Open Thread

“”By benson on September 1, 2010 3:54 PM
Donatella;
Thanks, but I will not post on the OT. If I did, I would rip a new one on a few people there, who royally deserve it. They are smug bigots, plain and simple, and I have no desire to deal with them.”

Awwwwww…….benson’s widdle feelings is hurt. Good- now we won’t have to read more of his Carter “jokes.”

The Imam’s problem is that he is required by the right to keep on explaining himself over and over and over and over. And apologizing over and over and over and over. Forget it. He has a solid record of interfaith cooperation and understanding. He spoke at Daniel Pearl’s funeral for Pete’s sake. A Jewish American citizen killed by Muslim terrorists. No one is that forgiving at a funeral unless they were sure in their hearts that this man was who is is.

He’s explained every utterance or speech or appearance he’s made since he emerged from his mother’s womb. Over and over and over and over. Stop already. The right doesn’t care what his record is, and they won’t accept any “proof” that he is not allied with terrorists. He’s a Muslim. That’s proof enough, and nothing he says or does will ever win him over. That’s the kind of bigotry and hatred he’s up against.

If I were him, I’d ignore every demand for more “proof” and go about my business doing good, just as he was doing before all this started. Let ’em stew.

By dirty_hipster on September 1, 2010 5:01 PM

slopefarm is the king of pwnage

…not so fast unkempt cool dude,

in response to Slopefarm

1. Do you advocate the use of governmental authority to prevent the project or is this solely a matter of trying to persuade/pressure the developer to give up?

No, but I do expect my government to be able to discern a pattern of behavior and financial backing which is questionable and may require the need for lengthy and in depth investigation as to the source of funding.

2. Distance — how close can a mosque or Islamic cultural center be to Ground Zero? Do you object to the Muslim religious services taking place at the same address now? Do you object to the mosques 4 and 12 blocks away? Would you oppose this project in Brooklyn? Iowa?

On this one, I would take a hint from former Congressman Jesse Helms who said about pornography: “I know it when I see it”. obviously no connection with religion and pornography, but lets trust the American people on this one. A clear majority find this site sensitive. Why do we ask more of them than we should of those in Mecca and Medina?
To answer your question more directly. A site that doesn’t look over the remains of the World Trade Center seems appropriate.

3. Project size — would you accept a smaller project at the site? Something on the scale of the existing building? A mosque with some offices and classrooms?

From the start I said that the scope of this project was at issue. Why the need for a 13 Story structure that may be used by many of our enemies as a “trophy” in their struggle against the west.
If the plans called for a 2 story structure, I don’t think I would have even cared much.

4. Different imam? Would you accept the physical project as is if led by a cleric who clearly denounced islamic extemism and terrorism and announced love for USA and respect fo US rule of law, etc.?

A different Imam with a history building bridges with the US would probalby be better. Not one with a paper trail that seems to have a distinct Islamist bent.

5. What do you understand the real problem of the project to be? Injured feelings of 9/11 victims and families? Triumphalist propaganda? Or do you really think this is a threat to our constitutional system?

Yes to Injured feelings as attested to by the families of those killed on 9/11.
Yes to triumphalist propaganda, why cede this as a matter of course, even if it isn’t intended?
No, it is not a constitutional question in my opinion. I never stated that they didn’t have a constitutional right to build there.

What is your bottom line about the minimum this project would have to change for you to drop your opposition to it?

Slopefarm, I’lll ask you.
Why won’t this Imam denounce Hamas?

in the words of the What…
“NEXT”.
😉

Does this mean benson’s not coming to Black Bird?

“They are smug bigots, plain and simple, and I have no desire to deal with them.”

OY.