Rep. Peter King: President Obama Missed ‘A Teachable Moment’ On Ground Zero Mosque
EmailPresident Obama missed "an opportunity to create a teachable moment" when he weighed in on the controversy over whether to build the Islamic center two blocks from Ground Zero, Rep. Peter King told me on "GMA."
"The Muslim community has an absolute right to construct this mosque, they should also take into account the feelings of those who agree and have meetings, set up meetings and try to find another location. That would do more to bring about interfaith harmony than anything," King, a New York Republican, said.
Friday night Obama seemed to indicate his support for building the mosque, but the following day the president tried to clarify his remarks by saying he was not commenting "on the wisdom of making the decision to put a mosque there." The White House then released a statement saying the president was "not backing off in any way from the comments he made" on Friday.
Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, took issue with King’s comments, arguing that if the building of the mosque does not go forward it would be a "setback for liberty."
"If a group of religious adherence can be stopped from building a house of worship, then that will be a suffering blow for religious liberty in our country. It will be a setback for the idea that you can worship as you see fit in America," Ellison, a Democrat from Minnesota, said. "Now that is a deeply rooted and important American value. And I don’t think we should compromise on it."
I asked Ellison if the president’s statements and subsequent clarification could become a problem for Democrats this November, as Sen. John Cornyn has suggested. Ellison said “absolutely not.”
“The truth is that we are a party of principle, we believe in the idea of religious liberty,” Ellison said.
“America is a country that is for everyone where people worship as they see fit,” Ellison told me. "The problem with stopping this Islamic center is that it implies that the Muslim world is responsible for [September 11] when Al Qaeda is responsible."
Watch my interview with Congressmen King and Ellison here and then weigh in below and tell me who you think is right.
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I would just like to say “no coment”
No disrepect to the President, But what does he know about the subject! Maybe I am all wrong.
Posted by: Lynda Samphire | August 16, 2010, 9:35 am 9:35 am
I think our President’s comments were correct and honorable. I am glad that he calmly reminded our country about the constitution.
Posted by: Jim Madson | August 16, 2010, 10:15 am 10:15 am
He didn’t “miss a teachable moment”…he taught that rights are rights, wheather you like them or not. He also said he “questioned the wisdom behind this decision” – which means, like most New Yorkers and Americans, he doesn’t want it there either.
Posted by: Gerald | August 16, 2010, 11:05 am 11:05 am
Rep. Keith Ellison ignored Rep. Peter King’s point that the Muslim community should choose to relocate the mosque as a recognition of the pain that this is causing! He focused on their “rights” but not what is right!
Posted by: tillyerkt | August 16, 2010, 11:09 am 11:09 am
The Muslim world and the people of Islam are nowdays making sure that it only Islam and Muslims that are getting all of the attention and basically getting heard “By Force”. I believe that Obama has a secret agenda and is making huge mistakes when he supports Muslims unconditionally and not pointing out the many bad things in this “Tolerant” religeon. Islam and Muslims need to show some respect for America and not denounce our culture and freedoms. Many are taught that America is the “great satan” and the Infidels are lik “pigs that need to be slaughtered”… FACT! NO TO THE GROUND ZERO MOSQUE… !!!
Posted by: Chris | August 16, 2010, 11:14 am 11:14 am
Thank you, Mr. President for teaching the American people that we have a CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT and MORALS and Principals in this country. Why is there so much of disrepect toward our CONSTITUTION of late….but yet, you see all the “flag” carrying “constitutional astutes” yelling about “constitution and the founding fathers” …but when it comes to different ethnic groups….the CONSTITUTION appears NOT to have been written for “them”. What a joke America has become! On it’s way to becoming a Third World country based on the long ago policies of Reagan that is/has not Clearly worked.
Posted by: sara | August 16, 2010, 11:24 am 11:24 am
The president is wishy-washy on the Constitution. Using it as a weapon when it suits him.
Hilary Clinton was given her position as Sec. of State even though in her prior role as a Senator she voted a pay raise for that very position. Our Constitution stipulates this makes her (or any like person) ineligible to hold the post. The Emolument clause. Look it up. (“Professor Obama and the Constitution”)
Pres. Obama AND Hilary defy the Constitution or the American people to stop them from their systematic dismantling of our country into a socialist regime.
Posted by: Gentert2Try | August 16, 2010, 11:57 am 11:57 am
Mr. King is right. If the iman wants tolerance and harmony then he would be sensitive to the diveristy of other peoples’ feelings, like the family and friends of those massacred on the Ground Zero battlefield, yes battlefield. That ground is a burial site. Governor candidate Paladino has a good idea to make Ground Zero a declared National battlefield site. Governor Paterson in offering an alternative site was as wise as Solomon, he in doing so revealed the true motivation of the mosque in that alternative sites are not acceptable. Why? Why is it necessary to build a victory mosque? What is the position of Andrew Cuomo, Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuckie Schumer? Their lack of opinion is also very telling.
Posted by: Downwithsocialism | August 16, 2010, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm
Isn’t it funny if you have a cross in a certain location or a Christmas tree in your town square they come out crying to tear it down because it offends some people.
Posted by: mikeyg | August 16, 2010, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm
And what happens if after this Mosque is built it is attacked and destroyed by angry Americans? Building this Mosque in this location could be construed as an act meant to incite violence, not help foster peace…one person’s rights end when those rights either lead to violence and/or deny someone else their rights.
Posted by: Z.Z. | August 16, 2010, 12:56 pm 12:56 pm
this president is indefendable. So quit sounding like idots trying to and just accept it. The rest of the voting public sure isn’t going to try.
Posted by: Brian | August 16, 2010, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm
The tone deafness of those “forcing” a mosque in the “attack zone” are guilty of trying to incite a riot!
Posted by: tillyerkt | August 16, 2010, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm
Actually “Peter King” you have provided the “teachable moment” without even intending to. You have just proven once again that the Republican Party will always “pander” to the emotions of people for political advantage. Why not? You have no leadership or solutions for the problems that currently face us. And just maybe the “teachable part” will occur when the “real Muslim” religion builds this cultural landmark and ecumenically is kind and helpful to people of all faiths and races. But “THAT” doesn’t help you Mr. King does it? You want things to remain bitter and divisive so you can keep “driving the wedge” into America and keep “true progress” from happening. It is always that way with “parties” that have no positive solutions.
Posted by: CND FOX | August 16, 2010, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm
There are some things, that simply are NOT acceptable, and making excuses of it being “right” is a lie. There is big money involved somewhere, as there always is, in these “development” issues, where government goes against the wishes of the public.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | August 16, 2010, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
There are some things, that simply are NOT acceptable, and making excuses of it being “right” is a lie. There is big money involved somewhere, as there always is, in these “development” issues, where government goes against the wishes of the public.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | August 16, 2010, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
“Rick McDaniel”…LOL…LOL….Oh that’s probably it. Some type of “big money conspiracy”! LOL…LOL…The “only wishes of the public” that matter in this issue, Rick are the people of New York. And that has all ready seemed to be worked out by Mayor Bloomburg. When are people like you going to realize, Rick, that Republicans are always “playing you” by “firing you up” on hot button emotional issues? Are you ever going to learn how they use you?
Posted by: CND FOX | August 16, 2010, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm
Eliminate the Middleman and you eliminate the scam.
Anyone who believes in God and knows how to pray: doesn’t need any Middlemen to tell them how to relate to God.
All organized religions are run by men who were conceived , born and grew up to adults in the usual fashion. Their only claim to fame is that they attended religious classes for a specific brand of organized religion. That’s like going to classes to learn how to sell Chevies, Fords or Toyotas.
So now we have a group of, lets say Izuzu, salesmen who want to build a dealership in a trendy New York City spot. All hell breaks loose because Ford, Chevy and Toyota fans think it’s some kinda insult. That’s nonsense: it’s not even significant once you understand the irrelevance of “religious brands.”
A much better question in our national time of need is: When are we going to see the tax money owed by all of these religious dealerships? We have a whole class of salesmen living off donations from fans – and they don’t pay a cent in taxes!
Posted by: 4Truth&Justice | August 16, 2010, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm
The teachable moment about the Ground Zero Mosque is that Islam is not just a religion, it’s a political ideology that pushes total supremacy based on claiming to be backed by God, which is why 9/11 happened in the first place, as the opening shot in a war, and why such a horrible symbol is being promoted by Muslims now, as a victory flag and memorial to the dead Muslims there, not the dead infidels. Worse, as an embassy for the future Sharia govt. of America. The U.S. is in an all-out war with Islam, which seeks to destroy the Constitutional republic and substitute Sharia, as Newt Gingrich has told us in his teachable moment. So the winner here is Gingrich, not Obama, and I think the latter is finally turning the American people against him as they figure out that he’s got to be Islam’s Trojan Horse President, with the goal of opening the city gates to Islam no matter what he has to do or what lie he has to tell, Allah will reward him in paradise. In other words, a traitor to the American people but secret agent to the people of Islam worldwide, ugh, pinch me in case I’m dreaming.
Yes, it’s a war, a dead serious one, with every one of our scalps on the line, so it’s a good idea to keep up on the world news free via links at my blog:
http://historyscoper-islamwatch.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Historyscoper | August 16, 2010, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm
People need to learn, we have to do the right thing. No Christian wants a mosque anywhere but this is America, so they get to be free, just like us. Freedon is even for people we don’t like. People disagree with us all the time, still it is a free country. Blaiming the president for everything, free country, lieing about the president, free country. This is a learnable moment.
Posted by: Mike Hiles | August 16, 2010, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
I think the President and Mr. Ellison are absolutely correct and that Mr. King makes points worthy of candid and open discussion, but his position should not prevail. In the end, this should not be a question of Muslims deciding to further Islam, but Americans doing what is their inalienable right to do….worship as they please without governmental or citizen interference. Mr. King’s points should be considered only to the extent that they bring clarity to the discussion. This has been cast as an “us” and “them” debate, as has the Afghan and Iraqi wars. It is not, we all stand together as Americans or there is no America and all this talk of esteemed Americanvalues is for naught, if only a select element of our citizenry are allowed to aspire to those goals. Al-Queada, not Islam perpetrated the horros of 9/11. Islam is not moreorless honorable than any other religion or belief. Mr. Ellison makes the more persuavive argument in favor of the President’s comments and the right of the Mosque organizers to prevail.
Posted by: George J. Haddad | August 16, 2010, 5:41 pm 5:41 pm
The President did not MISS any thing other than to remind all voters what this nations stand for. I wold have had less respect for him if he had used the issue for the usual emotional,Ra Ra comment that generate support without substance. It was not the President’s duty to ask them “why here?” beyond that
it was to N.Y. refuse the permit.
And beyond that one the why is asked and the response is acceptable, that they plan to build a memorial, beyond that, any objection for religious reason would be unconstitutional.
Posted by: Erica Stuart | August 16, 2010, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
This issue echoes the Know Nothing(officially the American Party) actions before the Civil War in stealing and destroying the stone donated by the Vatican for the Washington Monument. At that time there was a fear of Catholicism and particularly Irish and German Catholic immigration which included riots and church burnings. The KKK echoed this fear in the 1928 election in working against Al Smith and the issue was still at work in 1960 when JFK was elected as President. In this country the God of Fear has always trumped Fear of the Lord and it appears the same is still true.
Posted by: bhciapol | August 16, 2010, 6:17 pm 6:17 pm
TAKE AWAY ONE RELIGOUIONS RIGHT TO BUILD, SOON ALL RELIGIONS LOSE THEIR RIGHTS. HAS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BECOME THE NEW NAZI PARTY? IT SEEMS THEY ALWAYS BACK THESE AUGUMENTS. OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS SHOULD BE AT THE TOP OF OUR LIST CONCERNING DECISIONS SUCH AS THESE.
Posted by: MICHAEL SAGER | August 16, 2010, 7:27 pm 7:27 pm
Why hasn’t the Greek Orthodox Church which was destroyed in the 9/11 attacks not been allowed to rebuild on the land it stood on? Why is there a preference of what religion gets to build on Ground Zero? The mosque site had an airplane engine land throuhg it, is that not Ground Zero?
Posted by: Downwithsocialism | August 16, 2010, 8:25 pm 8:25 pm
You know the saddest part of all these emotional based comments (especially the ones against the mosque being built)is the obliviousness of the commenters to the many times our nation has committed atrocities in our own country (i.e. slavery, Native Americans) and have erected our own “temples” right in front of them …and never cared once about their “feelings ” or their “diversity”. Or the number of times we have done this same thing in other countries where we have subjugated foreign people for their “cheap labor” or “natural resources”. Now either all of you are the biggest hypocrites I have ever seen …or just not very intelligent. I highly suggest you go don your homework on how our nation has always acted to those that “were different than us”…and then comment. Oh…but I forgot we are a “Christian nation”…aren’t we???
Posted by: CND FOX | August 16, 2010, 8:35 pm 8:35 pm
Regarding comment by CND FOX – Obama has done a great job apologizing for America and his viewpoint of American colonialism. Cloward and Piven response is not working here.
Posted by: Downwithsocialism | August 16, 2010, 8:50 pm 8:50 pm
I may have a right to slug you in your face…….but my right stops….where
where any part of your body begins.
Al Quada may have “taken responsibility”
but it would be a slap in the face
to the 3000 plus people who died there
to raise what has just the issue
of what is right…..it would be
a United States Black Eye. the mosque at that location says to the world,..
see what we did and they did nothing.
Posted by: Creig Myers | August 16, 2010, 10:01 pm 10:01 pm
Dear George,
I was wondering why do we have to hear what Sarah Palin has to say regarding ANY issue, but especially the one regarding the mosque close to Ground Zero, when she was the person directly involved in attacks against this Country, along with her husband, in attempts to separate Alaska – REMEMBER? So, how can this person be competent to talk about anything starting with family values and so on, and why, oh why she keeps appearing in news? You people promote her and encourage stupidity to blossom. She is a FOX news celebrity at leave it at that. Do not insult the rest of us who actually want some decent news. Thank you.
Posted by: Belma | August 17, 2010, 7:32 am 7:32 am
Suggest people read the Torah-Bible and the Qur’an, to find out the (truth)of religion; most people have no knowledge of (GOD);only what they have been taught, it shakes the money from their pockets… Read about the (Synods), for better understanding… Then we can stop the arguments.
Posted by: Thom Barnes | August 17, 2010, 8:05 am 8:05 am
Have to say did not see this one coming
Posted by: Fresno Attorney | August 17, 2010, 11:50 am 11:50 am
The president did not miss anything. He said all he could say as to the right to religious freedom for all. Anything more would have been too much. We do not need to know anything more…we can all form our own opinions and whatever he would have said…there would be a side to disagree. One thing, Mr. King that you failed to mention is that President Bush was the first one to say that the Muslems did not bomb on 9/11 that it was a fringe alkita group and many times has he stood up for the Muslem religion. However, should President Obama do this..he would be and is considered a muslem. Why is that you think? Could it be the rhetroic from Fox news and Limbaugh who constantly call him one and the lemmings that listen to those shows know no better nor dod they check facts. They blindly believe Fox and haniity and Beck. Beck is a drop out from a seminary school and Limbaugh flunked out of college and so many think they know everything. Pity!
Posted by: talmag | August 23, 2010, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm