Olbermann takes on the myth of the “Ground Zero Mosque”

Host of MSNBC’s Countdown Keith Olbermann speaks his mind about the Park 51 Islamic cultural center (“Ground Zero Mosque”) in what may be his best Special Comment yet:

Perhaps the best bit (via Politicususa [slightly edited for accuracy]):

Yet in a country dedicated to freedom, forces have gathered to blow out of all proportion the construction of a minor community center to transform it into a training ground for terrorists, and an insult to the victims of 9/11, and a tribute to the Medieval Muslim subjugation of the West. […] There is in fact no Ground Zero Mosque. It isn’t a mosque. A mosque, technically, is a Muslim holy place where only worship can be conducted. What is planned for 45 Park Place New York City is a community center. It’s supposed to include a basketball court and a culinary school. It is to be thirteen stories tall, and the top two stories will be a Muslim prayer space. What a cauldron to terrorism that will be, terrorist chefs and terrorist point guards.

You hear that, right-wingers? There is no Ground Zero Mosque. The very label is utterly factually wrong in at least two ways: It isn’t a mosque and it isn’t at Ground Zero. You can’t even see the site of the future Islamic cultural center from Ground Zero (and vice-versa). There are no good reasons for which Muslims shouldn’t be allowed to build Park 51 at 45 Park Place, legal or ethical. Ground Zero is not “hallowed ground” (an irrational blessing if I ever heard one), least of all since there’s already another (actual) mosque and several adult-themed businesses right around the corner. Any and all arguments against the Park 51 center truly are baseless demagogy and nothing else.

(via @todayspolitics)

Tags: Ground Zero Mosque • Cordoba House • Park 51 • Keith Olbermann