Ditmas Park Blog promotes bigotry against Muslims

The Ditmas park blog is now targeting a mainstream Muslim group for having a community center in what they deem to be an "odd location." The only thing odd about that post is the thinly veil racism and bigotry with that post. The vast majority of synagogues, Community Centers and Churches in Ditmas Park are actually in residential areas. The hypocrisy is almost comical. They claim that the community center is in "a bit of an odd location" because it's "in the middle of a single family residential block." Yet Temple Beth Emeth of Flatbush is just 3 blocks away from the proposed Islamic community center. Not only is it 3 blocks away, but it's even in a more residential block. We have counted at least 3 synagogues in Ditmas park that are located in very residential areas. As can be seen here, here and here We've also counted at least 4 Catholic Churches in Ditmas Park that are also in very residential areas. The Ditmas Park blog has never complained about any of these churches, synagogues and community centers in residential areas until an Islamic Community Center has been propose. As a matter of fact, the vast majority of churches, synigouges and community centers in Brooklyn and NYC are located in residential areas. The is no Law that requires them to be in commercial areas, because they are Non-For Profit Organization. This form of religious bigotry and fear mongering cloaked in the disguise of concern for "traffic" is unacceptable and will not go unnoticed.


Also Ben Smith claims that the concern of "some neighbors" about a very modern building will be on a residential block does not hold any water. This is the same blog that has been promoting a very modern building with luxury condo's on a very residential area on Beverly Road and east 16 street.

We will continue to monitor the situation.

Update and Correction

The farm on Adderly has responded to this email. As the emailed said, the Farm on Adderly has been a great asset and a welcome addition to all of us. It is actually one of the jewels of Flatbush, along with the many other great businesses we have here.

Our email:
The Ditmas Park blog has been involved in a number of questionable and racially insensitive post on their blog. You are one of their advertisers. Your restaurant has been an added benefit to the neighborhood, it has serve many different patrons of many different races. It has made all welcomed in your establishment. I'm sure you would not want your good reputation and hard work in the community be sullied by being in association with hate. As such I would like to get a comment on whether you support the practices of the blog you advertise on. The most recent questionable post on this blog has been a post about a mugging where a number of hateful comments (including a hateful comment that either a pro-choice or pro-life person would find extremely atrocious)on the moderated comments section was allowed.

Their Response:
Hi The Real Flatbush,

The Farm On Adderley actually does not do any advertising of any kind with ditmaspark.blogspot.com. The Ditmas Park Blog does not appear to engage in advertising other than public service ads. Although that is really just a casual observation. Having read your post on realflatbush.blogspot.com I can sympathize with your argument and effort to expose racially fueled comments. I am not sure that we are being fairly framed in that post or that we are even in any way relevant. Since we do not advertise with the ditmaspark.blogspot.com it is factually incorrect to assert that we do. I hope that you consider our position and correct or rescind your post from March 30th.

Thank you and good luck,
The Farm On Adderley
1108 Cortleyou Road
Brooklyn, NY 11218
718.287.3101
www.thefarmonadderley.com

Yvette Clarke speaks on climate change

“This week, President Barak Obama(sic) will attend the United Nations Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen. While some have debated the science and facts of climate change, we must all understand that we as a global community have a role to play in protecting our environment for future generations to come,” stated Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke. “We must work with our international allies to address the climate issues that continue to affect our world.”

“While I applaud the President’s work abroad, at home we must understand that climate change affect all of us directly,” added Rep. Clarke. “That is why we must pass legislation that cuts U.S. global warming pollution at least 34 percent by 2020– the minimum amount scientists say is necessary to avoid a planetary catastrophe. I voted to help pass the House version of the 2009 Energy Bill this summer. It is now up to our friends in the Senate to act on this critical legislation.”

“We must also create avenues in which to expand the next generation of green jobs. With New York City’s unemployment rate sitting at 10.3%, investing in energy efficiency should more jobs in our communities. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) delivered between $70 and 80 billion in direct spending, tax breaks and loan guarantees for energy efficiency initiatives. Today Governor Patterson announced $60.3 million in federal stimulus funding for weatherization projects that will work to reduce the energy burden on low-income residents in 9,431 multi-family housing units around the State. This federal resource will propel New York City into the next frontier of job growth in the green market. I hope that these funds will create new, sustainable jobs for Brooklyn’s building and construction tradesmen and women. As we answer President Obama’s call to solve the climate crisis and work towards a green economy, we also help safeguard the planet for our children,” concluded Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.

Her statement talks about how it will have an impact on New York City. I guess since the 11th district is part of NYC, it will also have an impact on us also. I just wish that she would speak in more specific terms. As far as Rep. Clarke "hoping" that the $60.3 million in federal stimulus funding for weatherization will create new, sustainable jobs for Brooklyn's building and construction tradesmen and women, I hope she will actual have a hand in this and fight for those jobs to come to the District, instead of just hoping that they will. Not to be picky, but if you are going to put out a press release, make sure you spell the President's name correctly.

Our Congresswoman Yvette Clarke releases statement on Obama's job initiative

“I commend President Obama on his continued dedication to create jobs and strengthen this nation’s small businesses,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.

President Barack Obama proposal includes:

• eliminating capital gains taxes on small business investment;
• waiving fees and increase the guarantees for SBA-backed loans;
• boosting investment to modernize transportation and communications networks beyond what was included in the Recovery Act;
• expanding select Recovery Act initiatives to promote energy efficiency and clean energy jobs; and
• extending emergency assistance to seniors, unemployment insurance benefits, COBRA, and relief to states and localities to prevent layoffs.

“The impact of the current economic downturn on small businesses cannot be overstated. As a significant source of new net jobs in this nation, focusing resources to small firms will help reinvigorate the economy,” added Rep. Clarke. “They are key to the health of the U.S. economy and represent 99.7% of all employer firms, employ about half of all private sector employees, pay nearly 45% of the U.S. private payroll, and are responsible for more than half of non-farm private GDP.”

“I commend the Obama Administration for making job growth a top priority. I support their efforts to direct additional resources to the small businesses sector, which will be the source of job growth that will lead us out of this recession. I look forward to working the White House along with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that we implement initiatives and legislative strategies to create more jobs throughout our nation,” concluded Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.

It's still unclear how Rep. Clarke will address the specific concerns of district 11 in the bill.

Flatbush Hall of Famer Talib Kweli on the future of Brooklyn

Talib Kweli, a Brooklyn native, has continued to provide commentary on his city. Along with Mos Def, the duo most known as Black Star collaborated on Def's album The Ecstatic for the track “History” with each giving their own chronicles of life in the big city. Read more