[the invisib1e hand]

i don't know about testing our national character, but it has proven how tolerant we are (thus far) of being bullied around by our own myth-makers in the media.

Man, we are a patient people. I wonder what we'll look like when we're really roused.

[The_Reader_David]

Humbug. Numerous religious institutions have been obliged to resite for zoning reasons. The Port Authority can force St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church to move after the Port Authority, without their consent as land-owner excavated the church’s land. The only losing option is letting the mosque be built while continuing to obstruct the reconstruction of the church—of course, the left insists we pick that one.

[jwparkerjr]

re: The Ground Zero mosque tests our national character

In much simpler terms it tests whether or not we will allow our ‘freedoms’ to be used to destroy our freedom. Without saying so explicitly I don’t think the Founding Fathers ever intended for us to commit Constitutional suicide.

If the exercise of a freedom results in the destruction of that freedom, or the ability to enjoy it, then, IMHO, insisting it be honored is not a choice.

If we let a group that’s intent on destroying our way of life use a freedom that leads to losing that freedom then all bets are off.

[oneolcop]

CORDOBA: An Iberian and Roman city in ancient times, in the Middle Ages it was capital of an Islamic caliphate.

[DallasDeb]

The whole premise that disallowing the mosque at that specific spot goes against the constitution is nonsense. NO ONE is preventing muslims from practicing their faith. There are many mosques in NY already, and they can surely build another one—just build it somewhere else. This imam is proving to be as anti-American as most radical islamists. He has a hidden agenda and is using taxpayer’s funds to promote that agenda. American sensibilities should prevail over this issues.

[MNJohnnie]

or oppose it and ignore the Constitution and appear to harbor ill-will toward a religion and its billion and half adherents.

Start your argument with a false premise and you lose the debate at the start.

There is noting in the US Constitution that says "You may build what ever you want where ever you want". There is nothing in the US Constitution that states "You are free to use inflammatory incitement rhetoric to promote division and riot". That is the purpose of this building. It is a political statement.

IF, as the supporters of this center claim, it is to foster toleration and understanding of Islam, they would move it since the vast majority of New Yorkers oppose it's construction at Ground Zero.

There is a Mosque 5 blocks away, there is no need for another one here.

That they refuse to move it indicates they are not at all interested in “bringing us together” but are looking at the symbolic value of the site.

[Liz]

JUST SAYING This tidbit oughta get the mosquevites' panties in a twist (/snix).
Spain's "Cordoba Mosque" was converted into Roman Catholic Cathedral.

The Great Mosque of Córdoba, Spain, begun 786 by Muslims (who tookover St Vincent's Church). But in 1238, the Cordoba Mosque was converted into Roman Catholic cathedral. The Catholic Cathedral is known locally as La Mezquita —The Mosque.

Aerial view of the Great Mosque of Córdoba, Spain, begun 786, doubled in area in the 10th century to 585 x 410 feet, with 1,200 columns supporting horseshoe arches, patterned with colored marbles and other stones. Although it was converted into Córdoba's Roman Catholic cathedral in 1238, the building is known locally as La Mezquita —The Mosque. LINK AT SITE: see the Great Mosque of Córdoba, showing the Christian alterations.

[edcoil]

The President of the United States has noted we are at war with islam. islam, meets in mosks.

I cannot ever imagine what FDR would have said if Hitler demanded a brownshirts nazi meeting hall while our troops were dieing in europe against them.

[MNJohnnie]

“The choice is not between order and liberty. It is between liberty with order and anarchy without either. There is danger that, if the court does not temper its doctrinaire logic with a little practical wisdom, it will convert the constitutional Bill of Rights into a suicide pact.”

Justice William O. Douglas

[RC2]

Talking about National character, the Constitution and so forth is all well and good. But when you consider that after the Twin Towers fell, the muslim world was dancing in the streets, it’s hard to accept them as wanting peace. Something is happening in the States that we haven’t seen before. People are standing up saying “That’s enough”. They are saying “Don’t use our Constitution against us”. That’s a big one today. The Constitution was written for American people, not for the world or immigrants to this country that are looking to change us.

[SoldierDad]

First, what's with the "Ham-handed" referrence to a hollywierd script with respect to a real life scenario whereby Islamic fundamentalists demonstrate a complete and utter lack of caring for our national pain?

Second, where is the real-world understanding that Islam is not just a religion? It is predominately a political, economic, judicial, and military ideology wrapped in the facade of a religion. If we (Americans) don't come to recognize this fact we will be facing the annihilation of our freedoms and liberties, and in their stead will be Sharia law. This is the goal of Islam - to dominate the entire globe; to subjugate all non-muslims everywhere who will not convert to their ideology.

[Sans-Culotte]

A good article, over all. I like the idea of establishing some sort of national monument there. I did, howver, take issue with this:

Who among us, except kooky conspiracy theorists who believe George W. Bush played some weird role, does not believe the 9/11 hijackers acted on a perverse and narrow interpretation of their religion?

I am really tiring of the mantra that "we are at war only with that small element of Islam that has perverted their religion". It must apparently be stressed over and over: the Jihadists are the Muslims who are being true to their so-called faith.

The nice Muslims are, in fact, apostates. Islam was made for conquest. It was the tool that Mohammed used to conquer Arabia, and then North Africa is almost no time. It is built on the premise of "submit or die", and "if you submit and die in battle, you will be rewarded with perverse pleasures in heaven". those who do not subscribe to the "submit or die" form of Islam are like people who claim to be Christians and yet do not believe that Christ was divine or that he rose from the dead.

[Jack Hammer]

For crying out loud, there’s been enough ink expended and enough bullsh*t flung over this thing in the past few weeks to paint the butts of America’s Muslims black and bury them.

The plain and simple fact of the matter is that no generation in America’s history would have stood for such a thing, and nor would they have made any excuses about it.

They’d simply have told the Muslims to pound sand and get over it.

And everyone in the country would have understood it, too. There would have been no - repeat NO - breast beating or soul searching in the papers or anywhere else.

This country’s fallen on hard times with all the nancy boys and panty waists running things.

[ExTexasRedhead]

Look at the videos of 9/11 and you will see our character!

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

It does not test our national character. It is a symbol of the fight between violent barbarism and our brand of civilization. The outcome is easy to predict. Civilization loses and barbarism wins another battle.

[tophat9000]

A burning cross is also free speech but is seen as a threat by some when put in thier front yard

Park51/Cordoba House is a 13 story "burning cross" in our front yard

[existtoexcel]

Our nation has no beef with Islam.

Yes, we do.

islam is a scourge upon this planet, a blight, pestilence, plague. Muslims, all, every last one, are perverted, blood thirsty, lying thieves. Moderate, good muslims? If you think that, they fooled you and are laughing at you until they can kill you.

[Lucas McCain]

“Who among us, except kooky conspiracy theorists who believe George W. Bush played some weird role, does not believe the 9/11 hijackers acted on a perverse and narrow interpretation of their religion?”

The attackers of 9/11 did not act on a perverse interpretation of their religion. They acted absolutely consistent with the life and teachings of the founder of Islam. It is the hundreds of millions of “moderate” Muslims who are who are non-compliant with true Islam.

[voveo]

Islam is not a religion primarily.

It is a lifestyle with political, legal, military and religious components based around conquering.

Once a territory is conquered it is much easier to control it by use of imposed a religion rather than maintain an army to secure the land.

Can you imagine a minaret barking out orders (prayers) every day and you being forced to pray 5 times a day?

It is the antithesis to our way of life and the Constitution and is not entitled to religious protections.

[sniper63]

Time for another crusade, starting right here in the United States.........