101 Comments

• Temerity | Sep 12, 2010, 10:38 PM EDT

  DennisQ I dont give a rat's A wether it is being used as a political foorball or not.Bottom line they should have enough sensitivity to know that it is bad form to blatantly erect a monument persay to the terrorist attack by Muslums911 on America. If showing no will or back bone when their fellow citizens are killed maimed and burnt alive when only doing their job working to make America a better place Is that kind of jelly back bone what America is about.I don't think so!Please spare me that collective guilt psychology crap.As long as it is common knowledge that those who carried out the attack were Muslims who lived among their American neighbours then that's it.Unless you can prove otherwise.? Build it some place else is all I am saying out of courtesy and respect for those who lost their lives.and their loved one's who still bear the pain and sorrow.

• hancock | Sep 05, 2010, 08:00 PM EDT

  I don't care about dancing Israelis, screw them. A lot of people deserted the US army and a lot of people were involved in that riot. I'M not sure what your point is besides bashing The 19 century Irish. They were not exactly treated well by the native populace at the time but still managed to serve in overwhelming numbers in all wars in this countries history. I like that you use Scorcese movies as your research. Maybe we will see Muslims who are treted infinitely better in the 21 century step up to the plate in their new adopted country. I guess anything is possible

• Edinboron | Sep 05, 2010, 07:40 PM EDT

  Do a search on the dancing Israelis, 9/11. It's there, see for yourself. Did Catholics 150 years ago kill thousands of Americans? Maybe, maybe not, but a bunch of them deserted from the US Army, joined the Mexican army and then fought against America. Some engaged in pretty big riots to protest being drafted to fight the Civil War. In Gangs of New York the author claimed 2000 people died in the rioting.

• hancock | Sep 05, 2010, 07:34 PM EDT

  The down under wonder, is that all you got , spellcheck?

• seanomelbourne | Sep 05, 2010, 07:26 PM EDT

  Wheeeeeeeeeeeee Hancocks off the planet he's so angry he misspells words. Well I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that is the reason for his misspellings.

• hancock | Sep 05, 2010, 04:12 PM EDT

  I aaw what my own eyes what happened. You want to call me a liar ? You didn't see what happened but you know for a fact that it did. You got some pair of balls. Those Israelis should have gotten their heads handed to them if what you didn't see is true. Did Catholics 150 years ago kill thousands of Americans?

• Edinboron | Sep 05, 2010, 01:34 PM EDT

  I believe you think it happened but I know for a fact there were Israelis dancing and celebrating. They were apprehended and arrested, to be released later. 150 years ago people were protesting and rioting over Catholic churches being built. They feared Popery and it's insidious influence in America. History repeats itself.

• hancock | Sep 05, 2010, 10:13 AM EDT

  They were dancing in the streets in Brooklyn, and were told by somebody with obviously two brain cells to rub together to stop. Their initial reaction was happiness and payback. You can't be so naive to think this happened , could you? I know they were wrong about bombing that day. That proves though that people knew damn well or thought they knew who took out the towers . They ended up being right of course.

• Edinboron | Sep 05, 2010, 08:04 AM EDT

  Look, all you've established is that a Middle Eastern looking guy was assaulted for practicing his 1st Amendment rights. But earlier you claimed Muslims were dancing in the streets in NJ and Brooklyn. And whoever told you we were already bombing Afghanistan at 4 on 9/11 was obviously wrong.

• hancock | Sep 04, 2010, 08:50 PM EDT

  I'm just tellig you what he said, and what the guy did. Around four o'clock somebody said we were already bombing Afghanistan. The guy wasn't dancing, he was pontificating on a messenger bike. He was soon unconscious and his bike was in a dumpster. P.S. it wasn't a far leap to figure out what happened that day.

• Edinboron | Sep 04, 2010, 05:54 PM EDT

  You must have a great intelligence network if you knew who attacked the Trade Center while it was going on. What dance was the guy doing? Electric Slide? 10% of Arabs are Christian. Neither Iraq nor Afghanistan are Arab countries.

• jamieLM | Sep 04, 2010, 05:34 PM EDT

  I think they should build a synagogue, a Catholic cathedral, a Protestant church, and a Greek Orthodox church next to the mosque and call them all "recreational community centers."

• hancock | Sep 04, 2010, 02:51 PM EDT

  When the guy says America deserves it because of bad foreign policy against Arab contries and looks like a Muslim....he s a Muslim. A guy in a suit laid him out because his sister worked in the towers. I hope she made it.

• hancock | Sep 04, 2010, 12:30 PM EDT

  Yeah really, some guy whose sister might have been killed punched him out. He was talking s**t about America foreign policy and yeah hew was Muslim looking. Incidents in Brooklyn as well if you don't think that happened all over country you are naive to the extreme. P.S. screw the Iraelis too, there all a bunch of pains in the a**.

• celticsol | Sep 04, 2010, 11:02 AM EDT

  Sorry, I was being a little facetious. just trying to inject a little humor as a way to ease off on all of the anger.

• Edinboron | Sep 04, 2010, 10:53 AM EDT

  Surely we could better than a Hooters. So who would go to this establishment? Jews who keep the Kosher laws wouldn't go. Baptists, Mormans, Evengelicals, eschew the drink. I could be mistaken but in my 12 years of Catholic school, I don't ever recall strippers being an acceptable past time for any Christians. So who is your target audience?

• celticsol | Sep 04, 2010, 10:32 AM EDT

  Let’s erect a Hooters-style rib joint with strippers & a liquor license next door to the new mosque? Booze, pork, and naked women! Happy hour would be five times a day. Just trying to promote a little diversity using the same sensitivity as the Muslim terrorists wanting to build the mosque. Every year on the anniversary of 9-11 we could have a BBQ cook-off in the street. The girls could hold a bikini car wash to raise money for the various Warrior support foundations.

• Edinboron | Sep 04, 2010, 09:50 AM EDT

  "A Muslim Looking Guy"? Really? That's not profiling. When was he dancing? 5 Middle Eastern looking men were seen dancing and celebrating in several places in NJ. They were driving a van that said "Urban Moving Systems". When the police caught up with and arrested them, they were Israeli's.

• Edinboron | Sep 04, 2010, 09:03 AM EDT

  What? A Muslim looking guy? But you have no proof he was a Muslim, just your profiling. Where is the dancing you claim? http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/fiveisraelis.html?q=fiveisraelis.html

• hancock | Sep 03, 2010, 03:27 PM EDT

  Wrong, Atlantic AV in Brooklyn and Bay Ridge. Saw a muslim looking guy get laid out sitting on a bike when he said America deserved it, in city a little uptown by a guy in a suit.

• Edinboron | Sep 03, 2010, 03:17 PM EDT

  Hancock, the only people dancing on 9/11 that I have heard about were Israeli.

• Monsoonman | Sep 03, 2010, 09:32 AM EDT

  It's a bit strange though, the muslim "cleric" backer of this mosque is getting a taxpayer funded trip around the world to spread his ideas and the our tax dollars are also being spent to buy this guys books.

• shidoobe | Sep 03, 2010, 08:57 AM EDT

  Niall O'Dowd ... you are one insensitive self absorbed liberal and a bastard to boot! You make me sick. SO does thi entire Mosque stuff. Build Mosques but not where 3000 people died. What about the church that also was damaged on 9/11 near Ground Zero? are they getting federal funds also? Doubt it.

• hancock | Sep 02, 2010, 06:38 PM EDT

  What part did it remind you of when Muslims were dancing in Brooklyn and NJ when towers were hit?

• Edinboron | Sep 02, 2010, 04:51 PM EDT

  For some reason this whole thing reminds me of in "Gangs of New York" when the nativists marched on the Catholic Church with the intent of burning it down.

• seanomelbourne | Sep 02, 2010, 01:39 AM EDT

  Don't care where you build your Mosques,mangers or synagogue.

• hancock | Aug 31, 2010, 11:49 PM EDT

  Self loathing and liberal smugness mixed with no common sense.

• IrishAndProud | Aug 31, 2010, 11:17 PM EDT

  How can a liberal be all 'offended' and bent-out-of-shape at a simple manger scene at Xmas, and yet be all suddenly gung-ho about 'freedom of religion' when it comes to a 13-STORY Islamic center, so close to Ground Zero that it takes up space where one of the landing gears fell?

• IrishTierney | Aug 31, 2010, 04:24 PM EDT

  Let "them" build the mosque somewhere else. Let there be no "victory dance" mosque near Ground Zero. "The treatment of women,the stoning of adulterers, the blinding of young girls going to school are all part of a lunatic fringe that is tolerated by the mainstream muslims far too much." The next thing you'll be telling us O'Dowd is to let them practice their Sharia law in certain areas of our great nation because it's their wish and we are all so tolerant of their religious freedoms. Rubbish! Change your mind back!!!

• seanomelbourne | Aug 29, 2010, 11:51 PM EDT

  Whew! you had me worried for a moment Mman.

• Monsoonman | Aug 29, 2010, 10:01 PM EDT

  LOL Sean me boy...Now lets don't start running off like chicken little, I speak in parable form sometimes to illustrate a point....don't go taking it literally that I endorse allahs punishments...The forms of punishment I endorse are more along the lines of Genghis Khans Tickler.

• seanomelbourne | Aug 29, 2010, 08:39 PM EDT

  Dennisq! They want to silence your commonsense approach. You sound to practical for the anti-Muslim crowd.

• hancock | Aug 29, 2010, 08:38 PM EDT

  A fate worse than death, probably.

• Monsoonman | Aug 29, 2010, 08:03 PM EDT

  Hancock: I don't think Dennis's crimes would warrant the death penalty under Sharia, allah is too kind and generous for that sort of punishment. I think the prescribed remedy is to cut out his tongue and chop off his fingers so he couldn't annoy anyone anymore via the internet or the spoken word.

• hancock | Aug 29, 2010, 06:32 PM EDT

  Dennis , the funny part is if the Muslims did take over they would kill an annoying guy like you first.

• DennisQ | Aug 29, 2010, 04:21 PM EDT

  If the 9-11 Commission had reported the attacks as politically motivated - which they probably were - we wouldn't be having this discussion about the correct response to Islam. Instead, the allegedly bi-partisan Commission made it easy for Bush to wage war against Muslim countries that had nothing to do with the attacks.
  
  We are still hearing far more about religion than we are about our political differences with Arab countries. For example, if you drew up a list of reasons that Iraqis don't like America, the religious difference wouldn't get nearly as many mentions as invading their country and appropriating their assets.
  
  How about some ordinary common sense here? Our difficulties with the Arab world are political in nature, and the 9-11 attack was similarly political. Why do they hate us? Let's take out a pad and pencil and begin to enumerate the reasons.

• carrickcourt | Aug 29, 2010, 09:08 AM EDT

  Niall, thanks for changing your position on this topic that is such an emotional one for so many people in the USA. While I understand the strong emotions of the folks opposed to a mosque the Constitution of the USA protects freedom of religious believe or non believe in this country. While there may not be as much religious freedom in other parts of the world the right to practice ones faith is a key element that defines what we are as a country. There is a need to understand that the people who did the horrible things on 911 did not represent Islam, they represented their one twisted take on Islam. In discussing this issue recently with my best friend, who just happens to be Jewish, we both agreed that the mosque is only a source of further division in the USA on an issue that in fact should not be an issue if one believes in the fundamental principles of what this country stands for.

• IrishAndProud | Aug 29, 2010, 05:13 AM EDT

  Niall wrote: "From Pakistan to Persia they are lining up to slam the Great Satan America if we don't give the permission." Oh, gee. We wouldn't want to be 'slammed' by Iran, would we, now? Can't have that (never mind that they've been doing it for over 30 years, now). So...let's affront the 9/11 victims by building a mosque near the site, even though they and the overwhelming majority of Americans don't want it -- which negates any 'reconciliation' angle its supporters try to whip up. No, if Iran (and cute with calling it by its old name 'Persia,' Niall) calls us the 'Great Satan,' it'll make the libs cry. Can't have that. BTW Niall saying 'from Pakistan to Persia' sounds rather stupid -- because that's just two countries, who happen to be right next to each other. That's like saying 'from the USA to Canada...'

• DennisQ | Aug 29, 2010, 12:54 AM EDT

  What country might that be, Laura? Muslims are Americans, too. People are not foreigners because they believe in a different God than yours. You should get over that notion, it's bigotry.

• Laura Wilson | Aug 28, 2010, 07:22 PM EDT

  dont do it America, let them build it in thier own country,

• Searlit | Aug 28, 2010, 12:07 PM EDT

  Americans are against discrimination and inequality, although we sometimes fall victim to a divide and conquer political legacy. President Obama has his work cut out for him to try and bring people together. We have proved time, and again that the majority of Americans are honest, hardworking and fairminded people. This is what America is about. Do you see yourself as part of this American tradition, or do you see yourself as a victim of discrimination?

• jamthecat | Aug 28, 2010, 11:29 AM EDT

  Little late, buddy. The lies have already become fact thanks to you and others like you who didn't step up from the first moment.

• MalcomAC | Aug 28, 2010, 09:34 AM EDT

  Exactly.

• maireadinmelb | Aug 28, 2010, 04:33 AM EDT

  This is staggering, all this chest pumping flag waving we are american they are bad evil muslims - yet the whole basis of what once made america so wonderful was the supposed idealogy that all are created equal and each has the freedom to choose and practice their own religion!! By failing to maintain these democratic rights to all amercians, you let the terrorists win. What they want is to destroy the american way of life that is based on freedom and equality. DONT LET ANY TERRORIST DICTATE YOUR CHOICE TO BE A FREEDOM LOVING NATION!!

• Temerity | Aug 28, 2010, 03:26 AM EDT

  vincem13 I applaud your post one doesn't have to be right wing to see the lack of sensitivity to the families of the 911 victims as well as the outraged feelings of all fair minded Americans. Had it been a Chrisitan group responsible the whole Chritian community would have been up in arms against them and done everything to expose them and punish them.Ofcourse it is Islamic teaching and hatred of the Infidel that keeps them silent and indifferent.And trying to excuse it by pointing to the Muslims killed. Muslim or American it was still Muslim terrorists responsible. Build elsewhere.

• walter3ca | Aug 28, 2010, 01:54 AM EDT

  Screw what the world things. Our people were killed on our soil. And Muslims all over the world cheered in the streets. Let them build their mosques where they belong - in the Third World.

• DennisQ | Aug 28, 2010, 01:51 AM EDT

  This notion of collective guilt was wrong when the Nazis used it against the Jews. It hasn't acquired any value since the 1930's even though there's a different group of lepers.
  
  Unless you have specific information linking Park51 to Al Qaeda, the complaints about "insensitivity" are just a repackaging of Nazi-style collective guilt.

• vincem13 | Aug 28, 2010, 12:43 AM EDT

  Dear Niall: As much as I admire your concern, compassion and idealism, there are STILL well over 3000 reasons not to build a mosque there. Those killed on 9/11 at the WTC site deserves more respect than that. If the Islamists are incapable of that degree of sensitivity and respect- tough. Let them build their "Cultural Center" somewhere else in NYC. Every victory we give them, for whatever reason from our perspective, will be seen as weakness and defeat of the infidel to those who are at war with us. The line must be drawn somewhere, Niall. It seems fitting to draw it right where they drew the most of America's blood.

• seanomelbourne | Aug 27, 2010, 07:46 PM EDT

  Well said Mr Dowd! common sense over fear and loathing any day. It is pleasant to read some of today's blogs. I'm with Mr Bloomberg, lead by example not self induced fear or anti-Muslim rhetoric. Sometimes a price has to be paid for the common good, to show the world we are better and fairer than you. The above protester foe example which incorrectly states that the centre would be built on "ground zero". As for Murdoch he never has been an honest broker. We in Australia know him well.

• yorkville | Aug 27, 2010, 06:15 PM EDT

  Im an Irish catholic woman living in Northern Ireland,i believe everyone has the right to practice their own religion,but look at all the pain and suffering it has caused,and noone knows for sure what the real deal is!so we are all right and we are all wrong? right? why cant we all just get along... wouldnt that be sweet.xx

• DennisQ | Aug 27, 2010, 06:08 PM EDT

  A lot of people are starting to feel ashamed that this silly "story" got any legs at all. The proposal was submitted to the local planning board, which approved it. The project also received support at increasingly higher levels of government. That's when the right wing decided to exploit the "issue" as a test of its political strength.
  
  The results are in. The right wing is not strong enough to manufacture a winning election issue without at least the tacit approval of the center. As the controversy wound down, right winger were tarred with a bigotry brush and told to temper their demands. They are now looking a bit pathetic, like a ragtag army in defeat.
  
  This year's September 11th ceremony will not take place in the gaping hole that was left for eight years - because construction has begun for a new World Trade Center. Perhaps the solemnity of the occasion will keep right wing protesters from within earshot of the actual Ground Zero. But I suspect not - their indecorous and indecent megaphones will be loud and clear through the entire area.

• Temerity | Aug 27, 2010, 05:28 PM EDT

  No one is telling them they cannot build thier ......Mosque just build it somewhere else out of respect for the top grade Americans who were burnt and maimed and were targeted because they were the people supporting the economy , their families left traumatised by Muslims terrorists. If these American Muslims had any decency they would do that themselves without being told they would show some respect. No that is taking free speech a bit too far. Have some back bone they despise that weakness more than anything else.Why let the ignorant and the bloody minded dictate to America.911 is not the kind of free speach anyone supports.Is it?

• jmchrystal | Aug 27, 2010, 04:29 PM EDT

  Weren't several 100 innocent muslims killed in 911? And those that are opposed because they think that all Muslims are hateful, ought to look in the mirror (and perhaps, read the constitution).

• hyperion | Aug 27, 2010, 03:43 PM EDT

  The true disgrace is in not rebuilding St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, destroyed in the collapse. That should be the first priority.

• PaulaMarie | Aug 27, 2010, 03:14 PM EDT

  This could've all be controlled by the zoning board. If they are going to allow any church or other religious establishment to build within the two block area of ground zero, then they have to allow all. But they could've rezoned the area as commercial only and not allowed any religious sites whatsoever in that particular zone. Having said that, the retoric has now gone too far and they will have to allow the site to be built.

• patrick1945 | Aug 27, 2010, 03:12 PM EDT

  This Mosque, whatever you call it will always be know as "THE GROUND ZERO MOSQUE", a symbol of terrorism, mistrust, ill-feelings and anti-Muslim sentiment in the minds of the majority of Americans. Why not build it elsewhere and gain respect for Muslims. Like the Statue Of Liberty stands for Freedom, this Mosque will be a negative symbol to the people of America not a healing symbol. Isn't there already enough mistrust without making a symbol to it. The builders may if they own this property and obey all laws have the right to build this Mosque, but the question is not if they have the right, but whether it is "THE RIGHT THING TO DO"?

• adrienrain | Aug 27, 2010, 02:47 PM EDT

  Personally, I'd like to see ALL organized religion, with its mostly organized misogyny and gynophobia, 'chosen people' entitlement mentality, and mind control methods, just go away. In the meantime, all of them are better off with open tolerance AND open criticism, as well.

• JamesMurphy | Aug 27, 2010, 02:40 PM EDT

  Well put, hollabackgurl.

• hollabackgurl | Aug 27, 2010, 01:55 PM EDT

  The people who think that every Muslim is a terrorist are the same people who think every African American is a felon and every Irishman is a drunk.

• eileend | Aug 27, 2010, 01:07 PM EDT

  Kilgara-I'm over 40, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't speak for me. I'm not sure what America you want back, but I'm happy with one that protects the most important Ammendment to the constitution. It would be wonderful to live in an innocent world where nothing else in the world affected us, and we affected no one. That is long gone--in fact, I'd have to say it never was. We have not just the right to live in our country, but the responsibility. Part of that responsibility is to show to the world just how amazing our unique republic is. We ARE the shining light. But we can't be if we abrogate that responsibility when it's uncomfortable. The same 1st Ammendment that protects the Muslim's right to have a community center where it's always been, protects Glenn Beck's right to abuse the memory of 9/11 to raise money and get ratings, which I find much more reprehensible.

• jdi2269 | Aug 27, 2010, 12:51 PM EDT

  HEY NIALL....YOU NEED TO GIVE UP THE DRUGS!

• feeneycj | Aug 27, 2010, 12:05 PM EDT

  good try Niall. those who hate the Great Satan America will never fall for this one. they have too many industries and political structures relying on their hatred and publicity thereof, regardless of what is built and where.

• Monsoonman | Aug 27, 2010, 12:01 PM EDT

  With a sort cujo-like logic lapse, this has transformed into a constitutional rights issue/racism issue. It is not, it is a sensitivity issue, a common sense issue, a respect issue. The developers of this "islamic center" have none of those attributes.

• ORourkes | Aug 27, 2010, 11:52 AM EDT

  Terry McVey was a Baptist...so don't build any Baptist Churches close to the Oklahoma City bombing site? I think not. it may be in poor taste, but our country is based on the freedom to do so. Most of this uproar is attention getting tactics for campaigning and negative news media and those parties they favor.

• JamesMurphy | Aug 27, 2010, 11:46 AM EDT

  Good for you! By the end of World War Two, Hitler and his Nazi war machine had destroyed 80 percent of London and devastated numerous other cities in Britain. Britain and the United States performed similar acts of insanity in Germany--most notably the totally unjustified allied fire-bombing of Dresden when the the war was won. Did we British citizens, at war's end and subsequently, refuse to allow Germans to build on our soil? Of course not. Put the pat where it belongs and build the Muslim cultural center in New York no matter where it is located.

• kilgara | Aug 27, 2010, 11:42 AM EDT

  The America that people over forty years old knew and loved is well on its' way to committing suicide and know-nothing dolts like O'Dowd are standing on the sidelines cheering the end on.

• Clancey | Aug 27, 2010, 11:24 AM EDT

  Good man, Niall. By the way, as to the examples you cite of extreme acts: you're correct, they come from a lunatic fringe (just as the minister in Florida who plans to burn Korans is part of a Christian lunatic fringe). I worked for years with a devout Muslim woman (she and her husband made frequent pilgrimages to Mecca). We talked often about Islam; I learned a lot from her. She always insisted (particularly about the treatment of women) "This is not what the Koran says!" I take her at her word.

• Fatherpat | Aug 27, 2010, 11:21 AM EDT

  Change the two emotionally loaded words "mosque" and "Muslim" for the two loaded words "synagogue" and "Jew". Now change the words United States for Germany and voila the US is now at the same point that Germany was in 1936 when its democracy was fast evaporating with their leader for "real change". The rest of the world looking in could see it then and they can see it now. This will only get scarier unless some real leader emerges in the US to stop the destruction of USans last few freedoms being flushed away by the 2 party same agenda corpocratic militocracy that passes for US democracy. "First they came for....then they came for....etc etc etc....."

• Searlit | Aug 27, 2010, 11:19 AM EDT

  Sixty-eight percent of their fellow Americans do not wish for them to build the community center/mosque at the site of the old Burlington store, or any other building that was destroyed by an insane act, which killed, so many innocent people, in such a horrific way! I don't see it as a way forward. Let there be some kindness shown. The attempt to resolve differences needs to include overtures of good will. I read an article by a journalist(won't mention his name--don't know his religion). He said mainstream muslims would consider what the promoters of this interpretive center, at this site, are doing as "mischief making". I hope he didn't get in too much trouble for putting that in writing. A persons got to be able to write!

• shirleyo | Aug 27, 2010, 11:11 AM EDT

  In an ideal world,our country's generosity would impress and appease. There's nothing 'ideal'in today's world. Right, or wrong, attempt to build a Mosque in a sensitive area will inflame. Hatred and fear could breed years of verbal violence and constant sabotage to every phase of construction. That's realism. "Idealism" should be scrapped.

• DeaconJack | Aug 27, 2010, 11:00 AM EDT

  Sharia law demands that they build the mosque on the site of a victory----all of our slaughtered friends and relatives. How can any sane person agree to this idiocy????

• JimThompson | Aug 27, 2010, 10:52 AM EDT

  Disagree. Why shoul we permit American haters to build where they have a great achievement. Those that are waiting for us to say "NO" so that they can show how prejudiced we are are the same ones that hate us already so why shold we worry about them or their thoughts.

• kevinhayes | Aug 27, 2010, 10:42 AM EDT

  Well done, Niall. Better late than not at all. Was it your recent trip to Ireland that opened your eyes?

• oldboreen | Aug 27, 2010, 10:37 AM EDT

  Just a thought- How many Christian Churches are there in Saudia Arabia?

• McNabb1966 | Aug 27, 2010, 10:35 AM EDT

  Absolutely incorrect, Niall. The radical Islamists who hate the United States won't be appeased if Cordoba House is built and those who are not already biased against the United States either are indifferent, feeling that it is an American controversy that has nothing to do with worldwide Islam, or actually opposed to its construction. There are even some who think that it's a "Zionist plot" designed to create turmoil and embarrassment. What you're seeing from Mayor Billionaire is the cynical demagoguery of somebody who has nothing to lose and who wants to cancel out the criticism he took when he opposed the idea of trying KSM in Manhattan. Those who are speaking out in favor of building Cordoba House are pursuing a Leftist agenda and looking to score political points against Conservatives. Muslims overseas are correct to interpret this controversy as being mostly related to internal American politics.

• Monsoonman | Aug 27, 2010, 10:25 AM EDT

  Revisionist history is so safe and comfortable almost 70 years after the fact from the comfort of your easy chair. Pearl Harbor and our entry into ww2 resulting in the internment of Japanese who lived in HI./west coast, was at a time when we expected to be attacked imminently on our west coast by the Japanese. I live here and all along our coasts there are abandoned gun emplacements and airports set up for the defense against Japanese attack. Sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures, when you are fighting for your very survival. Go back and see where Lincoln suspended habeas corpus....The Japanese were interred for their own safety as well as for the safety of America at that time.

• pounder | Aug 27, 2010, 10:14 AM EDT

  And when we ave in, what do you think will happen??????

• AengusOg | Aug 27, 2010, 09:57 AM EDT

  Under the concept of 'Freedom of Speech', we allow the American flag to be put to the torch, but we do not cooperate with this act. The mosque is a different matter. First, it shows a distinct lack of sensitivity on the part of the Muslim community. The 911 attack was the work of fanatics carried out as an Islamic jihad. To push so hard to place a mosque on these scared grounds, is confrontational, in your face politics, not a reasonable request to practice Islam. Where re those Muslims who want to live peacefully with the rest of America? Why aren't they standing up and denouncing the placement of this mosque as, at the very least, insensitive and tasteless. Second, I looked up BBC in the dictionary and found it meant appeasement. The mosque issue will not make an iota of difference to fair-minded Muslims if presented honestly. As for the Taliban and Al Quaeda, the expectations that they will increase or decease the level of violence because of the issue is ludicrous. Building a mosque on Ground Zero is wrong. Fear doesn't make it right. See Hitler, the USSR, etc.

• Sheilah | Aug 27, 2010, 09:34 AM EDT

  couldn't disagree more

• MaryM232 | Aug 27, 2010, 09:31 AM EDT

  The building is a part of Ground Zero, a piece of the plane crashed through the building, and a corpse and body parts were found in side. It's as much a part of Ground Zero, as that field in Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon. Bloomberg is supporting this, because he recently decided to close down some of his US business hubs, and expand into Dubai, yes, Dubai. It's rather like BP using their position to get that Libyan terrorist sprung from that Scottish jail, so they could get an oil contract in Libya. Bloomberg is corrupt. Of course you have a fondness for abuses and hypocrisy, Niall, anyone who's read your columns know full well that you're that sort.

• MaryM232 | Aug 27, 2010, 09:27 AM EDT

  Who are you kidding Niall, you were for building this mosque the last time I was here, and that was weeks ago. Frankly, the vast majority of the US doesn't give a fig what the rest of the world thinks, and anyone who has read the international press knows full well that moderate Muslims overseas have stated that they believe building this mosque, in this location is a bad idea, and will give people the wrong idea about Islam. As the days have gone on, we've learned about imam Rauf lying, video tapes of him stating in Saudi Arabia that he doesn't believe in interfaith dialogue, and other things, we've learned more about his ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. We've learned that the developer has threatened moderate Muslims with physical violence for speaking out against the mosque, 2 members of the Canadian Muslim Congress. Said developer went from being a poor waiter, to suddenly having hundreds of millions of dollars in cash over night, and was able to purchase the building and refuses to tell anyone where he got the money from. The financier, has been found to have been cheating the NY state medicaid department, and refuses to answer questions. The US will neither forget or "move on", Niall, over us being attacked, we're not door mats. I think Niall, that YOU need to move on, in fact take your bad toupee, or whatever that greasy mop of stuff is on top of your head and move on back to Ireland if you do not respect the rights of the American citizenry, and our great nation.

• knockatee | Aug 27, 2010, 09:01 AM EDT

  Niall, you said it all in your last sentence.

• haasny007 | Aug 27, 2010, 08:54 AM EDT

  Niall, I was disappointed that you caved to the ugly right-wing screamers but am happy about your U-turn. By allowing this mosque America can prove its exceptionalism. Otherwise we are just as stupid and intolerant as the those fools from Pakistan to Persia. You got it right.

• jamieLM | Aug 27, 2010, 08:30 AM EDT

  I read it was 300 yards from Ground Zero. Tom: If some radical Christians blew up a mosque in the U.S., killing thousands of Muslims and then a Christian sect (Catholic or Protestant) wanted to erect a Christian church/center nearby, do you think the Muslim community would welcome that idea? I doubt it. They'd be protesting loudly and accusing the Christians of being INSENSITIVE, regardless of the legal right of the Christians to build anything there. Muslims around the world would be critizing Christians and the radicals would be threatening to kill all the "infidels." The Muslims know they have the legal right to build there and they don't care if it's offensive and hurtful to the families of the 9/11 victims. Muslim INSENSITIVITY is the issue - not legality. Having a center/mosque built at that cite is more important to them than considering how millions of Americans feel about Ground Zero and how it ratchets up tensions between Christians and Muslims. So go ahead Muslims and build the da.. thing there, but don't complain when some people aren't all "warm and fuzzy" towards you. Although, I don't believe in any kind of violence toward Muslims.

• Southernpride | Aug 27, 2010, 07:02 AM EDT

  You made the right U turn decision Mr O'Dowd. Muslim terrorists will not be looking for you anymore because of your support for the Mosque You can sleep in peace

• maireadinmelb | Aug 27, 2010, 05:55 AM EDT

  Question, Where exactly is the proposal for the building of this mosque, on the site where the towers once stood or nearby??

• IrishAndProud | Aug 27, 2010, 05:39 AM EDT

  (continued...) But perhaps, when things DO reach such a point nationally, a revolt by the people is exactly what's called for -- what other options would there be, at that point? Thomas Jefferson himself said that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, because he understood as well as the next person that the only way to reset a mess that massive would be to bring it down and start over. Personally, I think the USA is already destined for this...precisely because the powers that be (as well as an apathetic and selfish populace that ultimately let it get to this point) did NOT hang with the Constitution. I only voice what a majority of this country has likewise come to see, on certain issues. This thing is way bigger than just my posts; I'm just a blogger on a few posts that few even read, after a few days. But I do respect you, Tom -- you don't respond in blind, explosive anger when you post to me, and it shows. That's good, and it gives me pause to think about these things.

• IrishAndProud | Aug 27, 2010, 05:28 AM EDT

  Tom, I've never NOT hung with the Constitution, because on this particular matter (or any others that I've remarked on, really), that document is not what is in dispute. My goal in stating my opinions is not to jump on some bandwagon just because I think it's somehow popular or chic (though I have obviously pointed out the mass public support of certain of my positions, in countering the oft-repeated myth that those opinions are only held by a radical fringe). By lunacy of the moment I gather you refer, collectively, to the conflagration over the mosque in NY, and/or the current uproar over illegal aliens (which includes Ireland as well as the USA)...and just the overall, general atmosphere in the country as it now stands; it is chiefly on those topics and their related material that I've been commenting on, as of late (because those issues have been commented on in turn by various writers here at Irish Central, and by others in response to them. As for the atmosphere in the USA as it is currently -- I would agree with you, it's poisonous...and certainly the USA cannot continue on its present course and remain intact. Where I believe we differ, is WHY that's the case. I attribute the anger and angst (in its most acute sense) to the fact that we currently have a tone-deaf and utterly unresponsive government (that is, elected officials at virtually ALL levels), passing things and NOT doing things that the people want the opposite of...and the people feel stepped on, ignored, and voiceless (more so than I've ever seen in my life) -- so they're making those voices heard loudly, and I suspect will do so quite stunningly this November. And if things don't change enough after that point, the people (sensing no other recourse) will move to the next step: revolution, in one form or another.

• IrishAndProud | Aug 27, 2010, 02:21 AM EDT

  IrishAndProud, I only need to refer you to your several posts on these pages over the past several weeks. You changed from being a moderate and rational reviewer to something else - you seemed to be caught up in the lunacy of the moment. This is the time, I beg you, to adhere to the principles of traditional republicanism so that we both can emerge from this horrible mess that we're in. We need to move on. Above all, we need come together as we did in WW 2. If we can't do this I think we're finished. Yes, this is a bit smalshsy, I know. Hyper-over-the-top rhetoric may provide temporary satisfaction but doesn't address the problem- and it will not win long-term elections. Please, I beg you, hang with the Constitution

• IrishAndProud | Aug 26, 2010, 11:30 PM EDT

  Tom: Firstly could you be more specific? In what ways do you feel I've 'migrated' (in quotation marks merely to stipulate it as a quote from your post) from genuine conservatism to the 'looney right?' And Tom...I've not argued that Muslims do not have a right to build there, I've argued that it's NOT right to build there. If the goal is supposedly reconciliation but one side is still smarting from --in this case -- 9/11, then how does continuing to push the mosque idea no matter how flared the opposition becomes lead to 'peace and reconciliation?' Seems to me it would be a wee bit counterproductive from that point on -- almost like saying 'We're going to build our reconciliation center, no matter what! Screw you!' Wouldn't the better thing at this point be to simply acknowlege that putting it up there would do more harm than good, and then simply relocate it further out? Would that not produce the stated goal, much more effeciently?

• IrishAndProud | Aug 26, 2010, 09:50 PM EDT

  IrishAndProud, I think that Niall sometimes plays both sides of the issue and I do not fault him for this. He is the founder of IC and has a healthy interest in keeping the conversation/debate going - and generating controversy, which ultimately translates into ad revenue. If our friend truly had a change of heart, then he is to be commended for returning to the values that make us who we are. This lunacy over whether a mosque should be erected some blocks from Ground Zero is both sad and deeply disturbing. We are better than this! In 1942 we put 120,000 Japanese Americans into concentration camps when they were amongst our most loyal and, battle-proven, most heroic Americans. They lost everything. Why? Racism, bigotry and the old bugaboo, irrational fear. I am no supporter of religion, period! It is not worth the endless slaughter it has caused - all because of our fear of death. But ... as a country, we believe in freedom of religion ... and this mosque may do much in the way of conciliation. This is how I see it. An aside: IrishAndProud, I had always figured you for a genuine conservative - someone that I may not always agree with but whose positions have real value. Of late you seem to have migrated to the looney right and I am sorry to see this. Remember, compromise and solutions are only found near the center, not on the fringes. For what it's worth.

• teddybear | Aug 26, 2010, 06:49 PM EDT

  NO MOSQUE AT GROUND ZERO. And as far as stoning women I sure hope the MEN are stoned also as it is a 2 WAY STREET.

• Woodkern | Aug 26, 2010, 06:20 PM EDT

  Nothing that anyone can say about Tea Partier can portray them as poorly as their own misspelt placards. Please don't take it upon yourself to assume what I believe about the rights of CHRISTians and Jews. http://commonwealmagazine.org/wrong-then-wrong-now Incidently, I was in 5 WTC, New York, New York 10048 when the first plane hit on 9/11 and three blocks away when 2 WTC collasped. Where were you?

• IrishAndProud | Aug 26, 2010, 06:10 PM EDT

  Question: how can you make a lib sound like a conservative in 2.5 seconds? Answer: with Islam. Then, suddenly, out comes all this 'great Founders of our Land' talk and 'freedom of religion rocks' -- people and concepts they'd have openly CURSED just three seconds earlier. This is the stuff of Warner Brothers cartoons -- it's comical.

• IrishAndProud | Aug 26, 2010, 06:05 PM EDT

  Woodkern, aside from your sweeping stereotype of Tea Party people (hypocritical, considering you're bashing people for stereotyping Muslims), this issue is not and has never been about the Constitution. The question is not 'do they have the right to build there'...the question is: "IS it right for them to build there?' And apparently (speaking of the Constitution) dissenting opinion should also be done away with, according to you, because one conservative network out of five is still too much for you...and what's with this sudden 'enthusiam' you have for the First Amendment, all of a sudden? 'Freedom of Religion rocks!' COME...OFF...IT. Do you not realize how PHONY that is, coming from a liberal like you? You don't even want school children to legally PRAY ON THEIR OWN in a public school (a direct violation of this same amendment you're now all so gung-ho about), and yet when it comes to the faith that would be the first to cut your throat from ear-to-ear if it had its way, you're 'all for it. Come off it. Only with Islam is the hypocrite left all suddenly for the 'freedom of religion' -- and property rights, too. But Xtians and especially Jews need not apply.

• Woodkern | Aug 26, 2010, 05:53 PM EDT

  We can change our minds, march around lower Manhattan like Tea Party hillbillies, bang on cap-locked keyboards like adolescents, slander Muslims or worse as much as we like... None of this will change the decision that this great Country ratified in 1791. Had Fox News been around in 19th Century America, Charles Chiniquy and Maria Monk would both be on Rupert Murdoch's payroll as "Fair & Balanced" news commentators. Yet, the First Amendement remained in place when the Nativists of 1834 burned the Ursuline Convent in Massachusetts and I am confident that it will survive the temper tantrums of the Know Nothings of 2010. Freedom of Religion Rocks!

• manhattan | Aug 26, 2010, 03:03 PM EDT

  WHAT? DO YOU BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF THE PEOPLE WHO HATE US BY GIVING IN TO THIS MOSQUE? OH LORD SPARE ME FROM THE HAND WRINGING WIMPS THAT REFUSE TO REALIZE THE EXTENT OF THERE HATE AND ARE WE TO BEG THEM TO UNDERSTAND AND LIKE US? WE NEVER LEARN DO WE . WE HATE TO THINK PEOPLE HATE US AND CAN'T BE CHANGED.

• dseigler2 | Aug 26, 2010, 02:27 PM EDT

  http://groundzeromosquetheamericanway.blogspot.com/

• jamieLM | Aug 26, 2010, 02:06 PM EDT

  We aren't going to score any points with those Taliban or Al-Queda lunatics or the radical Muslims. They couldn't care less about a mosque in NY. They're busy killing their own people who are praying in mosques in Muslim countries. Let's get real. The "American-haters" around the world will always find some other reason to criticize and hate us, regardless if the mosque is built or not. The "mainstream" Muslims have been pi**-poor in their response to radical Muslim terrorism against Christians and Jews in America. They seem to have plenty of tolerance for that. Yet, they demand that everyone else be "tolerant" and "sensitive" to them, including the families of the 9/11 victims. Do I care what the Muslim community or the "world" thinks about the building of the mosque in AMERICA(NYC) near Ground Zero? Not really. Someone will make the decision and that will be that.

• KansasUSA | Aug 26, 2010, 01:14 PM EDT

  This is one American that is sick to death of taking the high road. Within hours of the worst attack in the history of the US, we were worried about being "politically correct". When the people of this faith support the building of a CHRISTIAN church in the heart of their country, I will support theirs but not until. There are other mosques in New York and around this country-they can build elsewhere.

• Monsoonman | Aug 26, 2010, 12:17 PM EDT

  We already are the great say-tan and no matter what we do to appease them, we will remain devils until we submit to sharia.