Culture War: 1, Ground: Zero

Yes, it's been a hot summer here in America and you know what that means: those darned Mosque-itos are out sucking the red from our American flag ... pesky Muslims, tryin' to practice their Muslimism in New York City. Maybe they should go down to Arizona and build their "insensitive" Muslim Community Center with some cheap Mexican labor. That'll prove they're just like us.

It is worth reiterating that the Muslim faith is not terrorism. Just like the Jewish faith is not Zionists. And Catholicism is not sex abuse. In short, if you believe that all Muslims were responsible for the attacks nine years ago, then you also believe that you put toast in a toaster, that cows drink milk, and that BP stands for Best Practices.

Let's be clear: this is no longer debate, this is a demonization. And what's festering underneath is a culture war that is ripping the heart from the soul of America. And it's doing a good job. We have been politicized into a panic attack about nearly everything, it's no wonder everyone's on drugs. It's so bad, even our drugs need drugs! And the longer this culture war operates under the neurotic "Choose A or B" mentality about any given "issue," the easier it is for those politicking the country to polarize and control the narrative of this troubled nation.

Moreover, as the word "insensitivity" is deceitfully used to describe the choice to build on a plot of land that has remained dilapidated for nine years, it seems a little peculiar that attention is diverted from the real "insensitivities" that should be captivating the American media right now, beginning with billions of dollars for Wall St. executives while the families they victimize with outrageous foreclosures take to the streets -- and ending with the continued deep water drilling off our coasts after human lives, wildlife, economies, and constitutional rights were eviscerated. And if two wars (and a shadow war in Pakistan) weren't enough, the casualties from this culture war back home only contribute to our instability as a people and national community right now.

Fortunately, we are more complicated than that so there's hope in having a truly balanced dialogue. We are like a quilt, albeit urine-stained from night terrors. But this kind of thing happens when you're scared right before you go to bed with fairy tales like "The Muslims Will Find You," "The Mexicans Will Kidnap You," and "The Homosexuals Will Eat You." (Note: Should these groups ever join forces to form a Mexican Homosexual Jihad, we are all fucked).

If we don't start speaking with one another with calm, patience, and the values of human freedom in our vocabulary, then we will continue staring at a metaphorical hole in the ground for another decade as America passes us all by.

Culture War: 1, Ground: Zero.

 

Comments

[Bill J4321]

11:47 AM on 08/24/2010

"If we don't start speaking with one another with calm, patience, and the values of human freedom in our vocabulary, then we will continue staring at a metaphorical hole in the ground for another decade as America passes us all by."

We'd better get our Prozac a Valium.

[fishnetdiver]

08:57 AM on 08/24/2010

just heard an excellent story on NPR about the debate and how extremists are using it as a 'I told you so' campaign to get young Muslims to join their ranks...and it's working. so thanks to all the rightwing conservative fearmongers out there who are actually making things worse.
...couldn't that be considered 'giving aid and comfort to the enemy'? what's that called again...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129387963

[Arsalan Khan]

04:21 AM on 08/24/2010

"Mexican homosexual jihad"
LOL!

[argus4]

09:12 PM on 08/23/2010

It's only natural, I suppose, given all the other troubles the U.S. now faces, for some people to make a fuss over an issue that's not worth a tinker's dam. It does distract one.

If Cordoba House is built and succeeds in its announced mission, we (or at least some of us) will be grateful. If it is built and proves to be a hive of un-American activity, we can be sure that the NSA and FBI will have had it under surveilance and that an attempt will be made to bring the miscreants to justice.

So many of us cherish the right to be let alone, which SCOTUS has affirmed we have. Why should we deny that right to those wishing to erect Cordoba House? Or have we forgotten what is carved on the front of the SCOTUS building: "Equal Justice Under Law"?

[Ioan Lightoller]

06:28 PM on 08/23/2010

Fanned AND faved, xenas mom! The whole argument of groups like NOM and others is an attempt to demonise gay people any way that they can, even lying about our lives (note: LIVES, homohaters, not "lifestyles".

I wonder what craziness fear mongering homohaters will come up with next.

[xenas mom]

04:18 PM on 08/23/2010

When I was an undergraduate in the early 1970s, a sociology professor observed that when the economy is deeply troubled people gravitate toward increasingly fringe groups and beliefs systems and look for scapegoats. Why? Because they are scared. I've thought of that observation increasingly these last couple of years. I just never imagined I would see it all playing out in current events the way it has been; and it appears to be getting worse, much worse. As a dear friend, a psychologist, recently observed: the problem with people operating from a fear-base is that you can never guess what they'll do next because you can't figure out what they'll be afraid of next. It appears to be some sort of convergence and I'm not sure how we will all be able to weather this storm.