"For people who already fear the worst from Obama, this only confirms their fears"

[impik]

From today's NYT:



...From the moment he took the oath of office, using his entire name, Barack Hussein Obama, as he swore to protect and defend the Constitution, Mr. Obama has personified the hopes of many Americans about tolerance and inclusion. He has devoted himself to reaching out to the Muslim world, vowing, as he did in Cairo last year, “a new beginning.”

But his “new beginning” has aroused nervousness in some, especially those who disagree with his counterterrorism policies, or those more comfortable with a vision of America as a white and largely Christian nation, and not the pluralistic melting pot Mr. Obama represents.

The debate over the proposed Islamic center in Manhattan only intensified on Saturday, as the conservative blogosphere lighted up with criticism of Mr. Obama, and leading Republicans — including Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker; Representative John A. Boehner, the House minority leader; and Representative Peter T. King of New York — forcefully rejected the president’s stance.

Mr. Gingrich accused the president of “pandering to radical Islam.” Mr. Boehner said the decision to build a mosque so close to ground zero was “deeply troubling, as is the president’s decision to endorse it.” And Mr. King flatly said the president “is wrong,” adding that Mr. Obama had “caved in to political correctness.”

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/15/us/politics/15mosque.html?_r=1&src=me

[Cirque du So-What]

1. First Amendment to the Constitution:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Why do conservatroids hate the Constitution & America?

[spartan61]

2. Oh, but they do believe in "Freedom of Religion,"...

as long it is the "Christian" religion.

[Phx_Dem]

17. Obviously, the 1st amendment needs to be repealed along with the 14th amendment.

Or maybe just amended so it applies only Christians.

:sarcasm:

That'll be the next GOP meme.

[704wipes]

26. if patriotic rich Repubs don't want it there - they could buy the site

Republicans are ALL rich.
Everything is for sale.
Make them an offer for the site in $$amounts they couldn't refuse if you are so damn worried.

[JohnnyLib2]

3. Recommended -- because we will hear more, much more.

Good call in a tough spot.

[jaxx]

4. The repukes hope it's a blunder

and are doing everything they can to spread the Islamic fear factor. They think god will like them better if they're loud mouthed assholes.

[CJCRANE]

5. "...he chose a side". Yes, the side of the Constitution.

The rest is a non-story IMO.

[impik]

6. That's how it should be, but if you've seen NY newspapes yesterday

it was scary. The headlines were stunning. Racism and fear in full speed.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

23. the press should be ashamed of itself!

[Billy Burnett]

7. Listen to The Chancellor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhsvmY3Q9cY

[yourout]

8. Time to play the reverse fear card. Call us a nation of cowards.

If one dinkly little mosque is going to bring us to our knees then.......we are a nation of cowards.

[Steely_Dan]

15. Your Post....

is much more profound than I think people realize.

It's sort of similar to what I have written here many times...

Any time we give up a freedom in the name of security, the terrorists have won.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

24. it's not even a real Mosque it's a cultural center

[blueworld]

9. I think he handled this brilliantly - perfectly, in fact.

Gingrich is a completely dishonest asshole who knows more about pandering than any other politician I can think of. Boner etc...sigh. I'll save my breath.

Although the point is way above & beyond comprehension for those bigots, the US is country of laws that apply to all citizens. The laws are the great equalizer, otherwise this country is nothing. The President refused to address any "wisdom of the decision" - perfect. Opinions are irrelevant.

Only the freakin' GOP thinks that laws should depend on who or what they like. And they idiotically & repeatedly tie Islam in with terrorism.

Every Democratic politician should stand up & applaud him publicly, IMO. And memo to the NYT: who gives a flying rat's ass if he IS a closet Muslim???

[jenmito]

10. The media and Repubs. are claiming Obama "backed off" his comments made Friday night but

he did no such thing. He was asked a question Saturday by a reporter and he reiterated what he said-this is America and Muslims, like anyone else, have the right to build a place to worship even 2 blocks from Ground Zero. He never said he thinks they should or shouldn't-only that they have every right to do it.

Some Repubs. said they don't think Muslims should be allowed to build any more mosques ANYWHERE in America-let alone in NY.

[Whisp]

30. ha! it wasn't only the media and the Pugs...

you should have seen here last night!!! LOL.



:wow:

[backscatter712]

11. Could Obama be thinking a few moves ahead?

Step 1: Do the right thing and tell the world that the people who own the property and want to build Cordoba House have freedom of religion like everyone else, and have the right to be there.

Step 2: Watch Sarah Palin and all the other right-wing howler monkeys screech - it's only a matter of time before they say something truly stupid.

Step 3: PROFIT!!!

[JBoy]

12. The right wing thinks the Constitution is like the Bible

They like to say it should always be followed literally, until it comes time to address more difficult subjects. Then it should only be used to the extent that it supports their position.

[cilla4progress]

13. 'Zactly!

That they don't see their own hypocrisy is stunning to me. Demonstrates their stupidity!

[Arkana]

14. This isn't as bad an article as the headline makes it seem--the first few sentences

will bear me out on that.

[impik]

16. No, it's not bad, it's actually good

Shows you what political risk Obama took and how dearly he might pay for doing the right thing.

[denimgirly]

18. It only Helps Obama -- If it weren't Campaign Season though i doubt he would have come out

Campaign season always makes democrats progressives and so Obama coming out on Friday was expected....normally though Obama tends to avoid such things and usaully see what the right wants him to do and go that direction. I was actually a bit surprised on Friday when he came out until i realized the campaign season had begun...what i wasnt surprised at was the slight back-step on Saturday since Obama tends to want to be viewed as center-right.

Either way, i enjoy campaign season and seeing democrats act progressive.

[indepat]

19. Newty, maybe those who didn't pursue the prosecution of those funding radical Islam (9-11) are the

the ones actually pandering to radical Islam, you worthless, duplicitous, sanctimonious, mendacious, hypocritical, and reichous bloated piece of smelly (deleted to protect the innocent). :P

[old mark]

20. That "Hussein" thing again...I bet the extreme RWers are foaming at the mouth....

"See, I TOLD you he's a Muslin!"


:crazy:

mark

[Beacool]

21. How about Obama's follow-up comments on Friday?

"I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making the decision to put a mosque there. I was commenting very specifically on the right people have that dates back to our founding," he said.

Well, that's precisely what has people up in arms. No one is saying that they don't have a right to build a mosque. Heck, there are dozens of mosques all over NYC. What people are objecting to is a mosque being built 2 blocks from Ground Zero.

Unlike most here who were not directly affected by the events of that day, let me tell you that some of us have mixed feelings about the whole thing. I was coming out of the PATH train underneath the North Tower that morning (my train was the next to last one to make it into the WTC). It already had been hit by the first plane. I saw enough people jump out of windows to last me a lifetime. The 2nd plane hit the South Tower directly across the street from where I was standing shortly after and I thought that we were all going to die.

Therefore, I think that I have more right than most on the blogs to opine on the subject. The head is saying that it's not a big deal, that it may even help in building mutual trust and understanding. The heart is saying, "Hell, no!!!!". Depending on the day, the heart wins over the head. I think that the survivors and families of the deceased are having the same mixed emotions and their views should also be respected.

At this point I'm going with the flow, but I would like to know how is this multi-million dollar project going to be financed. If the money is not tied to any dubious groups, then let them build it.

:(

[scheming daemons]

25. You're letting your fear, the most base of emotions, control your opinion on this....

...just as the right wing wants.



You have succumbed to the RW "fear" card.



RADICAL Islamic terrorists crashed into the WTC that day.


By letting your "heart" rule your head in this matter, you are implicitly saying that the world's 1 billion muslims are responsible for the actions of 19 of them.


Do you want to be held responsible for every action taken by the most radical fringe of YOUR religion?



The GOP *WANTS* you using your heart instead of your head when you vote this November.


They succeeded with you.

[Beacool]

31. This is not about left or right, it's about human emotions.

In 1986 The Catholic church planned to build a convent near Auschwitz. The ensuing outcry convinced the church to build the convent somewhere else. It was considered by Jewish groups to be an affront to the memory of the people killed by the Nazis. The current situation is very similar.

There's no right or wrong here, people in NY have a right to voice their opinion. I just wish that the rest of the country would bud out and let the locals decide what is best for the community as a whole.

BTW, there's already a mosque in the Downtown area. It's on Warren St. and it has been there for more than 40 years.

[Jennicut]

27. Lots of my family was effected as well, they live in NYC (I live in Connecticut).

I really feel that there are all types of people in one religion and just as not all Christians (and I am one) are crazy nutso fundies, not all Muslims are terrorists. I feel the pain of some there but fear need not run your life.

[Beacool]

32. Of course most Muslims are not terrorists.

I think that people are aware of that fact. It's not about fear of another attack, but rather a feeling that it's a slap in the face to those who died that day (including some who were Muslim) to construct the mosque so near Ground Zero. Are people wrong to feel that way, who knows? I sure don't..........

:-(

[TheKentuckian]

28. So no Christian churches in the vicinity of Dr Tiller's Christian church

Just not wise?

[cbayer]

22. impik,

Please be aware that we require the posting of copyrighted material to be limited to four paragraphs with a link.

Thanks,

cbayer
DU Moderator

[Wilms]

29. I thought this would be a thread about torture, wiretapping, assassinating citizens, etc.

But I just love the thread with the smiley pictures of the first family, and I always recommend the ones wishing them all Happy Birthday.

After all, I'm a sycophant.