Abomination at Ground Zero

Today’s New York Daily News reports: “Another insult to America’s heritage at Freedom Center.” Daily News reporter Douglas Feiden writes:

A global network of human rights museums is urging the International Freedom Center to downplay America in its exhibits and programs at Ground Zero, the Daily News has learned.

The Daily News comments in an editorial: “Making a mockery of Ground Zero.” The editorial observes:

The IFC’s organizers have…cited plans to host exhibitions by members of the International Coalition of Historic Site Museums of Conscience as a reason why the Freedom Center would be a perfect fit for the hallowed ground where 2,749 people were murdered. To which we can only say that IFC leaders Tom Bernstein and Richard Tofel must be nuts. The advice the coalition gave them is neither inspirational nor practical. It is pure anti-American hogwash.
The coalition’s wisdom, as spelled out in its 2004 annual report, begins by expressing concern about how religious Muslims would view the Freedom Center and climaxes by offering Bernstein, Tofel & Co. an offensive prescription: “Don’t put America first.” The coalition also worries that “the average Bangladeshi” feels “his/her human rights have been violated by the U.S.” Come again? Exhibits on what amounts to a mass grave of slaughtered Americans will be decided by what the average Bangladeshi feels? Not bloody likely.
Consider this, too: “The Freedom Center is a caricature of the typical American response to everything (telling every story from an American viewpoint).” Exactly what viewpoint is an American museum on American soil marking an American tragedy supposed to express? Oh, right. Bangladeshi.

It is past time to put an end to the abomination in the making at Ground Zero. Please lend your support Debra Burlingame and the good folks who have been sounding the alarm at Take Back the Memorial.

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