No Big Tent

Controversy in New Jersey. In the U.S. to address that dictator's haven, the U.N., Moammar Gadhafi may come to town, prompting outrage after the UK's release of the terrorist Lockerbie bomber and Libya's welcoming him as a hero. He wants to pitch a tent in the grounds of a Libyan-owned mansion. The next-door neighbor? WSJ:

Over the years, Englewood's Orthodox Jewish community has grown. It now numbers about 700 families. One of the newcomers was Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, whose Web site identifies him as "America's Rabbi," and who has gained fame for his book, "Kosher Sex." Rabbi Boteach's much more modest house is next door to Libya's.

"I wanted to go say hello, but there was never anybody to say hello to," he says. "It was a real hovel," he adds.

A month ago, Rabbi Boteach and his family awoke to noise. Workers next door had cut down some oak trees between the two properties. Libya's house was under total renovation.

The rabbi went over to complain, and received warm apologies. Then, the Lockerbie bomber was released, and the rabbi is ready to sue.

"I was prepared to give Gadhafi the benefit of the doubt -- that he really wanted to change," Rabbi Boteach says. "Now he's shown that he's the same guy. And they haven't replanted my trees, which they cut down."

As for Libya suing to put up a tent under religious freedom statutes, well, gee, can other faiths have reciprocity over there? I think not.