Newt Gingrich declines appearance at 9/11 protest over NYC mosque
A certain Republican mulling over a 2012 presidential run apparently isn’t willing to place all his chips on the debate over a Manhattan mosque.
Last week, Gingrich ratcheted the August discourse to the Hitler level:
“Nazis don’t have the right to put up a sign next to the Holocaust Museum in Washington. We would never accept the Japanese putting up a site next to Pearl Harbor.”
But then there’s the following from this morning’s The Hill, a D.C. newspaper and website:
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) will not be addressing a protest of the proposed mosque in lower Manhattan on the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
The organizers of the rally, Stop Islamization of America and Freedom Defense Initiative, announced Gingrich as one of the event’s confirmed speakers on the Web last weekend.
On Monday, Gingrich launched himself into the spotlight of the debate on national television with controversial comments that brought a slew of criticism from fellow Republicans.
But a spokesman for Gingrich, a possible 2012 presidential candidate, told The Hill that the former leader of the House had never confirmed his appearance. Instead, one of Gingrich’s staff had agreed to send a video message from him to be shown at the Sept. 11 rally.
That has since been canceled.
“The confusion is at least partially our fault,” said Joe DeSantis, a spokesman for Gingrich. “A staff member mistakenly promised a video message, though not an appearance. However, we are not sending a video. We informed them earlier this week.”
DeSantis did not comment on why Gingrich was no longer planning to send a video message to the rally, and attempts to contact the organizers of the rally were unsuccessful.
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92 comments Add your comment
Dates-R-Us
August 21st, 2010
11:21 am
Newt can emphasize “cowardice” on that list of qualifications for Republican presidential candidate.
Aquagirl
August 21st, 2010
11:33 am
Newt can’t even send a video to back up his verbal firebombs? Can’t wait to hear what the “Obama was backtracking on the mosque” crowd has to say about this. Plenty of lame excuses will be offered, I’m sure.
Mr. Dithers
August 21st, 2010
11:40 am
Perhaps Newt is thinking of converting to Islam.
WB
August 21st, 2010
11:42 am
The Internet has a law known as Godwin’s Law which has time and time again proven true. (”As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1.”) Godwin’s Law also has a corollary which states that when the inevitable comparison to Nazis or Hitler is made, the discussion is over and the person who made the comparison automatically loses the debate.
On the other hand, if politics actually followed the rules of the Internet, Rick Astley would be president, “Never Gonna Give You Up” would be our national anthem, and Lolcatspeak would be taught in schools.
Mr. Bill
August 21st, 2010
11:57 am
1. It was not built to celebrate a Muslim victory. The Cordoba mosque in Spain was built by Christians as the Church of St. Vincent in the 7th Century on the site of a Roman temple. When the Muslims conquered Spain, the church was purchased by Abd ar-Rahman I, and over the next two centuries (784-984) was enlarged and converted to a mosque. In 1236 the Spanish captured Cordoba and returned the mosque to a Christian Church.
2. It is admired for its beautiful architecture, paintings and mosaics.
3. If we deny them the right to build it, Muslims throughout the world will be told, and America will again be presented as the enemy of Islam. Terrorists will use the story to recruit.
4. No money has been raised for the mosque as yet because they just received approval to build it.
5. The Manhattan Mosque already exists 5 blocks from the northeast corner of the World Trade Center site.
6. If Saudi Arabia contributes funds to build the mosque, it will be a way to get some of the dollars we spent on oil back into the hands of American construction workers. If they accept funding from Iran, then that is a different story.
7. “And that the imam who’s being branded an extremist has been valued by both Republican and Democratic administrations as a moderate face of the faith. Even so, the project stirs complicated emotions, and Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf is a complex figure who defies easy categorization in the American Muslim world. He’s devoted much of his career to working closely with Christians, Jews and secular leaders to advance interfaith understanding. He’s scolded his own religion for being in some ways in the “Dark Ages.” Yet he’s also accused the U.S. of spilling more innocent blood than al-Qaida, the terrorist network that turned the World Trade Center, part of the Pentagon and four hijacked airplanes to apocalyptic rubble.” (source: National Constitution Center http://constitutioncenter.org/NewsWire.aspx?title=FACT+CHECK%3a+Islam+Already+Lives+Near+Ground+Zero )
mike
August 21st, 2010
12:58 pm
Did you morons expect anything other from Newt? This man’s political actions and many of his ilk have an expert opinion when it comes to scaring up the crowd of white folks out there. However these people had become experts in ducking and dodging situations in which they may be held accountable for their views. It is surprising how some news shows and other so-called fair and balanced news agencies continue to bring these folks out to give statements. Most of these people who all look like Newt are still stuck in the cold war of the 50’s and 60’s. You idiots do realize the US was very friendly to these terrorists countries back then. How about asking ole Newt how things were done back in those days. You know- the CIA, Ollie North and company etc etc etc.
Jack
August 21st, 2010
12:59 pm
Hypocritical coward.
roughrider
August 21st, 2010
1:03 pm
Newt could not carry his own district here in Georgia much less the whole nation.
norman m
August 21st, 2010
1:14 pm
i wonder how smart these tea baggers/republican hate baggers are?…they are riled up and heated over this mosque..why because fox news told them to do so..everynight sean hannity talks about sharia and saudi finacning this mosque….well last time i checked the only place with sharia was saudi arabia and (oh by the way saudi owns 11 percent of buildings in wash dc…oh yea i just remembered saudi pays sean hannitys salary…oh but these right wingers would never be able to figure that out
Grandpa Right
August 21st, 2010
1:21 pm
Mr. Bill-
RE # 3, you have a great point- we don’t want those terrorists mad at us, do we?
norman m-
Where did Henry Reid get his viewpont on the mosgue- at a tea party rally or from Fox News?
Do you folks even read what you right before you post? The lack of critical thought, and the need to mock those who disagree with you, is amusing until I realize that you have a vote-
Grandpa Right
August 21st, 2010
1:22 pm
Mosque, not mosgue- what can you expect from an ignorant old right wing not, right?
Think about it....
August 21st, 2010
1:52 pm
So what’s wrong with just weighing in? Why the need to attend a protest? Why criticize if Newt doesn’t want to go? What would that accomplish? He’s had his say and he’s quite right. Besides, after all is said and done its still a local issue. NY will take care of it themselves.
RGB
August 21st, 2010
1:54 pm
The Newt-haters are like roaches when exposed to the daylight and, based on the posted comments, possess the intellectual wherewithal of these despised creatures as well. No substance. No facts. Nothing. They cannot compete with his ideas and intellect on a host of subjects ranging from health care to U.S. competitiveness to tax policy and foreign policy. Newt’s books and his work at the Center for Health Transformation are compelling, leverage his knowledge of history and government, and address urgent problems with cogent, well-conceived solutions.
Dittos to Grandpa Right regarding the “we wouldn’t want to make them mad at us” argument. In short, who cares what they think of us? I don’t and I am in the majority. 70% of Americans don’t want the mosque built at the proposed site. That includes a lot of Democrats.
We have a president who uses U.S. tax dollars to hire this mosque-building Hamas sympathizer to conduct “Muslim outreach.” Oh well, at least he’s consistent. This outreach augments Obama’s goal for NASA which curiously has little to do with space exploration.
Come to think of it, Obama’s jobs program has nothing to do with jobs either. No surprise there.
You people will defend the indefensible. Our country is suffering for it.
Skram30082
August 21st, 2010
2:21 pm
@Grandpa Right:
“Do you folks even read what you right before you post?”
Do YOU read what you WRITE before you post?
WE have lost our way
August 21st, 2010
2:30 pm
Here we go again!! Politics before leadership.This is why we are in the mess were in. Dems and Repubs say one thing and do the opposite. Newt says in the press with his John Wayne attitude one thing and then runs like Pee Wee Herman! STAND UP MAN, BE A MAN. Back up what you said.
Alabama Communist
August 21st, 2010
2:31 pm
LOL……wait until Newt finds out that 9/11 was a inside job by his own government and they will put the blame on him…………
duke
August 21st, 2010
2:32 pm
Newt probably figured he did not need the grief from the pro-Obama news media. He did not compare Muslims to Nazis. He said the Nazis have no right to display a swastika next to the holocaust museum, and Muslims have no right to build a mosque on Ground Zero. You might disagree with that point, but it is a valid point which ought to be addressed on its merits. The pro-Obama news media dares not to engage such arguments on their merits, so Newt figures what’s the use in taking this particular drama any further.
Muslims build mosques on the sites of cathedrals as a symbol of Mulim supremacy. Muslims around the world will see the Ground-Zero mosque as a triumphant symbol of the successful attacks. The Muslim leaders behind the Cordoba project on Ground Zero see Cordoba as a symbol of the good old days of Muslim supremacy, which they regard as a golden age. The 15-story building on Ground Zero will also house the Sharia Project, which aims to gradually establish the principle that Shariah law takes precedence over U.S. law. Newt refers to “radical Muslims”, when in fact these orthodox Muslims are following the commandment of the Koran, jihad, conquer the world for God by the sword. But Newt is aware of the Sharia Project, and has proposed a law that no U.S. court can recognize Sharia law as taking precedence over U.S. law.
I guarantee you that Muslims are not about to let anyone build a synagogue or a cathedral in Mecca. Non-muslims are not even allowed to enter the city. Under Shariah law, non-muslims are second-class citizens whose rights seriously abridged; and that is what Muslims have in mind for America.
We the people
August 21st, 2010
2:58 pm
need to stand up and take the government back for life long political canidates. In no way shape or form was government set up to house lifers in congress and the senate. We also need to hold them responsible for their spending! The people of America should vote on the budget since we pay for it.
We need to right this ship before it’s to late.
Brad Steel
August 21st, 2010
3:10 pm
Will he decline appearance for everything else too? Hope so.
phil
August 21st, 2010
3:41 pm
Once a draft dodger, always a draft dodger!
Skip
August 21st, 2010
3:52 pm
This is all you get for a whole afternoon? Looks like nobody really cares what Newt says.
Judy
August 21st, 2010
4:41 pm
People like Gingrich, Palin and most high-profile right-wingers are arm-chair critics who stir up the pile, mislead the public with distorted information, and incite hatred against Islam due to their ignorance. This type of vermin are cowards when it comes to dealing publicly with the American people.
I am sure 80% of Americans believe that there is a Mosque proposed at Ground Zero or close to, when in fact, no Mosque is going up at ground zero, but an Islamic Cultural Centre is being built 6 blocks from from the site of the north tower. The Islamic Centre would not be visible from ground zero.
I regret the day, which may be now, when Americans adopt the thinking of rigid Middle Eastern countries, like Saudi Arabia, by opposing religious freedom for all cultures – that is the day we cease to be a democracy.
CA
August 21st, 2010
4:52 pm
Christians burned the witches. Christians killed the Natives. Why is it any surprise that anything that is different is presented as negative. First, as Christians, are we really better than Muslims? Is a Muslim better than a Jew? Is a Wiccan better than a Buddhist? We may have different beliefs. My God, and his son, Jesus, would have something to say about the stereotyping of Muslims I believe. That said, I am not in favor of the mosque being built where it is proposed, even if it is five blocks from Ground Zero. Five blocks is only 1/4 mile, and too close for comfort. I think that it will bring too many hard memories. Yet, t I am in favor of freedom to worship a one chooses, as long as it does not hurt another. I am curious, what would Jesus do? Check your own faiths before putting down others.
Response to CA
August 21st, 2010
5:17 pm
CA, I hope your real purpose wasn’t to take a shot at Christians as leftists so often do on these blogs. Yes, these open-minded, progressive, loving individuals…..
If you truly want to know what Jesus would do, then read and study The Bible. It’s not a mystery. Start with the Old Testament and you’ll find how God dealt with certain enemies. He dealt forcefully with violent people who opposed Him. What do Muslims do?
Are Christians better than Muslims? In what respect: strength, height, IQ, contribution to society, musical taste, culinary skills? One difference is that Christians worship the only true God. One need not believe it any more than one should believe the law of gravity. It just is.
Does that make a Christian better than a Muslim? I’d say the Christian will be better off in the long run–if you know what I mean.
When you finish the New Testament, you’ll find one difference between Christianity and the other pagan religions you’ve listed: Christians worship a risen Savior. But you should already know that.
In America people have the right to worship anyone they choose just as Aaron made and worshiped a golden calf. But I wouldn’t recommend it.
Doug
August 21st, 2010
5:19 pm
The repubs mischaracterize the proposed “cultural center” as being a mosque at ground zero. I have a simple question – Would 3 blocks far enough away that repubs would not be demanding that Obama/US government violate the constitution? 4 blocks? 5 blocks? 10 blocks? 1 mile? 2 miles? What?
Politics in this country is just like the Shia’s & the Sunni’s. Politicians have corrupted the government to the point that our government is no better than a third world country.
The single biggest problem this country has is citizens whose god is a political party without regard to the crime, corruption and hypocrisy of the individual running for office. Gingrich, Delay, Richardson, Rangel, etc. are perfect examples of corrupt politicians who continue to be praised and re-elected by the ignorant masses.
CA
August 21st, 2010
5:29 pm
response to CA: I have studied the Old Testament and New Testament a few times, in depth. Of course, it does come down to interpretation, just as the study of any holy / philosophical book does. I apologize if you wanted me to be that leftist that knocks Christians. I am not that person. My point is that Jesus was loving, accepting of all, yes, even tax collectors. A major problem exists when members of a sect within a faith believe themselves to be spiritually better than others. We were all created by One True God. My point, then, is that it is dangerous to stereotype all Muslims as being radical. The members of the three major monotheistic faiths is that we are Abrahamic. Just as you discuss the events that Jesus participated in regarding his opposition to violent people, there are a great number of instances where the words and actions of Jesus promote loving one’s neighbor. As I said, I am not in favor of building the mosque where it is proposed. I am in favor of ending stereotypes. By your posting, i can tell that you are bright enough to know what I am saying. You don’t come across as one of the sheeple.
BLM
August 21st, 2010
5:36 pm
Guess Newt’s lastest mistress may be a Muslim…could that be the reason for the backdown?
Response to CA
August 21st, 2010
5:44 pm
Thanks for your reply. In short, I’m concerned about two things with regard to Muslims. First, the basic tenets of their religion are not accepting toward other faiths. Indeed, they are the opposite. I will resist the imposition of Sharia law on America with my life–or theirs.
Second, when Muslims are polled worldwide, a significant percentage support suicide bombings against civilians, bin Laden, etc.
A Pew survey of Muslims in America found that 55% did not support the war on terrorism. More than one-fourth responded that suicide bombings against civilians are sometimes justified. Only 28% believe Arab Muslims carried out the 9/11 attacks. What’s worse is that Muslims in Arab countries overwhelmingly support violence against civilians.
So where’s the religion of peace that the media regurgitates regularly. And where are the peaceful Muslims who abhor the violence those in the polls advocate? I think they are in the minority.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Truthpaste
August 21st, 2010
5:47 pm
I’m done. The majority of you that regurgitate what you hear on 750 or Fox News, from people who freely admit that they are not reporters, therefore, do no real fact checking. You are free to express your dislike for another religion, people, culture, that is your right. Just be reminded, not all of us look, dress, talk, or even act alike. You can spew your ignorance safely from the anonymity of online or the radio, but you might want to choose your words carefully in public.
CA
August 21st, 2010
5:48 pm
Response to CA: I appreciate the effort you put into your posts. It is refreshing to see someone speak with facts and mind, rather than simply emotion. You have brought a lot to this discussion.
BLM
August 21st, 2010
5:49 pm
Response to CA said: “One difference is that Christians worship the only true God.”
Try learning something about Islam before attacking it. Christians and Muslims share a common God. It’s only the prophet that differs.
Response to CA
August 21st, 2010
6:14 pm
The Qur’an makes it clear that man-made governments (such as a democracy) and free speech (such as criticizing the Qur’an) are an abomination to Allah and must be eliminated. Muslims only submit to Sharia law. Example: Salman Rushdie. A fatwā was issued against him by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in February 1989. Ever hear of Billy Graham issuing a fatwā against anybody?
Some Muslims quote peaceful passages of the Qur’an, but they also know that passages written later (which are more violent) supersede those written earlier.
The Bible shows that its chief characters willing submitted to government authorities. Joseph submitted to Egyptian authorities; Daniel to Babylonia authorities; Mordecai submitted to Persian authorities; Jesus submitted to the Roman authorities.
The God in my Bible, therefore, is not the same as Allah in the Qur’an–at least as its followers practice it.
Believe what you will but you may do it at your own peril.
And I mean that literally.
And by the way–Jesus is not just a prophet and he is in no way “like Muhammad” the false prophet. Jesus is the Son of God, 100% God and 100% Man–perfect, sinless in every way.
Ali
August 21st, 2010
6:26 pm
In my opinion, Newt ain’t nothing but a big mouth, grandstanding closet klansman. He needs to come clean. Who in their right mind would vote for this creep?
MD
August 21st, 2010
7:04 pm
obama should show up and cut the ribbon.
rod
August 21st, 2010
7:36 pm
jim yur assinine little comments like Hitler level is why I dont subscribe to the urinal constipation anymore as well as about everyone else in te atlanta area (except for folks like Ali)
Dirty Dawg
August 21st, 2010
7:53 pm
Newt probably was told that his characterization of The Cordoba Mosque was idiotic, and wrong, as pointed out by Mr. Bill above, so instead of being called out further, and instead of following his ‘logic’ of saying, ‘by damn, we can be just as religiously oppressive as Saudi Arabia, we’ll show ‘em.’ Plus, he and Palin make their money with appearance and speaking fees, so that whoever’s sponsoring this ‘protest’ must not be paying enough.
Coupla other points…if there are criticisms if Saudi Arabians contribute to the ultimate building of the ‘community center’, seems to me that we’ll find that those same Saudis were among the largest contributors to the Bush(es) libraries.
SIR MAGPIE DE CROW
August 21st, 2010
9:24 pm
For such a video message he could sit in an office for ten minutes while the message could be beamed to the group, and it wouldn’t compromise whatever work schedule he would have on that day. I am going to go out on a limb and say that the “mistaken staff member” excuse is probably not the truth of what happened. His message on this issue is bad enough (I think support for mosque building does not equal Nazism), the fact he doesn’t want to do any legwork on this “important issue” speaks volumes about his character (or lack thereof).
The only thing worse than a demagogue is perhaps a demagogue who is extremely lazy.
Nathan Deal
August 21st, 2010
10:41 pm
Enter your comments here
Allen
August 22nd, 2010
1:10 am
What a fake Newt is and always has been. He fooled me for a while but I see his true colors now.
Bitter EX democrackkk
August 22nd, 2010
7:14 am
Newt is too much like Hitlary Clintonista! NOT to be trusted!
Ron Paul 2012! ‘the CHANGE you WANTED!’
Newt is BAD
August 22nd, 2010
7:15 am
To Rod….if you don’t get the AJC please don’t read it online either. I have a feeling your not reading the AJC paper is based more in your inability to afford it. If it’s so beneath your grandeur then you shouldn’t be reading it online much less commenting in these posts.
Newt is a crooked Politician by trade
August 22nd, 2010
7:20 am
Newt is a washed up has been. He doesn’t come close to the character needed to be President yet he still aspires to the office he squandered over yet another extra-marital affair. Few people are as undeserving as he is for such a position of power. I mean doesn’t it sound scary to think of Newt as being the most powerful man in the world. I shudder to think what he could get us into if elected. Alas, even most GOPers I know are very aware of how bad he really is, he doesn’t stand a snowballs chance in hell of a primary win much less a general election.
Rightwing Troll
August 22nd, 2010
9:00 am
“You people will defend the indefensible.”
And YOU people will gladly return to screaming “HARDER… FASTER…” just like you did when ol Newt was in power, and the years from 2000 to 2008.
What new and original idea has come out of the whole nut sacks movement? Just one? Anything that isn’t an election cycle scare tactic?
You retards will gladly subject the country to more of the same in the name of ideology…
Liberal/Conservative
August 22nd, 2010
9:19 am
Newt is a demigogue. It’s that simple. Part and parcel of being a demigogue is a refusal to recognize the truth, to tell it, and to abide by it.
Don
August 22nd, 2010
9:24 am
It’s not a mosque, and it’s not at ground zero. The right is poisoning the the debate by calling it the ground zero mosque.
tigermike
August 22nd, 2010
9:45 am
Gingrich/Palin 2012! What a laugh!
Road Scholar
August 22nd, 2010
10:02 am
Here is a link to Dick Cavett’s editorial in the N Y Times; it’s right on:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/20/real-americans-please-stand-up/?src=me&ref=homepage
Mike
August 22nd, 2010
10:15 am
Newt’s one of the few politico’s with any sense. Run Newt Run. Help save America, vote conservative.
Judy
August 22nd, 2010
10:29 am
Voting conservative/republican, is voting for bigotry, for representatives who instill fear and govern with fear, and who count on the ignorance of the American Public to believe their fear-mongering lies. Run, Mike, run -the sky is falling down!!!!
MD
August 22nd, 2010
10:34 am
Its time to shut the government down quit your job monday and send the liberals packing.
MD
August 22nd, 2010
10:36 am
A new and better gov. is own the way.Good by liberal fools!
luangtom
August 22nd, 2010
10:56 am
Newt does sound a bit like Karen Handel in the primary. She chastised McBerry on the air, but would not appear with him on-stage in person to let him confront her allegations. Maybe Newt called Karen to see what to do. Who knows?
Actually, Newt has nothing to defend. All that he said was he knew Nazis should not put up anything next to Holocaust sites and that Muslims need not do it next to Ground-Zero. Period. What is the big furor over? Yes, legally they can build there. Morally, they should not. Period. Let’s address some real concerns people. Who cares about a NY site when the COUNTRY is in a shambles. Question Obummer on his policies and ask where the jobs are and where the oil in the Gulf so mysteriously disappeared to. He told us 80% has dissipated or been removed……
Rafe Hollister
August 22nd, 2010
11:10 am
Judy I would like to take you snipe hunting! Maybe there are some snipes in the “community center”. Judy, they wouldn’t even let you go swimming there and if your dress was above your ankle you would not be allowed to enter. You libs will believe anything. Be skeptical of everything, everyone, both sides are profitting from your ignorance.
Newt, should be confined to coming up with solutions for others to implement. He doesn’t do well when out in public that is for sure.
Cee-lo
August 22nd, 2010
12:11 pm
Yeah MD, let’s replace the liberals with the same ‘deficit hawks’ that put 2 wars, tax cuts, and a new healthcare plan on a credit card. STFU
Vernon B. Brand
August 22nd, 2010
12:26 pm
Aw, Newt. You got us all whipped up in a lather–what with talkin’ ’bout Nazis & the Holocaust & all–& now you can’t come? Man…?!?
Johnathan Winters used to do a bit as a fat army general who’d say,
“Men, I’d love to be with you at the front on the battle field today, but…you know, paperwork at Hqs…damn that paperwork!
Liberal/Conservative
August 22nd, 2010
1:07 pm
The discourse, if you can call it that, on this blog shows that Newt is smart about one thing: Raising this bogus mosque issue will inflame the insane rhetoric against the President, smear him in the process, and perhaps make Newt the Philanderer look good in the eyes of the easily deluded.
pete
August 22nd, 2010
1:18 pm
he might no be a muslim, but I am sure he is a fascist.
Liberal/Conservative
August 22nd, 2010
1:24 pm
Re: “Pete”
See my point?
Jim
August 22nd, 2010
1:25 pm
On June 8th, 1967 the Israelis attacked an unarmed Intelligence U.S. ship in International waters, the USS Liberty. Even as Americans were waving the flag the Israelis kept attacking for 45 minutes, and even tried to gun down survivors in life rafts. In the end, the Israelis killed 34 American sailors and injured another 176 but the U.S. has tried to keep it a secret for more than 40 years. There was no question that the Israelis knew it was an American ship. The intent was to make the attack appear as if the Egyptians did the attack in order to get the U.S. to enter the Arab Israeli war.
I once asked Newt Gingrich what his thoughts were on this attack since he supposedly was a war historian. He told me that it was a matter of mistaken identity, and left it at that even though each and every survivor of the ship stated that Israel intentionally attacked the ship, and even the Commander of the Sixth Fleet at the time of the attack, Admiral Thomas Moorer, testified that Israel attacked intenionally.
At the time when I asked Newt Gingrich for his opinion, his wife at the time had just been appointed as Israel’s tourism representative. In addition, Newt Gingrich has a history of receiving campaign funds from Israel’s main lobby group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Newt Gingrich has been one of Israel’s staunch supporters ever since, just like most of the other paid and bribed politicians on the hill. Is it any wonder why Israel gets more than $5.6 billion a year in foreign aid from the U.S. even while this country goes broke? I spent more than 28 years in the U.S. Army including tours in and around the Middle East. There will never be peace in this world as long as Israel is able to do whatever it pleases while at the same time rewarded with more military
weapons by its big daddy, the USA. The Muslims would’ve never attacked us on September 11th if the U.S. wouldn’t have been supporting Israel with its killing and slaughter of Muslim men, women, and especially children and the stealing of Palestinian land for over 4 decades. Osama bin Ladin himself was the first to say so, immediately after the attack.
If you want to read more about the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty please go to:
http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/ussliberty.html?q=ussliberty.html
The USS Liberty Cover-Up
… “one of the classic all-American cover-ups,” said retired Admiral Thomas Moorer, …
M
August 22nd, 2010
2:59 pm
I thoroughly enjoy the people accusing Islam of being intolerant towards other religions and in the same breath saying that only Christians worship the “one true God.”
Also, some of you need to read books. Many other religions worship(ped) a risen savior/messiah figure. It’s pretty common, actually.
Billy Joe Poteet
August 22nd, 2010
4:22 pm
@Jim
August 22nd, 2010
1:25 pm
Selective memories are great, aren’t they? Israel hasn’t been “stealing of Palestinian land for over 4 decades”. In the first place, Palestinians refused any agreement on land or territory in the 1948 accords that created Israel. In 1967, Israel preempted an attack planned against theml in the Seven Day War. It can be strongly argued that the lands gained by Israel as a result of that war are rightfully theirs as the spoils of war.
The wonderful peace-loving muslims will only be happy if they can slaughter en masse the entire population of Israel. When they finish with Israel, they can move on to the “infidels” in the remainder of the world.
To hell with the muslims . . . and all their sympathizers
Billy Joe Poteet
August 22nd, 2010
4:43 pm
@M
August 22nd, 2010
2:59 pm
And I suggest you do some reading, also. With Islam, you get a bargain: you get, not only a religion, but a system of law. Liberals in this country should love the sharia system of law. It is male dominated, calls for the subjugation of women (even to the point of mutilating their genitalia so that they will never experience any pleasure in sex) and the putting to death of homosexuals.
Which part of the sharia law do you like the best?
Tee
August 22nd, 2010
5:02 pm
Billy Joe Poteet
Either the freedom to worship in this country is for everyone or that freedom applies to no one. Yes, let’s talk about selective memories. What native people lived in this country we know as the USA, long before the white european arrived with a gun in one hand and a bible in the other claiming they discovered it….:) What christian people spread sickness and death to most every ethnic group it encountered ? What wonderful peace loving christians ran the slave trade and refused to give a people their civil rights until the 60’s……….? There are many religions worshiped in this country whose hands are covered in blood……Are you hands clean ?
Jim
August 22nd, 2010
5:10 pm
It’s obvious that you’re not a student of Middle East affairs. The Israelis have been confiscating Palestinian land for the last 43 years building illegal Jewish settlements which causes most of the tension we see today. This has been one of the main issues preventing the two sides from having direct peace negotiations. You need to get a better education on the Israeli-Palestinian issues.
Israel has used a complex legal and bureaucratic mechanism to take control of more than fifty percent of the land in the West Bank. This land has been used mainly to establish settlements and create reserves of land for the future expansion of the settlements.
Israel uses the seized lands to benefit the settlements, while prohibiting the Palestinian public from using them in any way.
My recommendation to you, Billy Joe, is to get a better understanding of what’s going on there and if all you do is watch FOX News, then you will never change your attitude. Believe it or not, one of the best sources that I would recommend is with an Israeli newspaper and their web site on Haaretz. They discuss it much more than what the controlled media here in the U.S. will ever discuss it.
Billy Joe Poteet
August 22nd, 2010
5:13 pm
@Tee
August 22nd, 2010
5:02 pm
Yes, my hands are clean, and you weren’t here when this country was founded and you also were not a slave. Before you start with your ancestors, I’ll tell you that none of my family ever owned slaves or (as far as I can determine) seized land owned by Indians.
The point that I’m trying to make here, Ted, is that freedom of religion is one thing: the attempted imposition of a system of laws to govern all people is quite another. Think it won’t happen here? Muslims are already attempting the imposition of sharia law in both England and France, as well as other countrues.
Maybe you like the part about polygamy? After all, the more the merrier, right?
I think we’ve already been down that road with Mormons, haven’t we?
Billy Joe Poteet
August 22nd, 2010
5:49 pm
@Jim
August 22nd, 2010
5:10 pm
I’m happy that something is “obvious” to you. Maybe you can make something obvious to me? I’m looking at a current map of the middle east and I can only assume that it is a flawed copy. Could you kindly tell me exactly where Palestine is located? I just want to see the clearly defined lines of the Palistinian homeland! Thanks in afvance!
News Update
August 22nd, 2010
7:03 pm
[...] Newt Gingrich declines an appearance at a 9/11 protest rally over the Manhattan Mosque. [...]
B J Potato
August 22nd, 2010
7:07 pm
Newt Gingrich might have understood his folly in comparing the planned mosque to “Nazis” erecting a sign next to the Washington Holocaust museum.
The analogy would have worked if it was Al-Qaeda who had planned to erect a sign next to Ground Zero. But it is not. Al Qaeda is not even a elected body by Muslims in any country and do not have approval of big majority of Muslims in any country as against the Nazis of Germany who were elected by then Christians of Germany and had the approval of the majority there for their actions. So even if he had said “Christians don’t have the right to build a church next to the Holocaust Museum in Washington” to compare it with attempt by Muslims to build a mosque, it would still not work.
66% of Americans need to learn how to think rationally before opposing the mosque.
Billy Joe Poteet
August 22nd, 2010
7:27 pm
@B J Potato
August 22nd, 2010
7:07 pm
Yeah. For days, weeks and months after 9/11, we were inundated by muslims condemning the terrorist attack. Why, you couldn’t pick up a newspaper, turn on a radio or watch TV without reading, hearing or seeing throngs of mislims screaming condemnations of the attack. You can also say the same for all the other attacks against us and other countrues which have occured in other nations. Muslims, being the peace-loving people that they are, are quick to react when these incidents occur, aren’t they?
Peace-loving muslims . . . yeah . . . right.
Using your figure, 66% of Americans DO get it. They understand muslims all too well.
Newt is a crooked Politician by trade
August 22nd, 2010
7:31 pm
@ Billy Joe Poteet Don’t start with the old and over worked talk radio point of no Palestine on the map. There was no Israel on the map until the Western world carved it back out and handed it back to the Jews.
The League of Nations Mandate
After World War I, the League of Nations formally assigned the Palestine mandate to the United Kingdom; endorsing the terms of the Balfour Declaration and additionally requiring the creation of an independent Jewish Agency that would administer Jewish affairs in Palestine.
Know your history before you regurgitate talk radio hearsay. It’s all a bunch of semantics when you enter points about borders in parts of the world that were thriving thousands of years ago. Not a lot of map makers in the year 1200 BC.
Billy Joe Poteet
August 22nd, 2010
7:32 pm
@Jim
August 22nd, 2010
5:10 pm
I don’t guess you’re going to help me locate Palestine. I just can’t locate it on a map and am hard put to figure out what part of Palestine that Israel is encroaching upon. How do you seize land from a country that doesn’t exist?
I guess I’m just not quite the student of the middle east as you are. Maybe someday you will condescend to enighten me.
Billy Joe Poteet
August 22nd, 2010
7:39 pm
@Newt is a crooked Politician by trade
August 22nd, 2010
7:31 pm
Just a hint: we’re not yalking 1200 BC here: we talking the here and now. I still want to know where Palestine is located?
Your answer does not suffice. Is Palestine the ONLY country in the world today that cannot be located geographically on a map?
Additionally, don’t ascribe my actions to “Don’t start with the old and over worked talk radio point of no Palestine on the map”. Apparently you are the one listening to some talk radio on the subject, not me.
Tee
August 22nd, 2010
7:39 pm
Billy Joe
You’ve been asked to get a better understanding of the history of this country, and the world, educate yourself before you continue to discuss subjects you have no clue about…FOX news is not a source for anything but a self serving view that you and others follow. Today you benefit from everything your ancestors stole, and killed for. There isn’t one piece of land that didn’t belong to the indian, so bubba, you benefit everyday. You don’t have to be a slave to know, slavery happened. Your failed attempt to say all muslims are responsible for 9/11, is just stupid. Every religion has extremist factions that say there are killing, robbing, and stealing in the name of their GOD….Take off the blinders, change the channel, read a book, don’t let Fox News tell you what you should believe. Whatever your faith, I’ll pray you don’t pass your revisionist ideas of history, and faith on to your children
khc
August 22nd, 2010
8:19 pm
poteet, you are losing arguments again….don’t you get tired of taking a verbal beating you take to the blog? i’m starting to feel sorry for you
Judy
August 22nd, 2010
8:42 pm
Dear Rafe,
Is your idea of ‘Snipes’, chefs with potato peelers. I understand there is to be a culinary school at the Islamic community centre. Get real – don’t let your imagination run away on you!!!
Jayne M. Barker
August 22nd, 2010
8:51 pm
Someone said it better thaan I: “Only thing in the middle of the road
is a white line, road kill and a corrupt politician trying to get
elected.”…
“Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me”…
“Beware the wolves, in sheeps’ clothing”…
Jayne M. Barker
August 22nd, 2010
8:52 pm
P.S. “Some of us are not slow learner, just fast forgetters”…
Jenny Lee
August 22nd, 2010
9:04 pm
Newt likes little girls and gives alcohol to minors. He did that to me in the 80s.
Common Sense
August 22nd, 2010
9:17 pm
Which Muslim faith did Timothy McVeigh belong to? Maybe we need to stop letting white people rent ryder trucks.
Trickle down economics work
August 22nd, 2010
9:22 pm
We need Newt. And Zell. And like thinkers.
They will create jobs so people can pay their taxes so Government can rest the money printing presses.
PLEASE VOTE REPUBLICAN IN NOVEMBER. They are not perfect but they can fix this mess a lot sooner than the other guys.
Bubba
August 22nd, 2010
9:45 pm
They may have a constitutional right to build it, but that doesn’t make it right for them to chooose to build it in that location.
don
August 22nd, 2010
9:47 pm
Trickle down, They made this mess!
rooster
August 22nd, 2010
9:48 pm
I don’t mind a thoughtful conservative. Sometimes I think I may be one. I have sometimes thought Gingrich was one. But he shifts too readily from policy wonk in odd-numbered years to demagogue in even-numbered (election) years. I think there is good cause for a robust conservative opposition at the national level. I just don’t think the quality of most opposition rhetoric is what it needs to be. There are too many digressions into hot-button social issues, and not enough serious discussion of the proper size and scope of government. The problem with Newt is that he’s capable of serious discussion but won’t keep at it.
MR. TRICKLE DOWN ECONOMICS I do plan on voting Republican for the U.S. Senate and House, but I also plan to vote for Barnes for Governor. They will both be votes against single-party control of the executive and legislative branches.
Small Gov't My A##
August 23rd, 2010
8:03 am
Newt Grinch is only interesting when he is not in or running for office. As soon as he is running (or holding) office, he is just another partisan hack who spends all his time trying to out-do anyone and everyone with extremist rhetoric. This adulterer is a one-dimensional embarrassment who risks getting struck by lightening every time he opens his mouth to bloviate about “family values”.
Though I must admit, I’d love to see him crush Sarah Palin in a republican primary debate. Maybe then the right wing sycophants will see HER for what she really is (um… not smart), as pointed out by one of their own (since they will never listen to anyone else).
lmno
August 23rd, 2010
9:02 am
The Government has no role to play in this debate. Sure, express your opinion if you wish, but the government has no right to do anything to stop the mosque.
I thought you people wanted limited government?
Paddy O
August 23rd, 2010
10:06 am
Mr. Bill – you are pandering to the muslims. Osama Bin Laden is the hitler of islam – how much work have other muslims done to see this coward brought to justice? Thankfully, Bin Laden thus far has not wreaked the havoc of hitler. The other sad part is, when the Soviets were in Afghanistan (like us now), we provided assistance to Bin Laden as he fought our then enemy. It does seem we have convicted all muslims of the cowardly attack – not only on the WTC that destroyed it, but the 93 bombing, the shoe bomber, the underware bomber and the idiot muslim psychiatrist in Texas – do you also remember munich? the 1967 war? Thus far, it does not look like Allah thinks very much of his followers. But sneak attacks and other cowardly acts does not do any honor whatsoever to Allah.
Paddy O
August 23rd, 2010
10:06 am
unless, of course, allah is actually satan.
Paddy O
August 23rd, 2010
10:07 am
imno – it seems the city of NY has given permission – however, a whole lot of NY citizens – who still remember and suffer from the WTC attacks – don’t want it at the proposed site.
Paddy O
August 23rd, 2010
10:09 am
Common Sense – did McVeigh say he was acting on the will of Allah? Or Christ? stop the fuzzy distraction.
deegee
August 23rd, 2010
2:17 pm
The 9/11 bombers were influenced by bin Laden who was pissed off with the Saudi Arabian kings because they allowed American forces into Saudi territory during the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in 1990. Bin Laden tried to convince the Saudi kings to let him defend Saudi Arabia against Saddam Hussein in the event that the Saudi oil fields may become jeopardized. He was rejected and that pissed him off.
I don’t believe that even the most extremist muslims like Al Qaeda want to force Sharia law upon the West. They might want to force it upon the Muslim societies, but they aren’t interested in making New York into a Sharia state. Al Qaeda want the Americans out of Saudi Arabia, and they want the Jews out of Palestine.
Certainly the moderate Muslims don’t want to turn New York into a Sharia state. They have been coexisting peacefully with New Yorkers of every race and religion for decades. They didn’t bomb the World Trade Center. They may not even be politically inclined. The attack of 9/11 was more politically motivated than religiously motivated.
If there is one thing that binds muslims together it would be the rejection of Israel as a state. Does anyone see a resolution to that problem anytime soon? It has been going on since 1948 and yet there have been mosques in every corner of the US.
Common Sense
August 23rd, 2010
9:00 pm
Paddy O are you not smart enough to recognize sarcasm? The point is, he was a terrorist that bombed a building but was not a muslim, and there was no rush to stop people from renting trucks, just as there should be no rush to stop people from building Islamic community centers. If you would read, instead of comparing making incorrect comparisons and watching FAUX News all day, you would recognize it. By the way, are you out protesting against militias? They bomb and kill.
Mark
August 25th, 2010
12:27 am
We were told in church on Sunday that Newt Gingrich, a recent convert to Catholicism, canceled his involvement in the 9/11 protest because of a call from the Archbishop of New York.