Thursday, August 26, 2010

BloggeRhythms 8/26/2010

TNBNT

Former New York Governor, George Pataki, was on the Chris Matthews show yesterday, and apparently had opinion differences with his host. The subject was the Mosque currently planned for construction in NYC.

The Governor’s point was that many are upset with the project, feeling the site’s too close to Ground Zero, and he thought it better to build it someplace else. Apparently, Matthews didn’t agree with him, saying that those opposed seem to be all radical right wingers, who are trying to politicize the issue, and politics isn’t the issue, religion is. Thus, the opposers are all anti-Muslim.

Pataki continued along, trying to support his position by pointing out that if, in fact, the construction was a religious undertaking there should really be thought given to moving it elsewhere. Because the open hostility the project was receiving certainly wasn’t in keeping with peace, harmony, goodwill and understanding that religious sites are meant to promote and support.

He further went on to say that, so far, those involved with the Mosque had not met with the families and friends of those lost at Ground Zero, and didn’t seem to be planning to do so. He thought that at least they’d want to talk to them and hear their point of view.

He was also curious about where the construction funds came from, because, apparently the person behind the project was a waiter in a New York restaurant at the time the site was originally purchased by him for about $5 million. And now, millions more have suddenly appeared for construction. Mr. Pataki thinks it prudent to at least ask where the money came from.

It seems to me that this whole situation will continue to fester, and as I’ve written before, there’s no solution I see that can assuage both sides. But I think that if this project isn’t moved to another location, whether the issue is religion, politics, terrorism, or simply arrogance and ignorance, all hell’s going to break loose in the city somehow or other, and maybe that’s just what the waiter wants.

That’s it for today folks.

Adios

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