SALON

Monday, Aug 16, 2010 8:01 PM UTC

Harry Reid says “ground zero mosque” should be built “someplace else”

The Nevada senator joins the ranks of those who issue opinions on where Muslims can build things in Manhattan

By

Topics: Park51, War Room, 2010 Elections, Harry Reid, New York City, Religion,

Harry Reid says Sen. Harry Reid answers questions during the Netroots Nation convention at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 24, 2010. Reid faces Republican and tea party favorite Sharron Angle this November in his bid to keep representing Nevada. (AP Photo/Louie Traub)(Credit: AP)

Harry Reid has just officially ended the entire controversy surrounding the supposed “ground zero mosque,” forever, by announcing that he is against it. He believes, of course, that the organizers of Park51 — a planned community center blocks away from and  having nothing to do with the former site of he World Trade Center — have the right to build what they want on private property. He just thinks they shouldn’t, because it would upset Sarah Palin and Andrea Peyser and Mike Lupica. And a fireman. I am pretty sure that I read that a hero fireman 9/11 widow is against this project, and so it should be moved somewhere where it won’t hurt any heroes, like Canada. Here is Reid’s statement:

The First Amendment protects freedom of religion. Senator Reid respects that but thinks that the mosque should be built some place else. If the Republicans are being sincere, they would help us pass this long overdue bill to help the first responders whose health and livelihoods have been devastated because of their bravery on 911, rather than continuing to block this much-needed legislation.

Thanks, Harry, for weighing in. We in New York are thrilled to hear what you have to say. But why stop at the “Ground Zero Mosque”? What does the senator from Nevada think about the Bedford Avenue bike lane? Did the majority leader know that numerous schools near ground zero — in what would’ve been the shadows of the Twin Towers — are teaching our children algebra?

And when you say that “the mosque should be build some place else,” well, you just raise the question of where. Does Harry Reid want the ground zero mosque to be built in Nevada?

Now that Senator Reid has heroically announced that he doesn’t think this community center that will include a prayer room should be built in lower Manhattan, Republican attacks against Democrats for being insufficiently anti-Muslim will never happen again, and angry white people will love Barack Obama.

Alex Pareene

Alex Pareene writes about politics for Salon and is the author of "The Rude Guide to Mitt." Email him at apareene@salon.com and follow him on Twitter @pareene More Alex Pareene.

Next Article

You Might Also Like

More Related Stories

Featured Slide Shows

Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

close X
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 11
  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

  • Recent Slide Shows

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 11

Related Videos

More Related Stories

Comments

 31 Comments

Comment Preview

Your name will appear as username ( settings | log out )

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href=""> <b> <em> <strong> <i> <blockquote>

follow salon

Most Read

Popular on Reddit

links from salon.com

From Around the Web

Presented by Scribol
listener_new_rect The Listener: "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves": Growing up primate

Recommendations