THE HOLY ONES AND THE HOLIER-THAN-THOUS

By Schmoel Yitzhak

From my years of research, I can now conclude beyond a shadow of a doubt that two groups have a distinct impression that their bowel movements do not stink.

1. Academics.

2. Political columnists for the New York Times, especially one Thomas Friedman.

The thinking and writing produced by these two categories of pseudo-savants generally is too pedantic and too condescending for the average reader to discern.

On the other hand, every once in a while, a lunchpail-type columnist -- or politician -- will deliver a piece that is so deliciously to the point, you wonder why his stuff is not more widely circulated.

Two cases in point are Phil Mushnick, longtime sports-tv columnist for the tabloid New York Post, and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

For years Mushnick has taken on foes who have intimidated the majority of columnists. He has done so continuously and fearlessly ignoring the two words -- politically correct -- that have contaminated American journalism.

Thus, it hardly was surprising that Mushnick was responsible for the most pointed commentary on the Lower Manhattan mosque debate in which he sharply criticized President Obama and Mayor Michael Bloomberg for their pro-mosque stances.

"The question," writes Mushnick, "that the Mayor, President and media should strongly consider is why, if the point men in the establishment of this large mosque are as sensitive as they claim, would they want to establish it near Ground Zero?

"Why would they even choose to be perceived as rubbing Islam into the wounds of those most afflicted by Islamic extremism?"

Mushnick alludes to the quality that academics and New York Times political pundits lack -- common sense.

"The (mosque) issue isn't about legal rights," Phil concludes. "It's about common sense and common decency. It's about passing minimal smell and taste tests. We all have the right to be wrong, but that doesn't make it right."

And speaking of common sense, it was Giuliani -- during his stint as mayor -- who unceremoniously tossed Yasser Arafat out on his ear when that terrorist visited Manhattan and wanted to visit Lincoln Center. Rudy never worried much about political correctitude. That's why it was so refreshing to hear Giuliani rip the mosque-promoter Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf on NBC's "Meet The Press.'

Giuliani: "By his actions, the imam is more interested in confrontation than healing. This is the imam who said America is an accessory to September 11. He can't condemn Hamas as a terrorist group. And he will not be transparent about where he's getting the money (for the mosque.)

"And now we have the imam who tells us if he doesn't get his way there could be significant and very dangerous violence. I worry about the kind of tactics he pursues."

For good reason; this is a two-faced imam who, in the years to come, will pursue the cult of violence.

Like Mahmoud Abbas in another part of the world, the imam preaches peace when it suits his purposes. But deep down, his objective is Islamic imperialism; no more, no less!

Just don't bother asking academics or New York Times political columnists for confirmation on the above!