Michael Daly nails it with today's op/ed piece. From It's an emotional issue, but blocking the Ground Zero mosque is just what the terrorists want:

Even now, after all our mistakes, after we let Bin Laden slip away in Afghanistan and lost our focus going into Iraq, Al Qaeda is still more a gang than an army.

It is still so small that its new operations chief, Adnan Shukrijumah, met personally with the knuckleheads who planned to bomb the subway last September.

When the previous operations chief, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, was captured, he was not surrounded by a host of terrorists. He had nary a bodyguard when he was rousted from bed in his underwear at the house where he was hiding out like what he was, a murderer on the run.

We have since built him into a figure of such awesome evil that we are afraid to try him in downtown Manhattan like what he is, a murderer who has been caught.

We have glorified Al Qaeda in the same way, but to reach its ultimate goal, it still needs us to convince the majority of Muslims that the war on terror is really a war on Islam.

We are only helping the bad guys if we declare that the religious freedom at the core of our democracy does not apply to a mosque too close to Ground Zero.  read more »

From At Ramadan Iftar dinner, Obama supports new mosque on private property near Ground Zero :: Top of the Ticket :: Los Angeles Times:

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. This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country, and will not be treated differently by their government, is essential to who we are. The writ of our Founders must endure.

We must never forget those who we lost so tragically on 9/11, and we must always honor those who have led our response to that attack --from the firefighters who charged up smoke-filled staircases, to our troops who are serving in Afghanistan today. And let us always remember who we are fighting against, and what we are fighting for. Our enemies respect no freedom of religion. Al Qaeda%u2019s cause is not Islam --it is a gross distortion of Islam. These are not religious leaders --these are terrorists who murder innocent men, women and children. In fact, al Qaeda has killed more Muslims than people of any other religion --and that list of victims includes innocent Muslims who were killed on 9/11.

Full Text of the speech:  read more »

While Michael Bloomberg gave a rousing speech defending the building of Córdoba House in downtown Manhattan, both Chuck Schumer and Anthony Weiner have been conspicuously silent on the issue.

Kirsten Gillibrand, Carolyn Maloney and Jerrold Nadler all released statements of support, yet it was only Nadler who was willing to take a forceful political stand on the issue. From Nadler: Attacks on mosque "shameful and divisive":

As an elected official who believes strongly in the separation of church and state, I contend that the government has no business deciding whether there should or should not be a Muslim house of worship near Ground Zero. And, as a representative of New Yorkers of all faiths and cultures, I find the singling out of Muslim-Americans -- because of their faith -- for animus and hate to be shameful and divisive. We should instead work toward building tolerance and understanding. For centuries, New Yorkers have exhibited a great capacity to incorporate and benefit from diversity. The Córdoba House, which is the product of moderate Muslims, has the support of the local community board and a wide swath of Lower Manhattan community leaders.

I have said numerous times that Schumer needs a primary. Actually, his love for everything Rupert Murdoch has earned him an entry into my list of Democrats that need to be booted out. Gillibrand should also get a primary even if that other person would have ended up being Maloney. As to Maloney, she is looking down the barrel of a primary against Indian-American Reshma Saujani.

Then there's Weiner.

Sure, many people think he would be a good mayor for New York. Guess who's the other name that makes NYC Democrat's head swoon? Jerrold Nadler. If Weiner thinks screaming about health care for 9/11 responders is enough to get him elected mayor of the city, he is wrong. That bullshit strategy may have worked wonders for Giuliani but for him? Not. Gonna. Work.

On a personal note: I just want to let everybody know that when the primary and election days come, I will be remembering the names of the more than 60 Muslim men and women who died on the days of the attacks. And I will remember those who refused to honor and defend like Nadler and Bloomberg have.

From : Muslim Victims of September 11th Attack

Partial List of Muslim 9/11 Victims
Note: This list is as yet incomplete and unconfirmed.It has been compiled from the Islamic Circle of North America, the Newsday victims database, and reports from other major news organizations.

The victims' ages, employers, or other personal information is included when available, along with links to further information or photos.  read more »

The Empire State Building and most of Manhattan around me joins Earth Hour. From EarthHour.org:

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

One more :  read more »