Have you heard there are plans to build a mosque or something near ground zero?

Apparently some group is planning to build a Muslim religious site near "ground zero" in New York.

You'd think something like this would be hotly debated on front pages and in op-ed sections of newspapers.

And on television, shouldn't the political pundits be yelling loudly about this proposition, and mixing up the facts -- even simple things such as where this mosque would actually be located? ("Ground Zero mosque would be less an issue if called the Burlington Coat Factory mosque," wrote Slate editor-in-chief Jacob Weisberg on Twitter. "Which is where it actually is -- not Ground Zero.")

Why haven't we heard about this?

Oh, never mind. We were watching Nickelodeon.

But some folks have been debating this. A lot.

Since all of these mosque debates are so terribly exhausting, the Ticket has pulled apart the conversations, highlighting the best quotes (again, Burlington Coat Factory mosque? Gold) in order to give you a drive-by view. If you feel the need to ensconce yourself in the blanket of punditry, read on.

 

New York Times: The Park51 mosque and community center has cleared a key hurdle. The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously to deny a motion to declare landmark status for the building now in the mosque's proposed location.

The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg: Osama bin Laden does not like Muslims, and would bomb this mosque if he could.

The Wall Street Journal: Mosque will include memorial to the victims of Sept. 11.

Here's the view of some who say building a mosque directly on near the World Trade Center site is un-American:

Rush Limbaugh: The right-wing pundit says this so-called "Muslim outreach" is "planting the flag of victory," as the website Little Green Footballs notes. Limbaugh has yet to get the memo that Al Qaeda is not a Muslim group.

Glenn Beck: America may be blown up if this mosque is built.

Sarah Palin: After writing a blog post on her Facebook profile opposing the mosque, Facebook deleted the post, which was marked as "offensive" by a grassroots group online. The post was later reinstated.

Newt Gingrich: There "are no churches or synagogues in Saudi Arabia," he said. A Washington Post columnist says Gingrich is pushing a prejudiced agenda.

Joe Lieberman: Though more in the "undecided" category, the Connecticut Independent senator did say developers should "put the brakes" on the project. He added: "I don't know enough about it to say that it ought to be prohibited."

And now those who say preventing construction of a religious building is un-American:

Michael Bloomberg: "Our doors are open to everyone," he said in a speech on Tuesday.

Center for American Progress: New York, and those who oppose the mosque, are actually opposed to American values.

-- Mark Milian
twitter.com/markmilian

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Photo: Linda Rivera holds up a sign in opposition to the proposed mosque at 45-47 Park Place during a meeting of the Landmarks Preservation Commission to vote on giving the building landmark status in New York. Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Jeff B.]

Mosques had nothing to do with 9/11.

[Big Al Jano]

I wonder if Mayor Bloomberg is heavily invested around the proposed 911 mosque. If so, allowing this structure to be built would be a pretty good insurance policy that the area will not be blown up again thereby protecting his assets. Following the money is the only thing that makes sense about his position on this matter.

[j]

This mosque isn't a tribute to the victims. It is a monument to honor the 'heroes' that flew the jets into the towers. Shall we turn the other cheek?

[Denise Harman]

There is a mosque 4 blocks from Ground Zero. It has been there since 1970, the same year the towers were built.

[Verelse Nobilis]

al-Qaeda is not a Muslim group? Really? And I suppose you believe there was no Holocaust either. Political correctness does not trump reality; it is simply a lie.

[ffa7]

Please have a look at "Presenting Islam to Non-Muslims - The Role of the Masjid"

http://www.islamicsolutions.com/presenting-islam-to-non-muslims-the-role-of-the-masjid/

[Honneymoon in Pyong Yang]

All existing monopoly boards will have to replace park place with OBL place,
thus stimulating the printing industry wich so far in the current recession has
only been stimulated by the zillions of borrowed dollars that the FED is getting
printed.Expect that clown Biden to claim thousands more saved jobs.Also,Milian says nothing about a madrassa becoming a part of the complex.

[Troyan horse for Charya enthusiasts]

The naive and credulous liberals have just scored another goal in their own net.Holder now has a clear path to hold the trial for Sheik what's his face in
New York city...Hey how about building a stage on ground zero and hold the
trial there?Trust NY libs to put the toothpaste back in the tube and carry on
beeing a sanctuary city.

[Jeff B.]

Their goal is to build bridges, but people like Newt Gingrich would rather burn bridges.

Makes you wonder who the real peace-seekers are.

[gary drury]

why doesnt someone just slaughter a pig on the property?that would be the end of it.....

[Brown...guilty on all counts]

It was gov. moonbeam in his capacity as attorney general who decided to challenge the
results of prop 8 while he was a sponsor of prop.8....WOW !Can anyone
believe that Brown had no say on wich judge would hear this case?Brown is the
biggest fraud ever to come down the pike and needs to be held accountable for
his complicity in this latest scheem to disenfranchise a majority vote by we the
people.Vox populi...vox dei!

[Conduct unbecoming]

Attorneys general Eric Holder and Gerry Brown have both displayed their true colors on illegal immigration and one can only conclude to their unanimity
on the revolting decision about a majority vote of californians on gay mariage.Browns viscious manipulation here sets a record of dishonesty.After
co-sponsoring prop 8 as attorney general he instigated the challenge to it's
results under pressure from the LGBT lobby.While Bill Richardson fully
deserved the title of gov.Judas,Brown has earned exclusive rights to it now.

[LaVaEnRose]

al-Qaeda is not a Muslim group? Really? And I suppose you believe there was no Holocaust either. Political correctness does not trump reality; it is simply a lie. Posted by: Verelse Nobilis | August 04, 2010 at 05:02 AM

I have a lot of pent up hatred I would like to vent at some minority group. Is anybody aware of a bandwagon I can jump on? Posted by: Neener Neener Neener | August 04, 2010 at 03:19 PM

How about this: http://smd12364.newsvine.com/_news/2010/08/04/4812674-yes-i-know-that-churches-cannot-be-built-in-saudi-arabia