Ron Paul: Mosque opposition ‘all about hate and Islamaphobia’
While I’m no fan of Ron Paul’s politics, I confess I do admire the man’s willingness to speak truth to power, even on the many occasions when his version of the truth directly contradicts my own.
On the proposed Manhattan mosque, he doesn’t disappoint:
Is the controversy over building a mosque near Ground Zero a grand distraction or a grand opportunity? Or is it, once again, grandiose demagoguery?
It has been said, “Nero fiddled while Rome burned.” Are we not overly preoccupied with this controversy, now being used in various ways by grandstanding politicians? It looks to me like the politicians are “fiddling while the economy burns.”
The debate should have provided the conservative defenders of property rights with a perfect example of how the right to own property also protects the 1st Amendment rights of assembly and religion by supporting the building of the mosque.
Instead, we hear lip service given to the property rights position while demanding that the need to be “sensitive” requires an all-out assault on the building of a mosque, several blocks from “ground zero.”
Just think of what might (not) have happened if the whole issue had been ignored and the national debate stuck with war, peace, and prosperity. There certainly would have been a lot less emotionalism on both sides. The fact that so much attention has been given the mosque debate raises the question of just why and driven by whom?
In my opinion it has come from the neo-conservatives who demand continual war in the Middle East and Central Asia and are compelled to constantly justify it.
They never miss a chance to use hatred toward Muslims to rally support for the ill conceived preventative wars. A select quote from soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq expressing concern over the mosque is pure propaganda and an affront to their bravery and sacrifice.
The claim that we are in the Middle East to protect our liberties is misleading. To continue this charade, millions of Muslims are indicted and we are obligated to rescue them from their religious and political leaders. And we’re supposed to believe that abusing our liberties here at home and pursuing unconstitutional wars overseas will solve our problems.
The nineteen suicide bombers didn’t come from Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan or Iran. Fifteen came from our ally Saudi Arabia, a country that harbors strong American resentment, yet we invade and occupy Iraq where no al Qaeda existed prior to 9/11.
Many fellow conservatives say they understand the property rights and 1st Amendment issues and don’t want a legal ban on building the mosque. They just want everybody to be “sensitive” and force, through public pressure, cancellation of the mosque construction.
This sentiment seems to confirm that Islam itself is to be made the issue, and radical religious Islamic views were the only reasons for 9/11. If it became known that 9/11 resulted in part from a desire to retaliate against what many Muslims saw as American aggression and occupation, the need to demonize Islam would be difficult if not impossible.
There is no doubt that a small portion of radical, angry Islamists do want to kill us but the question remains, what exactly motivates this hatred?
If Islam is further discredited by making the building of the mosque the issue, then the false justification for our wars in the Middle East will continue to be acceptable.
The justification to ban the mosque is no more rational than banning a soccer field in the same place because all the suicide bombers loved to play soccer.
Conservatives are once again, unfortunately, failing to defend private property rights, a policy we claim to cherish. In addition conservatives missed a chance to challenge the hypocrisy of the left which now claims they defend property rights of Muslims, yet rarely if ever, the property rights of American private businesses.
Defending the controversial use of property should be no more difficult than defending the 1st Amendment principle of defending controversial speech. But many conservatives and liberals do not want to diminish the hatred for Islam, the driving emotion that keeps us in the wars in the Middle East and Central Asia.
It is repeatedly said that 64% of the people, after listening to the political demagogues, don’t want the mosque to be built. What would we do if 75% of the people insist that no more Catholic churches be built in New York City? The point being is that majorities can become oppressors of minority rights as well as individual dictators. Statistics of support (are) irrelevant when it comes to the purpose of government in a free society — protecting liberty.
The outcry over the building of the mosque, near ground zero, implies that Islam alone was responsible for the 9/11 attacks. According to those who are condemning the building of the mosque, the nineteen suicide terrorists on 9/11 spoke for all Muslims. This is like blaming all Christians for the wars of aggression and occupation because some Christians supported the neo-conservative’s aggressive wars.
The House Speaker is now treading on a slippery slope by demanding a congressional investigation to find out just who is funding the mosque — a bold rejection of property rights, 1st Amendment rights, and the Rule of Law — in order to look tough against Islam.
This is all about hate and Islamaphobia.
We now have an epidemic of “sunshine patriots” on both the right and the left who are all for freedom, as long as there’s no controversy and nobody is offended.
Political demagoguery rules when truth and liberty are ignored.
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623 comments Add your comment
Road Scholar
August 23rd, 2010
2:25 pm
Peadawg and Paul: Maybe I missed your answer, but how far from ground Zero would not be insensitive for the new Mosque? I believe a catholic churh is within one block.
Bosch
August 23rd, 2010
2:26 pm
Peadawg aka doofus,
Is it insensitive to have a mosque in the Pentagon?
AmVet
August 23rd, 2010
2:26 pm
The terrorists should not be allowed to build a temple near the hollow ground of ground 0. Why do liberals find it so diificult to understand something so SIMPLE.
Other than the sheer childishness of the assertion, I find it humorous when demagogues attempt to sound erudite.
Hollow ground? Is that similar to hallowed ground, Palin fan?
Sheesh…
Bruno
August 23rd, 2010
2:26 pm
“How about a synagogue or church at the saddam statue site?”
barking frog–Maybe you’re being “tongue-in-cheek” (a sticky tongue at that), but the argument that we have to demand “quid pro quo” treatment from our enemies before we agree to do the right thing is morally bankrupt.
jewcowboy
August 23rd, 2010
2:28 pm
Peadawg,
“Why pick that specific spot? ”
Why not that particular spot.
Matti
August 23rd, 2010
2:28 pm
Is our country fresh out of outstanding people to lead the way for us??
Why would anyone WANT the job? No matter how pure, untained, incorrupt, smart, educated, well-intentioned, etc. a candidate might be, he or she can expect nothing but character assassination from the people who truly do put “Party First!”, or if not their party, the biased constructs of their chosen religious denomination. FOR CRISSAKES people… the pay isn’t a fraction of what the truly smart people can make in the private sector. People expect to be told what they want to hear, and want no part of the ugly truth, let alone what’s realistic or actually “best” for the situation. The appreciation for a job well done is often less than nil. And yes (everybody here grab a mirror!) you are indeed part of the problem.
We have what we deserve until we decide to deserve something better. Get over it.
kayaker 71
August 23rd, 2010
2:29 pm
Bosch,
There is no mosque in the Pentagon. Just a room where anyone can pray.
Bosch
August 23rd, 2010
2:30 pm
kayaker,
I know that. Having a little fun, but why aren’t all you Muslim haters freaking out about that?
jewcowboy
August 23rd, 2010
2:31 pm
Just out of curiosity…until this came about…how many bidders were trying to buy that sacred condemned Burlington Coat Factory?
Bruno
August 23rd, 2010
2:31 pm
“Hollow ground? Is that similar to hallowed ground, Palin fan?”
Although in the case of the site of the former WTC, calling it “hollow” ground might have some truth to it, Am.
As I pointed out in my 1:37 post, I don’t think ANY ground is “hallowed”, which is actually in accordance with a strict Christian interpretation against the worshipping of idols, IMO.. Only the Divine is worthy of worship, not the former site of a pair of buildings.
Don't forget
August 23rd, 2010
2:31 pm
Good article Jay, now lets move on. How about an article about how the bill that gave tax cuts and increased the availability of loans to small business’s was filibustered by the republicans.
Peadawg
August 23rd, 2010
2:31 pm
“Why not that particular spot.”
If you have to ask that….bless your heart.
Scout
August 23rd, 2010
2:32 pm
America will rue the day that Islam’s foot touched our shores.
Keep up the good fight!
August 23rd, 2010
2:32 pm
Ahh the Mosqueteers are back parrotting their latest diatribe. If the proposed center is an “evil hotbed” of terrorism, then it should not be built anywhere in the US and does not matter that it is near Ground Zero.
If the peabrains want to honor the Constitution, then like it or not, the Nazi’s can build next to Holocaust museum if that is otherwise lawful, the Japanese can build in Hawaii (for those who have never been there, the Japanese have a large presence in Oahu), and the KKK can build next to any memorial or the NAACP. If we follow the Constitution, then there is NOTHING the state (government) can do based solely on the message. If the peabrains dont like it, they have the right to voice their insensitive commentary and others have the right to call them out for it. The simple point is, constitutionally speaking, the government has no right “regulating” sensitivity.
Keep up the good fight!
August 23rd, 2010
2:34 pm
Scout, we rue the day that many religions set foot in this world…or more specifically, those who ignore the teachings of their religions and use their church to spread hate and venom….. Anything sensible to say today?
Peadawg
August 23rd, 2010
2:34 pm
“the government has no right “regulating” sensitivity.”
Democrats expect them to regulate everything else. Or is it just when it’s convenient to you?
jewcowboy
August 23rd, 2010
2:35 pm
Oh wait…the owners were trying to sell the building for years…but no one wanted to pony up the $$$ for the “hallowed ground.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1
Hmm…if it is such “hallowed ground” where were the buyers willing to turn it into a memorial?
Bruno
August 23rd, 2010
2:37 pm
“Why would anyone WANT the job? No matter how pure, untained, incorrupt, smart, educated, well-intentioned, etc. a candidate might be, he or she can expect nothing but character assassination”
Matti, it may be the idealist in me talking, but I’d like to believe some truly outstanding person out there is willing to take the crap that comes with such a public job because they love our country and way of life enough to make that sacrifice.
I was inspired by Bill Gates and Warren Buffets commitment to giving away their fortunes for the betterment of society. Apparently, they’ve found 40 other billionaires willing to take their pledge:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38556042/
stands for decibels
August 23rd, 2010
2:37 pm
(for those who have never been there, the Japanese have a large presence in Oahu)
yep, turns out there is actually a Shinto temple not far from the USS Arizona Memorial.
http://www.e-shrine.org/contact.html
(Granted, it’s more than two blocks away, although I suspect it’s every bit as visible from the Memorial as will be Park51 from Freedom Tower.)
Peadawg
August 23rd, 2010
2:38 pm
” the government has no right “regulating” sensitivity.”
Or how about this. They don’t have the right to regulate that everyone MUST own health insurance or pay a fine…but that didn’t stop Bozo and Skeletor, now did it?
jewcowboy
August 23rd, 2010
2:39 pm
Peadawg,
“If you have to ask that….bless your heart.”
So then, you naturally were trying to put together a financing package to buy the building to turn it into a memorial right? I mean you knew this building existed before all of this right?
Peadawg
August 23rd, 2010
2:39 pm
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/08/20/2010-08-20_we_wont_build_it_hardhats_say_no_way_they_will_work_on_wtc_mosque.html
Good job, construction workers! Way to stand for what you believe in!
Keep up the good fight!
August 23rd, 2010
2:40 pm
Democrats expect them to regulate everything else. Or is it just when it’s convenient to you?
Notice the non-responsive answer. This is not a justification. This just ducks responding and defending their absurd claims with new broader claims…. a simpleton response really to a question: If you believe in the US Constitution, then the government may not act on speech or religion freedoms, so what exactly is the action you whine for and the basis for that action? Or do you just want to whine?
larry
August 23rd, 2010
2:40 pm
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/republican-party/republican-national-committee-2.html?wprss=thefix
Looks like the RNC is trying to run their party finances like they run the government finances.
jewcowboy
August 23rd, 2010
2:42 pm
“America will rue the day that Islam’s foot touched our shores.”
Who talks like that?
Oh wait….
“I will not stand idly by while you abrogate my plans! You shall rue this day!… Well, go on, start ruing!
-Stewie, Family Guy, “Mind Over Murder”
Annie, Atlanta
August 23rd, 2010
2:43 pm
To Palin Fan @ 1:17 – hollow ground? Do you mean hallowed ground, possibly? And what about the Muslim victims either in the building or as first responders? And finally, what about freedom of religion? Or is that freedom of only the religions of your choosing? I love the way right wingers love the Constitution, but only in the bits and pieces that are acceptable to them. Lovely.
Bosch
August 23rd, 2010
2:43 pm
Keep up the good fight @ 2:40
That would be because Peadawg is a doofus.
Matti
August 23rd, 2010
2:43 pm
Bruno,
Most teachers start out idealistic as well, before the system, the kids, the parents, and the long hours/low pay/no appreciation make them jaded and angry. I’m not quite getting your connection between generous billionaires and idealistic politicians. It would seem the decision to become one would preclude becoming the other — at least for awhile, and in the other direction, would make motives suspect.
None of my beeswax, but didn’t YOU used to have (boast of) a fortune? Did you bestow it upon the deserving or unfortunate? (I won’t take offense should you decide not to answer.)
Peadawg
August 23rd, 2010
2:43 pm
“I mean you knew this building existed before all of this right?”
Ya, um, b/c I pay attention to real estate 1000 miles away from where I live when struggling to pay my own mortgage.
jewcowboy
August 23rd, 2010
2:44 pm
“I love the way right wingers love the Constitution, but only in the bits and pieces that are acceptable to them. Lovely.”
Kinda of like the bible. Religion and politic a la carte…
kayaker 71
August 23rd, 2010
2:46 pm
Bosch,
I really don’t think that I hate Muslims anymore than I hate Catholics. Both have a pretty seamy record in the religious arena for past deeds. With Muslims, it is present day. I don’t see Catholics blowing up other Catholics for believing the “wrong thing”. I wouldn’t want to even enter a Mosque or other Islamic place of worship. Anymore than I would want to participate in a Mormon service. But I do recognize their right to do it. It is important to also recognize the 1st Amendment, although it proves difficult at times. When governments spend BILLIONS of dollars every year protecting their citizenry from these “peace loving”, compassionate, educated sons of Allah, it is a bit difficult to be tolerant. Do you not find this to be a dilemma or am I the only one on this silly blog who has trouble looking past the 1st Amendment and calling what they want to do as “correct”? You must not be troubled enough by events in the past 10 or 15 yrs to let it bother you. Otherwise, you would not resort to name calling and intimidation to make your point. I respect the freedoms that our Constitution affords it’s citizens. I am having a little trouble with this one, however.
The Leg Lamp is a "major award" much like Cynthia Tucker's Pulitzer and Obama's Nobel.
August 23rd, 2010
2:47 pm
jewcowboy
August 23rd, 2010
2:42 pm
How ’bout this one:
I did not have sex with that woman, Miss Lewinsky,….
Matti
August 23rd, 2010
2:47 pm
I’d like to believe some truly outstanding person out there is willing to take the crap that comes with such a public job because they love our country and way of life enough to make that sacrifice.
I believe that many did, have, and still do, and are shredded by that unstoppable lefty lib’rul mega media machine known as (let’s brag about our ratings) Fox “News” and AM talk radio. That’s just my observations. Yours may vary.
Keep up the good fight!
August 23rd, 2010
2:49 pm
Kayaker…you live in a disconnected world from reality. Christians kill doctors in the name of the bible, they plant bombs in parks and other places, they protest funerals of soldiers and say they deserve to day. I am troubled that you apparently ignore the problems of Christian extremists but want to taint the extremists of other religions as being anyone of that faith. Where have you been for the past 200 years?
jewcowboy
August 23rd, 2010
2:49 pm
Peadawg,
“Ya, um, b/c I pay attention to real estate 1000 miles away from where I live when struggling to pay my own mortgage.”
Then why are you paying attention to it now?
Bosch
August 23rd, 2010
2:49 pm
“Ya, um, b/c I pay attention to real estate 1000 miles away from where I live when struggling to pay my own mortgage”
So, why do you care if they are building a mosque there, doofus?
Bosch
August 23rd, 2010
2:49 pm
jewcowboy,
JINX!!
Bosch
August 23rd, 2010
2:50 pm
Peadawg,
Quit namejacking me doofus. Jay doesn’t put up with it like Cynthia.
Keep up the good fight!
August 23rd, 2010
2:50 pm
Bosch…. doofus is such a strong word (lol) but so appropriate for some!
stands for decibels
August 23rd, 2010
2:51 pm
Leg Lamp, since you’re around:
You say I lie? Moi? Please, do provide instances.
here ya go:
Bill Maher also called the moozlum pilots on 9/11 “heroes”.
jewcowboy
August 23rd, 2010
2:51 pm
“but want to taint the extremists ”
hehe…you wrote taint…
Peadawg
August 23rd, 2010
2:53 pm
Bosch, you keep calling me doofus and it reminded me of this guy from Scary Movie.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://d2.img.v4.skyrock.net/d24/lightpink01/pics/177728773.jpg&imgrefurl=http://lightpink01.skyrock.com/&usg=__p_yzqek5Qn59hyhb_Yaph08V-Ag=&h=296&w=202&sz=14&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=3KpsTUhIxds8dM:&tbnh=141&tbnw=104&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddeuputy%2Bdoofy%2Bscary%2Bmovie%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1251%26bih%3D907%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=223&ei=OMNyTMm3HMH68AacscmFCw&oei=OMNyTMm3HMH68AacscmFCw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=30&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:0&tx=72&ty=101
Now when I see the name Bosch, I’m going to think of Deputy Doofy.
Bosch
August 23rd, 2010
2:53 pm
Peadawg,
So, You’re not only a doofus, but a coward namejacker — get a sense of humor doofus.
Darryl Schmitz
August 23rd, 2010
2:53 pm
Jay,
Thank you for providing Rep. Paul’s analysis of the mosque debate. But please provide an example of when “his version of the truth” contradicts your own. I’d like to know in what cases you’ve disagreed with his report of facts.
Peadawg
August 23rd, 2010
2:54 pm
Jay, check my IP address. I haven’t namejacked anyone today.
Bosch
August 23rd, 2010
2:54 pm
Peadawg,
And when I see the name “Peadawg” I’m gonna think of a doofus.
Where's My Party?
August 23rd, 2010
2:55 pm
I ponder the same Bruno. There has got to be somebody out there who hasn’t been polluted by the emotionalist and poisoned by the partisans. Somewhere…someplace. I think Obama did an absolute fantastic job of selling himself to be such a person but what a crock. He is just like the rest. All we hear is there are certain “up and coming” politicians for each party. We don’t need a politician.
We need a leader. And by we I mean all of us independent left or independent right leaning sane people left in the country. Right now we have been hijacked by the extreme on both sides and it is sad to watch how fast they are dragging us down.
Bosch
August 23rd, 2010
2:55 pm
Peadawg,
I’m just messing with you. But I do think you’re a doofus.
Scout
August 23rd, 2010
2:56 pm
Keep up the good fight @ 2:34
“Anything sensible to say today?”
Why yes I do.
“America will rue the day that Islam’s foot touched our shores.”
Bruno
August 23rd, 2010
2:57 pm
“None of my beeswax, but didn’t YOU used to have (boast of) a fortune? Did you bestow it upon the deserving or unfortunate? (I won’t take offense should you decide not to answer.)”
Certainly, that is if you consider young, hot Dominican and Nigerian women to be deserving and unfortunate….;-)
Keep up the good fight!
August 23rd, 2010
2:57 pm
Scout, again I said SENSIBLE. but here..try this.
America will rue the day that white man’s foot touched our shores!
jewcowboy
August 23rd, 2010
2:58 pm
Scout,
“America will rue the day that Islam’s foot touched our shores.”
What does a dead Golden Girl have to do with Islam?
Lerro
August 23rd, 2010
2:58 pm
What an idiot! Get this lame-brain outta here before he gets someone killed. THEY trained in Afghanistan! He is so stupid. He might have delivered a lot of babies in Brazoria County Texas but even that was done by nature; he just stood there like a little short grey headed guy and stared. He’s about as conservative as a Kennedy!!
Scout
August 23rd, 2010
2:59 pm
Stay in the dark ……… it’s your right.
Peadawg
August 23rd, 2010
3:00 pm
“I’m just messing with you. But I do think you’re a doofus.”
I’m just not that into you. And when I say 1 in a million, I mean there is no chance..got it Lloyd?
stands for decibels
August 23rd, 2010
3:00 pm
Wow, hours later and that’s the best you can do?
No, but since you asked nicely for an example of your own lying, I couldn’t help but notice that you actually provided me with a whopper in the very same comments page. Very Gary Hart of you.
jewcowboy
August 23rd, 2010
3:00 pm
Scout,
“Stay in the dark ……… it’s your right.”
Yep, the right is in the dark…
Har jail
August 23rd, 2010
3:01 pm
Well, Jay, for over 2 weeks now, I done felt like the guy running along side of Forrest Gump when he decided to quit runnin’ and go home. “What am I supposed to do now?!” And just like that, my bloggin’ days was over! Good to have you back! Hallelujah! I can blog agin!
Bosch
August 23rd, 2010
3:01 pm
“I really don’t think that I hate Muslims anymore than I hate Catholics.”
See, to me, there’s your first problem — Catholics are Christians — why is it okay for you to distinguish between different sects of Christians, but not admit there are different sects of Muslims — those of the more fundamentalist, scary nature?
“I wouldn’t want to even enter a Mosque or other Islamic place of worship. Anymore than I would want to participate in a Mormon service.”
Then, don’t go — who cares?
“When governments spend BILLIONS of dollars every year protecting their citizenry from these “peace loving”, compassionate, educated sons of Allah, it is a bit difficult to be tolerant. ”
Again, why are you painting all Muslims with a broad brush as terrorists — that’s exactly as someone wrote earlier — that would be like accusing all Christians as terrorists based on those who’ve committed terrorist acts — it’s illogical and quite doofy.
“Do you not find this to be a dilemma or am I the only one on this silly blog who has trouble looking past the 1st Amendment and calling what they want to do as “correct”?
Apparently not.
“You must not be troubled enough by events in the past 10 or 15 yrs to let it bother you. ”
Of course it bothers me, but not enough to forget the rights of those to practice their own religion nor does it make me afraid of people based on prejudices.
Bruno
August 23rd, 2010
3:01 pm
“Most teachers start out idealistic as well, before the system, the kids, the parents, and the long hours/low pay/no appreciation make them jaded and angry.”
I will agree with you about the kids, parents, etc, but teachers are paid well, IMO. My friend’s wife just retired after 30 years of teaching. In her last year, she made $80K, and will receive a lifetime pension of around $60K based upon her last year’s salary. Are you looking at a pension anywhere near that amount? My pension is $0.
I am a Jelly Doughnut
August 23rd, 2010
3:02 pm
Seriously Jay, Ron Paul, what next Rosie O’d? Actually I’d love to see the gay community weigh in on this. Undestandably they’d be for the mosque, because its a liberal cause celebre, but then left off the guest lists for the grand opening. I doubt there’d be a whole lot of NOW members there either. I don’t know what’s more entertaining, watching you leftists twist in this contradiction or your idea that our democracy will thaw out islamic extremism. Mosques have been in this country for almost 100 years. So how’s the enligtenment coming along.
Lenin was close with the sell the rope thing. Mohammed would have nailed it.
Keep up the good fight!
August 23rd, 2010
3:02 pm
Scout…. if you have more insanity….why don’t you try reading and educating yourself about real history and not just what you want to believe. You claim to be worried about the founding fathers intent. Let’s make it easy… I’ll BING it for you and then you can become educated.
Bosch
August 23rd, 2010
3:04 pm
Um, what the hell is that Lerro person talking about?
Palin fan
August 23rd, 2010
3:06 pm
Assume a Christian belonging to evangelical church bombed a abortion clinic, claiming it was a christian act and assume many innocent men and women were killed in the process. Then assume there were plans to build a church (evangelical or otherwise) next to the site where the clinic once stood. How many christians would oppose such a construction?
All of them. Including the babies that were not killed.
Bruno
August 23rd, 2010
3:06 pm
Bummer, just lost my ass in the stock market today while blogging.
FMITA.
Later, guys.
jewcowboy
August 23rd, 2010
3:06 pm
I am a Jelly Doughnut,
“Actually I’d love to see the gay community weigh in on this.”
Yeah…only Islam discriminates and alienates gay people…
JF McNamara
August 23rd, 2010
3:06 pm
Paul is right on. I wish that Kyle Wingfield had read this before he published that bone headed article of his.
Bob
August 23rd, 2010
3:07 pm
Jay, why do dems pick on people like Paul and Palin, as of now they have no vote on anything. On the other hand, the leader of the senate has the same positioan as Paul. Why do you let Harry Reid skate, do you feel he is so worthless it doesn’t matter ? And the other leader, Nancy, wants to investigate those that are against the mosque, again, is it because she is clueless that you ignore her, or is it because you would rather run from it.
Steve
August 23rd, 2010
3:07 pm
This is such a ludicrous position on this issue. Why do we insist that we all suffer Islamaphobia because we do not support the affront to the survivors and the families of the victims by building the mosque as proposed. Move it further from the site where we lost family, friends and neighbors on September 11, 2001. I have lived in the mideast and served there as required by my government. This is a celebration of victory over us by doing this. This is the way you are taught under Islam. Please stop commenting on what you know nothing about. Perhaps the press should be limited in their obligatory requirement to change our minds by allowing only their arguments to be heard.
Nacho Daddy
August 23rd, 2010
3:09 pm
The Muslims are coming ! the Muslims are coming ! (time to grow a beard)
Scout
August 23rd, 2010
3:10 pm
“Myths of Islam”
http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/Pages/Myths-of-Islam.htm
Pamela Geller
August 23rd, 2010
3:12 pm
This is a celebration of victory over us by doing this.
In recognition of valorous service to wingnut talking point regurgitation, I will allow you a free boobie squeeze.
Bosch
August 23rd, 2010
3:12 pm
Hmmm. Let me guess that Scout’s link at 3:10 is gonna be almost identical to BIG DAWZ anti-Muslim rant from earlier.
Any bets?
jewcowboy
August 23rd, 2010
3:13 pm
Steve,
“Please stop commenting on what you know nothing about. ”
You first. I assume you are not a commissioner in the Landmarks Preservation Commission of Manhattan, on the Planning Board, or a stakeholder, or even a neighbor.
Oxford Man
August 23rd, 2010
3:13 pm
To Road Scholar……It’s Rhodes not Road….
janet
August 23rd, 2010
3:13 pm
As I see it , you can’t build a Christian or Jewish house of worship in Mecca. It is forbidden. If we don’t allow this Cultural Center to be built, then we are just like them. And then the Terrorits win 9 years later without one more attack. They attacked the WTC because it represented everything they hate about the US and the West. So now if we deny this permit, they win and we lose. Because we are just like them and the rest of the Islamic world sees US as their enemy. We lost twice.
Midori
August 23rd, 2010
3:13 pm
Anti-’Ground Zero Mosque’ Rally Freaks Out at Black Guy (VIDEO)
Scout, Peadawg and Leg Lamp will probably quiver while watching this: http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/anti-ground-zero-mosque-rally-freaks-out-at-black-guy-video.php?ref=fpblg
Bosch
August 23rd, 2010
3:14 pm
Pamela Geller,
Please pass me the monitor cleaner. Thanks.
Dead Mike
August 23rd, 2010
3:14 pm
Most people aren’t trying to block the mosque. They simply want to put enough political pressure on the folks behind it to convince them to build it elsewhere. Not sure why this is a seen as a loss of rights or “Islamaphobia” by the left. Especially when the left (while not alone) is usually first in line to protest or call for boycotts of any person, group, or business they disagree with. Isn’t it all about sensitivity?
Scout
August 23rd, 2010
3:14 pm
Janet:
I would agree with you if Islam was “just” a religion. It is not.
jewcowboy
August 23rd, 2010
3:15 pm
Oxford Man,
I believe Road Scholar’s moniker it is an entendre.
Nacho Daddy
August 23rd, 2010
3:15 pm
… that’s “Dusty Rhodes Scholar” to you.
Michael
August 23rd, 2010
3:16 pm
Ron Paul speaks the truth. He always has, and when he says something true that offends people, they label him a crackpot, a whacko, etc., but they never say he’s wrong. There’s a reason they call him whacko instead of wrong: he’s not wrong. And “whacko” is so subjective that it could apply to anyone.
Ron Paul has always told the truth, and this time is no exception. People against this mosque are racists.
stands for decibels
August 23rd, 2010
3:16 pm
Let me guess that Scout’s link at 3:10 is gonna be almost identical to BIG DAWZ anti-Muslim rant from earlier.
Those who feel like they can intimidate our fellow citizens to take out their anger don’t represent the best of America. They represent the worst of humankind, and they should be ashamed of that kind of behavior.
stands for decibels
August 23rd, 2010
3:17 pm
I would agree with you if Islam was “just” a religion. It is not.
The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. That’s not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace. These terrorists don’t represent peace. They represent evil and war. When we think of Islam we think of a faith that brings comfort to a billion people around the world.
Saul Good
August 23rd, 2010
3:18 pm
Steve…how about for the Muslims who lost their lives that day…as there were many. What about their families, friends and neighbors…What do you do for them? Build a little box for them? Can they have a tent? Did their lives not count EXACTLY the same as anyone else’s lives that day? Or do you believe they were worth less?
You said: “This is a celebration of victory over us by doing this.”
No Steve… It’s only a “victory” for them if we DO NOT let them build. It shows they truly WON the “war on terror”…because a fearful group of our citizens is caving into “terror” and is still afraid. They WON when there are those who want our nation’s leaders to stomp on our Constitution and not allow one group of people to own private property wherever they wish…and refuses to allow them to practice their religion freely in a building they wish to build and pay for. That’s allowing them “victory” over there Steve. Victory=terrorists winning. By being so “afraid” many are letting them win.
Rightwing Troll
August 23rd, 2010
3:18 pm
“The terrorists should not be allowed to build a temple near the hollow ground of ground 0.
It is that simple. Why do liberals find it so diificult to understand something so SIMPLE.”
Why?
Keep up the good fight!
August 23rd, 2010
3:19 pm
Scout just loves to post his hate… but then why dont we just call out the Catholic Church for being a bunch of child molestors….. what Scout…is that taking your hate speech too far?
Crenshaw8
August 23rd, 2010
3:19 pm
2009 Justice Ginsberg said:
“Why shouldn’t we look to the wisdom of a judge from abroad with at least as much ease as we would read a law review article written by a professor?”
“What happened in Europe was the Holocaust,” she said, “and people came to see that popularly elected representatives could not always be trusted to preserve the system’s most basic values.”
American hostility to the consideration of foreign law, she said, “is a passing phase.” She predicted that “we will go back to where we were in the early 19th century when there was no question that it was appropriate to refer to decisions of other courts.”
====================================
Feisal Abdul Rauf says “America is a Sharia compliant state.”
The two thought processes, combined……..Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s and Imam Rauf’s puts the future of our republic at risk.
Keep up the good fight!
August 23rd, 2010
3:19 pm
Rightwing simpleton….do you read any posts or just boast of your ignorance?
Abrazos
August 23rd, 2010
3:20 pm
In December 2009, Fox News was A-OK with the community center. In fact on 12/21/2009, Laura Ingraham told a co-founder of the project, Daisy Khan (wife of its Imam),”I like what you’re trying to do.”
Now Fox News is calling it everything from “ground Zero Mosque” to a “Terrorist Command Center”. So why would Rupert Murdoch and Roger Ailes go into full battle mode against a Muslim community center dedicated to peace?
Perhaps the $3 billion investment in News Corp by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal from the Saudi Royal Family, long linked to fostering the extreme anti-West Wahhabi form of Islam, has a BIG influence on Fox News taking on this “issue”. Not only would their 24×7 assault on the community center please their largest investor (outside the Murdoch family) who may be supporting Wahhabism, but there is big ratings money wrapped up in fear. Also, let’s not forget that Republicans tend to win elections when people are afraid, AND Murdoch gave the Republican Governors Association $1MM last week.
A non-stop barrage on the Islamic community center is a triple play for Fox and News Corp: 1. it makes their Saudi Royal Family billionaire happy, 2. Fear increases Fox’s ratings, and 3. the more scared and irrational people are, the more they tend to vote Republican.
jewcowboy
August 23rd, 2010
3:20 pm
If they can afford the real estate prices in lower Manhattan, they should be welcomed with open arms:
http://www.portfolio.com/business-news/portfolio/2010/04/01/lower-manhattan-real-estate-hits-the-skids/
Rightwing Troll
August 23rd, 2010
3:21 pm
Hate baggers never fail to disappoint.
Don't forget
August 23rd, 2010
3:21 pm
Hollow ground? Roads scholar? ROFLMAO
Bosch
August 23rd, 2010
3:22 pm
sfd,
Sayeth the Bush man.
duke
August 23rd, 2010
3:22 pm
We have long known that modern Americans are mathematically and scientifically illiterate. Now we find that they are theologically illiterate as well.
God told the Jews to conquer the Promised Land by force, but he set territorial limits. That is the model for the use of force in national defense, a model that Ron Paul would agree with, one that George Bush apparently forgot about. Bush had little respect for national boundaries and national sovereignty; neither does Obama. Jesus told Christians to conquer the world for God, but He forbade us to use force. Mohammed commanded Muslims to conquer the world for God by the sword. The language of the Koran is very clear about the meaning of jihad, Mohammed’s actions make it very clear, and that is the way Muslims have always interpreted it. There is no school of Islam which has formally renounced this interpretation of jihad.
Muslims have always built mosques on the sites of cathedrals as a symbol of their conquests. Muslims around the world will see this mosque as a triumphant celebration of the successful attacks against the World Trade Center. The 15-story building to be built on Ground Zero will also house the Shariah Project, the aim of which is to gradually establish the principle that Sharia (Islamic law) takes precedence over U.S. law. Muslims twist the doctrine of religious freedom to advance this agenda, much as communists misuse the doctrine of civil rights.
If you ask Muslim suicide bombers about their motivation, they do not even mention grievances, real or perceived, that they have against the West. They are devoutly religious men motivated by the fact that the only people who are guaranteed salvation in the Koran are those who die in jihad.
Ron Paul subscribes to the erroneous libertarian ideology that if people are simply left alone to mind their own business, they will occupy themselves in the peaceful pursuit of commerce. That idea can only be held by someone who has been taught a fictional version of history. Without a strong moral government, men are at the mercy of thieves and brigands, among which Mohammed was one of the greatest. He began his “ministry” by raiding trading caravans that passed within his reach.
stands for decibels
August 23rd, 2010
3:23 pm
Sayeth the Bush man.
ix-nay on the ote-quay identification-way…
The Leg Lamp is a "major award" much like Cynthia Tucker's Pulitzer and Obama's Nobel.
August 23rd, 2010
3:23 pm
Midori
August 23rd, 2010
3:13 pm
A picture of you would actually make me quiver more than the link you included. Scaaaaary!!
Bosch
August 23rd, 2010
3:25 pm
sfd,
Sorry, I’m such a doofus!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey Midori!
Scout
August 23rd, 2010
3:25 pm
Adapted from the book “Slavery, Terrorism and Islam: The Historical Roots and Contemporary Threat” by Dr. Peter Hammond.
“Islam has religious, legal, political, economic, social, and military components. The religious component is a beard for all of the other components.
Islamization begins when there are sufficient Muslims in a country to agitate for their religious privileges.
Here’s how it works:
1) As long as the Muslim population remains around or under 2% in any given country, they will be for the most part be regarded as a peace-loving minority and not as a threat to other citizens (i.e. United States – 0.6%).
2) At 2% to 5%, they begin to proselytize from other ethnic minorities and disaffected groups, often with major recruiting from the jails and among street gangs (i.e. Denmark – 2%).
3) From 5% on they exercise an inordinate influence in proportion to their percentage of the population. For example, they will push to get the ruling government to allow them to rule themselves (within their ghettos) under Sharia Law (i.e. France – 8%).
4) When Muslims approach 10% of the population, they tend to increase lawlessness as a means of complaint about their conditions. Any non-Muslim action offends Islam, and results in uprisings and threats, with opposition to Mohammed cartoons and films about Islam (i.e. India – 13.4%).
5) After reaching 20%, nations can expect hair-trigger rioting, jihad militia formations, sporadic killings, and the burnings of Christian churches and Jewish synagogues (i.e. Ethiopia – 32.8%).
6) At 40%, nations experience widespread massacres, chronic terror attacks, and ongoing militia warfare by Muslims (i.e. Chad – 53.1%).
7) From 60%, nations experience unfettered persecution of non-believers of all other religions (including non-conforming Muslims), use of Sharia Law as a weapon, and Jizya, the tax placed on infidels (i.e. Sudan – 70%).
9) 100% is to usher in the peace of ‘Dar-es-Salaam’ (the Islamic House of Peace) because everybody is a Muslim, the Madrasses are the only schools, and the Koran is the only word (i.e., Afghanistan – 100%).
Unfortunately, peace is never achieved, as in these 100% states, the most radical Muslims satisfy their blood lust by killing less radical Muslims for a variety of reasons.”