The notion that 70% of Americans oppose the mosque is one of the most distressing developments of recent decades. There is no compelling reason to limit the Muslims’ freedom of religion. The mosque is two blocks away from Ground Zero, and from the proposed rooftop, one would not even be able to see the WTC site.

Opposition to the mosque has been whipped up by fear-mongers and hate-mongers like Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, and Glenn Beck. Obama should indeed, “grow a pair,” and call out the mosque opponents in no uncertain terms. That’s what’s called the bully pulpit.

Now that it has achieved such notoriety, this issue is no longer about Islam; it’s about America. What kind of a country do we want to be? What are our values? Or do we want to be a Christian version of Saudi Arabia?