Time to Pull the Plug

Indeed it is time to pull the plug on the International Freedom Center (IFC) and their attempts to politicize the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero. The IFC plans for the 9/11 Memorial, virtually ignores those that died on 9/11, but instead focuses on an America trashing series of multi-media presentations. The Drawing Center, which had planned to show anti-American art work, has essentially pulled out from the Memorial. There is a time and place for these people to show their hatred of America, after all, that is what we are trying to preserve, the right of people to express their viewpoints, but the 9/11 Memorial is not the place for this. To be sure, the New York Times, continues to trash Debra Burlingame, who first brought the IFC's plans to the attention of the public. The Times continues to revel in trashing America, so this is really no great surprise. Now, The Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA), has pulled it's support from the 9/11 Mermorial and the IFC. The New York Post explains.

'August 17, 2005 -- The Uniformed Firefighters Association's decision yesterday to withdraw support for the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation, citing two controversial museums proposed there, may have ended the threat of institutionalized activism at Ground Zero.

Good for the UFA.

The union's "membership and our 9/11 families believe that the memorial design will take away from the memory and sacrifice of the firefighters who bravely gave their lives during the most horrific terrorist attacks our country has had to face," UFA President Steve Cassidy said.'

Steve Cassidy and the UFA have every right to speak out and withdraw their support for this insult to the memories of those that were murdered, FDNY lost 343 members on that day.

'Plus, folks all over have joined the movement; 40,000 have signed its petition. (Indeed, grassroots America is taking note: Today, the tiny town of Anthony, Kan., will join in a "Take Back the Memorial" rally. Way to go, Anthony!)

At home, three local congressmen have threatened to work to bar federal funding for the memorial. Philanthropists, too, are balking — as Whitehead relentlessly reminds everyone.

So it's hardly just Burlingame and family members. And now add the UFA, representing 22,000 firefighters and wielding exquisite moral authority, as a foe.

Ironically, the Times, for all its personal vitriol toward Burlingame, essentially admitted she's right: that a chief concern is that the center will be "a place where people engage in free speech."

Now, three cheers for "free speech."

But there's a place for unfettered, raucous, rollicking, disrespectful-for-effect political debate — and that place, purely and simply, is not at the Ground Zero memorial.

To be sure, the Times got one thing right yesterday: It decried Pataki's lack of strong leadership regarding the two museums. He should have pulled the plug on them weeks ago.

So here's hoping the UFA's announcement will give him the cover he apparently feels he needs to do the right thing.

Which is to exorcise the IFC and the Drawing Center from Ground Zero, once and for all.'

I take my hat off to the people of Anthony, Kansas for their "Take Back the Memorial" Day. Here is a news flash for the NY Times Editorial Board; It is not just Debra Burlingamae or the UFA that are opposed to the IFC's plans. It is tens of thousands of Americans, 40,000 of which have signed the "Take Back the Memorial" petition, including 2094 9/11 families, many thousands of bloggers, which I am proudly one of and many more web sites that oppose this travesty. It is high time for Pataki to step up to the plate and send the IFC packing.

You can help, sign the "Take Back the Memorial" petition. If you can, plan on attending the "Take Back the Memorial" rally on 10 September 2005 in New York City, at the corners of Church and Liberty Streets, from 9:30am to 10:30am, rain or shine. If you cannot attend, send an e-mail to rally@takebackthememorial.org. Stand up and be counted!

Just a note to the NY Times, your continued trashing of Debra Burlingame, is just another indication of how you believe that free speech is only the right of the left. - Sailor