The "9/11 Mosque"

I know I keep touching on the subject, but it's near and dear to my heart. One, because I'm a goddamned American and anything involving freedom of speech or freedom of religion is going to strike me right in my core. Secondly I'm a goddamned NY kid. I grew up playing in the shadows of the towers. I've been to the observation decks, and I still remember how they looked from my apartment across the river.

So... here's the crux of the issue. People are having a field day with this. So I'm going to steal some words and images, because every time I try to put it in my own words, I get pissed off and go into a rant. And I'm trying to stop with that.

Here's the image:



Here's the quote:

"As a guy who has been living less than 2 miles from the WTC for about 20 years, let me say that no one I know in downtown Manhattan is opposed to this Mosque in any way, shape or form. The "outrage" is completely manufactured by forces far from here. Most of us would hardly have noticed such a tiny new building, and those who did, would have simply been happy to see new money being invested in the neighborhood.

Nothing is making my blood boil more than those who are attempting to stoke the flames of Religious Warfare, in my neighborhood, from as far away as Alaska."
-mitch wells

The Dark Tower Vol. II

"Control the things you can control, maggot. Let everything else take a flying fuck at you, and if you must go down, go down with your guns blazing."
-Cort

In Front of Her Mouth (A Book Review)

Originally published at One Misfired Synapse. You can comment here or there.

Let me take a moment to talk about a woman I know. She’s floats in a few of my social circles. She’s not just a loose friend of mine (every discussion draws us a little tighter), she’s also one of my idols. No pedestals for this broad though. The envy-tinged respect I have for her has been well earned. She’s approachable, she’s amicable, and she’s very friendly. Maybe too friendly for her own good. I count myself lucky enough that I’m probably one of her few fans that she doesn’t handle with kid gloves.

We also have a few things in common.

There’s a few parallels between Marrus and I. We’re both artists. There’s no way around it. It’s what we do, and we can’t get escape it. We also spent years on the road, doing the whole Renne Faire circuit thing. We’re both really well known in that circle, if for way different reasons. We’ve both had a few things published. We both try to eek out some sort of living being artists. We’re both pretty sharp witted and we never run out of things to say.

There’s some contrast between us. We’re very much in love with New Orleans. She’s a native. I’ve adopted the place. She’s great with kids, they kinda frighten me. She’s bright colours and sparkles. I’m dark and spikey. Seelie to Unseelie if you get the mythos. She’s the gentle queen of the court, I’m the evil jester.

The main difference between her and I (if it’s really considered a “difference”) is that while we may be on the same path, she’s definately way ahead of me. She’s way ahead of the game. More than likely, because she fought much harder for it than I have. She’s earned her successes. I’m just now starting to steal mine. She’s living my dream, and it’s been a pleasure watching her do it. If I’m going to pick anyone to live vicariously through, I couldn’t pick a nicer gal.

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