New York City is the birthplace of many past debates and controversies. Until recently, Governor David Patterson’s activities and allegations of Michael Bloomberg buying the mayoral election dominated the public eye.

But America’s biggest melting pot is faced with a new problem: its approval of a proposal to build an Islamic center two blocks from Ground Zero.

Can NYC handle its own problems? The rest of America thinks not.

Constitutionally, the city made the right decision. The First Amendment guarantees freedoms of religion, expression and speech to every citizen of the U.S.

Even the most prejudiced Americans recognize and abide by the 200-plus-year-old document that forms the basis of American life.

So, case closed. Debate over. The Constitution has provided a judgment everyone can be happy with.

Not quite.

Karl Rove, Sarah Palin, and other conservatives suggest the Muslim community is insulting 9/11 survivors and their families.

For God’s sake, they say, a national disaster happened not even a mile from the proposed building site. Have these radical Muslims no shame? Nothing short of a shrine to Allah at Ground Zero will satisfy these barbarians.

More than half of NYC object to the idea, as do countless other Americans.  The words “too soon” have fallen on deaf ears.

They mean nothing to Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, priest and leader of the future Islamic center. People, especially Americans, are very thin-skinned. Rauf should consider these feelings before launching into a campaign dividing Americans more than ever.

Presently, over 100 mosques are located within city limits; one only three blocks from Ground Zero. One more couldn’t hurt, right? Or, are the insensitive actions of Rauf, and his associates, completely out of line? Unfortunately, Americans are considering these questions with the attention of a hawk on its prey.

Not surprisingly, President Obama came out in support of the Islamic Center, citing the Constitution. But his job is to enforce the laws of the land; commenting on social planning is not part of the job description. Sometimes anonymity or plain silence is the best policy.

With arguments from the left and right, what is gained? Nothing. This matter has turned into a political soap opera rivaling the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal. Furthermore, only politicians are in a position to gain precious political points needed to top their opponent come November.

At the end of the day, NYC will address and solve its own problems. There is no need for national concern.