The Baltimore Sun reported (August 17, 2010) that Andy Harris, First District GOP candidate for Congress, says that the locally-approved construction of an Islamic community/prayer center in lower Manhattan is "blatantly disrespectful" because it will be located close to Sept 11's Ground Zero.
Mr. Harris is entitled to an opinion. Here are one or two follow-up questions that ought to be asked:
What is the role of Congress in a local zoning issue?
Should the feds spend tax $$ to fight a construction project that is in conformity with local zoning?
Ought there be a moratorium (or federal law) banning the building of Christian churches near the bombed federal building in Okla City - since Timothy McVey was a self-identified Christian?
Does Andy Harris know that many Sept 11 victims were Muslim? Has Mr Harris troubled himself to find out if their surviving relatives and friends agree that the proposed construction is 'offensive?' Might a community /prayer center near Ground Zero be consoling to them?
Should local zoning regs forbid houses of worship (synagogues, Baptist churches, etc) if non-communicants might be 'offended' at their construction?
No comments:
Post a Comment