Posted on 07/26/2005 12:46:34 PM PDT by Calpernia
Some relatives of the Sept. 11 victims, upset about plans to build a cultural center at ground zero, launched an internet campaign urging donors to withhold contributions to the World Trade Center memorial.
An open letter, published on a Web site called ``Take Back the Memorial'' and purportedly signed by 14 family groups, urged the boycott. But the letter was withdrawn after at least one group protested the use of its name on the posting, according to a report in The New York Times on Tuesday.
Gov. George Pataki, speaking Tuesday in Troy, N.Y., said it was ``very unfortunate'' that the families were opposing the center.
``We are going to make sure that the cultural activities, the museum, are respectful and reflective of our belief in freedom and the courage the heroes showed on Sept. 11 and the aftermath,'' Pataki said.
Asked if he would make a donation to the project, Pataki replied, ``I expect that I will.''
Earlier this month, officials told The Associated Press they had scaled back plans for the World Trade Center Cultural Center, which includes the International Freedom Center museum and an art gallery called The Drawing Center.
Critics have complained that the museum's focus on global freedom movements would not focus sufficiently on the Sept. 11 victims. They have also raised concerns that the museum would provide a forum for anti-American expression, a charge that the center has rejected. Officials involved in the planning have said that they are continuing to review the plans for the museum.
The letter posted on the Web site Monday urged donors to hold back funding for the entire memorial unless plans for the museum are shelved.
``We urge you to not donate to the World Trade Center memorial until the I.F.C. and the Drawing Center are eliminated from the memorial plans,'' said the Web site posting, titled, ``An Open Letter to the American People,'' the Times reported.
But at least one head of a family group listed on the letter objected to the posting.
``I never signed off on anything like that,'' Monika Iken, founder of September's Mission, which supports the development of a memorial, told the newspaper.
The Web site's founder, Robert Shurbet, told the Times that the letter was a draft posted prematurely and was withdrawn pending approval by the groups.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1422800/posts "New York 9-11 Memorial will include museums on Indian genocide, black slavery genocide, more"
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1424158/posts THE ROLE OF CHARITIES AND NGO’S IN THE FINANCING OF TERRORIST ACTIVITIES
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1441855/posts Take Back The Memorial
Oops, forgot the first post doesn't hyperlink unless scripted.
Sorry.
THE SOROS-IZATION OF GROUND ZERO
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1418112/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1422800/posts
"New York 9-11 Memorial will include museums on Indian genocide, black slavery genocide, more"
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1424158/posts
THE ROLE OF CHARITIES AND NGO’S IN THE FINANCING OF TERRORIST ACTIVITIES
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1441855/posts
Take Back The Memorial
Pataki should shut up and grow a pair.
Wasn't Pataki initially very critical of the museum, cultural center, or whatever it's called?
Who died here? They are the only people that should be represented in the memorial where they died.
This is Liberal Left Disgusting America any way they can!
Pataki has been the ONLY elected official speaking out against this freedom museum.
the context of his comment is not clear from this article.
Gov. George Pataki, speaking Tuesday in Troy, N.Y., said it was ``very unfortunate'' that the families were opposing the center.
``We are going to make sure that the cultural activities, the museum, are respectful and reflective of our belief in freedom and the courage the heroes showed on Sept. 11 and the aftermath,'' Pataki said.
Asked if he would make a donation to the project, Pataki replied, ``I expect that I will.''
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nypost/20050721/cm_nypost/onedownonetogo/nc:742
Pataki is the only person trying to do anything.
some progress has been made, but his hands may well be tied, these "agencies" in NYS have alot of power and are accountable to no one.
NOTHING need be memorialized at this site except for the 2900 people who were killed here. This should not be a place to ponder tolerance or a big love-in where we can all feel warmd and fuzzy. Nor should there be anything remotely multicultural. Dead Americans, guilty musmils, and nothing else.
Sorry, but all I've seen is Pataki trying to obtain commitments from the IFC and the "Drawing Center" that they won't have exhibits that will offend victims' families.
If you have to actually ask that of someone, they shouldn't be there in the first place.
read the links I posted above - the Drawing Center is going someplace else. the Museum is next, but that's going to be harder.
in my opinion, I would like to see the whole project scrapped now. there should be no building there, just a memorial and that's it.
Don't need to read the links. I work in downtown Manhattan and read about this often.
I am aware that the Drawing Center doesn't want any restrictions and is seeking to move to a nearby location. I'm not as certain as you that the IFC is "next". I think Pataki may be trying to garner some acceptance for a "watered-down" IFC here...but I'll wait to see the comments in context.
The dishonoring nature of these IFC plans are a microcosm of what's wrong with America today.
It is time for the federal government to step in and declare the WTC land a federal landmark and let the Interior Department develop the monument. I do not trust the NYC trusts and public organizations to do it properly and represent the country justly.
Yes, initially.
He either got a few bucks or someone has something on him.
Yeah, I'm thinking Pataki, a chicken, a camera.....
actually, I think what is going on is that the museum "rights holder" is playing hardball - and to knock him back, the entire project has to be scuttled (which I favor). Politically, Pataki does not want to do that, he knows the sheeple are idiots, and that the headline "WTC project cancelled" is going to be what resonates, and not enough people know or understand what is going on with this museum to make it the basis for scrapping the plan.
Pataki did the right thing, he didn't get any support except for a small # of people (you don't see Rush or Hannity harping on this day after day, if we had even 10% of the coverage Natalie Holloway is getting, we might be able to win this issue). Pataki isn't going to stand out there all alone, so he is trying to cut a deal I imagine, because scrapping the whole project over this isn't politically sustainable.
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