Republicans Seek to Make Ground Zero Mosque an Issue in November Elections

[Lasher]

Source: Bloomberg

Republicans will likely use President Barack Obama’s support for the right of a Muslim group to build an Islamic center near the World Trade Center site to force Democrats to defend an unpopular position in the November election campaign.

With opinion polls showing public opposition to the proposal, Obama’s remarks will not gain any new voters and may alienate others, said Julian Zelizer, a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University in New Jersey.

“There is no win for Obama here,” Zelizer said. With the public focused on unemployment and the economy, the mosque “will not be a turning-point issue,” though it might play into fears about “Democrats not being tough enough on terrorism,” he said.

Fifty-three percent of registered New York City voters opposed the building of the Islamic center and mosque at the site and 34 percent supported its development, according to a Marist College poll conducted July 28 to Aug. 5.

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-15/republicans-seek-to-make-ground-zero-mosque-an-issue-in-november-elections.html

[IndianaJoe]

1. I was kind of wondering why Obama got involved with it.

I agree with his position on it, but isn't it kind of a local issue -- something for New York City to sort out?

[Lasher]

3. Maybe but I'm proud of him for having taken this stand.

Might not be a winning play though, because most Americans think our Constitutional freedom of religion means we get Bibles in our classrooms, but not Korans.

[BlueDemKev]

16. Agreed

I agree. While I believe that the 1st Amendment should prevail in this matter, there was no reason for the president to get involved with this issue at this time. We are already in deep trouble with the coming midterm elections. Americans are full of anger and hatred right now because of the horrid economy and this Mosque-Near-Ground-Zero issue is going to make voters even more upset and they'll vote Republican just to spite him.

President Obama, I support you but you blew this one insofar as your timing. :thumbsdown:

[spartan61]

2. What part of the First Amendment don't the repukes understand?

Hello... Freedom of religion doesn't only mean the Christian faith, it means ALL religions. That is exactly what Obama said in his speech and he certainly did not walk that speech back. The founding fathers were very clear about this. BTW, why don't those who oppose the rec center oppose the porn shops, etc. in the same area? I would think that porn shops and "sacred ground of 9/11" would be an oxymoron.

[seattleblue]

6. Did pornographers bring down the World Trade towers?

People are confusing the right to do something with the wisdom of doing it. Yes someone may have the right to build on a piece of property but it may not be the wisest choice. The President has only commented on the right not the wisdom.

[dkf]

9. Exactly right. Just because you can does not mean you should.

And especially if you want to build positive bridges it is a mistake to do something that creates bad feelings. How does that promote a favorable opinion of Islam? So much more goodwill would be created should they cancel the project. To me that is a no brainer.

[hay rick]

10. Great rhetorical question.

In my experience, most of the people who oppose the building consider it an insult and aren't really thinking in terms of First Amendment rights. It's a pity that there are so many politicians who are drooling over the prospect of demagoguing the issue.

My question is: if two blocks is too close to Ground Zero to build a mosque, at what distance do Muslims regain their right to the free exercise of religion?

I don't think it's a "wisdom" question.

[roxiejules]

25. If it is being built as an act of friendship....

as the Cordoba House claimed, then why not move a bit further away to show their concern for the families of the dead? Or better yet, why not donate the building in the memory of the lives lost?

According to one survey 61% of New Yorkers oppose the Mosque near Ground Zero.

[mbperrin]

31. Wonder how many object to the Phelps clan protesting at dead soldiers'

funerals with messages that say the deceased is hated by God and so on? Then they sue, and that's their living. Will anyone say that's a despicable use of religion, since they're supposedly a church?

And this has been going on in this form for at least 15 years. But that's okay, because they're christofascists?

No evidence whatever that anyone involved in the mosque project had anything whatever to do with 911.

[hay rick]

33. I spit on your act of friendship.

I don't think that the people who would establish a no-mosque zone near Ground Zero are motivated by deference to the feelings of the families of the dead, and I don't think that would be a legitimate excuse in the first place.

I saw a bumper sticker the other day with the message: "I learned everything I needed to know about Islam on 9-11." That's who you would defer to- the professional haters and the people who confuse such people with patriots. Yeah, sad to say, that's a lot of people.

If you want to honor the victims, build the mosque. Show the world that America is a greater nation, not a pettier nation. Show the world that America understands that true Islam is a religion of peace and that a few fanatics are are no more representative of Muslim culture than the worst of the guards at Abu Ghraib are representative of American culture. Show the world that we cherish our long tradition of ethnic variety and religious freedom and we will not be cowed by paranoid and hate-filled mobs.

[LanternWaste]

47. You mean the Community Center near Ground Zero, yes...?

You mean the Community Center near Ground Zero, yes...?

[superconnected]

41. I've noticed they love the 2nd amendment - bear arms, but hate the 1st - free speech.

I swear, it's the Republicans that hate us for our freedom.

[cosmicone]

4. Repukes care about the constitution only when the 2nd amendment

is concerned. They are ready to use the rest as wrapping paper.

[OhioChick]

5. With unemployment so high, this issue won't matter to most Americans n/t

[tridim]

7. They already lost a mid-term election running on 9/11 terra.

[Bozita]

8. Guns, God, gays, ... and now mosques?

Those GOPers sure know how to fix America's problems.

[savalez]

43. Don't forget "illegals" and "anchors"!

The Pukes are alienating everybody.

[activa8tr]

11. Newsflash: Republicans wish to capitalize upon fear and ignorance

and get people to the polls.............all the fearful and ignorant.

I had known people like this were out there.........Obama, and his staff, never thought about it.

[BlueDemKev]

17. Yeah, and it works almost every time!

Sad, but true.

[Bitwit1234]

12. And the republicans voting no to health care for the people

who responded and saved lives pulling people out and treating them at the Twin Towers shouldn't be an issue at the November elections. If the Democrats don't push back on this issue they deserve to loose. I would come out with every single thing the Democrats tried to do to help this country that they republicans blocked.

[BDavinciNY]

13. Its another (non) issue for the Rethugs

They are going to milk this issue of having mosques in our neighborhoods to death if it gets them the votes. You know you have a crappy product when you have to go with a shitty gimmick like this! The Rethugs have nothing to help Americans that are really hurting. They only help the Corporations. Their only plan this election cycle is to go back to the good ole days of bankrupting this country. This non-issue should not matter. Let them run on BS issues and the Democrats run on the real issues. BTW does it really matter if a mosque, synagogue or a church is next to me how are they hurting me. They have that right to do so based on their 1st Amendment Freedom of religion rights and it applies to EVERYBODY not just the White Protestant "Christians" which the Right Wingers don't understand. Everyone is protected by their practice of their religion even the Atheists are protected too! It may hurt Obama politically in the short run but in the long run he needed to say what needed to be said!
O8) :kick: :rant: :patriot:

[rasputin1952]

14. Welcome to DU BDavinciNY...

I was born and raised in NYC...now I'm in Nebraska, man do I miss the food choices!

:hi:

[cheneyschernobyl]

21. Perhaps, but what about

Hinky Dinky? I laughed until it hurt when I saw that for the first time!

Can't criticize Nebraska too much though; everyone on my Dad's side of the family is from there...and I'm a life-long Huskers football fan. Go Huskers!

[rasputin1952]

23. I've been here about 9 years, incredibly long story which

I will not bore you with.

Except for the Republican factor, the vast majority of people I've met here are decent folk. It is a weird place to be though, for me...:hi:

[BDavinciNY]

24. Thanks

Thanks Rapsy! You do have Chicago as a second option if you can't get to the City! I know how it is to miss NYC when you are far away from it.

[The Green Manalishi]

15. yanked the chains of a conservative friend over this today.

Him: "I don't think they should build it"
Me: I agree"
Him: I thought you progressives love Islam"
Me: I don't think they should build it"
Him: what's this, you're coming around to common sense?"
Me: "but then I think every mosque, temple and church should be bulldozed and replaced with something of more use such as a latrine, strip club or liquor store"
him :"!@#@# you're sick."

Gotta yank people's chains as a first step to freeing them from them.

[Odin2005]

19. ROFLAO!!!

:rofl:

[Downwinder]

29. You are not far off. There are two strip clubs down there now.

and Thunder Lingerie.

[Odin2005]

18. Oh for fuck's sake...

Just when I think these assholes can't get ANY lower they never fail to prove me wrong!

[applegrove]

20. Obama did the right thing. The GOP will try and make it an issue but

this is about the constitution and not giving into fear. I hope he highlights the 'not giving into fear' part during the campaign this fall. As Roosevelt said "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself". If Obama attacks 'fear' he attacks the GOP base and asks them to be better than they are. To aspire to be grown ups in a crazy world.

[cheneyschernobyl]

22. I'm sorry...will someone please explain to me

what all the fuss is about? The proposed Mosque isn't at the WTC site; it's 2 blocks away. If 2 blocks away is an unacceptable distance, then what's an acceptable distance? 2 miles? 2 states? 2 time zones? 2 planets?

:wtf:

Since Timothy McVeigh was a Christian, does that mean we should block/demolish all Christian churches near Government buildings?

Does the fear rhetoric of the morans have an end?

sigh...

[madrchsod]

27. 2 planets is acceptable to the people who are behind this.

thom harmon had one of the leaders of the group behind this bullshit. if it were up to him islam would be banished from the face of the earth.
to bad Abraham `s brats have to take their tantrums out on the rest of us...

[Posteritatis]

30. The straight answers I get from people suggest they don't want one in Manhattan

I imagine most of them don't really understand what "two city blocks" translates to in New York-ese, but they usually end up insisting on at least a mile, if not further. It's sad.

[madrchsod]

26. what about christians who blew up the federal building in Oklahoma City?

i just check google map. they better tear down three christian terrorist churches within 3 -4 blocks of the new federal center.

[struggle4progress]

28. I can't believe we're still letting people rent Ryder trucks after the Oklahoma City bombing!

I can't believe we still allow white folk to have weapons in Colorado after Sand Creek! I can't believe we still allow religious groups in Waco after the Branch Davidian fiasco! I can't believe we still allow police stations in Los Angeles after the Rodney King beating! I can't believe we still allow Englishmen to visit the US after the Boston massacre! I can't believe ...

:eyes:

[mbperrin]

32. Precisely. Well said!

Thank you!

[pnorman]

34. IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT THEOCRACY!

[western mass]

35. dems LET them make this an issue

by refusing to call them and anybody who opposes the mosque exactly what they are: a racist and a bigot. This is not an issue with two reasonable sides. There are racists and bigots on one side, and everybody else on the other.

[6000eliot]

36. When the fuck are the Democrats going to grow a pair

and STOP letting the RW control the debate? Obama knows how to take control of the discourse; it's at least partially why he was elected. Why do idiots and thugs get to control what gets said and how it gets said?

[Vinca]

37. What church did the guy who murdered George Tiller attend?

It's definitely got to go. Are there any churches in the area of the Oklahoma City bombing? They've got to go. If the 9/11 hijackers were white guys from Ireland, would all the cathedrals in New York City have to close? Why isn't the right concerned about the prayer room in the Pentagon? Inquiring minds want to know.

[disillusioned73]

38. I say - build it even closer... hell, right on sight ;)

fuck the bigots and the small minded that can't wrap their heads around "freedom of religion" or seperation of church & state

[krabigirl]

39. If they do, honestly i see less people voting for them.

[Blue Owl]

40. Call them out for the fearmongering bullshit artists they are

And for Christ's sake, don't let these non-thinking idiots frame the debates with bullshit like this.

[superconnected]

42. Republicans are actually fascists - it's their base. It feeds on racism.

FACISM

NOUN: 1. A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism. b. A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government. fascistic (f-shstk)

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/fascism

----------

And yeah, a little old lady watching Fox News and wanting rounds ups of Mexicans and no religious equality for Muslims is a racist and ultimately a fascist in what she supports. That is the Republican base and who it appeals to. People who want a dictatorship over others.

[Arkana]

44. Ahahahaha I can't wait to see this fail miserably.

Whether they like it or not, the owners of that land have the right, as guaranteed by the First Amendment, to build a mosque/cultural center/whatever the fuck it is.

[ProudDad]

45. Gotta love the MSM headline prevaricators

It's not a "Mosque", it's a Muslim Community Center...

And it's 2 blocks (1/3 MILE) from the alleged ground zero...

And, good luck, fuckers -- the sheeple will have long forgotten about this manufactured kerfuffle by November...

[Douglas Carpenter]

46. NYT article about plans the Muslim Community Center before the hate campaign began

Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero

By RALPH BLUMENTHAL and SHARAF MOWJOOD
Published: December 8, 2009


Worshipers exit the old Burlington Coat Factory near ground zero, which now houses a prayer space. More Photos >

snip:

“ As a Sufi, Imam Feisal follows a path of Islam focused more on spiritual wisdom than on strict ritual, and as a bridge builder, he is sometimes focused more on cultivating relations with those outside his faith than within it.

snip:

Those who have worked with him say if anyone could pull off what many regard to be a delicate project, it would be Imam Feisal, whom they described as having built a career preaching tolerance and interfaith understanding.

“He subscribes to my credo: ‘Live and let live,’ ” said Rabbi Arthur Schneier, spiritual leader of Park East Synagogue on East 67th Street.

snip:

The mayor’s director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs, Fatima Shama, went further. “We as New York Muslims have as much of a commitment to rebuilding New York as anybody,” Ms. Shama said. Imam Feisal’s wife, Daisy Khan, serves on an advisory team for the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, and Lynn Rasic, a spokeswoman for the memorial, said, “The idea of a cultural center that strengthens ties between Muslims and people of all faiths and backgrounds is positive.”


snip:

“ Building so close is owning the tragedy. It’s a way of saying: ‘This is something done by people who call themselves Muslims. We want to be here to repair the breach, as the Bible says.’ ”

The F.B.I. said Imam Feisal had helped agents reach out to the Muslim population after Sept. 11. “We’ve had positive interactions with him in the past,” said an agency spokesman, Richard Kolk. Alice Hoagland of Las Gatos, Calif., whose son, Mark Bingham, was killed in the hijacked plane that crashed in Pennsylvania, said, “It’s quite a bold step buying a piece of land adjacent to ground zero,” but she said she considered plans for the site “a noble effort.”

snip:

Joy Levitt, executive director of the Jewish Community Center, said the group would be proud to be a model for Imam Feisal at ground zero. “For the J.C.C. to have partners in the Muslim community that share our vision of pluralism and tolerance would be great,” she said.

Mr. El-Gamal agreed. “What happened that day,” he said, “was not Islam.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html

link to the cordoba intiative:

http://www.cordobainitiative.org /

link to Imam Feisal Press Conference:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfIPO7CVflA

.

[jpak]

48. Why does the GOP hate the Constitution and the American Way?

:shrug: