Mosque “at” Ground Zero Cartoon

This was actually based on a conversation I had with someone about the proposed Mosque to be built a few blocks from Ground Zero in New York.  Unfortunately, as the media tends to do, they keep referring to the proposed center as the Mosque AT Ground Zero.  When I asked the person if they would be OK if the Mosque were built a few blocks away, she said yes.  I said, “well that’s the plan anyway”.  Then she backtracked and came up with more reasons why it shouldn’t be built.  To which I replied, “How far is far enough?”.

Matt Sledge of the Huffington Post did a nice article that showcased that you can’t see the proposed site from Ground Zero and even if you came via the subway, you would have to go out of your way to see the Mosque.  So for all the arguments against it, which I am open to discussing, can we at least agree that the Mosque will not be AT Ground Zero?

For those concerned about the impact of a sixteen story Mosque that close to ground zero, I have a simple solution.    Build a seventeen story Synagogue and an eighteen story Church right next door.

Comments

114 responses to “Mosque “at” Ground Zero Cartoon”

  1. Lonnie Easterling Avatar

    Nice touch with both of them wearing red, white and blue.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      In the end, aren’t we all Americans?

      1. susi spice Avatar

        dear lord i hope not… lol

        1. Bearman Avatar

          Clarification…don’t we all WANT to be Americans? haha

          1. susi spice Avatar

            a clear resounding…. NO! haha

          2. Bearman Avatar

            That’s just the alcohol talking.

      2. Bo Lumpkin Avatar

        Not until people quit referring to themselves as Something-Americans.

        1. Bearman Avatar

          I’m a Dunbo-American and proud of it.

          1. Bo Lumpkin Avatar

            I guess if I started referring to myself as a Redneck American then I could feel special and elite too instead of being just a part of this great big fantastic melting pot.

          2. Bearman Avatar

            You are special and elite Bo..just in your ownway.

      3. Tony Avatar
        1. Bearman Avatar

          Are you French Dixie??

          1. susi spice Avatar

            looking for a second wife hey bearman? haha

          2. Bearman Avatar

            No..the first is MORE than enough.

  2. Warren Frantz Avatar

    This is great! A game of peek-a-boo between Ground Zero and a Friendly Neighborhood Mosque!

    1. Bearman Avatar

      You’d have to strain that neck quite a bit for that view.

  3. Friggin Loon Avatar

    Well if it isn’t at ground zero let’s just hope it’s facing Mecca! Somehow, being 2 blocks or friggin 2 miles away it was always going to be controversial. 9/11 changed the world forever with trust being the first to go 🙁

    1. susi spice Avatar

      maybe people wouldnt have been too upset if they had said it included a bagel stand and good kebab shop haha

      1. Friggin Loon Avatar

        Great minds think alike Susi Spice I was gonna mention a good kebab shop.

        1. Bearman Avatar

          How about a bagel kebab?

          1. Tony Avatar

            Or a kebab bagel

  4. WannabeHero Avatar

    Nice topical strip. Good job!

    1. Bearman Avatar

      I’m able to pull them off sometimes..haha

      1. nursemyra Avatar

        Yeah I like this one a lot too

  5. Lisa Avatar

    It makes me angry that people are such a bunch o’ racists. Great illustration of the way so many are these days. They might as well say, “We don’t take too kindly to your kind ’round here ‘cept when I need to saddle me a taxi.”

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Honestly I don’t lump every single person against this as a racist. That would be at least 68% of people based on polls. I think some are, some are misinformed, some are against it for other reasons (ie. I heard some questionable quotes from the Imam behind it regarding 9/11 but would have to know more.)

    2. Bo Lumpkin Avatar

      I am not really a racist but sometimes I do hold grudges against people who want to kill me and erase everything I believe. I’m just kind of funny that way but I am equal opportunity about it. If that’s the way you feel I don’t care what your race or ethnic background is I just find it hard to be your friend.

  6. Kashif Avatar
    Kashif

    this is sad. the way people make jokes out of it. and i agree with Lisa.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      I make jokes as a means to show others a different view.

      1. Friggin Loon Avatar

        What? You make jokes Bearman? Blaahhahahahahahahahaa

        1. Bearman Avatar

          I never said I was funny.

          1. SpilledInkGuy Avatar
            SpilledInkGuy

            But green hair is almost always funny! 😉

          2. Bearman Avatar

            Unless you are the girl who just dyed her hair before jumping into the swimming pool.

  7. IzaakMak Avatar

    I’m also with Lisa on this one. This resurgence of the “redneck” mentality is really getting out of hand. To paraphrase Rand, “There can be no such thing as the ‘right’ to deny the rights of others.”

    1. Bearman Avatar

      I haven’t heard anyone step up yet to offer to buy the property and to give the group an alternative location.

      They bought the property. It’s theres to do with as they see fit (within any legal limitations)

  8. DadaHyena Avatar

    Sorry, fellas. Starbucks is already going to set up twenty sites on Ground Zero.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      As long as they don’t promote it as “Fresh Ground”

  9. yippy Avatar
    yippy

    Building a church and a synagogue aswell would just be more of the same … stupid religions which people are willing to kill and die for

    how bout a gaybar is built next door to the mosque … a gay bar for muslims at that!
    or make it a floor of the musque, they all seperate into gender groups anyway

    tolerance, understanding, acceptance … and man love! it’s every (american) muslims right afterall.

    hope the old school muslims don’t want to kill em or get em shut down though, that community can be a bit kill-ey when it comes to man on man love :s

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Well there are plenty of people who aren’t religious who are willing to kill and die for their ideals so I wouldn’t lay it all on those subscribing to a religious belief.

  10. FJ Avatar

    The whole thing is silly. And there’s this little matter of the Constitution. Nice toon BTW.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      What is the Constitution? bwahah

      1. bschooled Avatar

        But seriously, though….what is it?

        (Love the cartoon, B!)

        1. Bearman Avatar

          I don’t think you have those kind of things in your socialist country..haha j/k

  11. George Avatar

    I understand the controversy, but if the mosque is going up a couple of blocks away for GZ, then the argument is moot.

    I always wanted to use that word. It’s not just for “Jessie’s Girl” anymore. 😀

    1. Friggin Loon Avatar

      Blahahahaha George, Rick friggin Springfield….Australia’s best export…whoops along with Air Supply 🙂

      1. Bearman Avatar

        What about Yahoo Serious?? Oh yeah…we sent him back.

          1. Bearman Avatar

            You don’t know who Yahoo Serious is….Young Einstein?

          2. Friggin Loon Avatar

            Sheez Susi Spice, you missed out on a whole lotta shite

          3. Bearman Avatar

            Susi…I made more money than Crocodile Dundee in Australia.

            Actually I met Yahoo on his press tour as a youngen

          4. susi spice Avatar

            oohhhh i remember now!!!

            u met him? wat was he like?

          5. Bearman Avatar

            Funny enough…not so Serious.

      2. Tony Avatar

        What about Flat Tony, he went to America, Canada, England & Japan.

        1. Bearman Avatar

          You should make a Rock Band Poster for Flat Tony’s world tour.

  12. Dennis the Vizsla Avatar

    The New Yorker had a little piece about this. Apparently the only people who are upset are people who don’t live in Manhattan …

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Well I am wondering where it all is. I can’t have everyone agreeing with me…that isn’t any fun.

  13. jynksie Avatar

    The Muslim community has had a major PR problem since 9-11, any place they can build a cultural/community center/mosque that might lessen the uneducated ignorance most have toward them hurts who exactly?

    Maybe they could convert some of those catholic churches the pope had to close after all those priests were caught with their hands in the alter boys proverbial and literal underpants! o.O

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Every religion has it’s true believers, hypocrites and extremists so I won’t single out. Hell even non religious can fall into the last two categories.

      1. Bo Lumpkin Avatar

        Especially non religious because they have a great disdain for those with religion of any kind.

        1. Bearman Avatar

          Only an outspoken minority IMO.

  14. Scott Oglesby Avatar

    I love this one Bearman; topical, relevant and dead on. The place used to be a Burlingtom for Christ’s sake. The funny thing is that 70% of the people who feel so strongly about (pretty much anything in politics or public opinion) this don’t even have their facts straight and 9 times out of 10 can only parrot what they heard some spray tanned idiot on Fox News saying.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Truest me, I purposefully scanned the dial and it was apparent beyond Fox news.

  15. gallowaygrave Avatar
    gallowaygrave

    Boss, you have caught so many facets of the “issue” in one frame with the words and colours combining and then earned a suitably mixed response from your readers. Anything to make folk stop, think and not just accept being spoonfed by others. I could rant on, but not…

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Rant away….the space is free. haha Thanks

  16. Walker Avatar

    great cartoon and wonderful forum for discussion. Why is it that the intelligent people aren’t getting more press on this issue? I’m in favor of it. Thank you

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Because no on listens to me except you all.

      1. gallowaygrave Avatar
        gallowaygrave

        Did someone just speak?

        1. Bearman Avatar
  17. Bo Lumpkin Avatar

    By the way Bearman. You really did your job today. I did find out that most people don’t know any more about true rednecks than I know about Muslims.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      I know nothing about true rednecks.

      1. Bo Lumpkin Avatar

        The term comes from men who make their living working hard in the sun…it made their necks red so true rednecks are just good old American working men.

  18. jillsy Avatar

    from what i understand the congregation has had a mosque there for years. so, they’re building a new one. big deal. america…get over it!

    1. Bearman Avatar

      We’re americans…we get over nothing.

  19. Ahmnodt Heare Avatar

    Technically, it’s not a mosque, it’s a cultural center. Like a YMCA but for Muslims.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      But there will be a mosque a part of the structure.

  20. Ron-Yves Avatar

    haha—great toon Mr. Bearman, awesome…

    My favorite part of the post was actually the last line of what you wrote—>> “Build a seventeen story Synagogue and an eighteen story Church right next door…”

    Love it 🙂

    1. Bearman Avatar

      I was going to draw that but I hate drawing buildings.

      1. susi spice Avatar

        u hate drawing buildings? if its too hard for you i can show you how to make a rectangle and a box…its fairly easy…even for you bearman hehe.

        1. Bearman Avatar

          Good. Can you draw me a cityscape, farm scape, small town, and residential so I can just slap my cartoons in front of them. Thanks

  21. Nate Fakes Avatar

    I think they should just put up a McDonald’s there and everyone buy a Happy Meal

    1. Bearman Avatar

      I am sure the food court will be amazing.

  22. jammer5 Avatar

    Not so funny how the people saying this administration is violating the Constitution are the same ones saying the center shouldn’t be built there, when it’s that same Constitution that gives them the okay to build there. Evidently the Constitution only works if it supports their position, and doesn’t if it denies their position. That, in my book, isn’t the America I know and love.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      The America you know and love are Hypocrites. (self included) How do you think I come up with half of my cartoons. I just point it out.

      1. jammer5 Avatar

        And do a much better job of it that I ever could.

  23. Corve DaCosta Avatar

    They deserve to build their mosque – good cartoon though

    1. Bearman Avatar

      THanks Corve.

  24. Tony Avatar

    I hear that they have hired Ito’s Construction Company to build it.
    They told him “Build us a Mosque Ito

    1. Bearman Avatar

      That joke is so bad it is hilarious.

  25. David Avatar

    Maybe I’m too dense, but I don’t see what the big deal is about. The complaint seems to be that it’s insensitive to those affected by 9-11, but maybe I’m not understanding the definition of “insensitive” because I just don’t see it.

    Insensitive is shoving an old lady using a walker while she’s trying to cross the street in busy traffic because she’s too slow (and before you respond… no, I haven’t, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t crossed my mind). I would clearly be insensitive to her frail condition and apparent physical needs. But this thing about building a mosque… *shrugs*

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Somehow that image of someone with a walker reminded me of a time working at the movie theater. This sweet looking old man was walking out of the theater and towards the door.

      I was at the concession stand so could see him walking clearly. About half way to the door he stopped, shuffled his feet, and then shook his leg.

      Out from his pants rolled a large TURD!!!! And then he kept on walking.

      I quickly volunteered to clean the bathrooms (someone no one likes to do) simply so I wouldn’t have to clean the lobby. Poor soul who jumped at that job.

      1. Tony Avatar

        Old people can get away with stuff. I bet if I tried that I would get in trouble. I don’t reckon he did it on purpose. It was probably just a fart gone wrong. Never trust a fart

        1. Bearman Avatar

          That’s called a large Shart.

      2. Dixie the Poodle Avatar

        I kan do poopys ennywair lyk that & my hyoomans pik it up for me. But I orlways do myn owtsyd. The old man obvyusly wosent howse traynd

        1. Bearman Avatar

          Always??? Somehow I am thinking when Daddy spends too much time at McDonalds, you might lose it.

  26. Jande Avatar

    If everyone got what they actually “deserved”, most of us would be in trouble. A little compassion for the human condition can go a long way to making the world a more agreeable place in which to live.

    Well drawn in so many ways, Bearman.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      I never get what I deserve. Sometimes that is a good thing…sometimes not so much.

  27. MJ Avatar

    Top shelf funny! Ha,ha,ha!

  28. danineteen Avatar

    I guess I’m for the 16-storey Mosque if there’s gonna be an 18-storey church.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Please make a check out to my name for $1000 and we’ll start this thing. Really. You can trust me that some will go to charity.

      1. danineteen Avatar

        I’m pretty sure 100% of whatever money I give you will go towards making for yourself a 20-storey house 😛

        1. Bearman Avatar

          oooh…I was only going to make it 19 stories but you have inspired me.

  29. blunt delivery Avatar

    1. had no idea this was going on cus i haven’t turned on my tv in about 4 months.

    2. perfectly content that i have no idea it was going on cus i might be mad.

    3. i’m a bad blogging friend. my apologies

    1. Bearman Avatar

      No problem. You rely on my for your news and I like that. That way I can mold your opinion.

  30. Blackwatertown Avatar

    Good cartoon. Nice to have an occasional injection of clarity.
    http://www.blackwatertown.wordpress.com

  31. coupons for toys Avatar

    You know this does really bother me. If we let this happen the mosque will become a place that resemble victory to the terrorist. What if we went over there and started putting up christian churches and jewish synagogues.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      I appreciate the sentiment but the difference is “over there” they don’t claim to have freedom of religion.

      1. coupons for toys Avatar

        oops! I didn’t even think about that. Too funny. I have been in my own little bubble lately I need to read up on the news or watch it more.

  32. […] Mosque at Ground Zero  – Religion pulls in controversy […]