Are we Better than That?

Here's Newt Gingrich on why we should not allow a Mosque to be built near Ground Zero in New York:

"There should be no mosque near Ground Zero in New York so long as there are no churches or synagogues in Saudi Arabia. The time for double standards that allow Islamists to behave aggressively toward us while they demand our weakness and submission is over. [...]

Those Islamists and their apologists who argue for "religious toleration" are arrogantly dishonest. They ignore the fact that more than 100 mosques already exist in New York City. Meanwhile, there are no churches or synagogues in all of Saudi Arabia."

Here's Steven Benen's reply:

"So, by Newt Gingrich's estimation, Saudi Arabian officials are wrong to squelch religious liberty in their country -- so we should be equally wrong in ours. Gingrich sees Saudi Arabia discriminating and showing a lack of tolerance for spiritual diversity and, in effect, concludes, "Let's follow their lead."

This conservative worldview comes up from time to time, and it always amazes me. You'll recall, for example, that during the debate over whether the U.S. should utilize torture -- that there was even a debate continues to be remarkable -- it was not uncommon for the right to demand a single standard. If terrorists and America's enemies used torture, the argument went, then we should, too.

Since the problem with this line of thinking is apparently not as obvious as it should be, let's make this clear: the United States is supposed to be held to the highest standards. Our country should strive to be a beacon of hope and liberty, a shining light for others to aspire to. We're not supposed to lower ourselves to the levels of those we find offensive."

Very well said Mr. Benen. It was our commitment to "liberty and justice for all," and our determination to live up to that ideal, that made our country "exceptional." Our ideals, imperfectly achieved as they were, laid the foundation for our great prosperity and power. That so many of our fellow citizens have forgotten this because of their blind devotion to a political leader (Bush and Obama devotees are equally implicated), is deeply troubling.

However, I am proud that most of the resistance to the trend towards abandoning our ideals - with important exceptions - has come from progressive voices. Benen also put this point very well:

"This continues to be a glaring point of contention between the left and right. Liberals see terrorists engaging in torture and authoritarian governments denying their people the freedom of religion, and we say, "We're better than that."

The right sees the same landscape and thinks, "No, we're not."

Joe H.