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Page 4 The Clarion \ Sept. 10,2010 Building 'mosques' & burning Qurans Constitutionality vs. Common Sen^ By John M. Climer Editor in Chief Two current hot-button issues have been under near constant scrutiny and discussion by most, if not all, national news networks: the first being the construction of a “mosque” at Ground Zero; the second being the plan to bum Qurans on September 11 by a Florida church. While both actions are constitutionally permissible, 1 think the following questions are applicable to both actions: Is it in the best interest? In regard to the “mosque” (a cultural center that contains a small place dedicated to worship), 1 question the logic used in selecting the location. The September 11 attacks on New York were carried out by radical fundamentalist members of the Islamic faith. Therefore, it seems questionable to construct an Islamic center where many iimocent Americans lost their lives at the hands of mobihzed radical Islamists. If anything, it seems that the construction By Jacob Liske Staff Writer When entering a social environment such as college, one hopes to see the social distortion that we all were subject to in high school be completely diminished. I know I did when I came to Brevard College for my freshman year. Unfortunately that was never the case. What re ally happened was that I entered into what I like to call “High School Part 2.” The cafeteria is a prime example of this ritualistic behavior in the little bubble known as Brevard College. Over the years I have seen that sports teams usually stick together and sit at the exact same table every day with the same old people. Don’t you ever get tired of this routine? What ever happened to people stepping out of their norm and doing what they wanted, sitting where they wanted and with who they wanted? Lets face it: this one article won’t change the social order at this school, but it might help influence it. It is not fair for anyone to feel uncomfortable sitting at a table because they know it’s the baseball team’s table or the football team’s table. This social order reminds me of something like prison where all the whites and blacks and Mexi cans stick together with their “own kind. ” Would they do this outside of prison so religiously like of this center would be like pouring salt in an open wound to those Americans who lost family members in the 9/11 attacks. Again this act is constitutionally permissible, but why pick such a controversial location? By selecting this location, is it possible that the people who use the sight are putting their own self- interest at risk? Only time will tell. Now, onto the latter issue: a preacher (see American hero) from Gainesville, Florida, has plaimed a “Koran” [sic] burning with the congregation of his church on September 11. Again, while this action is constitutionally permissible, 1 question the logic and intelligence of this action. General David Patraeus, the head commander of our current Middle Eastern and Central Asian engagements, has already weighed in on this issue, saying, “1 am very concerned by the potential repercussions of the possible Quran burning.” Additionally Patraeus stated that this action could further endanger the lives of the men and women of our armed forces currently they do inside prison? Probably not. So why do Brevard students do this, and why can we not break this chain of constant lines drawn in social gathering areas so that we can create a socially acceptable environment for all those who attend Brevard College? Gandhi once said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” This incredibly powerful statement is the essence of what needs to be done in our community. I’m sure most people are not even aware of this problem and the social injustice that occurs at our school because they are in the routine of life. It is dif ficult to see how one would not dislike the way it is. Maybe it is because they are afraid to be seen with someone other than a member of their team. Is it going to completely corrupt one’s life and social hierarchy to sit with a music major or art major? Social order is something that has been in grained into our systems and is very prevalent in our natural order We are creatures of habit and we are the ones who get caught up in the every day struggles of life and the confusion of our re petitive behavior If everyone could just step out side of this box that we all feel so comfortable in and try and meet new people and show them that yes in fact they are accepted, Brevard College would feel more like a home for everyone. engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan. Considering Patraeus’ expertise and “boots onground” knowledge of our current conflict situation, it would seem highly advisable to heed any statement he asserts relative to this issue. Additionally, President Obama, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Sarah Palin, John McCain, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and the Vatican have all spoken out against the event. Again, the preacher and his congregation can bum Qurans, but should they? Is it in their own best interest (and in the best interest of the American soldiers)? By their actions, are they creating an uimecessary risk of harm? Again, only time will tell. We at The Clarion want to hear your opinions. Please E-mail your thoughts to clarion@brevard.edu. We reserve the right to edit submissions for content, and only signed letters will be printed. Senior Staff Editor in Chief . . . . Jolin IVI. Climer IVIanaging Editor . . . Cliris Novak 1 Business IVIanager. . . Position Open 1 Copy Editor. . . . . . David Alexander News . . . Position Open Opinion . . . Position Open Arts & Life . . . . . . Position Open Sports . . . Position Open Photography . . . . . Position Open Faculty Advisor. . . . Jolin B. Padgett Other Staff Chantel Azevedo Ashley Fortune Parl Baler Daniel Heyman Karam Boeshaar Jacob Liske Sarah Bowers Alex McCracken Danielle Burch Daniel Schreiman Zack Christy Krisma Sellers Kathleen Crady Patrick Veilleux John Dorner Caleb Welborn The Clarion is a student-run college newspaper produced by student journalists enrolled at Brevard College. Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of the staff of The Clarion. Other opinions expressed in this newspaper are those of respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the faculty, staff or administration of Brevard College. All correspondence should be mailed to: The Clarion, Brevard College, One Brevard College Drive, Brevard, NC 28712, or send E-mail to clarion@brevard.edu www.brevard.edu/clarion 'Social distortion' at Brevard College
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Sept. 10, 2010, edition 1
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