Tim "I'm not a bigot, I just want the GOP 2012 nomination" Pawlenty says:
"I'm strongly opposed to the idea of putting a mosque anywhere near Ground Zero-I think it's inappropriate," he said. "I believe that 3,000 of our fellow innocent citizens were killed in that area, and some ways from a patriotic standpoint, it's hallowed ground, it's sacred ground, and we should respect that. We shouldn't have images or activities that degrade or disrespect that in any way."
Apparently, Pawlenty forgot that fact that the Pentagon was also attacked on 9/11 -- and that there is a mosque in the Pentagon. Justin Elliot:
Why did no one object to the "Pentagon mosque"?
The "ground zero mosque" story seems to be dying down, but nothing lays bare the absurdity of what we've just lived through quite so much as this Washington Times story, quoted above, from 2007.
Yes, Muslims have infiltrated the Pentagon for their nefarious, prayerful purposes -- daring to practice their religion inside the building where 184 people died on Sept. 11, 2001. They haven't even had the sensitivity to move two blocks, let alone a mile, away from that sacred site.
The story to which Elliot linked:
Navy imam Chaplain Abuhena M. Saifulislam lifted his voice to God as he called to prayer more than 100 Department of Defense employees Monday at a celebration of Ramadan at the Pentagon.
God is most great, sang the lieutenant commander and Islamic leader, in Arabic, as iftar — the end of the daily fast began.
Uniformed military personnel, civilians and family members faced Mecca and knelt on adorned prayer rugs chanting their prayers in quiet invocation to Allah.
So how about it, Tim? Why aren't you outraged by the Pentagon mosque? And doesn't your lack of outrage prove that you are merely trying to exploit religious bigotry for political gain? And doesn't that make you a poster-child for cowardice?
Comments are closed on this story.