Cordoba House Rejects Meeting with Paterson About Moving

US NewsAugust 2010 • Views: 3,117

The developers of Cordoba House (which is not a “Ground Zero Mega-Mosque”) have rejected NY Gov. David Paterson’s craven offer to help them capitulate to the tide of anti-Muslim bigotry: Mosque Developer Rejects Meeting With Paterson.

The developers of an Islamic cultural center that would include a mosque near Ground Zero have rejected�Gov.�David Paterson’s�offer to help them find a different site.

Paterson said today the group�is apparently�committed to building in the proposed site.�”I think they would like to stay where they are, and I certainly respect that and I certainly respect them,” �Paterson said.

But, Paterson said the dialogue would have been useful as the project has ignited nationwide debate over freedom of religion and anger over the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.. “Having said that, how much more foresighted would it have been if the Imam who is the developer of the project had been willing to hear what we are actually talking about?”

What you’re “talking about,” Gov. Paterson, is surrendering to the demands of a lynch mob.

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55 comments

Jeff In Ohio Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:20:31am

Good.

darthstar Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:21:06am

re: #1 Jeff In Ohio

Good.

Exactly what I was going to say.

Four More Tears Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:21:49am

The really insane thing is that he had no good reason to try this. He has no one to pander to. Why bother?

Big Steve Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:22:02am

as just mentioned.....what is it about this topic that supercharges the stupid on both sides of the aisle.

Slap Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:23:01am

re: #4 Big Steve

High-stakes election year.

reine.de.tout Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:23:19am

“Having said that, how much more foresighted would it have been if the Imam who is the developer of the project had been willing to hear what we are actually talking about?”

The Imam is quite aware of what's being said. Who isn't, by now?

This has turned into such an amazingly strange and awful "issue", when it should have been a complete non-issue from the get-go!

Four More Tears Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:23:34am

re: #4 Big Steve

as just mentioned...what is it about this topic that supercharges the stupid on both sides of the aisle.

The far right is really good at deciding what we're going to be talking about and the left is really good at falling for it.

reine.de.tout Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:24:07am

re: #7 JasonA

The far right is really good at deciding what we're going to be talking about and the left is really good at falling for it.

Apparently.
Sheesh.

Jeff In Ohio Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:25:00am

I love this bit:

“Having said that, how much more foresighted would it have been if the Imam who is the developer of the project had been willing to hear what we are actually talking about?”

More foresighted? Here's a thought. How about of the folks opposing this project employed a little foresightedness and examine the consequences of not only giving into mob rule and instead embrace what is essentially a thumb in the eye of Islamic extremism.

lawhawk Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:25:05am

re: #3 JasonA

Deflecting attention from the fact that the Public Ethics Commission bitchslapped him with a $96,375 fine for illegally obtaining tickets to the Yanks world series game and then lying/misleading about that. The fine has to be affirmed by an ALJ before it is effective, which may not happen until the end of the year (or after Paterson is out of office).

Big Steve Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:25:37am

re: #7 JasonA

probably so but it is amazing that politicians that have no business and certainly should have the intelligence to just shut up about this (i.e. Pelosi....) just can't seem to keep out of it. It is illness of both sides.

Walter L. Newton Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:26:10am

Maybe they would consider a meeting with Harry Reid?

Nick Schroeder Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:27:05am

This is the most retarded non-controversy I've ever seen in my life. A) It's a community center with a prayer room, not an 'Islamofascist Supermax Terror MegaMosque of Doom'. B) 95% of the people who 'care' about this don't even live in New York and large portion of them would probably, at any other time, decry New Yorkers as smug ivory tower elitist liberals. C) The 'terrorist Imam' that would run the prayer room traveled the middle east on behalf of the Bush administration denouncing terrorism and praising the American way of life. D) A derelict Burlington Coat Factory is not 'hallowed ground'. E) It's blocks away from Ground Zero, and there is a, real actual Mosque just 2 blocks away from this that's been there since the 1970's that no one seems to care about. F) There's an actual Mosque in the Pentagon that no one seems to care about.

This is, plain and simple, election cycle 'OOGA BOOGA SCARY MUSLIMS' bullshit, and it saddens me that so many people are falling for it. It's nice that with all the actual problems we are facing, half the country is frothing with spittle over the construction of the Muslim equivalent of a YMCA.

And by 'nice', I mean fucking retarded.

Walter L. Newton Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:27:21am

re: #7 JasonA

The far right is really good at deciding what we're going to be talking about and the left is really good at falling for it.

Paterson is part of the far right?

Four More Tears Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:28:11am

re: #12 Walter L. Newton

Maybe they would consider a meeting with Harry Reid?

Christ, what's with your hard-on for Reid?

darthstar Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:28:21am

re: #14 Walter L. Newton

Paterson is part of the far right?

Actually, he's a Democrat, Walter. Just like Harry Reid. Now you have two names you can throw around for grins and giggles.

Walter L. Newton Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:28:25am

re: #13 Nick Schroeder

That's a really nice word... "retarded."

mcspiff Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:29:35am

re: #12 Walter L. Newton

Maybe they would consider a meeting with Harry Reid?

At least bring up some of the other dems against this. keep it interesting

General Nimrod Bodfish Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:29:43am

Good on the Imam, don't give in to the bigotry. If they did, then the bigots would have been emboldened further and they will continue with this at other cities in the country.

darthstar Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:30:10am

re: #18 mcspiff

At least bring up some of the other dems against this. keep it interesting

He's a one trick pony.

Jeff In Ohio Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:31:21am

re: #20 darthstar

He's a one trick pony.

When you can't get that nail to drive, it's best to keep hitting it with your hammer.

Walter L. Newton Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:31:32am

re: #16 darthstar

Actually, he's a Democrat, Walter. Just like Harry Reid. Now you have two names you can throw around for grins and giggles.

LOL... I know that silly. It's amazing how this "outrage" is spreading to both sides of crazy, yet it's being spun as a wacky right issue only. This started out as a local issue, really not so political, became political, mainly wacky right inspired countrywide, and now there are politicians on the left going to the dark side... and 70 percent of the country are on all their sides.

mcspiff Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:33:28am

re: #22 Walter L. Newton

LOL... I know that silly. It's amazing how this "outrage" is spreading to both sides of crazy, yet it's being spun as a wacky right issue only. This started out as a local issue, really not so political, became political, mainly wacky right inspired countrywide, and now there are politicians on the left going to the dark side... and 70 percent of the country are on all their sides.

Now why didn't you just post this is the first place? There's a good point here beyond "hurr reid is a bigot and/or weasel".

darthstar Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:33:30am

re: #22 Walter L. Newton

LOL... I know that silly. It's amazing how this "outrage" is spreading to both sides of crazy, yet it's being spun as a wacky right issue only. This started out as a local issue, really not so political, became political, mainly wacky right inspired countrywide, and now there are politicians on the left going to the dark side... and 70 percent of the country are on all their sides.

No...70% of the country isn't against the Cordoba project. They are against terrorists, which is how the question is posed to them in order to get the desired results.

Fozzie Bear Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:33:37am

I need a single link, the best that anyone knows of, that debunks all the crap flying around about park51, and explains what it is, etc.

I am arguing with morons on facebook... HELP

Four More Tears Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:34:12am

re: #22 Walter L. Newton

LOL... I know that silly. It's amazing how this "outrage" is spreading to both sides of crazy, yet it's being spun as a wacky right issue only. This started out as a local issue, really not so political, became political, mainly wacky right inspired countrywide, and now there are politicians on the left going to the dark side... and 70 percent of the country are on all their sides.

Magical Balance Fairy is working overtime.

How many Democrats can you name who've fallen for this?

By the time you're done I'll be about a tenth of the way down the list of Republicans.

deranged cat Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:34:30am

btw, might i say.. the "I have a friend/relative/person i know" argument is pretty crappy. and very troll'y too.

Walter L. Newton Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:35:11am

re: #23 mcspiff

Now why didn't you just post this is the first place? There's a good point here beyond "hurr reid is a bigot and/or weasel".

Because, I can play the the lowest common denominator game as well as anyone else.

jordash1212 Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:35:24am

The truth is it does not matter if it's 3 blocks or 3 miles from Ground Zero. This mosque won't be accepted because people are either ignorant or bigots.

I understand the emotional insult to injury of those directly involved in the attacks, but this country stands for religious freedom. To associate a community center containing a mosque with radical Islam is sheer madness, to put it kindly. It's almost been 10 years. It's time to put 9/11 behind us, embrace our differences, and work towards peace instead of transplanting our anguish onto moderate Muslims who are the very people we need to be working with, not against.

Nick Schroeder Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:35:41am

re: #17 Walter L. Newton

That's a really nice word... "retarded."

It's the perfect word.

Definitions of retard on the Web:
* cause to move more slowly or operate at a slower rate; "This drug will retard your heart rate"

We could actually, you know, be discussing things that actually matter and have real consequences for people. Like jobs. Or the safety of seafood in the Gulf. Or the wars. Or pretty much anything else.

But no. We're discussing whether or not, either by law or intimidation, we should be denying Muslim peaceniks in lower Manhattan their Constitutionally protected right to go swimming in an old Burlington Coat Factory. If that isn't retarding the direction of political discourse, I don't know what is.

simoom Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:35:54am

re: #6 reine.de.tout

This has turned into such an amazingly strange and awful "issue", when it should have been a complete non-issue from the get-go!

Murdoch's various media outlets saw its massive potential as a religious, racial and cultural wedge issue and rescued it from the backwaters of the anti-Muslim hate blogs, transforming it into first a local and then national political bogeyman.

General Nimrod Bodfish Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:36:38am

re: #17 Walter L. Newton

Actually, that word would be appropriate regarding the bigots.

retard
- 5 dictionary results
re·tard
–verb (used with object)
1. to make slow; delay the development or progress of (an action, process, etc.); hinder or impede.
–verb (used without object)
2. to be delayed.

They certainly are hindering and/or impeding social progress in the US (i.e. trying to stop gays from having the same rights as straights, this Cordoba House "controversy", etc). Not that I will be calling them that, but it does seem appropriate, to me at least.

mcspiff Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:37:10am

re: #28 Walter L. Newton

Because, I can play the the lowest common denominator game as well as anyone else.

I'm going to upding you, shake my head, and then move on.

Feline Fearless Leader Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:37:23am

re: #25 Fozzie Bear

I need a single link, the best that anyone knows of, that debunks all the crap flying around about park51, and explains what it is, etc.

I am arguing with morons on facebook... HELP

Your first mistake was getting into the sty with the pigs...

Targetpractice Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:37:31am

re: #24 darthstar

No...70% of the country isn't against the Cordoba project. They are against terrorists, which is how the question is posed to them in order to get the desired results.

Precisely. The polls get held up as "proof" that the majority of the country is against Cordoba House, when the reality is those polls are worded in such a way as to bias the results. It's absolute horseshit and should be reported as such, not treated as "fact."

Walter L. Newton Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:38:03am

re: #24 darthstar

No...70% of the country isn't against the Cordoba project. They are against terrorists, which is how the question is posed to them in order to get the desired results.

Really... see page 8 of this CNN poll... this is exactly how the question was put to them... "As you may know, a group of Muslims in the U.S. plan to build a mosque two blocks from the site in New York City where the World Trade Center used to stand. Do you favor or oppose this plan?"

[Link: i2.cdn.turner.com...]

darthstar Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:40:02am

re: #36 Walter L. Newton

Really... see page 8 of this CNN poll... this is exactly how the question was put to them... "As you may know, a group of Muslims in the U.S. plan to build a mosque two blocks from the site in New York City where the World Trade Center used to stand. Do you favor or oppose this plan?"

[Link: i2.cdn.turner.com...]

EMOTIONAL.FUCKING.MANIPULATION. Period.

Walter L. Newton Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:41:10am

re: #37 darthstar

EMOTIONAL.FUCKING.MANIPULATION. Period.

Where did they use the word "terrorist?" What is Fozzie talking about "They are against terrorists, which is how the question is posed to them in order to get the desired results."

If you're all going to play, be accurate.

Fozzie Bear Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:41:23am

re: #34 oaktree

Your first mistake was getting into the sty with the pigs...

The pigs are (soon were) friends of mine. I made a rather tame statement in support of religious freedom on my facebook page and it has turned into a bigot festival.

There's already four people I have no interest in ever speaking to again, who I used to think of as friends. Its hard to stay friendly with people who just said that they think Islam is a disease.

Charles Johnson Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:42:21am

re: #22 Walter L. Newton

Sorry, Walter. This is overwhelmingly a right wing issue. The only real opposition to this crap is on the left.

Fozzie Bear Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:42:32am

re: #38 Walter L. Newton

Where did they use the word "terrorist?" What is Fozzie talking about "They are against terrorists, which is how the question is posed to them in order to get the desired results."

If you're all going to play, be accurate.

Dude, adjust your aim. Don't drag me into this shit.

Four More Tears Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:43:22am

re: #39 Fozzie Bear

The pigs are (soon were) friends of mine. I made a rather tame statement in support of religious freedom on my facebook page and it has turned into a bigot festival.

There's already four people I have no interest in ever speaking to again, who I used to think of as friends. Its hard to stay friendly with people who just said that they think Islam is a disease.

As an atheist, I feel it really weird to be the one fighting for religious tolerance...

Targetpractice Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:43:57am

re: #40 Charles

Sorry, Walter. This is overwhelmingly a right wing issue. The only real opposition to this crap is on the left.

The exceptions are idiots like Reid, who are either in the middle of reelection bids or are vulnerable politically and are trying to use opposition to the "wisdom" of constructing Cordoba House as a way of pumping up their "pro-America" credentials.

alexknyc Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:46:52am

re: #35 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Precisely. The polls get held up as "proof" that the majority of the country is against Cordoba House, when the reality is those polls are worded in such a way as to bias the results. It's absolute horseshit and should be reported as such, not treated as "fact."

Do you have a link to the wording? I'd love to see how they phrase the questions.

Nick Schroeder Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:49:22am

re: #42 JasonA

As an atheist, I feel it really weird to be the one fighting for religious tolerance...

TELL ME ABOUT IT!

If you would have told me six months ago that the extreme right would go so off the rails that I'd be defending friggin' Islam, I would have probably laughed heartily and dismissed you as a pessimistic fool.

Now, I can't facepalm hard enough.

Targetpractice Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:51:26am

re: #44 alexknyc

Do you have a link to the wording? I'd love to see how they phrase the questions.

Walter's post has a good example of how questions are being written to twist people's answers. Referring to Cordoba House solely as a "mosque," playing up how it's only "two blocks" from Ground Zero, and so forth.

alexknyc Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:53:25am

re: #46 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Walter's post has a good example of how questions are being written to twist people's answers. Referring to Cordoba House solely as a "mosque," playing up how it's only "two blocks" from Ground Zero, and so forth.

I'd be very interested in seeing the numbers when different questions are asked.

For instance, one question using "mosque" and "Ground Zero." Another using "cultural center" and "Lower Manhattan."

Too bad no one in the media is interested in that.

webevintage Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:57:01am

Good for them.
Don't give into an manufactured outrage that was begun by bigots. I'm sick of this shit and if you give into the assholes they will just scream louder and demand more.

alexknyc Wed, Aug 18, 2010 10:59:59am

You just know this is going to end up in court.

Any judge should look at this and say "They want to build it there, they have the right to build it there. End of story."

But this is NYC and judges are elected. Expect full pandering mode to commence in 3....2....1

Ericus58 Wed, Aug 18, 2010 11:03:48am

re: #40 Charles

Sorry, Walter. This is overwhelmingly a right wing issue. The only real opposition to this crap is on the left.

ahem... might I add "Center" also?
Respectfully.

Spare O'Lake Wed, Aug 18, 2010 12:37:14pm

I guess they figure it's better for them not to meet because that would show weakness on their part. Unfortunately for them, the opposite is true. In any case the Dem Governor's ass is now covered, which is probably all he cares about.

AntonSirius Wed, Aug 18, 2010 12:37:58pm

re: #37 darthstar

EMOTIONAL.FUCKING.MANIPULATION. Period.

And also a lie, since it isn't a mosque. But hey, why clutter up a poll question with accuracy?

WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Wed, Aug 18, 2010 1:51:51pm

re: #39 Fozzie Bear

The pigs are (soon were) friends of mine. I made a rather tame statement in support of religious freedom on my facebook page and it has turned into a bigot festival.

There's already four people I have no interest in ever speaking to again, who I used to think of as friends. Its hard to stay friendly with people who just said that they think Islam is a disease.

I almost want to get a facebook page just so people I dimly remember from high school can friend me and then I can troll out the wackos among them :D

WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Wed, Aug 18, 2010 1:53:54pm

re: #36 Walter L. Newton

Really... see page 8 of this CNN poll... this is exactly how the question was put to them... "As you may know, a group of Muslims in the U.S. plan to build a mosque two blocks from the site in New York City where the World Trade Center used to stand. Do you favor or oppose this plan?"

[Link: i2.cdn.turner.com...]

I'd love to see this as a poll:

As you may know, a group of Muslims in the U.S. built a mosque four blocks from the site in New York City where the World Trade Center used to stand. Do you favor or oppose this?*

*_{mosque was built before the WTC}

WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Wed, Aug 18, 2010 1:56:36pm

Also, how many republicans going anti-Mosque crazy and using straight up obvious racist rhetoric is Reid worth? Is Reid worth 10 GOP wingnut candidates? 40 wingnut GOP candidates?

Do I hear 100?

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