The Right Thing
“I understand the emotions that this issue engenders. Ground zero is, indeed, hallowed ground,” the president said in remarks prepared for the annual White House iftar, the sunset meal breaking the day’s fast.
But, he continued: “This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable. 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.”
In related news, the wanker of the day would once again be Charles Krauthammer.
…see also. Coming out for what’s correct on the merits rather than worrying about “winning the day” is reminiscent of some of his best moments in the primary campaign.
I don’t think I’ve ever written anything complimentary about President Obama, so let me state unequivocally: Well done, and I’m proud of him.
Hear, hear.
What DocAmazing said. Good for Obama.
He probably saw tape of George W saying Islam is a religion of peace and said “well, if Bush did it. . . “
as always, we are struck by the fact that krauthammer has the nerve to call other people crazy.
as for obama: lord knows, i’m never going to be happy with a centrist, but it’s nice to know that today’s centrism does still include a basic understanding of tolerance.
What I find worrisome is that the president actually had to say this in America in 2010. I realize that this country has had problems with religious intolerance despite its “officially” tolerant stance, but the freakout over this issue in this day and age is really troubling to me.
Nice to see him do the right thing on principle for a change. Now if he would just publicly stand up like this for DADT, DOMA, EFCA, and a whole range of other issues, maybe we could generate some Democratic enthusiasm for the fall elections.
Obama’s ‘clarification’ takes the sheen off a bit. Still, it was a brave move to open his mouth on the subject in the first place.