Pols speak out on Ground Zero mosque proposal
By SID CASSESENewsday
August 4, 2010
Local lawmakers describe their opinions on the proposed mosque. Carl Paladino, of Buffalo, a conservative seeking the Republican nomination for governor.
"How do those nine Bloomberg stooges sleep at night? We have troops fighting two wars over there, dying and getting wounded every day . . . and Mr. Bloomberg wants to make this a religious issue and not an ideological one. When they changed the name from Cordoba Initiative to 51 Park Place, that was to take away the name Cordoba, which is a code word for conquest and triumph, while they continue this nonsense. And the location of Ground Zero was the dust cloud that went out for a quarter of mile in each direction [from the World Trade Center], not the 600 feet away they claim."
Congressman Peter King, R-Seaford:
"It is extremely insensitive for a mosque to be constructed so close to the sacred ground of Ground Zero. We must focus our efforts on obtaining a full investigation of the $100 million mosque. Who is giving the money? Where is it coming from?"
Rick Lazio, Republican nominee for governor:
"Today is just one more step in the ongoing public dialogue about the questionable backers of the Cordoba Mosque at Ground Zero. . . . I will continue to ask the questions about this project that need to be answered to insure the public safety of New Yorkers." Lazio said.
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, the Democratic nominee for governor:
"I fully understand, respect and appreciate the emotion and sentiment this issue raises. I also believe we must protect our Constitution and the law of the land, and this country was founded on religious freedom and that means all religions."
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), said through spokesman Mike Morey that he "is not opposed to the plan to build it."
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), said through her spokeswoman Bethany Lesser: "The community board, which includes many people who lived through the 9/11 attacks, overwhelmingly voted to approve this proposal and the senator supports the board's decision."