What is your reaction to the constant coverage in news and other media (movies, documentaries, etc.) being provided for the five- year mark of the terrorist attacks of September 2001?
My cyncism is immense. I will say that none of us have forgotten and we are still horrified by what happened five years ago. I remember the day. We all remember that day with clarity. We all know what we were doing in that specific moment that we heard the news. If this helps the families who had personal loses, I have no problem with remembrance, but you and I both know that ratings and politics are also playing a huge role in this. And I hate that, but it's life in the 21st century.
I think it's a vapid ploy of 'sticking it in your face', as to effect the coming Nov elections. And sadly this maudlin display will work to get the igmo masses back into the 'fear' mode.
Where were the faces of the nearly 3000 soldiers who have died since that day?? For nada..
I don't know, I mean, I want to by cynical. It's in my blood. But for some reason this particular subject gets a free pass. While I didn't lose anyone that fateful day, there were some close calls and I have family that was affected.
As much as I want to jump on the media-bashing bandwagon shouting "exploitation" I just keep coming back to the reality that a huge chunk of our population suffered a great loss that day and knowing that the entire nation still grieves with you is somehow comforting.
Rest assured, I am not naive. I am a card-carrying member of the evil "media." Prime time TV pays my bills and I understand fully the implications both politically and statistically of devoting hours of airtime to tributes, memorials and exposes of the events of that day. But, come on, what's the alternative? Paris Hilton's latest traffic violation, Lindsey Lohan's missing purse, the pedophile that DIDN'T kill JonBennet, Rosie O’Donnell talking about the indigestion she got after eating a hot dog on "The View", 2 toothless transvestites pulling each others wigs off on "Jerry Springer", and a rerun of "Law And Order."
Look, I know there's a LOT of real important stuff going on in the world and the media could spend this 24 hour block talking about it. But, come on, it's 1 day. If you don't like what you are seeing on TV or reading in the paper, turn off the tube, fold up the rag and go take a day off. Or, better yet, pick up the phone and call someone you care about while you still can. After all, this entire media blitz is really focusing on one simple thing - an enormous loss. So, why not skip the cynicism for the day and choose to be grateful for what you haven't lost.
I didn't see a lot of coverage. But I did see Toby Keith wipe a tear from his eye as he launched into "American Soldier" which typified the lack of eloquence and reverence for the dead and those who sacrificed so much. I never heard a work about Pat Tilman who, unlike most of the parade of folks who wrapped themselves in the flag and shouldered their cross and loaded their guns, actually sacrificed for his country. Course you could argue that this was not about the soldiers in the field but the loss of 9-11. Ann Coulter can put it into better perspecitve for you. Sadly I thought Bush, the most partisan politician in history who called for unity from both parties, never rose above the "go shopping" level of bullshit. In the end though, I think most people remembered in their own private way. I still remember what a beautiful morning it was as I walked through the parking lot to the door at work. The following Saturday we were loading containers to the Bin Laden Group bound for Saudi Arabia. I never heard the anniversary mentioned in public the entire day outside of this blog
"Next week, I'm informed via troubled White House sources, will see the full unveiling of Karl Rove's fall election strategy. He's intending to line up 9/11 families to accuse McCain, Warner and Graham of delaying justice for the perpetrators of that atrocity, because they want to uphold the ancient judicial traditions of the U.S. military and abide by the Constitution. He will use the families as an argument for legalizing torture, setting up kangaroo courts for military prisoners, and giving war crime impunity for his own aides and cronies. This is his 'Hail Mary' move for November; it's brutally exploitative of 9/11; it's pure partisanship; and it's designed to enable an untrammeled executive. Decent Republicans, Independents and Democrats must do all they can to expose and resist this latest descent into political thuggery. If you need proof that this administration's first priority is not a humane and effective counter-terror strategy, but a brutal, exploitative path to retaining power at any price, you just got it."
My cyncism is immense.
ReplyDeleteI will say that none of us have forgotten and we are still horrified by what happened five years ago.
I remember the day. We all remember that day with clarity. We all know what we were doing in that specific moment that we heard the news.
If this helps the families who had personal loses, I have no problem with remembrance, but you and I both know that ratings and politics are also playing a huge role in this.
And I hate that, but it's life in the 21st century.
I think it's a vapid ploy of 'sticking it in your face', as to effect the coming Nov elections.
ReplyDeleteAnd sadly this maudlin display will work to get the igmo masses back into the 'fear' mode.
Where were the faces of the nearly 3000 soldiers who have died since that day?? For nada..
Sensationalism sells tickets.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, I mean, I want to by cynical. It's in my blood. But for some reason this particular subject gets a free pass. While I didn't lose anyone that fateful day, there were some close calls and I have family that was affected.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I want to jump on the media-bashing bandwagon shouting "exploitation" I just keep coming back to the reality that a huge chunk of our population suffered a great loss that day and knowing that the entire nation still grieves with you is somehow comforting.
Rest assured, I am not naive. I am a card-carrying member of the evil "media." Prime time TV pays my bills and I understand fully the implications both politically and statistically of devoting hours of airtime to tributes, memorials and exposes of the events of that day. But, come on, what's the alternative? Paris Hilton's latest traffic violation, Lindsey Lohan's missing purse, the pedophile that DIDN'T kill JonBennet, Rosie O’Donnell talking about the indigestion she got after eating a hot dog on "The View", 2 toothless transvestites pulling each others wigs off on "Jerry Springer", and a rerun of "Law And Order."
Look, I know there's a LOT of real important stuff going on in the world and the media could spend this 24 hour block talking about it. But, come on, it's 1 day. If you don't like what you are seeing on TV or reading in the paper, turn off the tube, fold up the rag and go take a day off. Or, better yet, pick up the phone and call someone you care about while you still can. After all, this entire media blitz is really focusing on one simple thing - an enormous loss. So, why not skip the cynicism for the day and choose to be grateful for what you haven't lost.
i think you're spot on with using such times to be thankful and to reach out to contact those you care about and make sure they know.
ReplyDeleteit is a complex issue, with no simple answer -- though i do wish we would not think of this day as an "anniversary" but more of a memorial day.
and i too get sick of seeing anyone use the event to gain some advantage - that was the goal of the terrorist.
I didn't see a lot of coverage. But I did see Toby Keith wipe a tear from his eye as he launched into "American Soldier" which typified the lack of eloquence and reverence for the dead and those who sacrificed so much.
ReplyDeleteI never heard a work about Pat Tilman who, unlike most of the parade of folks who wrapped themselves in the flag and shouldered their cross and loaded their guns, actually sacrificed for his country.
Course you could argue that this was not about the soldiers in the field but the loss of 9-11. Ann Coulter can put it into better perspecitve for you.
Sadly I thought Bush, the most partisan politician in history who called for unity from both parties, never rose above the "go shopping" level of bullshit.
In the end though, I think most people remembered in their own private way.
I still remember what a beautiful morning it was as I walked through the parking lot to the door at work. The following Saturday we were loading containers to the Bin Laden Group bound for Saudi Arabia.
I never heard the anniversary mentioned in public the entire day outside of this blog
Addendum
ReplyDelete"Next week, I'm informed via troubled White House sources, will see the full unveiling of Karl Rove's fall election strategy. He's intending to line up 9/11 families to accuse McCain, Warner and Graham of delaying justice for the perpetrators of that atrocity, because they want to uphold the ancient judicial traditions of the U.S. military and abide by the Constitution. He will use the families as an argument for legalizing torture, setting up kangaroo courts for military prisoners, and giving war crime impunity for his own aides and cronies. This is his 'Hail Mary' move for November; it's brutally exploitative of 9/11; it's pure partisanship; and it's designed to enable an untrammeled executive. Decent Republicans, Independents and Democrats must do all they can to expose and resist this latest descent into political thuggery. If you need proof that this administration's first priority is not a humane and effective counter-terror strategy, but a brutal, exploitative path to retaining power at any price, you just got it."
[Andrew Sullivan | September 10, 2006]
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