The Hallowed Ground of Murfreesboro

US News • Views: 3,800

The Washington Post has an article today on the outbreak of paranoia and anti-Muslim bad craziness on the hallowed ground of Murfreesboro, Tennessee: Far from Ground Zero, other plans for mosques run into vehement opposition.

In Tennessee, three plans for new Islamic centers in the Nashville area — one of which was ultimately withdrawn — have provoked controversy and outbursts of ugliness. Members of one mosque discovered a delicately rendered Jerusalem cross spray-painted on the side of their building with the words “Muslims go home.”

The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro became a hot-button political issue during this month’s primary election, prompting failed Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron Ramsey to ask whether Islam was a “cult.” Another candidate paid for a billboard high above Interstate 24 near Nashville that read: “Defeat Universal Jihad Now.”

Evangelist Pat Robertson weighed in Thursday, wondering on his television program whether a Muslim takeover of America was imminent and whether local officials could be bribed. (The mayor of the county where the Islamic Center is proposed called that idea “ridiculous.”)

The members of the Murfreesboro mosque, who say they have always rejected extremism, have been bewildered by the vitriol.

Saleh M. Sbenaty, an engineering professor who came to the United States from Syria for his doctoral studies three decades ago, gets misty-eyed describing the kindness his neighbors showed his family after Sept. 11. At one point, he recalled, he was in a shopping mall parking lot with his wife, who wears a hijab, and a group of locals made a point to stop and assure them they had nothing to fear.

The other day, however, as he was standing on the mosque’s 15-acre parcel of land just outside town, drivers honked and flipped their middle fingers in the air as they rode past.

“It’s tough to see that change,” Sbenaty said.

Read the whole thing.

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110 comments
1 mikefromArlington  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 9:52:58am

We have Palin/Gingrich and the harpy Gellar to thank.

2 Kragar  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 9:54:56am

Well you see, they've heard of Ground Zero, so hallowed ground and all that.

3 garhighway  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 9:55:16am

No bigotry here. Nothing to see. Keep moving.

4 Aceofwhat?  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 9:56:09am

Well, thank God we have Pat Robertson's take...*facepalm*

5 Obdicut  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 9:58:12am

I really didn't think this country would be less tolerant of Muslims and Islam this far after 9/11.

The reason is clear: Some people are profiting, in one way or another, from stoking these fears and engaging in this bigotry.

They are scum. This is going to wind up with arson and violence.

Lest we forget how often religious institutions are attacked in the US due to racism and bigotry:

Remember how people were burning down black churches?

6 Kragar  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 9:58:25am

And the real question is why do all these people who scream about local control of government and the ability for people to spend their money the way they want to consistently keep butting into other people's business and tell them what they can't do?

7 jaunte  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 9:59:14am

On Pat Robertson: It's tricky to keep arguing for more religious influence in government if there's any chance at all it won't be your religion.

8 garhighway  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 9:59:20am

re: #6 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

And the real question is why do all these people who scream about local control of government and the ability for people to spend their money the way they want to consistently keep butting into other people's business and tell them what they can't do?

By "local control" they mean they want to control whatever they see.

9 Renaissance_Man  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 9:59:50am

That's actually notable - following Sept 11, even with the Threat of Radical Islam (TM) so prominent in the public eye, people were less fearful and reactionary towards the 'other'. Yet now, with nothing even comparable in the decade since, people are more fearful, scared and reactionary.

Fear sells so easily, even in a recession.

10 zxbe  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 9:59:59am

This is another example that exposes the lie that it's about "Ground Zero." It's about bigotry and hatred, pure and simple.

11 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:00:20am

re: #8 garhighway

By "local control" they mean they want to control whatever they see.

Similar to the seafood diet.

12 iossarian  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:01:17am

re: #5 Obdicut

I really didn't think this country would be less tolerant of Muslims and Islam this far after 9/11.

The reason is clear: Some people are profiting, in one way or another, from stoking these fears and engaging in this bigotry.

Actually I think it's even more trivial than that: after 9/11 the economy rebounded quite quickly. Now people's 401k's are in the crapper so it's time to find someone to blame.

Think about it - most people weren't really directly affected by 9/11. But a tanking economy? That hurts everyone.

13 Walter L. Newton  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:01:49am

re: #3 garhighway

No bigotry here. Nothing to see. Keep moving.

Evidently... some bigotry here.

14 Fart Knocker  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:01:53am

I've got to go re-read the First Amendment again, there must be an exemption for Islam I keep missing...
//

15 Big Steve  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:02:49am

So I guess we are no longer worried about the (pick one: blacks, mexicans, jews, women, irish, catholics, italians, germans) taking over. Muslims are the new worry in the "we will get bred out of existance" sweepstakes. Glad Pat cleared that up.

16 Obdicut  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:02:54am

re: #12 iossarian

I do agree that economic woes make it easier to sell the blame message; but it definitely is still a very crafted message. It didn't arise spontaneously.

17 Thurlstan  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:04:17am

“Prejudice is a great time saver. You can form opinions without having to get the facts.”

E. B. White

18 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:05:11am

re: #15 Big Steve

So I guess we are no longer worried about the (pick one: blacks, mexicans, jews, women, irish, catholics, italians, germans) taking over. Muslims are the new worry in the "we will get bred out of existance" sweepstakes. Glad Pat cleared that up.

I think we're still worried about the Mexicans, too.

19 Big Steve  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:06:06am

re: #18 SanFranciscoZionist

I think we're still worried about the Mexicans, too.


So if there are Mexican Muslims we are in world of hurt then!

20 iossarian  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:07:00am

re: #16 Obdicut

I do agree that economic woes make it easier to sell the blame message; but it definitely is still a very crafted message. It didn't arise spontaneously.

Well, it's an interesting question. I'm personally very skeptical of the whole "crafted message" thing, at least in the sense that I think that the media and politicians are always reacting to something they "see" out there.

I think that by and large, a society (be)gets the media and politicians it "deserves". You can only excuse mindless bigotry so far.

21 reine.de.tout  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:07:36am
Saleh M. Sbenaty, an engineering professor who came to the United States from Syria for his doctoral studies three decades ago, gets misty-eyed describing the kindness his neighbors showed his family after Sept. 11. At one point, he recalled, he was in a shopping mall parking lot with his wife, who wears a hijab, and a group of locals made a point to stop and assure them they had nothing to fear.

The other day, however, as he was standing on the mosque’s 15-acre parcel of land just outside town, drivers honked and flipped their middle fingers in the air as they rode past.

Ten years after the fact, and people are uglier?

Gee - wonder who's stoking that?

22 elbruce  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:07:37am

re: #15 Big Steve

So I guess we are no longer worried about the (pick one: blacks, mexicans, jews, women, irish, catholics, italians, germans) taking over. Muslims are the new worry in the "we will get bred out of existance" sweepstakes. Glad Pat cleared that up.

Frankly, I'm looking forward to getting bred out of existence.

23 _RememberTonyC  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:07:44am

re: #19 Big Steve

So if there are Mexican Muslims we are in world of hurt then!

AnchorTerrorBabies?

/

24 Fart Knocker  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:07:50am

re: #19 Big Steve

So if there are Mexican Muslims we are in world of hurt then!

TERROR BABIES!!!11!!
//

25 darthstar  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:07:57am

re: #18 SanFranciscoZionist

I think we're still worried about the Mexicans, too.

Not officially...they've been postponed as a big issue until next year, as the Republicans would like to have a few of their votes in November...though Arizona apparently didn't get the memo.

26 Fart Knocker  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:08:20am

re: #23 _RememberTonyC

AnchorTerrorBabies?

/

GMTA!

27 Four More Tears  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:08:47am

You LA people don't get to talk about the traffic anymore. You just don't measure up.


China's nine-day traffic jam stretches 100km

28 Gus  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:09:08am

In my estimation the change in attitude amongst many people has been motivated by the vitriolic and fear mongering rhetoric being espoused by much of the Tea Party, Fox News, newly minted "patriot" candidates of the GOP, etc.

Saleh M. Sbenaty...gets misty-eyed describing the kindness his neighbors showed his family after Sept. 11. At one point, he recalled, he was in a shopping mall parking lot with his wife, who wears a hijab, and a group of locals made a point to stop and assure them they had nothing to fear.

The other day, however, as he was standing on the mosque’s 15-acre parcel of land just outside town, drivers honked and flipped their middle fingers in the air as they rode past.

They have managed to fan the flames of fear and bigotry unlike we've never seen before creating an atmosphere of Islamophobia much of which was not even seen in the days after 9/11.

Had such an event occurred now, there is no doubt in my mind that these same people would be calling for the internment if Muslims in America much as Michelle Malkin argued in favor following 9/11.

29 Political Atheist  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:09:19am

No more mosques for Muslims? What's next, no jobs? Then internment? Sounds a lot like WW2 around here, but with about one millionth of the justification.

I am getting far less comfortable with my relative silence on the matter everywhere but here. Work is a no go (not my place to run), but maybe something else. Maybe I'll go to a nice mosque, introduce myself and get some good photography of the place and the people. If I can show some beauty of location and heart it would be well worth the effort.

Whoops gotta run! Work beckons

30 darthstar  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:09:21am

re: #24 rwdflynavy

TERROR BABIES!!!11!!
//

Don't fuck with 'em.

31 darthstar  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:10:21am

re: #23 _RememberTonyC

AnchorTerrorBabies?

/

You get one too.

32 garhighway  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:10:30am

re: #19 Big Steve

So if there are Mexican Muslims we are in world of hurt then!

More like THEY are in a world of hurt.

33 Cato the Elder  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:10:48am

Fucking Pat Fucking Robertson.

The man who told us 9/11 and Katrina were God's way of letting us know he hates gays and women who don't crank out babies like loaves of bread and submit to their husbands.

May the Christian devil, the Jewish adversary and the Muslim afreet tag-team all his orifices in hell.

34 Big Steve  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:10:57am

re: #5 Obdicut

I really didn't think this country would be less tolerant of Muslims and Islam this far after 9/11.

The reason is clear: Some people are profiting, in one way or another, from stoking these fears and engaging in this bigotry.

They are scum. This is going to wind up with arson and violence.

Lest we forget how often religious institutions are attacked in the US due to racism and bigotry:

Remember how people were burning down black churches?

Good point.....following 9/11 we had a Republican President (the one everyone hated remember) that actually insisted vocally and without equivocation that Islam was not to blame. Now we have no such anchor on the right and therefore exuberant idiocy is the reign.

35 garhighway  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:11:28am

OT: A nice Op-Ed in today's NYT on planning for the catastrophes likely to come from AGW.

[Link: www.nytimes.com...]

36 reine.de.tout  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:11:34am

A reminder to anyone reading this blog:

There are young Muslim citizens of this country who are now approaching their teen years, who were infants or not even born yet when 9/11 happened.

Do we make them feel like strangers in their own country? Or welcome and embrace them - or punish them IF they engage in criminal activity, like we do everybody else.

I'm in no way dismissing the sheer awfulness of 9/11, nor the courage of those who responded.

But really, it's time to move on . . .

37 darthstar  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:11:40am

re: #19 Big Steve

So if there are Mexican Muslims we are in world of hurt then!

Stop Sharia Lawns!

38 AntonSirius  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:11:57am

re: #15 Big Steve

So I guess we are no longer worried about the (pick one: blacks, mexicans, jews, women, irish, catholics, italians, germans) taking over. Muslims are the new worry in the "we will get bred out of existance" sweepstakes. Glad Pat cleared that up.

It would be a lot easier on the right wing if some Mexicans would just go ahead and convert to Islam.

39 AntonSirius  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:12:36am

re: #19 Big Steve

So if there are Mexican Muslims we are in world of hurt then!

Feh, knew someone would beat me to that joke.

40 calochortus  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:13:14am

At least I can report that the Muslim community center in Mountain View (35 miles south of S.F.) is looking at a new building across the street from the Jewish community center-and so far there's no problem. Apparently the JCC folks and the MCC folks are looking forward to working together on activities.

41 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:13:19am

re: #38 AntonSirius

It would be a lot easier on the right wing if some Mexicans would just go ahead and convert to Islam.

I believe there's actually been some RWR writing about how exactly that is happening.

42 elbruce  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:13:53am
Evangelist Pat Robertson weighed in Thursday, wondering on his television program whether a Muslim takeover of America was imminent and whether local officials could be bribed.

You can get bribes for letting people practice the free exercise of their religion? Sign me up! I'm hereby accepting under-the-table cash kickbacks to not violate the First Amendment. Small unmarked bills only, please.

43 Big Steve  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:14:11am

re: #37 darthstar

Stop Sharia Lawns!

I would give you ten updings if I could.

44 ShaunP  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:14:26am

jw717 posted in the pages Ron Paul's statement on the mosque nonsense. It's actually quite good...

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

45 Aceofwhat?  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:14:40am

re: #33 Cato the Elder

Fucking Pat Fucking Robertson.

The man who told us 9/11 and Katrina were God's way of letting us know he hates gays and women who don't crank out babies like loaves of bread and submit to their husbands.

indeed. i have a greater spiritual connection to a good Muslim like CuriousLurker than i do with a so-called "christian" like Pat.

the number of people who won't even consider exploring the possibility of God because of what they see in Pat will be laid at his feet.

46 Obdicut  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:15:15am

re: #36 reine.de.tout

And, I might, add, what are our Muslim servicemen and women, returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, supposed to think about this? What were they fighting for-- the right to be second-class citizens?

47 mr.fusion  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:16:11am

THIS is the exact reason why Park51 absolutely has to be built where it's planned. If it is, it proves that freedom of religion still holds true in this country .... if it's not built 2 blocks for GZ, it gives everyone like those in Murfreesboro an opening.

48 Walter L. Newton  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:16:11am

re: #44 ShaunP

jw717 posted in the pages Ron Paul's statement on the mosque nonsense. It's actually quite good...

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

Panderer.

49 Gus  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:16:28am

re: #38 AntonSirius

It would be a lot easier on the right wing if some Mexicans would just go ahead and convert to Islam.

That's where Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC) comes in. According to her we need to train border enforcement to differentiate between Mexican accents and Persian accents because they're coming over the border to attack our children! (Eleventy!) Of course according to this dimwits "they all look the same" and all "foreign accents sound the same!" Train 'em and look for the Persian tattoos!!11ty

50 reine.de.tout  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:16:35am

re: #46 Obdicut

And, I might, add, what are our Muslim servicemen and women, returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, supposed to think about this? What were they fighting for-- the right to be second-class citizens?

Yes, indeed, exactly right.

51 Kragar  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:17:02am

Pat Robertson - Love Doctor

In this clip, Pat hears from a newbie Christian woman who's engaged to an atheist. Does their relationship have any chance for success? Guess what Pat thinks. No, really--guess. . . .

If you don't have the stomach to watch it yourself, Pat tells this woman straight-up that she's doomed for failure. Not only that, she's cavorting with the devil. He said, "I don't know what kind of relationship you've got--whether you're getting intimate with one another [translation: Pat Robertson wants to know whether you're getting your fuck on] or moving towards marriage. I hate to tell you, but you have to find someone else. Either he changes and gives his heart to the lord or you go down the road with someone else. He's going to be serving the devil, you're going to be serving God."

52 calochortus  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:17:09am

re: #46 Obdicut

And, I might, add, what are our Muslim servicemen and women, returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, supposed to think about this? What were they fighting for-- the right to be second-class citizens?

Well sure, its always good when the "other" realizes that they're not as good as genuine Americans!//

53 _RememberTonyC  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:17:17am

re: #26 rwdflynavy

GMTA!

!!! :)

54 Kragar  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:17:40am

re: #37 darthstar

Stop Sharia Lawns!

Brings an all new meaning to creeping Sharia.

55 Big Steve  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:17:54am

re: #38 AntonSirius

It would be a lot easier on the right wing if some Mexicans would just go ahead and convert to Islam.

So if we get Mexican Muslims with the reproductive tracts of Tribles I am, for damn sure, getting the hell out of Texas.

56 Fart Knocker  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:18:15am

re: #46 Obdicut

And, I might, add, what are our Muslim servicemen and women, returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, supposed to think about this? What were they fighting for-- the right to be second-class citizens?

As I have mentioned previously, I work with a Muslim Naval Officer. She is a single-parent and just about the nicest person you would ever want to meet.

She gets the first amendment too, not just us Christians.

57 ShaunP  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:18:38am

re: #48 Walter L. Newton

Panderer.

Me or Ron Paul?

58 Kragar  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:18:52am

re: #46 Obdicut

And, I might, add, what are our Muslim servicemen and women, returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, supposed to think about this? What were they fighting for-- the right to be second-class citizens?

The right to be forced to go to Christian Rock concerts by their COs.

59 elbruce  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:19:46am

re: #45 Aceofwhat?

indeed. i have a greater spiritual connection to a good Muslim like CuriousLurker than i do with a so-called "christian" like Pat.

Ah, but did you know he can leg-press 2,000 pounds because he drinks magic milkshakes? No snake-oil going on there.

/

60 Kragar  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:19:48am

re: #56 rwdflynavy

As I have mentioned previously, I work with a Muslim Naval Officer. She is a single-parent and just about the nicest person you would ever want to meet.

She gets the first amendment too, not just us Christians.

HAVE YOU EVEN READ THE CONSTITUTION?
///

61 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:20:25am

re: #38 AntonSirius

It would be a lot easier on the right wing if some Mexicans would just go ahead and convert to Islam.


OH NOES!!!shift1

62 Kragar  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:20:44am

And I'm fairly sure that exposure to Christian rock is a violation of the Geneva convention.

63 wrenchwench  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:21:06am

re: #44 ShaunP

jw717 posted in the pages Ron Paul's statement on the mosque nonsense. It's actually quite good...

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

From that article, Ron Paul's words:

In my opinion it has come from the neo-conservatives who demand continual war in the Middle East and Central Asia and are compelled to constantly justify it.

Is Geller a neo-con? Is Spencer a neo-con? Who exactly is Paul blaming?

64 elbruce  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:21:33am

re: #47 mr.fusion

THIS is the exact reason why Park51 absolutely has to be built where it's planned. If it is, it proves that freedom of religion still holds true in this country ... if it's not built 2 blocks for GZ, it gives everyone like those in Murfreesboro an opening.

If they just go forward with it, the wingnut issue machine will likely tuck their tails and move on to gibbering about something else. Whatever the next thing they come up with will still be awful, but hopefully not something so likely to lead to vandalism and violence.

65 iossarian  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:21:35am

re: #56 rwdflynavy

As I have mentioned previously, I work with a Muslim Naval Officer. She is a single-parent and just about the nicest person you would ever want to meet.

She gets the first amendment too, not just us Christians.

These are the people that I'm referring to whenever the idiots pop their heads up to claim that Islam is somehow a fundamentally bad religion (compared to the sweetness and light of Christianity, of course).

Fact is, it doesn't really matter what's in the books. At the end of the day it's people, and most people are actually quite nice, if you get to know them.

66 darthstar  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:22:15am

re: #62 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

And I'm fairly sure that exposure to Christian rock is a violation of the Geneva convention.

Indeed

67 Gus  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:22:44am

Glenn Beck opposite Imam Rauf in 2006 on "Good Morning America"!

Glenn Beck, Imam Rauf Both Denounced Radical Islam In 2006 (VIDEO)

Watch the video.

68 garhighway  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:22:57am

re: #64 elbruce

If they just go forward with it, the wingnut issue machine will likely tuck their tails and move on to gibbering about something else. Whatever the next thing they come up with will still be awful, but hopefully not something so likely to lead to vandalism and violence.

And maybe, just maybe, they'll come up with something that is a little less violative of our country's founding principles.

69 mcspiff  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:22:58am

re: #36 reine.de.tout

A reminder to anyone reading this blog:

There are young Muslim citizens of this country who are now approaching their teen years, who were infants or not even born yet when 9/11 happened.

Do we make them feel like strangers in their own country? Or welcome and embrace them - or punish them IF they engage in criminal activity, like we do everybody else.

I'm in no way dismissing the sheer awfulness of 9/11, nor the courage of those who responded.

But really, it's time to move on . . .

Exactly. How about 20 years from now? 30? When is it safe for muslims to return to lower manhattan? Will we need to explain to muslim children why they aren't allowed to build a community center near an office tower thats been there their entire life?

70 lawhawk  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:24:08am

re: #66 darthstar

I'll go with Jewish reggae instead...

Behold the awesomeness of Matisyahu.

71 mr.fusion  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:24:12am

re: #64 elbruce

Whatever the next thing they come up with will still be awful, but hopefully not something so likely to lead to vandalism and violence.

If they don't pick up majorities in both chambers of Congress in November (which isn't as much of a given as it was 6 months ago), the reaction will be ........ very interesting I think

72 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:25:18am

re: #71 mr.fusion

If they don't pick up majorities in both chambers of Congress in November (which isn't as much of a given as it was 6 months ago), the reaction will be ... very interesting I think

The whining will go up to 11.

Of course, even if Republicans do get majorities in both chambers, they'll be the wrong kind of Republicans for the RWR, so first the gloating and THEN the whining will go up to 11.

73 DaddyG  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:25:18am

re: #9 Renaissance_Man

That's actually notable - following Sept 11, even with the Threat of Radical Islam (TM) so prominent in the public eye, people were less fearful and reactionary towards the 'other'. Yet now, with nothing even comparable in the decade since, people are more fearful, scared and reactionary.

Fear sells so easily, even in a recession.

George Bush, the press and a good portion of the legislature set a good tone at the time. Unfortunately our "leaders" (scare quotes intentional) are failing us on this point. Even Obama's (good) defense of 1st Amendment rights was watered down in the following days. Reid was spineless and Pelosi went nuts on the opposite end of the spectrum by calling for investigations.

There are two forces at play here besides the scarcity mentality. One is the continued polarization of American politics and the other is our historical xenophobia.

74 Gus  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:25:38am

re: #67 Gus 802

Glenn Beck opposite Imam Rauf in 2006 on "Good Morning America"!

Glenn Beck, Imam Rauf Both Denounced Radical Islam In 2006 (VIDEO)

Watch the video.

Another link:

FLASHBACK: In 2006 joint appearance, Beck appeared to call Imam Rauf a "good Muslim"

75 elbruce  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:26:37am

re: #68 garhighway

And maybe, just maybe, they'll come up with something that is a little less violative of our country's founding principles.

Yeah, I'll be right over here holding my breath on that one.

///

76 mr.fusion  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:27:10am

.....was listening to Limbaugh in the car a few minutes ago. Just FYI, Gellar apparently has some "explosive" tapes that she says prove Imam Rauf is a Wahhabist and hates America.......

I know we'll all be waiting with bated breath...........

77 Aceofwhat?  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:27:11am

re: #59 elbruce

Ah, but did you know he can leg-press 2,000 pounds because he drinks magic milkshakes? No snake-oil going on there.

/

good grief...

78 ShaunP  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:27:11am

re: #63 wrenchwench

From that article, Ron Paul's words:

Is Geller a neo-con? Is Spencer a neo-con? Who exactly is Paul blaming?

It sounded like he was blaming everyone, left and right. IMO, he was talking more about the Gingrich / Palin inputs when he mentions neo-cons...

"We now have an epidemic of “sunshine patriots” on both the right and the left who are all for freedom, as long as there’s no controversy and nobody is offended."

I'm not a RP fan, but I'll give him credit for his statement on this...

79 DaddyG  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:27:58am

re: #45 Aceofwhat?

indeed. i have a greater spiritual connection to a good Muslim like CuriousLurker than i do with a so-called "christian" like Pat.

the number of people who won't even consider exploring the possibility of God because of what they see in Pat will be laid at his feet.

I like the bumper sticker "God deliver me from your followers". Christ said you will know His followers by their fruits. He didn't say you will know them by the stones they throw.

80 lawhawk  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:28:28am

re: #71 mr.fusion

I think it's looking pretty good for the GOP to pick up the House, but the Senate was always a long shot.

Election Projection finds Democrats losing their strong majorities in both the House and Senate, but not enough to lose majorities.

81 Killgore Trout  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:28:33am

No appeasement. It never works.

82 Cato the Elder  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:28:54am

Henceforth, anyone who confuses Gellar (who stakes vampires) with Geller (who is one) gets ten mandatory consecutive downdings from me, no matter how much I agree with your post or like you personally.

This will no longer be tolerated!

83 Aceofwhat?  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:28:58am

re: #79 DaddyG

I like the bumper sticker "God deliver me from your followers". Christ said you will know His followers by their fruits. He didn't say you will know them by the stones they throw.

yep. and i'm a little tired of all the rotten fruit!

84 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:29:32am

re: #76 mr.fusion

...was listening to Limbaugh in the car a few minutes ago. Just FYI, Gellar apparently has some "explosive" tapes that she says prove Imam Rauf is a Wahhabist and hates America...

I know we'll all be waiting with bated breath...

He's sitting next to Michelle Obama, who screams 'down with Whitey' repeatedly to egg him on.

///

85 DaddyG  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:30:07am

re: #70 lawhawk
Mindblowing...

86 Nick Schroeder  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:31:24am

I'll just leave this here....

"And one day, too late, your principles, if you were ever sensible of them, all rush in upon you. The burden of self deception has grown too heavy, and some minor incident, in my case my little boy, hardly more than a baby, saying "Jew swine," collapses it all at once, and you see that everything, everything, has changed and changed completely under your nose. The world you live in ·your nation, your people ·is not the world you were in at all. The forms are all there, all untouched, all reassuring, the houses, the shops, the jobs, the mealtimes, the visits, the concerts, the cinema, the holidays. But the spirit, which you never noticed because you made the lifelong mistake of identifying it with the forms, is changed. Now you live in a world of hate and fear, and the people who hate and fear do not even know it themselves; when everyone is transformed, no one is transformed. Now you live in a system which rules without responsibility even to God. The system itself could not have intended this in the beginning, but in order to sustain itself it was compelled to go all the way."

Great book.

87 elbruce  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:32:06am

re: #76 mr.fusion

...was listening to Limbaugh in the car a few minutes ago. Just FYI, Gellar apparently has some "explosive" tapes that she says prove Imam Rauf is a Wahhabist and hates America...

The "I have tapes but can't release them yet" gambit is always a solid go-to holding tactic when you're backed into a corner. I recall somebody was pulling this on Michelle Obama in '08 too. Those tapes never showed up either.

88 Political Atheist  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:33:14am

I just had to jump back in- Do any on you have contacts with a mosque in the SoCal area? I could use a friendly introduction. Nic is blue. And I subscribed to the thread "replies to me".

89 calochortus  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:33:48am

re: #59 elbruce

Ah, but did you know he can leg-press 2,000 pounds because he drinks magic milkshakes? No snake-oil going on there.

/

As I recall, he did leg press 2000 lbs-just not all at once, you know, like the shop that's open 24 hours, just not all together...

90 DaddyG  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:34:15am

re: #80 lawhawk

I think it's looking pretty good for the GOP to pick up the House, but the Senate was always a long shot.

Election Projection finds Democrats losing their strong majorities in both the House and Senate, but not enough to lose majorities.


Real Clear Politics has the GOP taking the House, The Dems taking the Senate and both races within the margin of toss-ups. Its going to be an interesting election night no matter how you slice it.

It looks as though the Governor's races will go heavily GOP which has implications for redrawing districts in 2011.

91 Kragar  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:35:18am

re: #82 Cato the Elder

Henceforth, anyone who confuses Gellar (who stakes vampires) with Geller (who is one) gets ten mandatory consecutive downdings from me, no matter how much I agree with your post or like you personally.

This will no longer be tolerated!

Seconded.

92 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:35:31am

re: #86 Nick Schroeder

I've been writing for over a year now that we have been seeing the rise of Nazism in America. It is the same music, just different instrumentation.

People do not want to face the ugly truth. They don't want to believe that this is happening in America or could happen.

Well, it is happening. Get real with it.

We are a ways off from a full blown Nazi horror, but, we are only some years away for a Kristalnacht.

93 elbruce  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:36:57am

re: #78 ShaunP

"We now have an epidemic of “sunshine patriots” on both the right and the left who are all for freedom, as long as there’s no controversy and nobody is offended."

I'm not a RP fan, but I'll give him credit for his statement on this...

The bar's so low for the far right that libertarians who occasionally get credit for at least being ideologically self-consistent come off looking extremely sane on certain issues. This is one of them.

I think the "sunshine patriot" label is too good for the bigots driving this issue; as far as I'm concerned, they're acting as the enemies of America that patriots are being called to stand up against. However, it is a perfectly apt description of Dems like Reid, Pelosi and Dean, of whom I expected better.

94 calochortus  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:37:23am

re: #88 Rightwingconspirator

I just had to jump back in- Do any on you have contacts with a mosque in the SoCal area? I could use a friendly introduction. Nic is blue. And I subscribed to the thread "replies to me".

You might just try going online to find a nearby one and then call to see if they're having any sort of 'open house' at the end of Ramadan. They do have "community outreach" fairly frequently in the Bay Area.

95 Fart Knocker  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:38:45am

re: #83 Aceofwhat?

yep. and i'm a little tired of all the rotten fruit!


Speaking of Christian Rock....Petra, Seen and Not Heard

too many black sheep in the family
too many stones from a house of glass
they've heard the story, they've heard the lines
but talk is too cheap to change their minds
they want to see some vital signs

convictions - in the way we live
convictions - not a narrative
actions speak a little louder than words

CHORUS
seen and not heard, seen and not heard
sometimes God's children should be seen and not heard
there's too much talk and not enought walk
sometimes God's children should be seen and not heard

delayed reaction to hostility
brings us into reality
cause when we answer in our defense
they can see through the false pretense
they want to see some evidence

commitment - no more alibis
commitment - not a compromise
actions speak a little louder than words

Chorus

let your light so shine in all you do
with an answer near when they come to you
don't let your mouth start talkin'
until your feet start walkin'

Chorus

96 _RememberTonyC  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:42:39am

re: #31 darthstar

You get one too.

ugly little rugrat, ain't he

97 Winny Spencer  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:49:38am

re: #63 wrenchwench

For him it's a code word for Jews. He is right on this issue but hardly for the right reasons, imo.

98 wrenchwench  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:53:22am

re: #97 Winny Spencer

For him it's a code word for Jews. He is right on this issue but hardly for the right reasons, imo.

That's what I was thinking.

99 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:53:53am

They tried to block the Portland Temple with zoning excuses. (I do actually accept that they were against the increased traffic, however, LDS temples increase house value, because of all the Mormons who want to live next to the temple.)

100 Lidane  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:54:30am

re: #19 Big Steve

So if there are Mexican Muslims we are in world of hurt then!

Didn't you know? There's a whole cabal of Iranian secret agents with Farsi tattoos coming to the US illegally via Venezuela to take over and spread jihad. Or something. I'm not entirely sure how it all works:

101 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 10:56:35am

re: #76 mr.fusion

...was listening to Limbaugh in the car a few minutes ago. Just FYI, Gellar apparently has some "explosive" tapes that she says prove Imam Rauf is a Wahhabist and hates America...

I know we'll all be waiting with bated breath...

What he said:
"I am quite out of favor among those of the Wahabbist school. I remain hopeful that we can marginalize their influence, certainly in America but abroad as well, and spread the idea that violence and terrorism are universally the wrong path for all Muslisms, and a disgrace in the view of Allah."

What the tape says:
"I... quite ... favor... the Wahabbist school. I... can... marginalize.. America... abroad, and spread... violence and terrorism... universally... for... all Muslims, and... Allah."

(note: neither of those are real quotes -- yet)

102 DaddyG  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 11:06:05am

re: #99 EmmmieG

They tried to block the Portland Temple with zoning excuses. (I do actually accept that they were against the increased traffic, however, LDS temples increase house value, because of all the Mormons who want to live next to the temple.)

There is a small but dedicated group of protestors and loyal opposition that travels the world petitioning local government officials every time we announce a new temple location. Ed Decker is among them (not surprising) as well as some others who make their living off of anti-mormon publications and foundations.

In this sense they are no different from those who are getting their press from being virulently anti-Muslim. There is profit in hate unfortunately.

103 DaddyG  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 11:07:26am

re: #101 negativ
Well done. You are now a graduate of the foundation for creative use of ellipses. Your job in the press or talk radio awaits you.

104 calochortus  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 11:08:28am

re: #100 Lidane

Didn't you know? There's a whole cabal of Iranian secret agents with Farsi tattoos coming to the US illegally via Venezuela to take over and spread jihad. Or something. I'm not entirely sure how it all works:


[Video]

Radical Muslims with tattoos? I thought that was defiling the body or something... If they're going to make up scary stories, could they at least make it credible? (Yeah, I thought not.)

105 Political Atheist  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 11:19:10am

re: #94 calochortus

Oh I will do that, but I thought to add an introduction if I could. Good chance I will find a Sufi mosque to be on point.

106 b_sharp  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 11:28:08am

Now that there is recognition that the US right-wing is starting to fill up with hate, bigotry and outright racism, any chance some of the moderates and left can come up to Canada to help stem the flow into our mid-west, before it overflows into central Canada?

Some of the crap said on talk radio and blogs up here about the NYC Community Centre is just appalling.

107 jordash1212  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 11:48:54am

re: #106 b_sharp

First we have to stem it here.

108 tnguitarist  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 11:51:33am

I think I may have to ride up the road one day soon and get some video. Post it here maybe?

109 Velvet Elvis  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 12:34:18pm

I grew up in Murfreesboro and I swear it was saner 15 years ago.

110 elbruce  Mon, Aug 23, 2010 2:08:09pm

re: #106 b_sharp

Now that there is recognition that the US right-wing is starting to fill up with hate, bigotry and outright racism, any chance some of the moderates and left can come up to Canada to help stem the flow into our mid-west, before it overflows into central Canada?

Hey, it's not our fault if your politicians refuse to secure your border against unwanted incursions from your neighbor to the South. Maybe you should build a wall or an underground electric fence or something. /


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