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Author Topic: I remember two towers
Flowers By Irene
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Babbler # 3012

posted 11 September 2002 12:22 AM      Profile for Flowers By Irene     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
It was about eight or nine years ago, I was 16. My first and, so far, only trip to New York. I was there for only four days, but I have many memories from that trip.
One memory that has become the most precious in this last year is my visit the World Trade Center.
I never went in the towers, but remember being amazed by the sheer immensity of them.
I remember laying on my back on the courtyard between and in front of the two towers, on a cool, windy early October day.
I remember the cold concrete against my back as stared up, up, up, and still further up.
I remember feeling jealous of the few clouds I could see in the sky; they seemed so much closer to the top of the towers than I was.
I remember the towers gently swaying in the wind, the sun periodically reflecting off the windows directly into my eyes.
I remember the people; tourists as astounded by this wonderful feat of engineering as I was; business men and women hurrying past, taking almost no notice of the towers they saw every day.
This is how I will remember the towers.

From: "To ignore the facts, does not change the facts." -- Andy Rooney | Registered: Aug 2002  |  IP: Logged
DrConway
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posted 11 September 2002 12:37 AM      Profile for DrConway     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
My linear algebra textbook has a picture of the WTC towers from underneath some sort of display that was at their base, but which had openings you could look through to see them. Quite cool.
From: You shall not side with the great against the powerless. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
skadie
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posted 11 September 2002 04:15 AM      Profile for skadie     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Wow. Picture it without them there.

More amazing pics.

[ September 11, 2002: Message edited by: skadie ]


From: near the ocean | Registered: Jan 2002  |  IP: Logged
Michelle
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posted 11 September 2002 09:51 AM      Profile for Michelle   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
It's funny, skadie, but in that first picture, while they are impressive looking, they look out of place - almost a blight on the rest of the landscape. Not that they should have gone the way the did - or that they should have gone at all - but I'll bet the cityscape is much nicer-looking without them.
From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
dale cooper
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posted 11 September 2002 10:42 AM      Profile for dale cooper     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
No offense to anyone, but I find it kind of creepy how everyone talks like they were a couple of people. "Sure will miss those towers. Terrible way to go. Here's to the memory of the towers"

I know it's symbolic and all, but...


From: Another place | Registered: Aug 2002  |  IP: Logged
skadie
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posted 11 September 2002 05:27 PM      Profile for skadie     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
It's funny, skadie, but in that first picture, while they are impressive looking, they look out of place - almost a blight on the rest of the landscape.

I'm with you there, Michelle. They certainly chose a great symbol of American greed and arrogance.


From: near the ocean | Registered: Jan 2002  |  IP: Logged
Black Dog
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posted 11 September 2002 05:33 PM      Profile for Black Dog   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I stil can't look at pictures of the towers wihout thinking. "Damn, them were big and ugly."
A perfect symbol of America's hubris. No wonder they were a target.

From: Vancouver | Registered: Jun 2002  |  IP: Logged
skarnee
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posted 11 September 2002 05:46 PM      Profile for skarnee        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Re: Constable's bookends "cartoon". There's more than enough venom to go around in the world already. I don't find his viewpoint funny or editorial in its tone - just really nasty. Maybe he should put his efforts into something constructive in this situation - like volunteering for Cause Canada in Afghanistan. They can use all the help they can get.
From: canmore ab | Registered: Dec 2001  |  IP: Logged
Mimichekele
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posted 11 September 2002 06:32 PM      Profile for Mimichekele   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
When I look at the debates surrounding the planning and construction of the World Trade Centre, I come to a different conclusion.

The towers were not a symbol of hubris - the architect saw the towers as a positive sign of hope and humanism and internationalism. Perhaps naively, but the builders did not look at the towers as a symbol of American power, but of international concord. I agree - when I consider victims came from 80 nationalities, it's easy to imagine what the architect meant.

Also, one has to recall how the economy of southern Manhattan had been devastated in the 60s and 70s recessions. The WTC towers contributed very directly to the rejuvenation of the entire south of Manhattan for dozens of blocks in all directions.

The construction of the towers also led to revolutions in construction and design and engineering technologies. They were a true engineering feat, without exaggeration. A once in a generation building that changed the way large structures around the world are planned.

Ugly? An aesthetic judgment.

Hubris? I beg to differ. The towers are as revolutionary as the Eiffel Tower.

By the way, the buildings were not targets. The people inside were.


From: Toronto - but I'd prefer being back in Montreal spotting Nazis | Registered: Sep 2001  |  IP: Logged

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