"Ground Zero" mosque approved, Obama supports

[Vervaria]

He should have pulled an Ike and ignored it all together.

Because ignoring problems makes them go away, always.

[Vervaria]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-10973459

Obama defends right to build mosque near 9/11 site

US President Barack Obama has staunchly defended controversial plans to build a mosque near Ground Zero in New York.

Opponents have protested against the construction of an Islamic cultural centre and mosque several hundred feet away from the site of the Twin Towers.

Mr Obama acknowledged "sensitivities" surround the 9/11 site, but said Muslims have the same right to practise their religion "as anyone else".

"Our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable," Mr Obama said.

Since a New York developer announced plans to build a 13-storey Islamic community centre and mosque about two blocks from the former World Trade Center site, prominent Republican politicians and a host of conservative pundits have attacked the project.

Some relatives of people killed in the terror attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001 are also opposed to the plan.
'Stab in the heart'

In a speech at a White House dinner celebrating Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, Mr Obama waded into the row, saying:

"We must all recognise and respect the sensitivities surrounding the development of lower Manhattan, Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground. But let me be clear, as a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practise their religion as anyone else in this country.
The proposed mosque site in New York The site of the proposed mosque is about two blocks from the former World Trade Center

"That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community centre on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances. This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable. 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."

He told the group of US Congressmen, government officials and foreign dignitaries that America's tradition of religious tolerance distinguishes it from "our enemies".

"Al-Qaeda's cause is not Islam," he said, "it is a gross distortion of Islam".

Until now Mr Obama had not commented on the mosque row, with the White House saying that the matter was a local issue.

In voicing his support for the right to build the centre, Mr Obama joins New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who had been the only prominent politician to endorse it.

Opponents of the building project have called for investigations into its backers and financing. In New York, opponents sought unsuccessfully to have the building currently at the mosque site granted landmark protection status, in an effort to hinder development.

Former US House of Representatives speaker Newt Gingrich dubbed the plan an "assertion of Islamist triumphalism" and has denounced it in speeches.

Former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin wrote that "to build a mosque at Ground Zero is a stab in the heart of the families of the innocent victims of those horrific attacks".

Proving at last that he is a Kenyan Muslim, Obama publicly disagreed with Republicans and right wing talking-heads while at dinner with his comrade Muslims.

But seriously, was it wise for Obama to weigh in on this? Personally I think that if the White House had kept its mouth shut for too much longer it would start to get questionable. Clearly this story has worked up national attention. Whether this will help or hurt Obama is obviously hard to say. So naturally NSG already knows.

I read somewhere that the people wanting to build the Mosque don't own the property they want to build it on.

I read somewhere that John McCain was actually a Vietnamese Manchurian candidate.

I read somewhere that that was just one of Obama's secret Muslim schemes.

I read somewhere that the Russians have bear cavalry.

[American Capitalist]

In my opinion he should have just stayed out of it and not give an answer either way. It's not like it matter either way there's no legal way to stop the mosque from being built. Outrage at this sort of thing just seem stupid if you really don't want it being built there raise some money and try to buy it.

[Tekania]

He is traitor for supporting the victory mosque.

Supporting people's first amendment rights is treason now?

[Juristonia]

I read somewhere that the Russians have bear cavalry.

They totally would've won the cold war if they did.

[Tellend]

He is traitor for supporting the victory mosque.

Did you know that most Muslims are against Al-Qaeda?
Shocking, I know!

Most hate Israel and the Jews, though, and few oppose terrorism against Israel. 'Cause that's different.

Have you even talked to a Muslim in real life?
Because it sounds like you're just rattling off stereotypes.

Is what I said false?

Quite clearly.

Clearly? How? You have poll numbers or something? Do you know any Muslims?

*sigh* Number/Logic game time.

There were approx. 18,200,000 soldiers of Nazi Germany (just soldiers). (source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_army)
There are approx. 1,000 members of Al-Qaeda. (source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaeda)

There are approx. 2.2 billion Christians in the world. (Fewer in WWII, like, way fewer. Like this is bigger than the whole world pop. at the time. Which will make my percentage way smaller than reality.) (source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity)
There are approx. 1.57 billion Muslims in the world. (source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam)

Therefore, in 1941 there were about 0.8% of the Christian population were Nazi soldiers (like, guys you don't feel bad killing in video games)(this percentage should be larger, but I'm too lazy to find the actual number of Christians in 1940)

Also, currently about 0.0000006% of muslims are members of Al-Qaeda.

.8>.0000006

Therefore, since we like to equate muslims with Al-Qaeda, We may also equate all christians in the 30s and 40s with Nazis.

Wait.. that doesn't work. I KNOW that my grama is no Nazi (not sure about great uncle Bill)... could this mean that *gasp* muslim=/=Al-Qaeda? What a revelation! Yeah, I know that doesn't include Al-Qaeda supporters, but it also doesn't include Nazi supporters.

[Wa no Kuni]

In my opinion he should have just stayed out of it and not give an answer either way. It's not like it matter either way there's no legal way to stop the mosque from being built. Outrage at this sort of thing just seem stupid if you really don't want it being built there raise some money and try to buy it.

Yeah, how are we going to raise $100 million dollars?

They even won't reveal who is financing this fucking thing.

[Ashmoria]

What if there are?
Doesn't change the fact that they have the legal right to build it where they are building it.
Or are you against property rights and freedom of religion?
Why do you hate America?

again please show the reasoning that being against this mosque being built there means I hate America?

The US stands for freedom of religion and freedom to own property, right?
Here, you are showing your dislike for those values, therefore showing your dislike for the US.

Ignore or not ignore?

ignore him because he is right?

[Tekania]

I'm not really sure why we allow Republicans and Tea Baggers to speak against this Mosque, I mean, I know this country was built on freedom of speech and religion; but come on...

Honestly I'm glad we allow them to speak, it makes it alot easier to point out the idiots among us.

I was humorously making a jab relating to Eric Cantor's interview when asked about the Mosque.

[American Capitalist]

In my opinion he should have just stayed out of it and not give an answer either way. It's not like it matter either way there's no legal way to stop the mosque from being built. Outrage at this sort of thing just seem stupid if you really don't want it being built there raise some money and try to buy it.

Yeah, how are we going to raise $100 million dollars?

They even won't reveal who is financing this fucking think.

Well that's the only legal thing to do you it's not the governments job to stop a mosque from being built. How would you feel if the Government stopped a Christian Church from being built?

[Wa no Kuni]

He is traitor for supporting the victory mosque.

Did you know that most Muslims are against Al-Qaeda?
Shocking, I know!

Most hate Israel and the Jews, though, and few oppose terrorism against Israel. 'Cause that's different.

Have you even talked to a Muslim in real life?
Because it sounds like you're just rattling off stereotypes.

Is what I said false?

Quite clearly.

Clearly? How? You have poll numbers or something? Do you know any Muslims?

*sigh* Number/Logic game time.

There were approx. 18,200,000 soldiers of Nazi Germany (just soldiers). (source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_army)
There are approx. 1,000 members of Al-Qaeda. (source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaeda)

There are approx. 2.2 billion Christians in the world. (Fewer in WWII, like, way fewer. Like this is bigger than the whole world pop. at the time. Which will make my percentage way smaller than reality.) (source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity)
There are approx. 1.57 billion Muslims in the world. (source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam)

Therefore, in 1941 there were about 0.8% of the Christian population were Nazi soldiers (like, guys you don't feel bad killing in video games)(this percentage should be larger, but I'm too lazy to find the actual number of Christians in 1940)

Also, currently about 0.0000006% of muslims are members of Al-Qaeda.

.8>.0000006

Therefore, since we like to equate muslims with Al-Qaeda, We may also equate all christians in the 30s and 40s with Nazis.

Wait.. that doesn't work. I KNOW that my grama is no Nazi (not sure about great uncle Bill)... could this mean that *gasp* muslim=/=Al-Qaeda? What a revelation! Yeah, I know that doesn't include Al-Qaeda supporters, but it also doesn't include Nazi supporters.

1. Wikipedia is not a source.
2. The 1,000 membership was from 2001, has definitly grown since then.
3. What about the hundreds of other islamic terrorist groups? Al-Qaeda is not the only one.

Your numbers are way off.

[Juristonia]

Yeah, how are we going to raise $100 million dollars?

They even won't reveal who is financing this fucking think.

Good. As the legal owners of the land they're under no legal obligation to provide that kind of info.
Nor do they have to sell the land to anyone else, regardless of how much they're offered because it's their land and they decide what to do with it.

[Vervaria]

He is traitor for supporting the victory mosque.

Did you know that most Muslims are against Al-Qaeda?
Shocking, I know!

Most hate Israel and the Jews, though, and few oppose terrorism against Israel. 'Cause that's different.

Have you even talked to a Muslim in real life?
Because it sounds like you're just rattling off stereotypes.

Is what I said false?

Quite clearly.

Clearly? How? You have poll numbers or something? Do you know any Muslims?

*sigh* Number/Logic game time.

There were approx. 18,200,000 soldiers of Nazi Germany (just soldiers). (source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_army)
There are approx. 1,000 members of Al-Qaeda. (source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaeda)

There are approx. 2.2 billion Christians in the world. (Fewer in WWII, like, way fewer. Like this is bigger than the whole world pop. at the time. Which will make my percentage way smaller than reality.) (source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity)
There are approx. 1.57 billion Muslims in the world. (source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam)

Therefore, in 1941 there were about 0.8% of the Christian population were Nazi soldiers (like, guys you don't feel bad killing in video games)(this percentage should be larger, but I'm too lazy to find the actual number of Christians in 1940)

Also, currently about 0.0000006% of muslims are members of Al-Qaeda.

.8>.0000006

Therefore, since we like to equate muslims with Al-Qaeda, We may also equate all christians in the 30s and 40s with Nazis.

Wait.. that doesn't work. I KNOW that my grama is no Nazi (not sure about great uncle Bill)... could this mean that *gasp* muslim=/=Al-Qaeda? What a revelation! Yeah, I know that doesn't include Al-Qaeda supporters, but it also doesn't include Nazi supporters.

1. Wikipedia is not a source.
2. The 1,000 membership was from 2001, has definitly grown since then.
3. What about the hundreds of other islamic terrorist groups? Al-Qaeda is not the only one.

Your numbers are way off.

YOU ARE WRONG BECAUSE I SAID SO DURR HURR.

[Wa no Kuni]

In my opinion he should have just stayed out of it and not give an answer either way. It's not like it matter either way there's no legal way to stop the mosque from being built. Outrage at this sort of thing just seem stupid if you really don't want it being built there raise some money and try to buy it.

Yeah, how are we going to raise $100 million dollars?

They even won't reveal who is financing this fucking think.

Well that's the only legal thing to do you it's not the governments job to stop a mosque from being built. How would you feel if the Government stopped a Christian Church from being built?

I couldn't care less.

[Vervaria]

Yeah, how are we going to raise $100 million dollars?

They even won't reveal who is financing this fucking think.

Good. As the legal owners of the land they're under no legal obligation to provide that kind of info.
Nor do they have to sell the land to anyone else, regardless of how much they're offered because it's their land and they decide what to do with it.

Muslims have privacy too? What is this madness?

[Ashmoria]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-10973459

Obama defends right to build mosque near 9/11 site

US President Barack Obama has staunchly defended controversial plans to build a mosque near Ground Zero in New York.

Opponents have protested against the construction of an Islamic cultural centre and mosque several hundred feet away from the site of the Twin Towers.

Mr Obama acknowledged "sensitivities" surround the 9/11 site, but said Muslims have the same right to practise their religion "as anyone else".

"Our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable," Mr Obama said.

Since a New York developer announced plans to build a 13-storey Islamic community centre and mosque about two blocks from the former World Trade Center site, prominent Republican politicians and a host of conservative pundits have attacked the project.

Some relatives of people killed in the terror attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001 are also opposed to the plan.
'Stab in the heart'

In a speech at a White House dinner celebrating Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, Mr Obama waded into the row, saying:

"We must all recognise and respect the sensitivities surrounding the development of lower Manhattan, Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground. But let me be clear, as a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practise their religion as anyone else in this country.
The proposed mosque site in New York The site of the proposed mosque is about two blocks from the former World Trade Center

"That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community centre on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances. This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable. 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."

He told the group of US Congressmen, government officials and foreign dignitaries that America's tradition of religious tolerance distinguishes it from "our enemies".

"Al-Qaeda's cause is not Islam," he said, "it is a gross distortion of Islam".

Until now Mr Obama had not commented on the mosque row, with the White House saying that the matter was a local issue.

In voicing his support for the right to build the centre, Mr Obama joins New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who had been the only prominent politician to endorse it.

Opponents of the building project have called for investigations into its backers and financing. In New York, opponents sought unsuccessfully to have the building currently at the mosque site granted landmark protection status, in an effort to hinder development.

Former US House of Representatives speaker Newt Gingrich dubbed the plan an "assertion of Islamist triumphalism" and has denounced it in speeches.

Former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin wrote that "to build a mosque at Ground Zero is a stab in the heart of the families of the innocent victims of those horrific attacks".

Proving at last that he is a Kenyan Muslim, Obama publicly disagreed with Republicans and right wing talking-heads while at dinner with his comrade Muslims.

But seriously, was it wise for Obama to weigh in on this? Personally I think that if the White House had kept its mouth shut for too much longer it would start to get questionable. Clearly this story has worked up national attention. Whether this will help or hurt Obama is obviously hard to say. So naturally NSG already knows.

I read somewhere that the people wanting to build the Mosque don't own the property they want to build it on.

I read somewhere that John McCain was actually a Vietnamese Manchurian candidate.

ohmygod i read that too!

[EvilDarkMagicians]

He should have pulled an Ike and ignored it all together.

The POTUS shouldn't of declared support for following the law?

[Vervaria]

I'm not really sure why we allow Republicans and Tea Baggers to speak against this Mosque, I mean, I know this country was built on freedom of speech and religion; but come on...

Honestly I'm glad we allow them to speak, it makes it alot easier to point out the idiots among us.

I was humorously making a jab relating to Eric Cantor's interview when asked about the Mosque.

That man is a embarrassment to my state.

[Dungia]

The Anti-Mosque brigade annoys me so much I would fully support building the biggest Mosque in History right on Ground Zero.

[Tekania]

I'm not really sure why we allow Republicans and Tea Baggers to speak against this Mosque, I mean, I know this country was built on freedom of speech and religion; but come on...

Honestly I'm glad we allow them to speak, it makes it alot easier to point out the idiots among us.

agaain that is not the issue.

you like the idiot mayor of NYC seem to think this is the ONLY mosque in NYC and it HAS to be built at the 9-11 site

It's not being built "at the 9-11 site". It's being built on Park (in fact the site is officially being called Park51 now) 2 blocks away.

[Militsia]

I neighter agree nor disagree, but I can understand why he would want to stand behind the muslim faith, since he was raised to be one.

[Wamitoria]

I neighter agree nor disagree, but I can understand why he would want to stand behind the muslim faith, since he was raised to be one.

I would rant here, but I would totally get banned.

[Enadail]

In my opinion he should have just stayed out of it and not give an answer either way. It's not like it matter either way there's no legal way to stop the mosque from being built. Outrage at this sort of thing just seem stupid if you really don't want it being built there raise some money and try to buy it.

Yeah, how are we going to raise $100 million dollars?

They even won't reveal who is financing this fucking think.

... fucking... think?

And it doesn't matter who it is funding it, unless its from an illegal source, or one hoping to do harm to the US. See, here in America, we have this little thing called "innocent until proven guilty". When someone finds evidence that a source of their income links them to some crime, criminal intent, etc, then we can prosecute, just as we would anyone else. Until then, they are free to do as they like, tell us or not.

As for how they're going to raise it: fundraising, easy answer. People will donate, other mosques will donate, and it'll be collected. We don't ask where a megachurch is getting its money to built from, and hell, some of that money comes from pretty dubious sources as well as far as I'm concerned. But since I can't prove it, they're free to build it. Its kinda that whole "freedom" thing we love in the US so much. (By the way... revealing who's financing it before someone is financing it is kind of hard...)

[Wa no Kuni]

I neighter agree nor disagree, but I can understand why he would want to stand behind the muslim faith, since he was raised to be one.

I would rant here, but I would totally get banned.

Then do us all a favor and rant away.

[Wamitoria]

I neighter agree nor disagree, but I can understand why he would want to stand behind the muslim faith, since he was raised to be one.

I would rant here, but I would totally get banned.

Then do us all a favor and rant away.

Hehe... You're so funny...