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09 Sep 2010 10:05

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Politics: “Ground Zero Mosque” Imam: Moving it could be much worse

  • Who this guy isThis is Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, who recently pissed off a lot of people with his Park51 community center project, which some have lovingly called the “Ground Zero” mosque.

    His take on thingsMuch like Obama with the Koran-burning, he ties intolerance to fostering extremism. He says that blocking the center could fuel even more extremist violence. Is he right? Is he wrong? Good question. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Sep 2010 13:11

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Politics: Poll: The “Ground Zero Mosque” not popular even in NYC

  • 67% of New Yorkers
    think that Park51     should be built elsewhere
  • 27% of New Yorkers think it should be built near Ground Zero
  • 6% undecided ↑
  • This post style is a little experimental, so if it breaks your browser, sorry. But let’s just say that the thought was there. But that said, this new New York Times poll definitely suggests the idea of the “Ground Zero Mosque” isn’t popular even in NYC. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink

28 Aug 2010 11:48

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U.S.: “Ground Zero Mosque”: Park51 developers could get public financing

  • If it turns out to be financially feasible and if they can demonstrate an ability to pay off the bonds and comply with the laws concerning tax-exempt financing, we’d certainly consider it.
  • Scott Sieber, a spokesperson for NYC city comptroller John Liu • On the possibility that the Park51 site will receive tax-free financing. Backing from Liu, a Democrat who supports the “Ground Zero Mosque” project, could be just what the project needs. The developers are trying to raise $70 million in tax-exempt debt for the project, which has mostly been troubled with overwraught drama thus far. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

25 Aug 2010 10:09

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Politics: David Paterson finally decided to be a governor on the mosque issue

  • People can’t hear each other anymore. I find it heart-wrenching. I hate to see New Yorkers squaring off against each other.
  • New York Gov. David Paterson • Taking time off from making incredibly embarrassing gaffes to make some pretty smart statements about the Park51 community center, or the “Ground Zero Mosque.” In related news, a group of New Yorkers, including some 9/11 victims’ families, plan to announce the launch of pro-tolerance group New York Neighbors for American Values. And the Park51 organizers still don’t wanna move. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

23 Aug 2010 21:09

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Politics: Here’s what yesterday’s “Ground Zero Mosque” protests were like

  • Well, that sure makes the nature of yesterday’s protest seem all the more insane. This dude was just walking through and was accosted partly because 1) he was black and 2) he was wearing a hat that looked vaguely Islamic. He was nearly pulled into a fight and was forced to leave. WTF?
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Aug 2010 20:34

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Politics: “Ground Zero Mosque” protests: More protesters against than for

  • 500+ people against Park51 showed up for the protests today
  • 200+ people for Park51 showed up; it was contentious (to say the least) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Aug 2010 18:34

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Politics: The real sticking point that Park51 is facing? Not controversy, money

  • They could have obviously done a lot better in explaining who they are if they really wanted to get approval. There’s a real question as to whether there’s money behind this.
  • New York publicist Ken Sunshine • Describing the real issue the “Ground Zero Mosque” is facing – and it’s purely logistical. They simply don’t have the money to build a $100 million community center. In fact, the group behind the development only raised $18,255 in 2008, the last statement available for them. The controversy isn’t helping, either, of course. “They are in the process of hiring an architect — but here’s the thing,” said Park51 spokesperson Oz Sultan, “you’re not going to get the architect or the engineer because they don’t want to be involved in this.” Wouldn’t it be funny if this was all over nothing? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink
 

18 Aug 2010 23:49

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Politics: We fully expect a riot in front of the “Ground Zero Mosque” on 9/11

  • critics The group “Stop Islamization of America” (run by Pamela Gellar) plans to have a huge protest in Manhattan on 9/11. Newt Gingrich and John Bolton will be there, too.
  • muslims The muslims behind Park51 plan to do something for 9/11, too. Also, both groups plan to protest in downtown Manhattan on Sunday. Get yo popcorn ready! source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

18 Aug 2010 00:42

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Politics: WTF: Keith Olbermann vs. Glenn Beck on “Ground Zero Mosque”

  • Not-so Kool Keith vents Keith Olbermann was very much in Edward R. Murrow mode for his “Ground Zero Mosque” special statement on Monday night, and while it was largely over-the-top, he made some good points, and an entertaining “This is America, dammit!” pitch for religious freedom.
  • Glenn guffaws, and then some Apparently, the only part of the entire twelve-minute statement Beck heard was the “This is America, Dammit!” part, because he kept replaying it over and over, and didn’t tackle the argument at all. He chose, instead, to ridicule Olbermann, saying nobody watches his show.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink

17 Aug 2010 00:36

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Politics: Is the root of the “Ground Zero Mosque” story Pamela Gellar?

  • She was one of the first bloggers to tackle it. Who’s Pamela Gellar? She’s a conservative blogger (owner of “Atlas Shrugs“) who is strongly anti-Jihad (not anti-Islam) in her political stances, and just today called President Obama an “antisemite president.” (In the past, she once suggested Malcolm X was Obama’s dad. No, really.) Now, we’re not super-familiar with her work, but Salon is making this claim that the whole negative vibe against the Park51 center started with her, and eventually was picked up by the New York Post. It worked like a virus from there, eventually wending its way all the way to Barack Obama, who certainly stepped in it. Can we go back to fighting about health care yet? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink
 
 
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