President Obama finally weighed in, saying “I believe that Muslims have the right to practice their religion, as everyone else in this country.” After being criticized by many, he clarified that “I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making the decision to put a mosque there.”
Republican senators played up to their base, as well as many others who are uncomfortable with the decision.
I think the president, by the way, is trying to have it have it both ways,” Republican New York Congressman Peter King said.
“To me, it demonstrates that Washington, the White House, the administration, the president seems to be disconnected from the mainstream of America,” Republican Texas Senator John Cornyn said.
I am not an ideologue, or a person that follows the Republican party no matter their stance. And in this instance, I agree with the President Obama (yikes…I don’t even like typing that!). As a Conservative, we do, and should, hold the law of the Constitution above our feelings. One of my main arguments with liberals is their attempt to “interpret” the law in a way that fits their ideology, thus destroying the Constitution in the process. So, more than others, I believe conservatives MUST acknowledge the right of this building to be built. It doesn’t matter what mainstream America thinks. The 1st Amendment and the Freedom of Religion are nonnegotiable.
Do I think people have every right to think it’s insensitive and the right to be upset? Yes.
Do I think that there is enough negative public opinion that the Imam should consider a compromise? Yes.
Do I acknowledge the right of New York city builders to refuse to build it, if they wish? Yes.
But it’s important for Conservatives to hold the Constitution and all of our rights above public opinion. It’s what we do.
Of course people have the right to protest.
And I agree, the President has no say. And I think that’s pretty much what Obama has said. They have the right, and he won’t speak on his opinion. I say he’s correct.
It’s more than just the Constitution. It’s also about Private Property rights, something near and dear to all Conservatives. At least, it USED to be.
Some people don’t see the inherent beauty in a system that doesn’t allow emotion to dictate law.
GWS his only comments have been about why the Constitution makes it valid.
No one is denying Freedom pf Religion but Americans are exercising their rights to protest the building of a Symbol of Islamic Victory so close to what we consider to be sacred ground .
If you understand the Constitution, then you know THE PRESIDENT HAS NO SAY IN THIS MATTER.
The construction of a mosque or any other building is strictly a local issue. It is entirely under the jurisdiction of the city government (in general).
The president has no jurisdiction. There was no need for him to make any comment at all. Any other president would have deferred to the local authorities and said “It’s not up to me, and I respect the right of the city to make the decision.”
Instead, Obama had to stick his foot in it and make an obnoxious statement that goes against the majority of the people in the USA.
HE DIDN’T NEED TO DO THAT, BUT HE CHOSE TO DO IT.
Why? Ask yourself why.
Obama doesn’t want the mosque there, end of story.
I agree with your position. It is LEGAL for the mosque to be built in that location. They have every right in the world to build it there. At the same time it is STUPID for the mosque to be built in that location. It simply will not be a bridge between cultures, it will be a stain for all involved in its construction.
Just because something is legal does not mean it should be done.
Obama’s comment was the height of stupidity as well. Since the local authorities had made the correct decision as to the legality of the construction, his comment only served to inflame a situation which was going to be correctly determined. By inartfully inserting himself into the situation and then inartfully trying to back out again he has demonstrated, yet again, a stunning degree of tone deafness. Was he right? As you say, yes he was. Was he smart? Not by a long shot.
The Imam should reconsider. If he truly wants to reach out he should engage the survivors groups, whose support could end any rational opposition to the construction.
The NYC authorities should stick to their position. They are right on the law and the principle involved.
The President and the federal authorities should shut up. They have no standing and their intrusion clouds the issue.
Thank you for your question and your position. You are right on the money.
No one is say they can’t practice their religion. People are just saying they should not build their building so close to Ground Zero. What is that so hard to understand?
I’ve not met a conservative yet that complains about what Obama says that actually understands what Obama said…
and in reality, most agree with what he said… lol…
EDIT: the question is… where are they getting this idea about “what Obama said” that’s not actually what he said?
Do they (if US citizens) have the ‘right’ to build their mosque? Yes.
Is it incredibly stupid on their part to do so RIGHT THERE? Yes.
Does this particular location victory mosque give the middle finger of radical muslims right in the face of America? YES
Do I expect them to honor that suggestion they will allow a ‘prayer room’ in their building for ‘other’ religions, and particularly CHRISTIANS or JEWS? HELL no.
And 0bama, raised as a muslim http://www.theobamafile.com/ObamaReligion.htm has publicly stated he will ‘stand with the muslims’ http://www.americanconservativedaily.com/2008/03/muslim-obama-%e2%80%98will-stand-with-muslims-should-political-winds-shift-in-ugly-direction%e2%80%99/ So what’s the surprise there?
You and Matt W are correct. Constitutionally, they have the First Amendment right to practice their religion as they see fit without government interference as long as it does not violate someone else’s rights.
Doesn’t get by the fact that it would probably be a really dumb idea (kind of pouring salt into what is still an open wound), but legally they can put it there.
As conservatives or libertarians, we should uphold the principle that it is not the government’s job to interfere, or to protect us from doing really stupid stuff.
They absolutely have every right to practice as they see fit. But, we would never place a U.S. embassy at ground zero in Hiroshima or Nagasaki.
They have the right, but should they do it? I don’t think so when there are so many other locations available and closer to their followers. They have the right to do so. But, the citizens of the U.S. also have the right to advise them it would be highly inappropriate.
The only thing I want the federal government to do and the state government is to talk with the Imam, and try and persuade them to build some where else, they have no right to order or demand it but they should try and work it out. Bloomberg SUPPORTS the building of this victory building. That is outrageous and needs to be talked about. We have a RIGHT to protest the building just as equally as they have a right to build it. I think the government should offer to sell them some land somewhere else for very cheap. What would be funny is if several fat cats got together and offered to pay to have the building built somewhere else and the Imam denied them. That would show the truth behind their motives.