Mosque at Ground Zero
Welcome to the United States of America where we offend often and make our own rules as if we are on the earth alone, so we cater to the sensitivities of main stream Americans with little or no regard for outside perspectives or influences.  My facetious introduction relates to heated debate over whether or not to build a religious mosque/temple near Ground Zero – site of the historic 9/11 attacks on the United States.

I guess it’s better to build nothing over 9 years than to build anything religious and definitely not anything related to Islam.   The perception of America comes off very arrogant and closed minded in regards to this topic.  The 9/11 attacks on America allegedly orchestrated by extremists who happened to be Muslim is not representative of the entire religion of Islam.  Cue the close-mindedness of America >> One incident (though it catastrophic) should not prevent one from being least of all, fair to a religious sect other than one’s own.  If the issue is about erecting a structure in the space, let that be the issue.  However, there has been flack on all sides, before this Muslim Mosque being built was even a thought.

There are those who oppose anything ever being built in the space where the World Trade Center once existed, then there are those that complain that there has been no memorial structure established to honor those victimized by the World Trade Center attacks.  In a space where sensitivities are to be respected, that notion seems to have a double-standard where instances outside of the World Trade Center attacks are concerned.   There have been catastrophes and major tragedies to happen before, and life has gone on and buildings have been replaced or restructured and the event has gone down in history for one reason or another.  The contemplation and speculation about how to proceed with the space is really unacceptable, in my opinion.  Allowing this debate to continue while there are still no concrete plans in place to make any progress at all, is a waste of energy.  It has not been confirmed that the Mosque will indeed be erected in an area four blocks away from where the World Trade Towers once stood, but the idea of this building anywhere near the space of the historic attacks offends many and speaks volumes about how race and religion is viewed in America.

Proposed site of mosque.

Most Americans are intolerant of anything related to Islam or the Muslim culture based solely on ignorance and the attacks of 9/11.  I feel comfortable in assessing that most Americans lack the understanding of the religion of Islam and don’t care to educate themselves on their practices or why they exist.  Most relate the entire religion to terrorism and will not consider anything positive about the association of Muslims in America.  From plenty of examples of racial profiling since the 9/11 attacks that have been targeted specifically towards Muslims or people of Middle-Eastern descent, to the demonizing of the president during his run for office based on an incorrect assumption of his religious affiliation, it clearly displays the unwillingness to accept a perspective from another human being about their choice in spiritual or religious counsel.  This is a dangerous cycle.   It’s a display of hate at its’ worst, no matter who was affected and no matter who is being targeted.

Those in opposition to a religious structure being built anywhere near Ground Zero is simply being selfish and judgmental.  Anyone who lost a loved one in the 9/11 attacks will always grieve no matter what replaces the site or even if nothing replaces the site of such a horrific and tragic event.  Outside of those affected personally from the World Trade Center attacks, why would their say in what should happen to space be validated?  Because they live near there and they’re fearful of another terrorist attack?  If that is  the logic, does one ever go to an airport and get on a plane?  What would be the difference?  We have some growing to do America.  Break out of your boxes and open up your hearts and mind to something different than what you have always known.  Karma is unmistakable.  All decisions and actions will be held accountable to some standard by the universe.  Blocking something out of hate can only have negative karmic retribution.  Judge carefully.

The Gulf Oil Spill
The tragedy of the gulf oil spill is heartbreaking especially to those residents in the gulf who relied heavily on the ocean as a source of income for their professional purposes.  It’s now reaching the 4-month mark and there is little progress that has been made.  According to government released information, there only remained about 26% of the oil in the Gulf Region.  Reports released cited this information directly from White House officials and advised that it was okay to resume activity that was previously precluded due to the oil spill, but this information has since been contradicted by a University of Georgia study that says close to 70% of the oil still remains in the water in the region.

The UGA study includes data from scientists that believe this problem will take much longer to resolve than is being reported.  The scientists feel that the misinformation being reported on the situation can be misleading if you are taking the information at face value.  They think it will actually be years before the oil completely disintegrates from the ocean and also can’t really gauge the impacts that this disaster may have.  The immediate impacts seem clear with the effects the spill is having on the food industry as many struggle to supplement their livelihood through limited means.

The President visited the gulf region over the weekend and actually got in the water to take a swim with his daughter basically trying to prove the progress that is being made with the removal of the oil.  BP is still taking the reins and trying to be productive with providing results to lay some of the blame off of them to preserve whatever reputation may be left from the disaster occurring  at their hands.

President Obama and his daughter Sasha swim in cove behind their hotel in Panama City Beach, Florida.