Learning and growing. It's a good feeling, man.

I was wrong.

I was wrong in trying to point out some of the reasons many people might have the attitudes they do about Cordoba House being built downtown on Park Place. I hope I've learned. The truth is... it's all irrelevant.

I tell you, after Tuesday's update... I can tell you that it's good feeling even to know that I can also learn from the reactions and attitudes of others. It's important for me to recognize some of those dark characteristics in myself when I get really angry. I hope to be a better man. It's just about Awareness and Growth. I hope I never stop questioning and growing.

I have to seek to understand rather than be understood.

Because some people will never understand... the fear is so subtle and the anger is that powerful.

If a person opposes the building of Cordoba House for any reason, they are entitled to their feelings and opinions. But their opinions are irrelevant.

And, if they feel it shouldn't be built or it should be moved because their opinions or feelings matter... they are flat-out wrong.

Just as my feelings and opinions on the subject are irrelevant.

My newest song "Hey American" asks people in this country who are angry and afraid to look in a mirror. In the past few days I've learned that the level of fear in this country has also rendered many people completely blind. And so, it's got me questioning my own wisdom in...

...asking a blind man to look into a mirror.

(Ha! Just read some of the logically-twisted and morally-bankrupt comments thrown my way on YouTube about some of my other songs and you might reach the same conclusion!)

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One amazing argument that people have sent me about the Islamic Cultural Center on Park Place boiled down to this:

THEM: "We know they have the right to build a mosque anywhere they want. We object to this building on Park Place because we don't agree with the politics or the religious views of the particular people who are developing the project."

I can't think of a polite way to say this, but...

ME: "Who gives a rat's ass how David Ippolito feels about this particular Imam's philosophy... or how YOU feel about it. It's irrelevant! It doesn't matter what you agree with or what you don't agree with or what the "polls" say. It's irrelevant how many other people agree with you or agree with me, or how you feel about someone else's philosophy or religion. Is this America or isn't it! Do you have even a child's understanding of what this country is about?"

What happens to me sometimes is... I go wrong because I want to respond by justifying somebody's record or statements. I jump in... but then after the fact I attempt to clear up any misinformation and at the same time find out for myself if there's any basis for this fear. But then... Ha! After getting quiet with it all, I realize... it really doesn't matter. This is America. Our job is to protect the rights of the minority. That's what real courage is. That's what real American principle is.

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I also see signs on MTA buses that read "WHY THERE?" I have the answer for that one, too.

Because this is America. Next question.

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THEM: "But I personally feel that this Cordoba House is an insult to everyone who lost their lives on 9-11!"

ME: "Well geez, I personally feel that those signs and all the opposition-protests to Cordoba House are insulting and demeaning to every single man and woman who ever gave their lives or sacrificed for the principles upon which this nation was founded... principles you obviously only live by when convenient. But, y'see, you have the right to be that fearful, shallow and unprincipled.

So I can't tell you to take those signs down, or move them to the Bronx because I'm offended. How I feel about your stupid fucking signs is irrelevant. Because you have the right to post your way of thinking anywhere you like as long as it's not inciting violence."

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If these otherwise intelligent people ever took the time to slow down and really THINK about the circular pointlessness of their argument against basic American principle, they'd.... they'd... they'd...

(Oh, who the fuck am I kidding!? Some people are just frightened and pissed off. And most of them are mindlessly watch FOX.)

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And they think their opinion is more important than American principle.

If that ever becomes the Truth... then this country will no longer be recognizable as the country I would be proud to call home.

We might be getting close to that point, but as of this morning... this is still America.

In a conversation the other day, my politically conservative friend and colleague George Wurzbach said it better than I. He said, "The protests against this center being built are an embarrassment."

He's right.

These opposition protests are a national embarrassment to everything for which we say we stand.

Cordoba House should and will be built there because they choose to build it on Park Place... and my feelings about it and your feelings about it mean nothing against the principles upon which this nation was built.

Next question.

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PEACE

- David