Joe Conason: Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich Need a History Lesson

[babylonsister]

Ouch. I love it!

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/sarah_palin_and_newt_gingrich_need_a_history_lesson_20100804/

Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich Need a History Lesson
Posted on Aug 4, 2010

By Joe Conason


No recent controversy has so plainly revealed the hollow values of the American right than the effort to prevent the construction of a community center in Lower Manhattan because it will include a mosque. Arguments in opposition range from a professed concern for the sensitivities of the Sept. 11 victims’ families to a primitive battle cry against Islam—but what they all share is an arrant disregard for our country’s founding principles.

The impulse to violate the First Amendment rights of Muslims—as Muslims!—is so blatantly wrong and so radical, in the worst sense, that it almost defies outrage. Until now, nobody in a position of responsibility has sought to deny basic religious liberty to any group whose practices did not somehow trespass the law. Despite disagreements around the borders of religious freedom, the nation shared a consensus in favor of the concept—for everyone, with no exceptions.

snip//


Beneath her references to healing and understanding, Palin let every Muslim in America know that their religion, its edifices and symbols, offends their fellow Americans. She was saying that Islam doesn’t share equal status with other faiths. She was warning the Muslim community against any assertion of those rights.

Characteristically, Gingrich went further, using aggressive language and false insinuation. Without any shred of evidence, he denounced the moderate Muslims developing the community center as “hostile to our civilization.” Instead of building where they live, in New York City, he urged them to try to build a church or a synagogue “in Saudi Arabia.”

By uttering those words, the old bully proved what liberals and moderates have often noticed about the religious right—namely, the troubling resemblance between our homegrown ultras and the foreign extremists who have attacked us. Only when the Saudis permit full religious freedom to Christians and Jews, Gingrich suggested, should we do likewise to Muslims. So he recommends that we trash the Bill of Rights and mimic the practices of foreign despots.

At the very least, the mosque debate should dispel any sense that “conservatives” like these are the strict and true defenders of the Constitution they often claim to be. These politicians—along with the mob they are stirring—recklessly endanger the most sacred American traditions.

[JustAnotherGen]

1. Ya know?

Good, bad, or indifferent? I much preferred Mayor Bloomberg's approach/speech yesterday. The full text was in the Star Ledger in NJ this a.m.

And why should they care anyways? Sister Sarah and Billy Bob Newt don't even LIKE people who aren't in the 'Main Street' of America.

Aren't they out of their so-called "territory" by commenting about New York City liberals, NY City, City People, people who are godless because they live in the North East in a Big City, etc. etc. and so on and so forth?

They truly are two of the tooliest tools in the tool shed.

[babylonsister]

2. Bloomberg's speech was, I believe, the highlight of his

political career. He showed real passion and compassion; he expressed, for me, how I wish most Americans should feel.

Newt and this grizzled gal, otoh, are disgraces imo.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. + 1

[Winterblues]

6. At one time Bloomberg was actually a Democrat

I believe the ONLY reason he switched Parties was because he did not believe a Democrat could win in the current environment. He still has some basic compassion and humanity.

[unblock]

7. bloomberg was ALWAYS a democrat until he ran for mayor

i think his switching had more to do with the challenge of getting through the democratic primary, which requires navigating the byzantine nyc inside politics. the general election is much more readily purchased, and he outspend his democratic opponent 5-to-1.

the republicans knew they were getting a rino, but they figured that was better than losing outright.

[Uncle Joe]

4. Palin and Gingrich are a danger to the Constitution, much more so than

one of the world's major religions.

I imagine Palin quit reading the Constitution before she ever got to the First Amendment but Gingrich is supposed to have been a history professor, I wonder how many minds; have been warped from his hate filled nonsense?

Thanks for the thread, babylonsister.

[cbdo2007]

5. Next Palin and Gingrich are going to try to get rid of all Christian churches.

Now, they haven't specifically said this, but they are definitely opening the door to prohibit any churches they don't like, and they tend to choose what they do and don't like based on who is paying them the most money. They could turn on anyone at any time.

Sure, I just made all that up, but someone in the media should say this because it's true. Once you prohibit one religion you will start prohibiting more and more religions.