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Majority of Manhattanites for Mosque, So That Settles It, Right?
By
John Del Signore
Published Aug 12, 2010
Modified Aug 12, 2010
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By
John Del Signore
Published Aug 12, 2010
Modified Aug 12, 2010
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While yesterday's Marist poll found that 53% of New Yorkers oppose constructing the Islamic community center and mosque two blocks from Ground Zero, a closer look at the numbers reveals that Manhattan residents are solidly in support of the project. 53% of survey respondents in Manhattan—that island in elitist, unreal America where the thing will actually be built—are for the Islamic center, with 31% opposed and 16% undecided. Majority rules! And that's the last we'll hear of the mosque controversy; it's been a real blast, folks.
As a final coda, we'll note that Mayor Bloomberg distanced himself yesterday from Governor Paterson's proposal to move the Islamic center somewhere else on state property. Appearing at a press conference with the Governor by his side, Bloomberg told reporters the governor was free to offer the land but could "speak for himself. I’m just telling you, I’ve always believed the government should not be involved in deciding who you pray to, what you say, or where you say it." But in a rebuttal described as "long and meandering" by the Times, Paterson said, "We’re not talking about mixing church and state. I hope that the type of cultural understanding that they’re trying to promote when they build the center can be practiced right now."
Paterson also confirmed that he developer behind the project is not interested in building anywhere else. "I think that they would like to stay where they are," Paterson told reporters. "And I certainly respect that, and I certainly respect them. What I wanted to do is to have a conversation with them about how other people are feeling. We really are all victims, and perhaps we just need to understand each other." Spoken like a guy who's clearly not running for office this year.
Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Long Island) is campaigning for re-election, so he's joined the rest of his party in putting the substantive "Ground Zero" mosque issue front and center. The Daily News reports that he's been robo-calling voters in his district asking for their thoughts on the hot topic. The pre-recorded call begins: "This past week a vote was taken that brings us one step closer to having a mosque built in the shadows of where the world trade center once stood. But this fight is far from over..."
Tagged
bloomberg
dean skelos
governor paterson
ground zero
ground zero mosque
islamophobia
mayor bloomberg
mosque
paterson
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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