I read about state Sen. Andy Harris' decision to oppose the construction of the mosque in New York. Mr. Harris is simply siding with the American public, who seem to have been silenced recently on issues such as this and the Arizona immigration law. This country lacks leadership; the president continually takes positions that are the opposite of the citizens of the United States and expects us to follow suit.

The Muslims do have the right to build the mosque. However, in defense of the families who lost their loved ones on 9/11, is it really a good idea to place a mosque, a religious space in which many of the terrorists held meetings before that horrible morning in 2001, so close to that graveyard? This is about not rights; it's simply about common sense and respect for others.

John Dame, Cockeysville