[Strangler Lewis]

This is an easy issue.

1) Of course, the government shouldn't stop the center from being built, even if they blessed the hijackers at every prayer service. Because the alternative is unacceptable, the First Amendment requires others, in the name of good citizenship, to hold their nose while someone takes a sh*t in the middle of the street. Hence, right wing talk radio.

2) If the imam is using 9/11 to promote his venture, he's an asshole and an especially tin-eared one.

3) All religious figures with political connections and millions of dollars to spend on real estate--be they Franklin Graham, Rabbi Shmuley, the Mormon church or this guy--are to be feared, not felt sorry for.