Another angle on this, from a reader with an excellent point to make:

One thing that surprises me is there has been no criticism for selecting a

non-American firm. Especially since the firm is German. This country is

standing in the way of our war on terrorism and, ironically, the staging

country for most of the 9-11 hijackers!!! I work in the building design

industry and, like many it is in bad shape right now. Most design firms are

desperately seeking work. If ever there were a project that should be

conceived, inspired, designed and executed by Americans, wouldn’t it be this

project to rebuild the Manhattan skyline. The heart and soul (and money) of

the country is involved in this project but the plans and engineering will

be executed on drawing tables in Berlin, Germany. I don’t get it and I

don’t understand the lack of others questioning this selection.