Bill O'Reilly weighs in on Manhattan mosque controversy
Published Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 8:13 AM
Updated Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 8:17 AM
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Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly
Photo by AP
Bill O’Reilly doesn’t think that President Obama should speak out about 'freedom of religion' as it relates to the Islamic Center controversy in lower Manhattan.
In last night’s talking points, O'Reilly opined that Obama had made 'a big mistake' in telling a group of Muslims that the Islamic community in New York City had a right to build an Islamic cultural center which includes a mosque.
O'Reilly asked why Obama wouldn't comment on this 'inappropriate' action which 'even some Muslims understand.'
O'Reilly then showed a poll that indicated that the majority of Americans (not those living in Manhattan) oppose the mosque and that Obama is going against the will of the people by supporting the right of Muslims to build their mosque.
But this is a New York City matter, so why is 'America' voting on it? Don't conservatives believe in local jurisdiction over local matters?
What O'Reilly did not ask is if the siting of religious edifices, in the United States, should now be determined by 'the will of the people' because, as the President pointed out, we do have a constitutional amendment which speaks to freedom of religion.
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peterson | Aug 20, 2010, 03:27 PM EDT
We should try to build a Christian Church in Mecca !!
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quixotic | Aug 19, 2010, 08:34 PM EDT
Two points (well, three):
1) O'Reilly never gets it.
2) It is not the responsiblility of an elected official to simply mirror the opinions of the majority of the people. It is their responsbility to do the right thing. Women's right to vote; slavery; civil rights -- were not necessarily what the majority wanted.
3) America's Constitution requires us not to stereotype -- what else are the majority of American's doing?
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snuffey | Aug 19, 2010, 01:47 PM EDT
Approximately 1600 years to 400 years ago the Muslims had one of the most advanced civilations in the world! But now most of the Muslims are still living in the medieval times
vtucherov
It will be a Mosque, The Moslems have always built Mosques over conquered peoples holy places, some examples are the site of Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem, another is what was once the worlds largest Christian Cathedral in Constantinople, after the Turks conquered Constantinople in the 15th Century. This was their way of showing who is boss.
When these people live in our country they should adapt to our ways, not us to theirs.
If they don’t like it they can pack up and go back from what ever rat hole which they came from.
Thank goodness for “Charles the Hammer winning the “Battle of Tours”or we might be Moslems now.
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rcrdskpr@aol.com | Aug 18, 2010, 10:04 PM EDT
why was it to be called the cordoba project? was it because the muslims defeated the catholics and made spain a muslim ckountry in the city of cordoba?
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snuffey | Aug 18, 2010, 09:31 PM EDT
O'Reilly is right, how many churchs do you see in Mecca, or Saudia Arabia? This is just giving America the finger
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snuffey | Aug 18, 2010, 09:30 PM EDT
O'Reilly is right, how many churchs do you see in Mecca, or Saudia Arabia?
This just giving America the finger!
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patrick1945 | Aug 18, 2010, 04:24 PM EDT
It's not a question of right to build a Mosque there, it's a question what would be better for the Islamic image in America and gaining prestige in the eyes of all Americans. What is the over whelming reason for a Mosque at Ground Zero. Is there a great need to be at this particular place.
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patrick1945 | Aug 18, 2010, 04:16 PM EDT
This is more than just a New York issue, 9/11 happen to America. This Mosque builders should consider this. They are not doing their religion any favor by insisting on building a Mosque where it would only be a reminder of 9/11. Build your Mosque/cultural center in an area where it would really be appreciated.
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vtucherov | Aug 18, 2010, 12:24 PM EDT
This is really poor journalism. First, it's not a mosque, it's a community centre- there's an existing mosque less than two blocks farther away. Secondly, public sentiment- whether local or otherwise- doesn't change zoning laws. We don't get to approve what goes into a particular location by whether we like it or not, aside from restrictions that certain establishments not be within particular radii of schools, day-care centres and the like.
Third, even if there was room for public opinion, it'd be localized to that particular community- I don't think my girlfriend's mother's second cousin in Co. Cork should remodel his house, but it's none of my business.
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JamesMurphy | Aug 18, 2010, 11:03 AM EDT
Bill O'Reilly? Oh, please.
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kschowal | Aug 18, 2010, 10:45 AM EDT
A number of these O'Reilly Responders refer to Moslems as if they are somehow separate from Americans. An American who happens to be Moslem is just as much an American as one who happens to be.. say - Baptist. As such, they have an equal right to build their house of worship on whatever land they own.
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John G. Hogan | Aug 18, 2010, 10:25 AM EDT
As long as they dedicate the mosque to the infidels that died on 9/11/01.
Cordoba???.........that history happened elsewhere.
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britfether | Aug 18, 2010, 10:03 AM EDT
Mistake or not...My opinion is that people who are so darn patriotic that they are willing to forget that there is a difference between chrch and state, should be willing to back up their criticisms of the President by their own good actions. It is going to cost 200 million to develop that Community Center (not a mosque mind you). There are alread more than a dozen mosques in Manhatten already. So why don't they put their money where their mouths are and collect the money from these patriotic do-gooders, then sit down at the table with the developer and ask him to move it and they will pay for the mosque to be in a different place. Money talks and BS walks. O'Rielly makes about 50 M a year, so lets see him make a sizable contribution. I'd be willing to bet that this little episode would dissapear in a heartbeak. Billo is picking fly s..t out of pepper as far as I'm concerned. And by the way, these aren't Moslems that are building this mcommunity center, they are Moslem American citizens.
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bunchesofun | Aug 18, 2010, 09:24 AM EDT
They may have a "right" to build a mosque near ground zero. But as inhabitants of the US they also have the responsibility to respect our country and culture. Doing that would mean locating this mosque somewhere else not close to ground zero. Anything less must be taken as them spitting in our faces.
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