Can't say that I agree with you - you can't bring back something that was destroyed by rebuilding it exactly the same. В одну реку не войти дважды.

I actually like the new design. I wasn't crazy about it first, but I think it grows on you.

T.

You are right. This is exactly what was going through my mind when I was writing this article. But the thing is, the reason why so many people hated the design was because it stood out so much. Same exact thing happened to the Eiffel Tower.

The new design is just as ugly. But does it stand out? Do you see it being used on logos? It's just another bunch of buildings with their tops chopped off at an angle.

Also the Twin Towers were an honest design - they were all building, none of that jumble of trusses that are just for looks crap.

The thing about the current proposal is that it's ugly architecture, but good art; the LMDC won't allow the space to be preserved as a fitting memorial, so the horrible eyesore of jagged edges and postmodernist design *forces* people (including the fat-cats demanding a rebuild) to remember that day, while probably providing more comfortable/livable spaces for the occupants than the original towers themselves allowed.

I liked the original towers myself, I don't mind the Japanese perspective and argument (did you know the architect was Japanese?), but I'm not sure it fits the Manhattan mindset, either -- the entire layout of the island is organic and 'Darwinian' in a sense (weave that into the idea of the financial district as you will); buildings remain as long as they serve their purpose, and I think it's an 'American' idea to want to replace them with something "better" when they cease to.

Frankly, since this whole mess saw the tenants flee to the safety of flat suburban sprawl, I'm not sure I see the point; cap it with a public works product, a library or plaza or something of use towards peace (which, in turn, will attract business and raise the economic value of the *surrounding* areas; consider the value Central Park brings to the city) ... paving it over seems about as ridiculous as keeping it fenced-off dirt.

I like the idea of using the skeleton of the original towers in the memorial, but please can we get rid of those flags? They make me want to sing "It's A Small World."

I would make the memorial walls jagged and twisted - on the model they look like a row of forks.

Throughout American history, we have been subjugated to great tragedies, both natural and man-made. What has defined us as a people and as a nation has been our unswerving ability to continue to move forward in the pursuit of our collective American Dream(s) and in the name of progress. I see it as a pointless act to leave the footprints of the towers untouched. People died there...yes, but those sites were completely excavated, and any/all remains that may have been there are long gone. We as a people must pick up and move on. The terrorists attacked those towers because of what they symbolized to the American people and to the world; Capitalism, industrial and economic might, and our ability to unite under a common goal and make the wonders of our engineering genius a bold reality. Projects such as that which produced the WTC towers are all but impossible over most of the world, espcially in those nations where terrorists originate and are welcome. In many areas, the various peoples living there can not even get along with each other long enough to start a decent foundation let alone an architectural feat like the WTC. I was overjoyed when I saw a picture of Donald Trump in Investors Business Daily with 2 new towers standing behind him. I agree with him 100%. If we do not rebuild those towers, we will have bowed our heads and submitted to the will of the fundamentalist bastards who brought them down. No longer will a child be able to stare out the car window at the towers in sheer awe and amazement, and be inspired to dream of what could be (as I and it appears numerous others once did). The towers represented the American Dream for many, and the real tragedy would be to not restore the site to its former glory. The American people must come to realize that these fundamentalists want to permanently halt change and progress and force the entire world to live and believe as they do. They want us to cover our women up and take away their rights. They want to put Jews, Christians and Pagans alike to death. They wish to exterminate all that is different from them and all that they perceive to be unclean. They hate us because we are a diverse people and because of how successful being a diverse people has made us. The most powerful message we can send them is not a missile, bomb or bullet; it is rebuilding that which was destroyed and to let the new towers stand defiantly taller than before.
Thank you Mr. Trump for offering a hope that the New York skyline will be restored to its former greatness. Many blessings to you and your endeavors.

Ever onward, ever upward,

Christopher Lazaro
IBM @ American Express

i think the towers being rebuilt is a great and strong idea, i just hope the rest of the head honchos who make the ultimate decision will agree, after all they're the only ones who have a say.