Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman
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.
WHAT'S GOING ON?
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Warriors Hitting Their Stride
Eastmoor Academy's Archie Griffin
Field was abuzz with anticipation as the calendar changed to October. The
Warriors were hosting South in a City League contest and it was Homecoming,
which meant pomp and circumstance and everything that goes with it. For many
in attendance the announcement of the Homecoming king and queen was more
exciting than the game, which turned into an 82-3 rout for the Warriors.
Eastmoor (3-2, 3-0) got 109 yards and four touchdowns from tailback Derrick
Rudolph, and scored just about every way possible -- an interception return,
a fumble return and a punt return. It was almost two punt returns, but a
second was called back for an illegal block.
The raucous crowd was into the festivities all night, and the Warriors
didn't disappoint.
"We kind of put it together tonight," Eastmoor coach Jim Miranda said.
"They got on the board first and then we just kind of got it rolling. I
liked our effort and our execution. We were pretty sharp tonight, and
truthfully our offense has really started to put it together and do some
good things."
Eastmoor has scored 180 points in its last three games and looked like the
force it was supposed to be when the season started.
South (1-5, 0-3) got on the board first thanks to a 40-yard field goal less
than four minutes into the game, but that was about all the good the
Bulldogs had. Three fumbles and four interceptions doomed the visitors, and
the inability to put together consistent stops defensively added up to the
easy Eastmoor victory.
Warriors quarterback Ron Tanner, an Ohio State commitment tossed three
touchdown passes and was solid as the leader of the defense.
"You expect that from him," Miranda said. "Ron is not someone I worry
about. I know what I'm getting with him. Sometimes you don't know what
you'll get with some other guys, but Ron's steady and a leader for us. I'm
seeing some of the other guys starting to gain confidence and emerge, and
that is something we'll have to have coming up."
Miranda may have subtlely been referring to the Warriors upcoming contests
against South Division leaders Marion-Franklin and Walnut Ridge. Those two
are showing the way at the moment, but Eastmoor would like nothing more than
to show it belongs in the discussion.
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