(NYC) Back in 1776, Nathan Hale’s only regret was that he had but one life to lose for his country.

But if he could see what has become of the statue of him that sits in City Hall Park, he might find it all, at the very least, a bit unfortunate.

Since 2007, if not earlier, the 13-foot standing figure of a bound and shackled Hale – freedom fighter, patriot, icon of liberty – has been itself chained off from the people.

The front of the statue can be glimpsed by only those who pass through the iron ring of security checkpoints that went up around City Hall more than a decade ago....