A reader writes:

Kaminer is wrong: There is a difference between "a right denied formally by the government" and "informally by a virtual mob." In fact, there is no such thing as a virtual mob taking away the rights of other people, unless those people choose not to defend themselves. Anyone attempting to shame the Cordoba Mosque owners into abandoning their project in New York are doing the only thing they can do, short of suing, which is to exercise their right to speak out publicly in opposition. While the builders of the Mosque have to endure this public shaming, they still have the courts to protect their legal and constitutional rights. Again, what Kaminer is talking about is what happens if the builders of the Cordoba Mosque choose not to defend themselves in court, or if you like, when they choose not to endure the public shaming. As unfortunate as it is, though, this is our democracy.