Remember how the Victory Mosque was NOT a "ground zero" mosque? We were repeatedly told that it was "near" ground zero, but wasn't part of it. Therefore, we couldn't be upset that the mosque would be built there. Everybody remembers that, right?
So, why, might I ask, are the builders of the Victory Mosque NOW trying to get money from a fund dedicated to rebuilding the damage caused by the 9-11 attacks?
http://tinyurl.com/3xzatbs
Developers of the controversial Park51 Islamic community center and mosque located two blocks from ground zero earlier this month applied for roughly $5 million in federal grant money set aside for the redevelopment of lower Manhattan after the attacks of September 11, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter.
The application was submitted under a “community and cultural enhancement” grant program administered by the Lower Manhattan Redevelopment Corporation (LMDC), which oversaw the $20 billion in federal aid allocated in the wake of 9/11 and is currently doling out millions in remaining taxpayer funds for community development. The redevelopment board declined to comment on the application (as did officials from Park51), citing the continuing and confidential process of determining the grant winners.
So there is this fund that was set up to rebuild the damage caused by the terrorist attacks, i.e. buildings at ground zero. This Victory Mosque isn't, we're told, at ground zero... but they want money from that fund?
So, the world isn't really round after all, then? Anybody else confused?
You're aware that Lower Manhattan is larger than just the area that the World Trade Center occupied right?
ReplyDeleteIn fact, what they are planning to build (a community center) falls directly in line with the "community and cultural enhancement" grant program.
But I guess critical thinking skills messes up all your fear-mongering.
Hmm... fear-mongering? I don't see what about this post could be called fear-mongering. All I did was observe that the definition of the Mosque changed. If you're afraid of THAT, then you have issues.
ReplyDeleteNow, let's look at this logically. And I'll use small words to make it easy for you to follow along.
The fund in question was set up to "improve" and fix the areas damaged by the 9-11 terrorist attack. Many would call an area damaged by the 9-11 terrorist attack ground zero.
And you are aware that more than just the World Trade Center was damaged during the 9-11 attacks, right?
In order to claim money from this fund, the property has to have been damaged in the attacks, i.e. it must be part of ground zero.
See where I'm going with this? Either the property for the Victory Mosque is on ground zero or it isn't... pick one.
As to the "community center" thing, maybe you should do a little more research. The thing would INCLUDE a community center, but would also contain far more than that.
I would agree that the identification by the owners as being part of ground-zero...probably was the most stupid bone-head part of this deal.
ReplyDeleteI would speculate that they are having problems in attracting Saudi money to fund this and going far and wide on "other" parties. Asking for this money means that they are trying to piece together some deal. I wouldn't have hopes with this deal presently coming together.
As for the "size"...sixteen stories is pretty large and it does make you wonder what all will be packed into this building in the end. At last reporting...they were admitting the occupation of eleven floors and what would be in them. The last five floors...were not identified for purpose. But this was four months ago when I read that.
The application for the funds simply didn't mention any religious features, though they are still planning to include them. Why not? Because the fund states grants go to facilities with non-religious uses.
ReplyDelete" A list of Frequently Asked Questions that accompanied the application specifically states that religious organizations can make funding requests for capital projects “as long as the request is for a facility or portion of a facility that is dedicated to non-religious activities or uses.” According to an individual familiar with the Park51 application, it requests funds to cover a number of cultural, educational and community development aspects of the proposed 13-story building—but the prayer room is excluded from the grant application."
They're splitting hairs. If the religous areas are in the building, then taxpeyers will be funding them.
I'm not a fan of your generally insulting tone, but I'll bite. The thing will BE a community center that will house many things, one of which will be a place for prayer so that people who are there need not leave during the daily prayer times. It's not a mosque. Just because I pray on a bus doesn't make that bus a church does it?
ReplyDeleteSecondly, "redevelopment of lower Manhattan" doesn't specify only Ground Zero. Which is what I said the first time. This place will be three blocks from Ground Zero, but still in lower Manhattan.
I don't see why everyone is so up in arms over this thing. There's one literally across the street that has been there since BEFORE the towers were built. So what's wrong with them actually moving farther away from Ground Zero, yet expanding?
I was just responding in kind... comments about my "critical thinking skills" and my "fear mongering" sort of sets the tone for our discussion, don't you agree?
ReplyDeleteAgreed, a bus isn't a church. But a bus wasn't constructed as a place to hold prayer, nor does it keep a chaplain/priest/imam on staff to hold services... as the Victory Mosque will. This place is designed and will be used as a place of religious worship.
Second, the whole reason the fund exists is to repair the damage done by the terrorist attacks. QED, the proposed location for the Mosque MUST be in the area affected by the Islamic terrorists. The existing building WAS damaged by a piece f the landing gear falling on it, after all.
Now, since it was damaged by a piece of the planes flown by the terrorists, don't you think you MIGHT see your way clear to admitting that it just MIGHT be part of what we define as ground zero? Maybe?
As to your final point, I will happily clear things up for you. You see, if you study your history, you'll find that muslims have a long and distinguished history of building mosques on the sites of important and victorious battles. As 9-11 was the largest number of deaths caused by a single incident of Islamic terrorism, I would say this site qualifies as a "great victory" in their view. Following tradition, they now want to build a mosque on the site to commemorate their victory.
I'm sorry, but this just doesn't sound like the kind of thing we should be encouraging...