NYT: Pataki Warns Cultural Groups for Museum at Ground Zero

Pataki Warns Cultural Groups for Museum at Ground Zero
By PATRICK D. HEALY
Published: June 25, 2005


Gov. George E. Pataki delivered an ultimatum to two important cultural players at ground zero yesterday, demanding "an absolute guarantee" that they would not mount exhibitions that could offend 9/11 families and pilgrims to a proposed memorial nearby.

Treading warily into the nexus of art and politics, the First Amendment and the symbolism of the twin towers site, Mr. Pataki made the demand after learning that one of the groups, the Drawing Center, has featured some politically themed and controversial artwork in its shows. A current display at its SoHo gallery, for instance, appears to make light of President Bush's description of Iraq, Iran and North Korea as the Axis of Evil....

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Referring to the two cultural groups, he continued, "They have to do that, or they will not be at the memorial site - to the extent that I have the ability to do that." As governor, Mr. Pataki appoints members to oversight boards for ground zero's redevelopment, and after more than a decade in office, he almost certainly has the allies and the clout to change course and block cultural institutions from the site.

Mr. Pataki's demand, which was denounced by several arts groups and Democrats as a violation of free speech, is the latest episode in a series of public disputes and flash points for the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan. Last month Mr. Pataki ordered a redesign of the 1,776-foot Freedom Tower to address security concerns that New York City police officials said had at first been ignored. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said yesterday that there would be an announcement next week about the redesign.

At the same time, several relatives of Sept. 11 victims have complained increasingly about the location at the memorial site of the proposed cultural center for the two groups, the Drawing Center and the nonprofit International Freedom Center. Commentary in some New York City newspapers has also been warning that both organizations may mount exhibitions that could be seen as anti-American, and yesterday The Daily News published a front-page headline, "Draw the Line, Now!" about incendiary artwork at the Drawing Center....


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/25/nyregion/25rebuild.html

...about 9-11 is fully exposed. Only then can a fitting memorial and tribute be made to those who died and sacrificed their lives on that day and the weeks which followed the events of 9-11. I'm sorry, but to cover over Ground Zero now is only contributing to the cover-up of crimes and incompetence.

From someone who sees the site every day, amen.

about "sensitivity to 9/11 survivors".

He sat in the audience where Rove basically called liberals traitors, as though those that died on 9/11 were martyrs for the conservative cause.

Hey Pataki, go fuck yourself. Spitzer's gonna have a hell of a time cleaning up your mess.

and any possible attached exhibits until another 5-6 years from now. By then 9/11 would have occurred 10+ years ago.

Right now, there are too many egos at stake, and it's distracting from the basic concept of the memorial - to honor the victims. We need a cool-down period.


:shrug:

are honored. Their families, and the nation that shared that day, deserve nothing less. The proposed freedom museum, or whatever, is, IMO, a way for Bush to blow his bullhorn forever, and, while I have a keen interest in cultural institutions, this doesn't seem right either. I think your idea of time passing is a good one, but, unfortunately, I think the movers and shakers of Manhattan are rearin' to go.

as if there's any connection between respecting the memory of those lost that day and respecting Bush. Or protesting the Iraq war and respecting 9-11's victims.

I do not get it.

its the fact that, again, Pataki has been caught snoozing when a Ground Zero problem erupts. He's always there for the announcement or cornerstone laying, then loses all interest in what's going on. Meanwhile the plan for whatever element is being developed goes off kilter, the press beats up poor George about it, and he make s stern speech about getting organized (remember the fiasco when the "Freedom Tower" had to be sent back for redesign after a year of complaints about security issues?) The result? Coming up on 4 years, the only thing rebuilt is the PATH train station.

wanted to bring it over but first I did a "search" and Viola!

I really got pissed when I saw this..are ya surprised?


pataki is like a fucking moronic dictator..who the fuck is he?

I hope those "Cultural Groups for Museum at Ground Zero" Give it bush in a way he's never gotten it before.

I like the way buzzflash put their headline.."pataki warns that Mocking bush would be tantamount to denigrating freedom"

Mocking bush is FREEDOM..YOU FUCKWAD!

Will somebody get the HooK for paturkey?