When I first heard someone say that there was going to be a mosque built on ground zero, I was appalled. Yet, as more details about the story were revealed, I changed my mind regarding the matter.
    Many people who oppose the Mosque being built don’t quite understand where precisely the Mosque will be located in relation to the former World Trade Center site. The Mosque, or the Islamic recreational center, will be built two blocks from ground zero. If you have ever been to lower Manhattan, you should know approximately how far away that is. The blocks in New York City are abnormally large. The mosque will not even be in sight of ground zero.
    To add to the complexity of the situation, the area surrounding the Mosque site hosts various strip clubs and bars, yet people who oppose construction are constantly referring to the entire area as "hallowed and sacred ground."
    Though I agree that people do have a right to build the Mosque, I disagree with President Obama’s comments regarding the debate: not so much the nature of the comment but rather the fact that the comment was made. Obama unnecessarily stuck his nose in the middle of the ongoing controversy. He stated at a dinner, "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." Though Obama speaks logically, it was simply a bad political move to make the comment in the first place. Mr. President, people, especially New Yorkers, are still healing from the wounds caused by the infamous 9/11 attacks on our nation. It was only nine years ago that we were brutally attacked by the same people we are still at war with today. Whether you like it or not, the fact of the matter is that it was the fundamentals of the Islamic faith that drove people to fly planes into our city. I’m not being prejudice; I am being realistic.
    Now let me be clear: I am not implying that all Muslims in this country or around the world are crazy delusional terrorists. Yet, realistically there still is that .1% of plane-crashing, suicidal maniacs, and some of them live in this country. Just recently, there was a story of a boy born and raised in Long Island, New York who turned radical. Bryant Neal Vinas explained in a chilling confession how he joined Al Qaeda with the intent to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan and plot a commuter train attack.
    Though constitutionally there is nothing anyone can do to stop the Mosque from being built, certain people (cough . . . President Obama) should be more cognizant of New Yorkers’ feelings regarding the Mosque construction. The issue is not as simple as it appears, and the President should respect that rather than making spur-of–the-moment comments.
    Someone may metaphorically say, if a dog bites you, you aren’t going to hate all dogs. But, you’re probably not going to go up and pet stray dogs.
    This mosque will be built: there is no doubt about it. Yet, people should be more sensitive to the fact that just nine years ago New Yorkers were devastated by a terrorist attack, and though most all dogs are nice, some people just aren’t ready to pet them yet.