Obama Stands Up for Ground Zero Mosque
Posted in Main Blog (All Posts) on August 15th, 2010 4:32 am by HL
Obama Stands Up for Ground Zero Mosque
Phillip & Haberman, Politico
President Barack Obama on Friday endorsed a controversial plan to build a mosque and Islamic center just blocks from Ground Zero in Manhattan, despite the strong objections of conservatives, the ADLÂ and those who lost loved ones in the September 11 attacks."Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground," Obama said at a White House dinner celebrating the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. "But 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…
The President’s Brave Defense of the Mosque
Glenn Greenwald, Salon
(updated below) This is one of the most impressive and commendable things Obama has done since being inaugurated: President Obama delivered a strong defense on Friday night of a proposed Muslim community center and mosque near ground zero in Manhattan, using a White House dinner celebrating Ramadan to proclaim that “as a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country” . . . .”I understand the emotions that this issue engenders. Ground zero is, indeed, hallowed ground,” the president said…
What Will Anthony Kennedy Do on Gay Marriage?
Dahlia Lithwick, Slate
Justice Anthony M. Kennedy When Judge Vaughn Walker decided Thursday to restart gay marriage in California as of Aug. 18, he turned what had been a tactical headache for supporters of Proposition 8, the voter referendum that banned same-sex marriage two years ago, into a strategic aneurism. Last week, the only issue they had to worry about was the lousy record they had produced for the appeals courts. They now have much bigger worries after Judge Walker's suggestion that the only group that may be willing to appeal his decision striking down Prop 8"”not the state, but…