Norman Bernstein
08-23-2010, 03:15 PM
This is a bit surprising, because libertarians tend to be ideologically consistent.
Speaking about the NY mosque controversy:
"The debate should have provided the conservative defenders of property rights with a perfect example of how the right to own property also protects the 1st Amendment rights of assembly and religion by supporting the building of the mosque."
"Instead, we hear lip service given to the property rights position while demanding that the need to be "sensitive" requires an all-out assault on the building of a mosque, several blocks from "ground zero.""
He argues that the debate itself was initiated by neocons, exploiting anti-Muslim bigotry and manipulating the public through propaganda. He notes the polls showing opposition to the community center, but insists that "majorities can become oppressors of minority rights as well as individual dictators. "Statistics of support is irrelevant when it comes to the purpose of government in a free society -- protecting liberty."
The uproar, Paul concludes, "is all about hate and Islamaphobia."
Ahhh, but..... last week:
Just last week, Rand Paul's campaign said the community center's construction would run counter to "the healing process (http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/rand-vs-ron-cordoba-house-drives-wedge-through-the-paul.php)." In fact, while some on the right want Park51 moved elsewhere, Rand Paul has suggested the facility shouldn't be built at all -- his campaign said all of the money that would construct the building should instead go a 9/11 memorial and/or victims' families.
Sounds to me like the leaves of the libertarian tree quake just as much in a strong political wind, as dd the leaves on the trees of other political persuasions....
...and suggesting that private funds ought to be somehow diverted to a memorial is a bit of a shocker, for a libertarian :)
Speaking about the NY mosque controversy:
"The debate should have provided the conservative defenders of property rights with a perfect example of how the right to own property also protects the 1st Amendment rights of assembly and religion by supporting the building of the mosque."
"Instead, we hear lip service given to the property rights position while demanding that the need to be "sensitive" requires an all-out assault on the building of a mosque, several blocks from "ground zero.""
He argues that the debate itself was initiated by neocons, exploiting anti-Muslim bigotry and manipulating the public through propaganda. He notes the polls showing opposition to the community center, but insists that "majorities can become oppressors of minority rights as well as individual dictators. "Statistics of support is irrelevant when it comes to the purpose of government in a free society -- protecting liberty."
The uproar, Paul concludes, "is all about hate and Islamaphobia."
Ahhh, but..... last week:
Just last week, Rand Paul's campaign said the community center's construction would run counter to "the healing process (http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/rand-vs-ron-cordoba-house-drives-wedge-through-the-paul.php)." In fact, while some on the right want Park51 moved elsewhere, Rand Paul has suggested the facility shouldn't be built at all -- his campaign said all of the money that would construct the building should instead go a 9/11 memorial and/or victims' families.
Sounds to me like the leaves of the libertarian tree quake just as much in a strong political wind, as dd the leaves on the trees of other political persuasions....
...and suggesting that private funds ought to be somehow diverted to a memorial is a bit of a shocker, for a libertarian :)