Obama's Two-Step on NY Mosque

By Derrick Z. Jackson
Boston Globe
August 17, 2010
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/08/17/obamas_two_step_on_ny_mosque/

PRESIDENT OBAMA had it right the first time in talking
about the mosque proposed near ground zero of the
terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Speaking last
Friday at the White House celebration of the Muslim
holy month of Ramadan, Obama said, "The 9/11 attacks
were a deeply traumatic event for our country. And the
pain and the experience of suffering by those who lost
loved ones is just unimaginable. So I understand the
emotions that this issue engenders. And ground zero is,
indeed, hallowed ground.

"But let me be clear. As a citizen, and as president, I
believe that Muslims have the same right to practice
their religion as everyone else in this country. And
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. This is America. And our commitment to
religious freedom must be unshakable.''

Unfortunately, Obama and his aides were clearly shaken
by poll numbers against the mosque, fueled by the
predictable blowback from fearmongers who see anything
Muslim as evil.

The very next day, while visiting the Gulf of Mexico,
he said, "I was not commenting, and I will not comment,
on the wisdom of making the decision to put a mosque
there. I was commenting very specifically on the right
people have that dates back to our founding. That's
what our country is about.''

[Continue reading this article at:
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/08/17/obamas_two_step_on_ny_mosque/]

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