What a good idea

Readers may have seen some stories on the controversy in New York, after planning permission was given for a mosque to be built near Ground Zero in Manhattan.

I tend to think the choice of location is insensitive and stupid, but that is no reason to deny planning permission. Like Andrew Sullivan, I like this proposed response:

Fox News’ Mr Gutfeld proposes building a gay bar right next to the Cordoba Initiative complex in downtown Manhattan. Fantastic idea. That’s exactly the right response to an expression of religious freedom: the expression of freedom for gay people as well.

A stroke of genius. A gay bar next to the mosque. The very arguments in favour of the right for the mosque to be in an location that will offend some, have to be also deployed in favour of allowing a gay bar next door – even though that will offend many at the mosque.