"Freedom Tower" Name Change Says It All

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the World Trade Center site, announced on Thursday, March 26, 2009, that the name "Freedom Tower" would be dropped for the skyscraper at the heart of the rebuilding of what was the World Trade Center (W.T.C.). Instead, the replacement building will be named "One World Trade Center." The name change says it all.

The building was intended as a symbol of rebirth and recovery from the September 11th attack that brought the World Trade Center Towers down. The original name of "Freedom Tower" was a message to past and future terrorists that the American people would not let hatred and evil defeat us.

Now, the Port Authority has changed horses and names. Instead of defiance in the face of evil, they are cowering. They have decided that the name "Freedom Tower" would make the building a target for future terrorist acts. It is laughable if they believe changing its name to One World Trade Center would shield it from attack or make the building more marketable to tenants. After all, that was the official name of the former North Tower that was destroyed by terrorists on September 11th. What company's employees would want to be reminded of the memories of that day every time they entered the building?

New York Governor George Pataki was offended by the name change. He protested:

"The Freedom Tower is not simply another piece of real estate and not just a name for marketing purposes," Pataki said.

"In design and name, it is symbolic of our commitment to rise above the attacks of Sept. 11. Where 1 and 2 World Trade Center once stood, there will be a memorial with two voids to honor the heroes we lost — and, in my view, those addresses should never be used again."

When I first heard this report, it made no sense at all. Then, I heard who the first major tenant is Vantone, a Chinese real estate conglomerate closely affiliated with the Chinese Communist government. The Port Authority board voted to change the building's name after signing a 21-year lease with Vantone. They deny the name change had anything to do with this particular tenant, but that is a questionable, if not just plain silly, denial.

In any event, if Communist Chinese front companies are the target market for this building, then calling it the "Freedom Tower" would be an oxymoron. "One World" trade, government, etc., would be a more accurate descriptive.

Sources: The Associated Press http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i9XWcHZvMy8EVBpnerZveJg68ZZAD9776LQ00
MSNBC http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29913195/