Meacham’s Last Newsweek Words
John Meacham is one of the thoughtful reporters in the print and TV media today. His last article for Newsweek is a good example of his writing, thinking, and belief that our nation will live through this anxious time. His understanding of history informs his hope and belief in people and the ideals of America.
Let Reformation Begin at Ground Zero
by Jon Meacham | August 28, 2010 | NewsweekThe debate over the Islamic center in lower Manhattan—the mosque with a pool and a prayer room—is not a matter of being for religious liberty and thus for the center, nor is it one of being against the center and therefore a bigot. Sometimes life offers such stark moral crises. This is not one of them.
The families of 9/11 victims and other people of good will would like to see the center moved to another location, farther from Ground Zero. That is not an outrageous thought, and it is not a bigoted one. In the end, the right thing to do, in my opinion, is to build the center on the site its organizers and the mayor favor, and hope that those who go there to worship (and to swim, for that matter) do their part to reform their religion. There is little more important in the war on terror.