Ground-Zero Mosque, a bridge

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf says he is a "bridge builder." He says the purpose of the proposed mosque near Ground Zero is outreach to the people of the United States.

Confidence in his sincerity erodes, however, when we learn he refuses to declare Hamas a terrorist group, and after nine-one-one, he suggested that the United States was complicit in the attack!

Ground Zero is freedom ground, sacred ground sanctified with American blood and tears. It is an emotionally charged area. And they want to erect a monument to a belief system that is in direct conflict with our national love of individual freedom - a monument to oppression and disregard of girls and women, a monument to disregard for human life, a monument to belief in theocracy, a monument to the belief system that gave birth to the attack of nine-one-one.

This is a slap in the face of America. If Rauf isn't intentionally administering this slap, he is clueless, not very bright. A much smarter move would be to offer to build it fifteen blocks away in the interest of showing understanding and furthering friendly relations.

Whatever the case, if he builds a Ground Zero mosque, Imam "Bridge-builder" Rauf is building the ultimate bridge to nowhere. Relations will deteriorate.