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LAST STAND AGAINST NYC MOSQUE: Opponents Counting on Landmarks Commission
For a majority of Americans, it is an astounding addition of insult to injury. It’s another senseless bow to tolerance that stabs at the heart of 9/11 families with such a sting of betrayal, it leaves one speechless. Of course, we’re talking about an Islamic mosque nearly cleared for construction on a site two blocks from Ground Zero in New York City.
No stranger to the fight against political correctness of extreme proportions, former U.S. Navy Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, is stepping into the swell of opposition to this mosque with an online petition to block its construction.
With New York mayor Michael Bloomberg and lower Manhattan’s community board on the other side of the debate, however, the project to build is a virtual green light. And, yet, Klingenschmitt and others have one last card to play . . . which is why the petition is targeted for New York City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission. The Chaplain has already faxed over 2,000 petition signatures to the commission.
If the Commission determines the site at 45 Park Place is a historic landmark—not a long shot by any means, given that the current building there was damaged by landing gear from one of the planes hitting the towers—it can reverse the decision to erect the mosque and mandate that the site remain as is.
For the chaplain, much like leading political opponent, New York Congressman, Peter King (R), it’s not a freedom-of-religion argument. But an issue about how this site specifically makes the construction of a mosque a terrible idea.
“Such a mosque will be seen by nearly everyone as a 13-story monument to the Islamic terrorists who killed 2,996 innocent Americans,” Klingenschmitt writes to the Commissioners on his petition. “If you approve, you will insult the victims’ memory, and reward Muslim terrorists for their violence, bringing shame upon the people of New York City.”
So, realistically, how will this final card play? Is this mosque just a terrible idea or, even worse, as some contend, is it a giant symbolic leap for Islam in its methodical attempt at Western domination? And if the mosque is erected, could it become a hot spot of animosity and confrontation in the Big Apple for years to come?
For insight on these and many other questions surrounding this story, call Special Guests to schedule an interview with Chaplain Klingenschmitt today.
THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES MAY BE USEFUL FOR SHOW PREP:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128544392
CHAPLAIN KLINGENSCHMITT’S PETITION CAN BE FOUND AT:
http://prayinjesusname.org/blog_post/show/63
ABOUT YOUR GUEST, CHAPLAIN GORDON JAMES KLINGENSCHMITT:
“Chaps” is a PhD Theology candidate, Air Force Academy graduate, motivational speaker and former U.S. Navy Chaplain who made national headlines and was vindicated by Congress after he took a stand for the rights of military chaplains to pray publicly “in Jesus’ name.”
By sacrificing his own 16-year career and a million dollar pension, by demanding his own court martial for the “crime” of worshiping in public, he inspired 300,000 petitioners, 85 percent of polled voters, 35 pro-family groups, and 75 Congressmen who mobilized to overturn the national military “non-sectarian prayer” policy, restoring the rights of military chaplains of all faiths to pray publicly, in uniform, according to the dictates of their conscience, even if they pray “in Jesus’ name.”
His organization, The Pray In Jesus Name Project, has led national petition drives that have reversed “Jesus-prayer bans” in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma, Oregon, California and Virginia. And, now, he battles in North Carolina.
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