Standing On Principle

This is what standing on principle looks like.  Not surprisingly it doesn't come from anyone in the Idaho congressional delegation, Republican nor Democrat, but it comes from the delegation of our neighbor to the south.

Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) on the proposed building of an Islamic center near Ground Zero:

"Let’s be honest about it, in the First Amendment, religious freedom, religious expression, that really express matters to the Constitution. So, if the Muslims own that property, that private property, and they want to build a mosque there, they should have the right to do so. ... [T]here's a huge, I think, lack of support throughout the country for Islam to build that mosque there, but that should not make a difference if they decide to do it. I'd be the first to stand up for their rights."

The Republicans of the Idaho delegation, Senators Crapo and Risch and Representative Simpson, are opposed to the center while attempting to acknowledge the rights of private property owners.  The lone Democrat's position is a little squishy; Congressman Walt Minnick hasn't come out for or against the center but believes that it's an issue to be "decided by the people of New York City."

In a time when anti-Muslim fervor is escalating, it's a little strange to see these members of the Idaho GOP -- who "believe the United States Constitution is the greatest and most inspired document ever devised by Man" -- ignoring the Constitution's First Amendment provisions protecting the free exercise of religion.

However, Minnick's position is beyond strange.  See, the tricky thing about rights is that they're not up for a vote; the majority doesn't get to decide who gets rights and who doesn't, who gets to build a religious center, and where, and who doesn't.  The right to build the Cordoba House Muslim community center isn't up for a vote by any majority, no matter how angry or vocal.

Either the "Constitution is the greatest and most inspired document ever" or it's not, but regardless, each member of congress took an oath of office swearing to "protect and defend" it, no matter how unpopular it may be to do so.  The entire Idaho delegation could take a lesson from Utah's senior senator on exactly what that means.

Comments

[Benito]

I hope that every American, regardless of where he lives, will stop and examine his conscience about this and other related incidents. This Nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened. All of us ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated, but this is not the case.

I know those opposing the NY Community Center continue to say that that the majority supports them, but as history has taught us the majority is not always right. Would women or non-whites have the vote if we listen to the majority of the day, would the non-whites have equal rights (and equal access to churches, housing, restaurants, hotels, retail stores, schools, colleges and yes water fountains) if we listen to the majority of the day? We all know the answer, a resounding, NO!

Today we are committed to a worldwide struggle to promote and protect the rights of all who wish to be free. In a time of domestic crisis men of good will and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics and do what is right, not what is just popular with the majority. Some men comprehend discrimination by never have experiencing it in their lives, but the majority will only understand after it happens to them.