jdona, All the points you make are valid. The issue is insensitivity.

Often it is the IMPACT and not the INTENT that gets the media its ratings. And, media is just one stakeholder in agitation and war.

Muslims are 0.5% of the US population in 2001. They are probably 1% now with increase in inflow of (legal) immigrants and a greater number of children in muslim families (not a pedagogical statement, rather anecdotal/observational).   That is 1 in 200 or perhaps 1 in 100 people.  

In the days after 9/11, I do recall there were some demonstrations in DC and elsewhere denouncing terrorism... but then, I heard of personal stories of kids being the subject of hatred in small cities.. and moving out to be nearer to other family members in place with more concentration of muslims.

I have a very good muslim friend - a female - who teaches Q'uran.  The family moved out of our small town.

If you have thin bench strength in your family... you are pretty much on the treadmill of working all day long and then back home and working more.   If there are not very many people of your faith and kind, you just do not have much chance to discuss and form an opinion on current topics let alone go set up a placard on a street corner.

On top of that, just like we have so many sects in Christianity (Catholic, Protestant, Methodist, Evangelical, Morman, ...) there are many sects even among Muslims - sunni and sheiite are just the start of it.

I do not defend the Imam nor the Mosque project, but am willing to look for a shred of evidence that he comes with good intentions and we have taken it wrong... and if that is so, it is wonderful... and I hope he sees the situation and realizes that his INTENT has not had the desired IMPACT... and that would be a respectful way for him to reassess the options.

One of the more difficult things to assess is whether an institution that one creates in the name of one religion in a place as polarized as the WTC can remain holistic in the long-run... well past our lifetimes.  That is a question that I hope the Imam and his wife ask themselves and the larger community before they conclude on the question of the mosque/community center.

Coming back to the Healers of 9/11 -  I do think there is place for people to become the torch bearers of peace... and it is very unfortunate that my experiences just do not let me rise to that... Hats off to Susan Retik, Patti Quigley and their companions at Beyond the 11th - they have accomplished what I hope I will some day become.

And, I sincerely hope that the book burning project fizzles out.  It is very unfortunate that a priest took that path to communicate his angst against whatever he feels is in the book.

While I am on the subject of what is in those books... Almost all religions of the world have books that mention war as if it is just another part of life.  In the days that the religions were formed, they were.  So, as the practice of religion evolves, the priests give the words of the scriptures their living meaning... and it is incumbent upon the priests to re-interpret the scriptures.  There is just as much mention of war in the Geetha-upadesham - the Holy book of the Hindus.  But the only interpretation that I learned is to conquer the bad in and around me with the good in me and the supreme war is always internal, the supreme victory is of the soul. That was not taught in any temple not by my parents... it is something I read the books, studied in study groups on Saturdays and came to an understanding.  But my goodness, if you read Geetha and interpret it literally, you will see a mega war officiated by a god incarnate as the charioter himself.

There are more meaningful interpretations of words possible that are in keeping with the current day world. 

I hope the Imams like the one in NYC gather fellow Imams and come up with a revisionist approach to interpreting Q'uran that is kinder and gentler to humanity, that is inclusive of all religions, that is less crucifixional in its verdicts and provides more guidance for a saner existence.

I also hope that the rote study of scriptures comes to an end... Many religions of the world promote learning the scriptures word for word in recital -- with the result that the words are taken literally and there is no room for internalizing the true message - no real laser listening to the message across the page(s)... This is not unique to any one faith.. Many blind followers and preachers of faith really need to reflect upon their truest purpose in promoting blind followership.

Again, I would suggest that we take a closer look at who is really winning in all the arguments.  For lack of a better comparison, I searched for aricles and found this on Religion and War.  It is worth remembering that none of us individual citizens win anything in any of this fight except perhaps more TV viewing time or/and more taxes flowing down from defense/war spending... unless we are working for the military companies or have jobs in the media.  I certainly do not see the world improving anymore with more wars. 

Like it or not, we do live in the biggest salad bowl of the world... Diversity awareness, mutual respect and consideration, inclusion and proactive management of the message... are all necessary going forward regardless of which sect wants to promote their philosophy. 

I'm thankful the preacher canceled the plan to burn the Koran. Let me be clear - that was a despicable intention to begin with.

There appear to be, however, some inconsistencies with regard to the application of the right of free speech, and to whom it is extended.

When plans for the community center housing a mosque were announced, the so-called President of the US defends the effort in the name of free speech and freedom of religion. This is the same potus who cannot be bothered with many details of government and traditions of his office, but, as in the case of his professor pal and the police officer, Obama has the time and the inclination to involve himself in this matter. It was apparently imperative to him that the freedoms afforded by our constitution, defended and protected by the blood of Americans, be extended to those who would build a mosque at the site of the slaughter of Americans, in the name of the god who will be worshiped at that mosque. Insensitive? you're damn right.

Fast forward to the dumb ass preacher, planning to burn the Korans. His congregation totals 50 people, or so I've read - not exactly multitude. Not only does no one from government claim for him the same right to free speech. We have Sec. Gates contacting him to express concern that this may jeopardize American military members. If this was a valid concern, I applaud Sec. Gates. Every precaution should be taken to ensure as much safety as is possible for our military women and men.

I will say, however, that I don't believe the total concern was about their safety. I think it was more about appeasing the Muslim community. You then have everyone with a microphone weighing in on how awful this man is. The FBI pays him a call. How's that for ensuring free speech. Big brother leans on the little guy, crazy though he may be, infringing on his right to free speech. Not only did no one from our government stand up for his rights, they sent someone to ensure he didn't exercise them.

If that's not a double standard - I don't know what the hell is.

We cannot protect only the rights of those with whom we agree. Where the hell's the freedom in that. Where's the justice.

Some truly don't believe that the community center was intended to be a slap in the face to Americans. Let's see, then, how quickly the Imam (who declared the US to have more blood on its hands because of the sanctions against Iraq - than Al Quaeda), takes the out offered by Donald Trump. If it's about money and the fact that they had already purchased the land, they should be more than willing to sell it for the profit Trump is offering.