There's growing political fallout from Pres. Obama's comments on the Islamic Center / Mosque planned near Ground Zero in New York. Plus, you'll meet a man who says he speaks for a lot of Americans. He's against the center and says there should be no more mosques in America. Anywhere. Plus, we're tracking the growing health crisis due to the massive flooding in Pakistan and tonight's other headlines.
Want to know what else we're covering? Read EVENING BUZZ
Scroll down to join the live chat during the program. It's your chance to share your thoughts on tonight's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules.
Here are some of them:
1) Keep it short (we don't have time to read a "book")
2) Don't write in ALL CAPS (there's no need to yell)
3) Use your real name (first name only is fine)
4) No links
5) Watch your language (keep it G-rated; PG at worst - and that includes $#&*)
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertise with us | About us | Help | Advertising Practices
Gumby celebrates Isha Sesay's birthday
Anderson Cooper's birthday surprise
You asked, Anderson answers
my religion is Islam but i am against building a mosque close to ground zero due to emotional and psychological issue with that for so many people who lost loved ones on 9-11, if it is about building a mosque why there is so much pressure to build it there close to ground zero, if it is about having a house of prayer u can build it some where else.
I think that who ever is trying to have the Mosque built is just pushing the buttons of the American people It is not fair even they know that yet the want to use the Constitution to their advantage. Screw them
Yes the Islamic Center can be and now more than ever should be there, a religion and all it's followers can not be judged by the actions lf some. As a Catholic i do not want to be judged and should not be judged by the sins of some "fathers", and i elieve this applies to all religions.
I am a Recon Marine that has been to Iraq twice to fight for America's rights, not against Islam. One of those rights is freedom of religion and that includes all religions. I have met many peaceful Muslims during my time in Iraq, Kuwait, and living in the U.S. We are a better nation for the freedoms that our Constitution provides and should continue to lead by example. My heart goes out to everyone who was killed on 9/11, but lets not forget about the Muslims that fight in our military for the same rights.
I think the American reaction to building the mosque, in fact, is exactly the sort of reaction that would please the terrorists that planned and executed the world trade centre masacre. By having such a reaction against the muslim faith in general, the terrorists foster the very feelings that lay the ground work for a religious war, and makes their act even more successful.
I've been to Ground Zero, I watch the images of 9/11 every year on that day. If you want to respect those families that went through hell that day, then go meet them and give them a helping hand. Make another foundation to help them. But then think on the Muslim/Islamic people that this country started to prosecute because of it. Who as we all know had nothing to do with the incident of 9/11. The location is anything but insensitive to the tragedy of 9/11. I'd call it a respectable distance to be honest. What I think is truly insensitive, is the nasty remarks being made by some of the guests on the show about a culture/religion they truly do not understand. Sorry this was so long. Thank you for your time.
Why did we sacrifice thousands of American lives in Iraq? A country whose population has a majority of Muslims.
you hit the nail on the head toni
prop 8 was voted by the people....it is what it is.
To bad so sad for same sex .
I'm listening to this debate and I'm stunned. As a Christian I wonder if all of Cental and South America should remove all Christian especially Catholic Churches from their communities due to the barbaric Inquisition?
America is supposed to be a country that defends freedom of religion as a constitutional right. So why is it banned in the case of Islam? How can someone claim that Islam is a totalitarian regime that threatens western society? Radicals exist in ALL religions, not just Islam. Not building the mosque will be a win for Al-Qaeda, as they will be able to use this injustice as fuel to radicalize otherwise peaceful and moderate Muslims.
It is insensitive when people stereotype and generalize. People are against Muslims because they think all Muslims are terrorists. By the way, there is more than just Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran in the Middle East.
Just because 70% of the population is against building a mosque doesn't make it right. If we always follow the majority's decision, there would be no 13th or 19th Amendments.
I agree with Chris. As a Muslim, I believe that though there shouldn't be opposition to the building the mosque, choosing another place wouldve been in better taste. Why create ripples when there is absolutely no need to do so. Believe me when I say that the Islamic community was as horrified as the rest of the world on that dreadful day.
I agree with Emily. Someone said that Islam is a religion of peace. Oh, really. Look how women are treated! Look at how animals are treated!
Muslims, we seek the same rights that all other faith communities enjoy-namely, the right to worship and establish our houses of prayer, like all other religious traditions.
America is fortunate that Muslim disappointment over the lack of democracy, is tempered by their faith and sense of civil responsibility. This advantage can be dissipated if some of the current stereotypes and myths are not dispelled. The first such myth is that Muslims or Islam is somehow guilty for the attack of the Twin Towers. Another popular erroneous myth is that Muslim are asking for too much, too soon. America must own up to the fact that Islam did not harm America, Bin Laden did, and he alone must bear the weight of his sins. This omission and the behavior that has followed, challenges the U.S. Constitution and American decency
Al-kaeda do not represent the interest of American muslims.
American muslems, like any other American has the same right under America's constitution.
I'm so disturbed by the recent wave of Islamophobia that has emerged over the past month. Muslims like me are doctors, farmers, police officers, nurses who live in the United States, pay taxes and love this country. Islam was not responsible for 9-11, Al-Qaeeda was. Huge difference. The blatant, open opposition to allowing us our constitutional rights combined with the current media apathy regarding the flooding in Pakistan is a slap in the face of American Muslims.
Is there a law prevents building a church on Ground Zero? If no, a mosque is ok to be built.
Bloggers,
Yes, they are agree or disagree whether that Mosque should have fountain next to Zero Ground, Most Muslims want be more peace of their religion. They are protesting out on the street in NYC.
This is all about 9-11 sentiments. Buildings don't fall at speed of gravity, steel cannot melt with jet fuel and aluminum planes do not fly though steel buildings without crumpling or deceleration. Let's re-valuate the science and we'll see muslims are really the victims here.
i'm sad there is no room for opinions or freedom for it.
i just express that there be freedom for everybody and especially in Christianity also in America.
the people who attacked the world trade center claimed they are muslim. they are nothing but terrorists before the eyes of real Muslims. and Muslims in this country areas American as anybody else. Come on folks, let's get along a little better against the common enemy, worldwide terror of any kind!
To build this Mosque anywhere within this area will be celebrated by Muslims, that's including Bin Laden, as a token of victory and a slap in the face to the victims families.
As a Brazilian citizen who lived for 5 years in the USA.
I support President Obama's peaceful- oriented attitude towards muslims.
Paying evil with evil fosters more violence.
Isn't the bloodly "Christian" oriented Iraq war a great anwer to this issue?
If I'm not mistaken the proposed location is actually 4 blocks from the site of ground zero. I live in NYC and I can assure you on snowy winter days 4 blocks can seem like forever.
I like James' comment about the 'right to do something doesn't necessarily mean its the right thing to do'....very straight forward to this topic.
@Rebecca,
Glad to see you on the blog from Taiwan!
@Mike,
I think that it's frustrating that it's being called a "politically issue" alone. There are many people, regardless of their politics/religion that don't feel that this is the correct thing to do.
Goodnight all, lovely to see Sanjay. Firstly, a moratorium on mosques is downright dumb. Then all religions should be banned, except Christianity? Rather arrogant.
Every mosque is not dedicated to Jihaadism or the destruction of the western world.
In this case however, its ethics vs. rights. Of course they have the right to build an Islamic Community Centre anywhere, but its extremely insensitive to build here. While they are not Islamist terrorists, this is not the way to rebuild peace, harmony or respect between Muslims and the rest of the US.
James Carville just said 9/11 happened because of Al-Quaida
& not Islam. James,what religion does Al-quaid members follow???
This is not a republican vs. democrat issue. Muslims can worship anywhere, but more sensitivity should be exercised by muslims if they wish to not offend Americans who want to believe we can join together for a more peaceful world.
1st – Everyone wanted President Obama to follow the constitution, now he has, and again he is wrong.
My opinion...this is the MOST insensitive action I have ever witnessed!
Further, any religion that still treats women as if we are in the dark ages is a fly in the face of how our country operates.
I heard this somewhere..if they build the mosque to promote understanding at ground zero, build a "gay" bar next door and see how accepting and understanding the moslems will be. I wish I had the money to do it. LOL
Respect the Americans who lost their lives on 911. No Mosque or center. It is time that Americans take back America..
I agree with Mr. Carville..it was perhaps not right for the President to weigh in on the issue, from a political perspective, but he was obligated to. And now people are coming after the President for it?!
no muslim or islam should build a church around the world trade center site no way what what is wrong with you guys are you do even have the amerian way in you should I even call you ameriacn this county is up side down because of muslim people and no I'm not racists you people don't even know what a true american is if you support this you support the guys who drove the planes into those buildings
@ Emily,,,,,,There is so much confusion regarding the mosque being built near ground zero. I'm still not quite sure how I feel about this ,even with all the media attention. My feelings lean toward what you stated in your comment, I can't see any good coming out of this.
The mosque leaders have decided to build it, not taking into account the sensitivity issue with 9/11 families. So it apparently will be built but we should carefully monitor its activities since not caring about the 9/11 families' feelings could signal an uncaring attitude about terrorist acts.
Let us not fight over religion. Imagine, No Religion, No Fight.
We also have the christians that are extremists and they also kill if you donot believe the way they do. We have extremists in every religion, not just the mulams. Come on, let us work together into fixing the economy and provide jobs and home for people rather than fighting over religion.
Remember, war exists because of religion. and millions of people get killed throught history of humanity.
Peace!!!!
It's time to advance the conversation on this Islamic cultural center and mosque.
We need to move past the argument of whether the government should stop Feisal Rauf from building it. It can't, because it would be unconstitutional to block it.
The discussion should be about whether Feisal Rauf should build it. Notice the difference: not whether he SHOULD BE ALLOWED to build it, but whether he SHOULD build it. The government should not even be discussed in all this.
/Why would they want to builld a mosque in downtown NY Yes, they have a right to build one but it is not in the area of their community and way too close to the downtown area of NY, What if they used it to place a dangerous weapon in the center of the city.
While i have several mid eastern college friends and i have no personal bias i feel that this is a bad move especially if they are trying to as they claim to make friends in this country.
The right thing to do is mutual respect. Allow others to seek their freedoms. Saying Islam is a religion of war is absolutely one of the most ignorant and disrespectful things I have ever heard. How is it insensitive to build a place of worship?
The demagoguery of the "mosque issue" is extremely dangerous. The very moment our Muslim fellow citizens are forced to believe we see them as a "menace" to the rest us, they will become a menace–as in Britain or France. This is the most disturbing wave of unAmerican bigotry since McCarthy. It is unpatriotic, unAmerican, and fundamentally treasonous to everything this great country stands for.,
Who are these people who call themselves Americans and want to ban a religious group from our country.?
Bigots , uneducated fools who never learned anything about our history or constitution. They play right into the radicals (terroist hands). Yes they want us to make these wars about Islam/Muslims so they can recruit based on that. But if we show that we are inclusive maybe we can recruit some to help us fight against those radicals. Shame on those Senators and any goverment official who said we should ban them.
And as much as I feel for those families who lost love ones on 911, I resent them bullying the rest of us and using their "dead' family members for their own political use. 911 was not about just those who died, it was a direct assault and threat against all Americans, unfortunately some of those innocent Americans died that day. But they were not the target, the target was our way of life, and as we continue to change and forget what this country is about the more they win. Forget the Mosque, lets show them what America is really suppose to be about.
Thank you Dr. Gupta for the show - I wish you bring mainstream Muslim organization to respond to some of the unfounded allegations against organizations such as the Islamic Society of North of America. This organization put out so many statements condemning Hamas and the Muslim brotherhood.
Thanks. Mohamed Elsanousi
Many Maters died but many more Americans died .
Shame on people who spread hate, your guest is spreading hate against
Islam, who is killing thousands of innocent Moslems every day in Afghanistan and Iraq,shame on your guesi
I lost a family member in the WTC on 9/11.
I am more terrified of today's Republican party than I am of any Muslim. I was too young during the 1960s to understand the hatred and division of the civil rights era, and never expected to see such ignorance repeated in America. We are at greater risk as a nation from internal strife than from our enemies – at this point, it looks like we are doing their work for them.
I can't believe the first interview where the gentlemen clains christianity was based on peace. All you have to do is read the Bible on wars upon wars. I believe President Obama's positon on religionous freedom. And we need to STOP stating that it is at ground zero it is near ground zero. I do however question the sensitivity of those building the mosque so close to ground zero.
A key factor in growing up in and around NYC is the awareness that OUR CULTURE in NYC is very rich and full, due to the hundreds of immigrant cultures we are made of.
It is unconscionable, to me, that in this day and age, some are STILL crying "not in my neighborhood" when it comes to ANY of the many cultures and religions in the NCY metro area. Its just not done that way in The Big Apple!
How insensitive of them to put it there, they had to know the kind of backlash they would get fo this. They have bought land and building mosques close to home in Athens Tn, Murfreesboro and another Tn location. Why? why the recent rush to build mosques hot & heavy, in places they know they will face deep opposition? such as the bilble belt, & ground zero (or even a few blocks from it?) and yet we are suppossed to be "tolerant", how tolerant are they with Christians?