Park 51 'Ground Zero' Mosque Set To Officially Become 'Victory Mosque' in NYC

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Starting to look more and more ilke a victory mosque to me....

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http://www.observer.com/2010/real-estate/another-park-51-firestorm-mosque-seeking-5-m-911-funds

Just when it looked like the controversy surrounding the Ground Zero "mosque" was finally behind us, a furor has errupted yet again over the developer of Park51's decision to apply for 9/11 rebuilding grants from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.

The news first broke this morning at The Daily Beast, where writer John Avalon (a former Giuliani speechwriter) reports that two sources have told him Park51 is seeking $5 million in redevelopment grants. Park51 has since confirmed the news with a brief blog post on its site noting that the money will go to social services projects, such as domestic violence prevention and arts programming, and it will also provide hundreds of construction jobs.

Developer Sharif El-Gamal spoke with Crain's about the request, noting that he was simply investigating all possible financial avenues for the project. He also mentioned that a number of banks have expressed interest in financing the project.

Will that still be true now? The news of the bond bid is already sweeping the Twitterverse, the right-leaning pubs and even making its way onto CNN. As has been said time and again, the majority, maybe even vast majority, of Park51's neighbors want the community center built, so spending Lower Manhattan redevelopment funds on the project makes sense. Even Avalon, a local, admits there is good sense behind the project and the application.

But the optics appear so obviously wrong, it is rather amazing El-Gamal and company went here. Perhaps they want to test their mettle, or the mayor's, on the matter, see just how far they can push their plans and still get the project built. Depending on one's perspective—not The Observer's, mind you—this could be construed as a grab by a group connected to 9/11 making a grab for federal taxpayer dollars meant to heal decimated downtown after those very same attacks. Even if this request is totally reasonable and justified, it will only stoke the fires of unreasonable anger that already surround it.

Edited November 23, 2010 by Paul and Vanessa

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

1. They already have a similar center about 3 blocks away, and have been there for 20 or so years. They want a bigger place in the same neighborhood.

2. It's NOT a mosque... it's a cultural center which will have small areas for muslim, as well as christian, jewish, and "non-denominational" prayer/meditation.

I heard Donald Trump (just a random example) talking against this development, and when asked if he was aware it wasn't really a mosque, he answered "I have only heard it referred to it as a mosque." Just trying to spread the word about what this really is, instead of relying on misinformation.

I won't respond to anyone who replies to me.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The "Ultimate stab in the back to Americans". Good grief - the hyperbole never ends does it.

Who the hell do you think you are?

[웃 910]

It's a free country. Give the moose-limbs a mosque, there are 2 churches at every other intersection everywhere I've traveled in America. I rarely see a mosque and I live near Dearborn, mi.

Edited November 24, 2010 by Lord Infamous

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Good for them! Park51's developers are Americans who have committed no crime in wanting to build this center. Their project is highly deserving of government grants. I'm Muslim, and I've received many government grants for education and human rights projects since the 1970's, beginning with two federal education programs I directed while still in my teens. Our family foundation will be supporting the development with generous donations.

Muslim Americans will not be held back by critics who do nothing constructive, but try to destroy our spirit and those of our supporters. This country benefits greatly from the contributions of forward thinking, entrepreneurial, philanthropic, and highly motivated people from around the world and from all walks of life who overcome obstacles to achieve what others only talk about. God bless America and those Americans who resist the poison of bigotry and prejudice the media is selling for short term ratings.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

The kids just need a safe place to learn how and when to cut off hands and feet and all about the Zionist plot to rule the world... Oh that's in the UK... Never mind no worries!

[scandal 951]

I won't respond to anyone who replies to me.

למה לא? האם את ביישנית

[^_^ 5,021]

Wow that actually worked on google translate!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The kids just need a safe place to learn how and when to cut off hands and feet and all about the Zionist plot to rule the world... Oh that's in the UK... Never mind no worries!

And you're honestly surprised when people accuse you of bigotry..

[ready4ONE 5,400]

And you're honestly surprised when people accuse you of bigotry..

And you honestly believe statements of reality reflect bigotry? Can't happen here right?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You can't separate one group of muslims from another, can you.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

And you honestly believe statements of reality reflect bigotry? Can't happen here right?

How do you know it's reality? The "Ground Zero Mosque" isn't a mosque, nor is it at GZ, but you'd never know those facts if you depend on right wing media, like so many bigots do. That's the difference between critical thinkers who question news and prejudiced people; prejudiced people prefer to believe and harp on anything negative about others, while critical thinkers realize that there is a lot of misinformation being purposely disseminated to a public being conditioned to dislike people who they don't even know and concepts they are ignorant of. I can feel the IQ of millions of Americans falling every time I read an ACTUAL BAIT THREAD LIKE THIS ONE (in case our myopic mods missed that).

[spookyturtle 9,466]

למה לא? האם את ביישנית

הם חייבים להיות ביישן.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

How do you know it's reality? The "Ground Zero Mosque" isn't a mosque, nor is it at GZ, but you'd never know those facts if you depend on right wing media, like so many bigots do. That's the difference between critical thinkers who question news and prejudiced people; prejudiced people prefer to believe and harp on anything negative about others, while critical thinkers realize that there is a lot of misinformation being purposely disseminated to a public being conditioned to dislike people who they don't even know and concepts they are ignorant of. ACTUAL BAIT THREAD LIKE THIS ONE (in case our myopic mods missed that).

Sorry had to cut a bit, but this spot was hit by landing gear and it IS therefore part of Ground Zero. My comment however was about what certain Muslims teach, which is not bigotry, and is in fact fact. Would such books and teachings be furnished in this Mosque/community center/recreation center call it what you will? You won't answer because the only true response is possibly. Harsh perhaps, but nonetheless true.

Of course it could turn out to be the opposite and these folks won't tolerate that flavor of Islam when the Center is built. But it is not at all ignorant or bigoted to be concerned. Not all of are comfortable going through life with blinders on and gags over our mouths in order to not offend.

Now if you are against teaching little kids how to properly amputate hands and feet just say so. It isn't hard, I can say it. It's sick and wrong and it could be taught here but it never should be.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

And it has nothing to do with parking 51 or this thread.... so why is it in here?