Saying, "We cannot allow the trade center to be a construction site for the next 15 years," Mr. Bloomberg proposed that the leaseholder, Larry Silverstein, give up control of two of the five building sites, in exchange for a reduction in his rent. (Mr. Silverstein holds a 99-year lease on the site, which is owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.)

That would allow officials to seek other developers to build towers on the site while Mr. Silverstein focuses on developing the Freedom Tower.

"We need this now to advance our economy and pay tribute to those who died there," the mayor said, "not a decade and a half in the future when it fits a developer's financial plan."

Officials of the Port Authority have been pressuring Mr. Silverstein to accept a similar deal. In addition, the authority has signaled that it is amenable to the mayor's proposal that its headquarters, previously situated in the twin towers, be moved into one of the buildings Mr. Silverstein is being urged to relinquish, Towers 3 and 4.

"We need this now to advance our economy and pay tribute to those who died there." Why does this quote bother me?
- tom moody 1-27-2006 7:12 pm [add a comment]

im not so torn up about it. Its a standard knee jerk political quallifyer. like the way you have to say "but i support the troops" when you say your against the war in iraq.


- bill 1-27-2006 7:31 pm [add a comment]

The problem is the conjunction: the implication that we pay tribute *by* advancing the economy. It's sloppy. And he's a jerk.
- tom moody 1-27-2006 7:37 pm [add a comment]

agreed sloppy, jerky.
- bill 1-27-2006 7:41 pm [add a comment]

I thought we were supposed to pay tribute by shopping.

"I honor the dead with this new pair of sneakers! The DVD recorder supports the troops."
- mark 1-27-2006 9:36 pm [add a comment]

yeah. it was patriotic to run up credit debt for freedom.
- bill 1-27-2006 9:52 pm [add a comment]