Legitimate Answer for a Climbing Opportunist

(I wrote this in response to Sarah Palin's "Legitimate Questions for the President" in regards to the building of a Mosque near Ground Zero in New York City)

Since brainiac didn't specify which President she wanted to hear from, I feel compelled as both president and king of Oscar Country to respond.

"Mr. President, should they or should they not build a mosque steps away from where radical Islamists killed 3000 people?"

Yes, they can, will, should, etc...Is it the best possible place for a mosque? No. Do they have ulterior motives for placing it so close to Ground Zero? Maybe. The fact is, they have the right to do it whether we agree with it or not. And just like the Tea Party and GOP suggest, we shouldn't change laws for special groups.

"We all know that they have the right to do it, but should they?"

It could be a logistical nightmare if you consider traffic in the financial district, but it's their decision to travel well out of their way if they choose to. "Should they" is an inappropriate question when dealing with a persons human and civil rights. "Should" you be able to get book deals and reality TV shows? It's all relative.

"And, no, this is not above your pay grade."

Very funny. Just because you chose to give birth to a child with disabilities does not make you a martyr for the pro-life movement. You have a womb. Do you want power over it, or do you want the government to rent it out to the highest bidder? Sit down and listen.

"If those who wish to build this Ground Zero mosque are sincerely interested in encouraging positive "cross-cultural engagement" and dialogue to show a moderate and tolerant face of Islam, then why haven't they recognized that the decision to build a mosque at this particular location is doing just the opposite?"

It's easy to see this an obstacle if you're plagued with such little vision or short-sightedness. People are angry now. People are intolerant now. Should we all bow to this anger and intolerance whenever it meets us? Isn't it our duty as human beings to stand for what we believe in, as you're doing now? The sooner you stop looking at this as "us vs them," you'll realize that bringing together two of the most polarized religions in the world could benefit a lot of people in the long-run and would have a greater effect on future generations than rebuilding the WTC as some crystal tower of Babel. We have different ideas of what true "strength" is.

"Mr. President, why aren't you encouraging the mosque developers to accept Governor Paterson's generous offer of assistance in finding a new location for the mosque on state land if they move it away from Ground Zero?"

Simple answer: houses of God should not be sanctioned or supported by the state or federal government.

"Why haven't they jumped at this offer?"

Because they know what the state giveth the state can taketh away.

"Why are they apparently so set on building a mosque steps from what you have described, in agreement with me, as "hallowed ground"?"

Who knows. It's not anyones place to build their motives for them. The fact of the matter is, they are breaking no laws. Some consider it insensitive. Some consider this a political or religious slap in the face. What it COULD BE, if we became involved in a positive manner, is a place where wounds could finally be healed instead of simply changing the bandaid in the name if patriotism, Christianity, (insert school of rhetoric), etc.

"I believe these are legitimate questions to ask."

You would.

"- Sarah Palin"

President and King of Oscar Country

The Night is Dark: A 'The Dark Knight' Movie Review

To call this a superhero or comic book film would totally discredit the masterpiece of a crime drama that it transcends to be. Though dealing with the typical model of 'good guy' against 'bad guy,' Christopher Nolan and the new "Bat-Crew" know how to give us exactly the Batman that we need for this day and age, and not one in tights. The days of camp are over and in are the grimy times of reality. Violence, greed, unspeakable cruelty...these themes resound in the film, but we are forced to ask a question that challenges us in our own current political climate: where do we draw the line between hero and villain? When does collateral damage become a necessity and not a choice or accident? The film does not try to glorify its hero, nor does it chastise its villains. It is up to us to decide, as an audience, as an individual, and as a citizen, what we believe justice is. Though my love for the Tim Burton Batman franchise will never dissipate, I cannot deny that Nolan's take on this dark story is more current and far more relevant. Heath Ledger's performance was nothing short of legendary; balancing insanity, and misanthropy, all the while making us laugh along with him even in the face of his merciless violence (much like Hannibal Lector). His untimely death will no doubt be the talk of next year's Oscar's, as he is sure to be nominated. Christian Bale is a sturdy Bruce Wayne/Batman, and Morgan Freeman, Michael Cain, and Gary Oldman are all on top of their game (not that they ever aren't, in all fairness). The addition of Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes(replacement to Katie Holmes), and Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two Face were wise choices. Both are strong actors, holding their own if not making themselves known in a film already bursting with fresh, and fascinating newness. This is a dark film for dark times for a world that barely has a Knight in sight.