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Freedom should unify us.
Posted by Raven on September 28th, 2005
It looks like the International Freedom Center is no longer going to become a part of a very American story in lower Manhattan. As Kevin at Wizbang says:
“If the IFC was in such demand they’d be looking to build it somewhere else. They’re not…”
NEW YORK (AP) – Bowing to pressure from furious Sept. 11 families, Gov. George Pataki on Wednesday removed a proposed freedom museum from the space reserved for it at ground zero, saying the project had aroused “too much opposition, too much controversy.”
He left open the possibility that a new spot at the former World Trade Center site could be found for the International Freedom Center, but officials for the proposed museum said they considered the project dead.
The decision followed months of acrimony over the International Freedom Center, with Sept. 11 families and politicians saying that the museum would overshadow and take space from a separate memorial devoted to the 2,749 World Trade Center dead and would dishonor them by fostering debate about the attacks and other world events.
“Freedom should unify us. This center has not,” Pataki said. “Today there remains too much opposition, too much controversy over the programming of the IFC. … We must move forward with our first priority, the creation of an inspiring memorial to pay tribute to our lost loved ones and tell their stories to the world.
I’m surprised and pleased to read this. I thought for sure the economic interests of Lower Manhattan would overrule the family concerns. I was wrong. The Freedom Center wasn’t about America or September 11th or the heroes of that day. Rather, it was all about the world and how IT reacted to the attacks. I’m not sure exactly how we got there, but this should never have been allowed to happen. The events of September 11th are an American experience, especially in New York.
Pataki said the Freedom Center cannot be part of a cultural building located near the proposed trade center memorial. But he left open the possibility that the center could find a home elsewhere on the 16-acre site.
Pataki said he would direct the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. – the agency he created to rebuild the site – to explore other locations for the center.
Freedom Center officials, however, said in a statement that they do not believe there is a viable alternative location at the trade center site.
“We consider our work, therefore, to have been brought to an end,” the museum said. “We are deeply disappointed that the will could not be found to continue the development of the International Freedom Center at this hallowed site.”
I say leave well enough alone. Let the IFC find it’s home in say…France… or Germany…or some other country where blaming America for the attacks is fashionable. Keep it out of New York. And don’t even think about bringing it to Washington.
September 28th, 2005 at 9:41 pm
Blogicus Interrupticus
Today’s dose of NIF – News, Interesting & Funny … Hump Day edition
September 28th, 2005 at 10:28 pm
This makes my day. It took Pataki long enough! Both the Daily News and New York Post had editorials and front page articles – to end this center. Rudy came out against it. Hillary even came out against it. Well Pataki finally came through, but it was like pulling teeth.
September 29th, 2005 at 12:16 am
Now please fire the corrupt and incompetent LMDC and WTC Foundation and go back to Ground Zero to give us a memorial that fits the occasion.
September 29th, 2005 at 8:12 am
I agree Roger. They almost took away the very ground that sacred to so many.
Personally I would like to see the towers rebuilt just as they were.