"The New Colossus"
 

I was going to put this in another thread as a response to something or other but I was so moved yet again by reading it that I decided it deserves its own. Try not to politicize if you respond-- the message here is bigger than our own petty battles.

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame,
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

-Emma Lazarus, 1883.

Awesome! France did us a good turn with Lady Liberty.

I'd love to visit one day and see that wonderful gift from our friends.

saw it from my airplane window just the other day. still strange to not see the twin towers on the other side anymore

It's sad to see pics of the skyline without those 2..........

couldn't help but think the same thing as I looked across the skyline. it'll take a while for that wound to heal

I still remember my first drive through NYC after 9/11/01. I was so used to seeing the towers, and it hadn't really sunk in that they weren't there anymore. I saw the skyline in the distance and said, "Something's not right ... Oh, I know what's missing..." Very sobering. I wish I could have gotten off the road for a moment of silence.

I'm only 4-5 hours away I think. I've been close. Was in Newark one day for business but didn't go over the bridge(Polaski Skyway). Maybe the city intimidates me. I think everyone should see the Statue though. My grandparents came over to this country in 1897. I can't imagine what they thought seeing her.