Don raises an interesting point: if supporting the Ground Zero Mosque was such a no-brainer, then why are Democrats getting so bent out of shape about Bob Turner (R) pointing out that Dave Weprin (D) enthusiastically supported it being built?
Don already knows the answer, of course:
If supporting the building of the mosque is the right thing to do, why not stand by those words that were said 13 months ago? Oh wait, that high-moral-ground stand might cost Democrats a seat in Congress. So what liberals are saying is that they are willing to stand up for unpopular causes — unless doing what they say is right may cost them a few votes.
Personally, I currently take the mainstream position* on this issue: the backers of the mosque have a right to build one where they wish, subject of course to existing zoning and permitting laws. They should also have the good sense to recognize that building it at Ground Zero offends the cultural and religious sensibilities of a majority of their fellow-citizens, and that those citizens have just as much right to have said sensibilities respected as do, say, the backers of the Ground Zero Mosque. Which is also the mainstream position**. I recognize that this set of not-really-conflicting attitudes is a bit too nuanced and complex for your average liberal Democratic politician, but then their rather rigid worldview is not exactly my problem, is it?
Moe Lane
*At least, that was the mainstream position last year: there doesn’t seem to have been any polling on this issue lately among the general population. People may have changed their minds either on being theoretically all right with the issue, or else being upset about the issue in the specific case…
**See previous note.