There were more troubles after Obama spoke Friday night at the Muslim community center in lower Manhattan, meaning more Ground Zero debates. He said Muslims have the exact same rights as any religion in the U.S. Right wing Republicans right away pounced on his comments, vowing to use them against Democrats within the fall midterm elections. Chatter became very heated. Meanwhile, it was business as usual at the bars, strip joints and liquor stores surrounding Ground Zero. There is already a mosque near Ground Zero still doing its worship services throughout the weekend.
Ground zero as it concerns politicians
Obama made his remarks on the Ground Zero mosque with a lot of opinion on Friday because it was the beginning of Ramadan, which is a Muslim holiday. Evidently the president explained, according to ABC News, in “forceful tones” about how American values should be probably the most significant thing when it comes to every little thing around Ground Zero. Democrats are nervous about supporting the president’s statement, especially those who’ll be running within the November election. In a CNN poll taken last week, 68 percent of respondents said they opposed the plan to build a mosque near Ground Zero. It would seem that Republicans who have seen that response have pandered to the voters. Obama was “pandering to radical Islam,” as outlined by Newt Gingrich who was quoted in the New York Times.
Ground Zero comments in context of every little thing else Obama said
Most of the politicians are concerned with answering Ground Zero mosque questions as midterm elections come around. Republicans plan to use Obama’s support for the Muslim community center to label the president as “out of touch.”. The media didn’t add within the extra comments that puts Obama’s statement into context as the Washington Post does:
Now, we must all recognize and respect the sensitivities surrounding the development of Lower Manhattan. The 9/11 attacks were a deeply traumatic event for our country. And the pain and the experience of suffering by those who lost loved ones is just unimaginable. So I understand the emotions that this issue engenders. And Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground.
There are a lot of mosques in lower Manhattan
Instead of leaving Ground Zero issues to the local politicians, now politics everywhere have to put their say in. Nobody at Ground Zero seems to really notice. According to Indy Posted, lower Manhattan already has numerous mosques. One already exists 2,000 feet from Ground Zero. 686 feet closer would be where the new Muslim center would end up being. Anyone coming to Ground Zero where the worst terrorist attack in America happened can take care of personal business including getting porn and betting on horses, reports the New York Daily News. Two blocks away, the Pussycat Lounge woos patrons with posters of nearly naked women. Next door, the marquee at the Thunder Lingerie and peep show sports an American flag above a window display of sex toys.
More on this topic accessible at these websites
ABC News
abcnews.go.com/WN/obama-mosque-controversy-president-entered-discussion/story?id=11409448
Washington Post
voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/08/white_house_official_mosque_wo.html
New York Daily News
nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/08/16/2010-08-16_a_sea_of_filth_near_ground_zer0_mosque_gets_all_the_press_but_porns_around_corne.html
