Obama Rightfully Supports Mosque Near Ground Zero

From the Associated Press:

"As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country," Obama told an intently listening crowd gathered at the White House Friday evening to observe the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

"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."

While I disagree with Obama 99% of the time, this falls into that 1% where I do agree. These Muslims have the Right to develop the property which they own however they see fit without intervention from the government. The Constitution protects this Right.

The same people who scream that they defend the Constitution and freedom are the same who are against allowing Muslims to develop their own private property. Their only reason? It's near Ground Zero.

Rep. Peter King (R-NY) went on to say this:

"It is insensitive and uncaring for the Muslim community to build a mosque in the shadow of ground zero."

I agree. It is insensitive and uncaring. But it is a Right protected by the United States Constitution. The government cannot and should not deny a group the Right to develop their private property on religious or ideological grounds. The government could intervene if in fact the mosque was being constructed on government or public tax-funded property, but neither of those scenarios would Constitutionally exist.

While this may indeed be a demonstration of Islamic triumphalism, they are acting well within their rights as property owners. Those who defend the Constitution and freedom, but demand that the government prevent this mosque from being built, show their true colors in that they only care about their own freedom.