Obama “Forcefully Endorses” Ground Zero Mosque

From the AP/ Yahoo News: President Barack Obama hosts an iftar dinner, the meal that breaks the dawn-to-dusk fast for Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan, in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, Friday, Aug. 13, 2010.

Earlier this week, we read the news that nearly 70% of Americans oppose the building of the mosque at ground zero. Now, it appears that Captain Kick-A  is drastically on the wrong side of the American people, AGAIN….but then, when has he ever been in tune with the American people, and why should he start, now?

Fox News.com reports:

President Barack Obama on Friday forcefully endorsed building a mosque near ground zero, saying the country’s founding principles demanded no less.

“As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country,” Obama said, weighing in for the first time on a controversy that has riven New York City and the nation.

And see? Obama, as usual, throws out the ridiculous strawman. Who, pray, is advocating that Muslims  be prevented from practicing their religion in this country? Hm? Anybody?

Nobody has a problem with Muslims putting up Mosques. That’s one of the lamer arguments I’ve heard Islamists and their lib allies make.

Nobody is even advocating that the government stop them. They are appealing to their better angels to be sensitive to the feelings of Americans who are understandably offended by the idea.

PLEASE…JUST NOT THERE.

Ground Zero is hallowed ground, CK says, and he’s right:

When we speak of Ground Zero as hallowed ground, what we mean is that it belongs to those who suffered and died there — and that such ownership obliges us, the living, to preserve the dignity and memory of the place, never allowing it to be forgotten, trivialized or misappropriated.

***

America is a free country where you can build whatever you want — but not anywhere. That’s why we have zoning laws. No liquor store near a school, no strip malls where they offend local sensibilities, and, if your house doesn’t meet community architectural codes, you cannot build at all.

These restrictions are for reasons of aesthetics. Others are for more profound reasons of common decency and respect for the sacred. No commercial tower over Gettysburg, no convent at Auschwitz — and no mosque at Ground Zero.

Build it anywhere but there.

The governor of New York offered to help find land to build the mosque elsewhere. A mosque really seeking to build bridges, Rauf’s ostensible hope for the structure, would accept the offer.

But the President is on a roll, let’s hear him out:

“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,” he said. “This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable.”

Obama made the comments at an annual dinner in the White House State Dining Room celebrating the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Uh huh. Awesome. Another gift to Republicans.

Obama may want to alert Gibsy, though, because he’s been telling people that as far as the administration is concerned, it’s a local matter.

UPDATE:

Video of Obama’s statement:

UPDATE II:

The WSJ:

Debra Burlingame, whose brother Charles Burlingame was the pilot of the plane the terrorists hijacked and flew into the Pentagon, said she was furious over the president’s remarks.

“I’m so angry. I believe this president has abandoned the American people,” she said. “This isn’t a fight about religious freedom for Muslims. No one has argued they don’t have the property rights. This is about a project led by someone who says he’s trying to build bridges and bring the community together and he’s chosen probably the worst place in America and the worst way to do it.”

Around the blogosphere:

Hot Air: Obama on the Ground Zero mosque: Sounds like a plan

AoSHQ: Obama: Ground Zero Victory Mosque? Absolutely, Sounds Awesome

iOWNTHEWORLD: Obama Backs Mosque

Jihad Watch: Tonight at White House Ramadan dinner, Obama set to betray Americans who are standing against the Islamic supremacist mega-mosque at Ground Zero

Atlas Shrugs: Obama Backs 911 Ground Zero Mega Mosque at Ramadan Celebration

Gateway Pundit: Shocker. Obama Defends Ground Zero Mosque Plans at Ramadan Iftar Celebration

Sister Toldjah: President Obama endorses Ground Zero mosque – on “freedom of religion” grounds

Wizbang: Obama gives ‘thumbs up’ to Ground Zero mosque

and

Obama endorses Ground Zero mosque

Ed Driscoll: ‘Obama Defends Ground Zero Mosque Plans’

Jennifer Rubin: Obama Sides With Ground Zero Mosque Builders vs. Americans

American Power: Obama Defends Plan for Mosque Near Ground Zero — ‘Friends of Terror’ Attend White House Ramadan Dinner

Doug Ross: Citing Overwhelming Support Of Vast Majority Of Muslims Living In Foreign Countries, Obama Defends Ground Zero Mosque

The Other McCain: How Much Contempt Will Americans Suffer?

Dan Riehl: Obama: “Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground, but”

and Video: Obama’s People Problem

Exurban League: An uncomfortable thought.

Imagine yourself on the evening of Sept. 11, 2001.

As you sat there in shock, what if someone had told you that in 10 years….

sisu: Obama: “Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground, but”

PREVIOUSLY:

Obama’s Odd Ramadan Message

Bloomberg’s Ground Zero Speech On State Dept. Website As Obama Administration Pretends To Be Neutral On Issue

LINKED BY:  Michelle Malkin, Buzzworthy, thanks!