TRIBUTE TO EXCESS!

Look, I'm fine with rebuilding the Twin Towers area as has been done as it has symbolic value in addition to economic value.  I'm fine with the "$1.8 avg. million dollar" payments to the families of the victims not to sue the airlines (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11th_Victim_Compensation_Fund).  I'm fine with the tasteful list of the names of all the victims in the courtyard.

But I get into trouble with the 100,000 sq.ft. museum that is 7 stories  (7 STORIES) underground (UNDERGROUND) at a cost of a billion dollars PLUS $60 million/yr for upkeep of which $20 million/yr is to be provided by the Federal government.  Sen. Coburn has objected to this, and I am with him (http://www.politico.com/huddle/0912/huddle1122.html).  It seems like there is not enough that can be done for the victims, their families, and survivors of the Twin Towers disaster.  And you can add to that the health concerns of the survivors of which I am all in favor as I am for universal health care.

Look if some billionaire or group of billionaires were to bankroll this, I certainly wouldn't stand in the way and a billion dollar gift would provide a $50 million/yr for upkeep (@5% withdrawal/yr).

I also can't imagine what they are going to put into the museum.  I can see one story and maybe it has to be underground, but 7 stories and 100,000 sq.ft.?

SO, have we done enough for the U.S military victims (58,282 KIA and 153,303 WIA requiring hospitalization) and their families of Vietnam? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_War_casualties)  And what about the 33,651 military and plus 3,262 other U.S. deaths in Korea? (http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-507_162-202741.html)  And many of the injured have life changing wounds (lost arms, legs, and minds).

While I am at it, there were more troops killed in Iraq (4,409 plus 31,908 wounded) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_Iraq_War) than in 9/11 twin towers (2,606 in the towers and on the ground).  This is not to say that the number killed in Afghanistan won't exceed the number killed on 9/11 as the casualties have passed 2,000 with 1-1/4 yrs to run plus another 17,382 wounded in action. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coalition_casualties_in_Afghanistan).  Then there is the little contribution of $5 billion/wk to run these wars.  Though we may have invaded Iraq over oil and the threat to kill Bush-41, we certainly only invaded Afghanistan because of 9/11.  It seems to me that this blood and treasure are a huge monument to the victims of 9/11 by itself.