When it comes to the Ground Zero mosque, Gov. Paterson — unlike Mayor Bloomberg — gets it.
The governor, who until now has been silent in the debate, yesterday offered to provide state-owned property as an alternative location, if the developers agree.
He made clear that he doesn’t outright oppose building a mosque in its proposed location two blocks from the site of the destroyed World Trade Center; he said pointedly that he supports the mosque sponsors’ right to do so.
But, in notable contrast with Mayor Mike — who sanctimoniously declared that foes of the project “ought to be ashamed of themselves” — the gov said he is “sensitive to the desire of those who are adamant against it to see something else worked out.”
And he said that those who see the proposed location as needlessly inconsiderate of the families of those killed on 9/11 are “not without cause.”
The mosque plan, Paterson said, “obviously ignites tremendous feelings of anger and frustration.”
If only Mayor Mike showed such sensitivity — instead of trying to turn the issue into a bogus test of religious freedom, as he’s done.
Clearly, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf’s claim that a mosque and Islamic center so close to Ground Zero would help build bridges hasn’t done so.
On the contrary, his choice of location has inflamed passions.
And while Paterson’s offer may or may not be viable, his intent is dead right.
If Abdul Rauf is truly out to promote understanding and interfaith cooperation, how better to show it than to bow to community sentiment — and find a different spot for his mosque?