Durst: Democracy isn't a Chinese menu, it's a buffet

There is only one halfway-decent reason why a mosque should be built two blocks away from Ground Zero in New York. It's called the First Amendment.

Maybe you've heard of it. It's the one that lets pretty much anybody say pretty much anything they want, and yes, that includes worshipping whatever goofy deity they choose. Muhammad. Thor. The Prince of Peace. King of Pop. John Coltrane. LeBron James. Baba Ganoush. Twiggy. Cher.

There's also one very good reason why a mosque shouldn't be built two blocks away from Ground Zero.

It's a little thing called grace. A sense of common human decency. Not rubbing other peoples' noses in your own solid waste. A concept one would think a religion might be able to grasp since their oft-described mission involves the encouragement and promulgation of those very callings, but then one would be wrong. As would be two.

Political parties aren't expected to play by these rules, however. And even if they were, they wouldn't. Especially during an election year.

The Republicans, as is their way, have pounced on this issue like a starving feral cat onto an exhausted mouse whose tail got stuck under a table leg. Bad blood with faint overtures of Christian degradation. Talk about straight into your social agenda wheelhouse. Just two clicks shy of abortion and three rungs below gay marriage. The war on Christmas squared.

Hoping to reverse poll numbers that have them racing Democrats to approval's sub-basement, the GOP turned a municipal zoning variance into a hot-button issue and it doesn't matter whether you're running for conditional co-councilman of Calaveras County, you will weigh in on this controversy.

Once again, Obama and his ilk are being slapped with the

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Home Site Map Advertise For Sale Subscribe to our Monthly Email Newsletter	Demokrati Durst: Democracy isn't a Chinese menu, it's a buffet There is only one halfway-decent reason why a mosque should be built two blocks away from Ground Zero in New York. It's called the First Amendment. Maybe you've heard of it. It's the one that lets pretty much anybody say pretty much anything they want, and yes, that includes worshipping whatever goofy deity they choose. Muhammad. Thor. The Prince of Peace. King of Pop. John Coltrane. LeBron James. Baba Ganoush. Twiggy. Cher. There's also one very good reason why a mosque shouldn't be built two blocks away from Ground Zero. It's a little thing called grace. A sense of common human decency. Not rubbing other peoples' noses in your own solid waste. A concept one would think a religion might be able to grasp since their oft-described mission involves the encouragement and promulgation of those very callings, but then one would be wrong. As would be two. Political parties aren't expected to play by these rules, however. And even if they were, they wouldn't. Especially during an election year. The Republicans, as is their way, have pounced on this issue like a starving feral cat onto an exhausted mouse whose tail got stuck under a table leg. Bad blood with faint overtures of Christian degradation. Talk about straight into your social agenda wheelhouse. Just two clicks shy of abortion and three rungs below gay marriage. The war on Christmas squared. Hoping to reverse poll numbers that have them racing Democrats to approval's sub-basement, the GOP turned a municipal zoning variance into a hot-button issue and it doesn't matter whether you're running for conditional co-councilman of Calaveras County, you will weigh in on this controversy. Once again, Obama and his ilk are being slapped with the Continue reading the rest of "Durst: Democracy isn't a Chinese menu, it's a buffet" by Athens Banner-Herald © 2009 http://onlineathens.com - Athens Banner-Herald - All rights reserved. Rate This Article: Comment on "Durst: Democracy isn't a Chinese menu, it's a buffet" Your Name Your Comments Verification Code: G9GQ8T Enter Code: Vote a key test for democracy BAGHDAD - Billed as a key test of Iraq's nascent democracy, Iraqis fear today's parliamentary election will lead to a protracted period of uncertainty as the winners and losers try to cobble together a new government - even as American forces prepare to go home. Obama urges allies to help extend democracy's reach WARSAW, Poland - Holding out Poland's transformation to democracy as a model for the world, President Obama on Saturday exhorted Western allies and the American public alike to extend their support, energy and vision to those now reaching for democracy in the Middle East and North Africa. Myanmar junta releases democracy activist YANGON, Myanmar - Pro-democracy hero Aung San Suu Kyi walked free Saturday after more than seven years under house arrest, welcomed by thousands of cheering supporters outside the decaying lakefront villa that has been her prison. Forum: Stand with democracy in Honduras The man sitting in Honduran President Manuel Zelaya's chair these days insists that army thugs were upholding the constitution when they rousted Zelaya at gunpoint and put him on a plane to Costa Rica, still wearing his pajamas. Forum: What matters more, rights or life? Americans engaged in the debate about torture are taking part in one of the most important discussions a society can have. If honestly faced, the arguments on all sides may reveal the character and priorities of the country: What matters more, human rights or human life; the rule of law or the security of a nation? So far, however, an indispensable piece for a truly useful debate has remained outside the conversation. Forum: Democracy breeds our lack of civility In January, the shootings in Tucson in which six people were killed and 13 wounded, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, sparked a national conversation on civility in politics. The following month, the University of Arizona established the National Institute for Civil Discourse to advocate greater civility in all corners of the public square. Durst: Democracy isn't a Chinese menu, it's a buffet There is only one halfway-decent reason why a mosque should be built two blocks away from Ground Zero in New York. It's called the First Amendment.