Something akin to a political lynch mob made short shrift of each notion.
Remember the Islamic cultural center and Mosque planned a few blocks from Ground Zero? There was a shrill outcry from a few outspoken peeps - and, poof, do you hear much about that center these days? There are those who say it's rather sad that a country that prides itself on tolerance and diversity couldn't find room for a center that would prove tolerance and diversity exists.
And today, another big push out of Lower Manhattan involving a high-profile event with a Muslim at the center of it. The Obama Administration - in a reversal that shows just how some outspoken critics can affect public opinion - now says that the one of the supposed masterminds of the Sept. 11 attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, will not be tried in Lower Manhattan. Instead, he'll be tried at the military prison that candidate Obama had vowed to shut if he were elected President: Guantanamo Bay.
The political reality, perhaps, was just too strong: With Congress offering zero in terms of funding for security, it would have been up to the cash-strapped New York City to pay for the trial's ancillary costs. Just not going to happen.
What's fascinating is that Mayor Bloomberg way back when - and it was, oh, about 18 months ago - said that he was justice and kismet to have Mohammed's trial near the scene of the crime. He also suggested it proved this country put tolerance and justice above all else by having the trial here.
Times change, we suppose.
We'll have reaction to the decision, tonight at 11.
Also at 11, we're on Long Island, where cadaver dogs have today discovered the three more sets of human remains at Gilgo Beach. That brings the number of victims to 8, and worries about a serial killer on the loose intensifying.
And we're taking a closer look at a holistic approach to migraines at one local hospital. Does it work? Jamie Roth has our story.
We'll also have any breaking news of the night, plus Lee Goldberg's AccuWeather forecast, and Rob Powers with the night's sports. I hope you can join Liz Cho and me, tonight at 11, right after 20/20.