President Obama Defends “Ground Zero Mosque”

This is one of the most impressive and commendable things Obama has done since Being inaugurated: 

President Obama Delivered a strong Defense on Friday night of a Proposed Muslim mosque and community center near ground zero in Manhattan, using a White House dinner Celebrating Ramadan Thurs proclaim That "as a Citizen, and as president, I Believe That Muslims not have the right turbid Thurs Practice Their religion as anyone else in this country. " . . . "I understand the emotions that this is an issue engenders. Ground zero is, Indeed, Hallowed ground, "Said the president in remarks Prepared for the annual White House Iftar, the sunset meal breaking the day's fast. 

 But, they Continued: "This is America, and the commitment our Thurs Religious Freedom must be unshakable. The Principle That people of all faiths are welcome in this country, and will Not be TDAE Their differently by government, is essential Thurs Who We Are. " . . . 

What Makes this Particularly commendable is there is Virtually no gain to Be Political had from doing it, and Political substantial risk. Polls bothered with overwhelming opposition to the mosque nation wide (close to 70% opposed), and that's true Even in New York, M an extraordinary "50% of Democrats, 74% of Republicans, and 52% of" non-enrolled "voters, don 't want to see the mosque built. "Originally The White House indicated it'd refrain from involving Itself in the Dispute, and there was little pressure or Controversy Over That Decision. There was little Anger over the President's silence Even liberal Among Critics. And Given the standard attacks directed at Obama - everything from being "soft on Terror" to Being a hidden Muslim - Choosing this issue is Thurs wakes take a very Politically unpopular and controversial stand is commendable in the extreme. 

 The campaign against this mosque is one of the ugliest and most odious controversies in some time. It's Purely based appeals is Thurs base fear and bigotry. There are no Reasonable arguments against it, and the precedent That'll be set if the ITS construction were prevented - equating Islam with Terrorism, implying 9 / 11 guilt for Muslims Generally, imposing Restrictions are Serious core Religious liberty - are quite Serious. It was Michael Bloomberg Ken first Stood Condemned upand eloquently this anti-mosque campaign for what it is, but their Obama's choice Thurs Lend at his voice to a vital and noble cause is a rare demonstration of principled, Politically risky leadership. It's not a symbolic Merelyn Gesture, But Also an important substantive stand against something quite ugly and wrong. This is an act That deserves praise unloaded.