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We image Mayor Bloomberg had some talking-to with the new governor! A few days ago, Governor Eliot Spitzer dipped his toe into the dispute about how victims' names would be arrange at the World Trade Center Memorial.
Spitzer said a "very public discussion" should be had to satisfy still-lingering unhappiness from some victims' families about the WTC Memorial Foundation's plans. The foundation, led by its chairman, Mayor Bloomberg, decided not to signify civilian victims' names by employer name, age or floor (though they'd be grouped by their employers), while uniformed responders will have their company or precincts noted; this decision is already a change from the original scheme to randomly list names. Spitzer's words came at a press conference where he and Mayor Bloomberg (as well as NJ Governor Jon Corzine) were discussing Freedom Tower - if only we could have seen the Mayor's face turn red!
Now Bloomberg says Spitzer agrees with the WTC Memorial Foundation's plan. He told reporters, "“I had a long conversation with Governor Spitzer the other day, yesterday, explaining to him what we’ve done. You’ll have to ask him his views, but the Memorial Foundation’s the one that makes the decision. They’ve done that and we’re going to go ahead with that.” The NY Times adds that Spitzer's spokesperson says Mayor B provided "greater clarity" about the issue - and by greater clarity, we can only imagine the conversation starting out with "WTF are you doing sandbagging me?"
Bloomberg also emphasized, "This is not a memorial just for the families. This is a memorial for America. We've found a way to display the names in a way that I think will show the enormity of the tragedy and at the same time show that everybody was equal."
Photograph of Bloomberg and Spitzer at the press conference announcing Spitzer's support of the Freedom Tower earlier this week by Louis Lanzano/AP
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Gotta agree with Mike on this one. This was an attack not just against the people who were killed but against America as well. I hate Anne Coulter but she has a point that we listen way too much to 9/11 victim's families. As callous as it may sound, these people have to move on. If it was up to them, the WTC site woyuld be a huge park with memorials around. That's ridiculous. Like it or not, the area is valuable real estate and something should have already been built there.
This is not related to the WTC or Bloomburg, but seriously WTF is going on with the L train service? I called the MTA customer complaint line and their response was "Yeah yeah, that's a good question. I'd like to know too! You should go to the website to complain"
So, I call up the MTA customer COMPLAINT LINE and they tell me I should go to the website to complain. Perfect! Is the MTA inept at every level?
What's up with this "everybody was equal" stuff? There is a HUGE difference between going to work at your desk job at the WTC on 9/11 and tragically dying on that day versus rushing IN to the WTC after it's been attacked to save people. Why shouldn't ranks and other info be included along with names? The more info given about the people who were there that day, the better we'll be able to understand what it might have been like inside the towers.
I think Spitzer should use this as an example of how he will actually listen to reason and isn't a steamroller just for it's own sake. I think the guy is actually pretty smart and not just some gorilla.
Two words: alphabetical order.
I'm sick of Bloomy's "My way or the highway" edict. Asshole - WAKE UP!. When the people, thousands of them, speak up, you listen. As an elected official YOU DO what the MAJORITY of the people ask, not what "you feel". Give the memory of those who sufferred there due. How long do people have to deliberate over the minutea of how they are listed? Waste more money and time you idiot! Now go shovel your car out!