The Battle For Ground Zero, Part XIV

The Port Authority needs sensitivity training, because it failed to invite families of those killed on Flight 587 to an unveiling of a small memorial in a small park on Cabrini Boulevard near the George Washington Bridge. This is a microcosm of the problems the PANY/NJ has with Ground Zero - multiply the issues by several magnitudes and you'll see how and why people don't exactly trust the PA to do the right thing by the 9/11 families.

Adam Brodsky has an interesting take on the politicization of the WTC site. He makes the argument that the site became politicized the moment the planes struck, but the critics of the IFC and Drawing Center don't go far enough. The memorial and rebuilding should highlight and emphasize all that is good about the US of A.

Pataki was right to call for cultural attractions there to serve as a "lasting tribute to freedom." But he didn't go far enough.

Ground Zero should make a political statement — not that America is flawed, but rather that it's a rare force for good. Think of it as sort of thumb in the eye to the terrorists.

Remember how, in the wake of the attack, the nation resolved to show its enemies its resilience (before killing them, that is)?

Stock exchanges raced to re-open, as much out of pride as financial concern. Some called for the towers to be rebuilt exactly as they were, or maybe a floor taller.

Later, the 1,776-foot, single-column Freedom Tower (note its politicized name and height) was seen a symbolic "middle finger" to our enemies.

Yet the debate over the IFC so far has pitted only those who think Ground Zero should allow "free debate" (to bash America) and those who don't. (Plus some 9/11 families who want nothing at Ground Zero but a memorial.)

The "middle-finger" crowd hasn't said boo.

This is pathetic.

If America is proud — as it has every right to be — then why shouldn't it show it?

And where better than at Ground Zero, where our enemies tried to dent our way of life — and our confidence?

It can't be said enough: America did nothing to deserve those attacks. In fact, it was our very record of successful international altruism — our military, economic, political and cultural accomplishments — that fed the terrorists' wrath.

UPDATE:
The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (responsible for rebuilding at Ground Zero as well as choosing the IFC for the site) is having a board meeting today. This presents an excellent opportunity to make your voice heard!

If you are able, please take a moment to make a phone call and let the LMDC know that you believe cutural institutions such as the IFC and The Drawing Center have no place at Ground Zero and the memorial quadrant should be devoted to February 26, 1993 (first WTC bombing) and September 11, 2001 alone.

Lower Manhattan Development Corporation
Phone: (212) 962-2300
TTY Phone: (212) 962-0045
Fax: (212) 962-2431/33 - via Take Back The Memorial