Posted on 08/14/2010 6:35:21 AM PDT by Kaslin
Two words. Unforced error:
President Barack Obama on Friday endorsed plans for a Muslim mosque two blocks from ground zero in New York City, declaring that “Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country.”In remarks prepared for delivery at a White House dinner celebrating the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Obama said all Americans have the right to worship as they choose.
“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, Obama said. “This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable.”
Obama emphasized the point as New York City is immersed in a deeply sensitive debate about whether a mosque should be built near the site of the World Trade Center’s twin towers.
It was the president’s first remarks about the mosque controversy. The White House previously called the matter solely a local one.
At the dinner attended by two Muslim-American congressmen, Obama acknowledged that hot-fire emotions the planned mosque and cultural center have stoked.
“Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground,” the president said.
“But let me be clear: as a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country. 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.
Obama said Islam is not the enemy, al-Qaida is.
The White House was much better off declaring the Cordoba House a local issue. By wading into this, if conservatives weren’t already fired up, ready to go (to coin a phrase) this November, they will be now after reading this. And as Jon of the Exurban League blog adds on Twitter, the president “even wading into the issue feeds the ‘out of touch elite’ meme. Can’t wait to see how this is framed by Drudge, Fox, etc.”
Speaking of Fox, Greg Gutfeld should likely have plenty of fun with this latest development.
Meanwhile, at Pajamas HQ, Anne Bayefsky explores a possible “Iranian Connection to the Cordoba House Ground Zero Mosque?”
Elsewhere, Blogger “Yid with Lid” has related thoughts that are well worth reading.
Update: At Commentary, Jennifer Rubin has a quote from Rep. Peter King (R-NY) and then her own thoughts:
Rep. Peter King is the first elected official to respond, with this statement:
“President Obama is wrong. 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. The right and moral thing for President Obama to have done was to urge Muslim leaders to respect the families of those who died and move their mosque away from Ground Zero. Unfortunately the President caved into political correctness.”
Obama has shown his true sentiments now, after weeks of concealing them, on an issue of deep significance to not only the families and loved ones of 3000 slaughtered Americans but of the vast majority of his fellow citizens. He has once again revealed himself to be divorced from the values and concerns of his countrymen. He is entirely – and to many Americans, horridly — a creature of the left with little ability to make moral distinctions. He sympathies for the Muslim World take precedence over those, such as they are, for his fellow citizens. This is nothing short of an abomination.
More reaction as it comes in. Speaking of which, as always, feel free to have a “Shout-Out,” as the president would say, in the comments below.
Flashback: “Obama White House ordered coverup of religious symbols for Georgetown speech.”
Related: I’d say this question has now been definitively answered.
Related: As the link on the National Review page to Victor Davis Hanson’s latest op-ed reads, “These days, an insular yuppie as president may not be the Democrats’ best asset.”
And how.
Related: Josh Trevino quips, “Man, and we threw out Jimmy Carter just for telling us to wear sweaters.”
Heh.™
More: Blogger “Irish Spy” tweets, “I wonder how many D candidates are facepalming right about now, knowing they’ll be asked if they agree w/their leader on the GZM?”
Update: Glenn Reynolds adds, “It’s the return of the ‘damning but.’” Meanwhile, Jon of the Exurban League has “an uncomfortable thought:”
Imagine yourself on the evening of Sept. 11, 2001.
As you sat there in shock, what if someone had told you that in 10 years, the World Trade Center would still be a crater. However, just off of Ground Zero, a gigantic, 13-story mosque would be erected. A mosque endorsed by President Barack Hussein Obama.
You would have thought we had lost a war, wouldn’t you?
Note the first comment to Jon’s post.
A drone.
Yes. And he knows exactly why they are building it there. He is one despicable human being.
This remark can be interpreted two ways. Many of our enemies no doubt perceive this site as sacred in the context of a holy war conquest.
Per my Comment 12.
Reagan: Tear down this wall!
Obama: Build this Mosque!
What a comparison between these two men. Advisors told Reagan NOT to give that speech, that it was insulting. Reagan gave it anyway.
Could anyone imagine Obama giving such a speech (like Reagan’s “tear down this wall”) to the Muslims to NOT build this Mosque?
Obama should be a one termer.
Given the likely infusion of over 25-50 million illegals added to the voter rolls plus the myriad and sundry perpetual ‘victim’ leeches that suck the life’s blood from our work, I’d say there’s a really good chance this asshole will get re-elected. The key is to make his 2nd term a term of NO, NO, HELL NO MUSLIM!...force him to issue 1000 executive orders and then defund his ass. Stonewall EVERY appointment he makes and every budget he submits. Defund the Federal Judiciary. Bring the whole damn thing to a halt.
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He meant: “Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground...think of those Muslim martyrs who gave their lives to create it."
Is there not some way to get Peter King to run for President??!
“Obama said Islam is not the enemy, al-Qaida is.”
Obama is the enemy
Obama never says anything positive, complimentary or respectful about our country and its way of life. All we hear from him is criticism and blame. Reagan, on the other hand, truely loved and honored America.
Reagan left office with dignity and pride. Obama will depart with disgrace and bitterness.
Obamosque
There, repaired it, because you can't fix stupid..
“Obama said Islam is not the enemy, al-Qaida is.”
al-Qaeda is little more than “the hand” of the “enemy”. One of but many “hands”.
The true “heart of the enemy” lies elsewhere.
Where does it exist?
He said: “Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground...” .
It’s not hallowed by him, the bum. He could care less about our defending ourselves against our sworn enemies.
bump
It is very important that we take the House back and reduce the rats super majority in the Senate until we can put them in the hole for a long time
Yeah, I don’t believe for one second that “12 million” lowball estimate for illegals. Based on what I see, my own estimate is 30M and growing. And in 2012 I would not put it past Obama’s DOJ to criminalize any ID checks at polling places. They want these people voting to make the US a permanent clientocracy.
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