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Something that is often overlooked in this discussion is that the mosque is already there and has been there since before 9/11. This is not a new mosque to be built *on the site* of 9/11 as people make it sound - but within a block or two. It was an old bank or bookstore or something that they've been in for some time and are now trying to reconstruct on the same site. This fact should vastly change the tone of the discussion, but doesn't because people prefer to be mad or worried about something. Don't get me wrong - I would never say that building a new mosque right by Ground Zero would be a good idea, but that's not what is being proposed. This particular mosque already exists - it just doesn't look like one - and they are paying for everything themselves. This is not some taxpayer funded pet project. So the question is really "does the city grant a permit to upgrade and existing mosque, paid for entirely by the applicant?". I personally regard all religious buildings equally and if I was offered a contract to work on one, would charge the same as I would anyone else. if they can pay, I'll do it. In fact, we just supplied hundreds of feet of outdoor accent lighting for a pretty spectacular looking temple in India and were part of a large retrofit of some big Protestant church in Germany. .

Freedom of religion and seperation of church and state are some of our most important core beliefs. It is the fact that we believe in these prinicples that the extremeist hate us. The terrorist who destroyed the trade center would love to see us deny this project. Building it and showing how much we value freedom having the courage to say that is what matters most to Americans is how we beat down the terrorist. There are deeply patriotic American Muslims many bravely serve in our Military. And I would say they