Most telling: From Rauf, self-proclaimed “bridge-builder,” there has been no word. His Cordoba Initiative foundation has been tweeting and blogging and posting away about assorted endorsements of his Ground Zero mosque project. But of Rauf’s taxpayer-funded travels to the Middle East, there is no news. No chatty missive from the imam about who’s on his dance card in Doha, or Manama, or Dubai, or Abu Dhabi. No updates on how or where or from whom he is now expecting to procure the $100 million for his Cordoba House. Nor is there any detail about the itinerary of his wife and partner in Islamic nonprofits, Daisy Khan, for whom the State Department has arranged her own taxpayer-funded junket to Dubai and Abu Dhabi this same month.
It’s easy to lose sight of the imam’s vanishing act, because his name is everywhere. Just about everyone from the Palestinian terrorists of Hamas to President Barack Obama has been busy talking about Rauf’s $100 million Ground Zero mosque project. Obama weighed in Friday evening at a White House Ramadan dinner, and then sorta kinda tried to weigh back out over the weekend. The Cordoba Initiative, on its blog, is playing up his remarks as an endorsement. The New York Post reports that a Hamas leader in Gaza, Mahmoud al-Zahar, is thrilled about Rauf’s mosque project. And we all know by now that Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been cheering it on, and doesn’t care where the money comes from.
But where is Rauf? Has anyone had a sighting? What was he doing for weeks in Malaysia? Who was at that “important meeting” in his Kuala Lumpur office? What is he doing right now in the Gulf (if, indeed, he is now there)? What will be the choreography of his reappearance when he finally deigns to return to New York? And what does his choice of this lengthy communications blackout tell us about his respect — or lack of respect — for the American public?
The whole thing stinks – lies, misrepresentations, distortions of reality, cover-ups, mind-numbing political correctness, you name it, this project has it. This is an attempt at an enormous scam, a con job, perpetrated on the American public by professional con artists, it just reeks of dishonesty, the stench is over-powering.
This whole thing is being used as a political football. But the quick, easy and proper response to the “hallowed ground” argument is to say that the Constitution is ALSO hallowed. How many people have died defending that over 235 years? The Constitution itself is certainly as American as the WTC. Nothing is more American, and turning the tables on the Republicans would make them turn tail with their ‘hallowed ground” bogus critique. If anything we need to be supporting a more moderate Islam, which is what the Cordoba House is.
Praetorian.
I’ll agree that it’s become a political football, it’s a good issue to raise.
But, leaving aside the political BS between Republicans & Democrats, the American people don’t want this. And there is nothing ”moderate” about the Cordoba Victory Mosque because there’s nothing moderate about Islam.
Take a look at the video clip by Bill Whittle here on PJTV.
Actually the “more moderate” Islamic folks should be more active in demonstrating the American values the citizens of the greatest country in the history of planet earth hold dear. It is the limp wrist socialists who are constantly attempting to turn political correctness into a “Constitutional Right,” shamelessly and cowardly blaming Americans for treasuring their country and it’s values.
The issue is not whether they have the right to build it there. The issue is whether they should acknowledge the sensitivities of the majority of Manhattanites and build elsewhere.
You chose to use the same duplicitous strawman argument that Obama. The willingness to invoke fake assaults on the Constitution on this issue to score cheap political points that you and Obama share says nothing about the respect the opponents have for constitutional rights. It does say a great deal about the disdain for them you share with Obama when you throw that card so blithely.
Thank’s for the update Claudia…I asked Mr.Simon to ‘stay the course’ on this and I would encourage you to do the same. In a country of over 300 million; it’s telling that there are only a handful of people asking these questions in the midst of an ongoing media black-out. Anyone with an ounce of backbone working in these foreign embassies should E-mail you immediately upon sighting this Rauf guy…this story has potential, and I believe it’s a truly worthwhile effort to expose the truth behind this whole mess. Why and how can our State Department even consider sending this guy on a paid vacation at taxpayers expense; and furthermore, why are they not forthright about Islam IN the WH? In effect, we’re paying a guy to spread Islam, thereby encouraging the same ideology that drove the muslim attackers to destroy the twin towers.
I think you know exactly where you’re going with this one…I hope you get it done tout suite.
Islam is as Islam does and the Ground Zero Mosque is Islam doing TRIUMPHALISM as it has done throughout the history of its ‘spread by lies deception and the the sword’ . Think the Ground Zero Mosque does not fit into that category then you must be an historical and Islamic ignoramus. Ground breaking was scheduled 9/11/10 grand opening 9/11/11 name CORDOBA capital city of Muslim conquered and OCCUPIED Spain. They are not only insulting the 9/11 dead they are rubbing salt in to the wound and your Mohammedan President loves it. There are Triumphalist Mosques in Spain, Turkey, the Holy land in fact everywhere the ARAB invaders conquered.
Obama’s Bin Lyin’ and America’s Dyin’
It means: Kneel and bow down, kaffirs!
Where in the world is Imam Rauf? Be the first one on your block to find Feisal!
Islam is now under the grip of interpreters who swear by the Shariyat and the Hadith. After all, both the Shariyat an the Hadith are written by men (certainly not women)and hence they can and should be changed to conform to the present day conditions. Unfortunately Muslims who reinterpret Islam are in a minority and are soon rendered marginal to current practices of Islam. Find a way to solve the problem. Unless a mass movement from within builds up questioning the orthodox interpretations of the Shariyat and resisting it, we will see no end to the turmoil that Islam is creating in the whole world. I suppose that day will come when the West gets converted and brings interpretations that are in conformity with the European culture. That is why I converted my husband to the ways of Mohammad–May peace be on him.Insha Allah.
Mehr: You converted your husband “to the ways of Mohammad–May peace be on him. Insha Allah.” Are you sure you want to boast of that feat of conversion? Mohammad was not a flower child dancing through the tulip fields, strumming on a guitar. He has the reputation of being a pedophile, a rapist, a murderer, and a charismatic thug who conquered the Arabian Peninsula by force crying it’s Islam or else. Islamic scholars do not question that reputation, and in fact encourage and endorse it to strike fear in the minds of kaffirs and other infidels. I think you would have been wiser to convert your husband to Quakerism. Quakers are not noted for their suicide bombs or hijacking skills or talking from both sides of their mouths, as Rauf, CAIR, ISNA and other Muslim front spokesmen are notorious for. You sound like a nice lady, but I think you’re missing the boat on Islam and especially on the GZ mosque.
If this Ground Zero perversion goes forward, just who is going to build it? Now would be the time for the U.S. construction unions to put words into action. Cost overruns, infinite setbacks, and numerous crippling “mistakes and oversights” would be a good start!
Rauf’s junket is likely to have two purposes: to raise money for the GZ mosque, or more money than was originally reported, State Department assertions to the contrary notwithstanding; and to take the heat off of him and Daisy, his partner in dissimulation. If they’re not available to answer questions, there’s less risk of their putting their feet in their mouths, as Obama did at the Ramadan dinner. One laughable spin-off story about the GZ mosque is Harry Reid’s opposition to the mosque at Ground Zero, announced in a transparent bid to appeal to Americans who otherwise hate his guts for ramming Obamacare down their throats. But everyone sees through that as easily as they see through Rauf’s assurances that the mosque is just a “community center” that happpens to have a “prayer room.” I don’t think it’s likely that Catholics will be invited to hold masses in that room, or Christopher Hitchens to lecture on atheism in it, either.
The imam is out acquiring the nuclear device that he intends to have buried in the basement of the Cordoba Outreach Center. Should cause quite the dialogue.
Ask not questions about things which if made plain to you, may cause you trouble. Shhh…
lynn is on it
http://qatar.usembassy.gov/
http://abudhabi.usembassy.gov/
Time for us to call these embassies and find out…
On a related note, Claudia, I am curious as to how often your path crossed the path of Lord Pearson of Rannoch, referred to here: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100050821/lord-pearson-of-rannoch-resigns-as-ukip-leader-i-am-not-much-good-at-party-politics/
For I am thinking that co-ordination will result in a better short term, medium term, and long term future, for us who are not afraid to shine the light on Islam’s dark side.
Obama’ Bin Lyin and America’s Dyin’
“Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been cheering it on, and doesn’t care where the money comes from.”
Someone think about this a little more.
Michael Bloomberg may not need the money, but is there money for anyone else? If the Iranians are behind this, as seems very possible from the evidence, how might they guarantee success?
Fellow dudes and dudettes,
Rauf has as much right to build the mosque in lower Manhattan as anybody with the cash to do the same. I get the feeling that the right wingers don’t mind massage parlors and porn shops in the neighborhood, but golly, no religious sites, please. I mean, get a grip!
It’s not a religion, it’s a death cult; there is a distinction. In this case, I am with Voltaire: “Quoi que vous fassiez, écrasez l’infâme, et aimez qui vous aime.” Islam is a violent, dissembling, cult of aggression and subjugation, and they do not love us.
This was noted in a news report last night (CBS, I think). But one protester found that irrelevant. After all, “They [the porn and sex shops] didn’t kill my son.”
Dudes/Dudettes,
You need appreciate my pearls of wistom to understand the how this all works. If you don’t starve the beast, the beast will starve you. I said it before, and I’ll say it again. Raul has the right to build his mosque anywhere he wants. No one is neutral. You are here on this planet to learn this. If you fail to learn this, you will fail in your mission to grow as a human being.
Choose life! L’Chaim!
mika;
Clearly you fail to realize that Islam does not wish you to grow or choose life . . . Islam only wants to KILL you! So shall set the sparrow hawk, unseen in it’s wing, yet when the game does twinkle in his eye, the game is dead just the same.
Dudes and dudettes? Jeffrey Lebowski doesn’t read PM, and the salutation isn’t as cute or as clever as you imagine it to be. The rest of your hippie bullshit is just…well, bullshit, but thanks for coming down from your ashram long enough to give us a sermon on what we’re here on the planet to learn and enlightening us cave dwellers as to our purpose as human beings.
you are very welcome, I’m so sure! Peace out! Shalom brother!
Isn’t he’s the same guy that wants no Jews in Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza, because they’re Jews exorcising their local property rights? And, coincidently, isn’t he the same guy who wants a ground zero Mosque as a token of American tolerance in reparations for years of colonial and neocolonial racism and oppression against Muslims? You know, it’s a civil rights thing for Muslims to exorcise their property rights in New York, but not for Jews in Jerusalem to exorcise their local property rights. You know, what’s his name, the president.
Caroline Glick, a writer for the Jerusalem Post, notes exactly this in an article today – that for Obama, Muslims have the clear right to build a mosque wherever they please, but Jews don’t have the right to build wherever they please in Jerusalem or in their ancient lands (Judea and Samaria) even if they own the land, nor the right to enforce the law against Arabs who build illegally where they choose.
I live in Manama, Bahrain and will be on the look-out for “Rauf-y-boy” over the next few days. If he turns up I’ll keep you posted.
As promised, an update on his where-abouts:
Imam Rauf arrived in Bahrian last night from UAE. He will be here until Monday. No official word from the Bahrain News Agency or the U.S. Embassy as to what he’ll do or who he’ll meet but a great article in today Gulf Daily News (www.gulfdailynews.com) which details what the State Dept. is paying him.
Abu Rauf was spotted by an old buddy of mine at a beach cafe in Goa last week. He was buying drinks, puffing on a hash pipe, passing it around, and telling anyone who would listen what a great gal Hillary is. He was also inviting everyone to the big bash he was throwing on 9/11/2011 at his new digs in Lower Manhattan. “Of course, it’s BYOB and you need to be discreet. We’re thinking a mega TV screen with all the different footage of the planes slamming into the towers.” My buddy said Abu’s hash was definitely primo, cause for a few seconds he was thinking how cool those optics would be. Then Abu starting talking about turning up the sound for the bodies falling to the pavement, with a big grin. My friend said it was a real buzz kill.
@6. The Provincial
Hate to break it to you, but, most ‘Unions’ are in the Leftists (for their own self-interests).
I propose that all of the family/friends of the 911 victims (as well as any/all Americans against this) create a class-action lawsuit against the people behind this mosque and sue for emotional pain and suffering. After all, the USA needs to ‘redistribute’ some of that ‘Middle East oil wealth’.
Where is this guy?
DUH!, He’s laughing all the way to the bank with our money, on a celebration/adoration tour of the Middle East.
He’s campaigning…getting lots of face time and speaking engagements in the “arab street”……beating his own drum, blowing his own horn, setting himself up among the faithful as the most famous, most victorious soldier of mohammed, the great conqueror of the infidel city….
He, who dares to live fearlessly among the enemy, and not hide his faith or intentions….
He, who planted the flag atop the ruins, long before the infidels could rebuild…
He, who used the infidels own money and their own weakness and PC fear to mock, to taunt, to dare us to try and stop him.
He, who unashamedly calls the place “cordoba” in remembrance of muslim victory upon the ruins of sacred Christian sites….
He is setting himself up to be the Greatest Living Leader of Islam. Wined and dined and invited into the respectability of the American Left.
Acknowledged, revered and apologized to by the greatest leaders of the enemy infidels, who tremble at the very thought of insulting him.
He is preparing his nest, his throne, his legacy, which is to become a larger and more famous hero of Islam than even an Arafat could have ever dreamed.
You know, Obama doesn’t get it because he’s not really black. If the honcho in chief of the Crips wiped out a Bloods crack house, the Bloods wouldn’t be saying: “It’s understandable. We brought it on ourselves for dealing crack in the hood, and making millions. It’s just the roosters coming home to roost.” And when the Crips showed up to build a Crip safe house in Blood territory they had bought through various corporate cut outs, the Bloods wouldn’t say: “Well, the Crips have property rights and civil rights too. The brothers have the right to build a crack house where ever the brothers want, and make millions too. Shit.” No, the Bloods would watch the Crips build their crack house, called the Crack Mosque, and then the Bloods would do a drive by, blowing the place up. That’s how foreign policy works in the real world; after all, the whole world’s a ghetto, to borrow a songs platitude, but Obama didn’t grow up in it. So I suspect most of his political difficulties come from the fear of his being perceived as an “Uncle Tom,” and thus constantly over compensating. In short, he’s trying too hard to be one of the dogs, but really doesn’t know how. That’s dangerous, because a dog having an identity crisis while the pack leader can lead to a panic biter.
Claudia, maybe Rauf can’t be located because he’s in Malaysia with another wife and family celebrating Ramadan. Have you considered that possibility? I read somewhere that he married Daisy when he was in his 40s and they have no children. But, curiously, his bio on the Cordoba website and hers on the ASMA site neglect to mention they are married. Since Muslims are allowed to marry four wives perhaps he has a wife or two with children in Malaysia but needs to keep it secret because he knows Americans don’t like multiply marriages — at least not simultaneously. Maybe that’s why Daisy didn’t join him on his trip to Malaysia.
Daisy Khan: “When will Muslims be accepted?” …
She says she and her husband will not back down. “There is too much at stake,” she says. “Constitutional rights, the development of the Muslims here, how the world is watching the United States. We tell people America upholds religious freedom. We should not compromise those values.”
Khan says that it is “evident that there is still healing that needs to happen. There are bigger issues here and it’s also about how Muslims are perceived. When will Muslims be accepted as plain old Americans?”
…
She and her husband have been in contact with Muslim communities across the United States. “It’s a major concern of the Muslim communities because it has sparked anti-Islam and anti-moque feelings everywhere. Six mosques have already been prevented from being established. We have to be careful about every step we take. There are huge stakes in this.”
She and her husband have been the target of major death threats since the controversy began and they are ramping up as is the hate mail. “We are working with the police on this.”
“What gives me strength,” she says, is that “we are in a history making moment. Our ideals must prevail. We have to fight for a bigger society.”
…
As for now, “We have too important a moment to back down. We have to take our opponents and transform them. We have to convince people that not all Muslims are extremists. We have to educate them on being able to distinguish between us and on the issue of Islamophobia. This is a bigger fight. This is a defining moment for us”
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/sally_quinn/2010/08/daisy_khan_when_will_muslims_be_accepted.html
[A phone interview by lifestyle blogger Sally Quinn with Daisy Khan, posted today]
I certainly want Daisy Khan to explain exactly what she means by “We have to take our opponents and transform them.”
The New York Observer’s interview of Park51 developer Sharif El-Gamal on August 17, 2010 was full of spin, but also consistent that El-Gamal will not back down.
We need a cure for saving face.
I am still trying to think of the last time New York City had a trio of con artists like this…
wow, that’s really a good question!!!: “When will Muslims be accepted as plain old Americans?”
IMHO the answer is: “when the old America will vanish and Muslims will present the majority of the new Americans that will deem the previous generations of former colonists ex-european Christian civilization as an evil and wrong past of their continent…”
Imam Rauf is trying to construct a bridge to nowhere. If he is truly listening to the vast majority of Americans who want his mosque project moved to elsewhere, he should have by now made an announcement to this effect. His wife Daisy Khan said that the mosque project will not be moved and she thought those opposing the Ground Zero mosque were ignorant. They are abusing the freedom of this great nation and it seems more people will join the cause of opposing this rather unwise move.