Pelosi supports probe of mosque opponents

[babylonsister]

Pelosi supports probe of mosque opponents
By Michael O'Brien - 08/18/10 07:39 AM ET



House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said that a proposed Islamic center in New York City was a local issue and that she supports an investigation into how the opposition is being funded.

Pelosi told local reporters on Tuesday that the decision over whether to proceed with building an Islamic center, which includes a mosque, near the site of the 9/11 attacks should be left up to the local community.

"I think everyone respects the right of people in our country to express their religious beliefs on their property," she told KCBS radio in San Francisco. "The decision, though, as to how to go forward in New York is up to New York."

The Speaker also questioned what was motivating the political opposition to the mosque, suspecting that the issue might be being "ginned up" to help Republican candidates.

"There's no question that there's a concerted effort to make this a political issue by some," she said. "And I join those who have called for looking into how ... this opposition to the mosque {is} being funded.

"How is this being ginned up that we are here talking about Treasure Island, something we've been working on for decades, something of great interest to our community, as we go forward to an election about the future of our country, and two of the first three questions are about a zoning issue in New York City?" Pelosi said.

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http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/114773-pelosi-new-yorkers-should-decide-in-ginned-up-mosque-controversy