Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman
For the past several weeks, talk radio and cable news has been abuzz with the controversy regarding the proposed Islamic center in lower Manhattan, not far from the site of the 2001 terrorist attacks that killed thousands of people and destroyed the World Trade Center.
Because of the hyperbole with which this topic has been discussed in the media, it is understandable—though regrettable—that many Americans have a negative reaction to the proposal. It is extremely unfortunate, however, that some of our would-be leaders are using this moment to fan the flames of division and intolerance.
The question of whether Muslims in New York have the right to build an Islamic Center near Ground Zero isn’t really a question at all: Of course they do; this is America. Religious freedom is one of the foundations upon which this nation was built. Every American has the right to worship how and where they see fit.
This principle, enshrined in the First Amendment to the Constitution, is one of many that make me proud to be an American. But others apparently think it should be revisited. For example, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich recently suggested that when it comes to religious freedom, America should follow the lead of Saudi Arabia.
“There should be no mosque near Ground Zero in New York so long as there are no churches or synagogues in Saudi Arabia,” Gingrich said.
Gingrich is clearly hoping to ride this issue all the way to the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, though I don’t know that suggesting that America take its cues from an Islamic theocracy is the best strategy.
Not all opponents of the New York mosque are making as radical a case as the former House speaker. Some have acknowledged that Muslims have the right to build a mosque in lower Manhattan, but say they should have the decency to refrain from exercising that right because of the attacks of nine years ago.
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Buckeyes Roll In Tressel's 100th OSU Win
An easy win over visiting Indiana wasn't much different than many of the
victories Ohio State has had in recent seasons. As the Big Ten's flagship
program, Ohio State has scaled the mountain and stayed there, in large part
because they beat the teams they're supposed to.
The Hoosiers were one of those teams, and though the scoreboard might have
shown an easy 38-10 win, there was something just a touch different -- it
was Jim Tressel's 100th victory on the Ohio State sidelines.
"It's exciting every time you win," Tressel said. "We've had a lot of
awfully good players here with a coaching staff that has been outstanding. A
lot of those 100 wins were at home. We have great fans and this is a place
where if they let you stay long enough, you should be able to win 100."
That's about as excited and effusive as Tressel gets, as he prefers to let
the team do the talking.
The Buckeyes (6-0, 2-0) did just that, limiting the nation's fourth best
passing attack (350 yards per game) to just 41 yards through the air. OSU
picked off Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell three times, helping Tressel
become the second fastest coach to 100 wins in Big Ten history. It was
Tressel's 121st contest at OSU, and only Michigan's Fielding Yost and Bo
Schembechler reached the milestone faster, doing it in 119 games.
OSU went up 7-0 on a 39-yard scamper by Dan Herron, and picked off Chappell
early in the Hoosiers next series to set up the second score. Terrelle Pryor
found Dane Sanzenbacher on a 22-yard scoring strike, and added a 60-yard
touchdown pass to Brandon Saine to extend the lead to 21-0 early in the
second quarter.
After a Brian Rolle interception, the Buckeyes were in business again, and
again they capitalized as Pryor hooked up with DeVier Posey on a 17-yard
touchdown pass to make it 28-0. A 31-yard field goal by Devin Barclay made
it 31-0 at halftime, and OSU was never seriously challenged.
Pryor set a career high with 334 yards and three touchdowns while Herron
tallied 68 rushing yards and a touchdown. Posey proved nearly unguardable,
catching eight passes for 103 yards and a score.
The Buckeyes go on the road for a showdown with Wisconsin next Saturday, a
game slated to kickoff at 7:15 Eastern time
.
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