From the GZM to the KBC: Obama on Wisdom
This summer, President Obama speaking on the Ground Zero Mosque controversy:
Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground...But let me be clear: as a citizen and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country. 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.
No, he wasn’t commenting on the wisdom of building a mosque at Ground Zero, but rather:
I was commenting very specifically on the right that people have that dates back to our founding.
Today, palpably absent from the president’s criticism of the Koran-burning church (KBC) in Florida was any mention of First Amendment rights to free speech. Instead, Obama commented solely about the wisdom of burning Korans.
If he’s listening, I just hope [Pastor Terry Jones] understands that what he’s proposing to do is completely contrary to our values as Americans.
What accounts for President Obama's inconsistency in handling two very similar controversies? Did Obama perhaps learn a lesson from inserting himself into the GZM debate – that it’s acceptable, and even commendable, for the president to judge the wisdom, or lack thereof, of actions that may deeply offend or harm a large segment of the American population? Or is condemning the KBC but another instance of Obama kowtowing to Islam?
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Jul '10
Re: From the GZM to the KBC: Obama on Wisdom
"Did Obama perhaps learn a lesson from inserting himself into the GZM debate...?" With all my respects, I tip my hat to you, Diane. You, not Rob Long, are the resident comedy writer.
Edited on Sep 9, 2010 at 12:37pmMay '10
Re: From the GZM to the KBC: Obama on Wisdom
Different question, same answer. Tick off a Christian and they will turn the other cheek, tick off a Muslim and they turn the key to the detonator.
May '10
Re: From the GZM to the KBC: Obama on Wisdom
Dick Morris: "If the Gazans lay down their arms, there will be no war. If the Israelis lay down their arms, there will be no Israel".
TVG learned his usual lesson, and I decline to partake- while concurrently noting that Terry Jones is certainly not doing his thing for the glory of my God.
Aug '10
Re: From the GZM to the KBC: Obama on Wisdom
I'm actually with the president on this one, though perhaps for different reasons. To me, it's not at all about "religion of peace" political correctness but rather about the mens rea of the people doing the controversial thing. It's entirely fair to accept the principle of liberty in all cases but to refrain from passing judgement on something that is (probably) meant in good faith but is widely perceived as a provocation, while simultaneously expressing stern disapproval of something that is deliberately intended to be an insult and provocation.
Note that the Danish cartoons weren't nearly as objectively offensive as this (the imam who ginned up the cartoons controversy had to use forged cartoons to do it) and they were making an important point about free speech. In contrast, the Koran burning is just an exercise in flippin the bird.
Also note that there's a big difference between being reluctant to needlessly give severe offense because it's rude (my position) and because you're afraid the person you've offended will do something barbaric (Slate's position).
Edited on Sep 9, 2010 at 3:06pmJul '10
Re: From the GZM to the KBC: Obama on Wisdom
Got nothing to do with me.
Got nothing to do with me.
Don't know the guy.
Never met the guy.
Couldn't care less about the guy.
Got nothing to do with me.
Repeat as necessary.
Edited on Sep 9, 2010 at 6:42pmJul '10
Re: From the GZM to the KBC: Obama on Wisdom
This statement, sir, ticks me off, but I will not, nor will I ever be, detonating anything.
Jul '10
Re: From the GZM to the KBC: Obama on Wisdom
Obama is being a politician, and, in this case, a practical one. Think about this realistically; what good could possibly come of defending the First Amendment rights of a book burner - a religious text burner at that - before, after or at the same time as denouncing what he is doing?
If Obama learned anything, it was that his academic statement "as a citizen" on the GZM was a gaffe because he is not an academic or simply another citizen, he is the President. He made a carefully considered and politically correct statement on the Quran burner, exactly as he should have as a politician, whether he sees himself in that way or not.
Re: From the GZM to the KBC: Obama on Wisdom
Humza Ahmad
This statement, sir, ticks me off, but I will not, nor will I ever be, detonating anything. · Sep 10 at 8:27am
Humza -- can I just say that I'm so glad you're with us? I know that you don't speak for all Muslims just as I don't speak for all Christians, but I appreciate how you keep us in check when we make unfair generalizations about Islam.
Jul '10
Re: From the GZM to the KBC: Obama on Wisdom
Diane Ellis, Ed.
Humza Ahmad
This statement, sir, ticks me off, but I will not, nor will I ever be, detonating anything. · Sep 10 at 8:27am
Humza -- can I just say that I'm so glad you're with us? I know that you don't speak for all Muslims just as I don't speak for all Christians, but I appreciate how you keep us in check when we make unfair generalizations about Islam. · Sep 10 at 9:23am
Just doin' ma job, ma'am.
::Tips hat and walks off into sunset::