Day: September 10, 2010

The Real ‘Ground Zero Mosque’ Was on the 17th Floor of the World Trade Center’s South Tower

Jon Ponder

photo-wtc-real-mosqueThe New York Times has a story up about what it calls a Muslim “prayer center” in the World Trade Center. Muslims who worked in the Twin Towers met there for their daily prayers — there was even a wash room nearby set up for the pre-prayer ritual cleansing.

By any measure, the “prayer center” in the trade center is much closer to the definition of a mosque than Park 51, the so-called “Ground Zero mosque” — a 12-story non-sectarian community center with a culinary school and sports facilities.

The fact that there was a mosque in the south tower — compounded by the fact that it is as likely as not there were Muslims praying in the mosque on the 17th floor when terrorists jet-bombed the building — should make it harder for Republicans to argue that construction of Park 51 somehow defiles the memory of those who died in the 9/11 attacks.

It should, but it won’t. This controversy is not about Park 51 or even about Ground Zero. It’s about Republican leaders fanning the flames of fear and hatred among their tea bagger base.

[…]

Verbatim

Buck Banks

I talk about campaign sex and campaign goggles, which I wasn’t having, but a lot of the staff and the journalists were. You know there’s not a lot to do in the meantime and you hear all the gossip … Campaign goggles are like beer goggles, the more you’re around the person the more attractive they become.

— Meghan McCain, in an interview with Joy Behar, promoting her new book, Dirty Sexy Politics, and wistfully wondering why nobody got campaign goggles over her.

Majority Opposes Boehner’s Billionaire Bailout – Wants Bush’s Tax Cuts for the Rich to Expire

Jon Ponder

A new Gallup poll finds that 44 percent of Americans oppose the “billionaire bailout” — meaning they want George Bush’s temporary tax cuts for everyone who makes under $250,000 to be extended, while returning the tax rate on the wealthy to the Clinton-era rate.

Thirty-seven percent favor House Republican Leader John Boehner’s demand that all Bush tax cuts be extended, including the breaks for the super-rich.

Just 15 percent want all the tax cuts to expire, regardless of income level.

[…]

Verbatim

Buck Banks

Obama — partially because of his belief in his own oratorical abilities — is the most radical President in American history.

— Newt Gingrich (NCJ, No Current Job), quoted by the Des Moines Register, sounding not a little bit jealous of the prez’s oratorical skills. Oh, and he forgot to mention, though he hints (i.e., “radical”) that Obama is a Muslim.