Obama throws support behind controversial Islamic center

[What is your VIEW on this event?
I side with the president 100% as all Americans should side with.
Last time I checked this was america with a constitutional right of freedom of religion.]

I second that notion! Have you thought of being a Civil Rights Attorney or an Immigration Attorney, a politician or maybe an elected official? I think you would be really great!

@Jed Fad
I'm actually planning on becoming a lawyer one day. And yes I will cover immigration as well as many other things.

@Irma Robinson
How can they use this against him? He taught a constitutional law court at University of Chicago, I'm sure his knows the constitutional very distinctively. This has nothing to do w/ a church. This has everything to do with the first amendment of freedom of religion. The first immigrations came to this country in wants of freedom of religion to escape pressures of going against their personal beliefs.
The constitution does not say "Freedom of Religion EXCEPT Islam.

Thank you Omosede. Glad to see it.

I have been posting similar articles for over a week now, including a couip0le of hysterically funny segments from the Daily Show. Are you a fan?

I hope you check them out.

I am about to post another one, right above yours.

Sad to say, the mosque is unpopular among American voters. I agree with you that the opposition is entirely based on fantasy and fear.

What we need is reason and truth.

Richard,
Everything in-regards to conservative motives is fear.
The president is a former attorney at law and professor in constitutional law. He knows the law, he knows what has to be done, whether it be popular or not. It was the right thing to do period.
If Republicans tried to use this against him it would backfire, because he wasnt doing anything unconstitutional he wasnt doing anything illegal. What do they have?... As if Muslim Americans didnt die on ground zero.

My concern is that fear is irrational--and yet it is a powerful motivator for behavior, even if it is inappropriate.

As it stands now, a whopping majority--something like 70% of the nation--is against this mosque.

A commentator in the New Yorker made an interesting observation. The closer you live to the Ground Zero site, the more likely you are to be in favor of the Mosque project. The local downtown resident? Strongly in favor. The local community board for that neighborhood voted 29-1 to green light the project. the only objections came from people who do not live there.

A small majority of New Yorkers are gainst the project by something like 52 -48.

Out there in the rest of the country, country, the approval/disapproval ratio is something like 70-30 against.

The reasoning of opponents is specious and devoid of factual basis. The main argument they are using is "sensitivity". Many opponents defend the right to build the mosque on Constitutional grounds. Then they totally undermine the constitution by claiming that it would be "insensitive".

That argument doesn't hold up either since the Imam has long been a voice of peace and reason and has often and strongly condemned violence. And the proposal includes a memorial to the vicims of 9/11. Clearly, they are making efforts to display sensitivity to those who need it.

The bottom line here--fear may just win out. The reasonable voices need to make theimselves heard.

My only comment would be I wish the president would be consistently pro constitution, and not pick and choose where he will uphold the constitution and where he will not. Specifically with respect to separation of powers, i.e, congress being the constitutionally appointed body for enacting legislation and declaring war.

Being a constitutional lawyer is an entirely different thing than upholding the constitution.

As commander-in-chief he should immediately withdraw troops from Afghanistan and Iraq, as these are unconstitutional wars. I think this is a much bigger issue than where a mosque is or is not built.

Teach us Baby Scholar:: Omosede O.
you have a beautiful mind.....

[As if Muslim Americans didnt die on ground zero. ]

Absolutely! It makes me feel as if Americans are saying to Muslim Americans that the deaths of their loved one and friends counted for nothing. How selfish is that?!

Really, I wonder how many mosques we've destroyed in Afghanistan and Iraq? Not to mention all the lives we've taken. It is just so the American Way to focus on some little tiny (perceived) evil to take the focus off True Evil.

Clark, I don't listen to the GOP. I might listen to some on the right depending how you define the right. My son calls me a lib. Anyway these are just my thoughts. Just like I told my sons immediately, on the very day, 911, we should not retaliate.

It don't matter who started the wars, the were not constitutionally declared, and President Obama therefore has the constitutional authority to bring every single soldier home, today if he so chooses.

Regarding legislation, why do the right call health care ObamaCare? Because from the start it was his baby. He didn't legislate it, but it is his baby no? He didn't do anything unconstitutional, but it reflects on the American public that they see the office of the President as more of a Monarchy than the executive office of a Republic.

Clark,

Of all the Presidents in my lifetime, the one I truly despise is George Bush Jr.

I love that Obama is African American, but by God, I wish he weren't a Democrat.

The polarization of the politics in our society is horrendous.

But I have to hold any President accountable to the people and the constitution. He plays ball right? He knows the rules of the game. He's a constitutional lawyer. He knows the rules of governance of this country.

He does not deserve, and should not be, demonized.

But he should not be a mere front man. That is beneath his office. He should unite this country. He should do the right thing morally. He should bring home the troops. He should not print play money. He should focus on education. He should focus on redistribution of opportunity, not redistribution of wealth.

I expect the same of any President. And I expect the same of Congress.

And I expect some common sense of the American people.

Maybe I expect too much.

Clark, no, I don't think the office of the President has been corrupted, and yes, it does matter who is in that office. And I would rather see Mr. Obama in office than who the Republicans have to put forward. They won't put forward Ron Paul, and that is telling too.

I don't think it's even about the whole system being corrupt. What I think is that the American people are getting played. But who is responsible when one gets played, the player or the played?

What if there was a national revolt, a mass decision to not vote for any of these players. That situation is covered in the constitution. Can you imagine the havoc if the politicians had to decide among themselves who was to rule? And would we be any worse off if we abandoned the illusion that we the people are in control?

I know I'm getting out there, but this situation is becoming intolerable.

A mosque at ground zero. To the muslims, it will mean a victory !

Victory of what? Victory for who?

The Imam behind the mosque repudiates the rigid fundamentalist view of Islam.

The Cordoba House is envisioned as a place of PEACE.

So it is then a victory for PEACE.

It certainly is not a victory for the fanatical Muslims who want to destroy the US. That brand of Islam will have no representation in this particular mosque.

It IS a victory for the uniquely American value of religioius tolerance.

It IS a victory for Muslim-Americans, especially those who believe in the American way of life.

He's just trying to get your goat Rich.

An Islaamic Center and Prayer Hall

The term "Mosque," is a denigrating french term used in algeria against Believers, during colonization.

I agree with the beautiful posting by Omosede O.; steve's rationale, clarks scholarship and the Intelligence of Our Leader President Baraka Hussein Obama.

Islaamic Center?--

islaamic is english transliteration of an arabic/hebrew/aramaic root word, meaning the way of Life of The Creator for The Family of Adaam.---

debate is a way of Life for men---paganChristians would not put and have not put up a Spiritual Center in lower Manhattan because it would not be 'economically - advantageous' -'bad return on investment'.

If; Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and His wife; Daisy Khan have decided that economics are insignificant to Great learning, respect and unity of The Family of Adaam ; and is more important than land development rate of returns in Manhattan--

we all should applaud this Great American Family.......

Robert, I had not thought to see you for some time yet, but it's a blessing to hear your thoughts at this time. I had gone off on a rant, too much the cynic. You brought me back to one man can only do the good it is in his power to do, and to appreciate the good in this one action by our President, instead of only the Evil that remains. And that it is not as Jamal says, a victory for Islam, but rather a lesson and leadership for the nation.

The world's giant step, would be greater if Americans read The Constitution, Bill of Rights and the 10 Commandmants......

Clark, our youth are our only hope. We see more wisdom from the young people on this site than most of the elders. If our youth maintain their idealism and don't fall into the trap of dogma as they age, then there is hope yet. It may be that with the technology to communicate directly, rather than listening to the mass media, the source of powerful propaganda, that they will create a better world. Time will tell.

On BIA here, look at all the fussing and fighting. We as the elders should use this site for teaching, not this constant ranting about religion, new nations, and back and forth insults. It is not teaching a very good example for our youth. Maybe that's why we don't hear more from them.

But we do have the beautiful Ms. Omosede O as an example.

Clark, I'd like to hear about the march 10/2.

...anyone know how against war our president isor do we just over look going on the computer and finding what he said about not going to war...lets see....WE blame him because he could not stop war before it began and now after it had been going on for 6-7 years before he became president we blame his also...

but, this is america right the sme country we have freedom of religion in?!?
(smile)

HOw many americans died just for being at work, being at a party to celebrate or just sitting in their own homes in thepast week, month, year...WAKE UP AMERICA AND STOP THE BLAME GAME...AMERICA IS AT WAR WITH ISLAM, OWN UP TOIT...THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ SURELY DID NOTHING AGAINST AMERICA...THE COUNTRY OF IRAN HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING AGAINST US BUT WHAT ABOUT BP???

OH THAT SON'T MATTER BECAUSE OUR PRESIDENT IS IN TROUBLE MORE SO THAN BP ISN'T HE...OR GOING TOPLAY GOLF...P-L-E-A-S-E!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (NUP) OH, THAT RIGHT HE IS ALSO A BAD PARENT...

@sTEVE, iF OUR PRESIDENT COULD MAKE law, HE WOULD NOT BE A PRESIDENT, HE WOULD BE A DICTATOR, KING, ECT. BUT NOT A PRESIDENT...

CONGRESS CAN MAKE LAW BUT NOT OUR PRESIDENT...HE CAN ONLY SIGN OR NOT SIGN A LAW INTO BEING AND EVEN HERE CONGRESS CAN OVER RIDE A VETO OF TH EPRESIDENT'S.

WE ALSO HAVE A LITTLE THING CALLED IMPEACHMENT OR VOTING HIS OUT OF OFFICE... (SMILE)

OH AND EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, THE PRESIDENT IS NOT G-O-D THEREFORE HE HAS ZERO CONTROL OVER THE INDIVIDUAL( out side of himself)..."K"...NO THIS IS NOT FOR OR AGAINST JUST SPEAKING ABOUT TRUTH...(SMILE)

aCTUALLY "I" am sort of upset...our president is a Constitution attorney...what about TRINITY CHURCH?!? ...no, I am not being judgmental at all...only worried that those on the right will be able to use this against him now that they have failed over on Fox to bring back his attending Trinity for 25 years in the up coming election. (smile)

Oh in case no one knows what I am talking about, "I" am talking about the Israel hating, Iran Muslim loving aide and coforting backing Black skinned president of the U.S.A. and why this country should be taken out of someone like this illegal alien's hands....may be coming back in full force, again over his backing of the Constitution!!!!(NUP)

...and thank you so very much Omosede for saying Islamic Center and Mosque, this is so often not said, only the word Mosque. (smile)

Steve and everyone , it would help a lot if the "CHRISTIANS" WOULD ONLY STOP REJECTING ..." GOD CREATED US IN HIS IMAGE AND SAID IT IS GOOD" right? (smile)

WHAT A GREAT, dream TEAM IN THIS CHRISTIAN NATION TO USE THIS AND JUST ADD A LITTLE 'FREEDOM OF RELIGION' these two would creat...

what a giant step, advancement towards peace on earth good will towards mankind this would make, correct?!? (smile)

Omesede, no TRINITY is not just a church it is and was tied to the Black race and used against our president as his being unqualified to be president and actually not his being an unfit parent is coming back into the picture...Teh Mosque is aplace of worship by the MUSLIMS so how does teh christians using church and not mosque fit here???...but I need no answer my only purpose to to look at teh big picture on FREEDOM OF RELIGION...ALSO GIVE IN OUR CONSTUTION FREEDOMOF SPEECH AGAINST A RELIGION / A RELIGIOUS PLACE OF WORSHIP NO MATTER THE NAME...

AND AS A ,N.D. BUDDHIST i KNOW HOW FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS BELIEF IS NOT A GOOD THING WHEN ASKED TO PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH...MUCH LIKE THE FOLLOWING OF THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OR ANY LAWS THAT WE DON'T (AS INDIVIDUALS) LIKE BUT DON'T HAVE THE TIME OR THE ENERGY TO GET THEM CHANGED.(SMILE)

...AND, MY DEAR AS FAR AS THE HOW CAN THEY USE THIS AGAINST OUR PRESIDENT...PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE INFORMATION PRESENTED AT THE BEGINING OF THIS POST BY YOU. OR TAKE A LOOK BACK AT HIS POLITICAL CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT...OR WHY THE TEAPARATY CAME INTO EXISTANCE IN THE FIRS TPLACE...ANYONE NOT SEEN ANY OF THOSE SIGNS AT THEIR RALLYS OR EVEN MCCAIN HAVING TO COME OUT AND DEFENT HIS WHILE OUR PRESIDENT WAS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT...

AGAIN "i" AM NOT GOING TO TAKE UP ANY MORE OF YOUR POST...THANKS FOR POSTING THIS AS WE NEED ALL OF THE INFO WE AN GET ON TIS ISSUE.(SMILE)

Omosede,as someone who has taken teh test to just get on the list to have letters sent to law schools by your professors( atleast here in Ca.) a few hints about law school two of the best things taht one can have going for them ...classes in philosophy especially critical thinking and speech classes. those law school entry exams are strickly on philosophy or logical arguments.(smile)