After the rubble is cleared, after the bodies are found, after the sifting of personal effects, after the tears, after the beseeching.................. What should be done on this hallowed ground? Some (conflicting) ideas:

* a place of memorial (what kind of place?)

* rebuild a commercial space as a kind of an in-your-face to the terrorists saying in effect "you can't shut us down". (I have heard that the current owner of the WTC is starting to plan for some sort of new project)

* both of the above

I think of the Viet Nam memorial and the Pearl Harbor memorial as two very different types of memorials. Pearl Harbor is profound in leaving the wreckage (and bodies) as they lay but that would not be possible or appropriate here. There are so many memorials. If there is to be a WTC memorial, it must be exceptional.

What type of Memorials exist at other places of great carnage? Hiroshima, Dresden, St Petersburg (Stalingrad) and various natural disaster sites? No doubt there are impressive statues, plaques and monuments at all these spots, but, where possible, they have remained dynamic, viable places (does anyone still live at Chernobyl?). I say lets not turn WTC into a lower Manhatten Arlington. Impressive memorial sure, but not at the expense of life. The people who died here were mostly young and vital. IMO, in their honor, it should be redeveloped to honor that.

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), September 18, 2001

Answers

I suggest, a sign that say,s=IT HAS JUST BEGUN!! lARS, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR=STUDY PROPHECY. take a peek into book of daniel-then mathew chapter 24-25--then revelations.[and remeber JESUS words=a time of trouble/sorrow SUCH as the world has never known]

-- al-d. (dogs@zianet.com), September 18, 2001.

It is too soon to even speculate on this. Cleanup the mess. Leave the site untouched for at least two years, except for the most solemn of markers. The emptiness will be eloquent.

-- (Roland@hatemail.com), September 18, 2001.

-- George S Patton (JustKickin@ss.mil), September 18, 2001.

Makes great target Georgie.

-- (Osama@camel.lot), September 18, 2001.

I think they should do the same as OK City did...

snoozin' on the couch... (BAD DOG!)

The Dog

-- The Dog (dogdesert@hotmail.com), September 18, 2001.