Political Ranting

As you may or may not know, a new mosque intended to be built a few blocks away from Ground Zero is creating controversy on a national scale. A majority of Americans believe that the mosque should be moved farther away from the site. They consider having a mosque so close to Ground Zero spiteful because radical, extremist Muslims attacked us on 9/11. It's too soon, too sensitive.

To me, this issue boils down to two essential rights of every American. The first is the right to private property. Anyone is allowed to own land and do with with it as they please (of course in accordance with every other law). No one can force these Muslims to move their mosque (which is actually a community center. My guess is the press is using mosque to make it sound more controversial). Also, if a government official becomes a key player encouraging the move, one begins to question the status of separation of church and state. The second right is the freedom of religion. This is clearly discrimination based on terrible stereotypes. They should be free to worship where and when they want. Some people have been quoted as questioning whether the right to practice Islam should be included in the right to practice religion. I won't even get in to how hateful I consider that. It's disappointing that modern Americans think on the same level as those who led the Crusades.

Conservative commentators have commonly related this situation to having Nazi meetings next to the Holocaust Museum. It's a thought, but it's the wrong analogy. This is more like being angry that the German embassy is close to the Holocaust Museum (which no one is angry about - for good reason). It's a generalization that demonizes an entire group of people for something that a small fraction of them committed, though it's reasonable to consider the Islam practiced by Al Qaeda is hardly the same thing as actual Islam. As John Oliver pointed out, under this generalizing logic, no Catholic churches should be built near schools or playgrounds for fear of the priests taking advantage of the children.

At first, I was happy with Obama's endorsement of the center. Only the next day, he sort of retracted his statement with noncommittal language. Obviously, he attempted political cover on a hot issue in which a vast majority of Americans disagree with him. Lame.

For me, this issue is simple. The Muslims who would go to the community center would not be members of Al Qaeda. They are not interested in harming or spiting the United States. They are interested in practicing their religion peacefully. They have every right to do so. Americans should take this as a healing opportunity and a chance to show the world that our country holds freedom to its highest standard and accepts persons of all creeds and colors. We should lead by example in the world.

I leave Brazil tomorrow!!

Only two plane rides separate me from the United States! I am actually excited, not because I will be going back to Salt Lake, but because arriving in the US means I am that much closer to going back to school.

Uh Oh. My nerd is showing.

Hear me out. Last year at Wellesley, I learned so much about myself and to be honest, I liked a lot of what I discovered. I feel more at home there than I really have anywhere else. Sure, the school isn't perfect for everyone, but it never did me wrong. I love it. I also can't help but feel a little ambitious and ready to work after reading 1776 and watching 3 seasons of the West Wing. That show makes being smart look so easy.

I'm currently reading the Cider House Rules by John Irving. I've read most of it before so I thought I'd bring it along on the Brazil trip to try and finish it. Unfortunately, I won't get to the portion I never read because I fully plan on abandoning ship (so to speak) when I get back to the states. No offense John Irving. It's good, I swear. I guess I am in a revolutionary mood. I'll probably read the book about Napoleon I never got to in June.

Anyway, when I am settled in Salt Lake, I will probably write a review of my trip. There's a lot to think about but I'm sure I'll have more than enough time on the flight to think about it all. I'm hoping they have good in flight movies. Actually, I am sort of depending on it. Don't let me down Delta.

God has a name and its name is Google & 1776

I am back in my aunt and uncle's apartment in Sao Paulo. It's great to be here again because they are really active, interesting people and also give me access to wireless internet. I cannot sing the praises of the internet enough. With it, I have all the information in the world at my fingertips. For example, today I was curious and learned that Chopin died in the mid 1800s of tuberculosis and was in fact, Polish. I always thought he was French, but as it turns out, his father was French. Thank you internet for setting me straight.
In other news, I am going on a Led Zeppelin/Rolling Stones binge. I can't help it. They are just so good. I am also in love with the Maroon 5 song "Misery" and Robbie Williams' song "Tripping."

In only 4 days I will be back in the US. As you may or may not know, I am currently reading 1776 by David McCullough. It's about the first year of the American Revolution and the leadership of George Washington. I don't know why, but reading about all of this makes me feel a little sentimental. There is something about the beginning of our country that I find so beautiful. The compromises that our Founder's settled were incredible. I highly doubt that if you stuck 55 men in a room today, they would come up with the constitution, or that any 33 year old today could write the Declaration of Independence. And beyond eloquence, these men had something more. They had inspiration. They were fighting for a noble cause. I think what I find beautiful about the American Revolution is that it wasn't simply a war for conquest, or for some substance that would make everyone rich. It was about principles like freedom and the rights each person has in government. If you read the writings of say George Washington or John Adams they aren't encouraged by greed but by the prospect of independence and liberty for their fellow colonials. Living in America today, it's difficult to envision leaders with such noble motivations but knowing that it's possible gives you hope.