The Black Republican

The morning lady on our local AM talk radio station made a strange statement today, she suggested the Wailing Wall be moved out of the Middle East. Her theory was that if the wall was not there, the two factions, Jewish and Arab, would not be fighting over the same land.

There is so much wrong with that idea that one hardly knows where to begin in disputing the notion. And, since she is a good girl, with a great track record of being on the right side of the issues; it is also important to acknowledge that she seemed to be on a trip of exploring unworkable ideas. Like her idea of dropping ice cubes into the tropics to destroy hurricanes. So, one must wonder how serious to take her, and how serious she took herself today. After all, these shows are ratings driven, she may have been attempting to drive participation, without any belief in the radical ideas she proposed. That said.

The notion that the Wailing Wall should be moved is perhaps the ultimate example of the damage done by eminent domain. For the Wailing Wall has been known even longer as the Western Wall, the western most wall of the Temple Of Solomon, a Hebrew Temple. It is also the western foundation of the Temple Mount, which contains the Islamic shrine, the Dome of the Rock. And, the Jewish people have only the least possible ability to visit their sacred ground due to the repressive mandates of those who now claim the territory as theirs. The new owners did not recieve the land in a business deal, they demanded its ownership, took it, and dictate its use without regard for the views of those who owned it before. No amount of money would satisfy the previous owner, even if such were offered, it is the land they hold precious. And, the dispute over use of the land is a driving force keeping these two peoples apart.

As the Muslims believe the Temple Mount is the location upon which their Prophet Muhammad died, and then from which he ascended to Heaven; it is understandable that they hold the site in reverence. What is unfortunate, and the source of so much Hebrew/Muslim animous, is the refusal of the Muslims to permit the Jewish people full use of the site as well. While the Muslims revere the property, the Jews have a longer, and equally important claim to it. One could say, in a manner, the Jewish people have lost their property rights to another religion's claim of eminent domain.

Or do I overstate the case?

Well, that is one part of what occurred to me when Mandy spoke of moving the wall. A plan which is impossible, ridiculous, and morally reprehensible. Gosh, that phrase sounds familiar. Could that be where she was headed? Naw!.....must just be a coincidence.