# Dear Media, Obama did not "walk back" his Mosque comments **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 16, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448 "2010-08-16T20:16:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/121 "2010-08-18T17:48:56Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > This place is ‘hallowed ground’? Really? Plus, it’s really not a good idea for a government to be in the business of designating _anything_ as “hallowed” or “sacred.” ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/122 "2010-08-18T19:14:12Z")
We can not dedicate ,we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this land. The brave men, living and dead, consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. We used to know better. Now we think we can make politically slanted decisions under the guise of protecting national values against a religion. Making a political football out of a religious group that wants to build on unused land is stupid politically and financially. There is nothing hallowed about ground two. It is out where Girlie bars and off track betting is in operation. If it were at ground zero, that would be fine too. It is just an unused pit now. Put the land to work. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/123 "2010-08-18T19:17:05Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > If it were at ground zero, that would be fine too. It is just an unused pit now. Put the land to work. [I already corrected you about this.](http://www.lowermanhattan.info/construction/gallery/album.asp?album_id=136&position=1) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/124 "2010-08-18T20:44:42Z")
Ted Olson, whose Republican credentials are rock-solid, and whose wife died as a result of 9/11 terrorism, has come out four-square and unflinching for religious freedom and tolerance. One seldom gets such a chance to praise a Republican for humanity and decency, and I will not let the opportunity escape me. Bravo, sir. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/125 "2010-08-18T21:16:37Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > One seldom gets such a chance to praise a Republican for humanity and decency, and I will not let the opportunity escape me. Bravo, sir. That’s only because winning and obtaining power is more important than doing what’s what right. But I am very glad to hear Ted Olson is on the side of doing what’s right in this example. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/126 "2010-08-18T21:34:45Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Ted Olson, whose Republican credentials are rock-solid, and whose wife died as a result of 9/11 terrorism, has come out four-square and unflinching for religious freedom and tolerance. > > One seldom gets such a chance to praise a Republican for humanity and decency, and I will not let the opportunity escape me. Bravo, sir. > [@Knorf](#): > > That’s only because winning and obtaining power is more important than doing what’s what right. > > But I am very glad to hear Ted Olson is on the side of doing what’s right in this example. Don’t forget that he’s the attorney representing the plaintiffs against Prop 8 in California, too. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/127 "2010-08-18T21:35:23Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > How dare they run the Chinatown buses where George Washington lived when he was the first President of the United States. (never mind, we built a bridge on his house) That’s the Brooklyn Bridge, famed in story and song, right? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/128 "2010-08-18T22:57:37Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > That’s the Brooklyn Bridge, famed in story and song, right? People _died_ building the Brooklyn Bridge. I can’t believe they let cars drive across it. It’s like architects are waving a victory flag, or something. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/129 "2010-08-18T23:53:23Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > > [@Zebra](#): > > > > This place is ‘hallowed ground’? Really? > > Plus, it’s really not a good idea for a government to be in the business of designating _anything_ as “hallowed” or “sacred.” I believe Abe Lincoln referred to the Gettysburg Battlefield as “hallowed ground” didn’t he? Of course, he spoke of the dead on both sides. I guess if we slaughtered a few Muslims on Ground Zero, things would be okay. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/130 "2010-08-19T00:47:40Z")
I’m working very hard to convince myself that your phrasing was unfortunate and inarticulate, as the plain meaning of your words are repulsive. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/131 "2010-08-19T01:13:27Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > > [@Knorf](#): > > > > Plus, it’s really not a good idea for a government to be in the business of designating _anything_ as “hallowed” or “sacred.” > > I believe Abe Lincoln referred to the Gettysburg Battlefield as “hallowed ground” didn’t he? Of course, he spoke of the dead on both sides. I guess if we slaughtered a few Muslims on Ground Zero, things would be okay. Muslims _were_ slaughtered on Ground Zero. Partial List of Muslim 9/11 Victims: Samad Afridi Ashraf Ahmad Shabbir Ahmad (45 years old; Windows on the World; leaves wife and 3 children) Umar Ahmad Azam Ahsan Ahmed Ali Tariq Amanullah (40 years old; Fiduciary Trust Co.; ICNA website team member; leaves wife and 2 children) Touri Bolourchi (69 years old; United Airlines #175; a retired nurse from Tehran) Salauddin Ahmad Chaudhury Abdul K. Chowdhury (30 years old; Cantor Fitzgerald) Mohammad S. Chowdhury (39 years old; Windows on the World; leaves wife and child born 2 days after the attack) Jamal Legesse Desantis Ramzi Attallah Douani (35 years old; Marsh & McLennan) SaleemUllah Farooqi Syed Fatha (54 years old; Pitney Bowes) Osman Gani Mohammad Hamdani (50 years old) Salman Hamdani (NYPD Cadet) Aisha Harris (21 years old; General Telecom) Shakila Hoque (Marsh & McLennan) Nabid Hossain Shahzad Hussain Talat Hussain Mohammad Shah Jahan (Marsh & McLennan) Yasmeen Jamal Mohammed Jawarta (MAS security) Arslan Khan Khakwani Asim Khan Ataullah Khan Ayub Khan Qasim Ali Khan Sarah Khan (32 years old; Cantor Fitzgerald) Taimour Khan (29 years old; Karr Futures) Yasmeen Khan Zahida Khan Badruddin Lakhani Omar Malick Nurul Hoque Miah (36 years old) Mubarak Mohammad (23 years old) Boyie Mohammed (Carr Futures) Raza Mujtaba Omar Namoos Mujeb Qazi Tarranum Rahim Ehtesham U. Raja (28 years old) Ameenia Rasool (33 years old) Naveed Rehman Yusuf Saad Rahma Salie & unborn child (28 years old; American Airlines #11; wife of Michael Theodoridis; 7 months pregnant) Shoman Samad Asad Samir Khalid Shahid (25 years old; Cantor Fitzgerald; engaged to be married in November) Mohammed Shajahan (44 years old; Marsh & McLennan) Naseema Simjee (Franklin Resources Inc.'s Fiduciary Trust) Jamil Swaati Sanober Syed Robert Elias Talhami (40 years old; Cantor Fitzgerald) Michael Theodoridis (32 years old; American Airlines #11; husband of Rahma Salie) W. Wahid [http://islam.about.com/blvictims.htm](http://islam.about.com/blvictims.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Klaatu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Klaatu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klaatu)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/132 "2010-08-19T03:19:39Z")
From a purely political POV, a few months from a midterm election, I don’t think this is a wise move for Obama. Just like Michelle’s trip to Spain. Stop howling! It is all about _perception_, not reality. Many Dem incumbents are already distancing themselves from Obama as they go into the final campaign push. Yes, it’s a noble thing to take a stand on such an issue, but I think this will hurt in the midterms. So will Pelosi’s comments today. And if he crows about withdrawing a few thousand troops from Iraq while 50,000 “advisors” will remain for another year, that may also affect the _perception_ of many voters. I just think he is walking a thin line here. I don’t think the White House is managing things well right now from a political viewpoint. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/133 "2010-08-19T03:52:18Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > > [@gonzomax](#): > > > > If it were at ground zero, that would be fine too. It is just an unused pit now. Put the land to work. > > [I already corrected you about this.](http://www.lowermanhattan.info/construction/gallery/album.asp?album_id=136&position=1) Not at all. The so called ground zero area is not where the community center is being built. Ever take your dog for a walk. Just go 2 1/2 blocks and look at how far you have gone. This is made up crap and that is the game you are playing.In some circles it is called lying. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/134 "2010-08-19T04:55:46Z")
The correction seems to have been of your oft-made but unsupported claim that Ground Zero is an unused pit. If you can rebut the rebuttal, by all means let us know. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/135 "2010-08-19T05:09:30Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Not at all. The so called ground zero area is not where the community center is being built. I know that, **gonzomax**. If you’d been paying attention you would have noticed I am arguing they should go ahead and build the community center and not cave in to the morons. You’ve said twice in this thread that the WTC site is an empty pit. It isn’t. Here’s what you said Monday: > [@gonzomax](#): > > **The problem is nothing is being built at ground zero.** They should have rebuilt the towers immediately. Since **it is a wasted pit now** , we have to bitch about what is being built at ground 2. The building is not at ground zero. I said: > [@Marley23](#): > > The delays in construction have been ridiculous but it’s not just a wasted pit. They are building stuff there. I think the new tower is 30-odd stories tall right now. But it’s not expected to be finished for another three years, and I think other buildings will still be under construction after the tower is done. It’s probably true that if construction was finished, or at least the main tower was done, then this would upset people less. Undeterred, you said it again Tuesday: > [@gonzomax](#): > > It is just an unused pit now. Put the land to work. > [@Marley23](#): > > [I already corrected you about this.](http://www.lowermanhattan.info/construction/gallery/album.asp?album_id=136&position=1) Get it now? The WTC site is not an unused pit. WTC7 has been rebuilt. One memorial space is open. 1 World Trade Center (they ditched the moronic Freedom Tower name, thank god) is 34 stories tall and it’ll be done in a few years. Other stuff, like the rebuilt subway station, is probably going to take even longer. The delays were unbelievable and they made changes to the design that made it look crappier. I could go on about how bad all of this has been handled. I agree with you about the community center and I agreed with you that people might be less insane about the Cordoba thing if the main WTC tower was finished. But no matter what, you’re wrong that it’s an unused pit that is not being used for anything. It’s a huge construction site. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/136 "2010-08-19T15:32:05Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Get it now? The WTC site is not an unused pit. WTC7 has been rebuilt. One memorial space is open. 1 World Trade Center (they ditched the moronic Freedom Tower name, thank god) is 34 stories tall and it’ll be done in a few years. Other stuff, like the rebuilt subway station, is probably going to take even longer. The delays were unbelievable and they made changes to the design that made it look crappier. I could go on about how bad all of this has been handled. I agree with you about the community center and I agreed with you that people might be less insane about the Cordoba thing if the main WTC tower was finished. But no matter what, you’re wrong that it’s an unused pit that is not being used for anything. It’s a huge construction site. And if you still don’t believe **Marley,** you can go [here](http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/groundzero/) and see it for yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/137 "2010-08-19T15:54:16Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > > [@Zebra](#): > > > > How dare they run the Chinatown buses where George Washington lived when he was the first President of the United States. (never mind, we built a bridge on his house) > > That’s the Brooklyn Bridge, famed in story and song, right? The Manhattan end of the Brooklyn sits on top of where George Washington lived when he was President. Gettysburg is a battlefield. Everyone who showed up that day knew they could die but went anyway. You can’t really say that about the WTC. Republican Mike Bloomberg has supported the ‘mosque’ as have NJ Republican Governor Christie. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/138 "2010-08-19T18:11:39Z")
Mike Bloomberg isn’t a Republican. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448/139 "2010-08-19T18:17:53Z")
This week. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-media-obama-did-not-walk-back-his-mosque-comments/550448.md?page=6)