Political Hotsheet
By

Brian Montopoli /

CBS News/ August 23, 2010, 4:48 PM

Ron Paul Backs "Ground Zero Mosque," Splitting with Son Rand

Ron Paul

/ Carlos Osorio

Libertarian Congressman Ron Paul is breaking with many of his fellow Republicans - among them his son Rand - to support the creation of the planned Islamic cultural center near the former site of the World Trade Center that has come to be known as the "ground zero mosque."

In a statement decrying "demagogy" around the issue, the former Republican presidential candidate wrote late last week that "the debate should have provided the conservative defenders of property rights with a perfect example of how the right to own property also protects the 1st Amendment rights of assembly and religion by supporting the building of the mosque."

"Instead, we hear lip service given to the property rights position while demanding that the need to be 'sensitive' requires an all-out assault on the building of a mosque, several blocks from 'ground zero,'" Paul continues.

He goes on to argue that "the neo-conservatives who demand continual war in the Middle East and Central Asia...never miss a chance to use hatred toward Muslims to rally support for the ill conceived preventative wars."

Adds Paul: "It is repeatedly said that 64% of the people, after listening to the political demagogues, don't want the mosque to be built. What would we do if 75% of the people insist that no more Catholic churches be built in New York City? The point being is that majorities can become oppressors of minority rights as well as individual dictators."

"This is all about hate and Islamaphobia," he argues.

The statement is particularly notable in light of comments on the issue by Paul's son, Kentucky Republican Senate nominee Rand Paul. Rand Paul has said that while he is hesitant to get involved in a local issue, he does not believe the cultural center should be built; "the Muslim community would better serve the healing process by making a donation to the memorial fund for the victims of September 11th," he said.

(By the way, Paul's Democratic opponent in the Senate race, Jack Conway, also opposes the center.)

Rand Paul got in trouble early in his general election campaign for staking out typically-Libertarian positions, most notably in questioning parts of the Civil Rights Act and Americans with Disabilities Act. He subsequently adopted more traditionally-Republican rhetoric and declined to embrace his father's full-throated opposition to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, among other causes important to many libertarians.

© 2010 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
67 Comments Add a Comment
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M_Miles says:
For more on freedom of religion and the separation of church and state so as not to form a state religion visit . . .

http://www.allabouthistory.org/separation-of-church-and-state.htm
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M_Miles says:
Freedom of religion is a wonderful gift that we in the United States enjoy. Preferential freedom of religion is not what the Bill of Rights states.

Ron Paul emphasized freedom of religion for a proposed mosque but did not emphasize the Greek Orthodox Church in the same way or with the same emphasis. Many city and government officials are emphasizing the mosque over the church. When this is done this is known as a state sponsored religion. A state sponsored religion takes away the rights of other religions by preferential treatment eliminating true freedom of religion for all religions.
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M_Miles replies:
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For more on freedom of religion and the separation of church and state so as not to form a state religion visit . . .

http://www.allabouthistory.org/separation-of-church-and-state.htm
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alzheimerstickler says:
It's very obvious that they are determined to build that mosque no matter how the majority of people feel. What kind of "religious "organization would insist on opening up wounds by deliberately choosing this particular site? They just do not care. I remember to my shock and disgust, all the so called American Muslems cheering,shouting,and dancing around as the announcement of 9/11 was being made known. WOW. I could hardly believe my eyes,but I did witness this horrible display and will NEVER forget it. As I passed by a college, again I saw some of the students shouting for joy at the news. Now I'am just supposted to forget and go along with people who laughed and danced in the streets as Americans were dying? Well let these people who are allowed by their Koran to lie in your face because if you are not a muslim than you are an infidel and it is O.K. to lie to an infidel,go build it somewhere far far away. D'ont believe me? Ask or better yet read it in their "HOLY BOOK". Educate yourselves please. I love my country and pray it learns to recognize the enemy within it.
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flipjinklee replies:
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Regardless of how you emotionally feel about this, it still boils down to one single question. Do you believe in the Constitution or not? It gives any body the right to practice their religion and build on their private propery, it also gives you the right to protest and dissent.
readingisfundamental replies:
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Yes, excellent idea let us read it in the "HOLY BOOK" and educate ourselves
Holy Bible - Luke 19:27 - Jesus Christ saying: "But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me"
Holy Bible - Matthew 10:34 - Jesus Christ saying: "I come not to bring peace, but to bring a sword Luke"
Yes, those are the direct quotes from Jesus Christ, hmmm, do we have our "HOLY BOOK" confused, no such wisdom in Quran, ignorance is bliss...
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alzheimerstickler says:
It's very obvious that they are determined to build that mosque no matter how the majority of people feel. What kind of "religious "organization would insist on opening up wounds by deliberately choosing this particular site? They just do not care. I remember to my shock and disgust, all the so called American Muslems cheering,shouting,and dancing around as the announcement of 9/11 was being made known. WOW. I could hardly believe my eyes,but I did witness this horrible display and will NEVER forget it. As I passed by a college, again I saw some of the students shouting for joy at the news. Now I'am just supposted to forget and go along with people who laughed and danced in the streets as Americans were dying? Well let these people who are allowed by their Koran to lie in your face because if you are not a muslim than you are an infidel and it is O.K. to lie to an infidel,go build it somewhere far far away. D'ont believe me? Ask or better yet read it in their "HOLY BOOK". Educate yourselves please. I love my country and pray it learns to recognize the enemy within it.
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WeThePeople012 says:
Ron Paul has balls.
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M_Miles says:
by nic1234567-2009 August 25, 2010 3:36 PM EDT

Wasn?t Hal Lindsey the guy who predicted that the Cold War would continue indefinitely and that all Christians would be lifted up to heaven by the year 2000.

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You read his book?
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nic1234567-2009 replies:
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No not really, but a couple of members of my church have. (Planet earth- 2000 AD. I think)
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M_Miles says:
Copy and paste each others items, nice to know that we can do that.

<b>by Lawyers-Guns-n-Money06 August 25, 2010 2:24 AM EDT</b>
Ron Paul should watch the Hal lindsey report.
http://www.hallindsey.com
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nic1234567-2009 replies:
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Wasn?t Hal Lindsey the guy who predicted that the Cold War would continue indefinitely and that all Christians would be lifted up to heaven by the year 2000.
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M_Miles says:
Nice to see how we can copy and paste each others comments.
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nic1234567-2009 replies:
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What your point?
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pasha128 says:
by M_Miles August 24, 2010 8:04 PM EDT

Those that have proposed building a mosque in the Ground Zero area, do not own all of the property they proposed building the mosque on; even though they claimed they did. Con Edison owns the property.

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In fact they own much of the property they require and furthermore the they apparently have a deal for the additional property they require. Anti-discrimination laws in this country bar sellers of real estate from discriminating with potential buyers based on things like race, religion and national origin. So unless you are recommending more illegal and discriminatory actions against law abiding US Citizens, I strongly suggest you find another approach that conforms with US Law.
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nic1234567-2009 replies:
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Con Ed Will Not Block the Ground Zero Mosque, Despite Reports.
The mosque's developer, signed a long-term lease on the building last year and ?has rights to use, alter, demolish or renovate the building,? Con Ed said.

http://dnainfo.com/20100809/downtown/con-ed-will-not-block-ground-zero-mosque
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PatriotMike2 says:
Ron Paul has lost any and all touch with America. He clearly does not understand that Muslims want to place the mosque next to Ground Zero as a deliberate affront to America and those who died trying to save the lives of innocent victims. He's no better than Taliban sympathizers like Ward Churchill, Obama, Pelosi and Denver cop-hater Hickentaxer.
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slow--news-day replies:
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"Ron Paul has lost any and all touch with America."

Actually, he's the only sane politician on the right any more.
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