Let

Let’s Be More Like George W. Bush. Seriously.

Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman

Demagoguery has always flourished during times of national unease. And so it is not surprising that while Americans grapple with the consequences of war and recession, media personalities and future presidential hopefuls are preying on their fears.

For the past several weeks, talk radio and cable news has been abuzz with the controversy regarding the proposed Islamic center in lower Manhattan, not far from the site of the 2001 terrorist attacks that killed thousands of people and destroyed the World Trade Center.

Because of the hyperbole with which this topic has been discussed in the media, it is understandable—though regrettable—that many Americans have a negative reaction to the proposal. It is extremely unfortunate, however, that some of our would-be leaders are using this moment to fan the flames of division and intolerance.

The question of whether Muslims in New York have the right to build an Islamic Center near Ground Zero isn’t really a question at all: Of course they do; this is America. Religious freedom is one of the foundations upon which this nation was built. Every American has the right to worship how and where they see fit.

This principle, enshrined in the First Amendment to the Constitution, is one of many that make me proud to be an American. But others apparently think it should be revisited. For example, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich recently suggested that when it comes to religious freedom, America should follow the lead of Saudi Arabia.

“There should be no mosque near Ground Zero in New York so long as there are no churches or synagogues in Saudi Arabia,” Gingrich said.

Gingrich is clearly hoping to ride this issue all the way to the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, though I don’t know that suggesting that America take its cues from an Islamic theocracy is the best strategy.

Not all opponents of the New York mosque are making as radical a case as the former House speaker. Some have acknowledged that Muslims have the right to build a mosque in lower Manhattan, but say they should have the decency to refrain from exercising that right because of the attacks of nine years ago.

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Haitian mayor thanks Columbus for generosity; asks for more earthquake relief

By Felix Hoover

For Your News Columbus

Oct. 10, 2010

Mayor Jean Paul-Michelet of Gressier, Haiti, thanked the people of Columbus for their generous donations in response to the catastrophic earthquake that devastated his homeland in January.

His remarks came Friday at a reception at Sawyer Recreation Center.

The event was sponsored by the Commission Coalition of Columbus for Haiti and Neighborhood House Inc. The commission, which conducted much of the city’s relief effort, was recognized for developing goals to provide psychological, spiritual, physical, financial and logistic assistance to Haiti.

Paul-Michelet said that despite the generosity of Columbus’ citizenry, much more aid is needed to restore some of the most basic services in Gressier.

Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman told his Haitian counterpart, “We will pray for you, and we will do for you,” and he promised to send surplus equipment, such as vehicles, tractors and even shovels to help with the recovery effort.

Allen Huff, president and chief executive officer at the Neighborhood House, said that in the global economy, the neighborhood goes well beyond the folks who live next door.

He urged everyone to buy tickets and bring friends to the Haitian/American Banquet-Cabaret on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 1000 Atcheson Ave. Proceeds will go to the relief effort in Haiti.

For details, call Barbara Clark at 614-252-4941, ext. 12, or Jean Manuel at 614-571-1637.