Terrorism strikes outside Nashville, 800 miles from Ground Zero
It’s an 886-mile drive from Ground Zero in Manhattan to Murfreesboro, TN, outside of Nashville. But to some, that’s apparently too close.
“Federal officials are investigating a fire that started overnight at the site of a new Islamic center in a Nashville suburb.
Ben Goodwin of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department confirmed to CBS Affiliate WTVF that the fire, which burned construction equipment at the future site of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, is being ruled as arson.
Special Agent Andy Anderson of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told CBS News that the fire destroyed one piece of construction equipment and damaged three others. Gas was poured over the equipment to start the fire, Anderson said.
The ATF, FBI and Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a joint investigation into the fire, Anderson said….
The chair of the center’s planning committee, Essim Fathy, said he drove to the site at around 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning after he was contacted by the sheriff’s department.
“Our people and community are so worried of what else can happen,” said Fathy. “They are so scared.”
Great. Just great. Let’s be blunt: What happened over the weekend represents an act of domestic terrorism, directed at peaceful people — many of whom are no doubt American citizens — who want nothing more than to live and worship in peace.
Some people have tried to cut the baby in half regarding the proposed Islamic Center/mosque in New York City, arguing that sure, technically, Muslims have the “right” to build where they want to build, but they’d be more “sensitive” if they moved the project elsewhere. But as the Murfreesboro case demonstrates, it’s not really about proximity to Ground Zero and sensitivity is not the cure. It’s about vile and unAmerican discrimination. Such bigotry must be confronted and denounced, not placated.
Just last week, on his “700 Club” show, Pat Robertson weighed in against the Murfreesboro mosque, warning that it was probably being funded by Saudi Arabians as part of a conspiracy to impose sharia on the Murfreesboro area. As the Nashville Tennessean reports:
“Islamic Center officials have said they are building the center in stages because they are using only local funds to pay for it, and they have not accepted contributions from elsewhere.
But Robertson claimed money from wealthy Muslims in Saudi Arabia could be used to pay for construction of the mosque. That Middle East country, he said, practices a more extreme form of Islam.
“This isn’t just religion,” the televangelist said.
He went on to say that Muslims could end up taking over the city council to pass ordinances that require public prayer and foot washing. The new Islamic Center is outside the Murfreesboro city limits. An existing center is much smaller and has been in the city for years.
Robertson said a Muslim takeover would mean girls would have to wear headdresses to school… Thursday, Robertson said local officials could end up being cowed by Muslims’ ability “to bribe folks.” A $10,000 bribe could easily influence a public official in a small town, he said.”
The Muslim community in Murfreesboro comprises some 250 families, some of whom have lived in the area for more than a generation. They plan initially to build a 10,000-square-foot worship facility on the 15-acre tract, followed later by an activity room, offices, gymnasium, a swimming pool, outdoor athletic fields and possibly a cemetery.
But some opponents have apparently charged that the Muslims’ real goal is to build a terrorist training facility. Others have been only slightly less blunt in media interviews.
“They are not a religion. They are a political, militaristic group,” Bob Shelton, a 76-year-old retiree who lives in the area, told The Associated Press.
Shelton was among several hundred demonstrators who recently wore “Vote for Jesus” T-shirts and carried signs that said “No Sharia law for USA!,” referring to the Islamic code of law.
“No mosque in Murfreesboro. I don’t want it. I don’t want them here,” Evy Summers said to WTVF. “Go start their own country overseas somewhere. This is a Christian country. It was based on Christianity.”
Fathy, the head of the Muslim group’s planning committee, told the Tennessean that friends back in Egypt are surprised to hear about crimes against mosques such as Sunday’s vandalism. “They cannot fathom this,” he said. “They always look at the U.S. as the place where democracy is practiced best.”
That’s what we are when we are at our best, when we don’t allow the extremists in our own midst to set the agenda.
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340 comments Add your comment
godless heathen
August 30th, 2010
8:59 am
And Murfreesboro is now a suburb of Nashville? Nashville must be bigger than Atlanta now.
Union
August 30th, 2010
9:02 am
hope this doesnt turn out to be another self inflicted incident..
Paul
August 30th, 2010
9:05 am
“All sane individuals, despite their political leanings, agree that Pat Robertson is a total nut case. The problem is that there seem to be enough other nut cases to keep him on the air.”
Hey! Isn’t it time for a MediaMatters-organized sponsor boycott to silence him?
barking frog
August 30th, 2010
9:06 am
midtownguy
August 30th, 2010
8:54 am
“Pat Robertson and his followers are much more of a threat to American than are US citizen muslims”
————————————————————————————————————–
1.How are Pat Robertson and his followers a threat?
2.How are US citizen muslims a threat?
3.How is 1 greater than 3?
Jay
August 30th, 2010
9:11 am
No, RW, you suggested that it was Obama who injected the place of birth question into the debate.
The transcript shows quite clearly that contrary to your post, it was Brian Williams, the interviewer, did so, and that Obama merely responded to what was asked of him.
Call it like it is
August 30th, 2010
9:11 am
Jay
August 30th, 2010
7:36 am
Terrorism is an act intended to terrify, Tea Party.
By that definition, this one succeeded
Yellow journalism or the yellow press is a type of journalism that presents little or no legitimate well-researched news and instead uses eye-catching headlines to sell more newspapers. Techniques may include exaggerations of news events, scandal-mongering, or sensationalism. By extension “Yellow Journalism” is used today as a pejorative to decry any journalism that treats news in an unprofessional or unethical fashion.
By that definition, your article fits this
JohnnyReb
August 30th, 2010
9:14 am
Granny – how do you get text you post to be bold? As in your 7:36 post.
It won’t bold for me even if I copy and paste.
I hope you have a good answer; if not I may have to join the crowd who thinks you are Cynthia Tucker.
Doggone/GA
August 30th, 2010
9:14 am
“By that definition, your article fits this”
But this is not a new article…it is an opinion piece. If you want news, go to the news section.
harvey
August 30th, 2010
9:14 am
I don’t care if they never build a mosque in this country. It is a perverted religion anyway and I would hate to see it spread in the United States. Then you will be talking terrorism for sure.
Mr. Snarky
August 30th, 2010
9:14 am
Sounds like whoever did this is an enemy combatant who the prior administration would have sent to Guantanamo Bay. It’s still open…
paleo-neo-Carlinist
August 30th, 2010
9:20 am
JB, your point is valid, but you had me (not really) until you suggested discrimination is “un-American”? maybe in south America. “discrimination” is as American as war-mongering. I know we (and the wretched refuse, and huddled masses, et al – even Muslims) would like to think otherwise, but unlike Sam Cooke, I “know much about (American) history”. the fact that Pat Robertson is the “brain” for some Americans says it all. all bets are off. and as the saying goes; “if if’s and buts were cherries and nuts, what a wonderful Ramadan we’d have.”
Call it like it is
August 30th, 2010
9:23 am
“Doggone/GA” But this is not a new article…it is an opinion piece. If you want news, go to the news section.
Oh, now I get it. So your saying Jay should not be look upon as a legitiment source of news, more like an entertainer, something like a clown at a childs party. Thanks for the information. I will now make sure I only reads Jay’s articles if I want a laugh.
RW-(the original)
August 30th, 2010
9:24 am
Jay B,
I said Obama brought up the birth certificate.
In your cut and paste Williams started by saying “American born Christian” and after that was answered he said a fifth of the people thought Obama was Muslim with no mention of birthplace. I don’t have a transcript, but where you ended your cut and paste you’re suggesting that Obama answered the Muslim question, that didn’t mention birthplace, with the quip about not being able to go around with his birth certificate attached to his forehead.
So Obama’s answer to whether he was a Muslim was to bring up his birth certificate. In your cut and paste he could have answered the first question with that response and you could say Williams brought it up, but not in response to the second question. Unless you’re just saying Obama is slow and then I might agree with you.
@@
August 30th, 2010
9:24 am
It’s a good thing Obama hasn’t tried to plaster that birth certificate to his forehead. There needs to be something behind that plaster to support it. Based on what I’m seeing, it’s likely his forehead would collapse under the weight, or lack thereof.
Bosch
August 30th, 2010
9:25 am
Reb,
What you want in bold, press the shift and whatever that symbol is next to the “m” – I think it’s the “less than” – then put a lower case “b” then close it with the “greater than” sign — then at the end of the phrase you want bolded do the same thing, except in front of the “b” put a / – it’s the lowercase under the “?”
hope that helps.
Big D
August 30th, 2010
9:26 am
Jay and Granny…
Quote: “if you don’t condemn this you are as bad as they are”.
Islamic Muslim terrorist bring down World Trade center, saw off innocent Jewish mans head with knife and film, stone rape victim to death….on and on. When the “peace loving faction ” of the Islamic Muslim faith takes your quote to heart and POLICES THEIR OWN I will be right there with you, but until this comes to pass the rule of “cause and effect” will remain in effect. This will lead to THEIR innocent people being in the line of fire…by their own doing.
lovelyliz
August 30th, 2010
9:26 am
Like Pat Robertson funded Charles Taylor in Liberia. Google it
Bosch
August 30th, 2010
9:26 am
Reb,
That’s confusing – at the beginning of what you want bold, type this:
at the end type this:
WITHOUT THE QUOTATION MARKS
stands for decibels
August 30th, 2010
9:27 am
I think it’s the “less than”
Like so many things: it depends which side you’re on.
Normal
August 30th, 2010
9:27 am
Bosch, Good story…
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/08/ap-navy-orleck-stowaway-cats-new-homes-082910/
kayaker 71
August 30th, 2010
9:28 am
One thing that has always been rather hard to explain…… all “progressives” are stuck on separation of church and state. In the Muslim world, the church is the state. Christianity is the enemy in most instances where evil people like Pat Robinson have no place but never any criticism of people like these ayatollahs who run their country with an iron hand and evoke terror on it’s female inhabitants. How do you get off justifying one and demonizing another?
Bosch
August 30th, 2010
9:28 am
Well that didn’t work.
Type this:
at the beginning of what you want bold
at the end of what you want bold
WITHOUT THE SPACES
Interested Participant
August 30th, 2010
9:28 am
Johnny Reb,
You bold a word, phrase, sentence, or passage by using standard symbols surrounding the word bold. I will illustrate it here, except that you should note that there should be no space between the symbols and the part being bolded. I am using the spaces so that the illustrated word is not automatically converted to bold.
words bolded =
words bolded
BTW, that slash in the bracketing at the end is crucial. It tells the system to stop the bolding.
Bosch
August 30th, 2010
9:28 am
Well crap.
godless heathen
August 30th, 2010
9:28 am
Jay knows the intention of those that torched some construction equipment and that is to terrify Muslims.
Could have been many other things, but there is much missing information. Such as did the equipment set on fire belong to the muslims or to a contractor?
RW-(the original)
August 30th, 2010
9:29 am
OK, I guess Williams does say “neither” in the second question so maybe I’ll give you this point.
Got to get to the forest anyway.
See y’all later
paleo-neo-Carlinist
August 30th, 2010
9:29 am
call it…, agreed. there is a hazy line between “legitimate source of news” and “entertainer” (see everything from the Daily Show to Glenn Beck), but for my money, Pat Robertson is the ultimate clown, only I am not entertained by theocratic clowns. Beck and O’Reilly (and Olberman and Maddoff) might produce a chuckle every now and again, but they don’t have any gods behind them. more accurately, like Islamic terrorists, Robertson and his minions “believe” they have some divine mandate or authority to spew hatred. let’s face it, a clown (or entertainer) is behaving as such for attention – when “salvation” becomes the motive, watch out.
stands for decibels
August 30th, 2010
9:29 am
BTW, that slash in the bracketing at the end is crucial. It tells the system to stop the bolding.
Otherwise, the series of tubes crashes into a big truck.
Bosch
August 30th, 2010
9:31 am
NORMAL!! How cute!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reb,
try this
http://www.htmlcodetutorial.com/quicklist.html
scroll down to “bold”
use that symbol at the beginning of what you want bolded – at the end of what you want bolded type a / in front of the b.
I'm Here From The Government And I'm Here To Help
August 30th, 2010
9:32 am
58% favor repeal of health care law… Most say it will raise cost of care…
Big D
August 30th, 2010
9:32 am
Paul…About 50% of Americans believe that Obama and his Minion congress are nut cases…can you tell where there may be and organization to silence them…just wondering.
jconservative
August 30th, 2010
9:33 am
A lot of people believe what they want to believe. If they do not have a reason to believe what they believe, they simply make up a reason.
If Robertson wants to believe that a group of 250 families can take over a city of 101,753, then he can believe it.
If some want to believe that Obama does not have a birth certificate, then they will believe that. Facts like the US Passport Agency looking at his birth certificate and issuing him US Passports since he was 4 years old does not matter.
And if one wants to believe that the Democrats have ruined this country and ignore the fact of Republican domination of the White House & the US Senate for the last 30 years, then so be it.
John Adams had it wrong when he said “facts are stubborn things”. There is a sizable portion of the population that have no problem with facts at all.
Stonethrower
August 30th, 2010
9:34 am
Jay, excuse me but Murfreesboro has never been a suburb of Nashville.
getalife
August 30th, 2010
9:35 am
He acted like a President and brushed off the stupid question about con lies.
Have they arrested the cons that started fire?
They have been burning churches too and it takes a few churches burned before they catch them.
I think the more idiotic attacks by the cons, the more Independents will come over to his side and will fire up his libs .
Bosch
August 30th, 2010
9:35 am
AND Reb,
If you click on the code, it will give you an example of how to use it.
JCamp
August 30th, 2010
9:37 am
Terrorism or arson? Two completely different things. Had it been terrorism, the bad guy would have done it while people were there and would have blown the dang thing up. Let’s get this straight. Terrorist set out to KILL people. Terrorists are murderers.
paleo-neo-Carlinist
August 30th, 2010
9:38 am
kayaker71, very simple, we live in the United States of America and as such we the People (theoretically) answer to the Constitution, and not the Koran or Bible or Torah. this means, what happens in Saudi Arabia or Iran or Pakistan is not our concern. the very fact that Pat Robertson is “free” to preach hate, distrust and bigotry is evidence that we are not as bad as the Islamic theocracies you cite. if a woman declares herself a Muslim she knows the rules. this is a harsh, cynical, theo-Darwinist approach, but it is the ultimate reality. when/if American Muslims break the law, they should be arrested and prosecuted (just as Christians who broke the law; Eric Rudolph, Tim McVeigh, the Hectare militia, etc.). in short, it is NOT afainst to law to build a mosque or practice Islam in the USA, whereas it is against the law in Iran or Saudi Arabia.
Jay
August 30th, 2010
9:39 am
Big D references the brutal death of Daniel Pearl at the hands of Islamic extremists, and wonders where the “peace-loving faction” of Islam was in the aftermath.
Here’s where Imam Rauf, the head of the Muslim congregation seeking to build an Islamic Center in Manhattan, was: (http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/08/ground-zero-imam-i-am-a-jew-i-have-always-been-one/61761/)
“In 2003, Imam Rauf was invited to speak at a memorial service for Daniel Pearl, the journalist murdered by Islamist terrorists in Pakistan. The service was held at B’nai Jeshurun, a prominent synagogue in Manhattan, and in the audience was Judea Pearl, Daniel Pearl’s father. In his remarks, Rauf identified absolutely with Pearl, and identified himself absolutely with the ethical tradition of Judaism. “I am a Jew,” he said.
There are those who would argue that these represent mere words, chosen carefully to appease a potentially suspicious audience. I would argue something different: That any Muslim imam who stands before a Jewish congregation and says, “I am a Jew,” is placing his life in danger.
Remember, Islamists hate the people they consider apostates even more than they hate Christians and Jews. In other words, the man many commentators on the right assert is a terrorist-sympathizer placed himself in mortal peril in order to identify himself with Christians and Jews, and specifically with the most famous Jewish victim of Islamism.”
In those remarks, Rauf said he wanted to join Pearl’s father, Judea, in making a “multi-faith statement against intolerance (of any against any) on the basis of religion, towards a unifying global spirit of the day that will serve as catalysts for building alliances against the rising tide of fanaticism,
dehumanization and xenophobia.”
”We are here especially to seek your forgiveness and of your family for what has been done in the name of Islam,” Rauf said to Judea Pearl.
Not that such things will change any minds in all this.
Doggone/GA
August 30th, 2010
9:41 am
“Terrorism or arson? Two completely different things”
No necessarily. Arson can be a tool of terrorism.
kayaker 71
August 30th, 2010
9:41 am
How can these Muslims in TN expect the US government and the people of TN to defend their faith when they do little to nothing to criticize the actions of Muslims worldwide? The silence is deafening.
getalife
August 30th, 2010
9:41 am
Pay attention cons:
“OK, I guess Williams does say “neither” in the second question so maybe I’ll give you this point.”
This is admitting you are wrong.
Jay does it too.
It is called intellectual honesty.
Now give it a try for real debate.
The President is a American Christian.
That is the truth.
Stop lying.
Russ555
August 30th, 2010
9:41 am
Demoracy is great when there is a large middle class and everyone things pretty much alike and has the same values. If that is not the case, then there are problems.
Doggone/GA
August 30th, 2010
9:43 am
“The silence is deafening”
You don’t actually know that. Maybe the criticisms are just not being reported. And how many Christians do you know about that criticized Timothy McVeigh AND were reported?
dw
August 30th, 2010
9:43 am
Jay,
I luv your statement “That’s what we are when we are at our best, when we don’t allow the extremists in our own midst to set the agenda”.
That is exactly what the leftist extremists, including you, have been doing for the past few years, setting the agenda. Against the will of a huge number of individuals I add.
I definitely do NOT condone vandalism of property and it is the work of just a handful or less individuals, but Jay will crucify any who have concerns about Muslims.
You speak as though you have 100% certainty of Islamic intentions in this county. There is no way you can know. Nor can I. But I can have my opinion that they hope to take over this country eventually by becoming the majority population, majority political factor, … , and then impose sharia law. And this opinion is not hate or the fear of the boogeyman, as you and your minions will like to say. Their Koran pushes putting Islam everywhere. And your minions will argue, the Constitution will not allow that. Well Muslims view the Koran above the Constitution and to think otherwise is wishful thinking. All majority groups or groups in political power try to impose their will, look at what the Dems are doing now, even thought huge percentage of citizens are vehmently opposed to policies. Just remember you were a party to what happens.
Bosch
August 30th, 2010
9:44 am
Terrorism is an act to invoke terror — plain and simple.
Jay
August 30th, 2010
9:44 am
On the suburb question, Murfreesboro was described that way in the Nashville press, and I know (and am related to) people in Nashville who think of it that way. But I’ve edited the post to take out that reference.
Doggone/GA
August 30th, 2010
9:45 am
“Terrorism is an act to invoke terror ”
And it does not always mean killing someone.
Doggone/GA
August 30th, 2010
9:46 am
“You speak as though you have 100% certainty of Islamic intentions”
And you don’t?
paleo-neo-Carlinist
August 30th, 2010
9:48 am
kayaker71, another great part (in theory) about being American is; we don’t have to condemn the actions of others (especially abroad). I know the neo-con need to have America serve as the world’s policeman and all-around moral compass calibrater makes for good election-year copy, but the truth is, if John Q. Public (or John Q. Islam) wants to remain silent in the face of all of the grave injustices of the world, he is “free” to remain silent. in fact, I would argue that sometimes, in the face of injustice, silence is golden (only those suffering injustice can make things right). anything else is unnatural (see: religion).
barking frog
August 30th, 2010
9:49 am
I will agree that words can be instruments of terror if those
words create terror in the minds of people. All media should
be aware of this
Chris D.
August 30th, 2010
9:50 am
This sounds more like a case of ARSON, than terrorism…
cat dancer
August 30th, 2010
9:51 am
“uh-huh” does not sound like “yes” to me
jm
August 30th, 2010
9:53 am
Terrorism (or hate crimes) are abominable in all their forms. Thank heavens no one was hurt.
The religious right would be wise to try to start defending religious freedom. I pretty much put Islam (any but the most liberal sects) and Southern Baptists in the same category: generally pretty wrong – headed. But I’m not plotting to burn any Southern Baptist churches.
Heaven forbid if we had Muslims suggesting people start trying to stop church building. What ever happened to the apparently antiquated Southern (and American) notion of leaving religion out of things?
Pat Robertson must not be a Southerner. (Not sure he’s American either, at least based on principles.)
All that said, I’m not excited about the WTC mosque any more than anyone else. Legal? Yes. Well advised? No.
The Thin Guy
August 30th, 2010
9:54 am
The problem can be solved by amending The Constitution to say that the number of Musks in the USA cannot exceed the number of churches and synagogues in Saudi Arabia, Pukianstan, and other countries where women are required to dress like bee keepers. That’s what I love about BBQ restaurants: No Fuzzy, Wuzzy, Muzzies. BTW, Murfreesboro is not a suburb of Nashville. It’s a major city with all the accouterments of Atlanta and less crime and left wing bloggers. If it had jobs I’d be there now.
paleo-neo-Carlinist
August 30th, 2010
9:56 am
Chris D., and what does “arson” sound like, as opposed to terrorism? maybe we (including JB) should reserve comment until the necessary investigations are completed (ATF, FBI, Murfeesboro FD/PD, etc.)? and, which type of arson are you suggesting; a deliberately set fire (like the one in Cobb County)? insurance fraud? or, “arson” set by an anti-Muslim criminal?
kayaker 71
August 30th, 2010
9:58 am
Carlinest,
What a double standard!!! “If they don’t like the treatment they are getting, it’s their fault that they put up with it”. How incredulous can you get. Have you read “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini? They can’t get away, for the most part. They are born into a culture that demonizes them, puts their life in danger every day. And you call this a religion? You demonize Christianity yet you levy no criticism on those who would do the most vile deeds to dominate those around them….. all in the name of “religious freedom”. You justify the blind following of millions of illiterate, uneducated sheep of some goat loving prophet whose favorite companion was a little boy. I am not a Christian, BTW, but comparing Christianity to these people is quite a stretch, even for you.
Bob
August 30th, 2010
9:58 am
Presbo to Stephanopolis, “McCain has not brought up my Muslim faith”.
AmVet
August 30th, 2010
10:04 am
Thin Guy, go get something to eat! Your blood sugar appears to bevery low…
Big D
August 30th, 2010
10:06 am
Jay..9:39…It is obviously a good start…just 300,000,000 to go.
Daniel Leyva
August 30th, 2010
10:07 am
This is why some “conservatives” can not be taken seriously and should be fought against in stead. There is nothing more UnAmerican than halting and preventing religious freedon. I do hope that the FBI finds the people responsible for this and send them to Guantanamo or put them in isolation for life.
Doggone/GA
August 30th, 2010
10:08 am
“the number of Musks in the USA cannot exceed the number of churches and synagogues in Saudi Arabia, Pukianstan, and other countries where women are required to dress like bee keepers”
Why do you think we would be better off if we were MORE like them?
JohnnyReb
August 30th, 2010
10:09 am
Bosch, and Interested Participant -
Big D
August 30th, 2010
10:10 am
Dog..9:43..Tim Mcveigh was one guy with a couple of helpers…Islam and the Muslims are just a little bit bigger.
JohnnyReb
August 30th, 2010
10:11 am
Bosch, and Interested Particpant – thanks, obviously I need to practice by techniques. re, my 10:09 where I tried to bold – thanks.
@@
August 30th, 2010
10:11 am
Who from the left would like to acknowledge the vandalism perpetrated on churches after Prop 8 failed? Was hate involved? Bigotry?
Monday in Utah, home to the Mormon church, the windows of five Latter-day Saints wardhouses were shot out with a BB gun. Police, however, did not openly link the damages to Prop 8 supporters.
“A lot of opinion has generated that this is in connection with Prop 8,” Layton Utah Police Lt. Quinn Moyes said. “We aren’t making that connection yet.”
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/479857.aspx
Don’t know whatever came of that investigation, alls I know is that Layton Police weren’t as quick as jay to condemn.
Another:
This incident comes just days after unknown vandals desecrated a statue of Jesus at Saint Ann’s Catholic Church in the diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina.
The statue was discovered decapitated and covered in graffiti. In addition, windows in the school building were broken and vulgar graffiti was sprayed inside the church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/two_u.s._catholic_churches_in_vandalized_in_one_week/
Fair and balanced, jay…fair and balanced.
Paul
August 30th, 2010
10:12 am
kayaker 71
“Christianity is the enemy in most instances where evil people like Pat Robinson have no place but never any criticism of people like these ayatollahs who run their country with an iron hand and evoke terror on it’s female inhabitants. How do you get off justifying one and demonizing another?”
I’ll offer it’s because they’re in a different country. If it was here, you’d have a concern. Just as we don’t like other countries telling us how to run our country, other countries don’t care for our condemnation of how they do things.
Big D
“About 50% of Americans believe that Obama and his Minion congress are nut cases…can you tell where there may be and organization to silence them…just wondering.”
Not so much an organization but a process. Elections.
But come to think of it, there is. New organizations. Not talking advocacy, just reporting stories and giving analysis of peoples’ concerns.
mike
August 30th, 2010
10:14 am
Dont you just love the patriots who did this act. Sort of reminds you of the Klu Kluxers doesn’t it. You know they do their best work in the dark under cover of night when no one can see them. It justs brings back many memories so we all can recollect. So what’s next? Are they going to hang someone and have the family come out and watch like in the olden days. Can someone tell me where to get one of those pointy hats so I can be ready when they skulk through my neighborhood.
Doggone/GA
August 30th, 2010
10:16 am
“Tim Mcveigh was one guy with a couple of helpers…Islam and the Muslims are just a little bit bigger”
So you’re OK with Christians not condeming him then? And Muslims are not our enemy, terrorists are.
Big D
August 30th, 2010
10:18 am
Paul..not being mean,but… NO Shyte….November… OH YEA BABY…IT’S going to be sweet.
BADA BING
August 30th, 2010
10:18 am
Maybe those TN rednecks just don’t like mulim construction equipment.
Normal
August 30th, 2010
10:19 am
Did y’all see this? Last sentence says it all…
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/08/30/taliban-using-mosque-controversy-to-recruit.html
@@
August 30th, 2010
10:19 am
Correction!
Who from the left would like to acknowledge the vandalism perpetrated on churches after Prop 8 passed?
BADA BING
August 30th, 2010
10:20 am
“Nothing runs like a camel” just doesn’t have the same ring to it as “Nothing runs like a Deere”, now does it?
Bosch
August 30th, 2010
10:20 am
Big D,
Just out of curiosity, just what is going to change if the GOP gets back the House and Senate and how is that going to equate to being “sweet” for you? Do you honestly think that the toxic air in Washington is going to change? Or that somehow your personal life is going to become better than it is now?
I’m kind of banking on the GOP winning back Congress because that will ensure Obama’s victory in 2012.
Hillbilly Deluxe
August 30th, 2010
10:20 am
I’ll wait for the outcome of the investigation before I point fingers as to who was motivated by what.
Wise words. As usual, we all go jumping to conclusions. It could very well be an act of terrorism and if so, should be punished accordingly. There also is such a thing as a person who commits arson for thrills. At this point, we don’t know. There’ll be plenty of time to act, once the facts are in.
Big D
August 30th, 2010
10:21 am
Dog…No, you missed the point. The level of condemnation was far more in proportion to the future level of ability to do it again. I have a lot of extended family in OK and that senseless act is still hurting our families there.
Don't forget
August 30th, 2010
10:22 am
BADA BING
August 30th, 2010
7:37 am
Don’t jump to conclusions, FBI statistics show that the majority of such fires are set by members of the congregation. The last similar fire in the news was set by a Muslim that attended the mosque.
Bada, in case you missed it, someone asked you to support your claim. I would like to know your source for this info as well. I suspect it was actually a vivid imagination and not factual.
Doggone/GA
August 30th, 2010
10:23 am
“No, you missed the point”
No, I didn’t miss it. I don’t agree with it. I don’t condemn all Christians for the acts of someone like Timothy McVeigh and I don’t condemn all Muslims for that acts of terrorist who claim to be Muslim.
Nice Guy
August 30th, 2010
10:23 am
Some people have tried to cut the baby in half regarding the proposed Islamic Center/mosque in New York City, arguing that sure, technically, Muslims have the “right” to build where they want to build, but they’d be more “sensitive” if they moved the project elsewhere. But as the Murfreesboro case demonstrates, it’s not really about proximity to Ground Zero and sensitivity is not the cure. It’s about vile and unAmerican discrimination. Such bigotry must be confronted and denounced, not placated.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jay, to argue that the GZ Mosque issue is not about sensitivity, I believe, is totally incorrect. That is exactly what it is about: the Imam knows it, NYC knows it, and the majority of the USA knows it. But to your point, this incident in TN is indeed domestic terrorism, without a doubt. While I do not agree with this type of act at all, I can begin to understand the frustration that the TN citizens feel. I can further understand why many people are unable to separate the fact that there are peaceful Muslims in the US from what we see and hear in the news. After all, if one were to list all of the major armed conflicts taking place in the world today, I think you would see that Muslims/Islam is at the center of most of those conflicts.
Don't forget
August 30th, 2010
10:24 am
Arson isn’t terrorism??? So I guess all those cross burnings in the 60’s weren’t either then.
kayaker 71
August 30th, 2010
10:24 am
Doggone,
McVey happens to be dead. Would you call that the ultimate act of rejection?
Terrorism strikes outside Nashville, 800 miles from Ground Zero … | directoryofarlington
August 30th, 2010
10:25 am
[...] Link: Terrorism strikes outside Nashville, 800 miles from Ground Zero … [...]
I'm Here From The Government And I'm Here To Help
August 30th, 2010
10:26 am
Cut and Run Obama!
Some U.S. troops will remain to support and train Iraqi forces, partner with Iraqis in counterterrorism missions, and protect civilian and military efforts, he said. But he pledged all U.S. troops will be home from Iraq by the end of next year.
Where's My Party?
August 30th, 2010
10:27 am
A great, great last sentence. “That’s what we are when we are at our best, when we don’t allow the extremists in our own midst to set the agenda.”
And fortunately, the extremist on the right don’t hold the power and cannot pursue their agenda.
Unfortunatley the extremeist on the left do have the power and are just as dangerous. Vote them out.
Big D
August 30th, 2010
10:27 am
Bosch…Great question and one I am asking myself at times. As for myself and most of the Tea Party people all I can say is we have seen the bad in both( Bush and Obama with dominant congress) and we don’t like what we have seen in either. Hopefully if this does come to pass the conservative movement will be able to bring some form of sanity back to Washington and create an atmosphere where we can look at each other without disdain and remember this is the only boat we have and stop trying to sink it.
Doggone/GA
August 30th, 2010
10:29 am
“McVey happens to be dead. Would you call that the ultimate act of rejection?”
Nobody has mentioned rejection. The issue is CONDEMNATION. It’s my opinion that people who claim that all they want is for the Muslim community to condemn terrorists are not seeing the condemnations because they aren’t even bothering to look for them.
And it’s a measure of what this country OUGHT TO BE that after 911 Christian and Jewish volunteers took it upon themselves to sit outside mosques to protect them from extremists who might attack them in retaliation. THOSE are the people who are TRULY American patriots.
paleo-neo-Carlinist
August 30th, 2010
10:30 am
kayaker71,
What a double standard!!! – I accept double-standards exist (especially in religion and politics). in fact, I find it “incredulous” you think the USA has the power to remove “double standards” from humananity.
Have you read “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini? They can’t get away, for the most part. They are born into a culture that demonizes them, puts their life in danger every day. And you call this a religion? – I don’t “call it a religion” beyond the fact that there are lots of religions, and they’re all unnatural and illogical in my book (even the Wiccans). how did the North Vietnamese/Viet Minh “liberate” themselves? How did the Colonists gain “independence” from King George? we mucked this up when we became dependent on oil. otherwise we could go on not caring about how Muslims treat their women. We certainly don’t care how Rawandans treat their women/children. Again, read Andrew Bacevich’s “The Limits of Power”. if we want to be an empire fueled by consumerism; including petroleum, we have to get in bed with some nasty people (Saudi Arabia, warlords in Afghanistan). we used to do it all the time in Central/South America. where was the concern for Catholic nuns murdered by “death squads” the “disappeared” in Chile or Peru?
You demonize Christianity yet you levy no criticism on those who would do the most vile deeds to dominate those around them… – see above, I “demonize” ALL religions.
you justify the blind following of millions of illiterate, uneducated sheep of some goat loving prophet whose favorite companion was a little boy. – see above. I didn’t “justify” Isam – I merely suggested it is no better or worse than ANY faith. and, how to do suggest we “re-program these “blind sheep”? make them Catholics? Jews? Buddhists?
I am not a Christian, BTW, but comparing Christianity to these people is quite a stretch, even for you – really? somebody made a great point last week; the only difference between Islam and Christianity is the fact that Islam is in a state of arrested development (somewhere in the Middle Ages). take a look at the “lifestyles” of some of the pre-reformation Popes (when RC was the sole “Christian” faith. I put no “faith” in any religion, but any Islamic “reformation” must come from within. Maybe Iman Ruaf, or whatever his name is; is the Martin Luther of Islam? Maybe this mosque to be built in lower Manhattan or the mosque that was torched in Tennessee could be the Genesis or Calvary of a more modern Islam (and I am not a Christian, either).
RW-(the original)
August 30th, 2010
10:30 am
Hillbilly D,
It could also be a contractor going after an insurance claim knowing that the site itself would have fingers instantly pointing in another direction. As you said, we really should start waiting for a few facts.
Jay B,
That suburb edit should really be noted as an update under the column since the URL still says suburb. Readers that look at your column but don’t read the comments won’t have any idea why the URL says what it does.
/drive by
Big D
August 30th, 2010
10:31 am
Dog…Yes you did miss it…I KNOW what I meant…interject what you want if you want to continue looking stupid.
stands for decibels
August 30th, 2010
10:42 am
Hillbilly D, since you seem to be around, and since I finally saw “David vs. Monsanto” over the weekend, and yes, since it’s semi-on-topic:
Do you think that Monsanto engaged a type of terrorism against Percy Schmeiser?
Bosch
August 30th, 2010
10:43 am
Big D,
“the conservative movement will be able to bring some form of sanity back to Washington and create an atmosphere where we can look at each other without disdain and remember this is the only boat we have and stop trying to sink it.”
Haven’t you guys said that before? Do you really think the American people will give back complete control to the GOP in four short years?
I personally like not having one party in complete control, but the Democrats, to me, have never been in lock step with one another to really get anything done in the form of an agenda — i.e. the “socialist agenda” etc.
And also, the things the conservatives want, say an end to entitlements, less government, etc. — don’t you think that if the conservatives in Washington were really serious about doing some of these things, that they would have already done them during the 1994 – 2006 years? I mean, Newt is going around screaming about the same old things he wants done, but when he had the chance to do them, nothing.
So, do you really think that if the GOP gets back into power, that they will actually do the things they have roused up in the collective consciousness of the right, or do you think they play you like tools, which we’ve seen countless time again?
Paul
August 30th, 2010
10:46 am
Big D
“November… OH YEA BABY…IT’S going to be sweet.”
Yeah, for the Congressionals in Nov, I think there will be a pretty big shift. I also think a lot of it is as much anti-incumbency as anything – which means Reps don’t have a lock on it. There are a number of Dem incumbents emphasizing what makes them separate from Spkr Pelosi and Pres Obama.
And as far as Nov 2012…. depends on who the Reps put up. No matter the mood, if the choice isn’t one to appeal to a large number of voters, they may just say ‘well, nuts…. might as well stay with the devil I know…..”
Doggone/GA
August 30th, 2010
10:47 am
“that they would have already done them during the 1994 – 2006 years?”
that’s always the unanswered question. When they had full control, WHY didn’t they ban gay marriage, ban abortions, ban mosques, deport all the Muslims and hispanics and other illegal immigrants. They had the control, why didn’t they use it?
crickets
JB
August 30th, 2010
10:48 am
How many places of worship (church, synagogue, mosque, etc.) are burned by arson each year-dozens or is it more than one hundred? (The FBI tracks these things, I believe, because there are so many of them). This one draws special notice and an article, what about all the others? Often someone within the congregation sets the fire (not saying this one was done by someone who worships at the mosque), but I don’t see any mention in the piece saying “let’s wait and find out who it is?” If someone ‘inside’ did it (or did it for insurance purposes, as many arsons are), will there be an article about that?
Bosch
August 30th, 2010
10:48 am
Ya’ know, I really don’t like snakes, I think they are creepy and just the way they moves is just freaky deaky, and granted, rattlesnakes are dangerous and I certainly wouldn’t want to come up on one, but I’m kind of bummed that the escaped rattlesnake from the zoo has been found dead.
Bosch
August 30th, 2010
10:49 am
Doggone,
AND get rid of Medicaid, reduce Medicare (instead of grossly expanding it) and Social Security?
JCamp
August 30th, 2010
10:49 am
“Terrorism is an act to invoke terror ”
“And it does not always mean killing someone.”
So when the perp is charged, they will be charged with arson or terrorism? Every church burning in the past was arson, just because it was a mosque, this is terrorism? You people are nuts. The perp, if caught, will most likely be charged with arson because the mosque was empty. Had this person done this deed while it was full of worshipers, then you have terrorism. There is a huge difference here.
Nice Guy
August 30th, 2010
10:50 am
Bosch, I think if the GOP regains control you will see a lot more action than we saw during the referenced time of 1994 – 2006. Times have changed (for the worse) and the need to slash spending is greater now than it was during that time. America is obsessed with bettering the economy and most people understand that if Obama and his henchman continue to spend then any recovery will only be short term and will ultimately be negated by the suffocating debt load.
Bosch
August 30th, 2010
10:53 am
JCamp,
I’m nuts because I use the correct definition of a word? OK. I will give you this one caveat — terrorism in its purest definition is the one I gave, but other definitions I have seen, there is usually a political element to the act.
Jason T
August 30th, 2010
10:55 am
Thoese evil Americans! They’re too blame for everything!