More Earlier Thursday, President Obama said Jones’ plan, which had triggered worldwide controversy, would be a “recruitment bonanza for al Qaeda.”
“You could have serious violence in places like Pakistan or Afghanistan” as a result of the proposal by Jones, Obama said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “This could increase the recruitment of individuals who’d be willing to blow themselves up in American cities, or European cities.” Jones had previously said he would proceed with the plan Saturday — the ninth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks — despite increased pressure to abandon the proposal and warnings that going ahead could endanger U.S. troops and Americans worldwide. Pastor Terry Jones decided to cancel his protest because the leader of a planned Islamic Center near Ground Zero has agreed to move its controversial location. CHIEF MOSQUE FUNDER: I’D SELL SITE FOR NEW USE: A major investor in the mosque near Ground Zero said yesterday he is ready to pull the plug and sell some or all of the site if the price is right. Hisham Elzanaty, an Egyptian-born businessman who says he provided a majority of the financing to gain control over the two buildings where an Islamic community center and mosque would be built, said he already has received offers for three times the $4.8 million price of the site. “Develop it, raze it, sell it,” Elzanaty, who lives on Long Island, told the Associated Press. “If someone wants to give me 18 or 20 million dollars today, it’s all theirs.” MOST AMERICANS OPPOSE ISLAMIC CENTER: Two-thirds of Americans oppose the building of an Islamic community center two blocks from Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan, and 82 percent of those who oppose the Park51 project do so because of its loc...ation. Nine percent of all Americans—and 14 percent of those who oppose the center—oppose its construction anywhere in the U.S. The poll, conducted by The Washington Post and ABC News, found that 49 percent of Americans have unfavorable views of the Islamic faith, while only 37 percent have a favorable view. That’s the most negative divide if Americans’ views on Islam since the pollsters started asking that question in October 2001. About 53 of Democrats oppose the Cordoba House, and 83 percent of Republicans do so. Since 9/11, the percentage of Republicans with negative views of Islam has grown from 42 percent to 67 percent. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "WebTV Dawgs/Dittos" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/webtv-pals?hl=en.
