Via TPM: 9-11 Widower Ted Olson: Obama Was Right On Cordoba House

[UrbScotty]

Run time: 01:10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHEydwKu6-s   Posted on YouTube: August 18, 2010 By YouTube Member: tpmtv Views on YouTube: 962   Posted on DU: August 19, 2010 By DU Member: UrbScotty Views on DU: 930

 

[JDPriestly]

1. Legally speaking, Olson is correct.

Of course, on the other hand, people have the right to express dismay at the building of the Islamic Center so close to the 9/11 site.

While I do not think that the Islamic Center should be prohibited, it would probably be a very positive development if those who want to build it just a few blocks from the 9/11 site decided to build it quite a bit further away -- just as a conciliatory gesture.

I, like Nancy Pelosi, would like to know who is funding the building of the center as well as who is funding the campaign against it.

[sabrina 1]

4. Morally speaking Olsen is right

Those 'people' pretending to be upset are teabaggers, an organized hate group posing as grassroots ordinary Americans.

The ignorance about Muslims and Islam and what this center really is about is simply stunning. But that's what these hate groups do, they prey on ignorance.

Eg, did you know that the sect the Imam who is at the center of this controversy is banned by the Taleban in Afghanistan and a target of Al Queda themselves.

Additionally which the perenially ignorant Newt Gingrich and his gang of bigoted followers apparently didn't know is that this Imam was on Bush's Middle East Peace team so he's well known as an anti-extremist and potential target of Al Queda himself.

There is no way these Americans should have to change any of their plans to pacify an organized, no doubt well funded rightwing gang of bigots. What are we thinking?

The 'home of the brave'? Not when we have to take a tiny stand on any principle. It's always 'let's let the bullies win, for peace sake'.

I am hoping that Bush will come out in favor of his former ally staying right where he is also. That ought to rattle the Gingrich crowd who probably didn't even bother to learn anything about this issue, just knee-jerk reaction. Disgusting.

[Weird Liberal Head]

8. I Agree

Your comment is right on the mark!

[JDPriestly]

9. I personally have no problem with the Muslim center.

But, we have to remember that the First Amendment protects both speech rights and religious rights. Also, what is morally right and what is politically or strategically wise are not always the same thing. It would not be morally wrong for the Muslim group to decide to establish their center a few blocks further from the 9/11 location. It is a political and strategic decision for Muslims.

The Muslim center is exciting controversy and anger that isn't really all that necessary. But, of course, it is up to the Muslims because, legally, they have the right to locate the center there. It's just that the location does not make them more popular than they are. It encourages anger at them. Maybe they feel it is some sort of protest against prejudice against Muslims. But it could also be seen as a provocation, and invitation to bigotry.

If the group wants to continue to deal with the controversy, that is their choice. Some compromise would be smarter in my opinion even though the Muslims are, technically, "right."

My point, I guess, is that you have to choose your battles. I don't understand why this one is worth it to the Muslim group. What do they have to gain by situating their center where they have planned?
What could they lose by simply moving a few blocks? Their decision, but I think if i were they, I would make a big show of being cooperative and kind. It would do wonders for the image of Muslims in the U.S. They would be wise to offer to trade locations with some other group.

[sabrina 1]

11. What would they have to lose? I think you're missing the point.

You are assuming this is about that particular site. It is NOT. They are protesting mosques everywhere. So where do you suggest they move to get away from this bigotry?

Maybe a lesson on the Constitution and the difference between this group of Muslims and Al Queda would give people some information before they react to these faux 'grass-roots' anti-Constitution, bigots.

I have already done that in real life. When someone recently said to me 'can you believe they are building a Mosque ON THE SITE of 9/11?' I simply said 'no, they are not'. And after I explained she said 'wow, I guess I heard it wrong'. I told her she probably heard it right as the news media has not done a very good job of explaining it. So, a little education can inform rational people who are simply responding to Fox News.

This is the job of Politicians. Any 'compromise' to these bullies will only make them bolder and they will not stop.

We need to go after them, as Nancy Pelosi said, 'who is funding them'? Well, let's find out, because they were also 'offended' by that question. So, 'what are they hiding'? And WHY should innocent people compromise, why not the perpetrators of this hatred?

I completely disagree with you. Bloomberg, Obama, Ted Olsen et al are right and they should stand their ground and expose these liars for what they are.

[JDPriestly]

16. I know of at least one mosque in Los Angeles. It does not cause a problem.

The ostentatious Mormon temples raise eyebrows -- mostly because they look so funny in our landscape -- not because of the religion. But the mosques are not unattractive and people are entitled to have their own religion.

[vanbean]

13. Wow, I did not know that. Do you have a link?

This what I am refering to:

"Eg, did you know that the sect the Imam who is at the center of this controversy is banned by the Taleban in Afghanistan and a target of Al Queda themselves."

Very interesting. I believe, but I would like a link for more info.

[sabrina 1]

14. I just posted an OP

with some information on the Imam here http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=edit&forum=389&topic_id=8977599&mesg_id=8977599

The print media has published a lot of information on him but the MSM needs to do more imo. He is being smeared and it is a disgrace really.

[SemperEadem]

6. wow..

I wonder if that much consideration has ever been taking in this country
with respect to how native American sacred land has been viewed and
trampled underfoot by this country.

seems when it's someone else's religion, it's ok to expect them to move
it out of one's sight. When it comes to bloodthirsty xtianity, which has been
the justification for gallons of blood spilled, how dare anyone suggest
that they can't throw up a mega-church over an Indian Burial Ground?

[peace13]

7. In our county we made golf courses out of our indian mounds!

Go figure!

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sabrina 1]

12. None of that has anything to do with this project as the

center is not going to be built on the site of 9/11. So, why are people even discussing it as if it were?

[JDPriestly]

15. True. The whole outburst is just propaganda against religious freedom.

If Christian extremists can limit the rights of Muslims, they can limit the rights of other minority religions -- until they become a minority themselves. And the more they limit the rights of and oppress others, the sooner they will be shunned and become a minority.

That is because there is an inconsistency between the central message of Jesus and of Christianity which is love and the tolerance for others that arises from love and hating people regardless of whether they are Muslim or Jewish or Hindu or Buddhist or whatever. Hating other religions or trying to limit the freedom of people who believe in another religion is abhorrent to the Christian message. Jesus was a Jew but praised the Good Samaritan. Samaritans were of a very different religion than Jews. The beliefs of Samaritans (who apparently believe in the first books of the Old Testament) and the Jews were viewed as very different in Jesus' day.

[happygoluckytoyou]

2. I THINK_------->

i think we should only let muslim people build places of worship in small dessert communities

i think we should be concerned that obama stands in front of a yellow curtain instead of a flag sometimes

i think we should get scared that the billy-the-kid gang was christian and represents all christians

i think that since alaska is still cold, global warming is fake

..... i think it is hard to be me

[ScottLand]

3. No, let's just go with the lunatic right...

be afraid of all Muslims and show them that we will not tolerate any religion but Christian;
Let the world know that we will follow mob rule over rule of law

Or we could just follow our own (supposed) principles of religious freedom and tolerance

[olegramps]

5. Who presents the biggest threat to our Republic.

It is my opinion that the End Timers who actually welcome the destruction of the planet represent a far greater threat to our security than some peaceful Muslims wanting to build a cultural center. I fully support their right to do so, however, I also don't know why they would put themselves in this position full well knowing that Christian fundamentalists that own the Republican Party would go bat-shit bonkers.

I am to the point where I have grown weary of trying to respond to absolute nincompoops. I just avoid any of my Republican acquaintances. I say acquaintances because I was never actually friends with any of them since we are so diametrically opposed on fundamental issues.