3) He knows that it isn't wise to use a sledge hammer to make a point. It is humiliating, creates enemies and makes the person you used it on dig in their heels even harder. He said what he meant but did it with tact. He left the fig leaf there that the people building the mosque could have used to say "Thank you for understanding and sticking up for us but we aren't blind to the point that you made in the first part of your speech that the decision to build there would create hard and painful feelings for many people so we have decided to do something different with that land. But thank you again for standing up for our religious freedom."

I don't know about you, but for me the best way to get me to see sense is to put it the way he did. A direct attack just puts my back up. He tactfully implied that it wasn't a wise decision with out being completely insulting. But the main focus of the speech was that the government had no business or right to tell them they couldn't do it, that they have the same right to worship as anyone else as long as they are complying with the laws and ordinances in place. That was the question he was really addressing.

As for me, it was clear from the start. I just think that other people are too intent on reading something else into it or not understanding the issue he was addressing.

I still think that you,Damookster and Legolas are way smarter than I am. Just not on this point. I am almost suspecting that you are feigning obtuseness just to egg me on for your entertainment.