This is where this is heading: Video: Anti-Mosque Mob Turns On Black Union Carpenter

That's exactly where this is heading: harassing and threatening violence upon someone because that person is just suspected of being a Muslim.

Nope! No Bigotry or Racism here!

of course, not. they have friends who are black. they even work with them.

I was at this anti "mosque" protest because it went past 1pm, by then the pro "mosque" rally ended.

It was an all white event, none that looked like my neighbors from tribeca, one's I've seen everyday walking their dog.

the only people who were at this rally were the bigots and tourist with maps in their hands.

I'm surprised they didn't accuse me of being an operative.

David Paterson’s offer of an alternate site for their development is a blatant violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution. It seems that Paterson, appears to be forgetting that his help is a violation of basic American rights. Helping a religious group build a house of worship is exactly what the First Amendment seeks to prevent. Such a move also sets a dangerous precedent.

It is a huge mistake for David Paterson to get involved with the Mosque. David Paterson has no ability whatsoever to improve a situation - he only makes matters worse.



Unfortunately, for New Yorker's, David Paterson has no ability to govern. In fact, David Paterson never had any ability to govern. “The Democratic Conference: Organizational and Operational Structure Report” is an eyewitness account of Paterson’s DYSFUNCTIONAL governing nature while Senate Minority Leader.

http://www.politico.com/static/PPM110_demreportfinal.html

Paterson’s office was criticized for PATRONAGE, LACK OF LEADERSHIP, INDECISIVENESS and INFIGHTING. Those interviewed in the report indicated that its chief of staff the disorganized Michael Jones-Bey had no management skills, was neglectful in his duties – often boozing it up with staff and coming to the office with a hangover - and should be relieved of his position.

Amazingly, for running such a DYSFUNCTIONAL CHAOTIC office, the disorganized Michael Jones-Bey was hand picked by David Paterson to mismanage the Division of Minority & Women Owned Business Development (MWBE) at Empire State Development Corporation.

Now that's being rewarded for your incompetence.

New Yorkers do not deserve to be punished any further by David Paterson’s presence.

Instead of getting involved in matters relating to the Mosque, David Paterson needs to RESIGN NOW.

WTF argument is that? Seriously, this is America not Pakistan or Saudi Arabia. We have inalienable rights guaranteed in the Constitution...all of us, all the time. Now fuck off with your bigotry.

If America keeps this up we will be just like Great Britain......if are not aware of what has happened over there with some of the toughest immigration laws around it is worth checking out.

Why don`t all you supporters take a trip to Pakistan for your next vacation........see how welcome you feel.

We don't live in Pakistan, we live in America. America is different that other countries, that's why it's so great. And that's why Muslims come here, so they don't have to be in Pakistan.

Thaaaaaanks for playing!

No.....they come here and want to live like they do in Pakistan not assimilate.

You must know other people from Pakistan, the ones I know are citizens and are proud to be here.

"they come here and want to live like they do in Pakistan not assimilate."?

Wow, that 1st amendment must really suck for you. People can come here and "live" anyway they like. And who are you to define what it is to "assimilate"?

As long as everyone in the community, of all faiths, can use this space equally, who gives a shit.

Since this will only be a "community center" as they claim, let's open up some more titty clubs in the area (that's right, t-i-t-t-y club)...

This is a big deal about nothing.

Agreed, just another diversion so you don't notice the slimy politicians putting their hands deeper into your wallets.

How many of these newly inspired First Amendment right defenders would defend the rights of The White supremacist Aryan Church or of the Anti Gay Church that protests at funerals? Surprisingly, left wingers and ultra liberals are in a tizzy of outrage defending a growing misogynistic and violently homophobic ideology. The enthusiasm shown by the readers and writers of Gothamist must be based on the sad idea that the enemy of my enemy is my friend and since some right wingers oppose the mosque, then, you must oppose them.

What the likes of De Signore and company come up with in defense of the mosque is straw men after straw men arguments.

It wasn't strip joint owners or dive bar patrons that went after the towers. It wasn't capitalist bankers that paid for their destruction. It isn't the already existing low profile mosques that will stand as an overbearing and constant reminder of the hateful ideology that killed three thousand.

No one is picking a fight with the very large Islamic center on the Upper East Side. What upsets people as even Harry Reid and Howard Dean have pointed out is the monumemtality of this thing so close to the destruction. And yes, it is too close. If it is within the zone where debris fell and the dust settled, it is too close. Move it to Chelsea or the West Village. How about that Gothamist?

"How many of these newly inspired First Amendment right defenders would defend the rights of The White supremacist Aryan Church or of the Anti Gay Church that protests at funerals?"

I'm not newly minted, but to answer your question: it depends on the nature of the protest (not the content of the message, but the way the message is given). If the protest was disuptive to a funeral in terms of noise, then I wouldn't. But holding up signs, etc - of course I would defend that right. This is the USA.

"Surprisingly, left wingers and ultra liberals are in a tizzy of outrage defending a growing misogynistic and violently homophobic ideology." You're an idiot if you believe that Islam is monolithic.

But beyong the first amendment aspect of this "controversy" is a local service and national security controversy. Hating on Park51 is very different than hating on the Westboro Baptist Church. First, Park51 is part of the community. It is serving people who live or work downtown and want a place to do things including pray. Very different than Westboro Babtist Church travelling around the country disrputing funerals.

And second, hating on Park51 is undermining US security by causing more Muslims to actually dislike or hate the U.S. Anti-Park51 efforts are playing right into the hands of Al Qaeda. People like you have taken a peaceful community center and turned its story into a PR piece for radical Muslims. Well played!

Yeah-- the funny irony is that Fred Phelps & Co. are in fact thriving. That people ARE defending the rights of the KKK to have their stupid little rallys. That people are on television right now preaching hate in the guise of religion. Or in the guise of government, for that matter.

Protesting Park51 for the problems of religious extremists is hilariously misplaced. Or it would be hilarious if it wasn't really happening. The people building the community center have as little to do with stoning women as the YMCA does with Fred Phelps.

Listen, if you want to sit down & talk about how Islam isn't woman positive or gay friendly-- & how Judiasm isn't, & how Christianity isn't, & how Buddhism isn't, etc-- that is one thing. The thing you are missing is that plenty of people would be at the table with you, having the discussion. & many of those people would be part of those communities.

"It wasn't strip joint owners or dive bar patrons that went after the towers. It wasn't capitalist bankers that paid for their destruction."

Nor was it the builders of this community center, any more than than it was you or I.

It's a Simple yes or no question: Do you blame an entire Religion for the horrible acts of a relative few?

That's the only way people can claim insensitivity when these people had nothing to do with 9/11. You'd be in fine company with Pamela Geller, Geert Wilders to name two.

So, will you next go after all Germans for the Holocaust?

Blame all Japanese citizens for Nanking?

Answer or not, I'm just curious. If you can take time from beating that straw man to death, that is.

It's a Simple yes or no question: Do you blame an entire Religion for the horrible acts of a relative few?

That's the only way people can claim insensitivity when these people had nothing to do with 9/11.

So good, so succinct. There's nothing "clinical" about it. This is a real red-blooded moral issue.

You're exactly right. It feels crazy to have to be explaining this.