Editor,
Having just read the newest edition of The Recorder, I have to say that I am strongly displeased with the publication in the opinion section, due to the article entitled “Devil’s Advocate: Anti Mosque”. Although I recognize there is the name of another paper under the author’s name, I feel that because this is such a sensitive subject that the author clearly knows nothing about, it shouldn’t be published in our campus paper. By including this, it leads the reader to think that this accurately expresses the opinion of CCSU campus, The Recorder, and the editor. The author of this article generalizes an entire religion as terrorists. Being an International Studies major, focusing on the Middle East and having lived in New York City, I see the judgement that Muslims and people of Middle Eastern origin face because of a few groups of people’s decisions. It’s not like they’re building a tribute to the terrorists, they’re simply building a place of worship because in America, they have the right to do this. Publishing this piece is offensive to Muslims here on the campus and I am very disappointed in the decision of our paper to allow circulation of it. I just hope that the staff of The Recorder, and you, as the editor will be more careful in the future when publishing such ignorant articles written by people who know nothing of what they speak.
Respectfully,
Gina Dinoia
shannon • Sep 7, 2010 at 4:21 am
Ms. Dinoia seems to think that completely shutting down opposing views is the way to handle this situation. I'm not sure how she was able to make the conclusion that the author "know nothing of what they speak". Labelling someone as "ignorant" completely shuts down dialogue. Everyone is entitled to their opinions- an idea that Ms. Dinoia seems to support in the context of religion.
Also, Ms. Dinoia states that muslims have the right to build mosques in America. If she looked at all of the polls circulating the major news networks she would see that the majority of Americans agree with this view. The debate isnt about the right to build the mosque, it is about the wisdom. Ms. Dinoia's haste to call the writer "ignorant" and state that people against the mosque are trying to stifle Muslim's religious rights shows that she needs to take a deeper look at the issue in order to understand why the people against the mosque are actually protesting it.
Bob • Sep 7, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Shaunna, well said. Ms. Dinoia forgets that freedom of speech is also protected by our constitution. What Ms. Dinoia wants is to stifle freedom of speech in the campus paper, exactly the kind of anti-American attitude she complains about in the first place. Being an International Studies major and having lived in New York doesn't make you an expert on the Middle East. That's like saying you played in a flag football game a few times and are now ready to quarterback the Patriots. I've been to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Israel, The UAE, and I feel that my actual experience far outweighs the liberal brainwashing Ms. Dinoia got in college. Bob