President Obama's remarks in support of allowing a mosque to be built near Ground Zero may be constitutionally correct, but the majority of Americans will most likely find them patriotically absurd.
Talk about disconnect. The constitutional Obama has re-appeared yet again, but the sensitive, in-touch-with-the-people president seems to have gone AWOL again. And this time President Obama may have finally gone too far.
See his comments below and then let's discuss;
Recently, attention has been focused on the construction of mosques in certain communities – particularly in New York. Now, we must all recognize and respect the sensitivities surrounding the development of lower Manhattan. The 9/11 attacks were a deeply traumatic event for our country. The pain and suffering experienced by those who lost loved ones is unimaginable. So I understand the emotions that this issue engenders. 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 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.
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. The writ of our Founders must endure.
We must never forget those who we lost so tragically on 9/11, and we must always honor those who have led our response to that attack – from the firefighters who charged up smoke-filled staircases, to our troops who are serving in Afghanistan today.
And let us always remember who we are fighting against, and what we are fighting for. Our enemies respect no freedom of religion. Al Qaeda’s cause is not Islam – it is a gross distortion of Islam. These are not religious leaders – these are terrorists who murder innocent me
Nobody is saying Muslims don't have the "right" to build it. Of course they have the "right" to build it. That's not the issue.
But how about a line from the President saying, "I don't think it's a good idea" or "It is terribly insensitive." Or at least how about a challenge to "moderate Muslims everywhere" that this is an opportunity to denounce forcefully and once and for all the teachings of radical Islam?
None of that happened. Instead what we got was the constitutionally cold President. The moment called for the warm, apple pie and Chevrolet president. We got a constitutional lecture instead of the common sense approach.
He could have done both but instead we got a total disconnect from the American people on this.
Look, here's the deal. The president's comments will probably play very well in a Harvard Law classroom or in cappuccino-conversations between intellectuals on the Acela train between D.C. and New York. But what about Joe Six-pack? What about the regular porch-sitting American in fly-over country? How do you think its playing there?
That's a rhetorical question in case you didn’t know.
This is NOT a partisan issue. (Though the Republicans will probably try to make it one) The last time I checked, there were plenty of conservative, liberal, and independent voters who are patriotic Americans. This issue transcends political ideology.
This situation all by itself has the potential to make President Obama a one term president. Healthcare, runaway government spending, Glenn Beck’s ranting, the Tea Party and cries of socialism have all dented his first term.
This latest mosque move may be the fatal blow.