As the debate unfolds over whether a mosque should be allowed near the former World Trade Center site, we can be reminded of another, long ago question of limiting worship by members of a particular faith. The analogy might prove informative. It is said that those who ignore the lessons of history are bound to repeat past mistakes.

He rides the New Haven line into the city and back to Rye each workday and he’s just one of many sardine-canned commuters who’d call himself disgruntled. It’s no shock that he has had enough of the routine he shares with countless other rail commuters.