Thank you for sticking your neck out enough to answer the questions. I'm not sure you're response to "why?" actually connects the dots to your favored distance, but at least it's a start. As for your question, I don't know this Imam and haven't listened to much he has said, so I have no idea what he might think about whether his comments extend to actions in the Middle East. I presume, though, you mean to make a point. What is it?

Interesting thought. Why is "walking distance" important? And what does that mean? Some balk at walking more than a few blocks. Others readily walk a mile or more.

So, again, next door? Next block? You say what is not okay for you; I'm asking what IS okay for you--and why.

Perfect! Glory in the ignorance. TH serves at least to give you company in that regard.

You ducked the question. You say you and others are "offended." Why you think two blocks away is too close, you don't say. If that is too close, what distance is okay for you? And why?

You don't care that it's not really at ground zero? Really? Isn't that what it's all about? If not, what's the magic of two blocks away? And you failed to grapple with the question your objection begs: If two blocks is too close, what distance will be okay to you? And why? If you don't care enough to think things through, stifle.

Leftie-rightie, goodie-badie. This seems to pass for analysis on TH.

Do those calling it the "Ground Zero Mosque" not know or not care that it is NOT located at ground zero, but rather two blocks away? If those objecting think two blocks from ground zero is too close for a mosque, what would they consider to be okay? Two and a half blocks? Three blocks? Four? More? Whatever distance they choose, the question then is why? What is the magic of whatever distance they choose? This silly objection is much ado about nothing--or at least it would be, except for the propaganda coup these idiots have handed those who would do us harm. As Archie Bunker might say: "Wise up! Or at least stifle yourself!"

Do those calling it the "Ground Zero Mosque" not know or not care that it is NOT located at ground zero, but rather two blocks away? If those objecting think two blocks from ground zero is too close for a mosque, what would they consider to be okay? Two and a half blocks? Three blocks? Four? More? Whatever distance they choose, the question then is why? What is the magic of whatever distance they choose? This silly objection is much ado about nothing--or at least it would be, except for the propaganda coup these idiots have handed those who would do us harm. As Archie Bunker might say: "Wise up! Or at least stifle yourself!"

The phrase “separation of church and state” is but a metaphor to describe the underlying principle of the First Amendment and the no-religious-test clause of the Constitution. That the phrase does not appear in the text of the Constitution assumes much importance, it seems, only to those who may have once labored under the misimpression it was there and later learned they were mistaken. To those familiar with the Constitution, the absence of the metaphor commonly used to describe one of its principles is no more consequential than the absence of other phrases (e.g., Bill of Rights, separation of powers, checks and balances, fair trial, religious liberty) used to describe other undoubted Constitutional principles. Some try to pass off...