August 29, 2010
ONE OF THE BIGGEST DOWNSIDES OF THE UR NOT HAVING ANY PERSONAL FAITH....:
Where has all the love gone? (Dick Polman, 8/28/10, Philadelphia Inquirer)
As we navigate the waning days of our xenophobic August, with so many opportunists in high dudgeon about Muslims in our midst, perhaps it'd be wise to quote a notably tolerant Republican - somebody whose words might possibly shame the fearmongers who currently pervade his own party.For instance: "America counts millions of Muslims amongst our citizens, and Muslims make an incredibly valuable contribution to our country. Muslims are doctors, lawyers, law professors, members of the military, entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, moms, and dads. And they need to be treated with respect. In our anger and emotion, our fellow Americans must treat each other with respect. . . . They love America just as much as I do."
On Sept. 17, 2001, so said President George W. Bush.
Hey, I'm starting to miss the guy. Notwithstanding all the disastrous aspects of his presidency, his generous, inclusive attitude toward immigrants of color - particularly Muslim Americans in the wake of 9/11 - was always in the finest American tradition. We could use a sustained dose of his tone today.
...is that he has no moral compulsion to do the right thing irrespective of the polls.
