This was sent by a regular reader of this blog, who pointed out that this could be of interest with all that fuss about a certain place of worship that is being discussed somewhat vehemently on the other side of the Pond. It seems that while the building of the Muslim centre and a mosque just there next to Ground Zero is a matter of the First Amendment, the rebuilding of the Greek Orthodox church in Lower Manhattan that was actually destroyed on 9/11 is of less importance.
Fox News reports that negotiations between the church and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (not an organization I have much admiration for) have broken down. Without taking sides as I do not know the truth of what was said by whom and when, I cannot help wondering whether the President will make any comments about this. Of course, whatever he says will have to be withdrawn the following day.
Thank you Helen.
ReplyDeleteA couple of links to put some perspective on this:
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Chuch: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Nicholas_Greek_Orthodox_Church
The fateful day: http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/06/nyregion/06church.190.jpg
A 'homeless' congregation: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/06/no-church-at-ground-zero-yet-faith-and-hope-persist/#more-1542
Nick
Thanks, Nick.
ReplyDeleteIt's astonishing that the media doesn't mention that the planning application cites the proposed opening date of the mosque as:
ReplyDeleteSeptember 11, 2011
I.e., exactly 10 years after Ground Zero. Why would they do that, if they had no agenda?
Littlejohn mentioned this in his article today, but seemed to suggest that the opening date might be rumour. Laziness in checking the facts on his part - or yet another attempt to mislead the public?
The Mail and other papers attempt to pour water on dissenters of the scheme by saying that it is a "community centre". Well, a mosque which has a swimming pool on its site is still a mosque!