The ignoramus known as “Gutshot”

Fools do indeed rush in where angels fear to tread; here’s Tim Pawlenty on building a mosque near the “ground zero” site:

I'm strongly opposed to the idea of putting a mosque anywhere near ground zero -- I think it's inappropriate," Pawlenty said. "I believe that 3,000 of our fellow innocent citizens were killed in that area, and some ways from a patriotic standpoint, it's hallowed ground, it's sacred ground, and we should respect that. We shouldn't have images or activities that degrade or disrespect that in any way.

But heroes rush in sometimes too, and mirabile dictu, sometimes they’re Muslims:

Imagine being the family of Salman Hamdani. The 23-year-old New York City police cadet was a part-time ambulance driver, incoming medical student, and devout Muslim.  When he disappeared on September 11, law enforcement officials came to his family, seeking him for questioning in relation to the terrorist attacks.  They allegedly believed he was somehow involved.  His whereabouts were undetermined for over six months, until his remains were finally identified.  He was found near the North Tower, with his EMT medical bag beside him, presumably doing everything he could to help those in need.  His family could finally rest, knowing that he died the hero they always knew him to be.

You can go to the linked article and read a partial list of those Muslims killed in the towers attacks. You’ll also read that one of the first babies born, already orphaned by the attacks, was a Muslim. Gutshot forgets these victims and their families.

New York’s mayor Michael Bloomberg echoed a reminder of the Muslim loss in remarks he made on Governor’s Island:

Let us not forget that Muslims were among those murdered on 9/11 and that our Muslim neighbors grieved with us as New Yorkers and as Americans. We would betray our values – and play into our enemies' hands – if we were to treat Muslims differently than anyone else. In fact, to cave to popular sentiment would be to hand a victory to the terrorists – and we should not stand for that.

The Time blog Swampland from which the above quote is taken also notes that Bloomberg reminds the audience that the site of the proposed mosque is private property.

Gutshot apparently believes that private property is one thing if it is owned by — you know — like Christians, but when Muslims own it, well that’s something else.

When Pawlenty® brand patriotism starts to rot, you can’t get rid of if fast enough; it stinks up the whole place.