[LoisCampon]

NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/14/us...er=rss&emc=rss

Obama Strongly Backs Islam Center Near 9/11 Site

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.”

“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.”

In hosting the iftar, Mr. Obama was following a White House tradition that, while sporadic, dates to Thomas Jefferson, who held a sunset dinner for the first Muslim ambassador to the United States. President George W. Bush hosted iftars annually.

[asivisepo]

Wow. Good for Pres. Obama. This is going to have some people foaming at the mouth, but I applaud him for speaking out on this issue. He's right, of course.

[incizarry]

Of course they have the legal right to build there, I would expect that he would say the same thing about free speech if a Nazi group could some how secure property adjacent to the National Holocaust Museum to build a Nazi Community Center they should have the right to do so. That doesn't mean they should not be criticized for doing it. It is should be obvious that the Muslims that are behind this project don't give a crap about the sensitivities of the people of New York.

Remember that while there are many good Muslims there is no such thing as good Islam.

[CealialactBek]

Well, since you bring up the Nazi analogy Paul, let me ask you this: Shouldn't all Christian churches within a four-block area of any former German concentration camp sites be shut down? They are obviously a reminder to the Jewish people about the atrocities done by some Christians.

It's exactly the same argument: Why punish a large group of people by denying them their Constitutional right just because of what a few people of the same religion did?

If I remember correctly, when I visited Dachau, I even noticed a chapel on site. I'm fine with that, and I'm fine with a mosque neary Ground Zero, as are most of my fellow New Yorkers that I keep in touch with.

[uncoosesoge]

First, the mosque in NYC is already there and it is not next to the site, it's two blocks away. Second, there is another mosque on Warren St. that is three blocks from the site and has been there since 1970. Nobody is complaining about that mosque. Second, this hadn't been an issue until a GOP candidate for NYS governor made it an issue. Third, this isn't an question of free speech, it's an issue of freedom of religion. Fourth, not everyone hates the idea. Recently polls show at least 30% get it. Fifith, the Bill of Rights is anti-Democratic. It protects individuals and not the will of the majority. Finally, it seems to me that this particular American mosque and this particular group of American Muslims and this particular American imam are the targets of politically based attacks. If they are not going to allow themselves to be bullied and harassed from their plans by a smear campaign laced with fear and hatred, then I say good for them and shame on their fellow countrymen.

[gfkasjhfg]

Remember that while there are many good Muslims there is no such thing as good Islam.

And let's also remember that to many people, there's no such thing as a good religion, period.

[tsovimnpb]

Well, since you bring up the Nazi analogy Paul, let me ask you this: Shouldn't all Christian churches within a four-block area of any former German concentration camp sites be shut down? They are obviously a reminder to the Jewish people about the atrocities done by some Christians.

It's exactly the same argument: Why punish a large group of people by denying them their Constitutional right just because of what a few people of the same religion did?

If I remember correctly, when I visited Dachau, I even noticed a chapel on site. I'm fine with that, and I'm fine with a mosque neary Ground Zero, as are most of my fellow New Yorkers that I keep in touch with.

David read what I said, I said they have the first amendment right to build there, just as others have the first amendment to express outrage at the proposal. It is my opinion that the people behind building this mosque (people that support Hamas, a terrorist group) intend it as a slap in the face of America and are not really interested in reaching out to the community.

BTW Dave I believe that expressing pro Nazi views or those denying the holocaust are illegal in Germany and people have been imprisoned for expressing those views. Perhaps using Germany as an example is not the best example for the point you are trying to make.

[Lgcjqxlw]

Now did the President actually endorse the mosque as Richard claims? DES?

[drugstore]

Remember that while there are many good Muslims there is no such thing as good Islam.

what is that supposed 2 mean ?
islam is a WIIIIDEEEE religion u know nothing about
its full of forgiveness & love
the extremists ruined that image but the religion has nothing 2 do with them ..

[AgindyMinnife]

....
islam is a WIIIIDEEEE religion u know nothing about
its full of forgiveness & love
the extremists ruined that image but the religion has nothing 2 do with them ..

My Favorite things by Rodgers and Hammerstein

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad Nice go on believing that, but unfortunatly we need to live in the real world where Islam kills.

[bely832new]

No, we need to live in the real world where some lunatics who distort Islam kill.

Huge difference.

[jesyflowers]

No, we need to live in the real world where some lunatics who distort Islam kill.

Huge difference.

The problem is it is not the lunatics who are really distorting Islam, it is those apologists of Islam who refuse to see Islam at its violent core? But instead want to believe in an Islam that is all rainbows, peace and love. Let us not take a critical look at Islam because somebody's feelings. might get hurt? Islam means submission. Achieving peace through submission and surrender to God and therefore the Koran. Read the Koran discarding all your prejudices and understanding of Western religion.

[tsaaapla]

Oh God, Incident is always good for a laugh. I'm sure Mr. Open-Minded discarded all his prejudices before reading the Quran.

[PIORARMADDERI]

At their cores, pretty much ALL religions require submission.

[DoroKickcrofe]

At their cores, pretty much ALL religions require submission.

Throw away those predjudices and try to to view other religions not from the perspective of your religion, you would have to be insane to describe Bhuddism at its core requiring submission and you would be extremely hard pressed to say that of a Hindu. Please before you start viewing all religions as essentially the same try to understand those religions. Try to understand that the dogma of submission in Islam is world's apart from a Christian would mean by submission. Liberty is at the heart of Christian submission while in Islam it is the near opposite.