Brennan says no evidence mosque spat is fueling terror activities

Published August 20, 2010

VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass. – The White House's counterterrorism adviser says he's seen no evidence that the controversy over building an Islamic center and mosque near ground zero is fueling terrorism against the U.S.

Some commentators have suggested that opposition to the mosque could gin up sentiment among U.S. enemies, complicating counterterror efforts.

John Brennan made the comment Friday in response to a question at the White House press briefing held on Martha's Vineyard where President Barack Obama is vacationing.

Brennan said that terrorist groups would point to a number of reasons for their activity, many of them unfounded.

well yea, what else could they say?

Look where they are commenting from.

Did they move the Whitehouse or is Hussein still on vacation?

i thought he gave a speech in new orleans?

I do not think that the whole ground zero mosque controversy will
fuel jihadists fire - but it might help to extinguish it.

Sure there are some ugly slurs coming out. But the majority of americans
and the majority of muslims are for religious tolerance and mutual respect.

It definitely is going to hurt the muslim community to address the pain
that americans are feeling so acutely about 9/11. But it merely shows
how far we are from really healing the deep wounds of this unprecendented
massacre of innocent people.

Unfortunately many americans feel that the american islamic community
has not done enough to repudiate the radical elements in this country
and others. Not enough voices have risen to condemn attacks on israeli
civilians or to support our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Not enough muslims have answered the call to publicly debate the
offensive and self-destructive imams who issue death fatwas to
cartoonists and stoning sentences to women. Where are the public
debates? Where are those american muslims who abhor rocket firings
from Gaza into playgrounds?

Where are the muslims who confront the hate-textbooks issued to
schoolchildren in the name of islam?

As unfortunate as the situation is - and I do support their "right" to
build a mosque anywhere they choose - I do not support the decision
to place a large islamic center next to the gravesite. I think it is
unseemly and counterproductive under the circumstances. But I believe
the american muslim community and the moderate and faithful peaceful
muslims will eventually be heard. It will largely be their voices who
will ultimately help destroy the jihadist radical islamist false
narrative.

And the ground zero mosque controversy shines a light of intensity
on the problem which cannot be ignored. Someone will stand MLK like
or Ghandi like and lead. And it will be beautiful when it happens....

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6430933n&tag=related;photovideo