Mosque talk another hurdle for Democrats

The Democrats don't need any more hurdles.

We would never accept the Japanese putting up a sight next to Pearl Harbor.

Really? Even if people of Japanese descent make up a majority of the Hawaiian population? So if you just happen to be of Japanese descent you're not allowed to do anything near Pearl Harbor? While it's important to not forget the past, you shouldn't let the past blind you either. At some point people have to move on. And for the subject on hand in the article. It would be nice if Americans had learned mistakes from their past and not make rash judgments by lumping an entire group of people together. Just like Americans thought they couldn't trust anyone of Japanese descent in WWII so they decided to throw them all into internment camps. Perhaps it would be best if people actually learned something about a particular group of people before they start taking away their rights.

Typical election year ploy, gotta push those buttons of intolerance and bigotry.

If Gingrich more clearly stated that he thinks Muslims are (as bad as) Nazis, then his line of thinking wouldn't appear as acceptable.

It kinda looked like he (Gingrich) stated the Japanese are as bad as the 9-11 terrorists... but, the man's never been very good at speeches.

I grew up in GA under his "leadership," and we had a saying... "Sure, Gingrich is a crook, but he's OUR crook." He did all sorts of under the table deals for his constituents back in the day.

Obama should point out that the US government has no business getting involved in issues of religion and leave it at that.

As for Palin with her “We all know that they have the right to do it, but should they?” comment, what would she say if the proposal were to build a church on the same site? Of course, she would support it, which is evidence enough of her bigotry and narrow-mindedness.

This is not about the First Amendment. This is about common sense. Both the President and those who want to erect the building simply don't get it. I feel strongly that putting up a mosque is adding insult to injury....they should erect a monument of apology to the Amercians instead because to suggest that the terrorists were not muslim is like saying the Japanese who bombed Pearl Harbour were not Japanese. Or that Hitler and the Nazis were not Germans...no wonder the US is going to the dogs! They have lost the plot and the man with the loud voice like the Pied Piper is leading the Democrats and the rest of the US to their doom...

stuebe: Your logic doesn't make one bit of sense. All the Muslims of the world should apologize for the few lunitics of 9-11? Just shows the level of discourse that will surly follow here on this subject.

Any religious facilities situated in proximity to Ground Zero should be non-denominational or even better, have none at all.

Beelzebub: St. Paul's Chapel is situated across the street from ground zero and has been there since 1766. So what do you say to that?

Whatever you personally feel to be common sense stuebe, it does not usurp the First Amendment. But I think your understanding of the opposition is incorrect. No one thinks the mosque is a great awesome idea. Obama does not "want to" erect it. We just don't want to ignore the Consitution and stop the mosque with no legal basis.

This is not about the First Amendment. This is about common sense.

Nice try. The phrase "common sense" is a very subjective term that means a lot of different things to a lot of different people.

This is about the Constitution. Well, actually what it has turned into now is politics more than anything else.

“The First Amendment protects freedom of religion,” Reid’s spokesman Jim Manley said in a statement Monday, referring to a provision of the U.S. Constitution. “Senator Reid respects that but thinks that the mosque should be built some place else.”

In other words, he doesn't respect that.

St. Paul's Chapel is situated across the street from ground zero and has been there since 1766. So what do you say to that

I say the construction of the World Trade Center was an insult to the memory of St. Paul.

"In other words, he doesn't respect that"

Maybe,maybe not. He's in a tough election campaign against an extreme conservative, so in order to kiss the butts of voters who vote with their emotions he might be willing change his stance.

im a muslim and i support building moque even inside washington city,

Heh, the GZ "Victory Mosque" is causing the democrats to have election day jitters.

The chickens are coming home to roost.

RR

That's how it all starts. Invasion by stealth. Once they get a foothold, it's game over. Look at France and the UK (or Englanstan as it is now referred to). Muslim communities have taken over. Ask the average Brit what they think about mosques and Islam being integrated into their society.

Trust, it is a slippery slope, because they will demand and expect special treatment and before you know it your home country will be called United Stan of America.

the right that people have that dates back to our founding

Oh, So socialist Obama suddenly supports private property rights? Hmmmm.

Most Democrats stayed silent

A silent majority, hmmmm... how odd.

White House aides have spent four days trying to explain exactly where the normally eloquent president stands on the mosque.

Normally eloquent? So like, the emperor really has no clothes?

Obama has set a welcoming tone even as the Christian president

Whoa! If he is Christian, then Louis Farrakhan must be Jewish!

“Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances.”

“a place of worship” notice he avoided saying the M word.

“ Lower Manhattan” notice he didn’t say near the site of the Twin Towers, where 3,000 Americans were roasted alive, fell to their death or were crushed into powder.

Building mosques on the site of other religions/countries that have been beaten by Islam is their MO. Look at the Al-Aqsa Mosque …built over the temple mount, Judaism’s holiest site. Its all about insult and intimidation, while the dumb ass secular humanists like Bloobburg talk about tolerance. Tolerance? Lets see some tolerance in Arabia:

“Hello? Yes, is this the king of Saudi Arabia? Yes, this is your good friend Obama. I need your help. You see we are building this mosque in LOWER Manhattan and well… intolerant Americans are making a childish fuss. Can you order a church built near Mecca? No, no it doesn’t have to be that close, just a few blocks away… so Americans will understand that you Muslims are as progressive and tolerant as we are.

This is a gift from God! Thank you Obama!!! The people may finally wake up now and take back the country from the traitorous vermin that have sold us out. If radical Christian crusaders blew up Mecca and Medina and slaughtered thousands, what do you think the Saudis would say if Billy Graham wanted to build a giant cathedral over the rumble?

Ha ha haaaaaah!!!

Japlan said: Oh, So socialist Obama suddenly supports private property rights? Hmmmm.

Hmmm is right! Do you have any examples of when he didn't?

Whoa! If he is Christian, then Louis Farrakhan must be Jewish!

And the 9/11 attackers must have been Shinto. Chew on that one for a while.

what do you think the Saudis would say if Billy Graham wanted to build a giant cathedral over the rumble?

I don't give a damn. At all. What America does is naught to do with the Sunni Wahhabi or Salafi Saudis. And neither is what a Kuwaiti Sufi Imam does. None of these speak to the other. Its the American way or nothing for me. If what the Saudis would do dictates your behavior, then you may be living in the wrong country.

Considering Japlan believes the US is a country that has "been beaten by Islam," I can understand his anger. I'd also be upset with a mayor with a name as ridiculous as Bloobburg. In such I world, I too might find the standard of freedom of Saudi Arabia to be good enough.

Meanwhile, in the real America...

As for Palin with her “We all know that they have the right to do it, but should they?” comment, what would she say if the proposal were to build a church on the same site? Of course, she would support it, which is evidence enough of her bigotry and narrow-mindedness.

Ya know, loons think everyone is bigoted except them. Of course this just proves that its the loons themselves that are bigoted and narrow-minded. The real test is if normal people think a person is bigoted. Most average people think Palin is likewise, just normal. In addition, most normal people oppose the building of a mosque at ground zero. That pretty much torpedoes you're entire position. Leaving only a few Dhimmi loons still supporting this.

This is a gift from God! Thank you Obama!!! The people may finally wake up now and take back the country from the traitorous vermin that have sold us out. If radical Christian crusaders blew up Mecca and Medina and slaughtered thousands, what do you think the Saudis would say if Billy Graham wanted to build a giant cathedral over the rumble?

A good point. Though as others are fond of pointing out, the US is not Saudi Arabia. However allowing a bunch of neo-nazis to build something beside the holocaust museum would be more in line with this situation. I wonder if these Dhimmis would support that?

Molenir- depends on what you define as "oppose" the building of the mosque. Two thirds of Americans think it's a bad idea. But, two thirds of Americans also think it's their right to build it. Only a third of Americans think it should be blocked. Thank you Fox News poll.

I wouldn't build a mosque there for the simple fact it's going to be graffitied or worse. The people going into it are probably going to be subjected to few stones being tossed their way.

Airion said: Only a third of Americans think it should be blocked.

Did you say "only" to describe one third? One third is a HUGE number. Could an army of 33 beat an army of 66? Why yes, it could. One third is a very significant figure.

Molenir said: However allowing a bunch of neo-nazis to build something beside the holocaust museum would be more in line with this situation.

Incorrect, as the Mosque is not even Wahhabi but Sufi. This would be like allowing Lutherans to build a church next to the Holocaust Museum and having people complaining because the Nazis claimed to be Christians using Jewish culpability in the death of Christ to kill Jews. Why do you have so much trouble making accurate analogies?

If a mosque to be built, why it's near ground zero? It smells something suspicious. Then there should be set up churches, temples, pagodas etc. to equate the situation. If it were any different religious center other than Islamic, it would never be a news of local news paper and reach the white house.

MistWizard: I've seen 300. I'm not stupid.

As I have been predicting. The Democrats are really going to start paying at the polls this November and for what? Just to try be PC and hopefully gain more votes? As I have been saying if they would not have been so stubborn and plan to build the Mosque away from GZ, the tabloids would have never picked up on this. But once Obama got involved in this was like opening up a can of worms.

Everybody must get stoned.

To understand what are the issues with that mosque building near Ground Zero, read Peter Hammond : Slavery, Terrorism and Islam: The Historical Roots and Contemporary Threat.

Looking for votes by appealing to ignorance and intolerance is par for the course.

Ironic, the West vs Islam cultural deathmatch worldview that so many ascribe to here is exactly how bin Laden sees things, and what motivated him. To bin Laden, all the anti-Muslim rhetoric is vindication that he was right about the fundamental cultural war and the need to fight. But I guess vindicating bin Laden's worldview is more acceptable than protecting US Constitutional rights, huh?

I think that it could be good for the public to have a wealth of community buildings in the area. They don't necessarily need to be religious though. A mosque is seen as a threat when it should be seen as an opportunity! Hopefully it can show the positive elements of a community that has been getting a lot of backlash due to what some fanatics did. Maybe other religions can also have centres nearby to create a place of peace and prayer.

Agreed sakurala.

Ironic you bring up protecting the US constitutional rights now, Arion. I guess its more acceptable to hinder freedom from the whole group, than the few huh?

If only more people were more interested in actually learning more about other religions and cultures. The first reaction by most is to reject such a building, mainly because they don't actually understand what it is and why it may be important to some people. More exchanges between countries are necessary. More study abroard programs. More foreign language study. More homestays in the Middle East and so on. That is how this unfortunate, but understandable, lack of knowledge about one another continues generation after generation.

knews - In theory yes. In practice we have the WTC. Let time heal the wounds. No Mosque at this time, in my humble opinion. It really does not bother me if there is one, but I am not from NYC. Being at ground zero might make me think differently. I respect the will of the majority of New Yorkers. The Mosque can be built somewhere else for now. Later perhaps when bombs stop going off in market places around the world and such practices are condemned by all. Then we can work together.

In my opinion, many moslems and non-moslems see mosques as a symbol of dominion and not of peace.To grant that building at that place will only hurt but not heal.Those who really want to have peace between religions should look for a wiser solution.

“Senator Reid respects that but thinks that the mosque should be built some place else.”

Unfortunately for him this move, instead of gaining him votes, could lose him some of what is left of the votes he still has since it will cause his terrorist-loving liberal supporters to stay home on election day.

RR

This would NEVER have been the issue it's become if wasn't for the upcoming election. Yesterday the New York Daily News reported that within 3 blocks of ground zero is a strip club and and adult dvd store with peep shows. I wonder why that hasn't become an issue?

Do you know what will happen if this community center/mosque is eventually built? NOTHING! The WTC will be rebuilt and the exploiting politicians will move on to the next devisive issue.

You might have something there paulinusa. < :-)

This entire situation has been twisted six ways to sunday Anyone who was there (I Was) has been through Hell and back!! The people involved in the proposed building have refused to answer ANY questions in regard to WHO in fact is behind the funding,refuse to say if they deny or support Hamas or Any Islamist Group They need to build their "Victory"monument as far away(Mecca,perhaps) as possible, We are no longer going to be "Sheep" to the likes of this!

I hear there are over 100 mosques in New York City now, comapred to only 10 in 1970.

They blow up skyscrapers; blow themselves into hamburger to murder as many as they can, behead "unbelievers" and stone women for infidelity. Yup, cut the nose right off that poor woman on TIME magazine. Gee, just can’t wait to have one of them "houses of worship" built right in my neighborhood! Makes me warm and fuzzy just to know they are so serious about world peace… WOW! Just like Miss America!

You have to be fair though, the US has been building ground zeros next to Iraqi mosques since 2003.

@Japlan They blow up skyscrapers; blow themselves into hamburger to murder as many as they can, behead "unbelievers" and stone women for infidelity. Yup, cut the nose right off that poor woman on TIME magazine. Gee, just can’t wait to have one of them "houses of worship" built right in my neighborhood! Makes me warm and fuzzy just to know they are so serious about world peace… WOW! Just like Miss America!

I wouldn't really go that far as to lumping all Muslims into the same category, but I do understand the apprehension, even if it sounds tad xenophobic. Although the Muslims have the absolute legal right to build it. Building the Mosque near the site where Islamic terrorists slammed two jets into the twin towers is ethically a bad move, been saying it from the start. Obama inserting himself into the issue only thickened the soup more, if he was so convinced and believed in what he said ( we all know it was a photo op) now he back peddles and for what? Building the Mosque has nothing to do with the Constitution, everyone with a bit of intelligence knows this, but it is a moral issue, speaks volumes if the Imam stubbornly insists on that particular location to build it. Where's the tolerance in that? Oh, sorry! The people and the families that are against this Mosque from being built are the intolerant ones. I keep forgetting that. We have to cave in, that's the new mantra for the US.

I have a better idea, they should build a very big Buddhist temple there and have all of the monks go there to chant their religious daily prayers for everyone to see and sell small lucky charm trinkets like they do in Japan to make money so the monks can eat and drink like they do in Japan.

Or maybe they should build a Korean temple there where many koreans can go there to worship and turn the town into a korean town.

But truly, building a mosque there or any religious thing there I think will be a very big mistake. They should just build a memory hall there where people can go there to show their respect for the people that died in 9-11 and where people can go to to lay down flowers and gifts for a respectful gesture for the dead.

@alladin

Or maybe they should build a Korean temple there where many koreans can go there to worship and turn the town into a korean town.

If you go down to Downtown Los Angeles, most of it is Korea town.

But on a serious note, I think a memory hall would be the best thing, not in your face and very subtle.

The Ground Zero Mosque building, with Obamas support, will mean the Democrats will get well and truly throttled in November, followed by another throttling for the !"Great Leader" in 2 years time. Thank God.