'We Will Clearly Identify All of Our Financial Backers'

Well, we already know two of the financial backers. One's a thug, the other a scam artist, a guy who's an Obama donor and recently gave money to New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Yet months into the Ground Zero Mosque controversy, we have zero knowledge who the other mystery donors are.

Now along comes Imam Rauf, fresh off his two-month world journey paid for by the Obama State Department. The renowned builder of bridges helpfully finds space today on the New York Times editorial pages. Considering how sympathetic the Times has been toward mosque opponents, I guess it's only fair they give equal space to the chief proponent. Here's what caught my eye from the piece, which likely was authored by some hacks at the State Department.

I do not underestimate the challenges that will be involved in bringing our work to completion. (Construction has not even begun yet.) I know there will be interest in our financing, and so we will clearly identify all of our financial backers.

Well, Imam, you've had months to disclose who the backers are and have refused to do so. There's been interest for quite some time now who's funding it, so why don't we know already? He then picks up with the Times' recent view that two-thirds of Americans opposing the mosque somehow is siding with Islamic radicals.

The wonderful outpouring of support for our right to build this community center from across the social, religious and political spectrum seriously undermines the ability of anti-American radicals to recruit young, impressionable Muslims by falsely claiming that America persecutes Muslims for their faith. These efforts by radicals at distortion endanger our national security and the personal security of Americans worldwide. This is why Americans must not back away from completion of this project.

Wonderful outpouring of support? Yes, I know he's been out of the country living it up on our dime, but nobody can be this out of touch. Rarely if ever have I seen such overwhelming opposition to anything in this country by folks across political lines. You get overs 70% of Americans to agree on anything these days and you know how strong opposition is. Sure, most agree they have the right, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea. It's like the guy in Florida who wants to torch the Koran. Sure, he has the right. Doesn't mean it's the best idea to come along to show your views.

Maybe there can be a compromise of sorts. The guy in Florida doesn't fire up the holy book and Rauf and the mysterious pals he's rushing to identify can find another place to build the mosque.