When completed, this will be one of the most important buildings of the early 21st century. It is significant in stature, in design, in its politics, its symbolism, and for the reason it was built. The Freedom Tower is the replacement for what was once New York's World Trade Center. In September, 2001 terrorists destroyed several of the Center's buildings, including the massive 110-story twin towers. The stated reason for this action was to protest the United States' support of the nation of Israel and its people. [Really? According to the newspapers it was to protest Israeli territorial aggression and the presence of US bases in Saudi Arabia.] The terrorist attack only served to solidify the bond between the U.S. [right wing] and Israel, and caused [the US to fight ineffectual] wars in Afghanistan and elsewhere, and the toppling of the Taliban government [as opposed to al-Qaeda, the organization actually responsible for 9/11]. Thousands died when the twin tower fell, and millions [of TV viewers] were emotionally and psychologically scarred. The Freedom Tower is more than a real estate project. It is rehabilitation for those hurt by the terrorists and a way to heal the scar on a nation. Part of the healing process is new growth. [Or changing behavior patterns?] The growth is not only symbolized by the rising of a great tower on the horizon, but also by what will grow inside it. The Freedom Tower's upper levels will contain a massive vertical garden known as “Gardens of the World.” Call it a tribute to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the original seven wonders of the world. ["Babylon" is also a metaphor for urban vice and depravity] The same culture that sprang from Babylon is the one that was perverted by the 20th century zealots who used religion to justify the slaughter of thousands at the World Trade Center. [Gee, I didn't know Mohammed was a Babylonian!] The Freedom tower is just one of several buildings that will be erected to compose the new World Trade Center. The design is officially known as “Memory Foundations” because it leaves room for several memorials in the 16-acre complex. One of those memorials is the slurry wall, more commonly known as “the bathtub.” This structure was the basement of the World Trade Center and served to hold back the Hudson River to keep it from flooding the complex. It was here that the remains of thousands of dead were found, and hundreds more were never found. People will be able to walk down a ramp from ground level all the way down to bedrock along the edge of this wall -- the last original remaining piece of the twin towers. [The building owner wants to nix this now--takes away too many rentable square feet.] Also worth noting is the “Wedge of Light” -- an area designed and aligned with the heavens so that on September 11th of each year, the area will remain free of shadows from 8:46am to 10:28am -- the time from when the first tower was attacked until the second tower collapsed. [Without "Leap minutes" this will eventually go out of alignment, right?]