victims and the families. I would have to agree with the people who against the mosque. At the end nobody is going to win, because there’s always going to be somebody who disagrees.
Adler, Margot.” Developer: Plans for N.Y. Mosque Moving Forward.” 5 May. 2011. Sat. 11 Feb. 2012.

Tschopen said...

I do not se why there needs to be a problem with the building of the community center. Twenty-nine out of the thirty community-board members approved the building so why shouldn't it be built? Because it is only being built to be a "Victory mosque' near the location of the great Muslim victory? No, because park 51 was the only location that could be found and approved for the project. Because there is no need for a Community center with space for Islamic prayer? No, again. The nearest place for Muslims to pray is in the basement of a bar and there are no community centers of any kind in the area. Then maybe it shouldn't be built because it is insensitive to the families of the 9/11 victims? No for a few reasons:
The attacks on the world trade center were eleven years ago! I mean not to sound insensitive but the families should be past their grief by now and should realize that Muslims died that day as well and that there is no intention to offend anyone by building an open-faith community center in the old Burlington Coat Factory.
The actions of a few cannot define 22% of the World's population. If someone is a bad person and a Christian that does not make all Christians bad so why does a few bad Muslims make all Muslims bad?
In short, I think that, if they have been approved to build the community center, then let them build it.
Frontline; "The Man Behind the Mosque." PBS. Web. 9/27/11

Romesh Ratnesar. "Ground Zero; Exaggerating the Jihadist Threat." Time. Web. 8/18/10

Luis De Anda said...

I believe that the muslims should be able to build a worship center because they dont want to harm us or ground zero. And its said that they want to build it for everybody, and they just happened to want it built 2 blocks from ground zero. They have freedom of speech and religion like every american. They shouldnt be punished or treated differently for the terrorist that attacked us on 9/11 they just happened to be muslim. Muslims to want to terrorize, if they did they would of done it already they just want a place where they can worship. Osama never wanted the mosque to be built because it is for all religions. If we just dont want them to build the mosque because they are muslim it is racial profiling and that is not right

Mhernandez said...

After doing much research and looking at both sides of the argument I continue to believe it is appropriate for Muslims to build a mosque near ground zero. Our constitution states that we have freedom of religion; last time I recalled the Muslims trying to build the mosque are American as well and they are under the protection of the constitution. I don't think its disrespectful nor insensitive to the people who died or to the people who lost someone in 9/11. I wonder, would they make a huge commotion if they were to build a Catholic or Christian church in that same location? Muslims encourage brotherhood and peace and denounce evil. “The project, intended to bring people together, has done more to tear them apart” states Rauf in the CNN report “‘Ground Zero Mosque’ Moving Forward.” The mosque isn’t just a place where Muslims can worship but also a place where all people can commute. It would contain a swimming pool, basketball court, auditorium, library, day-care facility, restaurant and cooking school. The Muslims that are trying to build the mosque near ground zero weren’t responsible for 9/11. Wealso have to remember there were Muslims inside the twin tower when 9/11 occurred. We say we strongly believe that racial profiling is wrong but isn’t what they are doing to Muslims racial profiling? They make it sound like all Muslims are terrorists. All they want is a place to worship and coincidentally they found a place near ground zero.

Work Cited:

Ratnesar, Romesh. "'Ground Zero Mosque' Park51 Not a Triumph of Radical Islam - TIME." Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com. Time.com, 18 Aug. 2010. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. .


Higgins, Heather M. "'Ground Zero Mosque' Moving Forward – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs." CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs. CNN.com, 10 Sept. 2011. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. .

Jeska Leonard said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jeska Leonard said...

I don't think it is necessary to build a Mosque so close to Ground Zero. How ever I am all for Freedom of Religion. I understand that under this country's constitution protects every Religion under the FIrst Amendment, but i feel that its not the religion itself thats the problem, it's the people who are associated with it. I'm not saying that all Muslims are Terrorists, but all of the people who were involved in the 9/11 attacks were muslim. and because of that i just think its unnecessary to put a Mosque so close to ground Zero, i don't see why it has to be in that area. I agree, with Con #1 on muslimcenter.proscons.org. I believe it is an insult to Families and Friends who have lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks. That place should remain sacred, it is most of the people burial sites and a place of remembrance. It should not be a place of worship for the religion that represents the people who were involved with the attacks on 9/11. Were not saying that these people should not be able to practice their Muslim religion, it's just a very disrespectful action.




"Pro & Con Arguments: "Is It Appropriate to Build a Muslim Community Center (aka the 'Ground Zero Mosque') near the World Trade Center Site?"" WTC Muslim Center ProCon.org. 31 Jan. 2012. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. .

Deanna said...

This topic is very controversial in multiple ways. I think that a Mosque shouldn't be built next to ground zero. For one, a lot of people feel very anti- Muslim right now and probably will for a long time so it would be somewhat risky to build something there because it would cause riots that really don't need to happen. I'm completely pro when it comes to freedom of religion and protecting their beliefs because I would want the same thing for my religion. I think it's important to protect the Muslim culture because many of them are harmless. However for those that are families to the people that died in 9/11 including possibly Muslim Americans I believe it is disrespectful to be so close. In addition it is rumored that the leader of this Mosque has ties to some radical terrorist groups. In conclusion, we should protect their right to practice their religion but not build a Mosque near something so sensitive in our country.


"Is It Appropriate to Build a Muslim Community Center (aka the "Ground Zero Mosque") near the World Trade Center Site?" WTC Muslim Center ProCon.org. 31 Jan. 2012. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. .

kristyknaggs said...

As the constitution clearly states every American is entitled to the freedom of religion. However, building a Mosque two blocks away from ground zero , although legal, is immoral. We as Americans know that the threat from the Middle East is no longer present, but our greif and anger from 9/11 is still very much there. The actions of terrorists have scarred our society and have created a national feeling of Islamophobia. In turn, most Americans have associated any followers of the Muslim religion to terrorists. Moreover, Americans dont want the Mosque being built next to Ground Zero because in their minds they are letting the "Terrorists" triumph next to the place that they graphically destroyed. "When we speak of Ground Zero as hallowed ground, what we mean is that it belongs to those who suffered and died there... never allowing it to be forgotten, trivialized or misappropriated...People don't oppose this imam's building of a mosque, but just one in that location", states Besty Newmark on her opinion of the Ground Zero Mosque. The main problem with her and other sympathizing Americans is not their hatred of the Muslim culture, but of all places they could build a Mosque they plan to construct one next to Ground Zero. (Newmark, Betsy. "Why the Ground Zero Mosque Shouldn't Be Built." Betsy's Page. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. http://betsyspage.blogspot.com/2010/08/why-ground-zero-mosque-shouldnt-be.html.) Even the New York Post says "'If the Japanese decided to open a cultural center across from Pearl Harbor, that would be insensitive," Sipos told me. "If the Germans opened a Bach choral society across from Auschwitz, even after all these years, that would be an insensitive setting. I have absolutely nothing against Islam. I just think: Why there?'".(Peyser, Andrea. "Mosque Madness at Ground Zero - NYPOST.com." New York News | Gossip | Sports | Entertainment | Photos - New York Post. Web. 11 Feb 2012.<http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/mosque_madness_at_ground_zero)That is the ultimate question, why there? Why do you think it is a good idea to put a Mosque next to ground zero? It is an insenseitive act that would'nt have been so mainstream and disapproved if it were to be built somewhere else.

MÉLISSA said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
MÉLISSA said...

Yes, I think it’s appropriate to build a mosque close to ground zero because we say we are not fighting people with Islamic beliefs but terrorism. I think anyone should practice any religion or belief. Or have the freedom to practice no religion or belief. “We are fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect Muslims from tyranny. We should also be protecting them from tyranny at home by standing up for their rights, including freedom of religion”, this pro in the article WTC Muslim Center ProCon.org makes a great point we should all focus on. “The United States was built upon tolerance and religious freedom, and a mosque at Ground Zero would represent American values. We should not allow the 9/11 terrorists' message of intolerance to reign in our country.” 9/11 has hit a big impact in every citizen’s home, by affecting us dramatically each one of us in a different way. Creating us to judge someone by his religion or his belief doesn’t make us better. We are creating our own stereotypes of Muslims by declining the chance of the building a mosque by ground zero.
ProCon.org. "Founding Fathers on Religion in Government." UnderGod.ProCon.org. ProCon.org, 1 Jan. 2011. Web. 9
Jan. 2011