The USS Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum will go where the Empire State Building fears to tread on August 26th, lighting up blue and white in honor of Mother Teresa's 100th birthday. The museum's executive director, Susan Marenoff, told the Post, "We'd be thrilled to represent what Mother Teresa has done in terms of public service. We are the essence of public service. We give back every day." However, she had no harsh words for Empire State Building owner Andrew Malkin, who says the building doesn't honor religious figures with its lights. "Every venue has the right to decide what is appropriate for them. I think it is appropriate and very relevant for us."
Malkin has been slammed by religious authorities and politicians for refusing to honor the late nun, and was called a hypocrite by City Council speaker Christine Quinn for supporting her idea for New Yorkers to light their windows in Teresa's honor. At press time, 476 had joined Quinn's Facebook group "I am putting a light in my window for Mother Teresa on August 26th." Quinn said, "We're not going to let one individual's rejection of that stand in the way of the rest of the city embracing this message."
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz has agreed to light up Borough Hall in honor of Mother Teresa, and Mayor Bloomberg has joined in on her plans to make the day a citywide day of service. She said of Malkin, "It's unfortunate. He just doesn't get it." Hitchens must have gotten to him.
