Building a gi-normous tower (plus four smaller ones) on the site of the World Trade Center is just plain gross. Rather than build a park, install a sculpture or some piece of public artwork than might induce quiet reflection and reverence for the innocent people who died, we must construct a bigger, grander, brighter monument to capitalism? Because if we don’t, the “terrorists have won”, right? I’m no commie, but this place is a gravesite for thousands not “prime real estate”. The federal and NY State governments have recently agreed to occupy about half the space. Not surprisingly, many employees have said oh hell no!

From the NY Times article Employees Say No to Freedom Tower:

“I will not be able to work there,” said Ely Yulman, a tax auditor for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, which lost 40 employees in the World Trade Center. Mr. Yulman said he survived the attack only because he was out of his office in the south tower on the morning of Sept. 11.

“I have strong feelings of personal sorrow,” Mr. Yulman said. “The people who were there on Sept. 11, 100 percent they will oppose this idea.”