Washington, U.S.A. – Generation Opportunity President Paul T. Conway, former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Labor, has issued the following statement:

“Today, in our prayers and in our hearts, we remember the thousands of innocent Americans and first responders who lost their lives during the cowardly terror attacks of September 11, 2001. We mourn their loss and pledge to their families and loved ones to always honor their memory and to never forget their bravery and sacrifice. We offer our full respect for the courage and selflessness demonstrated by those who answered this nation’s call to respond through the War on Terror, including those in the United States Armed Forces, committed federal civil servants, countless state and local police, and emergency responders whose ongoing vigilance continues to keep us safe here at home.

We also pay tribute to America’s next greatest generation, whose love of our country and unwavering commitment to their fellow citizens was forged by the events of that day. Through their patriotism, military service, and example of helping those in need here and overseas, young Americans have sent a powerful message to the world that our nation’s ideals are intact, that our exceptionalism remains, and that the memory of those who fell of September 11 will never fade.”

Mr. Conway served as the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management on September 11, 2001, and was involved in the legislative efforts to establish the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He later served as an agency Chief of Staff at DHS and was awarded the Secretary’s Silver Medal, the second highest DHS civilian award, for his leadership and distinguished service over a significant time to the Department.

Image Courtesy of   Glynnis Jones / Shutterstock.com

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New York, U.S.A. – The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s major annual fundraiser, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Run, will be replicated in communities throughout the nation and to different international locations on its 11th anniversary this September.

The Foundation has expanded its reach into communities throughout the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska as well as an inaugural run in London. So far, close to 70 communities have signed up to hold Tunnel to Towers runs and 25 motorcycle rides, 34.3 miles in length, are also scheduled with the “Bikers for America’s Bravest” program.

Since 2002, the New York City Tunnel to Towers Run has been held annually to honor the 343 firefighters and first responders who lost their lives on 9/11 and recreates the final footsteps of firefighter Stephen Siller who was last seen running through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel with 60 pounds of gear strapped to his back en route to the World Trade Center after the attacks. Last year, more than 30,000 people attended and took part in the NY event, while an additional 12,000 participated in runs throughout the world, a tradition that started in 2011.

“The New York City event began as a way to honor Stephen and his firefighter brothers,” said Frank Siller, one of Stephen’s siblings and the chairman of the Foundation. “Over the years, through an influx of volunteers, donations and interest, it has continued to grow and evolve nationwide and worldwide. We are grateful now to have the opportunity to include the entire United States, and even countries around the world, in this moving and meaningful event.”

For more information on race locations, registration or fundraising – please visit T2Trun.org.

Image Courtesy of  PaulSteinJC

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The anniversary of 9/11 reminded many of the tragic events that occurred 10 years ago but also reminds the country that terrorism has yet to see its end. The country realized that it still faces threats after the chatter of an “unconfirmed but credible” attack on the 10^th anniversary by Al Qaeda.

Sunday, September 11^th brought thousands of families and public figures together to commemorate those who lost their lives with the opening of the official memorial in New York City. The same weekend the city was put on heightened alert over suspicion that three men were brought into the country sometime in February and were planning an attack using bombs in vehicles.

Despite the rumors, everyone continued with the commemorating and remembrance. The weekend came and went without any attack by terrorists, leaving the country relieved, but the disturbing message from Al Qaeda still resonates. Ayman al-Zawahiri who is the newest leader of Al Qaeda after the assassination of Osama Bin Laden, had a message to America regarding the attacks on September 11^th 2001.

Three weeks before the anniversary a 12-minute video was released of al-Zawahiri, praising the attacks of 9/11 as a “devastating blow” to the United States. Al- Zawahiri continued that the attack, “destroyed the symbol of American economy in New York and the symbol of American military might in the Pentagon.”

The jihadist websites that contained this footage showed videos of Osama Bin Laden as well. Al-Zawahiri also addressed what the attack meant for the group — being an event that “liberated thousands of the members of the Islamic movement’s prisoners, who were imprisoned by direct orders from America.”

Al-Zawahiri pushed for extremist leaders throughout the world to continue targeting the United States. “America today is staggering,” said Zawahiri. “Hunt her down wherever you may encounter her. Hunt her down to cut what is left of her corruption’s tail.” He also wanted to avenge the death of Osama Bin Laden and said the “time to attack is now.”

He continued by referring to the United States as a “murderous country.” Despite these threats by al-Qaeda, U.S counter-terrorism unit believes that the group is far from its strength under Osama Bin Laden. An official said, “Al-Zawahiri has not demonstrated strong leadership skills in the past and he is much less charismatic than bin Laden.”

David Patraeus, the director of the CIA also weighed in on Al- Zawahrir’s influence compared to Bin Laden’s saying, “Bin Laden’s demise might weaken Al Qaeda from within, because bin Laden’s personality and aura were a key for raising money for the world jihad group, and without him, the group’s worldwide network might fall apart under his successor, Ayman al-Zawahiri.” He also included, “Ayman al-Zawahiri is no Osama bin Laden.”

It is reassuring to know that Osama Bin Laden is no longer running Al Qeada, but it is disturbing to see that hate and evil continues on even after his death and terror remains in America’s thoughts.

Anthony Correia / Shutterstock.com

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Thoughts of remembrance and sadness resonated throughout the United States on September 11. Marking the 10^th anniversary of 9/11 and the terrorist attacks on America brought family members, friends, and different figures together to commemorated those who lost their lives just 10 years ago.

Even with talk of a potential threat by Al Qaeda for the 10^th anniversary of September 11^th, people gathered unfazed by the possibility and focused on the tribute to their loved ones. The day of commemoration started early Sunday morning, with New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg leading the ceremony with a moment of silence.

The moment was at 8:46AM, which represented the time in which the first plane flew into the North Tower. President Obama and the first lady were in New York at the world trade center as well, along with former president Bush and wife Laura Bush. The President led the country with a reading from Psalms 46, following a reading by Bush.

One tribute during the ceremony included a reading of the 2,983 names of those lost in the towers by family members. Children, wives, and friends gave speeches to commemorate their loved ones. In other parts of the country, people gathered as well to show their respects.

The president left New York to visit Shanksville Pennsylvania later in the day, the area that Flight 93 crashed on the day of September 11. The plane was en route to Washington D.C, but crashed by heroes on board that sacrificed their lives to save thousands of potential victims.

Mrs. Obama laid a wreath among the marble wall, which contained etched names of the victims on board Flight 93, and the President greeted guests. The site in Pennsylvania contains a boulder at the actual spot where the plane crashed. Saturday the 10^th, former president Bill Clinton and George Bush visited Shanksville as well along with Vice President Joe Biden.

There they made speeches about the acts of heroism that the members on board portrayed on the day of 9/11. Bush said during his speech that the members on board Flight 93 committed “one of the most courageous acts in American history.” A bell rang for each of the 40 names of the passengers and their names were read as well.

At the memorial at Shanksville, Bill Clinton also announced he would start fundraising to complete the memorial being built at the site, which includes almost 10$ million dollars. John Boehner also agreed to help in the efforts to complete the memorial. The third place of attack on September 11^th, the Pentagon also held events during the day Sunday, including a speech by Vice President Joe Biden.

President Obama also visited the Pentagon later in the day, and was planning on going to the Kennedy Center to attend the “concert for hope.” At the Pentagon, an American flag hung over the place where flight 77 hit the building and at 9:37AM when the plane hit there was a moment of silence followed by Amazing grace.

Each memorial represented the patriotism and remembrance that Americans have which has only grown stronger over the past 10 years.  The day was filled with tears and sorrow, but also represented that America will never forget the heroism, acts of bravery, and the innocent lives that were stolen away.

SeanPavonePhoto / Shutterstock.com

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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama landed close to Wall Street at 8AM EDT where the couple and the former presidential couple George W. Bush and his wife Laura greeted victims families at Ground Zero’s North Memorial Pool. At 8.40AM, the American National Anthem was sung as the US flag was raised on the main stage.

The reading of the names of those who died continued all through the service. The Telegraph reports how pairs of relatives of the victims took turns to read out around ten names each and finishing with their deceased relative to whom they addressed a personal message.

To mark the moments when each plane hit the towers, moments of silence was held during the ceremony. A third silence was held to mark the attack on the Pentagon while the fourth marked the fall of the South Tower. At around 10AM EST, the fifth silence of the day marked Flight 93, the United Airlines plane whose passengers managed to overcome the hijackers, as it crashed in a Pennsylvanian field, killing all onboard. The final moment came at 10.28AM EST and marked the collapse of the second tower.

At the Pentagon ceremony, US Defense Security Leon Panetta said: “We will never forget the human cost paid by this generation – the more than 6,200 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines lost in the line of duty. Like those taken from us on 9/11, we feel their absence every day. Today we think of their families who have suffered tragedy and heartbreak, but shown extraordinary resilience and strength. We think of the thousands of veterans who carry the seen and unseen wounds of war with them every day.”

Bill Clinton released a statement in honor and remembrance of the victims and their loved ones. He thanked those left behind who had the courage and strength to help others in need: “Because we live in the most interdependent age in history, it is difficult to be open to the positive forces sweeping the world while closing our borders to the negative ones. So we also honor the service of those who have worked so hard for the last decade to keep America safe, free, and still open to people of every race, culture, and faith.”

According to The Telegraph, 422.000 New Yorkers suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder as a direct result of the events during September 11, 2001.

The air quality around Ground Zero took nine months to return to pre-9/11 levels and it is estimated that over 2.500 contaminant were released by the fallen buildings. The Telegraph reported that many rescue workers and survivors fell ill from exposure to the toxic air and 75 of the recovery personal has since been diagnosed with blood cell cancers.

At 9.15AM GMT, a morning service of ‘remembrance and reconciliation’ was held today at Grosvenor Chapel in London, UK for the families of British 9/11 victims. Deputy US ambassador to Britain, Barbara Stephenson was attending. Later at around 11AM GMT, the memorial service at London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral began.

Outside the US Embassy in London, extremists were burning the American flag in protest. British Muslim extremist Anjem Choudary encouraged all followers of Islam to join, according to British The Daily Mail, as a response to plans of one church to stage an ‘International Burn-A-Koran day’. The leader of a Protestant church in Gainesville, Florida, Pastor Terry Jones is the man behind the idea of public burning of Islam’s holy book but his plan has faced criticism in the US.

Nonetheless, Mr. Choudary said to The Daily Mail “We have called for the people to burn the American flag so that instead of being humiliated or being intimidated they can make this day a day to remember the atrocities being committed in Muslim lands and to expose the aggressor.”

Violent clashed broke out between Osama bin Laden-supporters and London police in the streets outside the American embassy this morning, local time, as protesters were trying to storm the embassy. The Daily Mail reported that the protest comes amid heightened security in London in anticipation of a possible al-Qaeda attack — and only a few days after the British capital was singled out as a major recruiting ground for the terrorist organization.

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The 9/11 Restoration tour is a mission to rebuild the flag that hung nearly destroyed after the attack on the world trade center. “The National 9/11 Flag” has been traveling across the country, making stops in all 50 states. The flag represents the tragic events of September 11^th, but essentially the freedom, liberty, and patriotism demonstrated throughout the country since the attack.

The flag was taken down during the clean up process after 9/11, and was stored away for seven years. It was then moved by a volunteer firefighter of the “New York Says Thank You Foundation” and brought to a town in Kansas that had been damaged by a tornado.

After rebuilding the town, residents decided to repair the flag that had been brought to them.  This event sparked a restoration movement to have every state repair the tattered flag to its full 13 stripes and 50 stars to be presented at the 10-year anniversary of 9/11.

Throughout the last year, the flag has taken trips throughout the country gaining stories of courage and memories along the way. Local service heroes along with veterans, first responders, volunteers, and those who lost loved ones in the attack were invited to stitch a thread on the flag, in the end making it whole again.

Many monumental figures have also contributed to rebuilding the flag. Martin Luther King’s family added a stitch, along with members of congress, and veterans on the USS Missouri during Pearl Harbor.

The flag has taken breaks at many well-known locations such as Mount Rushmore, Kennedy Space Center, and various other sites.

The additional flags that were added to “The National 9/11 Flag” to help complete it, include monumental ones from all over the country and dating back in history.  The piece of flag that Lincoln was placed upon after he was shot was stitched onto the Restoration Flag. Another flag was taken from Mount Rushmore where it stood tall on the day of 9/11.

Jeff Pareness, the chairperson of the “New York Says Thank You Foundation” said, “The National 9/11 Flag is a living testament to the resilience and compassion of the American people,” he continues to say, “It is the modern day version of ‘The Star Spangled Banner.”

After its finished, “The National 9/11 Flag” will be placed in the National September 11 Memorial Museum, which opens next week  and stands where the WTC once did.

This Sunday, on the 10^th anniversary of 9/11, the country will remember thoughts of sadness, grief, and a torn flag that hung almost in pieces 10 years ago. But this time America can remember that same flag, looking more vibrant then ever, and think of the country’s strength and unity it demonstrated in the aftermath of 9/11.

“The National 9/11 Flag’s” motto is “Rebuilding America, One stitch at a Time,” and has been a message to thank American’s for their heroism and generosity.

Image courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usnationalarchives/6124109199/

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Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of the most devastating terrorist attack on American soil in modern times. Countless ceremonies, gatherings and events will take place around the U.S. and world to honor approximately 3,000 people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

On Sunday, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and other city officials, will dedicate the newly built 9/11 Memorial at the site where the World Trade Center (WTC) towers once stood, according to American City & Country. “We had to design a memorial that would stand the test of time — and design the space that our city would need to grow and prosper,” Bloomberg said Tuesday at breakfast in Lower Manhattan sponsored by the Association for a Better New York. “I believe that history will record that we accomplished both.”

Bloomberg’s words are evidence of the perseverance that U.S. leaders and citizens have demonstrated in the years which followed the deadly events of 9/11.

On September 11, 2001, at 8:46 a.m., a hijacked American Airlines (AA) Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. A mere 17 minutes later, at 9:03 a.m., hijacked United Airlines (UA) Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower of the WTC.  At 9:37 a.m., hijacked AA Flight 77 flew into the west wall of the Pentagon. At 10 a.m., the hijacked UA Flight 93 crashed into a field in Shaksville, Pennsylvania. The passengers and crew attempted to retake control of the plane which was believed to be traveling toward the White House.

According to The District of Columbia Website, a candlelight service will take place at the First Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. to honor the lives lost in the plane crash at the Pentagon.

President Obama and Vice President Biden will visit the crash site in Shaksville Sunday. Biden will later attend the dedication in New York. Obama will attend ceremonies in D.C., according to the New York Daily News.

Many will take a moment Sunday to remember the servicemen and servicewomen who lost their lives while responding to the terrorist attacks.

Police and firefighters in New York, and all around the U.S., are expected to observe a national Moment of Remembrance of the 9/11 attacks by sounding their police and firefighters sirens and bells, according to the Jackson County Times-Journal. At precisely 1 p.m EDT, bells will sound for a minute. Frank Lautenberg, U.S. Senator of New Jersey, encouraged the public to participate. “’This Moment of Remembrance’” will be a symbol of solidarity throughout the county and across the country. We must never forget what happened on that tragic day,” Lautenberg said.

Other individuals are sharing their perspectives and memories of 9/11 through a quieter, solitary activity – writing.

In post on the Foundry website, a Conservative policy news blog from the Heritage Foundation, Jessica Zuckerman reflects on how the events of 9/11 shaped the world for many young Americans. “I was barely a teenager on 9/11, but these memories will stay with me forever,” Zuckerman said. “For many in my generation, the events of September 11, 2001 shattered our naiveté and changed our perspective of the world. Coming of age in the War on Terror, we were defined by it.” Zuckerman said that after 9/11 her dreams of becoming a doctor or a teacher were replaced with an interest in the hot topic of homeland security and counterterrorism.

In an opinion piece written for the Washington Times, Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, of San Deigo, expressed outrage that the memorial for Flight 93, in Pennsylvania, has not been completed due to a lack of funding. “Flight 93 is an afterthought in the narrative of 9/11 and it shouldn’t be,” Falkenthal said.

Linda Paul, a guest columist for OregonLive, recalls her experience being inside the Pentagon when the airplane struck the building. “When the plane struck us, there was a single loud boom, more like a solid but muffled thud and the office shuddered, identical to the shudder of an earthquake,” Paul said. “I looked back to see the giant black cloud of smoke hovering over the building. I thought, ‘They’re killing us with our own damn airplanes.’ I may have said this aloud.”

Storytelling is a tool that many organizations are encouraging people to use in an effort to unite Americans and to honor the lives lost on 9/11.

The Washington Informer is inviting people to submit their stories of 9/11 along with photos to be added to the “Informer’s 9/11 Anniversary section.” One person who contributed to the Informer said, “That evening, I did nothing but watch television news and read the special edition of the Post. I knew that America would never be the same from then on.”

According to the Huffington Post, even the cooking community has come together to share their 9/11 experiences. The Food Republic interviewed 8 New York Chefs about that horrific morning. ”I remember while walking over the [Queensboro] Bridge, this one somber moment when someone, who clearly was from Ground Zero, covered in white dust, with a blank stare, was walking on the bridge,” said Bryan Voltaggio, chef at VOLT restaurant.

Similarly, StoryCorps, a nonprofit organization, “whose mission is to provide Americans…with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives,” dedicated space on their website for the oral telling of 9/11 stories. StoryCorps hopes to record one story for every life lost on 9/11.

“It was Christine’s first trip in an airplane,” Lee Hanson said during his recording for StoryCorp. He and his wife, Eunice Hanson, lost three family members on 9/11 – they were passengers on UA Flight 175.

According to Kirsti A. Dyer MD, a fellow of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, our stories can strengthen us. “Storytelling can be regarded as one of the oldest healing arts; it has been used for centuries as a universal, useful way for the grieving person to cope with loss” Dyer said. “Telling the story can provide the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of one’s experiences.”

Codi Schneider, a 7 year-old at the time of 9/11, remembers the towers crumbling on TV and his father predicting the Air Force would send him to war soon, the Associated Press said. Codi’s father, an Air Force Chief Master, served in Iraq and was responsible for disarming enemy booby traps. Now a teenager, Codi said the years since 9/11 have been full of nightmares. He often wakes up screaming in the middle of the night.

According to the AP, Codi said he doesn’t want to be in the Air Force like his father. He wants to be a filmmaker or maybe a journalist when he grows up. “Whatever I do when I’m older,” Codi said “I want to tell people my story.”

While ceremonies to remember 9/11 will be the focus of Sunday for many Americans, the U.S. Homeland Security Department will be on alert in light of recent terrorist threats.

Image courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usnationalarchives/6120234023/

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The tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks went as planned this past sunday. There was much to remember about that day. The lives lost and thousands of families upended, the lifesaving first responders at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the heroes of United Airlines flight 93.

Unfortunately, this event also reminded American citizens that there’s still insecurity and terrorist threats. The memories remain intact. After ten years, the story is so precise, so detailed, it seems that the attack on the Twin Towers in New York was in fact just last week. And just like the memories of that day, some are still assailed by the fear and insecurity left behind after the tragedy of September 11.

The State Department told that it had not received specific threats from Al-Qaeda or similar groups, but explains that people who were traveling or living outside America should take extra care. The State Department warned that anyone who wanted to leave the country had to register on the website of the State Office, embassy or consulate.

Alert notes were published, stating that previous attacks have been planned for important dates and that Americans abroad should keep alert. The tenth anniversary of the twin towers was remembered around the world. Ceremonies were held in several countries to commemorate the lives lost or destroyed and Obama encourages all U.S. citizens to participate in the event.

Some people do not accept the government’s version of the status quo. They believe that the government continues to play with people’s fear, to get American citizens to cooperate with the government. In the past, the government used Communism to scare the population and today the focus has moved to Al-Qaeda.

Conspiracists think that they are playing a game to get what they want: have everybody in USA united. The United State government insists that they are cautious, and they alert people only for public safety. Their responsibility is to make precautions and give people all the necessary information to be sure that everything is going to be normal.

For last Sunday’s event, the government and the city of New York was anxious that people’s lives were safe as they went to Ground Zero. John Coburn, EJay Weiss and Todd Stone, three artists who took on the task of expressing 9/11 in different art forms, showed their works in commemoration.

At least two dozen other September 11-related museum and gallery exhibitions were also being presented throughout the city. The Alice Austen House Museum and the Fire Department Retirees of Staten Island hosted the annual Remembrance of September 11 in honor of the 343 colleagues who lost their lives. The ceremony was held on the front lawn, overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

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Globalization causes a significant change across the world economy. This occurs because of an increase in interaction of households and firms all over the world who exchange goods and services between each other. As technology and productivity of many countries develop year by year the world community is less constrained with political borders.

Exports and Imports and the measure of economic openness more than doubled over recent decades in countries with advanced economies. In order to sustain a healthy trade among different nations it was sufficient for the world to form one global institute which may control the overall performance and conduct international trade policies.

Consequently after many negotiations organizations such as General Agreements on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and later the World Trade Organization (WTO) were created.

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) was established in 1947, it was an agreement between 150 countries which was done with an intention of reduction of tariffs and other trade barriers and the elimination of preferences, on a reciprocal and mutually advantageous basis.

It lasted for 46 years and ended with a new agreement among 117 countries with a name World Trade Organization (WTO) which had more comprehensive and enforceable world trade rules.

Nowadays WTO is the only global international organization dealing with rules of trade between different countries. It is exist “to facilitate the implementation, administration, and operation as well as to further the objectives” of the WTO agreements. The main goal of these agreements is to enrich and enlarge free trade which has various advantages for global economy.

After the Great Depression of 1930th many countries preferred to apply trade barriers such as tariffs and quotas which could help every single country to increase its Domestic output and employment by stopping imports.

However those restrictions that were implemented made the things even worse, since they prevented nations from maximizing their specialization level and thus using factors of production inefficiently. This politics which goes against free trade is called protectionism. There are few arguments that protectionists use for implementing tariffs and quotas on imported goods.

Primarily they state that trade restrictions could protect infant industries to survive, since those well-established foreign producers generate smaller costs and are able to sell their products at lower price. In addition to law costs, unfair competition might occur due to subsidies or other benefits that firms receive from government.

Even though free trade critics argue that protectionist policies protect domestic jobs the net effect on employment is close to zero. Government may save jobs in one industry where there is a direct foreign competition, but lose jobs in other industries that you may not see.

The Columbian University professor Baghwati explains why free trade is still the first best policy in his famous book “Free Trade Today”. He claims that even if distortions exist in the international market, where protectionism could in theory be the right policy response, deviating from free trade will cause more problems than it solves.

Politicians are more likely to listen to lobbyists rather than economists seeking special benefits for themselves. Thus, intervention to correct market would result in government failure that only makes matters worse. Baghwati concludes, “the invisible hand may be frail, but the visible hand is crippled”.

What is the role of WTO in managing free trade? One of the most important functions of WTO is to serve as a forum for trade negotiations since international negotiations are very technical, detailed and politically sensitive. Furthermore their system helps to keep the peace which is achieved by helping trade to flow smoothly plus an international confidence and cooperation are created and reinforced.

Moreover trade is a core tool to raise income. At the time of 1994 Uruguay Round trade deal was $109 billion and after $510 billion was added to the world income. Economists estimate that cutting trade barriers in agriculture, manufacturing and services by only one third would expand the world economy by $613 billion.

Not only an appropriate and effective usage of resources in production is offered by trading system of WTO, in addition it helps to reduce costs even more because of principles established. Lower costs improve the well- being of society by making the prices for goods and services, such as food, clothes, cars and real-estate, cheaper.

Another major benefit world economies could get from joining WTO is Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) which is an example of preferential trade agreements and certainly the most popular. FTAs are dependable on WTO rules. One of the examples of the benefit a country may get from the agreement is an Australian FTAs with New Zealand, Singapore, US, Thailand and Chile.

By facilitating access to these markets, FTAs provide significant commercial profits to Australian exporters and more economic benefit to all Australians. Additionally these agreements may help to improve competitiveness through access to inputs with lower costs and to encourage domestic producers to remain competitive against imports.

The idea of WTO appeared slowly from various needs and negotiations. Despite there are still many protectionists who argue the necessity of markets to be protected by various restrictions, the Great Depression of 1930s showed the reverse situation and proved that protected markets are more likely to fail.

WTO has a big impact on international trade as it is the only global organization in the world which sets the rules and controls performance among member countries and it is considered as among most powerful international bodies in the world.

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It has been about 10 years since the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Even though its been ten years, Ground Zero has not been forgotten and continues to move forward. Proposed in 2006, New York City is building the Freedom Tower, which will be the city’s new commercial building. The building is not suppose to replace the twin towers, but instead it is built for remembrance of those who lost their lives and it is a symbol of the power of America. With an estimated completion in 2013, the World Trade Center will now consist of five different buildings and areas with the hopes of creating an economic boost for the United States. There will be five new skyscrapers, a September 11^th memorial and museum, a transportation hub, retail complex, and a center of performing arts. The site will be built with some of the worlds most famous architects including; David Childs and Santiago Calatrava with hopes of creating a substantiate and safe World Trade Center.

The first tower will soar over 1, 776 feet over New York City, making it Americas tallest building. It will be known as the Freedom Tower and will be the main office space of the new design. The second tower will be 1, 349 feet and will be composed of the Performing Arts Center topped off with an eighty foot antenna. The last three towers will all rise around 900 feet with restaurants, memorials, and more. Besides the Freedom Tower, the memorial for September 11^th will be the most significant of the project with two pools that will stand in place of where the twin towers use to be. It will have two waterfalls, which will soon be the two biggest man made waterfalls of all time. All 3,000 lives that were taken on the attacks will be engraved around the edges of the pool. This will recognize the lives lost from the trade centers, the pentagon, and the plane crashes. Any visitors of the memorial and museum will go through a series of experiences in order to get the full effect of the tragedy.

“The design strives to make visible of what is absent,” stated Micheal Arad, one of the architects on the project. He stresses the main goal of the new World Trade Center is the remembrance of the lives lost. Even though it has been over ten years, and with the recent passing away of Osama Bin Laden, fear is still a factor in terrorist attacks in New York City. The World Trade Center’s other main goal, because of this, is safety. Some of the primary safety precautions of the new site include; fireproofing, structural stability, chemical air filters, wider staircases for evacuating, safer elevators, three feet deep concrete walls for refugee in case of attack, and an extra staircase for fire fighters. The site developer, Larry Silivstein, states that it will be one of the biggest and most expensive projects that America has ever seen, with hopes of healing the agony the terrorists left on the United States. The project is estimated to cost over two billion dollars, using some of the most expensive materials and designers.

Ten years ago, the largest tragedy hit the United states and now, ten years later, the largest memorial will be built. The new World Trade Center project could never and will never replace the twin towers. Instead, it will keep the lives lost remembered and honored. Wars, attacks, and millions of lives lost have been working towards this goal for years. The Freedom Tower will become a new symbol for the United States just as Lady Liberty has become. The new tower represents our country’s ability to move forward and to overcome all evil.

Image Courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/28722563@N05/

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This year marks the ten year anniversary of the horrific events that have come to be known collectively as “9-11.”  On September 11, 2001- the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil was carried out.  The official story, which emerged rather quickly, was that Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda were the masterminds behind the attacks.  It seemed to make sense and the explanation allowed Americans to have someone to blame.

In the months following the attacks, more questions about the official explanation began to appear.  The 9-11 “truthers,” as they are often called, range from those that believe the government knew about the impending attacks and chose to ignore it to those that believe the attacks were an inside job, with the U.S. government carrying out the attacks in order to justify a war in the Middle East.  The attacks also allowed the Bush administration to decrease civil liberties by passing legislation such as “The Patriot Act” and, more than likely, helped Bush win a second term.

Truthers point to a variety of different events on that day that they believe is reason to be skeptical about the official story.  They note that the Pentagon attack happened over an hour after the attack on New York City and point out that there was no response from Andrews Air Force Base, just 10 miles away.  Hani Hanjour, the supposed pilot of that plane, failed as a Cessna pilot on his first flight in a Boeing but was somehow able to execute a difficult aerobatic maneuver to strike the Pentagon.  The attack on the Pentagon hit the just-renovated side, which was largely empty and opposite from the high command. There is also considerable debate on the famed flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania.  Many family members and loved ones received last minute phone calls from passengers on that plane.  Did cell phones work on planes in 2001?  I tried to turn on my cell phone many years later on a plane and it did not work.  The scattering of debris found over the field has always suggested that the plane was shot down, not driven into the ground.  Truthers maintain that the buildings in New York City were brought down by controlled demolition and not by the planes that crashed into the buildings.  Even the staunchest believer in the official story questions why building #7 was destroyed, even though it was not hit by a plane that fateful day.

Although, there are plenty of other questions and inconsistencies that truthers point out when debating 9-11, those are the major arguments.  The government has attempted to define the 9-11 truthers as part of a fringe movement, but a large part of Americans have some doubt of the official story.  The truth movement has websites devoted to the conspiracy, books, and movies.  One famous documentary about 9-11, Loose Change , is highly critical of the official explanation and offers a thorough critique of the official explanation.  The movie, in its entirety, can be viewed on YouTube.

Whether you believe that bin Laden was responsible or not, questions surrounding the tragedy should not be dismissed or taken lightly.  Our country often attempts to vilify anyone who questions the government or official explanations.  But, it shouldn’t be that way.  We should not blindly follow any person or any explanation, because we are not sheep.  And if history has taught us anything, government is not infallible and has committed much more evil acts than what 9-11 truthers believer.

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