The American Spectator

ECM| 8.20.10 @ 4:53PM

...EVERY other building surrounding it has been so designated.

Is this accurate? If so, that's a bit disturbing on a number of levels.

Alan Brooks| 8.20.10 @ 5:07PM

It will work out well:
due to its planned location the mosque will be under private surveillance all the time, passersby and visitors will keep an eye on it.

The gay bar idea is just great, BTW.

W. L. Barton| 8.20.10 @ 5:37PM

Muslim fanatics, and you so called Christian fanatics are as different as dog and cat shit.
You wannabe McVeighs, the 1st Gulf War vet to go religiously delusional, and murder babies. You baby killers get a kick out of murdering kids, whose bodies are strew all over Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, while you armchair warriors root like the gutless wonder fools you are, is disgusting.

Americanpatriot| 8.20.10 @ 5:51PM

What planet are you from???

ECM| 8.20.10 @ 6:11PM

Geez, this might just be the most ironic comment of the year.

Debra| 8.20.10 @ 7:18PM

I was going to remark that this person has really deep anger management problems. Then I thought about requesting that his insulting remarks be removed. After a minutes thought (about all this post is worth) I decided it is better to let it stand so everyone else can see what an idiot he/she is.

David W| 8.20.10 @ 7:23PM

Again, the liberal left shows their true colors. They expect civil treatment, yet they are vile, profane, and big poopie heads (see, you made me so mad that I just had to cuss).

Mike| 8.21.10 @ 7:36AM

This post points out the problem that the Maha Rushie has been pondering lately - Why is it that purported American citizens hate their own country? If you dislike this country so much, please renounce your citizenship and pick somewhere else.

Mimi| 8.21.10 @ 11:47AM

You Sir: Sound like an IDIOT! An angry one at that. Your thoughts and speech are ...DELUSIONAL! Advice from a retired psychiatric RN. Who politically (by pandering to PRO-ABORTION advocates) have killed more beautiful-babies? In truth gutless to the MAX!!!

Interested Conservative| 8.21.10 @ 12:21PM

Next.

Tim*| 8.21.10 @ 4:37PM

Horse Shit !

Ret. Marine| 8.22.10 @ 6:49AM

Hey dipsheet, the only one's killing babies and innocence are the very people who we are currently shooting and killing, the very ones that are killing their own kind. Go back to idiots r us website, We the Patriots and former combat veterans know well of the stink of which you speak, are you even an American. I hardly doubt it, no American would speak to another protecting their lives by killing the bad guys for your sake and then call them baby killers, You sir are a phoney who more than likely voted for the "won" who authorized your tax dollars to do just that, kill babies in other country's. DOn't go away mad dipsheet, just go away.

W.L. Barton| 8.22.10 @ 1:49PM

My Lai is historical proof, no matter what a braindead shitdick jarhead mutters.
Americans murder, have murdered, and will continue to stick their big damn noses where they do not belong.
Thank God American helicopter soldiers stopped Lt. Calley, who should have been hung,
or the death toll would have been higher. The helicopter pilots should get the Medal of Honor, since they showed true warrior spirit, leaving non combatants alone, and fighting real soldiers, not participating in MURDER.

Hank Rearden - WI| 8.22.10 @ 8:25PM

My Lai is historical proof, that the darkside of American history just happens to occur under, or as a result of a braindead shitdick DemocRAT president. My Lai - March 1968 - under Lyndon "the Great Society" Johnson.

Ronald Fendon| 8.20.10 @ 6:00PM

A little history lesson because no one seems to know the significance of the name, "Cordoba House". When the Arabs overran Spain around 711AD, they ruined the oldest Christian church in Europe at Cordoba and built a mosque on the site. Do you see a parallel here. This is a thumb in our eye and an insult.-- A political statement. We can't even finish rebuilding the site of the Trade Center after 9 years!!!. It took until 1492 before King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella finally drove the last ones out, but the mosque still stands at Cordoba.

JimH| 8.21.10 @ 1:14PM

What do you think the chances of a Lepanto house in Mecca are?

Tom Shire| 8.21.10 @ 1:22PM

Uh, Mr. Fendon, the city of Cordoba, Spain changed hands many times over the millenia. The Romans conquered it, the Byzantines, Visigoths, Portuguese, etc., etc. Claiming that the mention of Cordoba is meant to poke a "thumb in our eye" seems a stretch when so many conquerors have had their thumbs in that pie. Who gets credit for something so many people have done? Oh, and have you forgotten that we are Americans, not Spaniards?

If you want to know the real reason behind Imam Rauf naming his initiatives after 'Cordoba' (something tells me you don't really care since prior to leaving your comment you could have discovered the real rationale as easily as I did), all you have to do is read a 2006 review of his book 'What's Right with Islam IS What's Right with America.'

http://www.strategicforesight......hislam.htm

Reviewer Devika Mistry wrote, "...Imam Fesial Abdul Rauf, draws on his extensive study of the religious scriptures of Islam and traces the common historical and philosophical roots and religious values between the Abrahamic traditions, the Jews, Christians and the Muslims – to draw out an all abiding Abrahamic ethic – which underlies all monotheistic religions and is based on the values of justice and equality. Imam Rauf traces back the evolution of these foundational beliefs through the golden age of Islam in medieval Cordoba and Baghdad to the development of the democratic and capitalist principals of the West. By doing so, the Imam, begins the ambitious quest of building the basis for rebuilding that relationship by demonstrating that the Islamic principals actually support the fundamental values of a pluralistic, free society; uncovers the promise of a Muslim form of democratic capitalism within the Quran and draws a vision of a Muslim world that can embrace its own form of democracy and capitalism, aspiring for a new Cordoba, a time in history, where Jews, Christians, Muslims and all other traditions lived together in peace and prosperity..."

As you can see, Mr. Fendon, your analysis is completely off-base. But that didn't stop you from making it, and in the process smearing the name and motivations of a man who you don't know and has never harmed you in the least.

Do you consider yourself a Christian? Or a sin to bear false witness against others? I hope you are man enough to admit your error and apologize for all to see.

Thomas Aquinas| 8.22.10 @ 2:33AM

Tom: You sure wasted a lot of bytes for answering a question Ron was not asking. He was referring to the Church at Cordoba, and not the city.

And besides, your entire grounds for calling Ron a liar is a friendly review of a book by the guy building the mosque? Are you sure the reviewer is right about the book? Did you see if there were contrary accounts offered by historians, or did you just clip the link once you got your money quote?

For a more circumspect analysis of Cordoba, I suggest you begin looking here (http://tinyurl.com/2cs4yz5 ) and here ( http://tinyurl.com/2dhky98 ).

Perhaps these disparate accounts can be reconciled. But it seems wrong to claim that Ron is liar. He may be wrong, but there is abundance of scholarly evidence to support his point of view.

Tom Shire| 8.24.10 @ 8:26PM

Well, I wouldn't have thought that someone who goes by the nom de plume Thomas Aquinas would be deterred by a statement of any length or complexity. In light of that unexpected reality, allow me to simplify the situation for you:

1) The Muslim-Americans who want to build the community center had nothing to do with 9/11.
2) They should not be asked to pay a price on behalf of those who did.
3) If you or anyone else chooses to blame all Muslims, including Muslim-Americans, for the crime of 9/11, that is your issue to deal with.
4) Collective punishment hurts innocent people. Is that Thomas Aquinas' idea of justice?
5) Osama bin Laden believes in collective punishment. And now, apparently, many Americans do as well.

As for my challenge to Ronald Fendon, he wrote, "...[t]his is a thumb in our eye and an insult.-- A political statement."

Since it is clear that Imam Rauf had the ideals of peace and cooperation in mind when he used the name 'Cordoba,' I challenged Mr. Fendon on his characterization of the motives of a man he likely has never met and does not know in any depth or detail.

So I'll ask again: Is it a sin to bear false witness? Remember, no matter how other's choose to interpret the meaning behind 'Cordoba,' no matter how many alleged injustices are resurrected from that period, Imam Rauf made his meaning of "peace and prosperity" quite clear in 2006 (long before this manufactured controversy took root). In light of Imam Rauf's clearly stated meaning and intentions, will Mr. Fendon retract his assertions and mis-characterizations for all to see?

Majito| 8.23.10 @ 9:20AM

wow talking about bringing tangents to re-direct an argument...i'm sure rauf is not thinking that cordoba is a good name because rome invaded and created hispania citerior and hispania ulterioran and conquered cordoba...who gives a hut about who conquered the city before 711 AD? rauf is thinking more like the córdoban general, al-mansour who terrorized much of christian northern spain – notably by raiding barcelona and also destroying the cathedral at santiago de compostela in 997 and then forcing the defeated christians to carry the doors and bells from the ruins all the way to córdoba, where they were incorporated into the mosque...now nobody has conquered cordoba since the moors were expelled from spain in 1492...perhaps this mosque in nyc will serve as a pattern to finally eradicate this blood thirsty religion from usa. but the record is there islam does not respect any other religion, is intolerant of non-muslims and still practiced by barbarians...no matter how you spin it

BCinTN| 8.20.10 @ 6:55PM

Although this "islamic center"/mosque is by far the most bothersome, particularly due to location and questions unanswered, it appears to be one of many (I believe I read around 30 in one article)under construction in several states across the US. In TN we have 3 new mega-mosques in various stages of construction as we speak: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010.....-centers/. Many are wondering why areas with muslim populations of around 250 need 15 acres and 50,000+ square feet. Again, many questions remain unanswered as to funding and the background and intentions of those involved. And why so many simultaneously? Any chance it's a series of coincidences? Perhaps there are more questions that need answers in regions in addition to New York.

Ken (Old Texican)| 8.21.10 @ 10:03AM

Maybe they need room for an indoor shooting range?

dbowers| 8.20.10 @ 7:30PM

Has anyone heard of the Trojan Horse. A thirteen story building would make an excellent blast platform for a nuclear weapon.

Lexington| 8.20.10 @ 11:33PM

hmmm, now there's an idea. A mosque in Washington, Chicago, San Fransico, Los Angeles...might be on to something here.

David W| 8.20.10 @ 7:31PM

By the way, I read somewhere that the current owners of the building wanted to build condos. However, they knew they would be unable to sell them in this market. I'm just wondering if instead of being serious about the mosque, they are just trying to get people worked up enough so that the city or state of NY will offer to buy it from them. Given their lack of wanting to work things out I wonder. I think someone also suggested making it a true interfaith center (kind of like the chapel in the Pentagon). Thus Muslim, Christian, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist, Wiccan, and Pantheist can come together, share their faiths, see that we aren't all that different (okay, sorry, my compassionate conservative is leaking out). Though I doubt they would be willing to do that either. I'm just waiting to see if this is really a scam to sell off their building instead of really building a mosque.

Sheila| 8.20.10 @ 7:38PM

Just once I'd like to see an AS columnist write a post without the standard apologetics: "There are plenty of moderate Muslims out there. Many of them are patriotic Americans." Yes, yes, and Islam is a religion of peace. You and our other betters have told us many a time. You keep relying on all those moderate and patriotic Muslim Americans, Quinn. Those of us who, for some strange reason, don't feel the need to curry favor with today's sages, will continue to acknowledge that there is nothing moderate about a religion created by a medieval Arab pedophile from his crazed visions. Decline and fall.

Teflon93| 8.20.10 @ 8:25PM

I hear all this talk of "moderate Muslims" yet never see any.

Where are they?

A good test would be a Muslim who opposes sharia law, dhimmitude, and supports the right of Israel to exist.

Where may such creatures be found?

Texas Mom| 8.21.10 @ 11:38AM

Try Miss USA!!! She is Muslim and objects to the GZ Mosque.

Teflon93| 8.21.10 @ 1:41PM

Here is the link to Rima Fakih's comments:

http://www.themoneytimes.com/f.....25354.html

No idea what she thinks of sharia or dhimmitude but I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.

So that's one. Where's the rest of the "plenty"?

Majito| 8.23.10 @ 9:26AM

muslim? she's of lebanese ancestry but that does not make her a muslim...besides, she's dead on her feet is she ever steps in a muslim ruled country...so i find her remarks kind of wishy washy...read don't count...a lebanese woman who pole dances can't be a muslim...she'll be beheaded in a heart beat...

Majito| 8.23.10 @ 9:30AM

additional information about Miss USA: Muslim scholar Ghazal Omid wrote "To say that she is a Muslim is inaccurate. No Muslim woman can call herself a ... Muslim and be on stage with her bikini". Responding to the issue in interviews, Fakih said she and her family are Muslims and respect the religion, but they may not be as strict as many people and do not define themselves by their religion; they view themselves as more "spiritual" than "religious" and appreciate all religions.

so there you have it...she is 'spiritual' whatever that means...in muslims circles that's an apostate and worthy of dead...

Pete| 8.20.10 @ 9:10PM

I think the American people (especially those who lost loved ones at Ground Zero) were trying to "move on" when this atrocity was proposed. But we are "bigger and better" so we get to "move on" again. Crikey.

Chris| 8.20.10 @ 10:15PM

It doesn't matter how many "moderate" Muslims there are if they aren't in charge. The true Muslims are in charge and calling the shots.

BTW, what does a "moderate" Muslim believe that a true Muslim doesn't and what is the history of that belief?

ggoblue| 8.20.10 @ 11:23PM

the only thing that makes us look weak is our weakness. we should throw this imam into the harbor. like right now.

Yosemeti Sam| 8.21.10 @ 1:00AM

Um, again:

The First Commandment versus the First Amendment.

Religious diversity considerations are - subordinately irrelevant in a putative
Christian-oriented nation. Got that - Baalist LBSM PEN1?

Heinous 'diversity' Baal exhibit A - the Baalist Moloch alter of CHOICE!

Now, either one is a core zealot for the GOD of CHRIST or one is a diversity-minded Baalist!

Bloomberg for demonstration - really now, to whom are thy core allegiances?

And, um, WHO ya think is keeping track of all this religious tug-of-war business on planet Earth?

The First Commandment or the First Amendment - the line has always been CLEARLY drawn.

Either one sees it - or ignobly ignores it!

The Baalists have their motto down pat in this world - the Antichrist faith.

Will the soldiers of the GOD of Christ rebuild their ancient heritage of FAITH or allow themselves to - in the spirit of virulent PC - to be dragged down the wide path of Baal perdition?

martin j smith| 8.21.10 @ 8:44AM

This Msque would not be an issue if it were not for BHO himself. My theory is this: He,along with American and foreign Moslim leaders created the idea. This fits well into BHo's playbook on two fronts; create national divinsion and appease Muslim radicals. BHO purposely made this a national issue but --and here let us pray that I am right--correct for others: That this controversy will expose not only the lies espoused by the GZ Mosque leaders as false on "peaceful intentions" but also expose BHO's false policies of appeasement. It will hurt not help the Democrat Party. That is why that party is split on this issue.
Finally, Bloomberg is a puppet of Obama willingly or not I do not know. That could go either way.

Virginia11775| 8.21.10 @ 9:52AM

Bloomberg's eyes became "misty" when he spoke of how his parents asked their Christian attorney to buy their home for them in MA when he was young. His eyes likely became saucers when the number was thrown out at him how much he stood to gain from supporting this Ground Zero mosque. Bloomberg is a man ruled by his petty grievances, sometimes irrationally, and he is also a businessman. He obviously dislikes Christians, and he is in bed with Middle Eastern oil interests.

"New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has defiantly supported the mosque location"

Ground Zero Mosque Madness: NYC Mayor Bloomberg’s Bloomberg LLC expanding its financial center to a regional hub in Dubai...
http://emergingcorrupti​on.com/?p=726

Bloomberg makes Dubai a hub..
http://www.thenational.​ae/article/2008102​9/BUSINESS/302158245/1005

"Max Linnington, the company’s newly appointed regional head of Middle East and South Asia,...

“Particularly since the meltdown of the western capitalist system, there has been an increasingly large focus on the virtues of Islamic finance,” he said. “Today, there is no one single provider of information that caters to the Islamic finance market. So by Bloomberg being here, we are in the process of building out an Islamic finance product. We are very confident that we can build a product that meets the needs of the market right now.”

Despite the fact that its client base of financial professionals has been among those hardest hit by the economic crisis, Mr Linnington said the company’s business “is up fairly significantly in today’s environment”.

The author is correct that this Burlington Coat Factory building has been a proposed landmark since 1989, and all its cast iron neighbors in the trendy Soho area are landmarked. There is a good case that the committee was arbitrary in their decision-making, because this building ties two distinct eras together, the greatness of American industry and its resilience in the face of brutal and repeated attacks to the WTC.

It seems the owners are also tax cheats, the land was sold below market value, and it was paid for in cash by a man who could not possibly afford it. Other financing will likely turn up more unsavory connections, and the imam, though sponsored by our State Department, already has plenty of them.

The reason this has become such a controversy is because proper procedure was not followed. If it is a political statement Imam Rauf, his wife and his friends are trying to make by insulting victims' families and inciting our enemies to crow about our misfortune, then he has no right to build this mosque. Ground Zero is hallowed ground. Rauf is aware of the proximity to the building. Property rights do not trump personal rights when someone is promoting an intolerant legal system such as sharia law or an ideology like wahabism.

Virginia11775| 8.21.10 @ 10:02AM

Americans need to remain steadfast in their opposition to this project, and they need to wake up to the reality that some of their leaders have been bought. Read up on how taxpayer-supported AIG is now engaging in sharia-compliant financing. This is wealth transfer from "infidels" to Muslims, and often at the expense of our self interest or national security, since Islamists will acknowledge they are at war with us. Rauf has allegedly spoken out in support of Bin Laden, so be prepared for more to come out on that. This is a bigger story than just another building in Soho.

Martin J smith| 8.21.10 @ 10:14AM

There is a great front page picture in the NY POST with the caption" Tourist of Arabia". Guess who is the "tourist". The picture fills 70% of the page.

Oldefarte| 8.21.10 @ 11:46AM

Quin, my friend, you are simply being too POLITICALLY CORRECT with this issue. This project is/was nothing more than an IN YOUR FACE/GIVE THEM THE FINGER political affront to this country, and you know it [but that's okay, since you as a writer have to be slightly PC, whereas the rest of us do not have that responsibility]. There is absolutely no earthly/logical/rational reason WHY this mosque should be built a that site. Equally incorrect is the thought that, once built, it could then be politically monitored. IMO, each and every mosque in this country should be monitored by the government, and if determined to contain terrorist-inspired teachings/brainwashings/indoctronations; then same should be closed/shut down and their religious officials should be prosecuted. This is not [nor has it ever been] a question of religious freedom issue; but rather one of physical survival for this country. These mosques all contain radical elements within same, in their teachings, writings, religious instructions, etc; and all of same are directed at the sole purpose of combating/destroying their perceived enemy [which is/has been anyone or anything that disagrees with their notion that their religion [and its leader] is superior to all others. It's simply amazing to me how the moronic liberal left can moan, groan, and pi$% about the travesty of the Locerbie/Pan-Am plane bombing by those Liberian [Muslim] fanatics; and then turn right around and spread their BULLEXCREMENT about the need for freedom of religion and the building of this mosque at this site. It's pure BS and you and everyone else with average intelligence should know same. The idea that Nancy Pilosi should be allowed as House Speaker to proclaim the need to investigate anyone questioning the need for this mosque should result in a hue and cry for her immediate removal [as to our CHOSEN ONE, hopefully, if enough conservative Republicans are elected in November, an immediate IMPEACHMENT charge will be put forth in congress by same over this and every other Americ-destructive policy legislation that he/they have formulated]. Finally, no way should this mosque be built [and furthermore an immediate investigation by government of every mosque (and all religious establishments if necessary for PC purposes should be instituted]!!!!!

Fredrick Ward| 8.21.10 @ 2:50PM

Agreed. All Islamic sites should be surveilled at all times.

Mimi| 8.21.10 @ 11:59AM

BRAVO....WOW... You Said it all!!! Thanks again O.F.

DRed| 8.21.10 @ 4:17PM

Sir,

Regarding the landmark status of the surrounding buildings, it appears that none of them have been granted landmark status. If you'd like to check for yourself, you can go to this website.

http://gis.nyc.gov/doitt/nycitymap/

martin j smith| 8.22.10 @ 8:22AM

Here is a fictitous conversation between Bloomber and Rauf of GZMosque fame.
Bloomberg: Rauffy babay nice of you to drop by I really think we need to talk about that Mosque of yours.

Rauf: oh yeeeeeeeeeah sez who ?

Well, to be hones Prezz Obama asked me to have a word with you.
Rauf : why can't that wiesel coward call me ?
Blooomberg: Well, you know he is busy on his sixth vacation and he is really overwhelmed. So I am helping him out.
Rauf: OK so what is the bottom line here ?
Bloomberg: He wants you to change name of your mosque --
please listen.
Rauf: Is he crazy ? You are a Jew -filthy pig!!!!!
I outta here.
Bloomberg: Raufy baby no need to get bent out of shape. Just call it the 9/11 Memorial Mosque that is dedicated to the rememberence of the victims of 9/11.
Rauf: Good by to you Jew filt court Jew. Get lost !!!!!!!!!
Bloomberg: its just a suggestion.

kevin| 8.22.10 @ 1:57PM

U folks on the right are hillarious!!!!! Having the time of my life reading your comments. LMFAO!!! U folks aren't conservatve, u guys are REPUBLICANS!! BIG DIFFERENCE!!!

martin j smith| 8.22.10 @ 4:11PM

Hey kevin: who cares what you think ? Besides if you don't like it--go somewhere else.

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