Poll question of the week

It's been a little while since we've done one of these. In fact, it's partly because we were crushed by the fact that you all thought that Timothy Geithner was a bigger hack than that miserable hack that runs the Justice Department.

We've recovered.

You may have heard that the Cordoba House has been granted permission to be built near the site of Ground Zero. The poll is asking for your reaction, so please follow suit and please add any further commentary in the comment section.

Interesting side note from the New York's Landmarks Preservation Commission meeting yesterday where they voted to allow construction of the mosque: A construction worker, Andy Sullivan, who helped with the bucket brigades there at the site in the days after 9-11 had this to say regarding an important logistical matter:

Later, Sullivan told reporters that the controversy surrounding the mosque is far from over.

“You’re going to have a problem getting labor there,” he said. “Everyone I’ve talked to will not lift a finger to build that disgrace.”

Having spent 4 years back there while attending Seminary, New Yorkers are not the type to be trifled with. We see picket lines.




Addendum #1: OK, folks, one more certainty (but in a good way): death, taxes and Sarah B.'s commentary. Liberated from the comment section:

I think it is a horrible symbolic statement by the Islamic community. They have zero sensitivity to what the extreme elements of their faith did at that location. If Islam is a religion of peace, I say PROVE IT. Spend the next 10 years building a track record of sensitivity and activism that illustrates how tolerant they are of other faiths, a willingness to protect and nurture women, and banish and battle terrorism. Why the hell are WE the ones who are supposed to open our hearts to all their demands and whims? They need to be in the WORKING end of their relationship with peace loving, God fearing, law abiding America. They want to be here in this great nation, fine...pony up (and I don't mean financially).

Full disclosure: We voted (b). And lest you think we're getting weak in the knees, be it known, we think Sarah is spot-on. Much like today's ruling from a single judge here in California, there is a legal aspect to this as well as a PR one.

Now, we're not going to pretend to know what the real PR motive is of the people who wish to build this mosque. If it is to build a bridge to understanding and reconciliation then that is going to take years and years, if at all, considering the emotions surrounding this. There would appear to be more effective and discreet ways of doing so than building this structure within shouting distance of Ground Zero.

If, however, the motive is to symbolically provoke then, Mission Accomplished.

This story and the words and deeds that follow, through the planning stages, ground breaking, construction and dedication of this mosque will be the lead narrative of Muslim relations with respect to not only this country but the West.

Suffice to say, we're not looking forward to the next few years of construction development in the NYC.