Why, In Spite of It All, Rhetoric Still Matters

In the Summer of 2010, fear was spreading across America.  Conservative pundits and politicians like Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin, Rudy Giuliani and Sean Hannity spoke against it in the direst of terms.  Thousands of little-known local radio hosts, fringe religious leaders and no-name armchair pundits joined in the chorus.

In spite of all the concern from the Right,
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf was an ally 
in the war on terror, worked with the FBI,
 and had never been quoted using violent,
anti-American rhetoric

They spoke about the disrespect to thousands of Americans who died four blocks away.  They warned of the danger that was to come by allowing such a violent religion, with it's violent "jihad" rhetoric, on our soil.  Bloggers claimed that building this mosque would directly lead to violence, as the rhetoric would turn Americans into violent Muslims.

Nationwide, there was protest, the burning of Korans, the burning of Mosques, and the passing of Unconstitutional planning ordinances to prevent Muslims from spreading their "hatred," because, as Newt Gingrich's movie warned us, America Was At Risk.

It seems that the Right has recently had a change of heart regarding violent rhetoric.