Seven years and counting. Of course we are no closer to rebuilding the towers, or building anything for that matter.
If it were a question of accounting the matter would be simple, but here we have a clash of identities, of a value rationality conflict. It is one thing when the conflict is between 100 stories and 80 stories--how about some number in between. But it is quite another when the conflict is over what kind of people we are. One side wants a park and a little museum where the exhibits can cover all of man's inhumanity to man to show that we are no narrow minded and understand that the people who committed these acts are victims themselves. They want a memorial that shows we are not motivated by revenge. The other side wants new office towers with Roman Eagles tearing out the guts of the perpetrators through all eternity as they roast in hell. They want a memorial that shows we will not rest until we are avenged. Whichever side you take, it is clear that the nature of the things at stake makes it difficult to compromise.
If it were a question of accounting the matter would be simple, but here we have a clash of identities, of a value rationality conflict. It is one thing when the conflict is between 100 stories and 80 stories--how about some number in between. But it is quite another when the conflict is over what kind of people we are. One side wants a park and a little museum where the exhibits can cover all of man's inhumanity to man to show that we are no narrow minded and understand that the people who committed these acts are victims themselves. They want a memorial that shows we are not motivated by revenge. The other side wants new office towers with Roman Eagles tearing out the guts of the perpetrators through all eternity as they roast in hell. They want a memorial that shows we will not rest until we are avenged. Whichever side you take, it is clear that the nature of the things at stake makes it difficult to compromise.
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