Pataki Nixes “Freedom Center” at Ground Zero

Perhaps the tide is beginning to shift in favor of pro-American views in our country, as Dan suggests below happened in Hollywood in 1985. Pataki’s decision to scrap the “International Freedom Center” may be the first sign that Americans are fed up with the political correctness of the War on Terror and the symbols associated with it.

GayPatriot Blog Ally Robert Shurbet announced the news. Robert’s efforts at TakeBackTheMemorial were started by the op-ed column from Debra Burlingame, the sister of Charles F. “Chic” Burlingame III, pilot of American Airlines fight 77, which was crashed at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. (As you may recall, one of my closest friends was also on board AA Flight 77 that morning.)

Pataki’s statement:

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE, Wednesday September 28, 2005
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR GEORGE E. PATAKI

I strongly believe in this nation’s core principle of freedom and I personally believe that the celebration of freedom is not inconsistent with the goals of memorializing our nearly 3,000 lost heroes. The creation of an institution that would show the world our unity and our resolve to preserve freedom in the wake of the horrific attacks is a noble pursuit.

But freedom should unify us. This Center has not.

Since June, we have offered the International Freedom Center (IFC) the time they needed to clarify their intentions and work with stakeholders to reach a consensus. Today there remains too much opposition, too much controversy over the programming of the IFC and 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.

Therefore, the IFC cannot be located on the Memorial quadrant. I have asked the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) to work with the IFC to explore other locations for the Center. In addition, I am directing the LMDC to continue its efforts to identify programming for the Memorial quadrant that will tell the story of September 11th.

I would also ask all parties to now join together and unite behind fulfilling our solemn obligation to the families of those we lost. We must reclaim the spirit that we saw the days and weeks after September 11th, a spirit of unity, resolution and purpose and we must come together to build a lasting memorial for the generations to come.

Michelle Malkin has a more complete roundup of reaction.

This grassroots American effort to keep the integrity of Ground Zero is proof to the power of the blogosphere and its impact. Robert, thanks for your help. You were there for me when I needed your support…. and now you have done a great service to the memory of those who perished on September 11. This nation should be truly grateful for your tireless work over the past several months.

-Bruce (GayPatriot)