Reid: Mosque Should Be Built Someplace Else

President Barack Obama's endorsement of the "Ground Zero mosque" during a speech on Friday night spurred some hope among supporters that a forceful case could be made for both the project's constitutionality and its larger geopolitical impact.

That hope was short-lived. By Saturday, the president clarified that he was not speaking about the "wisdom" of the Islamic cultural center per se, just the right of the group to build the Cordoba House in downtown Manhattan.

And on Monday the highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate officially came out against construction of the mosque in its current location

"The First Amendment protects freedom of religion," reads a statement from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's office (D-Nev.). "Senator Reid respects that but thinks that the mosque should be built someplace else. If the Republicans are being sincere, they would help us pass this long overdue bill to help the first responders whose health and livelihoods have been devastated because of their bravery on 911, rather than continuing to block this much-needed legislation."

Combined, Obama's clarification and Reid's opposition represent a double dose of bad news for progressives and even Republicans who believed that a strong case could be made in favor of Cordoba House. If anything, it's clearer now than it was last week (when Democrats were mostly silent on the matter) how deeply the party just wants this entire issue to go away. Reid, after all, only issued the above statement after his Republican opponents began hitting him for going silent on the matter.

Comments

[Occam123]

12:54 AM on 08/27/2010

this is not a cultural center. If you disagree, name the culture it represents
This is not a a community center-- Community center with a 2000 capacity mosque?!!

It is a Islamic mission. Fact: Mr. Rauf applied for the IRS status for this as a religious organization- "church."

Islamic law makes this place a Islamic Waqf. Once it is built it is illegal to demolish , remove or even move it.
We must use extreme caution with this group of Cordoba Missionaries. Mr. Rauf, the owner of this company is on record propagandizing for sharia law for United States.

No to Islamic mission waqf in Manhattan--heart of American business and culture!
We must oppose this mega-mission with all legal and political means available.

[Neil Graham]

08:03 PM on 08/22/2010

When the President and any Senator have to up hold and abide by the Constitution of the United States, If so he gave the right answer. Isn't three blocks away far enough

[Monte Kivo]

06:41 PM on 08/19/2010

In this Country we have the right to practice religion any religion. So wherever they want to build their mosque should be up to them. This Country is supposed to be a free one.

BettorsChat.com

[Occam123]

12:33 AM on 08/27/2010

You have a very simplistic idea of freedom.

[Vlad Tepes]

10:59 PM on 08/18/2010

Good call Reid. About time you showed some backbone

[Occam123]

12:57 AM on 08/27/2010

Agreed. No to Sharia agitating mullahs

[FTBUTAME]

08:57 PM on 08/18/2010

The cynical amongst us may think the Prince Harry had an election coming up in Nov!!!!

Also, Regressive Hypocrisy #84,547 - Harry Reid's "I was against it before I was for it" moment.

"Pray tell us Mr. Reid, How do you feel about anchor babies"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75a9Wa6KL7k&feature=youtube_gdata_player

....& America bids farewell to Prince Harry. Don't let the door hit you on the a*s on the way out.

ROFL........

[Salvador Doggy]

02:25 PM on 08/18/2010

Obama gives Harry a pass.

http://www.lvrj.com/news/white-house--obama--reid-agree-to-disagree-on-mosque-100917849.html

But Pelosi will investigate Reid's funding.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/18/nancy-pelosi-calls-for-pr_n_686049.html

[Lukester]

01:27 PM on 08/18/2010

We have been making "ground zeroes" next to Iraq's Mosques for a while now and the right has never complained.

[Occam123]

12:58 AM on 08/27/2010

This is an illogical reason for supporting Islamic Sharia missionary effort in U,.S.

[Lukester]

01:24 PM on 08/18/2010

Harry "say anything for a vote" Reid.

[rickroland]

01:06 PM on 08/18/2010

Yeah, Harry just decided he's had enough of being the head of the U.S. Senate. I can see no other explanation for what he said here.

[PhobiaPhobia]

01:01 PM on 08/18/2010

That was weak Harry! Muslims, innocent American Muslims lost their lives in 911. They have EVERY right to have a center near ground zero as anyone else. To oppose it, is to oppose the values of America, espoused in our first Admendment. Our Country was founded on religious freedom, on religous tolerance.

I think that was a weak attempt to pander for votes for your upcomming election and I truly hope you don't feel the center should be built elsewhere.

[Occam123]

01:06 AM on 08/27/2010

re."To oppose it, is to oppose the values of America."
Quite the contrary.
Imam Rauf's uncompromising dedication to reactionary sharia laws and other fundamentalist dogma are in direct conflict with American values.
While he has the right to speak his beliefs, true progressive must take a stand that beleifs are regressive and incompatible with American political and societal liberties.
True progressives must work to marginalize all religious fundamentalism.

[Demarcus Jackson]

12:18 PM on 08/18/2010

Some are asserting that the mosque (actually a community center) debate isn't about the right of the builders to be build it, but whether they should build the community center near ground zero. In essence, many are asserting a ethical ought. Interesting.

In my view this is not relevant. The question of constitutional rights is not a question of being offended or of ethical oughts. I don't care if the community center should or should not be built. I care that the builders have a right to build it and establish a place of worship (that happens to be Islamic) within it. Rights should not be debated or held up due to sensibilities. This is not what our constitutional republic is founded on.

I am of African decent. If the KKK or similiar hate group planned a rally near the Martin Luther King memorial in Atlanta, I would be offended and would oppose the message of the rally. However, if some group attempted to deny the KKK their First Amendment right to hold the rally, I would oppose that group tooth and nail, and I would likely fight hard on behalf of the KKK to hold their legally approved and constitutionally sound rally of hate.

If you call yourself an American, then you must accept the foundations of our constitutional republic. There are no ifs, ands, or buts. You either accept the Constitution and the processes that can legally amend it, or you do not. Simple as that.

[Mattoon]

12:53 PM on 08/18/2010

So you support our right to protest the location even though you may not agree with us?

[Demarcus Jackson]

12:57 PM on 08/18/2010

Sure. If your protest does not infringe on fundamental constitutional rights, go right ahead and protest away!

[Demarcus Jackson]

01:00 PM on 08/18/2010

I might add, Mattoon, that I don't have a problem with dissent. Our republic should be strong enough to allow dissent. My problem is that some are trying to assert an ethical ought to this issue that is plainly about constitutional rights. Our republic has never been about validating sensibilities.

[PhobiaPhobia]

12:57 PM on 08/18/2010

Well said! F&F.

[vesaversa1]

11:50 AM on 08/18/2010

I wish there was another way to rid us of Reid and his weak @ss leadership in the senate without losing the seat to the Reichwinger's .

[Lorelei Shark]

11:43 AM on 08/18/2010

Shame on Harry Reid to put himself in the middle of this ridiculous commentary. His opponent is so radical, the last thing he needs to do is side with her ilk. He ought to be above this and take the high ground as our President did in citing the 1st Amendment of our Constitution and the FACT that we do not restrict religious FREEDOM in the United States of America.

[Mattoon]

12:56 PM on 08/18/2010

So how are they being restricted? I see people voicing an opinion that they should locate it somewhere else, no one is stopping them from putting it right there though. I liken it to if the Catholic Church tried to build near an all-boys orphanage, they have that right, but it wouldn't be cool symbolically.

[relentless63]

10:03 AM on 08/18/2010

President Obama endorsed the building of the Mosque on constitutional, geopolitical and moral grounds. He later made it clear that he was leaving the efficacy of the political decisions to the locals charged with making those decisions. That these two congruous statements cause such division and hopelessness amonst liberals is more disturbing than the comments themselves.

[vesaversa1]

11:52 AM on 08/18/2010

hear hear

[lonngfello]

07:30 AM on 08/18/2010

Democratic teamwork in action. I guess harry is courting some of those wingnuts to insure his re-election.

[CarrieAntigua]

03:38 PM on 08/18/2010

I think he had no choice if he wants to get re-elected

[Mattoon]

03:53 PM on 08/18/2010

He didn't do it for conservative votes, he will not get those at all, no matter what he does now, he has shown his colors, so you think he did it for the blue dogs or something?