Arizona’s twin embarrassments, the McKyl, engage in religious bigotry

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) has added his name to the growing list of high-profile conservatives to oppose the opening of a mosque near the site of the World Trade Center. Kyl becomes highest-ranking Senate Republican to oppose Islamic Center – The Hill's Blog Briefing Room:

Kyl's rank makes him the most prominent GOP senator to challenge the project — a multi-story Islamic cultural center — so far. Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) have all called it "insensitive" to the families of 9/11 victims, while Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) has said that developers should "put the brakes" on construction.

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In an editorial published Monday by the Yuma Sun, A Mosque at Ground Zero?, Kyl said that while the project is ultimately a matter for New York City, local officials must remember that "our country is still at war with radical Islamists and that victims of the 9/11 attacks have a stake in their decision too."

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Quoting [demagogue Newt] Gingrich's statement, Kyl wrote that "'for radical Islamists, the mosque would become an icon of triumph, encouraging them in their challenge to our civilization.' We are still at war with adherents of radical Islam, and it would be foolish, if not destructive, to risk giving militant Islamists a victory to exploit."

A small number of radical Islamists are no more representative of the entire 1.8 billion Muslims in the World than are any other small sect of the World's major religions. This is like claiming Kabbalah is representative of all Jews, or Opus Dei is representative of all Catholics, or snake handling Pentecostals are representative of all Protestant faiths, or Warren Jeff's polygamist cult is representative of all Mormons. Such broad generalizations and stereotyping reflects small-minded religious bigotry in a country founded upon religious freedom and tolerance.

And Kyl quoting from a heinous demagogue like Newt Gingrich? Please. This man is among the most vile creatures poisoning our political discourse today. Civilized society would do well to shun him.

Last week Sen. John McCain lost any shred of remaining decency when he also joined in this religious bigotry. McCain: I'm Opposed To Muslim Center Near Ground Zero | TPMDC:

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) told The Weekly Standard that a Muslim community center should not be built near Ground Zero in New York, though at the same time he said this was only his own opinion and not a pronouncement on law.

"I understand that I am a senator from Arizona, and I'm a long way from New York City," said McCain. "But I am entitled to my opinion. And obviously my opinion is that I'm opposed to it."

Is it not enough that the McKyl is demonizing and scapegoating Latinos as part of their anti-immigrant hysteria to get Republicans elected? Now the McKyl wants to add the deadly poison of religious bigotry and intolerance to their toxic brew as well? Anchor babies, the Ground Zero mosque and other scapegoats (by Matthew Yglesias).

As Brad Reed observed in The right's ingenious campaign to turn one billion people into our sworn enemies. | Crooks and Liars:

But seriously, of all the bad things the modern GOP stands for, I think its desire to reignite the Crusades may be the worst. I'm not sure what could possibly motivate such a desire, since the Crusades didn't go especially well for either the Europeans nor Muslim nations they invaded. Perhaps Newt thinks invading Iran will bring Jesus back to Earth, thus freeing him to be Raptured away while the rest of the world burns.

Joseph Welch confronted another demagogue, Joseph McCarthy, in another era: "Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?" Have you no sense of shame?

Have Americans taken leave of our senses? Have we lost our sense of moral decency and tolerance? Have we forgotten who we are and what we represent to the rest of the World?