While in principle I agree with what Lizz Wenska “Ground Zero Mosque Lacks Legitimacy,” (CT, Aug. 30) is saying, she seems to have not done all of her research.
If this were just a random mosque being built, then I would agree with her completely, but she has not mentioned anything about the man who is leading the movement to get the mosque built, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf.
Feisal Abdul Rauf’s claim to fame is his statement that the events of Sept. 11 were partly America’s fault, and his attempt to legitimize suicide bombing by saying “How else are they going to get peoples’ attention?” and that suicide bombing is the equivalent of personal suicide.
So while Muslims have every legal right to build a mosque wherever they can purchase the land, they should be opposed by the people of New York and the United States because this is not a peaceable place of worship, but a statement that America got what it deserved. This is the victory flag.
In addition, many people have said no matter how bad an idea this is, the city can do nothing about it because there is no valid legal reason to stop it.
However, many of the major cities of the U.S., New York City included, have prevented Walmart from opening stores within their city limits simply by stonewalling them and bringing frivolous court cases against the major corporation.
If they can do it for Walmart, they should be able to do it for this mosque.
Stephen Biernesser
junior, chemical engineering
A version of this article appeared in the Sep 2 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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Really? A Muslim community center with a common prayer space is a "victory flag"? You showed no connection between this man and Al Qaeda other than a common religion, which is shared by 1.6 billion other people.
I'm in no way trying to justify the killing of innocent people, but can you take a step back from the situation and honestly say that the 9/11 attacks were 100% unprovoked by America's actions in the Middle East, or that suicide bombing isn't a great way to get attention?
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Typical liberal BS trying to blame America for 9/11. The actions of Islam were unjustified on that day. There are a hundred mosques in New York this mosque is a completely self serving effort.
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Wait, so is he a liberal or a terrorist? Maybe liberals ARE terrorists!
"The actions of Islam" - you meant to say "The actions of Al Qaeda" which this man has no ties to.
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You're the liberal, stupid. I meant the actions of Islam when Iamas and clerics get involved it stops being the actions of a few and becomes the actions of a religion.
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By that logic we shouldn't have Catholic churches within two blocks of a school either.
I vote both ways, but if calling me a stupid liberal makes you feel better then feel free to continue making generalizations.
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I agree with that the Catholic Church should never be allowed near children. See we have some common ground.
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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/03/ground-zero-mosque-investor-contributed-designated-terror-group/
If I wanted to open up a catholic Church that gave money tote IRA in London what do you think would happen?
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Calling it the "actions of Islam" is like calling anything the KKK does the "actions of Christianity". You do realize how SMALL of a percentage Al-Qaeda is of those practicing Islam, don't you?
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Except that religious leaders of the Christian faith are quick to distance themselves and denounce the actions of the KKK. Al-Queda on the other hand has support from several Imams and clerics in the Middle East. While their numbers are not great leaders of the Islamic faith back them and that's a big difference between the two groups.
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"Typical liberal BS trying to blame America for 9/11." Well let's have the Chinese come over here and rape your wife, burn down your town, kill your friends and tell you they're "liberating" you and we'll see how friendly you feel toward them. I'm FAR from being a liberal, but America is an occupationist empire. We invaded sovereign nations and overthrew their government simply because we deemed them unworthy. When Hitler invaded and overthrew Poland, that was unacceptable, but when the US does it, it's A-OK. Blowback, baby. If we're going to march around the world with a big stick, we need to be prepared for the fact that most of the world is going to hate us for it.
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So let me get this straight VaBaptist you're accusing our soldiers of rape and pillage. That's not even why 9/11 happened idiot learn some history. The Muslim aggression against America is due to the fact that we wont abandon Israel against these animals. The Imams and the clerics twist this anti-Israel racism into anti-American sentiment. On 9/11 we were attacked by Saudis we've never invaded Saudi Arabia, stop copy and pasting Ron Paul speeches and think for yourself.
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"By that logic we shouldn't have Catholic churches within two blocks of a school either."
-- HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA thats the comment ive read all week!
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Truth is, unless they open up a 'strip mall' of churches and places of worship ALL within a block of ground zero, then there is going to be SOMEONE protesting. You cant make make ANYone happy without making 3 others upset. Personally, i think if we start allowing a bunch of scared people, who are prepared to trash the whole block of cheese for a small corner of mold, dictate the terms of the Constitution, well then what the hell are our family members defending in the Middle East ANYWAYS? You either believe in equality, or you dont, theres no picking and choosing. There is ALWAYS going to be bad people in this world, and ALL bad people represent something... a religion, a belief, a people, etc... its been that way throughout history and we are still here, so get the hell over it... accept that there are going to be problems and learn how to minimize or live with the problem instead of trying to solve it. some things cant be solved and radicalism, extremism, and dissension are a few of the permanent ones.
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I'll tell what our soldiers are fighting for and it's not equality it is payback for 9/11 and oil security. The Islamic hierarchy supports Al-Queda and various others that wish to do harm against the West. It's not a small minority and the people backing the mosque have funded terrorist activities. There are over 100 mosques in New York no one fought them, this mosque at ground zero is a completely despicable self serving effort that is a big fu to the victims of 9/11.
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I think this picture sums it up nicely.
http://i.imgur.com/TacgJ.jpg
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