It's like mainlining a Big Brother marathon presented by Paris Hilton in at an attempt to understand War & Peace - yet unfeasibly more eye-bleedingly painful.


But what are the ACTUAL effects of that? One one hand you could argue that people's belief systems just get a little skewed - that if they don't seek out the bigger picture, they'll merely snuggle up in the apathetic armchair and parrot the latest pundit's words of wit. Let Glenn Beck do the pudgy little leg-work.

Which would be a bad enough kind of self-harm in itself. Unless you judge it against THIS. Watch as a few seconds into some video footage,  this happens:



The man in question was a worker at Ground Zero and walking through the crowd merely looking at what was going on. Within seconds there are degrading comments about 'his religion' and shouts of 'Run, coward!' as he makes his way out. A big guy in a faux worker's hat barrels through to try and physically confront him and it's only the intervention of the the pedestrian's friend and a savvy event organiser that stops this getting any more uglier than it is. All the while, the crowd continues chanting and trying to surround him.

And you just know that even when the pedestrian's story is revealed later and - guess what - that he's not even of that faith, that the excuse from the masses will be 'Well, he LOOKED muslim!'  You want to stop there for a second and read that excuse again?  Please. Your fallback postion and defence is going to be that you were acting aggressively to someone because you THOUGHT he was of a certian religion?   "Honestly, officer, what's the problem...I was only picking on him because I thought he was a faggot....  Sorry, my mistake, I'm a God-fearing Christian my wrath was only meant to be directed at real niggers..." Ouch? Yes, some of those words still sting, because  socially we're supposed to be past that. We're supposed to be... what was it again, ah yes... civilised.

And I'm afraid that when news networks put out inflammatory bulletins that don't reflect the bigger picture, that breed fear and panic and distrust of someone you never met simply because someone THEY never met did something bad, then THIS is what happens... and justified indignation isuddenly sn't just reserved for those who commit crimes but for those that, y'know, MIGHT, for those that, well,  COULD and for those who make a very convenient scapegoat for other agendas. Look.. watch my left hand and don't ask what my right hand is doing (though, I think we can guess).

The likes of the Anti-Park 51 demonstrators and the Tea Party events may well have certain issues that they feel justified in raising. More power to them. Nothing bad can come from a truly good debate and the world is better for those discussions.  March if you must, but be careful of the zombie cheerleaders.

But until the networks stop throwing poisoned scraps to the masses and until those more honest and intelligent demonstrators demand that the fringe elements - who utterly discredit them with epiphets, violence, bigotry and truly horrible spelling  - be exorcised from their midst, then you will have been hijacked all over again. 

But with words not box-cutters.

Unless you've been hiding under a stone for the last few weeks, you're obviously aware that one of the biggest issues is the 'Ground Zero Mosque' debate. Depending on your point of view and attitude to the situation it's been a bad time to be an American patriot, a muslim or a property developer. (Delete as appropriate). But it's sure as hell been a bad time to be a journalist, if the standard of reporting is anything to judge by.

Firstly, let me say that I totally get and can  respect the right of anyone in that immediate area of New York to be sensitive to the issue. IF I had relatives or friends die in a huge tragedy linked specifically to a cause or religion and IF someone told me that anyone remotely connected with that was planning something official nearby, my ears would be pricked and my righteous indignAtion primed. That in itself is human instinct and needs no apology. But, equally, as we became civilised, we learned not to JUST act instinctively. (If we hadn't this laptop would have been thrown out the window more times than I care to mention).

Contrary to convenient packaging or commentary which may no doubt follow, this blog entry doesn't really seek to say whether the mosque should be there or not. It's about the appalling way that accuracy has been jettisoned in the race to win that argument. It's not what the conclusion should be but a rather damning overview of the methods used to win hearts, minds and front pages. To misquote the Evita musical (and, when all else fails, can't people of all faiths all turn to a Madonna?)  'they didn't say much, but they said it LOUD...'

So, balance. Firstly, what have many outlets and pundits got wrong?

Ground Zero. Mosque:  Well, it's not there and it's arguably not a mosque. (Kind of important, to get those bits right at least if you want anyone to take you seriously). Calling it that to stir up passions is convenient but is equivalent to looking at The House of Commons and calling it The Groucho Club. I mean, fairly close to each other, both populated by people desperate to get to the bar and talking about their past trumphs and latest deals.. so, what's the real difference? But factually? Even by the most kindest estimates the proposed building is over two blocks away from the topper-most corner of Ground Zero. Not even in sight of it. And though it contains a designated area for praying, it's not specifically a mosque, it's a study centre. Again, it's like saying a library that has a children's play area is a nursery... hardly a big point - unless you're campaigning against fundamental nurseries. However if you consider a prayer-area acts in the same way as a mosque, it's possibly fair to make some sort of a basic comparison between the two.

It's on 'Hallowed Ground':  Again, putting the emotional aspect to one side for a second... has the local strip-joint, closer to the Ground Zero site, actually put a complaint that the islamic building might cast the area into disrepute... because, hey, y'know... there are  standards?' No. Should the long-standing muslim restaurants and businesses - for which there doesn't seem to have been a single complaint - be told to close up and leave as their presence is insulting or perhaps they hide covert converts? And what will that guy selling tacky unique collectors' 9/11 keyrings do for a living?

Opening on 9/11:  Well, no, actually it isn't. Indeed, if you look at any reputable news-sources, you can quite easily trace it back to a misquote in which 'breaking ground' was mentioned and 'opening' was the word reported and for which most sources have now begrudgingly corrected themselves. Anyone who doesn't know the difference really shouldn't be quoting it. There's a chance that actual building could commence around that time (certainly not this year, unlikley to be next year), but no solid day has been decided upon. Given that the funds needed to construct the building aren't anywhere near ready yet, the most ambitious proposals put the start date in around eighteen months time. Incidentally, it's also worth noting that prayer services have been available on the site for over a year with little controversy until recently.

The Iman openly supports terrororism:  And again, it takes all of five minutes to find the supposedly offending text cited by certain news-channels in which Rauf  'supports' Hamas.  Except he doesn't.

"I'm not a politician. I try to avoid the issues. The issue of terrorism is a very complex question...I'm a bridge builder. I define my work as a bridge builder. I do not want to be placed, nor do I accept to be placed in a position of being put in a position where I am the target of one side or another... The targeting of civilians is wrong. It is a sin in our religion. Whoever does it, targeting civilians is wrong. I am a supporter of the state of Israel. ... I will not allow anybody to put me in a position where I am seen by any party in the world as an adversary."


... subsequently reported by the likes of Fox News as basically  'Rauf supports Hamas'.  Which is a bit like me being asked which is worse rape or murder and when replying that I refuse to put them on a scale of badness, being quoted as saying 'John refuses to condemn rapists'. 

The centre will be partially-funded by Iran:   Well, it's debatable. Technically at this point, it's not being inherently funded by anyone of note as funding is still being sort. The claim comes from a quote several months ago when - before the hoo-hah, one of the committee was asked whether all the monies would be collected domestically. It was said that, primarilly, that would be the first cause of action and then possibly internationally if needed. When asked specifically whether Iran might be sought to contribute, the answer was that no-one could comment as the decision either way had not been made. So most accurately, at this point, NO Iran has not put any money into the project. (Iran *offering* to put money up isn't the same thing either...)  Also, it you apply the Glenn Beck rule of line-drawing, it's also possible to squint and link Fox News to its potential funding as well.  You probably won't hear that on Bill O'Reilly's no-spin zone.

It will attract fundamentalists!: While not provably impossible, the press doesn't suggest that  the very, very few abortion-clinic bombers in a country attack in the name of God, should lead to the shutting down or banning of churches.

Christians don't support the Mosque:  On the eve of Ramadan on 11 August 2010, the National Council of Churches, its Interfaith Relations Commission and Christian participants in the National Muslim-Christian Initiative, issued a strong call for respect and said the proposed structure was  ' a community centre dedicated to learning, compassion, and respect for all people. Christ calls us to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ (Matthew 22:39). It is this commandment, more than the simple bonds of our common humanity, which is the basis for our relationship with Muslims around the world.”


What the press got right / fair questions:
Mosque at the Pentagon? One pro-commentator pointed out that if there's a mosque at the Pentgaon, why shouldn't there be one anywhere near Ground Zero? After all, both were hit.  Elements of the press did subsequently point out that there actually isn't a mosque at the Pentagon. Some did point out that there IS a specifically designated worship area where people of any religion can come to pray according to their faith. Muslims and Christians are equally welcome and regular services for each of the faiths are held. It has been in operation since the Pentagon's reconstruction in 2002  (Source: http://www.factcheck.org/). So it's one of those pesky perspective issues.

Public opinion is against the mosque.  This is undeniably true, though  this has risen hugely since different aspects of the media started running their own campaigns. Before this, even Fox News was supporting it.  Large crowds have gathered outside the mosque to protest. Few otherwise verbal politicians - of either ilk - have actually gone there. Public opinion doesn't say where they WOULD find any mosque acceptable.

Why should a mosque go up when a Greek Orthodox church hasn't been allowed nearby?   At first glance this is a wholly fair point. If there's so much support for an Islamic building, why hasn't the St Nicholas Greek Orthadox church received just as much in its efforts to be rebuilt even closer to the site?  Some say it smacks of favourtism and it certainly seems not enough efforts have been made. Closer inspection indicates that while there does seem to have been some inequality, the delays and funding have also been the effect of bad communication between the church and the Port Authority and disagreements over specific needs and arguments from both sides as to where that misscommunication began. Learn more at: http://www.projo.com/news/content/GROUND_ZERO_SIDEBAR_08-22-10_VNJJB79_v17.20ec8b2.html which has quotes from all sides.

Cordoba is an inappropriate name for the centre:  Well, historically, that’s also the name of the Spanish city conquered by Muslims in 700 A.D. So, yeah, maybe not concillatory, people! It's worth noting  this original, traditional name appears to only have been an option not a definite name and has reportedly been discounted. It will now be called Park51.  (Futher Q&A information via: http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2010/08/qa_on_the_proposed_islamic_cen.html )

If churches aren't allowed in muslim countries, why shouldn't we restrict mosques here?  A completely fair observation if you want to hold such muslim countries as the paragon and standard of how religious culture should be operated.

Being against the 'mosque' doesn't mean you're a racist.  No, of  course it doesn't. There are plenty of people with legitimate questions and who may come to a conclusion that has nothing to do with race. It would only be racism if you began to see every muslim as a potential terrorist-in-waiting and discriminated against a person/project simply on that reasoning - or if you stood against the building mosques at all. Then, by simplt definition, it becomes a race issue.  
~
So there you go. The basics.  I know I've learned more than I knew...

Whatever conclusions you may wish to come to on this specific issue, it must always be important to know what is an opinion and what is a demonstrable fact.   Whether they are ultimately right or wrong, citing one as the other is likely to make a debater look compromised and rather foolish. Yes, there are grey areas of contention, but we should never go with the thinking that 'everything is a grey area because every opinion is valid and worth the same'. 

It's not. If it WAS, then knowledge and research would be a dirty words. (I'm totally willing to be proven wrong on anything. But there's the rub, to do so I need you to give me opposing facts, not your opinions on mine). Perhaps in a world where we demand instant soundbytes and emotional punditry rather than accurate invesitgations and demonstrable facts, they already are.