Rebuild the Twin Towers

In addition to computers and airplanes, I've always been fascinated by tall buildings. I have a particular affinity for the Empire State Building- my father worked there for a while, and it was on its observation deck that I first expressed my interest in the young woman who eventually became my wife.

While the ESB is my favorite building- and probably the single most personally iconic image in my life- the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center have always been a close second. The relationship between the WTC and the ESB in my imagination was always one of carefully balanced opposites. ESB: lone, elegant, pointy, midtown, old fashioned, everlasting. WTC: pair, simple, flat, downtown, modern...

It was the balance between the WTC and the ESB, and all of the contradictions that comprised it, that defined the tall building aspect of New York City for me.

In the aftermath of September 11, there have been a number of proposals for what to put in its place. In my opinion, every proposal that does not center around rebuilding the essence of the original Twin Towers is misguided. Clearly, the followup to the WTC needs to have a heart and soul that few construction projects start out with- and I don't think it will be difficult for New Yorkers to apply their heart and soul to the memorial aspects of the rebuilt site.

But the only way to fully memorialize the spirit of the people and the chunk of history that was destroyed that day is to rebuild that chunk with determination and confidence. To do anything else would not be an honest and full application of the ideals that we as Americans and New Yorkers claim to have been attacked for having- fearless optimism, ambition, inclusion, and bravery.

It is important to state an obvious fact: the World Trade Center was destroyed by our enemies. It didn't collapse by accident and it wasn't brought down because New Yorkers didn't like it. If we are to show ourselves, the world, and our enemies how much we loved what they took from us, we cannot replace it with something that is fundamentally different.

We certainly wouldn't dream of creating alternate versions of the loved ones who died that day.

The focus-grouped, over-rationalized, cowardly, and ultimately infeasible (can you believe it?!) vision that has been slowly unfolding at Ground Zero has finally stalled. Now is the time for people who believe that the Twin Towers should be more or less rebuilt to speak out.

This site represents a vision for the future of Ground Zero that I strongly support and urge all people to look into.

I'm not sure what official channels exist for furthering this cause, but I will pass them along as soon as I find out. I feel very strongly about this matter. To avoid rebuilding the World Trade Center as it was would be hiding from not only the truth of September 11 and all of its pain- it would be denying the full strength of our love, resilience, and hope.