Let Me Say Unequivocally; the President Did Not Equivocate

|

RICH LOWRY (in the NY Post): "Obama managed to stake a brave stand on a principle no one seriously contests — the legal right to build the mosque — while voting "present" on the question that matters: Whether they should or not."

I'm not sure how many examples of disingenuousness anyone can fit into one sentence, but this may take the prize.

No one seriously contests the legal right to build the mosque?

E-Mosque-culated (The Gateway)

|

Azi Paybarah says: GOP #nysen candidate Bruce Blakeman: "mosque in shadow of ground zero mocks the death of my nephew, Tommy" #wtc #groundzero #islam

Gatemouth says: wow–a two-headed cheap exploitation, but no matter how hard Blakeman plays for pathos, I can't stop laughing about how a politician emasculated by the public exposure that Paul McCartney was fucking his wife (sadly, his sole real claim to fame) is now running a therapeutic race for the US Senate, as he tries to soothe his limp and puny wounded masculinity with the political equivalent of buying a big sports car he can't afford.

 

Late Breaking News and Gate Breaking News (The Gateway)

|

"That is who we are fighting against. And the reason that we will win this fight is not simply the strength of our arms – it is the strength of our values. The democracy that we uphold. The freedoms that we cherish. The laws that we apply without regard to race or religion; wealth or status. Our capacity to show not merely tolerance, but respect to those who are different from us – a way of life that stands in stark contrast to the nihilism of those who attacked us on that September morning, and who continue to plot against us today."

Gatemouth has never been more proud of his President, or more worried about his country.

Of course, some may ask, but what doth it profit you if you gain your soul, but lose the Congress?

A Change of Pace: Still writing About the “Mosque,” But this Time I Slap a Stupid Leftie (The Gateway)

|

This leftie write about why Americans are afraid of Mosques and Muslims. I personally reject the premise.

I would think mosques themselves are not terrifying, as the likelihood of being the victim of a suicide bomber when you're near one is probably pretty close to nil (although the JDL still apparently exists). As to Muslims, most I know don't scare me (except perhaps that six foot three wannabe Italian from Carroll Gardens who helped lead the fight against the battered women's shelter), and besides, they generally make better falafel than the kosher places.

I've been outspoken in my belief that those making an issue about the Young Men’s Islamic Association proposed for The Holy Mother Coat Factory facility are dead wrong, and un-American to boot. However, that being said, this article is total crapola.

First of all, I don't know if "fear" is quite the right word, and while I do think garden variety ignorance and xenophobia are part of the problem, let's face facts; the issues most Americans have with Islam do not stem from being brainwashed by "government policy and actions since the attacks of 9/11," they stem from those attacks themselves, and are further amplified by a well justified revulsion towards other actions taken by fanatics in the name of Islam.

But that doesn’t make the opposition towards this facility and other Islamic projects right; it just makes the author of this article a jerk. Why Americans Are Terrified of Mosques and Muslims – uprisingradio.org uprisingradio.org

 

Gatey: Your Mosquecow Correspondent (The Gateway)

|

Apparently, The Holy Mother Coat Factory was not the first choice for the site of the proposed Young Men‘s Islamic Association; they tried to acquire different locations first. Park Place was just where they happened to find a building they could buy. So to Answer Pamela’s Geller's constitutionally protected bus ad question, "Why there?" –"that's why; you miserable hate-spewing bitch"

I guess as someone who lives by the Gowanus Canal, I’m just a bit tired of the “Why There?” question. As Polls Go Against the Mosque, Bloomberg Preaches Religious Liberty – Page 2 – Columns – New York – www.villagevoice.com

 

Stuck Between Hadleyburg and Fudgpakistan (The Gateway)

|

Conservative blogger proposes a gay bar next door to the Young Men's Islamic Association to be located at the Holy Mother Coat Factory. I would not oppose this, especially if they carried some good microbrews (though I will note that State Liquor Authority regulations would probably restrict it to just wine and beer); however, adding a Swiss Pork Store, a Talis dealer and a Puppy City would seem to be gilding the lily. But in the end, it's New York; so love it or fucking leave it. I also want not oppose putting a gay bar next to Ruben Diaz's church. I'd say the same of St. Patrick's Cathedral, but one would have to be very careful about carding the customers. 'Ground Zero Islamic Gay Bar': Good Idea? | The Atlantic Wire www.theatlanticwire.com

This is Just Too Damn Nuts

|

Last year, I took some heat from all over the political spectrum for my multi-part crusade against raving psychotic anti-Semitic lunatic Jimmy McMillan and his Rent is Too Damn High Party.

People defended their right to ballot access, people defended those who made alliances of convenience with them, and people said they were harmless, so why bother.

But I contended they were doing real harm, including helping Bloomberg’s re-election.

The Gateway (Really Inconsequential Weekend Fish-Wrap Edition)

|

I think that those accusing Bill DeBlasio of being weasely on the Young Men's Islamic Association proposed for the Holy Mother Coat Factory are just traveling on cruise control, accepting the received wisdom that DiBlasio would handle this issue like he handles everything else.

That's unfair.

Yes, normally, it would be offensive to assume that anyone (even our surprisingly outspoken Mayor) would object to investigating the source of the "Mosque's" money if there were an actual credible national security concern (and the investigation were conducted in the normal course of business by the FBI or the Department of Homeland Security rather than in public by the NYC Council Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations).

One Half of All Articles on Petition Challenges Say that New York Accounts for One Half of All Election Law Litigation

|

MARY ALICE MILLER: [Senator Kevin] Parker was at the BOE challenging his opponent's petitions. (He didn't mention Wellington Sharpe by name.) During the conversation, Parker said this about the likelihood of petitions being challenged in Brooklyn: “The ballot process is one of the most corrupt processes. What you find in this country is that 50% of the ballot challenges happen in the state of New York. And 50% of those happen in the borough of Brooklyn.”

Let me be clear, I did not write this piece because I am out to get Senator Kevin Parker.

© Room Eight