Ken&Brenda Battle Jordan Are Outraged About Obama Using Our Tax Dollars For Mosque Makeovers

[Ken and Brenda Battle Jordan]

Register for E-mail alerts. Comment on articles. Sign up today, it's easy. NewsOpinionSportsCultureBooksBlogsCommunitiesPhoto GalleriesPoliticsNationalWorldNational SecurityEconomyD.C. 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Community members both for and against the plan spoke during the meeting. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)PrintEmail39 Comments and 2 ReactionsEnlarge Text|ShrinkClick-2-ListenSocial NetworksFacebookTwitterQuestion of the DayWill Congress agree to a spending bill before a government shutdown? Undecided Yes No Maybe Login to Vote View results Social NetworksFacebookTwitterQuestion of the DayWill Congress agree to a spending bill before a government shutdown? Undecided Yes No Maybe Login to Vote View results The State Department is sending Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf - the mastermind of the Ground Zero Mosque - on a trip through the Middle East to foster “greater understanding” about Islam and Muslim communities in the United States. However, important questions are being raised about whether this is simply a taxpayer-funded fundraising jaunt to underwrite his reviled project, which is moving ahead in Lower Manhattan. Mr. Rauf is scheduled to go to Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Qatar, the usual stops for Gulf-based fundraising. The State Department defends the five-country tour saying that Mr. Rauf is “a distinguished Muslim cleric,” but surely the government could find another such figure in the United States who is not seeking millions of dollars to fund a construction project that has so strongly divided America. By funding the trip so soon after New York City's Landmarks Preservation Commission gave the go-ahead to demolish the building on the proposed mosque site, the State Department is creating the appearance that the U.S. government is facilitating the construction of this shameful structure. It gives Mr. Rauf not only access but imprimatur to gather up foreign cash. And because Mr. Rauf has refused to reveal how he plans to finance his costly venture, the American public is left with the impression it will be a wholly foreign enterprise. This contradicts the argument that a mosque is needed in that part of New York City to provide services for a burgeoning Muslim population. If so many people need the mosque so badly, presumably they could figure out a way to pay for it themselves. Americans also may be surprised to learn that the United States has been an active participant in mosque construction projects overseas. In April, U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania Alfonso E. Lenhardt helped cut the ribbon at the 12th-century Kizimkazi Mosque, which was refurbished with assistance from the United States under a program to preserve culturally significant buildings. The U.S. government also helped save the Amr Ebn El Aas Mosque in Cairo, which dates back to 642. The mosque’s namesake was the Muslim conqueror of Christian Egypt, who built the structure on the site where he had pitched his tent before doing battle with the country’s Byzantine rulers. For those who think the Ground Zero Mosque is an example of “Muslim triumphalism” glorifying conquest, the Amr Ebn El Aas Mosque is an example of such a monument - and one paid for with U.S. taxpayer funds. The mosques being rebuilt by the United States are used for religious worship, which raises important First Amendment questions. U.S. taxpayer money should not be used to preserve and promote Islam, even abroad. In July 2009, the Office of the Inspector General published an audit of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) faith-based and community initiatives that examined whether government funds were being used for religious activities. The auditors found that while USAID was funding some religious activities, officials were “uncertain of whether such uses of Agency funding violate Agency regulations or the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution” when balanced against foreign-policy objectives. For example, our government rebuilt the Al Shuhada Mosque in Fallujah, Iraq, expecting such benefits as “stimulating the economy, enhancing a sense of pride in the community, reducing opposition to international relief organizations operating in Fallujah, and reducing incentives among young men to participate in violence or insurgent groups.” But Section 205.1(d) of title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations prohibits USAID funds from being used for the rehabilitation of structures to the extent that those structures are used for “inherently religious activities.” It is impossible to separate religion from a mosque; any such projects will necessarily support Islam. The State Department is either wittingly or unwittingly using tax money to support Mr. Rauf’s efforts to realize his dream of a supersized mosque blocks away from the sacred ground of the former World Trade Center, which was destroyed by Islamic fanaticism. This ill-considered decision will raise the ire of millions of Americans and illustrates the limits of what the denizens of Foggy Bottom know about diplomacy. © Copyright 2011 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission. About the AuthorTHE WASHINGTON TIMES EDITORIAL: High-speed derailed EDITORIAL: Obama’s energy transformation EDITORIAL: Obama to the Internet: No ICANN EDITORIAL: Close the EPA EDITORIAL: Department of Redundancy Department Comments Like Dislike Community Disqus Dashboard Edit Profile Logout About Disqus Glad you liked it. Would you like to share? Facebook Twitter Share No thanks Sharing this page … Thanks! Close Logout Add New Comment Post as kbj777 Share on:Twitter Real-time updating is paused. (Resume) Sort by popular now Sort by best rating Sort by newest first Sort by oldest first Showing 1-11 of 40 comments 0 new comment was just posted. Show kbj777 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand This is mad and it makes me mad too, Mosque makeovers with our tax dollars just imagine if the ACLU found out the government was refurbishing Catholic churches or Baptist churches, this is outrageous, Ken and Brenda Battle Jordan Edit Reply 0 minutes ago 0 Like F Anonymous 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand Maybe it would be best to tax all religions, then we wouldn't have as many............ A Like Reply 3 months ago 1 Like F Anonymous 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand Tax dollars also paid for the Branch Davidian compound, and it pays for Fred Phelp's Church which demeans our soldiers under the guise of "Freedom of Religion" and "Freedom of Expression." It also pays for churches who preach Christian hate, if there can be such a term. What's your point? A Like Reply 6 months ago 1 Like F Anonymous 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand This editorial is nonsense. It is all conjecture and possibilities presented in a format to arouse anger over a hypothesis and fact. This is definition of bad journalism. Is there proof that he is going to the middle east to raise funds for his mosque? From the way it appears he is being sent there on a goodwill mission and implying that he is going there for personal reasons (ie fund raising) without any evidence to back it up is slander. Whatever side of the debate you are on in regard to the mosque at ground zero has nothing to do with this editorial. This editorial fails to present evidence backing the claims of the editor. A Like Reply 3 months ago 0 Like F Anonymous 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand Great, a reminder at ground zero as to who performed this aweful deed. A Like Reply 6 months ago 0 Like F Anonymous 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand Great, a reminder at ground zero as to who performed this aweful deed. A Like Reply 6 months ago 0 Like F Anonymous 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand Could this caper be a 21st Century X Y Z affair ? What is a religious leader doing promoting understanding when the guise appears to be fund raising ? The Prophet Obama condemns Rangel over the appearance of impropriety when we have this subterfuge. What kind of funny money could be put behind this project and at what cost ? A Like Reply 6 months ago 0 Like F Anonymous 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand Je suis française, et je dis : "Pas de mosquée au Ground Zero !" Bâtissez une église, une synagogue et une mosquée côte à côte (beau symbole), mais pas une mosquée seule, qui marquerait la victoire de l'islam, après vos 3000 morts ! (I will try to translate !) I am French, and I say : "No Mosque at Ground Zero !" Build a church, a synagogue and a mosque together (great symbol) , but not only a mosque, victory for islam after your 3000 dead ! A Like Reply 6 months ago 0 Like F Anonymous 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand A mosque on Ground Zero is a big shame.Islam is a religion of murder,rape and terrorism.I will not call islam a religion,its a perversy.Prohet Mohammad was the world`s first terrorist,go to www.tellchildrenthetruth.com there is the crime against the humanity in the name of Allah well documented.Prophet Mohammad was a phedofile massmurder and terrorist and notting else. A Like Reply 6 months ago 0 Like F Anonymous 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand Please take a look to any big city in Europe and you will see what Islam is doing to a free western society! Stop this mosque as fast as possible A Like Reply 6 months ago 0 Like F Anonymous 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand I don't think you want to make the argument that rebuilding a mosque violates the First Amendment, since the same argument would prevent us from rebuilding a historic chapel or cathedral. Preserving a culturally significant site is a valid secular purpose, and it is not prevented by the First Amendment. A Like Reply 6 months ago 0 Like F 0 new comment was just posted. Show 1 2 … 4 Next → M Subscribe by email S RSS Reactions kasha34 via digg via BackType Obama's the president. Hillary runs the State Dept. Don't forget. 6 months ago piven via digg via BackType What else is the State Department larding out, at American taxpayer expense, to facilitate Islam ? – on your dime – rebuilding of mosques in foreign countries.Our taxpayer money should not be used to preserve and promulgate Islam.Where is the ACLU ? 6 months ago blog comments powered by DisqusWashington Times articles on Twitter DBM69: RT @washtimes EDITORIAL: Obama’s state of Islamic denial - Washington Times http://bit.ly/eOKjIadwcbubba: RT @DBM69: RT @washtimes Eric Holder's liberal racism - Washington Times http://bit.ly/hTHYwL Told House committe his concern is "his people"DBM69: RT @washtimes Multicultural rot in the melting pot - Washington Times http://bit.ly/hW2RRuDBM69: RT @washtimes Eric Holder's liberal racism - Washington Times http://bit.ly/hTHYwL Told House committe his concern is "his people"divadoll123: RT @washtimes In union strongholds, residents wrestle with cuts - Washington Times http://bit.ly/fRTtWagarynew59: RT @washtimes EDITORIAL: Obama’s state of Islamic denial - Washington Times http://bit.ly/eOKjIaFAntunez: RT @washtimes Multicultural rot in the melting pot - Washington Times http://bit.ly/hW2RRuFAntunez: RT @washtimes Lawmakers call on IAEA to examine Syrian nuke facilities - Washington Times http://bit.ly/fj4OGzjustsayes: RT @washtimes RAHN: Government against the people - http://bit.ly/haDYbWjustsayes: RT @washtimes Bernanke testifying to crisis inquiry panel -http://bit.ly/9yzr1OPowered by TwitStat.us Most ReadBYU hoops star suspended for sex acts Financial terrorism suspected in 2008 economic crash Ex-lawmaker accuses pro-life group of 'lies' KUHNER: Eric Holder's liberal racism EDITORIAL: Obama’s state of Islamic denial Police: DNA confirms suspect 'East Coast Rapist' PRUDEN: When Jane Russell came to lunch Retired brass oppose Libya action Parole power worries Maryland GOP Maryland House panel passes gay marriage bill Recent EditorialsEDITORIAL: High-speed derailed EDITORIAL: Obama to the Internet: No ICANN EDITORIAL: Obama's energy transformation EDITORIAL: Obama’s state of Islamic denial EDITORIAL: Department of Redundancy Department Hot TopicsBarack Obama Washington Wizards Nascar Senate Minnesota Timberwolves Recent CommentaryDECKER: Obama's real Reagan moment KNIGHT: High cost of free speech NUGENT: Multicultural rot in the melting pot HOLT: Beltway politics is road to energy poverty HUNTER: Senate Democrats hold seniors hostage Recent Letters to the EditorGive Pepco a chance to improve Pakistani moderates must make a stand Joblessness high among young veterans LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Scapegoating the real estate crash LETTER TO THE EDITOR: The pitfalls of social networking All site contents © Copyright 2011 The Washington Times, LLC Jobs | About | Customer Service | Terms of Use | Contact Us | Privacy

[betty j. maye]

I AM SO MAD!!!!  ENOUGH - WHO ARE THE IDIOTS THAT GIVE MONEY TO THESE KILLERS AND WHY WHY WHY????  EVEN IF WE HAD THE MONEY YOU DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO PEOPLE WHO HATE YOU AND WANT TO KILL YOU AND YOUR WAY OF LIFE - WHAT COMPLETE IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I LIVE PAY CHECK TO PAY CHECK AND HAVE NO EXTRA MONEY FOR ANYTHING BUT MY MONEY IS GOING TO REBUILD THESE HORRIBLE MOSQUE?!  WHY ARE WE NOT HELPING THESE HORROR BUILDINGS, MOSQUE, BE TORE DOWN??  NO THE IDIOTS AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT ARE USING MY MONEY TO REBIULD THEM - WHAT IS NEXT THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS IN GERMANY???

[Ken and Brenda Battle Jordan]

Just imagine if the ACLU found out the government was refurbishing Catholic churches, or Baptist churches this is outrageous.

betty j. maye said:

I AM SO MAD!!!!  ENOUGH - WHO ARE THE IDIOTS THAT GIVE MONEY TO THESE KILLERS AND WHY WHY WHY????  EVEN IF WE HAD THE MONEY YOU DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO PEOPLE WHO HATE YOU AND WANT TO KILL YOU AND YOUR WAY OF LIFE - WHAT COMPLETE IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I LIVE PAY CHECK TO PAY CHECK AND HAVE NO EXTRA MONEY FOR ANYTHING BUT MY MONEY IS GOING TO REBUILD THESE HORRIBLE MOSQUE?!  WHY ARE WE NOT HELPING THESE HORROR BUILDINGS, MOSQUE, BE TORE DOWN??  NO THE IDIOTS AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT ARE USING MY MONEY TO REBIULD THEM - WHAT IS NEXT THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS IN GERMANY???

[betty j. maye]

you are so right!  that is another thing i do not understand - the liberals and homosexuals continue to be outraged over anything Christian but where is the outrage over the muslim religion?!  i was so mad after reading this post i wrote the state department and posted this on my facebook page and twitted about it.  thanks for sharing this. i believe this is the first time i recieved anything from you two - please send me anything else you post!  thanks!!

[Ken and Brenda Battle Jordan]

betty j. maye said:

you are so right!  that is another thing i do not understand - the liberals and homosexuals continue to be outraged over anything Christian but where is the outrage over the muslim religion?!  i was so mad after reading this post i wrote the state department and posted this on my facebook page and twitted about it.  thanks for sharing this. i believe this is the first time i recieved anything from you two - please send me anything else you post!  thanks!!