A new round of controversy over the Ground Zero mosque began Friday night when President Obama was asked about the Muslim community center in lower Manhattan. Republicans were really mad and plan to use this against democrats in fall elections when Obama explained that religions in the U.S. all have the exact same rights, including Muslims. This was a heated conversation on cable news. Meanwhile, it was business as usual at the bars, strip joints and liquor stores surrounding Ground Zero. And a mosque mot much further from Ground Zero than the proposed Muslim community center conducted worship services.
Different of opinion by politicians on Ground Zero
Friday night was the beginning of the Muslim holiday, Ramadan, which is when Obama decided to speak at the Ground Zero mosque on the issue. Evidently the president explained, according to ABC News, in “forceful tones” about how American values should be probably the most essential thing when it comes to anything around Ground Zero. Democrats running in midterm elections quailed at the prospect of defending the president’s statement. 68 percent of individuals responding to a CNN poll said that building a mosque at Ground Zero is a bad idea. Republicans have pandered to the voters evidently.
Obama’s Ground Zero comments in context
Midterm elections have the Ground Zero mosque as a major issue for politicians. Because Obama is supporting the Muslim community so much, Republicans call him “out of touch” and plan to use that in elections against him. We get to see what the Washington Post puts as Obama’s comments with extra things that other media left out conveniently:
Now, we must all recognize and respect the sensitivities surrounding the development of Lower Manhattan. The 9/11 attacks were a deeply traumatic event for our country. And the pain and the experience of suffering by those who lost loved ones is just unimaginable. So I understand the emotions that this issue engenders. And Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground.
There are a lot of mosques in lower Manhattan
The Ground Zero mosque, a local issue, is now political fodder for a bogus national referendum. Ground Zero nevertheless is exactly the exact same of course. According to Indy Posted, lower Manhattan already has many mosques. A mosque is already in place only 2,000 feet from where Ground Zero is. 686 feet closer would be where the new Muslim center would end up being. The New York Daily News reports that people coming to the scene of the worst terrorist attack on American soil can purchase porn, bet on horses and take care of all manner of personal business. Two blocks away, the Pussycat Lounge woos patrons with posters of nearly naked women. Next door, the marquee at the Thunder Lingerie and peep show sports an American flag above a window display of sex toys.
Additional reading at these websites
ABC News
abcnews.go.com/WN/obama-mosque-controversy-president-entered-discussion/story?id=11409448
Washington Post
voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/08/white_house_official_mosque_wo.html
New York Daily News
nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/08/16/2010-08-16_a_sea_of_filth_near_ground_zer0_mosque_gets_all_the_press_but_porns_around_corne.html
