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Heston Allred

Eng 102
Section 76151, Online

Islam Is a Religion, Not a Terror Idealogy


Jocelyne Cesari
CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/08/24/cesari.islam.is.a.religion/index.html

On Ground Zero Mosque New Yorks Bloomberg STILL Doesnt It


Michael Goodwin
Fox News
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/25/michael-goodwin-ground-zeromosque-bloomberg-ramadan-dinner-paterson-dolan/ews

Heston Allred
Eng 102
Section 76151, Online

The articles, "On Ground Zero Mosque New York's Bloomberg STILL
Doesn't Get It" and, "Islam Is a Religion, Not a Terror Ideology," each support
opposite positions in reference to a proposed Islamic mosque being built in New
York City near ground zero. The first opposes the building of the mosque. The
second supports it. Their positions are based on different rhetorical strategies
some of which are used only in one of the articles as well as some which can be
found in both.
Both articles' headlines alone communicate through implication the
attitudes of each towards the proposed mosque. Jocelyne Cesari's headline
contrasts two different attitudes or ideas about the manner in which the title or
term "Islam" is viewed and categorized. It can be assumed she is referring
specifically to the way the general American populace views or uses the term and
more generally towards the way "Westerners" do because the article is published
on a fairly well known U.S. National news corporation's website. In addition to
that the article later more explicitly defines the audience by stating, "American

Heston Allred
Eng 102
Section 76151, Online
and European debate on Islam often revolvesBut because many Westerners
associate Islam" Thus, by contrasting that Islam is a religion but is not a terror
ideology it is evident that the article is in support of the building of the mosque
and that any opposition to it would be because of the terrorist nature of Islam.
The other article by Michael Goodwin also uses implication within the headline,
which communicates the antagonistic attitude of the article towards the mosque.
New York City's mayor is criticized in the headline, "New York's Bloomberg STILL
Doesn't Get It". The mayor is in support of the mosque therefore we can surmise
the author and article are not.
Another rhetorical strategy used is language choice. The article against
the building of the mosque is replete with numerous examples of words and
phrases, which often seemed to be aimed at criticizing and in some instances
belittling. Through name-calling and sarcasm politicians, businessmen, one of
the developers of the mosque and his wife, (all of whom are openly for the
mosque) are criticized. For example the article states, "The movement would be
complete if only Mayor Bloomberg came to his senses." It then states, "The
project's co-founder, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf went so far as to say, "the fact we
are getting this kind of attention is a sign of success." that's either dopey or

Heston Allred
Eng 102
Section 76151, Online
dangerous, especially for someone supposedly trying to promote U.S.- Muslim
relations." The words dopey and dangerous are used to criticize a specific cofounder of the mosque and the phrase "came to his senses" is used negatively in
reference to the city's mayor. Phrases such as "cold insistence," "darkest
concerns," and "He has it perfectly backwards," are also used when talking about
supporters or advocates of the mosque. The other article is also critical, however
the critiques are directed towards an idea or viewpoint rather than towards
specific people. Words such as "disturbingly" are used to communicate that
certain attitudes ought to alarm the general public, although in very few
instances. Furthermore the words "collusion" and "unease" along with the phrase
"extreme right-wing parliamentarian" find reference to what the author considers
the political attitude and bias of national governments in the west. These words
and phrases connote that the political stance of the west is morally suspect
without further examination.
In conclusion the articles have conflicting attitudes toward the same issue.
However, they both use similar rhetorical strategies. Both imply certain attitudes
through their headlines as well as use a certain set of vocabulary and language

Heston Allred
Eng 102
Section 76151, Online
choice to demonstrate the worth or worthlessness of a particular position.
Although they differ in regards to the exact manner in which they do so.

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