But Don't Call it "The Ground Zero Mosque"

The fact that they've applied for 9/11 rebuilding funds means nothing. NOTHING.

In the end, Park51’s application is likely to be unsuccessful financially while mobilizing a new round of opposition. It’s a lose-lose proposition put forward by a tone-deaf organization that seems determined to alienate allies and embolden opponents.

I think that the true source of the outrage: the complete gob-smacked dumbfoundedness that anyone would be offended. "What, we're just applying for public moneys set aside to aid redevelopment of the lands our co-religionists laid waste to, so we can spread the good word of Islam. What's the big?"

It's like trying to explain table manners to a fifteen-year-old.

Mahmoud and the Pope

The things one does for Holy Spirit:

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has sent a letter to the pope thanking him for opposing a Florida pastor’s threat to burn the Quran and calling for cooperation against secularism, the Vatican and the Iranian presidency said Saturday. 

Because a Florida pastor was going to burn a Quran out of respect for secularism.

The Vatican said Pope Benedict XVI had received the letter during a brief meeting with one of Iran’s vice presidents at the end of his weekly general audience Wednesday.
Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi did not release the contents of the message.

Mosque or "Cultural Center"?

Salomatic.com, which bills itself as "the Worlds Most Comprehensive Guide to Mosques and Islamic Schools," refers to the Cordoba House as a mosque. There's even a picture of Friday prayers going on right now.

I feel soooo welcome.

The Ground Zero Mosque Solution

I have my doubts about whether the builders of Cordoba House -- aka the Ground Zero Mosque -- are really interested in bringing about dialogue between Islam and the West. But if they wanted to prove it too me, there's a simple thing they could do.

Rebuild the Church of St. Nicholas that was destroyed on 9/11. First. And just as tall.

If they can do it in Bagdad, they can do it in New York.

Update: Bill Whittle works himself into a fine lather. I don't disagree.