Ground Zero

I'm becoming a tad troubled because I am unable to really see either side of this debate clearly. Why put a mosque there, or for that matter a Christian chapel? Why not put a mosque there, or for that matter, a Christian chapel? It was muslim extremeist radicals, not the muslim faith that caused this tragedy. Many wonderful, kind, caring muslim citizens were wiped off the planet on that horrible day along with Christians, athiests, Bhuddists, agnostics, and everybody else. Why allow anything at all contentious to be constructed at ground zero? Why can't it just be an undeveloped green area in the city for us to all go and reflect on just how horrible things can turn out if we can't accept that NONE OF US believe ANYTHING exactly as ANOTHER of us.

I have friends and family that belong to the radical right wing conservative fundamentalist faction, so I receive posts containing inflammatory anti-muslim rhetoric on Facebook and e-mail for me to attempt to digest. I have friends and family that belong to the radical left wing liberal left, and receive posts containing inflammatory anti-conservative right wing rhetoric on Facebook and e-mail for me to attempt to digest. In my mind that places both groups in the same mold of intolerance as the perpetrators of 9-11. I realize that intolerance of evil is good. What then, is intolerance of intolerance? Because I, for one, am SICK and TIRED of having to sift through all of the strongly worded opinions that brand one side or the other as just plain dumb and wrong.

I proudly served my United States of America in the military. I pay my taxes. I have my own opinions, beliefs, desires and dreams. I do not feel entitled to trample on the dreams of others simply because their beliefs are counter to my own. I am willing to fight for what I believe in, should it come to that, God forbid. I feel righteous indignation when the poor, weak, and innocent are trampled upon, not just by the rich, strong and powerful, but also by the other poor, weak, and innocent. I will defend freedom and what I believe to be right based on my religious beliefs, and the law of the land in which I (thank GOD) live.

Perhaps I just do not wish to force everyone to believe as I do. Perhaps there are no answers. Perhaps there will always be wars and rumors of wars. Perhaps I will now receive one hundred thousand e-mails full of opinion. In that case, I shall simply continue to do the best I can.