Critics are calling it unpatriotic to abandon the “Freedom Tower” name for an iconic skyscraper rising at ground zero.
Former Gov. George Pataki gave the 1,776-foot tower its name in a speech two years after the Sept. 11 terror attacks. He says the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is “outrageous” for deciding to call the tower One World Trade Center.
Newspaper editorials also have blasted the name change.
Officials had said the tower symbolized America’s resilience and commitment to freedom after terrorists destroyed the trade center in 2001. But some also said the building’s name made it a new terrorist target. It is to be New York’s tallest tower.
The Port Authority says it is making a practical decision to market the tower to commercial tenants.
(Source: Associated Press)
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7 Responses
But what about the hue and cry about socialism? Isn’t this capitalism at its prime?
Besides, those that use the term “unpatriotic” as a weapon are typically the most unpatriotic of them all. They care not about the fundamental principles of the country or the ideals behind it – they support it like they do a football team: not because they have any meaningful, deep-seated connection to it, but rather they want to feel part of something bigger and so they blindly call everything that isn’t 100% supportive “unpatriotic.” Idiotic is more like it.
If they called it “Freedom Tower” it would be like the change of “Sixth Avenue” to “Avenue of the Americas”. New Yorkers don’t change the name of something because the government tells them to.
Everyone will call it the “World Trade Center” regardless. And no matter what they call it, it will have a “bull’s eye” on it.
Sounds like they’re scared.
(Actually he said, “But some also said the building’s name made it a new terrorist target”, so we have to scurry along and find a new name.)
#1 Perhaps but by naming it freedom tower people will remember what happened on 9/11. By changing the name it loses its signafigance and takes away any symbolic refrence to the 9/11 terrorist attack
why does a skyscraper have to be there altogether? By replacing what they destroyed what are we gaining? Are we daring them to attack again?
Put a skyscraper somewhere else in the country.
#5:
If people forget what happened on 9/11 because there isn’t a building there named after it, then does it deserve to be remembered?
It would be absolutely pathetic if 9/11 were forgotten because they re-named the stupid building. Nothing about this has anything to do with patriotism.
If it is to be a terrorist target, it will be because it is the tallest building in the City, not because of its name. As one poster said, New Yorkers will no doubt continue to call the place the World Trade Center no matter what. I suspect the only other possible name would have been the “Ground Zero” Center (or Tower) as that is what the site has been called since 9/11/2001.