Retired Justice Stevens defends Islamic center

jeffkrol · 11-05-2010, 07:47 AM

Retired Justice Stevens defends plans for Islamic center - CNN.com

Quote:

The 90-year-old said his experiences as a veteran of World War II, when the United States was fighting Japan, have given him insight over the years into the need to combat "invidious prejudice.".....................

But Stevens said it would be unfair to infer the acts of al Qaeda terrorists as reflecting the views of all Muslims, especially those in the United States.

"Our Constitution protects every one of us from being found guilty of wrongdoing based on the conduct of our associates. Guilt by association is unfair," he said. It would be "profoundly unwise to draw inferences based on a person's membership in any association or group without first learning something about the group.".......................In a speech last month in Nevada, he defended his bitter dissent in a 1989 Supreme Court case that declared flag-burning to be protected speech under the First Amendment. He said that setting it afire was just as dangerous and offensive as burning a Christian cross or desecrating a Quran.

Such symbols, whether in the name of speech or faith, are "entitled to respect."

Nesster · 11-05-2010, 07:50 AM

On the other side
Saudi Prince Backs Move for NYC Islamic Center - CBS News

Quote:

"Those people behind the mosque have to respect, have to appreciate and have to defer to the people of New York," the prince was quoted as saying by the magazine, which said the full interview will be published Sunday. "The wound is still there. Just because the wound is healing you can't say, 'Let's just go back to where we were pre-9/11."'

Prince Alwaleed, who chairs a Saudi investment company that has major stakes in international giants News Corp. and Citigroup, also said Muslims in New York should consider a more "dignified" location than the proposed site in lower Manhattan.

"It can't be next to a bar or a strip club, or in a neighborhood that is not really refined and good. The impression I have is that this mosque is just being inserted and squeezed over there," he said.

jeffkrol · 11-05-2010, 08:00 AM

Originally posted by Nesster

On the other side
Saudi Prince Backs Move for NYC Islamic Center - CBS News

From that bastion of Democracy.........

reeftool · 11-05-2010, 04:36 PM

Also don't forget the bigger issue of religious freedom and rights to assemble along with the rights of property owners which seems to have been forgotten in all this.

seacapt · 11-06-2010, 08:18 AM

Speaking of the rights of property owners , what do you suppose would be the reaction if someone propposed putting a whole hog real pit BBQ restaurant next to the Islamic center?
Just wondering.
Ummm ... the smell of fresh pork cooking over pecan wood

Phil1 · 11-06-2010, 09:59 AM

...Yuh gotta serve good draft beer in at least Hooters outfits and big dogs are welcome if well behaved and on a leash.

SCOTUS would likely put you in jail.

11-05-2010, 07:47 AM	#1
jeffkrol Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wisconsin USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,434	Retired Justice Stevens defends Islamic center Retired Justice Stevens defends plans for Islamic center - CNN.com Quote: The 90-year-old said his experiences as a veteran of World War II, when the United States was fighting Japan, have given him insight over the years into the need to combat "invidious prejudice."..................... But Stevens said it would be unfair to infer the acts of al Qaeda terrorists as reflecting the views of all Muslims, especially those in the United States. "Our Constitution protects every one of us from being found guilty of wrongdoing based on the conduct of our associates. Guilt by association is unfair," he said. It would be "profoundly unwise to draw inferences based on a person's membership in any association or group without first learning something about the group.".......................In a speech last month in Nevada, he defended his bitter dissent in a 1989 Supreme Court case that declared flag-burning to be protected speech under the First Amendment. He said that setting it afire was just as dangerous and offensive as burning a Christian cross or desecrating a Quran. Such symbols, whether in the name of speech or faith, are "entitled to respect."

11-06-2010, 08:18 AM	#5
seacapt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Carolina , USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,271	Speaking of the rights of property owners , what do you suppose would be the reaction if someone propposed putting a whole hog real pit BBQ restaurant next to the Islamic center? Just wondering. Ummm ... the smell of fresh pork cooking over pecan wood Last edited by seacapt; 11-06-2010 at 08:23 AM.

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11-05-2010, 07:50 AM	#2
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	On the other side Saudi Prince Backs Move for NYC Islamic Center - CBS News Quote: "Those people behind the mosque have to respect, have to appreciate and have to defer to the people of New York," the prince was quoted as saying by the magazine, which said the full interview will be published Sunday. "The wound is still there. Just because the wound is healing you can't say, 'Let's just go back to where we were pre-9/11."' Prince Alwaleed, who chairs a Saudi investment company that has major stakes in international giants News Corp. and Citigroup, also said Muslims in New York should consider a more "dignified" location than the proposed site in lower Manhattan. "It can't be next to a bar or a strip club, or in a neighborhood that is not really refined and good. The impression I have is that this mosque is just being inserted and squeezed over there," he said.

11-05-2010, 08:00 AM	#3
jeffkrol Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wisconsin USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,434 Original Poster	Originally posted by Nesster On the other side Saudi Prince Backs Move for NYC Islamic Center - CBS News From that bastion of Democracy.........

11-05-2010, 04:36 PM	#4
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	Also don't forget the bigger issue of religious freedom and rights to assemble along with the rights of property owners which seems to have been forgotten in all this.

11-06-2010, 09:59 AM	#6
Phil1 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,292	...Yuh gotta serve good draft beer in at least Hooters outfits and big dogs are welcome if well behaved and on a leash. SCOTUS would likely put you in jail.