9-11 Memorial

By her suggestion, my wife and I spontaneously went and saw the movie "World Trade Center" this evening. It is based on the true stories of survivors #18 and #19 of the 20 survivors pulled from the WTC rubble of 9-11-01. It is remarkably devoid of political innuendo and particularly impacting for its straight forward focus on the actual events. Due to her sensitivity to such a harsh reality that we expected to be depicted, it is not the type of movie my wife would normally be inclined to see.

However, after experiencing this incredibly well done memorial to the 9-11 tragedy, we knew why we were moved to see it. I had just visited the newly opened Arizona 9-11 sculpture at Wesley Bolin Plaza by the Arizona State Capitol. The contrast was startling. The Arizona thing is so far removed from being a memorial with its liberal political mish mash, obscure statements, and confusing mixed-messages, that it is an absolute embarrassment. It IS a monument to a rudderless worldview that entirely misses the point and grossly detracts from the reality of the evil committed and the innocent lives lost. Aspects of the half million dollar sculpture are technically clever, however the overall impression is as uninspiring, even ugly, as it is sadly confused. The only emotions I saw evoked at all were shrugs of frustration, disappointment and even anger at the monument itself. If it stays, which it should not, its legacy will be with the pigeons.

See the movie.