No, that was the start of the article.
Very good column.
"..........I?m genuinely ashamed of us. How sad this whole mosque business is. It doesn?t take much, it seems, to lift the lid and let our home-grown racism and bigotry overflow. We have collectively taken a pratfall on a moral whoopee cushion.
Our goal in at least one of our Middle East wars is to rebuild a government in our own image ? with democracy for all. Instead, we are rebuilding ourselves in the image of those who detest us. I hate to see my country ? and it?s a hell of a good one ? endorse what we purport to hate, besmirching what distinguishes us from countries where persecution rules.
I remain amazed and really, sincerely, want to understand this. What can it be that is faulty in so many people?s thought processes, their ethics, their education, their experience of life, their understanding of their country, their what-have-you that blinds them to the fact that you can?t simultaneously maintain that you have nothing against members of any religion but are willing to penalize members of this one? Can you help me with this?
Set aside for the moment that we are handing such a lethal propaganda grenade to our detractors around the world.
You can?t eat this particular cake and have it, too. The true calamity, of course, is that behavior of this kind allows the enemy to win."
