"Ground Zero Mosque", Idiotic debate Options

[thefunkyredcaboose]

Anyone else think this whole debate is as asinine as I do? It isn't at Ground Zero and it isn't a Mosque.

Americans...

[sh4rpz]

I read about this a few months back. Can I just ask quickly if the Mosque being built at ground zero, or not? What is the factual info about the site and where it is etc?

Edit: Just read that it is 2 blocks away from Ground Zero. Anyone can confirm this? http://abcnews.go.com/WN/president-obama-s...ory?id=11401964

This post has been edited by sh4rpz: Aug 23 2010, 6:51 am

[ItchyTriggerFinger]

I read about this a few months back. Can I just ask quickly if the Mosque being built at ground zero, or not? What is the factual info about the site and where it is etc?

Edit: Just read that it is 2 blocks away from Ground Zero. Anyone can confirm this? http://abcnews.go.com/WN/president-obama-s...ory?id=11401964

That's about right. Though in terms of city blocks, two of them are nothing, especially when you consider how much square footage each of the Twin Towers took up. Also, the building in question was damaged in the 9/11 attacks as well. So to many, yes, it is considered part of Ground Zero.

Here's my view on this whole thing. Do they have a legal right to build the thing? Yes, they do. But if there were a single shred of truth to their claims of wanting to build bridges with the non-Muslim community, they would have listened to the outcry and moved the location. All they are doing now is ripping open a wound that is not close to healed and pouring salt and vinegar on it.

Maybe people would feel differently if the city wasn't so damn far behind on rebuilding the area, including having the memorials built. But as it stands right now, there's going to be a 15 story mosque (along with other amenities) that will overlook the giant hole where the towers once stood.

I worked just across the river from the towers, a scant 5 miles as the crow flies. I watched them burn and could smell the smoke for some time afterward when the winds were right. So yeah, people who casually dismiss this piss me the fuck off.

I still remember the helpless feeling of trying to contact everyone I knew who could possibly be in the area, dealing with overloaded cell phone systems, scouring news reports. Trying to find some way to help. Not even being able to give blood because they just couldn't accommodate any more donors.

So, I ask that you tread carefully here folks.

[Sakhmet2]

That's about right. Though in terms of city blocks, two of them are nothing, especially when you consider how much square footage each of the Twin Towers took up. Also, the building in question was damaged in the 9/11 attacks as well. So to many, yes, it is considered part of Ground Zero.
Here's my view on this whole thing. Do they have a legal right to build the thing? Yes, they do. But if there were a single shred of truth to their claims of wanting to build bridges with the non-Muslim community, they would have listened to the outcry and moved the location. All they are doing now is ripping open a wound that is not close to healed and pouring salt and vinegar on it.
Maybe people would feel differently if the city wasn't so damn far behind on rebuilding the area, including having the memorials built. But as it stands right now, there's going to be a 15 story mosque (along with other amenities) that will overlook the giant hole where the towers once stood.
I worked just across the river from the towers, a scant 5 miles as the crow flies. I watched them burn and could smell the smoke for some time afterward when the winds were right. So yeah, people who casually dismiss this piss me the fuck off.
I still remember the helpless feeling of trying to contact everyone I knew who could possibly be in the area, dealing with overloaded cell phone systems, scouring news reports. Trying to find some way to help. Not even being able to give blood because they just couldn't accommodate any more donors.
So, I ask that you tread carefully here folks.

I am not casually dismissing this at all. I think the distortion of reality and hypocrisy for political purposes - whores and fries are okay within 2 blocks of the site, but no community centres please - is a real issue. Muslims died in that attack. So did Christians, Jews, and probably representatives of all the major religions.

I remember that day really well too. My best friend lived in lower Manhattan when the attacks went down. I couldn't get in touch with him for a week . His family were frantic. We tried to drive to the city to look for him, but couldn't get through. He was sick for a long time because of asthma brought on by the ashes.

Thanks for the info Sakhmet2.
I come from an Islamic background, and I can tell you that my 1st thoughts when I read about the proposed building and the site, was that it would just bring about a series of problems based on misinterpretation and misunderstanding.

You would find a supporter is this columnist: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Mi...0303/story.html

I totally agree with you that the need for another mosque in the area - or church or synagogue, for that matter - is very questionable. NYC is full of places of worship. However, this centre was supposedly multi-cultural.

This post has been edited by Sakhmet2: Aug 23 2010, 7:47 am

[ItchyTriggerFinger]

I am not casually dismissing this at all. I think the distortion of reality and hypocrisy for political purposes - whores and fries are okay within 2 blocks of the site, but no community centres please - is a real issue. Muslims died in that attack. So did Christians, Jews, and probably representatives of all the major religions.

I remember that day really well too. My best friend lived in lower Manhattan when the attacks went down. I couldn't get in touch with him for a week . His family were frantic. We tried to drive to the city to look for him, but couldn't get through. He was sick for a long time because of asthma brought on by the ashes.

Whose political purposes? It sure as heck isn't one side over the other. Not when you've got Harry Reid, Democratic Senate Majority Leader, breaking ranks with the President over the issue.

The Republican party sure as heck isn't in lockstep on this either. Many agree that they have the legal right to build the thing. That still doesn't make it a smart move.

And what the fuck does whores and fries have to do with this? Fuck the Guardian and their cutesy fucking article.

The issue is the words they use for their intent stand in direct contradiction to the effect the place is having before it is even built.