Ground Zero Mosque- I Smell A Rat

Recently a great deal of discussion has been taking place about a 100 Million Dollar, 13 storey, Cordoba Masque/community center that is to be built approximately two block from ground zero. The location of the befallen Twin Towers where over 3000 Americans where suffocated, crushed or burned to death at the hands of a few militant Muslim men who clearly took their faith seriously.

The debate stems around the wisdom and legality of building an Islamic house of worship so close to the site that represents, more then any other place, " Jihad in America". It's makes some feel that Islam is raising a 100 million Dollar flag of victory. That sends a clear message of vulgar disrespect. Showing a lack of sympathy and regret. Affirming the actions of the Muslim terrorist.

I like how Patrick J Buchanan Put in his article "Our Clueless Professor"*a

"A decent respect for the opinions of one's fellow Americans would seem to shout out: Put the mosque somewhere else. This is hallowed ground. This is a burial site sacred to the families of those who died, to New Yorkers, to all Americans. A Muslim mosque is out of place there."

Others say it represents religious tolerance, the freedom of religion and national forgiveness. They believe it communicates healing, reconciliation and harmony. Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the head of the Cordoba Institute, which is in charge of the project, insisted that the site would help "bridge the great divide" between Muslims and the rest of America *b "

"We are Americans, we are Muslim Americans," Rauf said. "Many of us were born in the United States. We have no higher aspirations than to bring up our children in peace and harmony in this country."

Hmmm?

Personally, I agree with the former. I believe it is a rude and disgraceful act. It smacks of arrogance and contempt for America's hallowed ground. Make no mistake, at some time in the future, it will be used as a memorial to the terrorists who gave their lives to bring down the Twin Towers. It is insulting and demands attention. For it reveals the true character of Islam.

That being said, I am not writing simply to weigh in on this debate. I am writing to say-

I smell a Rat!

I agree with President Obama's remarks that he made at the Iftar - the meal that breaks the day of fasting. He and several wealthy Muslim supporters were celebrating Ramadan in the State Dining Room. During his remarks at the Iftar dinner, President Obama felt a need to remind us of the importance of religious freedom as one of the founding principles of our Nation:

"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," and "This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable"

Ok I agree with that, but here's the thing. According to Representative Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat whose district includes the Ground Zero site, stated

"Government has no business deciding whether there should or should not be a Muslim house of worship near Ground Zero," *c

Since this issue has nothing to do with national government. It begs the question- Why did our "Christian" President feel he needed to comment on such a religiously inflaming issue. As a Christian and as an American, he should have strong feelings of concern that would have kept him from commenting on the subject at all. "Avoidance" would have been the rule of the day. All he needed to say is "Its not my call" .

Instead he weighed in at the one place his words would have been heard the loudest. When he spoke He did not choose to take that moment to appeal to the American Muslim to consider the wisdom of building the mosque near Ground Zero. Instead he insulted me and all those who share my concerns. Feeling the need to remind me of our countries freedom of religion and civil liberties.

I am sorry, I have no intentions of urging our government to cross constitutional boundaries that have safe guarded our civil liberties for the last two hundred years. But I did expect, and would erg, my American Christian President to caution a minority group whose faith is responsible for the destruction of thousands of Americans that their actions are hurting the rest of the country. Christians and non Christians alike.

In the aftermath of his comments he drew criticism from conservatives, as well as, members of his own party. The president sought to clarify his statement during a trip to Florida on Saturday.

"I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making a decision to put a mosque there,"

It would appear that Obama does have some strong feelings of concern that are keeping him from commenting on the "wisdom" of their decisions. In his silence he is revealing something about himself. I am concerned that Mr. Obama is partial to the Muslim faith and that possibly, he has lied to the American people about his beliefs. The Muslim faith is aggressive, intolerant, and oppressive. If our president is parcial or sympathetic to Islam, he is a greater insult to the American people then the Ground Zero Mosque ever could be. For he is hiding behind an American Christian flag pretending to be one of us. All the while he betrays our trust by winking at our enemy

Something to think about

If those Muslims who are backing this project wish to impress this nation. To communicate healing, reconciliation and harmony. They have an opportunity staring them in the face. Publicly own up to the reality that their brethren wrongly and maliciously attacked this country, acknowledge the "wisdom" of placing their mosque else where, and apologize for being so insensitive to the American conscience. But then agian, I have to remember,

that would be the Christian thing to do.