How can literate Americans like the posters on this blog be so completely ignorant of the Constitution?  The Constitution does NOT say you can build a mosque anywhere you want, or anything like it. It says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."  So, firstly, Congress is not even involved in this matter. Secondly, the City of New York has the legal authority to zone its property however it wants. Thirdly, this thing isn't even a mosque – it's an "islamic center," whatever that is.  So you Islamo-fascist apologists should stop waving OUR Constitution around and distorting its meaning. Liberals do enough damage to the Constitution already.  whats abberant here is ignorants has lead these people to fight the mosk in the trianglur trade from africa the ships were.in the name of jesus and.mary and love it has a positive look the guild there true.reality why not read abiut islam why speak ill of islam when.u.dobt even.know what prophet mohammed preached islam has extremist just like every other religion. how many muslims died in 9/11 a sane muslim would hate these criminals who.use the name of mohammed to  Yes it a slap in the face. Osama Bin Laden is muslim and he was the one who attacked us so why would we want a mosque on ground zero. Our people died that day due to a muslim. It's an insult to all those people who died and the soldiers out there fighting for us. SAY NO TO THE MOSQUE!!!!!!  Very unfortunately, ONLY in Islam, MOSQUES are USED to preach hatred against civilized non-muslims. That is exactly what happened to Bin Laden. He followed the teachings of a IMAM. I have nothing against fellow muslims, as long as they only use a MOSQUE for prayers.  Others are not wrong in stating that Islam teaches violence, because, you can hear that in mosques in Palestine, Saudi Arabia ( during Hajj!!!), Pakistan (almost all mosques in Peshawar), mosques in Kashmir. Please stop using mosques to provoke muslims.  This has nothing to do with freedom to practice one's religion, it has everything to do with sensitivity to the families and the memory of the victims. The more the Muslim community shows it's insensitivity the more it will hurt their image. It's their Public Relations nightmare, let them deal with it. If we don't like the end result, the cost of the damage control they'll have to do will far outstrip the cost of building a mosque on this controversial site.  I seem to remember a section of President Obama's "Oath of Office" that referred to, and I'm paraphasing here, "...uphold the Constitution of the United States of America think Chief Justice Roberts go that part right at least. Doesn't that same Constitution give religious freedom to ALL Americans..or has the GOP comandeered that section as well? What the President was doing was enforcing the Constitution–just what he PROMISED UNDER OATH to do. There is a huge difference between legal right and moral wishes. Please don't confuse the two!  Also, it's not like they are building a mosque ON Ground Zero. It is two blocks away. This shouldn't even be an issue.  John, you think Muslims are evil. That's the crux of your opposition. You just won't say it. Bigot.  This is about sentiments, if the promoters of this project aim at fostering inter religious tolerance, they are not acheiving much.  If our "Christian Religion" was so perfect, then why did we have a "Protestant" rebellion in practically all the countries of the world? And now, it is the same "Christian Believers" that wish to deny another religion the right to practice their beliefs. Extortion within the "Catholic Church" and the taking of hundreds of thousands of innocent peoples lives simply because they did not agree with the policies of the Church. When is America going to wake up and acknowledge that we are made up of many different cultures and religions!  We are killing there people (Muslims) everyday. We are invading their (Muslim) countries and killing their (Muslims) women, children – it is OK since they are not our people.  Al-Qaida killed 3,000 people and they are not all American. We can not blame Islam for this – it will be wrong. Who killed more people (Hitler, Mussolini, and Bush) and we should not blame Christianity for this?  We should not oppose Mosque near World Trade Center. We can not blame entire Muslim American for some of Muslims? – Islam does not support killing innocent people.  Well Li, unfortunately for you poorly thought out comments – you conveniently overlooked the modern murderes of abortion doctors. And it doesn't matter the time frame, the point is that simply because one person or a group of people does something in the name of a religion that should not be used as basis to judge the entire religion.  Here's a few facts for you: muslims also follow the ten commandments. During the middle ages, while Europeans were mostly ignorant pig farmers, the muslims built the greatest civilization of their time in Persia and were the pinnacle of sciences and the arts. The Bible also says its ok to kills non-believers in the name of God – check out Deut 20:10-18. As far what you said about one of the most respected religous figures in the world – I'm not going to even deign that with a reply.  "King said 'the attack was carried out in the name of Islam,'"  Seriously? That's his argument for opposing the mosque?  The Crusades were carried out in the name of Christianity. The Inquisition was carried out in the name of the Catholic Church. The Old Testament is nothing but violence and killing carried out in the name of God. And on and on and on and on.  So by King's logic, there should be no religious places of worship built anywhere.  Come to think of it, I'm all for that.  F'in Republicans. Won't vote for helping responders b/c they are blocked from adding irrelavent ammendments, now they say it's justifiable to suppress a religion b/c they killed in the name of God. Well if that's why a religion should be suppressed, then it would be just as justifiable to close every fricken Christian church and Jewish Synagogue in the country given how many Christians and Jews have murdered in the name of the same God Islam worships, just under a different alias.  Much is done in the name of Christianity and Islam that is inconsitent with those faiths.  While you can excerpt from the Bible or the Koran to justify almost any perspective, the common message of Christ and Mohammad was one of tolerance, inclusion and compassion. At the end of the day, the fundamental context at the heart of Christ’s teachings can be summed in the phrase “Love One Another” just as the underlying message in Mohammad’s teachings exhorted people to work together from a context of Community – and Mohammad explicitly included people of the Christian and Jewish faiths in his Community of Islam. If your choices and actions don’t say “Love One Another”, you might call yourself a Christian, but you aren’t BEING a Christian any more than Muslims who’s actions fail to create community are truly being a follower of Mohammad. In their narrow, intolerant sense of morality, socially conservative Christians have much in common with the Taliban.  Anyone and I mean ANYONE who opposes this is guilty of ignorance and racism. You can sugar coat it all you want but that is what it is. To so totally ignore our history is disgusting. Our culture is based on FREEDOM and SELF DETERMINATION. Not hatred and intolerance but so many in America are.  The Oklahoma City bombing was done by Christians in the name of Christianity. Would the people objecting to the Mosque in NYC also object to a church being built on the OKC site?  That's it, get rid of every single Christian church in this country. After all, if we must hold all Muslims and the religion of Islam accountable for anything done in the name of Allah or Islam and limit their religious freedoms, we must hold every Christian and every Christian denomination accountable for every heinous act and war carried out in the name of Jesus and/or Christianity.  For goodness sack, let these people build their mosque!  The overwhelming majority of Muslims around the world are good people who would never commit an act of terrorism. It's just the one small segment of the religion, like in any religion, are extremists and they are getting all the attention. Our country was founded on the principle of religious freedom, and that includes Islam. If we deny these people the right to build their mosque but would Ok it if someone wanted to build a church or other place of worship, then in essence we are almost as bad as the terrorists.  I am really shocked that the vast majority of 9/11 families are opposed to it, according to this article. The people who are building the Mosque, had nothing to do with the people who attacked the WTC. Equating the two would be like saying that all Christians are part of the Klu Klux Klan so they shouldn't be allowed to build a church. It's just silly and un-American.  I hardly ever read comments on these one side forums, but I could help notice the fine print when you submit the comment which is as follow:  Comments are moderated by CNN, in accordance with the CNN Comment Policy, and may not appear on this blog until they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting. Also, due to the volume of comments we receive, not all comments will be posted.  There is no question that CNN is Anti-Islam media outlet, which is why it is obvious that hardly any pro Islamic comment is seen. I have a question: Was Adolf Hitler Muslim? Supposedly he killed lots of Jews..  whats abberant here is ignorants has lead these people to fight the mosk in the trianglur trade from africa to spain to  And the Salem Witch tortures and murders were carried out in the name of Christianity. So shall we ban all churches from Salem?  This mosque is a slap in the face to all who have died Fighting terroists. To even bring this up is an insult to the USA. We are still fighting and they want to build on ground ZERO. WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE THINKING ????????????  John: IIRC Mecca isn't in America.  Do you protect the Constitution or not?  Ye, like it was the Christain Church that sanctioned black Africns to be enslaved. Should Blacks boycott Christainity and its tenets?  This whole mess is highlighting the poor thinking skills of Americans. We're still blaming 9/11 on a religion instead of extremists. The terrorists have won this oart of the battle... and it's really sad.  For someone to seriously assume that the people who flew planes into the towers were doing in on behalf of ALL of Islam is just plain insanity. There is not a religion in the world that does not have its extremists, and Islam is no exception. We Christians have done our share of pointless killing as well. This predisposition that this country is beginning to have of blaming "those people" for all our woes is getting dangerously close to sounding like misbegotten beliefs of past cultures of hate. We must step very, very carefully here.  All that being said, I think it is extremely insensitive for the developers and mosque leadership to want a mosque near the site of the disaster. Certainly there are other sites that would work just as well, and not create such a fervor. I would guess that, if in fact this mosque is ever actually built, it will be the target of vandalism, fires, and hate crimes. It's a bad thing all around.  what's abberant is when individuals are against islam out if ignorants islams main message is to abrogate the law of moses and jesus the  USA IS A CHRISTIAN COUNTRY AND NOT MUSLIM OR JEWISH!  There are enough mosques and synagogues in NYC... enough! We do NOT need another Islamic Center & Mosque!  Would they allow us to build churches in Saudi Arabia or other strict muslim countries? NO WAY, you'll get killed by even talking about other religion! ENOUGH BEING BRAIN WASHED!  Reasonably, building a mosque near ground zero can send avery positve message that Islam also mourns 9-11. We should go ahead and build worship centres of other faiths too.  But why be reasonable when we can be irrationally driven by hatred fed by our prejudices and capitalize on fear and bigotry!  Obama is very reasonable but, thanks to the irrationality of so many US citizens, may have made a bad political move. Only shows his integrity. But who cares about that? Palin, etc. cater to bigots much more!  The Constitution is outdated and outmoded in todays world and each amendment should be revised to apply to todays world, not something that was written two hundred years ago that may have applied to the world at that time. Each amendment should be looked at and changed if necessary. Types of guns then, and types of guns today, immigration laws then and how it would apply to today. It's badly outdated and should be changed.  Sen. Santorum made the best argument for sensitivity: What if a church that preached "racial separation and that MLK's death was his fault" wanted to build a church at the site MLK was murdered? Would it be legal and constitutional? Yes. Would it be insensitive, painful and in bad taste? Yes. And that is exactly what building a mosque at Ground Zero feels like. It is grossly insensitive, will bring pain to so many and it is just plain wrong. I am astounded that our president and other leaders can be so insensitive.  Yes, building this mosque so close to ground zero IS in bad taste. BUT...the New York city authorities have all signed off on this, and more importantly, people get to choose where they can worship in this country (unless it is an imminent public hazard...for example you cannot hold a religious service in th middle of an interstate highway). To say differently means you are for the sort of restrictions against Christian and Jewish worship that are common in Arab countries. I thought we were better than those countries, right wingers?  And to those who say this mosque might well be an "imminent public hazard" as it will harbor terrorists...you could be right. But I agree with John: Let 'em have their mosque but keep it in under constant, and complete, surveillance. (And not just by the CIA and FBI...I would hope the far-right would do more than complain on the internet about the mosque and, organize massive pickets in front of it. I'm talking 24/7/365 protesting. Or are you all too fat and rich to do that sort of thing?)  Reply to ad. And what do you call the Inman in charge of this project? As far as I'm concerned he should be sitting in Gitmo, not erecting a mosque by Ground Zero.  And by the way the Aryan Nations do have a church, it's called the Church of Jesus Christ Christian. The Aryan Nations sprang from this church. They seem to have the same views as Muslims concerning people of the Jewish faith. So where is the hate really?  Why has no one mentioned that if the Mosque is built the city will no longer get any property tax from that land? And just how much tax money per year is being given up. So in effect, the city of New York will be subsidizing this Mosque with the loss of public money.  Kings logic = any violence done in the name of a relgion should mean the religion is to blame. I guess he hates Christians a real lot.  King's logic is flawed and designed to appeal to his constituent's fear and paranoia. It's a cynical and destructive way to get votes. Many crimes are carried out "in the name" of one thing or another, but that doesn't make the connection legitimate. In fact, Al Qaeda membership represents less than 1% of the total number of Muslims on the planet. Furthermore, by allowing the Islamic center to be built, it demonstrates that Islam is not the enemy of the United States, therefore young Muslims will have one less reason to join Al Qaeda and other anti-west sects. Aside from being consistent with our own constitution, it is intelligent strategy to embrace moderate Muslims whenever we can. There is no rational reason for not the allowing the construction of this center.  How about they reopen the investigation on 911 so that all Americans can see that it was executed with the assistance of the CIA all so they could get soldiers in Afghanistan to try to reclaim their hold on the drug trade there. Alqeada had declared war on the CIA becuase they got tired of giving the CIA money after they were created to run the CIA drug business there. The CIA was unable to assasinate Alqeada so they needed us army to help. This is why the trade center was targeted its the CIA HQ. Now note Alqeada did attack us, but the CIA assisted them ot make sure the outcome was catastrophic, anything less would not lead to war.  What Union contractor or workers are going to build it?  Enjoy your Victory mosque!! and the hundreds more being built all over the USA.  I thought that the president was very clear with his original remarks, and with his follow up comments, which were entirely consistent with each other. Nowhere did he "support" the building of a mosque near ground zero – he supported the right to build it.  Building a mosque close to ground zero may be unwise, but there seems to be a sentiment that it should also be unlawful. The president was simply making it clear that making it unlawful would would be fundamentally against your constitution.  yep thats a trade in tollerance –  let the muslims build there mosque -right on ground zero  that they show how tollerant of tother trreligions they are by allowing the hebrew temple to be built on the temple mount by the dome of the rock :}:}:} ........  You know I never heard of young boys getting molested at a muslem church and you don't hear about little girls being raped by muslem preachers. I do hear these atrocities from the Christian church. And the Christians will tell you that your going to hell unless you only believe in their god. We can also go back to the Salem witch trials and the Crusades and it makes what the muslems do seem like childs play. In the end you will all see that there is one God and weather you choose to call him mohamed or Jesus you will reap what you have sewn with your fellow human being.  Hi ho hiho off to work we go.. seems stressful times calls on us to grow. .. great news.. Ok so now lets blame the KKK for all the wrongs in done in the name of Christ. Relax an unfold america  It's known without a doubt that most Muslims are peace loving people tolerant of other people and their religions. That is why it is clear that the people behind wanting to build this mosque fall into a minority group of Muslims that are not peace loving and tolerant. If these particular Muslims were acting in the spirit of peace, love and tolerance they would build this Mosque further away from ground zero where the majority of America would not take offense to it. Therefore, the only reason the people building this mosque insist on their legal right to do so is because they are acting in Anger, Hate and Intolerance. They know it serves as shrine to the Radical Muslim Terrorist who brought down the twin towers and at heart because they see these people as heroes and the shrine to their gods soldiers must be built.  What he doesn't seem to understand when he thinks these attacks were "carried out in the name of Islam" is that this does not encompass the whole religion. There are tons of Christians as well who hide their political beliefs and discrimination by saying it's carried out in the name of Christianity. This isn't about religion so much as it is about politics. 9/11 happened because of politics, not religion. It was a political agenda that was shown. Religion itself is very peaceful. People who skew religion to justify their political beliefs are not real religious people. Christianity and Islam are both very peaceful religions. We can not look at one instance and say that THIS is what muslims do. Neither can we say that just because a bunch of priests molested Children, that this is what Christianity is about either.  The religions are NOT about these things.  It's really pathetic and disappointing that people in this country are so blinded by their ignorance. The fact is that Obama and all the people, including myself, that support the mosque being built are right and those against it are wrong. Read the constitution. Learn the constitution. It's a big part of why people love this country and are so patriotic. If you don't like it then leave this country. Plain and simple.  By the way I am a 21 year old third generation Lebanese and my family is Christian.  if america allows this mosque to be built by its attackers religion -on sacred ground -  islam should show how tollerant it is of other religions and allow the temple of the herews to be rebuilt next to the dome of the rock ..  that is a true test of tollerance – i bet the islamics will fail :} :} :}  If only people went back into the history of Christianity there would see a war matched that went on for centuries , forced conversions, burning at stakes and what not. .. why not just leave religion alone and deal with the groups involved. Just look at these two guys faces on the picture in the article... so filled with hatred and hard anger....that's not preached in any faith and even any faith may preach violence and hatred , where is our logic and humanity gone?  I've got it ! Let's build a memorial to all those lost Japanese souls lost in Pear Harbor. After all not all the Japanese fought us..This country sucks. It stands for nothing..  All wars/acts of terrorism are based in some form of religion! King is wrong.  It may be in bad taste, and many may feel offended, but that's no reason to overrule the Constitution. Today the 1st Amendment protects an unpopular minority. Tomorrow it may protect you.  What I want to know is why hasn't something appropriate been built on Ground Zero by now?  I believe it is Gods intention for all religions to come together to know that he is God. Stop the religious hypocrisy in this country.  When will Christians start acting like Jesus tells us to act? Oh yes, when we are demanding that others stop worshiping wealth and using violence to get what they want.  Crtitics of the President's support for the Islamic center would be equally outraged, and more justifiably, if he said he opposed it. For opposing and trying to stop the center would mean that the President is actually doing something of which his critics constantly and falsely accuse him: violating the Constitution, in particular, its protection of the freedom of religion.  Either this is a nation of laws or it is not. If it is a nation of laws and the law allows for the center to be built (and it does), then to refuse to allow its construction violates the foundation of this nation. We may not like it, but we must support it.  This shouldn't even be a question. Of course the Cordoba Center should be built – not only is it their constitutional right, but there is a Muslim community in Manhattan who are as American as anybody else. This whole issue is being used as propaganda by bigoted knuckleheads.  Tax all churches, and other religious institutions, so that they may "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's".  A leader would have strong command of his words both before and after his polls drop. This guys a a lawyer playing it safe. Absolutely not a leader. Obviously a mosque has a legal right to build in a sensitive area, but doing so would defy popular sentiment so much that it would insight violence in wake of it being perceived by many americans as a slap in the face. Islam may not be militant but a ton of islamists are still living in the middle ages and seek to wage holy wars. This cannot be a good decision nor should a leader be so unclear with his message. This is not my president. Absolutely if a mosque pops up, I support a gay bar popping up right next door. After all, they have a legal right to be located next to a mosque as well.  JJ- A lot of 'sensitivity' gets disguised as 'evil' too.. what you you say we go build a cathedral in Mecca, that would go over like a fart in Church!... I am still waiting for the Islamic outrage and public relations spin from the 911. Either our main stream media isn't reporting it or it isn't there, I'm opting for the latter and the mosque is just another show of the viral infection headed our way.  The topic of taxing churches is a good one, and should be talked about much more. Why should they be exempt, when obviously they are a business just like any other. I worked for two churches, one Baptist and the other Lutheran, and in both cases, the bottom line was always the bottom line. Money talks and Jesus saves.....at First National Bank. Taxes churches of all faiths equally would be a good way to get the country out of debt. Why should they get a free ride while everyone else pays.  Maybe the Constitution needs a complete update and be rewritten since everyone wants it to do what they want it too.  For those who support the Constitution – the law allows the mosque to be built. Therefore, elected officials have no Constitutional authority to stop it. We may be opposed to it morally. We may think it is insensitive. We have the right to object, to try to convince, to be angry. But, if we support the Constitution, we must accept that we have no right to prevent the mosque from being built. The Constitution provides for protection from the 'tyranny of the masses', and the whims of government.  If you think elected officials *should* intervene, and you vote based upon that – then you are *not* in support of the Constitution. Instead, you are in support of tyranny – because you are in support of putting officials in place who would oppress any group that the majority don't like. That *is* the definition of tyranny and oppression. I find it distressing that so many who call themselves American cannot see this.  People will believe only what they want to believe.  If you are saying there are no Christian terrorists in 2010, then you are wrong my friend. Open your eyes up. Read up about christian atrocities in north east india and africa. Please do not compare America to third world islamic nations. If you really want to compare, then please compare 3rd world islamic nations with 3rd world christian nations.  Nadler is right Al-Queda attacked us, not the entire Muslim world!! Where is Osama Bin Laden? STILL can't find him Hmmmm? Why isn't the NEW WTC construction taking SOOOO long, will the Mosque be completed first PROBABLY SOOO!! NY CITY CORRUPTION!! Wake UP!  Everyone seems to overlook the fact the of the 3000+ innocent people who lost their lives that day it also included a number of muslim Americans. Those victim's families suffered just as much loss and grief as any other. But because they are muslims they somehow don't count.  Blaming all of Islam for the actions of misguided extremists who commit atrocities in the name of Islam.  Over the years, there have been many delusional, misguided people who have, of their own accord, commited various atrocities in the name of Christianity (I am not talking about the atrocities commited by the Church itself) – does this mean that their actions were condoned by the Church itself? Does it mean every Christian in the world supports these atrocities? Of course not.  Anyone can stand up and say "I do this in the name of my religion" – it does not mean their religion would supports it.  The non-Moslem supporters of this mosque make the fundamental error of considering Islam to be a religion just like other religions. In fact, Islam is far more than a religion. It is also an ideology - supremacist, bigoted, aggressive, totalitarian and imperialist. Yusuf Qaradawi (the most influential Muslim cleric in the world today, the spiritual head of the Muslim Brotherhood) says: "Islam is not a religion in the common, distorted meaning of the word, confining its scope only to the private life of man. By saying that it is a complete way of life, we mean that it caters for all the fields of human existence. In fact, Islam provides guidance for all walks of life — individual and social, material and moral, economic and political, legal and cultural, national and international." Qaradawi is talking about Sharia law which all Moslems are supposed to follow. Sharia law, among other nasty things, requires the legal subordination of non-Moslems and women; it requires the death penalty for apostasy, blasphemy, homosexuality and a host of other sin/crimes. The most popular manual of Sharia law, Umdat al Salik, approved by the highest Islamic authorities of Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egpyt defines jihad this way: "Jihad means to make war on non-Muslims." What could be plainer than that? ISLAM IS NOT A RELIGION LIKE OTHER RELIGIONS.  This Islamic Center will become a shrine that is visited by Muslims from all over the world to celebrate the killing of 3000 innocent people. The Palestinians partied in the streets when the buildings came down...HOW STUPID IS THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS COUNTRY? I am sick of all of this.  I am very proud of the leadership that kept an even focus during all of this histrionic debating. The misinformation on this issue has been startling. People can pray where they see fit and government plays no role in that.  What is being said about Muslims is same as people used to say about Germans, and before the the Irish and the Jews. There is always a boogie man in the form of a cultural group coming to get everyone. I wonder how many folks with abbreviated German surnames that were shortened during WWI or WWII to hide their heritage from being labeled the enemy are now leading the charge on this issue. And around and around we go. We are not as original as we think we are.  O, and for all the folks trying to draw parallels to Pearl Harbor, there is a Japanese cultural center less than a mile from Pearl Harbor. It's called the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii. Look it up. I really wish people would do their homework before repeating one liners over and over again.  @Steve..just as you have the common sense to differentiate between Aryan Nations and the Church, you should have the brains to differentiate between the terrorists and the Mosque. This is not a mosque for the terrorists. I am sure there are a lot of churches around the place where Martin Luther King was martyred, apart from the church at the national civil rights museum.  Blind hatred will get us nowhere.  Two questions that no one is asking. Where did all of money for this Islamic Center come from and why now? Why are the Muslims calling this the Cordoba Initiative? Is it just a coincidence that Cordoba was the first place Muslims built a Mosque on the site of a cathedral that they demolished shortly after their conquest of parts of Spain? Any defense of this project before convincing answers to these questions are offered is evidence of stupidity not open mindedness.  Let them have it. We will have cameras rolling throughout the building. CIA should be handling the security of the building. Every single person that enters or visits this Mosque should be entered into systems and checked against the no-fly list and international warrants. Use it like bait.  both have good arguments: WOW that is refreshing to say  and well, no shortage of strong opioniated posts here  I understand both representative's points, I do not think an islam center should go so near 9/11 sight  Islam is important is very underrepresented both interms of their national voice and physical presence.  Do I want to hear the call to prayer through out a city like I do in Turkey or London, frankly no. But I understand it is like the church bells on sunday... and in its own way it is pretty, but no I don't. and definately NOT 5 times a day  There is nothing wrong with clarifying the 14th Amendment towards citizenship. This was not an original law made by the founding fathers. I see no problem to this considering it was made back then in 1868 from the will of the people, and now the will of the people in present day want to be more specific about it. We lose 50 billion+ to illegals every year, and we have lost over 21,000 American lives to illegal immigrants. Please tell the families of those victims that you have no problem with the clarification, and that you intend to pay their share of the 50 billion.  "As a Christian, I am amazed that there is so much uproar and so much amnesia regarding this issue. Everyone wants the legacy of our forefathers to match their beliefs. If it were suggested that the 2nd amendment be modified to outlaw guns many would go crazy....but it's OK to change the 14th amendment to ban some from becoming citizens."  What if, for hypothesis sake, the land on which the two world trade towers stood was a private land and acquired by an Islamic group to build a huge community centre which included a mosque. What would be the reaction then??!! Haha.  As a paid up member, I apologise for these right wingnuts. GOD help us if they ever see power.  Peter,Peter,the little teabag eater.This clown should just stfu.  We are all at fault...It should be brilliantly crystal clear to all of us that Democrats and Republicans are " ONE & The SAME"  We all need to take the jerseys & caps off and quit making this a two sporting team event. This two party system makes us all look like whiny little children to the rest of the world.  Vote & vote & vote some more, until we clear the entire two party congress and administration out. That would provide real hope & change!  Response to Will: What I think it's TERRIBLY TROUBLING is that When we finally go to war with the Iranians, the American people will have to question what side of the fence their Commander in Chief is truly on.  To April and Brenda T:  Well Chris, unfortunately for your poorly thought of comment, this is 2010 now here in the U.S. and the rest of the CIVILIZED world. There are no Christian crusades, and Christianity follows the 10 Commandments. They are not true Christians if they kill. You can't say the same for Islam, which if you knew anything about, you'd know that it was started from a sadistic, mass-murdering, pedophile & thief that says it's okay to kill infidels in the name of Allah.  P.S. It's spelled "inquisition" and "native"  Chris "King said "the attacks were carried out in the name of Islam." In the name of Christ abortion doctors have been murdered, the Inquistion has tortured and burnt at the stake countless innocents, and natvie people have had their cultures obliterated. Its wrong to judge Christianity on these acts, and its wrong to judge Islam on the acts of extremists."  This story is still going on.. These politicians are making a big mistake.... Right or wrong to build it, who knows... This place will become a national place of protest.. Violence will become the answer ... bad move by Obamba to support this and bring the national debate to him....  All these people who say that its just about the Mosque's location near ground zero and that it has nothing to do with bigotry is a load of horse hockey! Just read the virulent, hate filled rants against muslims made in some of these comments. Its obvious that these people have nothing but loathing and contempt for all muslims everywhere. All over the country, Mosques are being targeted, none of which are even close to ground zero. To insist that bigotry isn't playing a big role in the protest of NYC mosque is to be burying your head in the sand.  Why do the Republicans hate the Constitution so much? Is it really just a piece of paper to you?  I used to live in Peter King's district. Any nine term congressman like him is nothing more than a money launderer. He takes money that was seized by Washington and distributes it to people and businesses that supported him financially. Sort of the same as the Taliban and the opium trade. So who is he to comment. This money launderer had the same ugly comments when Michael Jackson died. The truth is Obama is right, the freedom to practice or not practice religion is guaranteed by the constitution. But I do question the wisdom and sensitivity of building it down there.  Christianity is about love and peace. Jesus didn't preach war but brought peace even by His own death. Christianity expanded from Jerusalem to the ends of the world by preaching love and peace. True Christians were persecuted and suffered as Jesus did. Ofcourse there are many who did wrong in the name of Chrisitianity. Islam on the other had is about war and submission from the biggining. North Africa (Egypt, Lybia, Algeria ..) were forced to become muslims by the sword ... So I don't see the comparison between the two beliefs  The Great Mosque of Cordoba placed its importance amongst the Islamic community of Al-Andalus for three centuries. In Cordoba, the capital of Al-Andalus, the Great Mosque was seen as the heart and central focus of the capital  i am Muslim and i do support the mosque 3 blocks a way from ground zero just as i dont have any problem with churches all over Iraq after millions dies because of Oil.  think positive, you might find a better day forward.  Why not just put a Japaneese memorial in Pearl Harbor too? History shows, those who win the wars get to write the history books...  If I say the mosque is IN POOR TASTE....how is that bigoted or a racist statement? How is that spewing hate?? Its an opinion...nothing else....so WHY do you liberals believe everyone who doesn't agree with you is somehow a backwoods racist/bigot/small minded person. For a 'PARTY OF TOLERANCE' You democrats are anything but...  Any resistance to the building of this Islamic center can only be based on an awareness of the threat posed by Islam to Western values and life styles as demonstrated by the behavior of Muslim immigrants in their host nations all accross Europe.  Dear Larry, you say resistance to the project can only be based on ignorance and racism? Why can't it be based on something like, oh, say, crippling grief, agonizing emotional trauma, righteous indignation, or just plain ol' American patriotism? You are the one who is ignorant.  Obama didn't "declare his support". He merely asserted that they have a right to build it; whether they should is an entirely different matter.  The Muslim Center is on land bought by them and not on Holy Ground. I didn't think and don't think there is such a thing in the first place. Interesting how the right talks about religious freedom and the wants to ignore it here! disgusting and hypocritical as well as being against the Constitution!  The US Constitution supports it, and the only rebuttal seems to be fear of Islam. I question the opening on the 10th anniversary of the attack, but recognize that it is far more important to uphold the US Constitution and not cave in to the emotions of victim's families.  Ok then why not let the Aryan Nations build a church at the site where Martin Luther King was killed or erect a Shinto shrine for Emperor Hirohito at Pearl Harbor? This whole situation is nuts!  On top of the insenitivity being displayed by the Muslims in this situation, take at Inman Farouk Abdul Rauf who is in charge of the project . He has been linked to terrorist groups outside the US and he refuses to label Hamas as a terrorist organization. He has also blamed America as responsible in part for the 9/11 attack, as well as for the existence of Osama bin Ladin.  This guy is poking us in the eye and Obama is standing up for him. What a farce!  Have we forgotten that dozens of innocent American Muslims perished on 9/11?  Have we forgotten that many of our beloved forst-responders where of the Islamic faith?  How about the fact that 99% of ALL Muslim nations stood in solidarity with us against these attacks?  It appears we only have religious tolerance when it is our own religions is question...  I'm sure Jesus would be proud?  It's at times like this when you can gauge the backbone of your reps. King took the easy way out and pandered to his consitutents base fear instead of upholding the constitution which he took an oath to do. Nuance? Really?  As a Christian, I am amazed that there is so much uproar and so much amnesia regarding this issue. Everyone wants the legacy of our forefathers to match their beliefs. If it were suggested that the 2nd amendment be modified to outlaw guns many would go crazy....but it's OK to change the 14th amendment to ban some from becoming citizens.  Now many, mostly conservatives, want to forget the parts about "Being Crated Equal" and "Freedom of Religion". And Faux News it doing their usual best to propagate hate.  Republican Rep. Peter King says that since the attack on the WTC (I was there) was carried in the name of Islam, they are fair game...  By the same logic, since Hitler carried the murder of Jews in the name of Christianity....we should ban all Christian churches.  And, by the same logic, no Christian churches should be allowed close to the Kansas City building where so many died....  It's about time that people realize that hating ALL Muslims does not make us any better that those Muslims who hate us....  Wake up America, we need to work together to get us out of the major problems we have, especially the economy. You (and most GOP politicians) can choose whether to want to be part of the problem or part of the solution....can't have it both ways.  Discrimination against a group of people, pure and simple.  Society has not evolved that much from the days of segregation.  911 has opened many closets, and a lot of evil gets disguised as "sensitivity".  Any resistance to the building of this Islamic Center, can only be based on ignorance and racism  Our own George W. Bush and the administration, was well aware of, and part of those that carried out the attacks on the towers, killing over 3000 of our own people  They needed a good excuse to attack Iraq.  To the likes of Bush and Cheney, the lives of 3000 of our people are of less value than their own selfish agendas  Wake Up America, your greatest fears sleep in the beds, closest to your own  The Right Wingers again spewing their hate towards anyone who don't believe just like them. It's 3 blocks aways from the WTC site so who cares. Get real people and stop hating everyone who don't back your beliefs.  Obama and Nadler tie themselves in knots to justify their support for the islamists.  Mr. Nadler should understand one thing, and understand it well, when the Islamist begin butchering Jews en masse he should not expect any help from middle America. He and Obama have worked hard to empower the Islamist both in America and around the world. We will not come to Mr. Nadler defense since he is the one betraying himself and other Jews.  King said "the attacks were carried out in the name of Islam." In the name of Christ abortion doctors have been murdered, the Inquistion has tortured and burnt at the stake countless innocents, and natvie people have had their cultures obliterated. Its wrong to judge Christianity on these acts, and its wrong to judge Islam on the acts of extremists.  RELIGION AND TAXATION If the majority of republicans are opposed to Muslims building a mosque at ground zero in New York, Why are these people not against the IRS allowing charitable deductions to religion? Is this not making people who do not believe in religion pay more taxes because of deduction? Does this not run up the National Debt? Does this not violate the First Amendment of the Constitution, which states: Congress shall make no laws respecting an establishment of religion. If religion doesn't have to pay its fair share of taxes, what is it? I am not against deductions for religion, just hypocrisy! If republicans want to pay for unemployment benefits, they could stop deductions for religion. The National Debt is not necessary. We dont't need to borrow money from China when we have the Constitutional authority to create all the money needed: coin money and regulate the value thereof. By-pass the inadequate Federal Reserve Banking System and let the Treasure Department make loans directly wherever needed. Read more at internetfreepress.  Comments have been closed for this article
(CNN) -- Two days after President Obama declared his support for a controversial proposal to build an Islamic center and mosque near the site of Ground Zero in Manhattan, two New York lawmakers sounded off on the merits of the project.     Republican Rep.