No Surprise: Obama Backs Mosque at Ground Zero

[Tiger Wench]

if this does not clinch him as a one term-er, then nothing will.

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama on Friday forcefully endorsed allowing a mosque near ground zero, saying the country's founding principles demanded no less.

"As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country," Obama said, weighing in for the first time on a controversy that has riven New York City and the nation.

"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," he said. "This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable."

Obama made the comments at an annual dinner in the White House State Dining Room celebrating the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

The White House had not previously taken a stand on the mosque, which would be part of a $100 million Islamic center two blocks from where nearly 3,000 people perished when hijacked jetliners slammed into the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001. Press secretary Robert Gibbs had insisted it was a local matter.

It was already much more than that, sparking debate around the country as top Republicans including Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich announced their opposition. So did the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish civil rights group.

Obama elevated it to a presidential issue Friday without equivocation.

While insisting that the place where the twin towers once stood was indeed "hallowed ground," Obama said that the proper way to honor it was to apply American values.

"Our capacity to show not merely tolerance, but respect towards those who are different from us — and that way of life, that quintessentially American creed, stands in stark contrast to the nihilism of those who attacked us on that September morning, and who continue to plot against us today," he said.

Obama harkened back to earlier times when the building of synagogues or Catholic churches also met with opposition. "But time and again, the American people have demonstrated that we can work through these issues, and stay true to our core values and emerge stronger for it," he said. "So it must be and will be today."

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an independent who has been a strong supporter of the mosque, welcomed Obama's words as a "clarion defense of the freedom of religion."

But some Republicans were quick to pounce.

"President Obama is wrong," said Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y. "It is insensitive and uncaring for the Muslim community to build a mosque in the shadow of ground zero. While the Muslim community has the right to build the mosque they are abusing that right by needlessly offending so many people who have suffered so much."

Entering the highly charged election-year debate, Obama surely knew that his words would not only make headlines but be heard by Muslims worldwide. The president has made it a point to reach out to the global Muslim community, and the over 100 guests at Friday's dinner included ambassadors and officials from numerous Muslim nations, including Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. Seated around candlelit tables, they listened closely as Obama spoke, then stood and applauded when the president finished his remarks.

While his pronouncement concerning the mosque might find favor in the Muslim world, Obama's stance runs counter to the opinions of the majority of Americans, according to polls. A CNN/Opinion Research poll released this week found that nearly 70 percent of Americans opposed the mosque plan while just 29 percent approved. A number of Democratic politicians have shied away from the controversy.

The group behind the $100 million project, the Cordoba Initiative, describes it as a Muslim-themed community center. Early plans call not only for prayer space but for a swimming pool, culinary school, art studios and other features. Developers envision it as a hub for interfaith interaction, as well as a place for Muslims to bridge some of their faith's own schisms.

Opponents, including some Sept. 11 victims' relatives, see the prospect of a mosque so near the destroyed trade center as an insult to the memory of those killed by Islamic terrorists in the 2001 attacks. Some of the Sept. 11 victims' relatives, however, are in favor.

The mosque has won approval from local planning boards but faces legal challenges, and New York's Conservative Party is planning a television ad campaign to pressure a New York City utility to use its power to block the project.

[Townhallsavoy]

Looks like "Ground Zero" will soon be synonymous with "Gaza Strip." 

[RWS]

Am I happy about it? No.

If I were president, I wouldn't be blabbing to anybody that would listen how supportive I am of it. But, I do have to agree with his point that they have the same right to practice their religion in this country as the Baptists, Catholics, Lutherans, etc. The people that will worship there didn't kill anybody on 9/11. I would doubt you would find any of them supportive of those who did. I understand the whole issue is a little taboo, and as I said before, I'm not crazy about the idea either. But if we block a mosque from being built down the road from the WTC site, I think that sort of opens a Pandora's Box in the future. Do we start blocking where Jehovah's Witnesses build Kingdom Halls? Where any religion that isn't mainstream Christianity builds their places of worship? Where does it end?

[Townhallsavoy]

Am I happy about it? No.

If I were president, I wouldn't be blabbing to anybody that would listen how supportive I am of it. But, I do have to agree with his point that they have the same right to practice their religion in this country as the Baptists, Catholics, Lutherans, etc. The people that will worship there didn't kill anybody on 9/11. I would doubt you would find any of them supportive of those who did. I understand the whole issue is a little taboo, and as I said before, I'm not crazy about the idea either. But if we block a mosque from being built down the road from the WTC site, I think that sort of opens a Pandora's Box in the future. Do we start blocking where Jehovah's Witnesses build Kingdom Halls? Where any religion that isn't mainstream Christianity builds their places of worship? Where does it end?

You're right.  They should be allowed to build there.  But our president shouldn't be endorsing this.  Not because of their religion, but rather because they have the audacity to build a Muslim mosque right next to a place where Muslims (extremists or not) were responsible for the deaths of 3000+. 

Because the Muslims are even attempting to build this mosque, even more animosity towards their faith will be demonstrated.  Honestly - I wouldn't be surprised to see their mosque vandalized and/or seriously damaged by some other extremist group.  I hope they're happy.

[CCTAU]

You're right.  They should be allowed to build there.  But our president shouldn't be endorsing this.  Not because of their religion, but rather because they have the audacity to build a Muslim mosque right next to a place where Muslims (extremists or not) were responsible for the deaths of 3000+. 

Because the Muslims are even attempting to build this mosque, even more animosity towards their faith will be demonstrated.  Honestly - I wouldn't be surprised to see their mosque vandalized and/or seriously damaged by some other extremist group.  I hope they're happy.

Extremist group? Hell, anybody that was in or around NY on Sept. 11 would have a notion to tear it down. And I would not blame them. The other religions mentioned do not cheer at the death of infidels...oh excuse me, non-believers. We will not be conquered form the outside, but we are being conquered from within.

[Tarheel]

You're right.  They should be allowed to build there.  But our president shouldn't be endorsing this.  Not because of their religion, but rather because they have the audacity to build a Muslim mosque right next to a place where Muslims (extremists or not) were responsible for the deaths of 3000+. 

Because the Muslims are even attempting to build this mosque, even more animosity towards their faith will be demonstrated.  Honestly - I wouldn't be surprised to see their mosque vandalized and/or seriously damaged by some other extremist group.  I hope they're happy.

Well, I'm against this for the reasons that I stated here (http://www.tigersx.com/forum/the_sga/islamic_cultural_center_and_mosque_near_ground_zero_10250.0.html). 

I find the idea of a mosque here as offensive as an Amusement Park at Manassas Battlefield (which I fought against with the Civil War Preservation Trust), as offensive as a German Cultural Center at Auschwitz, an American Cultural Center at Hiroshima/ Nagasaki, or a Japanese Cultural Center at Pearl Harbor. 

What happens when an extremist starts spewing anti-American rhetoric at this mosque?  It's likely to happen because the imam behind this mosque is a supporter of Hamas.  As others have said on this thread the very idea of it is destroying that 'cultural bridge' to America the proponents of this project are supposedly trying to build.  Build the mosque anywhere...but there.

if this does not clinch him as a one term-er, then nothing will.

By the way, less than 24 Hours after The ONE endorsed the mosque he's now backing off (See here: http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2010/08/obama_backs_away_from_ground_z.html ).  I guess even he can see this project isn't polling well nor resonating with the usually tolerant American People!

[AUJarhead]

"I was not commenting on the wisdom of putting a mosque there," (Obama) remarked.

I wish he'd just come out and say that they were "acting stupidly" when they want to build their mosque there.  I won't hold my breath...  Offend a police officer?  No problem.  Offend a muslim?  No way.

[GH2001]

Tarheel is spot on and this is one of the few rare times I will disagree with RWS.

It is not about freedom of religion here to me. It is about terrorism. This is a sensitive town and a sensitive part of town to muslim terrorism/extremism. As Tarheel eluded to, this guy is a supporter of and has ties to Hamas. An imam of this caliber has no place anywhere near the WTC site much less building a mosque near it - the same mosques in which they use to hide behind for shelter. A front of sorts. Not that all of them do, but it is common. This is just a bad idea all the way around. On religious basis - its just stupid and there is nothing illegal about it, but again just stupid. But the ties and support for Hamas (terrorist) is what raises a red flag to me and I am not sure why this cannot be used against them.

[Snaggletiger]

 

Silence everyone.  I keel you.

[djsimp]

The other religions mentioned do not cheer at the death of infidels.

Bingo! Muslims around the world have no intention on being friends with any other religion. Their kids are taught these things at early ages but quietly walk around in deceit. These muslims know exactly what the hell they are doing in trying to build a mosque right near Ground Zero. This is a slap in the face and they can kiss my white ass! Maybe we should go build a huge Baptist church in the middle of Tehran. Lets see how they react. Hypocritical fuckers! This shit pisses me off.

[djsimp]

chew on this for a minute:

[GH2001]

Bingo! Muslims around the world have no intention on being friends with any other religion. Their kids are taught these things at early ages but quietly walk around in deceit. These muslims know exactly what the hell they are doing in trying to build a mosque right near Ground Zero. This is a slap in the face and they can kiss my white ass! Maybe we should go build a huge Baptist church in the middle of Tehran. Lets see how they react. Hypocritical fuckers! This shit pisses me off.

You do make a point though about building a non-muslim worship place in a muslim country. It would not be tolerated by any means. They are using the "freedom of religion" in their argument, nevermind where they are from there is no such thing.

[Tarheel]

Tarheel is spot on and this is one of the few rare times I will disagree with RWS.

It is not about freedom of religion here to me. It is about terrorism. This is a sensitive town and a sensitive part of town to muslim terrorism/extremism. As Tarheel eluded to, this guy is a supporter of and has ties to Hamas. An imam of this caliber has no place anywhere near the WTC site much less building a mosque near it - the same mosques in which they use to hide behind for shelter. A front of sorts. Not that all of them do, but it is common. This is just a bad idea all the way around. On religious basis - its just stupid and there is nothing illegal about it, but again just stupid. But the ties and support for Hamas (terrorist) is what raises a red flag to me and I am not sure why this cannot be used against them.

If this 'endorsement' doesn't tell you to be against the idea of a mosque in this area I don't know what will; here's an excerpt from an article in the International Business Times, all emphasis is my own:

International Business Times
Monday, August 16, 2010 10:01 AM EDT
Ground Zero mosque row to become muddier as Hamas pitches in with support

By Jijo Jacob

A Hamas co-founder has said the organization supports the building of a mosque near New York's "Ground Zero"; and that could probably harden opposition to the plan to tear down a 152-year-old building on Park Place to build a new complex which will also include the mosque.

"We have to build everywhere," said Mahmoud al-Zahar, who is also Hamas chief on the Gaza Strip, in a radio interview, according to a New York Post report.

"In every area we have, (as) Muslim(s), we have to pray, and this mosque is the only site of prayer," he said.
...

Yes, I'm sure there are thousands of Muslim stock brokers in the Financial District of New York City who need a place to pray during the trading day.

This proposal is clearly a provocation by the followers of the Religion of Perpetual Rage  .

If this thing gets built I'd like to build a Nativity Scene in Mecca...or put on a Passion Play in Riyadh.

*Edit: forgot to post a link to the source:
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/43647/20100816/ground-zero-mosque-hamas-new-york-post-landmarks-preservation-commission.htm

[djsimp]

If this thing gets built I'd like to build a Nativity Scene in Mecca...or put on a Passion Play in Riyadh.

^^THIS!

[AUsweetheart]

It is not about freedom of religion here to me. It is about terrorism. This is a sensitive town and a sensitive part of town to muslim terrorism/extremism. As Tarheel eluded to, this guy is a supporter of and has ties to Hamas. An imam of this caliber has no place anywhere near the WTC site much less building a mosque near it - the same mosques in which they use to hide behind for shelter. A front of sorts. Not that all of them do, but it is common. This is just a bad idea all the way around. On religious basis - its just stupid and there is nothing illegal about it, but again just stupid. But the ties and support for Hamas (terrorist) is what raises a red flag to me and I am not sure why this cannot be used against them.

I am probably going to regret this, but....

You just can't have it both ways. You can't pick and choose the parts of the Constitution that you like.  This decision, whoever the mastermind is behind the green curtain, is a bad one.  It might even go down in history as one of the biggest all time fucking missteps of the world...besides being a slap in the face to the survivors....no one is going to be benefited by this location, and it will definitely not promote tolerance...
I too, am suspicious of the agenda, of the money sources, and of the overall statement made by a mosque's presence there....but you can't stop them from building it. That, is constitutionally obvious.

And fucking Newt Gingrich didn't do Republicans any favors by trashing the 14th amendment when we are the biggest proponents of it.
It's just a goddamn mess.

[Snaggletiger]

I was just in NY a couple of weeks ago and toured the Ground Zero area.  Just freakin...WOW!!!  I left there with a new found appreciation for what actually happened and what a HUGE and tragic event that was.  I'm trying to figure out why our society has become so conscious of and ready to jump to the defense of any group or segment of society who's collective feelings are hurt or when any occurrence seems to be even remotely "Insensitive".  But, in this case, when America as a whole is rightfully outraged by something like this, our own President jumps to endorse this crap.

[GH2001]

I am probably going to regret this, but....

You just can't have it both ways. You can't pick and choose the parts of the Constitution that you like.  This decision, whoever the mastermind is behind the green curtain, is a bad one.  It might even go down in history as one of the biggest all time fucking missteps of the world...besides being a slap in the face to the survivors....no one is going to be benefited by this location, and it will definitely not promote tolerance...
I too, am suspicious of the agenda, of the money sources, and of the overall statement made by a mosque's presence there....but you can't stop them from building it. That, is constitutionally obvious.

And fucking Newt Gingrich didn't do Republicans any favors by trashing the 14th amendment when we are the biggest proponents of it.
It's just a goddamn mess.

Thats why I said it wasn't a religious issue solely. And you bet your ass you can keep them from building it if they have ties to Hamas - nothing to do with the Constitution there.

Newt sold out long ago to the neo cons, which is a damned shame too because the the son of a bitch had some good economic ideas before he got bought.

[Tarheel]

I am probably going to regret this, but....

You just can't have it both ways. You can't pick and choose the parts of the Constitution that you like.  This decision, whoever the mastermind is behind the green curtain, is a bad one.  It might even go down in history as one of the biggest all time phuking missteps of the world...besides being a slap in the face to the survivors....no one is going to be benefited by this location, and it will definitely not promote tolerance...
I too, am suspicious of the agenda, of the money sources, and of the overall statement made by a mosque's presence there....but you can't stop them from building it. That, is constitutionally obvious.

And phuking Newt Gingrich didn't do Republicans any favors by trashing the 14th amendment when we are the biggest proponents of it.
It's just a goddamn mess.

I think I'll sue FedGov and DEMAND that a Shinto Shrine along with a Shrine to the Japanese Emperor Hirohito be built at the Arizona Memorial.  It's insensitive and unconstitutional that we Shintoists and Buddhists can't worship there!

Honestly, I do understand and appreciate the Constitutional argument here but this is an obvious provocation by terrorists.  There are 30 plus mosques in NYC proper so it's not about liberty; and there's already a precedent set in Lower Manhattan in that NYC has not allowed the Greek Orthodox Church (that was already in the area PRIOR to 9/11) to be rebuilt after nine years.  (It was crushed by debris on 9/11.)

So, I ask rhetorically why do the Followers of the Religion of Perpetual Rage get a "Constitutional" pass?  I notice that like The ONE, Mayor Bloomberg is all for the mosque but hems and haws when asked about the Christian church. 

At the end of the day when the Christians can rebuild their "Ground Zero" church I'll be all for the Constitutionality of the "Ground Zero" Mosque.

[Saniflush]

This is my deal.  I see where Sweets is coming from and agree completely that you cannot pick and choose what parts of the constitution you like or when they should be enforced.  However it should be a non-issue.

There is a Greek orthodox church that has been trying to go into the same neighborhood for the last few years and is continually turned down in zoning because their building is too large.  ( I think the code states it cannot be taller than the  twin towers monument)

Why do these fucks get special consideration is my gripe?  Let them roll the dice and have to play by the same rules as everyone else. 

If they are dumb enough to put a mosque there then oh fucking well to what happens to them.  Unfortunately we have become more concerned about protecting the minority than making a stand for what is right.

We have done this to ourselves.

[Tarheel]

...
Newt sold out long ago to the neo cons, which is a damned shame too because the the son of a bitch had some good economic ideas before he got bought.

I could not agree with you more, GH.  Newt still has some good ideas but he needs to be less of a media whore and more of a behind-the-scenes thinker.