NY Gov Paterson to Meet with GZ Mosque Developers; Concerned About Obama/Bloomberg Involvement

| August 18, 2010

image It looks like the story broken by Haartz.com may be accurate, but a change in location is far from a done deal..  CBS 2 in New York City reported late last night that the developers are willing to meet with New York Governor David Paterson to discuss a possible solution and to talk about state land that may be available.

What I find interesting is that Governor Paterson is concerned about this effort being sabotaged… by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and President Barack Obama…

Sources tell CBS 2’s Kramer that Gov. Paterson is concerned that Mayor Mike Bloomberg, a staunch supporter of putting the mosque at ground zero, and President Barack Obama, might be advising mosque leaders to dig in their heels and insist on the present location.

But there was a glimmer of hope that they are open to a compromise.

While I understand acknowledging the constitutional right this group has to build, what I don’t get is the lack of sensitivity and endorsement of an effort that clearly lacks wisdom.  President Obama especially finds himself in an awkward position (hence the backtracking) of being on the opposite side of the Democratic members of Congress representing New York who are serving in potential swing districts.  I especially liked what Congressman Tim Bishop (D-NY 1) said:

As a New Yorker, I believe Ground Zero is sacred ground and should unite us. If the group seeking to build the mosque is sincere in its efforts to bring people together, I would urge them to seek an alternative location which is less divisive. I dispute the wisdom of building at that location, not the constitutional right.

I completely agree with that sentiment.  Hopefully this is the beginning of the end.

HT: Memeorandum

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Category: Constitutional Issues, Obama Administration, U.S. News

About the Author ()

Shane Vander Hart is the founder and editor-in-chief of Caffeinated Thoughts.  He is also the President of 4:15 Communications, LLC, a social media & communications consulting/management firm.  He is a communications director for American Principles Project’s Preserve Innocence Initiative.  Prior to this Shane spent 20 years in youth ministry serving in church, parachurch, and school settings.  He has also served as an interim pastor and is a sought after speaker and pulpit fill-in.  Shane has been married to his wife Cheryl since 1993 and they have three kids.  Shane and his family reside near Des Moines, IA.  You can connect with Shane on Facebook or follow him on Twitter and Google +.
  • http://crombouke.blogspot.com Trencherbone

    The Victory Mosque is just the visible tip of a very large iceberg. Beneath the surface of Western societies, Muslims are waging a campaign of infiltration, subversion, sedition and social sabotage, with the objective of destroying our countries and way of life from within.

  • Jane Doe

    David Paterson’s offer of an alternate site for their development is a blatant violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution. It seems that Paterson appears to be forgetting that his help might be a violation of basic American rights. Helping a religious group build a house of worship is exactly what the First Amendment seeks to prevent. Such a move also sets a dangerous precedent.

    It is a huge mistake for David Paterson to get involved with the Mosque. David Paterson has no ability whatsoever to improve a situation – he only makes matters worse.

    Unfortunately, for New Yorker’s, David Paterson has no ability to govern. In fact, David Paterson never had any ability to govern. “The Democratic Conference: Organizational and Operational Structure Report” is an eyewitness account of Paterson’s DYSFUNCTIONAL governing nature while Senate Minority Leader.

    http://www.politico.com/static/PPM110_demreportfinal.html

    Paterson’s office was criticized for PATRONAGE, LACK OF LEADERSHIP, INDECISIVENESS and INFIGHTING. Those interviewed in the report indicated that its chief of staff the disorganized Michael Jones-Bey had no management skills, was neglectful in his duties – often boozing it up with staff and coming to the office with a hangover – and should be relieved of his position.

    Amazingly, for running such a DYSFUNCTIONAL CHAOTIC office, the disorganized Michael Jones-Bey was hand picked by David Paterson to mismanage the Division of Minority & Women Owned Business Development (MWBE) at Empire State Development Corporation.

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