Vote To Rebuild - Visitor's Comments

Please do not rebuild the towers. I realize that space is at a premium in lower Manhattan. But to rebuild those towers is to invite another tragedy. Build a memorial park to honor the people that died in the towers, the people that died trying to help them and all the volunteers that are involved in the the clean up and rescue effort. To rebuild the towers would be insensitive move. Let people see the forever changed landscape and remember that even in the U.S is not untouchable.

The sadness and sorrow for those who lost their lives will remain with us forever and there is nothing we can do to bring them back, however, I am of the strong opinion that the World Trade Center should be rebuilt as they were, with the addition of another floor which should be used as a memorial. If we as americans have to donate money in order to get the project under way, then so be it and count me in!

If we are serious about fighting the terrorists it is necessary to rebuild the WTC, and even build it bigger and better than before. Allowing the site to become a "monument" to the thousands who were murdered there will serve only to underline the manner in which a handful of evil men forced their will on the strongest and longest lived democracy on this planet.

Comment # 4:

We need to send a message to the world that freedom comes first and that freedom can never be toppled. To not rebuild will show the world that we have grown smaller to the message of terrorism. New York is the greatest city on Earth and within it borders houses the true image of America. We must rebuild a tower of freedom that stands as a symbol for the world as the Statue of Liberty stands for a symbol of America This tower will stand tall, massive, proud. A place on the top of this tower the
words, "United we Stand"

- Chris

Comment # 5:

I think that it is a nice idea to build the towers to show the people who did it that they we are a great
country and that we can rebuild, but how many people are going to want to work in them again? and i
worry that they will just do it again w\and well lose even more lives. this is such a horrible thing to happen to our country, but i never thought i would be so proud to be an american, with everyone and there flags all over where ever you look. i just hope that after like 3 months they start to tak ethe flags down. we should always have our flags out, and b proud to be americans.

- BkLyNgUrLiE

Although there is great sentiment to rebuild the towers, it would only invite more acts of terrorism. Already, businesses are shunning high rise buildings due to fear of such a horrific event happening again. I don't believe that you could get businesses to willingly house their employees in rebuilt towers and think that a small scale twin tower memorial would be more fitting to those that died in this tragedy.

Eddie
Mission Viejo, CA

I'm with "Mike from NYC" whose comment you have quoted on your home page. What would Jefferson have thought? Are you kidding, he'd be busy working on the architectural plans already! Start planning, New York, never give in to the terrorists.

Joan, born and raised in NY State

I believe we should rebuild even better then before, the can't scare us, if we don't they win.

Nick Molnar

Those who vote to rebuild our Towers, I believe, are with a strong and respectable intent. That is, not so much to "rebuild" as with the purpose to "recover". Those who oppose the notion of scraping the sky with a replacement structure(s), it seems, are concerned that we may be inviting a horrible history to repeat itself, while still so freshly in our sorrow. I see a balance in these thoughts.

Whatever the decision, I believe that something very valuable will surface from this particular debate. The new thing I foresee stemming from these discussions is the careful consideration we might afford each other in the difference of opinions, specifically concerning this issue. That, this time around, with something so public, and equally as sensitive, I think we will probably be more attentive to the emotions behind the views being presented.

Whatever the result, I already smile. Today, simply knowing that - together - we will certainly make the right decision ... this is good enough for me. In fact, that unbridled togetherness we've regained, as I see it, already stands 110 stories high for all to see ...

- Joe Dougherty, Los Angeles

... we should rebuild it as a single building. Furthermore, and most importantly, we should rebuild it as such a beautiful work of architectural art that no one would ever dare to blow it up again, for fear of sparking the overwhelming ire and outrage of the entire world in the process. (No one would ever dare consider blowing up the Taj Mahal, even though terrorism has been known to flourish in India.)

- Orthelion

In my opinion the WTC should not be rebuilt on the same site because this site is now a burial ground of over 6,000 people that were cremated by the terrorrist's attack on Sept.11, 2001.

I am all for rebuilding...I'm just not sure in what form yet. Anyone who wants this space to be left vacant is just giving the terrorists what they want...To leave us with a void. Also, people must be realistic that all these acres of buildable land cannot be left vacant in New York. I for one, do not want to see a big whole in the tip of New York. And there absolutely should be a memorial somewhere along the site. I absolutely agree with that...

Can we let this great nation fall, after it has risen to the limits? No! The blood that was spread by those who fought to construct a great empire cannot be left untouched. Let us show those weak people who destroyed families and took away thousands of lives who had a future ahead of them, who woke up each day with the idea to become better, that they have not destroyed us, yet, that we are still strong and we will not surrender and that we will not give up until all those lives have been paid for. Rebuild the World Trade Center, but this time even stronger and add a place of memorial inside it to show that we haven't forgotten that historic September 11th of 2001, a day in which innocent lives were taken away. Rebuild it to show the world, especially the ones who caused the devastation, that this great nation has not fallen, but instead it has gotten stronger. The new world trade center will be a symbol of this.

-Ailyn Rivero

I feel that the towers should not be rebuilt.
i feel that a monument of memorial for all
those who lost there life is more appropriate

ty dolls

I think the good people of NY should decide what they want to do. As far as I'm concerned Yes rebuild. We can't let terrorists decide our fate.

- "T"

To help bring back jobs, hope for a brighter future, sure rebuild them. Not so tall next time....in any tragedy....tall buildings REALLY are not smart. Less concrete to deal with in one area. It's a shame they can't be built like the Pentagon...to where if damaged (heaven forbid) ever again....it would be harder to downsize.
I pray no one ever goes thru this again. Praying for peace and more unity.

Thanks for asking our opinions.

- Karen

We should not rebuild the trade towers so that some other idiot can seek ways to destroy it and thousabds of lives alond with it. If we've learned anything from this that ought to be one of the lessons. Furthermore if they were to be rebuilt there should not be a dime of taxpayers money to build them with. Never again should we put so many people in harm's way.

It's difficult to cope with the unfathomable loss of life that occured. It's also heartbreaking to see the descruction to my city's skyline. The terrorists didn't target skyscrapers , they targeted symbols of America - our wealth and freedom. should we fear going back to work in the Pentagon? Stay away from the Empire State building? Sears Tower? Baseball Stadiums? No, we cannot give in to terrorism. Give us back our windows on the world. Build and build taller and brighter. Joe NYC

Yes, Out of sheer defiance and to show they cannot suppress Us, or make us hide In fear. We should rebuild a few stories higher, and with a memorial In each lobby for those who died. We are a proud, brave and strong nation, let us show It. Let's not make money an Issue In this, let Us just do It. I'll contribute. This Is from a person who grew up watching the towers being built, and had relatives working there at one time, and one who works In the World Financial building now. Rebuild our towers

have mixed feelings about that. I think a memorial would be a good thing, but the trade center was a landmark for NY. I heard the owner was talking about building 4 building 50 stories or so. That might be o.k But my real feeling is that there is just so much tragedy connected there and ghost of so many lives. Whatever N.Y decides, I think the rest of America would go along with. God Bless you New Yorkers.

- Betty

Not to rebuild them would tell the terrorists and the rest of the world that we can be bullied, that we can be manipulated and terrorized. I say rebuild them and this time add some construction modifications things that was not available when the towers were originally built.

When our Space Shuttle blew up killing all aboard, did we not rebuild the space shuttle? The side of the Pentagon; won't that be rebuilt exactly as it was prior to the attack? I can continue but you get my point. Would I work in the NEW towers? I believe so . . . the probability of it happening TWO times is a million to one.

watched those towers being built in the early seventies and was always amazed specially since I was seventeen when I came to live in NY, I cross the Verrazano bridge daily, and when I look down I no longer see what was once the greatest man creation, we should not allow any body or nation on this earth to stop us from practicing our freedom and creation for all human kind to enjoy. Do not allow these bastards to manipulate us and be scare of them, there are 6333 reasons why we should rebuilt the WTC as symbol and honor for those that lost their lives and to show those cowards that we will not have caves or a piles of ruble as monuments.-
Yes built them again to show them that they only bent us but did not break us and never will.-

- Frank A.

Comment # 26:

4 buildings, 50 stories each, plus a memorial to all who lost their
lives.

- Bobtows

We must rebuild. We are being watched by the rest of the world as to how we deal with this, including by the terrorists.
A house united, cannot fall
A world divided, heeding its call
To arms, I say, to arms, today
But who will rebuild what they had fall?
I say, US ALL.

That's my attempt at saying, "we gotta do it." We have to rebuild.

Thanks,

- Suzanne Young - Reno, Nevada

Sirs,

I think it's imperative to rebuild the World Trade Centers on a grand
scale if for no other reason than to show our enemies that we will not
bow down to their attempts to destroy us. We will have faith in our
national security going forward as the war on Terrorism and Terrorist
states intensifies and begins to bear fruit.

New York's preeminence as a World Class city in the land of freedom and
opportunity can not and will not be diminished by "defeatist" attitudes
that would have us frightened and hunkered down in inconspicuous caves-
Like the Taliban.

Our expressions of architecture as well as with all facets of American
life must not be dictated by foreign
elements whose intent is to demoralize and destabilize us.

As Winson Churchill said during WWII's, Battle of Briton, "We Will
Never Surrender" - All Americans must band together and resist those
who want us to surrender. And we know they are: Arab suicidal, jealous,
mass murderers to all that are not Islam!!

Regards,

- JP Fereday - Aliso Viejo, CA.

I don't think the towers should be rebuilt. It's not because I'm scared of another attack (although it is a possibility). It's because I believe that we owe it to the people that died there to have a place just for them. I know some say build a memorial in the lobbies and stuff like that, but it's not the same. The people died there they don't deserve just one floor....they deserve the whole space. I know it would be a nice thing to build towers bigger and better than ever but I think out of respect for those who died we should just have the greatest memorial that the world has ever seen.

P.S. I know that the buildings were big for a reason ...but personally, I don't think a building should be built any higher than a firetrucks ladder can reach......I think that is one of the reasons we lost so many men that day.

-Melissa, New Orleans, LA

I think that by rebuilding the WTC, whether it's the same or different (maybe a little taller, even by a foot) will be a far greater monument to those who died there than simply putting a monument. If we don't rebuild the financial capital of the world, not only will it NOT serve as a monument to the people who were lost, it will more likely serve as a monument to the terrorists that they were able to beat us down. We can't let that happen!

I've been looking for a site like this for a while now, and I thank you and appreciate that you have started this push to get the WTC rebuilt. No one I know is among the missing or dead of the WTC collapse, thank God, but I think every New Yorker is in shock and sadness over this tragedy. The losses are appalling, and it is heartbreaking to see the posters of missing people all over the city. As we mourn the losses and prepare for the upcoming war against terrorism (we MUST use force to end terrorism, just like we used force in WWII to defeat Fascism---this is the ONLY way to prevent this from happening again), we should, in time, rebuild the WTC complex to exactly the way it was. To do anything different would be to acknowledge defeat and that the terrorist thugs have won. However, there should be, in one of the towers, perhaps on the highest floor, or in the lobby as well as on the ground below, a memorial to all the victims who perished, including the ones in the planes, and to the police, fire dept, and EMT workers who risked, and often gave, their lives to save those inside. The loss of the WTC twin towers leaves a gaping hole in the heart of the city, and in the hearts of most New Yorkers. For those who say, people would be afraid to work there again, I think an important addition would be to have emergency/rescue personnel and some sort of military surveillance team on the higher floors. This way, response time would be quicker.

I watched the second tower crumble and fall ,from my car on my way to work that morning. I will never forget the sight & the smell of the carnage I witnessed that terrible day. I can't stop thinking about all of those heroes, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers & friends lost in this disaster. We can rebuild our beautiful towers, as a symble of our determination. I am fearful that we can't eliminate from our planet, the dirbags that have no conscience. I don't want to look back; I would have annialated the entier region years ago. Our world is drasticly different now. The beautiful skyline we once had is lost with the lives of thousands our fellow citizens who just went to work that morning. I believe if we build a replica of the towers, those luatics will find a way to shatter our confidence & way of life again. Until they are gone, noone in this country will feel safe again.

GENTLEMEN:
THE ONLY WAY TO FIGHT TERRORISM IS TO STAND AND FIGHT AGAINS IT. YOU HAVE TO REBUILD BECAUSE IT IS NEEDED IN LOWER MANHATTAN BUT,WILL PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE THEIR OFFICES THERE AGAIN AND GO TO WORK THERE? LETS BE REASONABLE, YOU MUST DO A SURVEY AMONGS THE BE COMPANIES THAT WOULD BE INTERESTED IN GOING BACK THERE AND DO SOME GOOD PR WORK AND THEN DECIDE IF IT WOULD BE FEASIBLE TO DO SO. I LIKE THE NEW TOWERS AND THE THOUGHT THAT SOMEONE HAD OF PUTTING THE PHRASE " UNITED WE STAND". I WOULD ALSO ADD A SPECIAL DEVICE ,WITH MISSILES ALL AROUND THE TOP OF THE BUILDING, THAT WOULD FIRE ITSEL AUTOMATICALLY, IF ANYTHING LIKE THIS WAS TO HAPPEN AGAIN.
i ALSO THINK THAT THEY SHOULD INVENT A NEW KIND OF PARASHUTE THAT WOULD OPEN REALLLY FAST AND THAT EVERYBODY THAT WORKS IN A HIGHRISE SHOULD HAVE ONE IN THEIR DESKS. ALSO, A NEW SYSTEM WHERE THE EXIT STAIRS ARE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE BUILDING , TO ALLOW FOR MORE PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO SCAPE OR MORE EXIT STAIRS OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT. GOD BLESS AMERICA.

I would vote to rebuild, though perhaps four buildings more structurally sound, and not as tall with a small memorial. The four buildings could have the equivalent space inside as the two taller original buildings. In the event of any emergency whatever, a building could be evacuated more readily than a tall one.

I say the towers be rebuilt, but this time make them stronger, and bigger. Make them like the part of the Pentagon that wasn't destroyed. That was the reason that the Pentagon was left half standing is because they were re-doing it and made it stronger. I feel the new towers should be made that way. Also there should be a memorial outside the trade center so that when ever people walk by they see it and have a list of all the people who died and those who helped.
The towers should look something of what Sean Platter Made and on top of the towers connecting them should be the words "United We Stand" to show the terrorists they aren't getting there way, that we as a nation are fighting back and that we are not afraid of them. I also think as having th memorial outside for all to see when they walk by, the lobby inside should also have angels or something to represent every person who died, one for each person.
People who work in building skyscrapers or other building should donate their time in the rebuilding of the new towers so that we don't have to pay workers and all the money will go to building the towers. I also think there should be a fund setup to donate money n the rebuilding of the towers.
I hope Guiliani and Bush decide to rebuild because it would show that we care and that we are not week to terrorists.

-Megan

YES WE SHOULD REBUILD IF FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN TO SHOW THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE THAT THEY MAY HAVE KNOCKED US DOWN BUT THEY DODN'T KNOCK US OUT. THAT WE WILL BE BACK BIGGER AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE.

- GREG, LUBBOCK,TEXAS

I feel the WTC should be rebuilt. Not only because we need one but also to show that we are not beaten and we will be strong and move on. At the same time I feel that it should be built low to the ground as not to become another target. Make it a two or three level building built like a tank, so to speak. If that kind of rebuilding can be done in the same place as the other towers WITH A MEMORIAL great! If not, put the memorial there for all our troubled souls, and rebuild somewhere else.
- Becky in Missouri

I think the buildings should be rebuilt. I believe that it should be built to reclaim the record for the tallest building in the world. I also believe that either in the foot print below the building or maybe the first floor should have marble walls containing all of the names of theses who were lost. I believe that a monument should be built on the location but that the buildings should be a monument to there past selves. what might be nice would he a marble wall much like the Vietnam wall at the base of the towers with a marble phoenix sitting on top to symbolize the rebirth of unity after this great disaster.

I think your design looks very appealing; however, if we plan to rebuild such a structure, we should probably weigh in an evacuation plan. Perhaps ejection seats, or ejection booths with parachutes or high velocity elevators with seatbelts. We have the technology to build structures sturdier and better than ever! Why not build something to remember these great structures and the lives that were lost? I say go for it!

- Thomas Wright , Austin, Texas

Build smaller but more buildings.
Any way, I think they will have trouble renting whatever they do.
I for one would not go into the buildings.
To me, it is like a sacred buriel ground.
So many have died.

remember we are the land of the free and the home of the brave we are americans and our colors do not run!!! stop acting like cowards and get on with our lives if not they have won the battle god bless america if need be i will fight for this country untill my death go get them president bush!!!!

The towers were attacked 8 years ago. Some people died. They were patched up and security was increased. The buildings continued to be used and we tried to pretend it never happened.

They were attacked again, first the one, then the other, and thousands more died.

A bomb. A jet plane. Another jet plane.

Shall we build them again, and again pretend it didnt happen?

We want to rebuild them out of pride -as an act of defiance - as a statement to the world. Is this the thing we live and die for? Buildings? Office space and resturants?!

We want to turn the clock back. We wish to undo the horrible act. We want to un-collaspe the buildings.

In the days of marching armies, battles were fought on a field of honor - with the troops marching in rows and columns, and on horseback, in the open, in formation. To hide behind a rock or tree, or to crawl on the ground was an act of cowardness.

When a regiment of a thousand men was slain in this manner, a thousand more rushed in to take their place, and they fell beside them. How many thousands died at Gettysburg in this matter? What was the military significance of that field in Gettysburg? Was the ground that precious? Or was it simply a place for men to slaughter each other?

After the civil war in the US, men no longer marched across battle fields as a matter of pride and honor. Battles were fought over places of military importance, the control of cities, sea ports, factories, fuel sources, seats of government. Battles were fought by stealth, by any means available. The goal was not to kill. The goal was to end the war.

The World Trade Center was not buildings. It was people. It was a vision. It had a purpose. Not to dominate the skyline of a city, but to promote and develop free trade throughout the world.

The World Trade Center was not destroyed. Buildings were destroyed. Thousands of lives were destroyed. But the activiites of the businesses, companies, and government agencies that worked there have continued.

Look beyond the steel, concrete and glass. The WTC is not towers, it is people, it is an idea. It is a nation that leads the economy of the world. It is what you get when peoples right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is not restricted.

What has happened on that site should never be plastered over. The evil that occurred there is a part of our human experience. The heroic sacrific of the firemen, policemen, and extrodinary citizens who helped the weak and the injured escape the building, is also a part of our human experience.

Let the site be an international place of honor for the fallen. Let it be a permanant reminder of what happens when men make war on each other.

Let the site be joined with the site in Hiroshima, an international striving for global peace.

Yes incredible horror happened there.

Incredible courage and bravery, acts of personal sacrifice, and the ultimate act of love also happened there. It is hallowed ground now. Shall we build over it? Shall we try to undo it?

Shall we pretend it didnt happen?

Never!

- Ken from Upstate NY