Obama Puts Ground Zero Mosque Ahead of American People

By Bobby Eberle Barack Obama made one of those Friday statements... you know... the ones that are designed to get ignored by the media over the weekend. Unfortunately for him these statements are not being ignored. In fact Obamas statements which basically gave an endorsement to the construction of a mosque and Muslim community center only two blocks from the site of the worst terrorist attack in American history show that he is squarely in the corner of those who have no understanding of what America is all about. On Friday night during an Iftar dinner at the White House celebrating the Muslim holy month of Ramadan Obama said:

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 Obama said at a White House iftar the traditional breaking of the daily Ramadan fast. 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 he continued. This is America and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable.

It is simply unbelievable what Obama will do and say. Its almost as if he goes out of his way to put America last. The other thing that really gets to me is that he doesnt even have the guts to come out and say directly that he supports the Ground Zero mosque although by making his public statements everyone knows what he is trying to do. But of course instead of speaking directly Obama talks about Muslims having the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country??? NO ONE is questioning that! Obama might as well have given a speech declaring that one plus one equals two. He stated the obvious and stated something that is NOT the issue. Everyone has a right to practice their religion. Assuming local laws are followed religious institutions have a right to construct places of worship. That is NOT the question and Obama knows it. However he is too spineless to admit to the American people that yes he supports the construction of a Muslim mosque in the shadow of the location where nearly 3000 innocent Americans died at the hands of Islamic terrorists. This is not about constitutional rights. Its about decency common sense and that all-important word to liberals: tolerance. Does Obama and company have absolutely no sensitivity for the American people? Americans lost friends and loved ones on September 11 2001. Even those who did not lose someone directly were still affected. All Americans changed that day as we witnessed terrorism and mass-murder being brought to our shores. Fortunately Obamas comments have drawn substantial criticism from both Republicans and some Democrats. During a trip to Florida on Saturday Obama backtracked on his support of the mosque by saying I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making the decision to put a mosque there. Obama added I was commenting very specifically on the right people have that dates back to our founding. Thats what our country is about. Again Obama explained what we had already known... that in order to endorse the mosque construction he was going to make a statement that everyone already knew regarding religious freedom.

Barack Obama has abandoned America at the place where Americas heart was broken nine years ago and where her true values were on display for all to see said Debra Burlingame a spokeswoman for some Sept. 11 victims families and the sister of one of the pilots killed in the attacks. Building the mosque at ground zero she said is a deliberately provocative act that will precipitate more bloodshed in the name of Allah.

In a statement released on Saturday House Republican Leader John Boehner blasted Obamas endorsement of the mosque:

The decision to build this mosque so close to Ground Zero is deeply troubling as is the presidents decision to endorse it. The American people certainly dont support it. The fact that someone has the right to do something doesnt necessarily make it the right thing to do. That is the essence of tolerance peace and understanding. This is not an issue of law whether religious freedom or local zoning. This is a basic issue of respect for a tragic moment in our history.

As noted in a story on FoxNews.com Democrat Senate candidate Jeff Greene of Florida even took Obama to task for his comments:

President Obama has this all wrong and I strongly oppose his support for building a mosque near ground zero especially since Islamic terrorists have bragged and celebrated destroying the Twin Towers and killing nearly 3000 Americans said Greene. Freedom of religion might provide the right to build the mosque in the shadow of ground zero but common sense and respect for those who lost their lives and loved ones gives sensible reason to build the mosque someplace else.

As a new CNN/Opinion Research poll reveals nearly 70 of Americans oppose the controversial plan to build the mosque just blocks away from the solemn site in lower Manhattan while just 29 favor the construction. Nearly 70! Obama clearly doesnt understand tolerance and sensitivity and he clear doesnt have common sense. This is NOT an issue of the government telling a religious institution what to do. This is NOT an issue of constitutional religious freedoms being denied. This is about doing what is right. This is about having the common sense and decency to recognize Ground Zero as a special place on American soil to remember those who perished... just like Pearl Harbor. It is about the Americans who died... plain & simple.