Outside the Beltway

A new poll indicates that there are some disturbing motivations that seem to be associated with opposition to the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque.”

Fidel Castro is back in the public eye, but he’s singing a slightly different tune now.

The plan by one fringe church in Gainesville, Florida to burn copies of the Koran on September 11th is igniting fires of protest across the Muslim world.

If you think anti-Muslim sentiment in the United States is running high, a look across the Pond will put things in perspective.

The United States Army has granted case-by-case exceptions to three Sikh soldiers, allowing them to serve while wearing beards and turbans.

Did you know that more Christians than Muslims were victims of hate crimes in America? Did you also know that there are a lot more Christians? Oh. Never mind, then.

The world’s smartest scientist says there is no god. Or, at least, no need for one.

President Obama didn’t use the words “Mission Accomplished” last night, but the message was the same.

Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin held a rally on the National Mall, but at times it sounded more like an old-time religious revival than a modern political rally.

The controversial Muslim center near Ground Zero may get public financing.

Ok, Saudi Arabia has less freedom than the US. Why do some people think that should form the basis of an argument about appropriate behavior in the US?

Not surprisingly, Radical Islamists are taking notice of the tone of debate in the United States over the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque.”

It would appear that the Pauls have different views on Park51.

The only reasons Michael Kinsley can conjure for opposing the Park51 project are bigotry and political opportunism. Unless you’re a really smart columnist.

Representative Ron Paul does not mince words on the subject of the Park51 project.

Glenn Greenwald argues that the “Ground Zero Mosque” debate is about more than just a “mosque” near Ground Zero. He’s right, but that also means the debate is likely to get uglier.

Yes, when you blame one group of people for the actions of other, especially irrationally so, that qualifies as scapegoating.

Some of our politicians and commentators are looking to odd places for guidance over the application of fundamental American values.

Park51 opponents are trying to depict Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf as an anti-American radical. Read his speech at Daniel Pearl’s memorial service and judge for yourself.

America’s obsession over the fate of the Burlington Coat Factory in Lower Manhattan, and a general rise in anti-Islamic rhetoric, plays right into the hands of the people that are actually our enemies.

Why are people’s views about Islam so screwed up ? Mostly because the only things they know about it tend to be the worst possible aspects of all.

A small slice of what people at the epicenter of the Park51 controversy have to say.

Barely half of Americans think Muslims have a Constitutional right to build a mosque near the World Trade Center and 18% think mosques shouldn’t be allowed anywhere. That’s why we have a 1st Amendment.

The Associated Press tells its reports to stop using the phrase “Ground Zero Mosque.” That’s a good thing.