Frustrated that his message hasn’t picked up much play with national media outlets, writer and blogger Alec Rawls is releasing a book about what he contends are Muslim and terrorist-honoring elements in the chosen Flight 93 National Memorial design.
After criticism that the semicircle of red maples that formed the central element of the design, originally titled “Crescent of Embrace,” resembled the red crescent associated with Islam, the design was modified to add trees along the open edge.
But Rawls and his supporters say the changes are superficial and that numerous other details reference Islam – and honor the terrorists of Sept. 11, 2001. For instance, Rawls, of Palo Alto, Calif., contends that the centerpiece of the design points toward Mecca.
Rawls’ claims are untrue and “preposterous,” according to Patrick White, Families of Flight 93 vice president. “We went through in detail all his original claims and came away with nothing.”
Rawls said the National Park Service’s responses to his concerns were dismissive. He said he even sent the FBI information, hoping to prompt an investigation.
“It amazes me sometimes that there aren’t a whole horde of people trying to stop this design,” he said.
Rawls has released a draft version of his book, “Crescent of Betrayal,” for free download at crescentofbetrayal.com, saying he hopes to make an impact in the runup to a July 28 meeting on the memorial.
“It’s 50/50 in terms of which way it will go,” he said.
The book is scheduled to be published in August by World Ahead Publishing.
White said the July 28 meeting won’t include deliberation on the design.
“The design has been chosen as of September 2005,” he said. “(The book) is not something we take seriously at this point.”
Local News
Flight 93 memorial-design critic pens book
- Local News
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Boil-water notice issued in Upper Yoder Township
A boil-water notice has been issued for a portion of Upper Yoder Township as crews work to repair a leak along Route 271. -
No NDIC jobs to stay in city
After years of political clashes and fiscal uncertainty, these are the facts of the National Drug Intelligence Center’s final days:
• 87: The number of employees losing their jobs as NDIC operations wind down this year.
• 57: The number of staffers, aside from those 87, who will be offered jobs in Washington, D.C.
• Zero: The number of NDIC-related jobs that will remain in Johnstown. -
Blogging with heart
I had a couple of interesting interviews over the past 24 hours. The first was with an ambitious Forest Hills High School junior who organized a Red Out across the district today in support of American Heart Association. Like many of those involved in Heart Association benefits, Spencer Ivock was inspired by his own family members' experience with heart disease.
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Forest Hills junior puts his heart into Red Out
Forest Hills junior Spencer Ivock is “redding out” the schools today for his senior project.
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Local pair accused of robbing home twice
A Johnstown couple has been charged with breaking into a Lower Yoder Township home twice in a four-month period – and then selling, for $103, some of the thousands of dollars in goods they alleged swiped.
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Steel firm considers coal mine near Que
Cambria Somerset Authority officials plan to meet this week with representatives of an Ohio-based steel company about a plan that could put a coal mine south of the Quemahoning Reservoir.
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In brief: Somerset motorist dies in crash
A 28-year-old Somerset man was killed Thursday morning when his vehicle left the road, hit a drainage ditch and rolled over.
- Births 02/03/2012
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[VIDEO] Party in Punxsutawney: Groundhog Day is about more than seeing shadows
For the thousands who show up at Gobbler's Knob as early as 8 p.m. on Feb. 1, Groundhog Day is about more than whether or not Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow: It's an excuse to party.
The Tribune-Democrat's Justin Dennis spent the night among the masses and captured all of the festivities on film. -
[VIDEO] Punxsutawney Phil makes his prediction
More than 18,000 people – some representing states as far away as Arkansas and Oregon – crammed into the outdoor amphitheatre of Gobbler’s Knob on Thursday for the annual weather party known as Groundhog Day.
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