Bernard Kerik Opposes "GZM"

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Media
Posted on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 07:49:21 AM EST
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This tidbit, via Frank Rich, made me laugh:

[Palin's] disingenuous piety has been topped only by Bernie Kerik, who smuggled a Twitter message out of prison to register his rage at the ground zero desecration. As my colleague Clyde Haberman reminded us, such was Kerik’s previous reverence for the burial ground of 9/11 that he appropriated an apartment overlooking the site (and designated for recovery workers) for an extramarital affair.

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Morons All of Them (5.00 / 3) (#10)
by squeaky on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 12:56:45 PM EST

Went to a couter demonstration, to counter the nut-jobs protesting the Muslim Community Center downtown NYC...

We organized in less than a week, and had close to the numbers of the islamophobic wack jobs.... we were a block away... which was a good thing.

They had a sound system.... we did not... anyway dress rehersals for 9/11 protest and counter protests...

Did you make a sign? (none / 0) (#11)
by oculus on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 01:22:31 PM EST

No (none / 0) (#12)
by squeaky on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 01:26:57 PM EST

But I held one high.


: Did any of the signs suggest the issue (none / 0) (#40)
by oculus on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 08:23:13 PM EST

should be left to the neighborhood of the proposed project?

Bernard Kerik Opposes "GZM" (5.00 / 1) (#20)
by desertswine on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 03:18:41 PM EST

Who?

Loved Frank Rich's column this morning. (none / 0) (#1)
by Angel on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 09:10:19 AM EST

Really exposed all the hypocrites and the idiots. Quite an entertaining read.

Best not to rely on his (none / 0) (#2)
by gyrfalcon on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 09:31:41 AM EST

"facts," though, as he appears to misrepresent them as often as the people he lambastes. For instance, he says News Corp. donated $1 million to GOP campaign coffers. I could be wrong, but what I've heard is News Corp. donated it to the GOP Governors Assoc. Also shameful, but not quite on the same level.

Somerby (Dailyhowler) has documented reams and reams of Rich's falsehoods and distortions over the last few years. He writes entertainingly for "our side," but not particularly honestly.

Personally, I liked the Haberman column BTD links to much more.


I don't see a major (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by brodie on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 12:41:55 PM EST

distinction between "GOP campaign coffers" and the GOP Governors Assoc. It doesn't strike me as misleading, and Rich cites to the news article where you can get all the info and specifics about the $1m donation.

I'm with Somerby on Rich's misleading and awful reporting on Gore in the 2000 race, but I'm not sure what there is to object to with today's column.


I generally read all of them for the entertainment (none / 0) (#3)
by Angel on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 10:00:29 AM EST

value. I have yet to come across anyone who tells the truth one hundred percent of the time. Everyone puts their spin on it. But all in all I'd say Rich's column today was quite entertaining even though he may have mistated some of the facts.


True enough (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by gyrfalcon on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 11:06:54 AM EST

but Rich's misrepresentations are particularly frequent and egregious.

As for the charge of "hypocrasy" against News Corp-- CNN just pointed out that News Corp actually gives more money overall to Democratic Party political funds than to GOP, though in this case they didn't give to the Dem. Govs. Assoc.

And that all the other networks, including CNN, contribute substantial amounts to both Dem. and GOP political causes, CNN slightly more to Dems.

So who's the hypocrite here? I have zero love for Fox News and find them plenty hypocritical on all kinds of levels, but it turns out this ain't one of them.

I'd say Rich is the hypocrite here, thundering at the lies and distortions of the right wing while committing them freely himself. In short, yech.


: I didn't call NewsCorp a hypocrite. But totally (none / 0) (#6)
by Angel on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 11:27:22 AM EST

agree that Rich is one, as are Sarah Palin, Bernard Kerik, Newt Gingrigh, Keith Olbermann, and on and on and on. But like I said, I read this stuff for entertainment value full well knowing that the 'facts' presented depends on who is doing the writing. I have become so disgusted with the politics in this country that about all I can do to stay sane is laugh at all of it. Sad state of affairs. But that's where I am right now. That said, this crap about Obama being a closet Muslim in not laughable. It is so ridiclous to even have a conversation about it and it just boggles my mind. And the stuff about building the Muslim cultural center...don't even get me started on the idiocy of some of the comments I've heard and read. The stupidity in this country right now is downright frightening.

The source of Rich's Kerik remark (none / 0) (#4)
by Jeralyn on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 10:31:44 AM EST

added in his column, which Rich leaves out:

A spokesman for the federal Bureau of Prisons speculated that a relative or friend may have transmitted the message; inmates are forbidden access to the Internet, Twitter included.

Or Kerik may be one of the many prisoners (none / 0) (#7)
by Peter G on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 11:48:24 AM EST

in possession of (or with access to) a contraband cell phone inside the joint. (In fact, a law just passed this month makes cell phone possession in a federal prison a new federal crime.) If so, a follower, family member or other friend is guilty of a serious lapse of judgment in leaking the "tweet" to the press, or otherwise allowing Haberman to learn of it. I am very sure that the BOP's internal investigation police ("SIS" - "Special Investigative Supervisor") are checking into this right now. And from experience, I can tell you that those folks don't have either "presumption of innocence" or "burden of proof" in their vocabularies. Bernie's cell is now doubt undergoing a serious "shakedown" right now, and Bernie may find himself transferred to a new and more secure location than the relatively easygoing facility at Cumberland, Maryland.


I wondered about that. Our state's (none / 0) (#8)
by oculus on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 12:35:50 PM EST

prisons can't seem to stop the flow of drugs into the facilities. Not sure about cell phones.


Would it be (none / 0) (#14)
by MKS on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 01:32:20 PM EST

so unprecedented for a Warden to look the other way in a deal with inmate leaders or bosses?

Having a bunch of inmates desperate for drugs they can't get creates a danger for guards and other inmates......Keeping an equilibrium would be important.


I don't think it is the wardens. Guards: (5.00 / 1) (#39)
by oculus on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 08:17:44 PM EST

probably yes. For cash.


: Wow, that overt? (none / 0) (#43)
by MKS on Mon Aug 23, 2010 at 01:57:27 PM EST

And that vulnerable to being caught?
Still, someone higher up has to be turning a blind eye--out of expediency.

I seriously doubt (none / 0) (#34)
by Jeralyn on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 05:50:04 PM EST

Bernie is breaking the law in prison. His Facebook page and blog are up and there are new writings several times a month, but I'm sure he either mails them or phones them in to a friend, relative or agent who posts them on the blog, FB and Twitter.

If you look at his Twitter account, you can see the last tweet was posted from Hamilton, NJ via the web, not cell phone. And he's not incarcerated in NJ

Bernie wants out as soon as he can, and he's not about to jeopardize his release date or get put in a higher security institution or in the hole or lose privileges by breaking rules.

He has every right to mail or phone out his thoughts and have them posted on his websites and social networking sites. I support the death row inmates with blogs, and I'll support Bernie, whether I agree with his politics or not.

He's written three posts about the Mosque, all in July. One, Two (just the bottom is his) and Three.

I highly doubt there will be an investigation as knowing Bernie, I'd bet he cleared it ahead of time. He's not stupid. Disagree with his views, but please, let's not start false rumors.


: I support First Amendment rights (none / 0) (#38)
by Peter G on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 07:21:16 PM EST

for prisoners. I do note, checking out the blog that you linked, that Mr. Kerik could be, shall we say, more candid about his "complete profile" or about his stated location ("New York").

Opening question. (none / 0) (#16)
by efm on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 02:00:03 PM EST

I' mixed on this issue, most of me really doesn't care if a mosque is built in that area. The only real question I have is if they really did plan on opening the mosque on 9/11/11. The only real post I've seen on that subject were heavily bias for both sides, so not sure what the truth is.

Opening on 9/11/ 11.. (5.00 / 1) (#17)
by jondee on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 02:46:12 PM EST

that sounds as ludicrously unlikely as those rumors about Obama intentionally not holding his hand directly over his heart while saying the pledge (and scratching his face with his middle finger)

These things usually start with some provocateur like Pam Geller posting some "rumor has it.." b.s at her blog and then spread like fungal spores through the right blogosphere.


No, it's not true (5.00 / 3) (#26)
by gyrfalcon on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 03:56:08 PM EST

and this stuff has been debunked all over the Web and by mainstream media from the NYTimes on down.

Also, you really should know by now that it's NOT a "mosque." It's an interfaith community center that will have a prayer room on an upper floor somewhere, like a chapel in a hospital. It will have no minaret, no muezzin calling the faithful to pray over a loudspeaker, none of that stuff. It's simply a room where Muslims who happen to be in the center at the usual times of mandatory prayer can go pray with a modicum of privacy.

Honestly, none of this information is hard to come by if you really are concerned about the truth.


Instead of "GZM" (5.00 / 2) (#33)
by Peter G on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 05:23:35 PM EST

... how about "BCFSMCCPR" (that is, the "Burlington Coat Factory Sufi-Muslim Community Center Prayer Room"?


: Works for me! (none / 0) (#42)
by gyrfalcon on Mon Aug 23, 2010 at 07:57:20 AM EST

That would be pretty ambitious (none / 0) (#18)
by nycstray on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 02:47:47 PM EST

they haven't even started to raise the funds. That and the fact they are planning to have athletic facilities, a pool, 500 seat performance space, retail shops, cooking school etc. In just over a year?! Me thinks 09/11/11 maybe false info . . .

From what I heard from Ms Kahn this AM, they still need to form the financial committee/board before they can start raising the needed funds.


I agree (none / 0) (#19)
by efm on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 03:13:44 PM EST

I don't think it is likely at all for them to open it on that date. Nothing really gets built that fast. And I know that it would be all to convenient for the people against the mosque if this is true and its likely that some rumor came up and now its being spread as truth. But I'm also not going to discount that it may actually be true either.


Ah (none / 0) (#22)
by sj on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 03:29:29 PM EST

The ubiquitous pseudo-voice-of-reason-while-busily-spreading-disinformation tactic.

You know it can't be done, but you'll still happily spread the rumor.


No one has ever, at any time (5.00 / 2) (#24)
by jondee on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 03:46:31 PM EST

produced credible evidence that Pam Geller's rantings are the result of an advanced case of syphilis contracted on the West Bank while delivering an arms shipment to a group of militants preparing to blow up The Dome of the Rock..


ok (none / 0) (#25)
by efm on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 03:52:59 PM EST

so is she the original source of that comment?


Im probably being unfair.. (5.00 / 1) (#27)
by jondee on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 04:04:32 PM EST

in assuming that someone who claims Obama is a secret Muslim and the illegitimate son of Malcom X and has been a fire breathing opponent of "the GZM" from day one, could be the source of a rumor like that..


: You may be right, (none / 0) (#28)
by efm on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 04:23:55 PM EST

and I wouldn't doubt that she probably wouldn't look very hard to see if its actually true or not.

not really (none / 0) (#23)
by efm on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 03:45:23 PM EST

Thats not what I'm trying to do, if it was i'd do it on a right wing site where a lot of people would take what I said as if it was written by one of the disciples. I'm just curious if anyone has heard the same thing or know what the actual facts are.


After briefly scanning (none / 0) (#29)
by jondee on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 04:27:08 PM EST

that smoldering pile of monkey dung he calls a website, it appears one of the regulars here is one of the people spreading that wingnut info-virus. No shock there, though..


: lol!~ (none / 0) (#30)
by nycstray on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 04:37:52 PM EST

maybe on his next visit here he can explain how this phenom will be accomplished :P
I remember a restoration/construction project around the corner from me in bkny. My dog had scaffolding for a few summers/winters to protect her from the elements. Great place to go for a pee during a downpour etc. She was bummed when they finally finished the project. and a lil' mystified, lol!~ have they completed the Union Sq subway revamp yet?

wow. (none / 0) (#31)
by nycstray on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 04:41:55 PM EST

Maybe this is where (none / 0) (#35)
by efm on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 06:32:05 PM EST

they get the mosque opens on 9/11/11 from.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/ground-mosque-plan-stirs-controversy/story?id=10670631&page=2

The group hopes to unveil its full plans for the project by the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in 2011. "Extremism can only be defeated when Muslims and non-Muslims come together," Khan said.

View from the ground (with fixed video link) (none / 0) (#37)
by markpkessinger on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 07:20:47 PM EST

Those who think they have something to gain politically by opposing the mosque, as well as those who simply don't have the kind of first-hand knowledge of the area of the proposed center, would have you believe that the proposed Islamic Cultural Center will tower triumphantly over Ground Zero. I know the block well where the Islamic Cultural Center is to be built. Yes, it's downtown, and yes, it's "near" the Ground Zero site in terms of geographical proximity on a map. But in the context of the dense urban landscape that is lower Manhattan, two blocks might as well be twenty. And the site for the Islamic Cultural Center is rather obscure relative to the World Trade Center site. To help folks see what I'm talking about, and hopefully in the interest of adding a measure of rationality in the ongoing debate, the other day I created a video slide show, using Google Maps' "Street View" feature. It's an annotated, virtual walk around the block from 45 Park Place, the site of the proposed center. It gives viewers a sense of the reality of the location, as one experiences it as street level, and show just how out-of-the-way the site is relative to the World Trade Center. The link to the video is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6cpEAvvYB4

So Bernie Kerik (none / 0) (#41)
by cal1942 on Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 10:57:17 PM EST

opposses the GZM.

Who cares.