No doubt, with September 11 almost upon us again, the media in your country will be gearing up this week to “remind” us that it is a year since one of history’s most infamous events occurred.
Do you believe that such an event needs to be dwelt on after only a year, in view of the activity that has occurred since that date? Our press will be running a series of news specials this week, including the film taken by the (French?) film crew inside the WTC before it collapsed. I think this film was shown in the US a number of months ago but has been held over here in Australia for the first anniversary.
The US president’s wife has stated that we should be protecting our children from the re-runs of the news clips and reading them books instead. Many people in Australia think that we should move on from this terrible event, not continue to revive and re-live it. I think they are right. Will annual re-runs of the news reports be part of our lives on each anniversary? Has Hollywood any plans (God help us!) to make a movie? “Waaalll, maybe not this year, but we’re sure workin’ on it.” Sorry, cheap shot – I doubt that ANY producer or director in the States would ever consider such a thing.
If there is any single facet of the attack which intrigues me, it’s the manner in which the towers collapsed. I’ve seen one doco. showing how they were constructed, and why they collapsed in the manner they did. Later this week, that show is updated with further information, so I’ll watch that. But as for repeated showings of what happens when commercial airliners hit skyscrapers, I think I’ll take a rain check. What about the rest of you – do you think it should be re-run or should we move on? And what does your local media have scheduled for this week?
Regards
The Wombat
By: Wrenchbender - 24th October 2002 at 07:12
RE: 11 September “celebrations”
If that is so what is wrong with a bombing of london celebration that occurs every airshow season? We over here have a “We saved their bacon celebration during airshow season!
By: Wombat - 14th September 2002 at 11:24
RE: 11 September “celebrations”
Kev
With a combination of the crash of the new forum, an inherited virus which has stuffed my pc over the past week and various other hassles, it is only now that I can respond to your reply to my original post.
Yes, the use of the word “celebration” was intended to be tongue in cheek – it is hardly the right word in the circumstances.
Well, I’ve seen the show about the collapse of the building and frankly, it didn’t add much to the original. Still, I’ll bet that form of construction has just been consigned to the dust bin for the future.
As for the rest of the shows, I gave them a miss – did I miss anything?
Regards
Wombat
By: Rabie - 12th September 2002 at 08:25
RE: 11 September “celebrations”
IMHO someone will “do” the film in20 uears time say
kind of like a schindlers lkist type of film. directed and starrring the worlds best actors and winning loads of awards and making you cry at the end of it.
rabie :9
By: Hand87_5 - 9th September 2002 at 14:44
RE: 11 September “celebrations”
In a way I feel a bit better. I was feeling a bit guilty and ashamed about my feelings. It seems that I’m not the only one disgusted by this commercial voyeurism.
By: Geforce - 9th September 2002 at 14:40
RE: 11 September “celebrations”
Many newspapers here are starting to lose all their criticism they builded up the past few months. All newspapers will bring extra editions to mark 9/11s first anniversary.
I still have the newspaper from the day after 9/11. In fact, I bought almost all national and international newspaper that day. I hope to use them for my lessons next year.
By: Arthur - 9th September 2002 at 14:31
RE: 11 September “celebrations”
… a media >circus adnauseum… huge lines of people who were “there” >talking about how they felt and what they saw etc etc.
Hear what you’re saying, Garry. At the newspaper i work with, we had a full 6 pages hindsight-stories (and a few analyses) which are hardly more up-to-date now as they were two months ago, or will probably be by the end of November. And fear the following days on TV, because i’m afraid that everyone only vaguely related to the 9/11 attacks get’s his/her chance to bore you to death with all the kind of personal stuff you won’t be waiting for.
Unfortunately, the general public loves to hear the small-scale, personal, boring, ‘what-if-he-still-lived’ (he would have died in a drink&drive-accident by now) crap. Yuck. Hate it.
But hey, it’s a living… 😛
By: kev35 - 9th September 2002 at 11:54
RE: 11 September “celebrations”
Hi Garry.
“I hate to put words in Wombats mouth Kev but I think “celebrations” in quotes is quite an appropriate description of what the media will do to the anniversary… a media circus adnauseum…”
I’ve been thinking about it since I made that post and I can definitely see your point. I think it is important that some kind of rememberance goes on for the families of the victims and for all those involved. I think that it may be very important to them to feel that they are not alone.
“and I am afraid that the focus may end up being an attack on Iraq and more than 2,800 dead again…”
I have to agree with you there. I think the current American administration are certainly cynical enough to try and turn things to their own advantage. After all, they have not proven Bin Laden is dead and it seems almost certain that Al-Qaeda and the Taleban are still active. I suppose it would be prudent to finish one fight before going on to the next.
Regards,
kev35
By: Hand87_5 - 9th September 2002 at 11:49
RE: 11 September “celebrations”
I agree Gary. let’s keep in mind that TV and TV news are a business.
Taking advantage of people mourning is good for the business.
By: Arabella-Cox - 9th September 2002 at 11:41
RE: 11 September “celebrations”
I hate to put words in Wombats mouth Kev but I think “celebrations” in quotes is quite an appropriate description of what the media will do to the anniversary… a media circus adnauseum… huge lines of people who were “there” talking about how they felt and what they saw etc etc. News and information is not the purpose of this sort of TV coverage and I am afraid that the focus may end up being an attack on Iraq and more than 2,800 dead again…
By: Hand87_5 - 9th September 2002 at 11:21
RE: 11 September “celebrations”
I guess I will certainly shock a lot of people with this.
However this “celebration” really bugs me.
I deeply respect all the people who loss a friend or a member of their family. However do they really appreciate this brainwashing.
Isn’t it a good way to maintain the pain alive in order to justify an attack on Irak? In our country we hear about the “anniversary” since 10 days on the news.
y purpose is not to offend or shock some. I understand that this event has been a milestone in western countries anniversary but, are really the intensions that innocent?
By: kev35 - 9th September 2002 at 10:41
RE: 11 September “celebrations”
Hi Wombat.
First of all I don’t think that ‘celebration’ is an appropriate choice of word unless you are a supporter of the terrorists. I think much will be made of the first year anniversary and, to an extent, it is right to do so. For all those who lost loved ones that day they have already faced their first Christmas and the first birthday that their loved one is no longer with them, many have had to cope with the birth of a child that will never know their fathers. The first anniversary of their death is going to be a horrendous time for those left behind, a significant number of them will almost certainly still be in one or other of the stages of grieving, and I think for the first anniversary of these events it is ok and may even be beneficial that there are formal ceremonies to remember the tragedy. Getting through that first year may prove to be a significant milestone on the road to getting on with their lives.
As for those of us less involved, I’m sure we will remember that day in our own individual ways.
As to the French documentary, that is being shown on wednesday evening in the UK, along with a whole raft of programmes both before and after the day.
Regarding the construction of the towers, I remember reading somewhere that the fireproof cladding of the steel beams was of an inferior type. I don’t know how much of a difference that made as I doubt it was ever envisaged the towers would have to withstand the impact of the crash or the heat of an avition fuel fed fire.
Finally, I think the courage of the emergency personnel, the passengers on UAL93 and the courage and resilience of the people of New York as a whole is worthy of rememberance and recognition.
Regards,
kev35
By: Morpheus - 9th September 2002 at 07:13
RE: 11 September “celebrations”
Well, I’m going on holiday, so wednesday, I’ll be laying near the pool. I don’t like ceremonial activities, it will be another act of shameless patriotism.
Sign In
September 9, 2002 at 5:27 am