Let's take a look at this Islamic community center's neighbors, shall we?

[Hugabear]

Using Google's Street View, I was able to undertake a little virtual tour to see just what kind of businesses would be sharing the neighborhood with the proposed Cordoba House. After all, we're lead by some to believe that the area surrounding "Ground Zero" is sacred ground, built on the ashes of the dead. So it only makes sense to check out who the neighbors are, doesn't it? Here's some of what I found on my quick virtual stroll - mind you that all of these are located within mere blocks of Ground Zero.

Dakota Roadhouse - a bar right next door to the proposed Cordoba House

Club Remix Lounge - is a nightclub really appropriate for such sacred, hollowed ground?

Off Track Betting - literally three doors down from Club Remix Lounge. A gambling establishment so close to Ground Zero? tsk tsk...

New York Dolls - bills itself as Wall Street's most recognizable "gentleman's club"

Pussycat Lounge - another "gentleman's club"...they feature a private room for lap dances!

Bank of Japan - really, has everyone forgotten what the Japanese did to us at Pearl Harbor? Why should they be allowed to build a bank near the WTC? :sarcasm:


Point is, as I'm sure any New Yorker would attest to, the blocks surrounding Ground Zero are already incredibly diverse, and could probably easily come up with many more examples. Seems kind of odd that strip clubs, nightclubs, gambling establishments, bars, and alcohol stores would be acceptable in this area, and yet a religious community center wouldn't be.

[Posteritatis]

1. (Insert wildly inconsistent, mobile goalpost-based objections here)! (nt)

[Dorian Gray]

18. I like all your recent inserts.

:)

[Starry Messenger]

2. A Wall Street strip club named New York Dolls??

Johnny Thunders is rolling in his grave.

[eShirl]

14. speaking of New York Dolls...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrhf_zgtmAg

sorry, couldn't resist

[LostinVA]

16. You are such a H8er

:cry:

[chollybocker]

3. This is exactly what I was thinking!

whenever I hear about the 'sacredness' of Ground Zero. What a crock.

Unfortunately, these idiots will never run out of people to hate.

[krispos42]

4. I knew the argument was BS when my RW uncle tried using it on me

I asked him how many blocks were appropriate? How many miles? Below what street should mosques be banned?

He changed the tack of his argument really quick.

[Posteritatis]

5. Whenever I've gotten a straight answer on that from people here, they're for a Manhattan-wide ban.

Ugh.

[krispos42]

6. Jeez...

My uncle began using the "if the KKK put up a white church in a black neighborhood" analogy. I said "so the mosque is being funded by Bin Laden?".


I don't think he got it. :-(

[Posteritatis]

8. I saw that claim made explicitly a few times today here too

It's pretty sad. ;P

[krispos42]

10. Muslims = terrorists. Thanks, Dubya. n/t

[Dorian Gray]

19. Really?

That's just pathetic.

[Vickers]

7. K&R, especially for the Bank of Japan part.

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Obamanaut]

9. There should be no buildings owned by any tax exempt religious group allowed

in any city. They are provided services, such as police and fire protection, while paying nothing for it.

If one group/organization wants to build, let them pay taxes the same as every other group in the neighborhood.

[Hannah Bell]

11. a large portion of nyc doesn't pay property tax & it's nothing to do with religion.

try sweet deals for capitalist real estate tycoons.

[surrealAmerican]

23. Property taxes are a whole different issue than the one being discussed here.

I tend to agree with you on that. There isn't any particularly compelling reason for granting exemptions to religious groups.

We would not be hearing a whisper about this if it were a church or christian community center.

[spoony]

12. Well done

Puts things into perspective. Not that it wasn't cut and dry before, but this really pulls the legs out from the charade arguments against the centre.

[Douglas Carpenter]

13. a picture of the unused building or "sacred ground" where the community center is being built

The proposed site of the Islamic community centre to be operated by a group called the Cordoba Initiative. Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Today the commission unanimously declined to preserve the building, an 1850s Italianate structure that was damaged on 9/11 and has been disused ever since. It said there was nothing sufficiently distinguished about its design that earned it landmark status.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/03/mosque-9-11-site

The plan for a Muslim centre is the brainchild of the Cordoba Initiative, a group set up after 9/11 to build bridges between moderate Islam and the West. Its name alludes to the Spanish city that was famous for its religious toleration under the Moors.

Proponents point out that there has been an active mosque on a separate site within six blocks of Ground Zero for the past 30 years. The Cordoba Initiative has also promised that the mosque – which it prefers to call an inter-faith prayer space – will be welcoming to non-Muslim religions.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/03/mosque-9-11-site

[LostinVA]

15. Oh, bravo!

Well played!

[Dorian Gray]

17. Wait a minute????

There are clubs and bars near the Ground Zero site? Blasphemy! So disrespectful and in your face!!!!

Obviously, I'm being sarcastic. I'm glad people are investing in property down there and building. I hope it becomes a thriving area soon. I wish luck to the Cordoba House and to all those bars. And anyone else who wants to open a business there.

[Douglas Carpenter]

20. great work!! thanks for taking the time

:patriot: :patriot:

[JHB]

21. Don't leave out the Amish Market, two doors down!

With their genuine Amish sushi, and genuine Amish kosher meats!

:rofl:

[Hugabear]

29. I did see that place on my virtual stroll

Could be a front, never know... :rofl:

[JHB]

31. They do have hummus...

:hi:

[uppityperson]

22. k&r for "numerous reasons" my butt

[Douglas Carpenter]

24. yes that comment had to be the most cynical and disingenuous comments ever posted by any moderator

in the history of DU:

There are numerous reasons why people feel they way they do, and many of those do not include bigotry

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=8875367#8880172


.

[bring_em_home_bush]

25. just as long as none of them are owned by Muslims, it's all good apparently

(I'm sure some businesses in the area are actually owned or operated by Muslims, but shhhhhh -- that's all part of Bin Laden's soooper sekrit plan too).

[Scurrilous]

26. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Poboy]

27. See, now this is gold right here. Thanks to the OP. -nt

[Douglas Carpenter]

28. another kick - because it is so important

[Violet_Crumble]

30. K&R n/t

[Ikonoklast]

32. Fear the English! Hate them!

Fear the Spanish! Hate them!
Fear the 'Huns'! Hate them!
Fear the 'Japs'! Hate them!
Fear the Russians! Hate them!
Fear the Muslims! Hate them!



...the Chinese are getting on deck.

[Hugabear]

36. We already have plenty reason to hate the Chinese

Korean War, 'nuff said.

Hell, at this point there really aren't too many countries that we haven't fought with at some point.

[Douglas Carpenter]

33. such a good job and such an excellent post!!! needs more recs!!

[Moses2SandyKoufax]

34. K&R

Good work!

[Freetradesucks]

35. Umm, what the fuck

Do strip bars and gin joints have to do with a religiously motivated attack that killed almost 4000 people? Let's not forget about the Christian financed "crusades" either, and let's not pick favorites. They are all nuts.