NBC and CBS reject Anti Ground Zero Mosque ad

[Lurker]

That ad is a pretty obnoxious piece of propaganda.

The Republican PAC behind this doesn't show Park Place at all, but keeps showing pictures of the WTC site. This is clearly an attempt to deceive people about the location of the property.

Makes you wonder what would be an acceptable distance from Ground Zero to build a mosque. Two blocks is not acceptable to these loons. What about five? What about 10? What about 50?

I recently heard a lead for a news story where the tease was "How would you feel if a mosque was built in your neighborhood?" they were not talking about Ground Zero but in any neighborhood and the tone was disparaging to the thought. It seems there are some that feel muslims should not get to build mosques anywhere. I suppose they would be willing to allow Muslims to live in certain areas and build their mosques there. Perhaps they should wear wome identifying mark such that the rest of us can easily identify them? Hmm....

 

[DC]

Disgusting

 

[Newtons Bit]

So he is helplessly standing by and idle!

I've heard that was a sign of socialism!

 

[brodski]

But how could you know? What sources of information exist other than television?

I know because the government tells me, and they wouldn’t lie to me- they told me so.

But if we’re going to talk about only being allowed to select from a limited number of choices in politics, I will point out how easy it is to get your name on the ballot as compared to many places in the US (you need about £500- which is returned if you get more than a tiny number of votes- and the signatures of 10 people eligible to vote). On average how easy is it for 3rd party candidates (or independents with no party) to get on ballots in the USA?

 

[GreyArea]

Makes you wonder what would be an acceptable distance from Ground Zero to build a mosque. Two blocks is not acceptable to these loons. What about five? What about 10? What about 50?

Using Citysearch and WhitePages.com, the closest mosque to the WTC site that I could find is the Assata Islamic Center, Inc, on Allen Street. That's about 12 blocks east and 19 blocks north of Vesey Street, slightly more than two kilometers as the pigeon flies.

The only other one I could find on Manhattan is the Islamic Society of Mid-Manhattan on East 55th. It is listed on Citysearch as a mosque established in 2003. That's about 80 blocks (depending on the route) from Vesey.

But there may be more mosques on Manhattan. Researchers in the late 1990's estimated about 600,000 Muslims in the five boroughs of New York City. "The group found 28 mosques in Queens, 27 in Brooklyn, 20 in the Bronx, 17 in Manhattan and eight in Staten Island; however, all participants said they thought they had underestimated the number of mosques, because worshippers often set up small mosques in their apartments that are not visible from the street."
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/01/05/muslim.html

In 2008: "Estimates of the number of Muslims in New York City range from 600,000 to 850,000."
http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/push_to_close_new_york_city_sc.html

Those who do attend services must be attending them somewhere, and probably not all in Brooklyn and Queens. Maybe these other mosques are keeping a small Internet presence. With the hub-bub about the Park Place project, one could understand why.

 

[KingMerv00]

So he is helplessly standing by and idle!

In SOME fairness, Obama could pound on the bully pulpit but why would a secret muslim do that?

 

[Peephole]

This is a parody ad, right?

 

[excaza]

This is a parody ad, right?

I wish.

I've listened to the interviews of the people behind the building and they seem to be genuine in wanting to build a community center rather than a mosque. They came across as genuinely nice people trying to break some of the stigma and advocate tolerance. The bigoted backlash from the people opposed to the idea is ridiculous, and a bit depressing to be honest.

I think the idea behind the center is admirable, but it seems to me like it's an issue that shouldn't be pushed in such an emotionally charged area. I think it would cause a lot more trouble than its worth.

 

[Kestrel]

I wish.

I've listened to the interviews of the people behind the building and they seem to be genuine in wanting to build a community center rather than a mosque. They came across as genuinely nice people trying to break some of the stigma and advocate tolerance. I think the idea behind the center is admirable, but it seems to me like it's an issue that shouldn't be pushed in such an emotionally charged area. I think it would cause a lot more trouble than its worth.

The emotional response is not coming from people who live near the WTC site, or from people who lost loved ones in the 9/11 terror attacks.

The emotional response is coming from people who live far away and have no real connection to NYC, the WTC and the events of 9/11.

 

[excaza]

The emotional response is not coming from people who live near the WTC site, or from people who lost loved ones in the 9/11 terror attacks.

The emotional response is coming from people who live far away and have no real connection to NYC, the WTC and the events of 9/11.

I'm well aware, but my point still stands.

 

[bit_pattern]

They are private businesses who declined to air an ad they though was in bad taste.
Funny for A Libertarian to protest.

My first thought too. Hypocrisy much?

 

[GreNME]

Sad. Give Dubya credit,he tried to avoid the "All Muslims Are Evil" angle.
I am turning on the GOP just because of it's is allying itself with extremists for a temporary political advantage...a very bad and dangerous tactic. At the risk of A Godwin, they need to take a hard look at how mainstream German Conservative allied themselves with The Nazi Party under the illusion that "we can control them".

Agreed.

You know, we could try to make a moderate, fiscally responsible party and build a platform aimed first at gaining local seats and moving our way up. Certainly can't hurt to try.

 

[mumblethrax]

The emotional response is coming from people who live far away and have no real connection to NYC, the WTC and the events of 9/11.

Oh, come on, now. Staten Island isn't that far away.

 

[MikeSun5]

The fact that these bigots are getting any sort of mainstream support saddens and disgusts me.

Thirded. Or fourthed... whatever.

 

[The Fool]

Thirded. Or fourthed... whatever.

fifthed

 

[Kevin_Lowe]

Can an ignorant Australian ask exactly what the relationship between "GOPTRUST" and the Republican party is? Is this an actual Republican party ad, or is it some lunatic fringe group riding the coat-tails of the party?

(ETA: Is Audacity of Jihad like Audacity of Huge?

)

 

[quixotecoyote]

Can an ignorant Australian ask exactly what the relationship between "GOPTRUST" and the Republican party is? Is this an actual Republican party ad, or is it some lunatic fringe group riding the coat-tails of the party?

(ETA: Is Audacity of Jihad like Audacity of Huge?

)

It's a PAC, which means it's a nominally/theorhetically independent fund-raising group that supports the GOP. Dick Morris is the only one that I've found publicly praising them. They were behind a lot of the classy Rev. Wright anti-Obama ads in years past, so they're very well funded.

 

[Kevin_Lowe]

Hmm. Has the GOP condemned these ads? If not, then we can assume they must support them, right? I seem to recall that's how it works here in the SI&CE subforum.

 

[KingMerv00]

Hmm. Has the GOP condemned these ads? If not, then we can assume they must support them, right? I seem to recall that's how it works here in the SI&CE subforum.

I believe "GOP" is a registered trademark. If the Republican party allows the ad men to use "GOPtrust", it is right to hold hold them partially responsible. Trademarks are supposed to identify responsible parties.

 

[SezMe]

Kevin, your u-tubby link is broken.