President Obama Backs Mosque Near Ground Zero

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama on Friday forcefully endorsed building 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 anyone else in this country," Obama said, weighing in for the first time on a controversy that has riven New York 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 to be located two blocks from the site of the Sept. 11 terror attacks. Press secretary Robert Gibbs had insisted it was a local matter.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GROUND_ZERO_MOSQUE_OBAMA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-08-13-20-34-17

[bigwillq]

1. K and R

I agree.

[DevonRex]

2. That's great. Will he get any credit for it? K&R. nt

[jgraz]

3. Damn straight. That took some political courage.

You know the right is going to call him a "terrorist sympathizer" for those comments. THIS is the kind of thing I expected when I voted for Obama.

[DevonRex]

8. Thank you.

That took some strength for you to say, too. I give credit where credit is due here, as well.

[jgraz]

53. I have to ask, why do you think it took strength for me to say this?

Do you think I somehow *don't* want Obama to live up to his potential as President? I'm ecstatic every time he shows any glimmer of being the kind of leader I thought he was going to be.

Every time it happens, I think "maybe this is it. Maybe *this* is the turning point." Even after all the disappointments and betrayals, part of me still thinks the guy is going to turn it around -- mostly because I want him to so badly.

[LaurenG]

93. + 1

[Paladin]

98. You And Me Both, Jgraz. Well Said.

I keep wondering when it's going to dawn on Obama that the right wing is going to viciously and publicly hate him, regardless of what positions he takes, regardless of the time he wastes in limp, dead-end appeasement gestures---so why not take bold, principled stands like this one, all the time? That's who I thought I was voting for as well.....

[DevonRex]

130. I used the word strength on purpose rather than courage, as you did

in your post, hoping that you would note the difference between the two. You could have let this action go without comment but you did not and that's a good thing. To me that shows strength of character the strength of your belief system.

[asdjrocky]

134. They were blinders that make it impossible for some to be rational.

It's either 100% love or 100% hate with some.

I too, think this was a very good thing.

[Better Believe It]

119. Yes. He did the right thing. K & R

[MineralMan]

4. Thank you, President Obama, for upholding the Constitution!

Bravo!

[RKP5637]

5. Very admirable! n/t

[xchrom]

6. Recommend

[husky92]

7. Right on Mr. Prez!

I love it. He shows some cojones here and I'm sure the righties have their panties in a wad over this one. I'm sure they'll come out with guns blazing led by Rush, Sean, Beckster and Fox News. The right only gets worked up about religious freedom when it deals with Christian things. Screw Muslims and any other religion they don't like. This is the land of the free. Hope they get it thru their damned heads.

[Cronus Protagonist]

9. I wish he'd stand behing the GLBT community so srongly

We voted for him in droves.... Religonists? Not so much.

[Hello_Kitty]

10. Yay!! eom

[kestrel91316]

11. He is absolutely right. The 1st Amendment either applies to ALL of us or to NONE of us.

[Douglas Carpenter]

12. kick and recommend!! VERY IMPORTANT!!!

[nilram]

52. ditto

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SunsetDreams]

36. Are you kidding?

He has to keep "enforcing DADT" because it is the law. Sure he could write an executive order, only to be overturned by the next Repuke to take office. What he is trying to do is go the other way with it, and make doing away with DADT the law of the land, through legislation. It might be slower, but it's effect will be longer lasting.

Your final straw is that he stood up for Muslims? There is no law against doing so.

[Name removed]

38. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SunsetDreams]

40. Sure he could do it with the stroke of a pen

I don't doubt that at all. That would be a quick fix, for sure. One that unfortunately does not have a guarantee of lasting. You cannot fix DADT for the long term with the stroke of a pen in an Executive Order. I want to see it overturned for the long haul, not just the short term, where a Republican President can come in and just overturn it with yet another stroke of the pen.

[LAGC]

14. "THIS IS PROOF THAT OBAMA IS A SECRET MUSLIN!"

Look at all the right-winger idiots' comments on Yahoo's news-site:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100814/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_ground_zero_mosque_obama

Congratulations, Mr. President, for standing up for all Americans' First Amendment rights.

[kay1864]

23. I *despise* secret muslin!

If you can't disclose your curtain material to everyone, well then you just don't deserve curtains. :grr:

[nyy1998]

48. Those darn Secret Muslins are taking over our country....

On a serious note, well done Mr. President.

[mrbarber]

68. My god, the pure hate in those posts....

is that really how American's think about Muslims?
Is that what *I* subconciously think about Muslims because I'm entrenched in American culture, or is it the fear of the unknown that causes us to fear them?

Made me think.

[Odin2005]

15. This will make the Teabaggers' heads explode.

[Arkana]

123. Good.

[grahamhgreen]

16. Because it makes him look liberal without actually standing up against the corporate criminals.

[Robb]

18. No, it just makes him look like he's read the First Amendment.

[grahamhgreen]

22. This is a distraction from war profiteering,, banksters, the Gulf, "fixing" the health care bill,

Rendition, net neutrality, gutting social programs, getting out of GATT and NAFTA, etc....

[WheelWalker]

27. So you're distracted. Practice focus. You'll get there

[Scurrilous]

33. Free Mumia!!

:thumbsup:

[NYC_SKP]

41. So, when he does something wrong, it's terrible, when he does something right, it's a distraction?

Just checking.

:shrug:

[grahamhgreen]

158. It's a calculation. Why not come out with a compromise like he does on the issues that affect our $

He never stood up for single payer, or, really, even the public option.

It drives the news cycles away from the real issues facing our country - the issues that are costing us jobs, blood, and treasure.

This is for the judiciary, not the executive - This will have little effect on our pocketbooks. It will obviously be adjudicated that they have every right to build the mosque.

There was no reason to insert the Executive into this debate - it is not for him to decide. It's inflammatory and they know it.

See: http://www.google.com/search?q=obama+mosque&num=100&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=DnT&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=niuv&source=univ&tbs=nws:1&tbo=u&ei=8FJnTOT6J8O88gaducmyBA&sa=X&oi=news_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQsQQwAA


Now, the student loan program was all good, A+, NOT a distraction. Lilly Ledbetter, too.


IMHO

[phasma ex machina]

44. deleted

[Cha]

62. I'm not distracted..try and keep up. nt

[Alameda]

89. Hey, he did something really good, admit it. ...and as a Muslim

I really appreciate it.

[kay1864]

24. Yup

:thumbsup:

[WheelWalker]

26. I agree with you. That's exactly what it means.

One of the simplest amendments to apply. QED.

[mzmolly]

43. Hear hear!

:hi:

[hay rick]

20. Agree. nt

[pnorman]

29. ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS?

N/T

[grahamhgreen]

39. Yes.

There is no need for the President to get involved in a local building dispute.

It only serves to take the dialog away from larger issues.

We know that building or not building will not take money from the powerful corps controlling Washington.

He should be standing up for real HCR that will help all of us of all religions and non religions.

This will be decided in courts - a separate branch of the govt..

[primavera]

42. It does seem like kind of a waste of political oxygen

I mean, I applaud his position, but still, it's the kind of thing that the right-wing fundies are going to have a field day with and, since there are so many other greater problems to worry about, getting involved personally in something so comparatively small potatoes seems like poor judgment.

[alcibiades_mystery]

47. Freedom of religion in the United States is "small potatoes?"

Are you looking to be in a contest with the benighted clowns who call equality for LGBT people "something that can wait." This is far more than a local building dispute. It is the encroachment of a very dangerous sort of idea into the public sphere: that the religion of some Americans is inferior to the religion of others. That is absolutely something the President should sound off on, as he did here with correct reasoning. Needless to say, he should also drop his awful stance of same-sex marriage and sound off on those themes more forcefully.

[primavera]

51. Comparatively, yes

I agree it's a big deal and not many things take a back seat to it, but we've got on our plate right now environmental issues that, if we continue to ignore them, have the potential to end all life on earth. Next to that, even freedom of religion seems relatively minor by comparison: you have to be alive first to enjoy freedom of religion.

[alcibiades_mystery]

56. So that's why speaking on this was "poor judgment"

Because environmental catastrophe is right around the corner?

yeesh.

[primavera]

58. Oh no

Nothing so comfortingly distant as "right around the corner" - happening right this instant as we speak and continuing to be ignored by oblivious Americans.

[alcibiades_mystery]

97. And that's why speaking on the ground zero mosque was "poor judgment?"

:shrug:

[grahamhgreen]

159. It's a Judiciary issue, not and Executive one. nt

[SunsetDreams]

54. I don't agree

Who cares if they have a field day with it? Should he stay away from all topics, because the Right wing fundies will have a field day with it? I don't think so. Standing up for the Constitution is never a waste of political oxygen. The only ones it will be wasted on are the very people who want to destroy the Constitution because they have moral and religious prejudices.

[primavera]

57. No, he shouldn't avoid all confrontation

But he may not last long enough to do much good if he seeks battle on every issue that deserves it. Given how difficult it is to get anything worthwhile accomplished in this country, it seems like you kind of have to save your ammo for the biggest fights.

[James48]

88. Nice.

'Standing up for the Constitution is never a waste of political oxygen. The only ones it will be wasted on are the very people who want to destroy the Constitution because they have moral and religious prejudices."

I like that.

I think I'll use that as a signature line, just to tick of the right.

[Douglas Carpenter]

73. I cannot even begin to imagine anything more important that can be done by making a simple statement

Right now there is a nationwide campaign of anti-Muslim hysteria being whooped up by right-wing politicians, the crazy wing of fundamentalist Christianity and the likes of Newsmax and Fox News. There is a grave danger of this hysteria becoming - if it has not already - completely mainstream discourse in American society.

This hysteria has dangerous ramifications, not only for the American-Muslim community but for the entirety of society and the direction it is going. The 20th Century has surely shown that hate campaigns are not controllable and can and do lead society down extremely self-destructive paths.

This hysteria has even more dangerous ramifications for American foreign policy.

There are right-wing religious crazies in America who now pretty much dominate the Republican Party and there are the neoconservatives who are bent on promoting a permanent American war in the Middle East and I believe they must be stopped or America and the whole world will experience a catastrophe beyond imagination. The religious crazies believe they must help facilitate the battle of Armageddon in order to usher in the second coming of Christ. This is not a small marginal group of kooks. This is a group who are to a large degree now calling the shots in the Republican Party while their allies the neoconservatives work out the details.

Diffusing this hysteria and not allowing this hysteria to become mainstream discourse is one of the most important stands any public figure can take - The consequences of this hysteria growing and becoming even more mainstream are just too dire.

[oldhippydude]

77. i too am concerned

i am a non religious spiritual person, but believe in first amendment principals.. this anti Muslim hysteria scares the hell out of me!!! we already have right wingers talking of interment camps among other things..those of a theocratic bent, assume some sort of new crusade is in order.. whats next kristolnacht!!

[Douglas Carpenter]

79. just take a look at these two videos for example..

remember this comes from the leading cable news network in America and from two elected members of Congress - one a former judge:

Fox News criticize muslim family day at Six Flags

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x493626

Rep. Gohmert's nutty "terror babies" conspiracy.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x494790

.

[greymattermom]

84. wearing crescents on arm bands

and the ovens, of course.

[primavera]

111. Things are getting that bad?

Sorry, I'm in law school right now so never get to read anything other than the opinions of long dead judges. I wasn't aware the anti-Muslim sentiment was becoming so dangerous. Well, then maybe it's worth the fight.

[SkyDaddy7]

94. BIG PICTURE!

This is powerful message to Muslims everywhere. This is NOT a waste of "political oxygen".

[SnakeEyes]

137. So what is the message exactly?

That's being made to Muslims...

[grahamhgreen]

168. I can accept that on an international level this will send a message

that Obama is standing up for muslim interests in the building of this mosque in NYC.

I do not think that it will overshadow the killing of their children in unnecessary drone raids and other acts of war in Iraqistan, however.

But I can see the political calculation there. It may not be a bad effort, but a much better effort would be ending the wars, rendition, and closing Gitmo.

[SkyDaddy7]

170. I agree...However the most important thing...

Obama could do is force Israel to stop building settlements and come to the peace table once and for all!

TRUE?

[grahamhgreen]

171. That would be exemplary, yes. NT

[dionysus]

155. jesus christ, what a load of pure garbage.

:rofl:

[primavera]

157. Well that was certainly constructive

Thank you for that utterly meaningless contribution.

[dionysus]

160. any time, cupcake.

[Whisp]

49. well good thing when you applied for Chief Advisor to the President

you didn't get the job.

:rofl:

[impik]

83. Just another proof that Gibbs was right

You will never be happy with anything this president does.

[MsPithy]

143. So we have to jump up and down and applaud when

the president acts in accordance with his OATH OF OFFICE? Pitiful!

[dionysus]

156. well, something here is pitiful, for sure.

[primavera]

164. My, how our standards have fallen under the Republicans

We can endure administrative inaction on major environmental catastrophes, corporate theft and lack of accountability, a chasm between rich and poor that hasn't been seen since feudalism, ubiquitous corruption of political officials, suppression of glbt rights, but if the president kisses a baby or cuts the ribbon at a new convenience store, we're ecstatic that at least he didn't start a new war and kill half a million or so innocent civilians. I'll grant you, it's definitely an improvement, but, somehow, I had hoped for rather more from the most powerful political leader on the planet.

[grahamhgreen]

169. Yes - Student loans great, Lilly Ledbetter, the auto bailout, and homebuyer tax credits!

All very good.

[Uncle Joe]

150. I agree with you re: the imminent importance of those other issues but this position

by the President helps some of those other issues as well, with Afghanistan and Iraq coming to mind.

This is a good way for the President to differentiate the U.S. from some of it's enemies claiming that we're engaging in religious war.

These fights against Mosques being built aren't just isolated to New York either, the same thing is happening in Murfreesboro TN. I imagine it's taking place elsewhere as well.

I agree the courts will ultimately decide this, but considering the make up of the Supreme Court I don't have a great deal of faith in their judgment so a statement by the President on this issue could help his foreign policy particulary in the Moslem nations.

[primavera]

165. Well, I hope you're right

I dunno, again, it's not that I don't think that it's a worthy position, I guess I'm just feeling disappointed that so many other priorities are being neglected or given short shrift.

[Cha]

61. Yeah, like some internet drive

by knows what's going on.

[burnsei sensei]

102. My thoughts are these exactly.

This is only liberal window-dressing, even if the sentiments are real.
He is a corporatist and volunteerist. A conservative member of a cross-party, multicultural and globalist elite.
He has defended money and power against the people.
He does not favor a just society.

[Gordan Shumway]

122. Smells like elephant dung in here

[burnsei sensei]

131. There is no evidence that people count more

than corporations to this Third Way president.
He talks liberal positions and implements conservative policy.

[burnsei sensei]

138. How is the Third Way working out for you?

nt

[Gordan Shumway]

140. -

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4503228&mesg_id=4503855

[vduhr]

152. Yeah, I smell it too.....

[dionysus]

154. shall i fetch you a fresh outfit from the hamper?

:eyes:

[sabrina 1]

17. Excellent. He shouldn't worry about the reaction from the right.

They always thought he was a secret Muslim anyhow. All they will do is repeat their same old bigoted nonsense. Which they would have done even he had not supported this.

Good for him. I hope this ends the stupidity the media has been covering. How about covering these issues from a slightly more intellectual perspective, like having on Constitutional experts to try to teach these screaming, anti-Constitutional morons something about what this country is supposed to be about?

Showing screaming tea-baggers doesn't do much to educate the population.

I am very happy Obama has taken this step. Good for him.

[Scurrilous]

19. K & R

:thumbsup:

[DonCoquixote]

21. See Barack

When you act like the guy we elected, you will find you get support.

[WheelWalker]

25. If you're not for this, you need to be sent back for re-grooving. K&R

[craigmatic]

28. Pretty ballsy move on Obama's part I just wish he would've stood up for the public option like this.

[primavera]

60. Hear, hear - n/t

[James48]

30. That is MY President!

About time!

I am proud today.

[SocialDemocracy]

31. Finally.

Ditto.

Thank you Barack, for standing up to freedom of religion. There's a reason America was made.

[yowzayowzayowza]

35. Welcome to DU.

Good to resoundingly shut up the religious bigots.

[Frisbee]

32. Ballsy decision, and the right one!

He knows the right will go bug-shit over this and be back to all the "Obama is a secret Muslin BS". I've been very critical of the President, and with good reason I believe, but this is a great thing he has done. While the 'pukes are busy trying to change the Constitution, he has honored it. Well done, Sir!

[POAS]

34. Good news that I'm sure

all of DU can get behind and support.

[SunsetDreams]

37. K&R!

[Jefferson23]

45. Glad to hear this, excellent Obama. Maybe some will examine their own prejudices now. n/t

[AnnieBW]

46. How long until some wingnut claims it's because he's a Mooslim?

Unless they've already done so.

[pezDispenser]

50. Well done!

Hopefully he's just trying out his brand new backbone ;)

[laughingliberal]

55. Love reading this. Kudos to the President! nt

[caseymoz]

59. I hope it's a start of his recreating himself to the left.

And this is fairly bold, since the right will come after him about this.

[Bluebear]

66. I don't think so, since it harkens to Obama's strong support of religion.

True, it's not the "American" religion of Christianity, but religion all the same. It's a pretty easy stance.

[DesertFlower]

63. K&R. nt

[proteus_lives]

64. Well said, Mr. President.

[Bluebear]

65. Good. So if our commitment to freedom of religion is so "unshakeable", Mr. President...

how about getting YOUR religion out of MY right to marry?

[humbled_opinion]

67. I really think he should have added

That just because our laws say that you can do something, sometimes it is important to understand the feelings of others and just because you can maybe you shouldn't.

but thats just me....too much controversy already.

[JCMach1]

69. Seriously is a local issue and why would Obama want to get involved in this

I really can't say...

BTW, it has been approved by local authorities all the way along...

[krispos42]

70. See? SEKRET MUSLIN!!!11!1! SEKRET MUSLIN!!111!1!1

Indonesia... Orly Taitz... Stalinist... madrassa... sworn in on the Koran... Fascist... botched the Oath of Office... Keynsian Kenyan... Maoist... where's the long-form birth certificate?... Manchurian candidate... Marxist...

[Robeson]

71. I agree with Obama. How can one honestly argue differently?

[Enthusiast]

72. He did the right thing.

Gotta hand it to him.

[City67]

74. all political BS aside

I have to wonder what people who lost family or friends think of this?

[Douglas Carpenter]

75. I hope they believe in freedom and democracy too - including the 50 Muslim families who lost members

on 9/11.

Imagine being the family of Salman Hamdani. The 23-year-old New York City police cadet was a part-time ambulance driver, incoming medical student, and devout Muslim. When he disappeared on September 11, law enforcement officials came to his family, seeking him for questioning in relation to the terrorist attacks. They allegedly believed he was somehow involved. His whereabouts were undetermined for over six months, until his remains were finally identified. He was found near the North Tower, with his EMT medical bag beside him, presumably doing everything he could to help those in need. His family could finally rest, knowing that he died the hero they always knew him to be.

Or imagine being Baraheen Ashrafi, nine months pregnant with her second child. Her husband, Mohammad Chowdhury, was a waiter at Windows of the World restaurant, on the top floors of Tower One. The morning of September 11, they prayed salaat-l-fajr (the pre-dawn prayer) together, and he went off to work. She never saw him again. Their son, Farqad, was born 48 hours after the attacks -- one of the first 9/11 orphans to be born. In an interview with CTV Canada, she relates that in the months to follow, she mourned for her husband and endured the hostility of some ignorant people around her. "When they saw me ... I'm wearing a scarf. There is a hate look."

Or consider Rahma Salie, a passenger on American Airlines #11 that crashed into the North Tower. Rahma, a Muslim of Sri Lankan origin, was traveling with her husband Michael (a convert to Islam) to attend a friend's wedding in California. Rahma was 7 months pregnant with their first child. According to the Independent UK (October 11, 2001), Rahma's name was initially put on an FBI watch list, because her "Muslim-sounding" name was on the passenger manifest, and her travel patterns were similar to those of the hijackers (she was a computer consultant living in Boston). Although her name was eventually removed from the list, several of her family members were barred from taking flights to her memorial service. Her mother, Haleema, said, "I would like everyone to know that she was a Muslim, she is a Muslim and we are victims too, of this tragic incident.”

http://islam.about.com/blvictims.htm

[Vicar In A Tutu]

85. Well, why would they care?

As far as I can tell, terrorists killed on 9/11 not Muslims. Should families of those killed Oklahoma City protest every time one who has been a registered Republican opens a new business venture?

[Alameda]

90. Did you know, many of those famlies are Muslim.

[Trekologer]

96. People who were directly impacted and are actually from the area

are tired of the GOOP using 9/11 as a political football. When the Bush administration carried out their campaign of "Fear! Terra! Fear! Terra!", they always used area that they were not politically popular in: the east and west coast cities and states. Hardly ever was there a "credible threat" to Atlanta, GA or Dallas, TX.

[Stuckinthebush]

99. It doesn't really matter

They may or may not support the freedom of religious expression. The constitution guarantees it. End of debate.

[Arkana]

124. I hope they believe in freedom of religion too.

[Rabrrrrrr]

142. I think it's fucking wonderful! Abso-fucking-lutely wonderful!

I can't believe (except that I'm smart enough to know that this country is full of batshit racists and bigots) that the cultural center is even being debated or talked about.

Total fucking no-brainer.

[southmost]

76. great! now I want MOAR!

n/t loved reading this too
How's that for 'cojones' Ms Halfterm quitter?

[dadzilla]

78. Thank you Mr. President

This was the right thing to do, the courageous thing to do, it was the decent thing to do.

[MsPithy]

146. Oh Fer Cryin' Out Loud!!!

It wasn't right, or courageous or decent, it is his fucking job. Obama took an oath to protect free exercise of religion. We should celebrate when the president agrees with the Constitution? We are pitiful!

[Loudmxr]

80. I always knew he was a Muzzie.

No wait.. he puts a muzzle on Bo. I always get those two confused.

Moslem and Mosquito I always get those two confused.-Peter Cooke After stating "An Arab can live for a year on a single grain of rice."

[ProgressOnTheMove]

81. I think this is a firm sign President Obama isn't anything less than strong weak the amount ...

thney've demonized this place. Now he's done it though it does seem to finish the topic which is thankful. All Pres. Obama is, is practical and it takes a lot of strength to carry through no matter what. Sure we dont' have ll we wanted, but we have a noise machine against us that has a huge hold on people's perceptions.

[truthisfreedom]

82. Our President obviously doesn't care if he's re-elected or not.

He's following the rule of law and his heart.

[harun]

86. Thank you Obama!

[RoseMead]

87. Thank you, Mr. President!

:toast:

[BeyondGeography]

91. An essential and courageous statement of a defining American principle

:patriot:

[Kahuna]

92. Bravo, Mr. President!

:patriot:

[Honeycombe8]

95. Too bad he got himself involved. This will cost him votes. It's not about religion at all.

It's about moving the muslim center down just a ways, in order to be sensitive to the feelings of the thousands who were murdered.

A little sensitivity goes a long way. Two blocks away is too close, esp. when the builders refuse to identify who has funded the mosque and center.

I'll still vote for Obama, of course. But he'll lose more independent votes than he was losing already. A shame. He should've said it was a matter for New York to handle, which it is.

[RetroLounge]

100. Check the Constitution

There is nothing in the bill of rights about your rights being dependent on distance and proximity.

Nor is there mention of sensitivity or emotion.

No, really. Go read it.

RL

[Honeycombe8]

114. Exactly. It's not about legality. It's about sensitivity to thousands of murder victims.

Pretty insensitive not to even mention that. I mean, if you're going to inject yourself into a controversial decision that is being made on a local level, you should be sensitive to both sides, right? Of course that's right.

My point is that by injecting himself into a local matter, he has lost votes that the Dems could not afford to lose.

Besides Independents, the Dems are, after all these years, losing the faithful voting history of Jewish people to the GOP.

A shame.

[RetroLounge]

151. Votes > Constitution

I see where you stand.

:puke:

RL

[U4ikLefty]

161. They are only losing the bigots to the GOP.

[jobycom]

104. It's not about religion. It's about human rights, and equality. And it's not about votes, either.

It's about doing the right thing.

The protests are not about distance or "sensitivity," they are about White Supremacy and fear and hatred and blaming an entire group for the actions of a few who happened to have a common trait. Obama is right to fight such bigotry, and no Democrat, liberal, or decent human being should oppose him on this.

[Honeycombe8]

116. Yes, it is about doing what's right, whether it's legal or not. What's right is considering

both sides of a controversial issue.

If someone is going to inject himself into a local matter, s/he should at least consider the feelings of the thousands of murder victims, who are also citizens of this country.

Stupid to inject himself into a matter that doesn't involve him, and in which he has no power. All it could do is ensure more muslim votes and cost the Dems Independent and Jewish votes.

This is a time where the Dems can hardly spare any votes.

He also didn't mention that the builders of that muslim center have refused to identify who is funding the center. Legally, I guess they don't have to. But in reality, and given the fear of the local victims of another attack, and given the history of muslims to build mosques on the sites of jihadi murders, I can see why there is concern by some of the people of the city and by the murder victims' families, and by the Jewish people of the city. Why wouldn't they simply say who the main funders of the center are? I can see where some would find that suspicious.

Just looking at both sides....that's a good thing. That's the right thing to do. Whether the center can be legally built or not.

[jobycom]

166. So discrimination and bigotry is a side now?

There is one side to this. Discrimination based on bigotry and paranoia is not allowed. A bunch of white people can't ban black people from living in their neighborhood by claiming they are sensitive to black people. Rights are not up for vote, they aren't compromised just because someone feels offended by giving them to someone else. Rights are sacred and paramount. There is no "side" to legally justify the other side.

[roxiejules]

113. Having the right to do something doesn't mean it's the right thing to do

http://online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB:SB10001424052748704271804575405330350430368.html

In the 1980s, Carmelite nuns moved into an abandoned building on the edge of the former Nazi death camp to pray for the souls taken there. As with the dispute over the mosque near Ground Zero, the convent's presence escalated into a clash not only between different faiths but between competing historical narratives. As with today's clash too, it seemed intractable until the Polish pope stepped in.

Many Catholics, not just in Poland, could not understand how nuns begging God's forgiveness and praying for the souls of the departed could possibly offend anyone. There was also a nationalist element. Many members of the Polish resistance had also been murdered at Auschwitz. And again like our present controversy at Ground Zero, intemperate reactions and statements from both sides only inflamed passions.

So what did Pope John Paul II do? He waited, and he counseled. And when he saw that the nuns were not budging—and that their presence was doing more harm than good—he asked the Carmelites to move.

[immoderate]

115. His job is to defend the Constitution. That's what he did.

He is not there to protect the sensibilities of tea party bigots.

They are offended? Fuck 'em!! I hope it eats up their kishkas.

--imm

[Kahuna]

118. Not one of those people involved with the center was in the planes

that took down the towers. Punishing an entire race of people for what 19 people did is just ridiculous. Are you kidding me????? :eyes: Sensitivity, my eye!

[Arkana]

126. Bullshit. He did the right thing by standing up for the people building the Cordoba House.

Islam didn't attack NYC on 9/11--a bunch of fundamentalist Muslims from the Middle East did. 19 guys are not representative of the religion as a whole.

[Name removed]

101. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jobycom]

103. WooHoo! For the first time in a while, I am unequivocally proud to have him as our President. nt

[Name removed]

105. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jobycom]

112. Because this is about what he did right.

And I don't have a billion things to complain about. He's not Bush. :)

[PeaceNikki]

The RW loons are in full-on FREAK-THE-FUCK-OUT mode.

They are learning that rights are not just for straight white Christian men. With the Prop 8 ruling, the case against AZ and now Obama supporting religious freedom, they are shaking in your boots. GO USA!!

They are completely UNHINGED and literally encouraging domestic terrorism on the White House Facebook page. Literally.

http://www.facebook.com/WhiteHouse?v=wall&story_fbid=425852254237&ref=mf
http://www.facebook.com/WhiteHouse?v=wall&story_fbid=425852179237&ref=mf
http://www.facebook.com/WhiteHouse?v=wall&story_fbid=425851859237&ref=mf
http://www.facebook.com/WhiteHouse?v=wall&story_fbid=425859959237&ref=mf

[PeaceNikki]

106. Dammit

[Faygo Kid]

107. Obama Strongly Backs Islam Center Near 9/11 Site

Source: New York Times

WASHINGTON — President Obama delivered a strong defense on Friday night of a proposed Muslim community center and mosque near ground zero in Manhattan, using a White House dinner celebrating Ramadan to proclaim that “as a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country.”

After weeks of avoiding the high-profile battle over the center — his press secretary, Robert Gibbs, said last week that the president did not want to “get involved in local decision-making” — Mr. Obama stepped squarely into the thorny debate.

“I understand the emotions that this issue engenders. Ground zero is, indeed, hallowed ground,” the president said in remarks prepared for the annual White House iftar, the sunset meal breaking the day’s fast.

But, he continued: “This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country, and will not be treated differently by their government, is essential to who we are.” . . .

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/14/us/politics/14obama.html?_r=1&hp

---

Say what you might say. I have said it, too. But today, I am proud to have Barack Obama as my president.

[onehandle]

108. Dupe.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4503228

[Faygo Kid]

110. Thanks. I will let it go this time. Mods, please remove.

No harm intended, obviously, and thanks for the heads up.

[muffin1]

109. This makes me proud, too.

This is the President Obama I've been waiting for. Let's hope he stays around.

[JBoy]

117. Freepers think he's designing a crisis, in order to suspend elections.

Also, he's secretly a Muslin terrorist.

[RoccoR5955]

120. Now it's time to impeach Congressman Peter King, for not abiding by his oath

This guy is such a bigot. I am sending a message to all of my friends who live in his district, (NY-3) to start impeachment, or vote him out come November.

[MsPithy]

153. ABSO FUCKIN LUTELY!

Every public official swore on their Bible to protect free expression of religion! Denying any religious group this freedom is a high crime against the Constitution!

[disndat]

121. Do Duers know that Mayor Bloomberg

is passionately promoting the building of the Mosque because of his own very personal experience with ethnic hate while growing up in Boston. I am not a Bloomberg fan but it really amazed me that he stood up to the pressure from his own co-religionists because he felt this unfairness so deeply that he had to come out and do the right thing. My own viewpoint on the 9/11 and the Iraq War is that Bush/Cheney allow WTC to happen. They wanted to demonize the Muslims, an excuse, to go after the oil in Iraq. But that is another whole can of worms.

[pmorlan1]

125. Kudos to Obama

I can applaud Obama over this. Thank goodness he didn't cave in on this issue.

[Historic NY]

127. Its ground zero.............its ground zero................its actually..

several blocks away from World Trade. Where were all these critics when the area was abandoned after the attack? There are several churches or places to worship within the immediate vicinity. I'd bet people don't even know that.

Why did the Pilgrims come here?

[notesdev]

128. Another stupid unnecessary move

What exactly does Obama have to gain by interjecting himself into this issue? Chances are pretty good anyone supporting the mosque was already on his side, and he's now alienating yet another group of independents for absolutely no gain.

It's as if he'd rather be a TV pundit than President.

[karmkay]

132. this is a joke

isn't it? I'm very proud of Obama for this statement.

[Douglas Carpenter]

135. the day we have a Democratic President who won't make a simple statement in support of marginalized

minorities - be they Hispanics, Blacks, gays, Jews, or even Muslims - is the day I will no longer be a Democrat.

God Bless President Obama!

[Bluebear]

145. It would be nice to have more than statements. nt

[Douglas Carpenter]

149. well I agree -

[Violet_Crumble]

148. Yeah, how damn stupid of him to say Muslims have the same rights as other Americans!

What group of independents do you claim he's alienating by pointing out that freedom of religion applies to Muslims as well as to other religions?

[notesdev]

163. It's not the legality at issue

it's the fact that Muslims historically build mosques at the site of victories over infidels. That's why, among many others, there is a mosque sitting atop the Temple Mount and one on the ruins of the Hagia Sophia.

This mosque being funded by Saudi Arabia - the place with the least religious freedom on the entire planet, bar none - should clue a few people as to what this mosque is really about.

Whether people on this site can figure it out or not, your average Joe in NYC has no trouble seeing the offensiveness of building a mosque on the site where 3000 of his countrymen were murdered - in a manner so heinous it was considered unthinkable, prior to the event - in the name of Islam.

[Douglas Carpenter]

167. first of all it is a Community Centery with a mosque and it is not being built at ground Zero

Actually the Community Center is being built is on the site of the old A Burlington Coat Factory building two blocks from ground zero in a very neglected neighborhood.

There is no evidence that this mosque is being funded by Saudi Arabia - given that the Imam is a Sufi not a Sunni - that would be highly unlikely.

Muslims also died on September 11 including a number of first responders.

"Let us not forget that Muslims were among those murdered on 9/11 and that our Muslim neighbors grieved with us as New Yorkers and as Americans. We would betray our values – and play into our enemies' hands – if we were to treat Muslims differently than anyone else. In fact, to cave to popular sentiment would be to hand a victory to the terrorists – and we should not stand for that." Mayor Michael Bloomberg

http://online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB:SB10001424052748703545604575407673221908474.html

Oz Sultan, the programming director for the center, said the complex was based on Jewish community centers and Y.M.C.A.'s in Manhattan. It is to have a board composed of Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders and is intended to create a national model of moderate Islam.

“We are looking to build bridges between faiths,” Mr. Sultan said in an interview.

City officials, particularly Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, have forcefully defended the project on the grounds of religious freedom, saying that government has no place dictating where a house of worship is located. The local community board has given overwhelming backing to the project, and the city's landmarks commission is expected to do the same on Tuesday.

“What is great about America, and particularly New York, is we welcome everybody, and if we are so afraid of something like this, what does that say about us?” Mr. Bloomberg asked recently.


Read more: http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2010/07/31/the-defamation-league/#ixzz0wehCkRcM

'

Ground Zero Mosque' Imam Was A Bush-Era Partner For Mideast Peace

Outside of how getting constantly called a radical by American politicians busy flacking the proposed "Ground Zero mosque" for political purposes might affect Rauf's view of what it's like to be a Muslim in America, there's one other big problem with King's and Ros-Lehtinen's accusation: Rauf already represented America in this way, under the Bush Administration.

State Department spokesman P. J. Crowley responded to the accusations Tuesday:

"His work on tolerance and religious diversity is well-known and he brings a moderate perspective to foreign audiences on what it's like to be a practicing Muslim in the United States," State Department spokesman P. J. Crowley said Tuesday. He added that the department's public-diplomacy offices "have a long-term relationship with" Rauf - including during the past Bush administration, when the religious leader undertook a similar speaking tour.

If one were to hearken back to the halcyon days of the Bush Administration, one would remember that, when Bush adviser Karen Hughes was appointed Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy, the Bush Administration saw improving America's standing among Muslims abroad as a part of its national security strategy. And, as such, Hughes set up listening tours, attended meetings and worked with interfaith groups that -- shocking, by today's Republican standards -- included actual Muslims.

One of those people was Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf.

Contemporary press accounts indicate that Rauf and Hughes were part of the February 2006 U.S.-Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar. He was part of a delegation that met with her in March 2006 and held a joint press conference. A letter to then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in November 2007 indicates that contacts with Hughes and Under Secretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns had continued apace.

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/ground_zero_mosque_imam_bush_partner_for_peace.php

[SpankMe]

129. We're falling down. Again.

Democrats are derelict in not vigorously confronting the rancid, racist, twisted perversion of logic occurring on the right.

A majority of Americans (70%) in a CNN poll are against the Park51 center. But, it it clearly within Park51's First Amendment rights to build and operate there. Democrats are not beating the drum loud enough, long enough, or consistently enough to counter what the right is saying.

In the absence of a consistently applied corrective drumbeat to counter right's mis-informed and bigoted drumbeat, we're losing the battle to people's prejudices and fears.

[asdjrocky]

133. This was a good thing he did, and a smart and strong way to word the message. nt

[frylock]

136. way to take a stand

:applause:

[K8-EEE]

139. GWB must support it too since there's no diff between them

:eyes:

Good going Mr. President!

[jgraz]

144. Funny how the only people who repeat this canard are those who claim to support the president.

:eyes:

[Name removed]

141. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Uncle Joe]

147. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread,Purveyor.:thumbsup:

[Arrowhead2k1]

162. I'm really sick of hearing about this non-issue. It's really depressing to see

how bigotted this nation can be. The constitution means nothing to these people, and the majority of Americans are being suckered by bigotted fear mongers again. FUCK!

[Xenotime]

172. I would expect nothing less from our wonderful President.

Hopefully some sort of regulation will be put into place that will keep the fundies away.

[chrisa]

173. lol - Laughable argument against in my daily paper this morning.

It was in the opinions section. The writer called 'ground zero' a 'sacred ground,' and claimed that the mosque should not be built there. He or she also said that there are different degrees of freedom in America, and if you want security, you have to sacrifice a little freedom to get it. I wish I had the article in front of me right now, but it typical right-wing nuttery and pretty embarassing to read.

The writer also praised Charles Krauthammer. LOL

[ProudDad]

174. They should put up a statue of dick cheney at "ground zero"

AT best he was the prime "accessory after the fact" and probably ordered the demolition of the towers...

How about a statue of dick with his alleged cohort Osama bin Laden standing next to him with bin Laden's arm draped over cheney's shoulders.

And the inscription of cheney saying "Thanks for the Pearl Harbor event! We couldn't have done it without you."