Sunday Journal

Over the past couple of weeks, a national debate has raged over the planned construction of a $100 million Islamic community center which includes a mosque, gym, swimming pool and a performing arts center. According to a nationwide CNN/Opinion Research Corp poll, 68% of those surveyed oppose construction of the proposed facility located 600 feet from Ground Zero.

Up until last week, the White House was largely silent on the matter. At the Iftar Dinner at the White House, President Obama waded into the controversy with a speech in support of the right of Muslims to build places of worship even near Ground Zero. Of course, this caused a media frenzy. The next day, the President seemed to retreat from his statements when he talked about not commenting on the wisdom of building a facility so close to hallowed ground.

Today, opponents and proponents showed up to protest the proposed facility in lower Manhattan. The protests mirrored the national debate. Opponents of the facility spoke of insensitivity to the victims of 9/11. Proponents hurled charges of bigotry and intolerance. And tonight, the chattering class on MSNBC and Fox News will engage in their nightly demagoguery.

Americans are deeply skeptical of our leaders in government, business and religion. The debate over the Islamic community center is a symptom of a larger problem in American society. We are a highly polarized society of Blue states and Red states, Left and Right, Wall Street and Main Street, Hollywood values and family values and the list goes on.

This too is a symptom of the current economic troubles that we face. Real unemployment is over 10% and we face the prospect of a double dip recession. Washington is paralyzed over spending and deficits and there is a real fear amongst the common man and woman that our society is teetering on the precipice of disaster. The debate over illegal immigration and gay rights dominates the airwaves. Overseas we leave 50,000 troops in Iraq to help the Iraqi government maintain peace and stability. But the prospect for long term success in Iraq and ultimately Afghanistan looks grim.

Somewhere lost in the debate over the proposed Islamic community center is rational discourse. The media and the partisans on Capitol Hill attack proponents and opponents but this too seems to be part of a larger problem. Americans just don’t like each other very much.

It was once said that “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” Americans are deeply divided. But perhaps if we can come together in New York and seek compromise then it will give rise to further compromise in our society. We owe it to ourselves as the future of our nation depends on it.