“No voice bears more influence with the people than their leader.” Maxi Malone
The country is buzzing over news that something big is happening at Ground Zero. Many say the Twin Tower will rise again. They take to their laptops, cells, TVs and anxiously wait. News from the leader of our country will be coming any day. Nothing.
Image Credit/therealdeal.com
Soon it leaked out that a 13-story Muslim Community Center will be built on the hallowed ground where hundreds were slaughtered in a war against America. Above is the image of Cordoba House that is supposed to contain a mosque, auditoriums, pools and dorm rooms for Muslim men. It mirrors the Twin Towers.
On June 6, 2010 pain, fury and disappointment drive the people to the streets in droves. Thousands protest in the United States and other countries as well.
Still our leader remains quiet.
It is not until August 13, 2010 in the State Dining Room when the president breaks his silence. He is hosting an Iftar dinner in the State Dining Room at the White House. This is the meal when Muslims first break their fast during Ramadan.
I watch as he speaks and it’s obvious that his words are not intended for us, but for the Islamic ambassadors and officials of other nations seated there … and those Muslims who are listening around the world. Part of what he states is: “As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan in accordance with laws and ordinances.”
Anyone has the legal right to build on that site—but do they have the moral right?
And where is the president’s support for St. Nicholas? The only church destroyed on 9/11. They have been fighting for nine years to rebuild a formal Greek Orthodox Church and have been refused. New York City officials declare that it’s too big.
The day after the Iftar dinner the president came to my state of Florida. When a reporter asked about his comments on the mosque he declared: “…I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making a decision to put a mosque there.”
BTW, there are more than 100 mosques in New York City.
May Your Glass Always Be Half Full
_____________________
Read a chapter of Maxi’s novel
Over the Edge
