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Culture: Television: News
Rebroadcast 9/11   (+8, -11)  [vote for, against]
Bring it all back just as it happened.

I have come to understand that many of the US networks and cable television channels are going to avoid the topic of September 11th this year. They don't want to make a big deal about the second anniversary.

I want the networks and particularly, the cable news channels, to rebroadcast their day of September 11, 2001, from 8:35AM Eastern Standard Time, onward for the entire day, minute by minute, commercial free, exactly as it happened.

Lord help us if we should ever forget a second of what happened that horrible day.
-- waugsqueke, Sep 04 2003

it's not quite the same.. http://sinclair2.qu...attleofdunkirk.html
..but people do not forget - they remember in their own ways. [po, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

CNN.com to replay 9/11 attacks coverage http://news.yahoo.c...n_hi_te/attacks_cnn
Exactly as requested, only they're starting it five minutes earlier. [waugsqueke, Sep 05 2006]

I am very glad to say that I laid my ghosts to rest this time last year, and I have now forgotten more than a few seconds of that day (or at least I do not dwell on them). It is healthy to move on.
-- DrCurry, Sep 04 2003


// or at least I do not dwell on them //

Dwell on them? DWELL ON THEM?

For Christ sake man. If you have found a way not to dwell on this, you're a better man than me.
-- waugsqueke, Sep 04 2003


I don't know about that, but I do recommend taking a nice holiday somewhere very scenic, and lots of long walks. Or, of course, a good therapist.
-- DrCurry, Sep 04 2003


I won't forget that day, but I think rebroadcasting it anytime soon would be both horrifying for the relatives and counterproductive to the anti-terrorism effort.
-- RayfordSteele, Sep 04 2003


I'm not sure why forgetting it is such a bad thing. I've certainly tried to.
-- bristolz, Sep 04 2003


I mean, it was a terrible thing to happen and we should never forget what happend that day, but also we should try not to let it effect our lives to much. If one of those bastards saw how much it got to you then they would be creaming themselves because this is exactly what they wanted. So, that's why i'm fishboning this idea
-- Mind_Boggle, Sep 05 2003


I don't go along with every channel having to re-broadcast this but I certainly think that it should be available somewhere. The thought of the US TV networks just ignoring it and pretending it didn't happen (if that's truly what's being planned) would have 'Uncle' Joe Stalin smiling grimly in his grave. True, you have to move on in life but that doesn't mean that the past should just be erased. Fishbone for the implementation rather than the method.
-- DrBob, Sep 05 2003


The ability to recover from shock is an essential requirement for human survival. Terrible, upsetting, horrific, terrifying things happen every day and have always happened every day. Whether small or large scale, these events certainly leave a mark on a person's life and the closer you were to the event, the greater the impact on your life will be. If people cannot recover (I won't say "forget" because that's the wrong word for what we do, in my opinion) and concentrate on other aspects of their life, then they can no longer function properly. Generally, humans are pretty resilient and tests show that the majority of people take 6 months to a year to overcome a traumatic experience. These people have not forgotten what happened to them, they have absorbed it, taken their time to mourn, feel pain or feel fear and worked through it. People who lack this ability (or who think they lack this ability) may need help to digest their trauma and if this does not work it can lead to serious psychological problems. It sounds very trite to say "you have to move on", but it's true. To replay the 9/11 tragedy in all it's horror would be a step backwards in the healing process. No one has forgotten what happened.
-- squeak, Sep 05 2003


No, I disagree. I think they should play those planes hitting the towers every so often. Trying to "forget" something like that, or pretending that you haven't decided to ignore such an event will only bring about its recurrence. Society has not done enough to combat terrorism for the past century, and unless we keep reminding ourselves of the damage it causes, I fear it will not do enough in this century.
-- Madcat, Sep 05 2003


Nobody suggested ignoring or forgetting 9/11. Nobody is ignoring it or has forgotten it. I don't think it should be ignored at all, I think there should be mention made. I just think [waugs] idea is a bad one. I can't see the benefit of playing it all back as it happened. That's not remembering and being sorrowful, that's wallowing in it.

//Society has not done enough to combat terrorism for the past century, and unless we keep reminding ourselves of the damage it causes, I fear it will not do enough in this century.//

You want to specify which *society* in particular you're talking about [madcat]? If you mean the US, you're on very shaky ground.
-- squeak, Sep 05 2003


Strengthening memories doesn't necessarily strengthen focus.
-- Tiger Lily, Sep 05 2003


[autosurgeon] exactamally
-- squeak, Sep 05 2003


If the exact moment of your loved-one's death were videotaped in graphic detail, would you want to watch it over and over again?

We all visit gravesites every once in awhile, but none of us bring camcorders in order to go back and watch the funeral service again. It just ain't healthy.
-- RayfordSteele, Sep 05 2003


Time is a great healer, and we all use it in different ways. Last year I wanted to remember, to make sure that I would never lose the significance of the acts and images that made up the day.

This year I will acknowledge the day, as I hope I always will, but at more of a distance. I intend to take a few minutes alone, to remember the events and the way they made me feel at the time, and to think of those whose lives were ended or irrevocably changed by the events of the day. Most of the day, though I intend to spend getting on with my life, hopefully reflecting on the good fortune that allows me to do just that.

Everyone copes in a different way. This would have really helped me last year, but this year would open old wounds that are better left closed.

We're all going to have a different emotional perspective on this, just as we all had a different physical perspective on the events as they happened.
-- st3f, Sep 05 2003


bliss: Two things that help me. They may or may not help you.

Remembering is not the same thing as reliving.

Never, no matter what the circumstances, be ashamed of being happy.
-- st3f, Sep 05 2003


I agree with DrBob. I also think that just because a TV replay of what happened that day would stir up unwanted emotions for some people, it shouldn't mean that the TV footage needs to be unavailable to everyone. If you don't want to watch it, then turn over.
-- stupop, Sep 05 2003


Here's another question to throw out there. If there was a recording of the horrific death of your loved one, would you want it broadcast again, even if you didn't watch it?
-- RayfordSteele, Sep 05 2003


See, I guess I just think that these unwanted emotions are exactly what need to be stirred up. We're two years along now, and time does make things grow distant. I just feel that we all need to be reminded exactly how we felt, how sickened we were (yes, Ray, relatives of those lost as well). We need a kick in the ass to remember exactly what was done to us that day. And we need to act based on that feeling.

You'll have to excuse me. I just finished Bill Maher's book last week, and I agree with him that the US is not nearly outraged enough at what happened. This topic makes people uncomfortable, no one wants to deal with it. And it's clear from the annotations here that he's right.

Counterproductive to the anti-terrorism effort, Ray? What anti-terrorism effort? Hell, I think rebroadcasting it might remind people why there is a 'war on terrorism' in the first place, and perhaps the efforts might actually get redirected to a place where they'll do some good, like actually going after the people who did this.

3f, you're right.... remembering is not the same thing as reliving. Which is why I think we need to relive it.
-- waugsqueke, Sep 05 2003


For what purpose? How does clouding up my mind with reheated leftovers of fury improve anything? I can be resolved and resilient and as much of a %$#@! as I need to be to get the job done without it, and twice as clear-headed, IMHO.

It's not the feeling of being uncomfortable that is the issue, it is simply deciding the process of the right way to move on. If you allow yourself to be forever in shock over anything that happens in life, eventually you'll paint yourself into a corner.
-- RayfordSteele, Sep 05 2003


I see what you mean Rayford, but I just think that 9/11 is such a major landmark in modern history that those horrific images are going to stay around for a long time. I see any attempt to try and suppress them as futile. I also don't think that the relatives of the people who died should have the right to stop anyone else seeing the footage in this instance. I would say that pieces of film depicting recognisable individuals is a different matter though. There is no doubt that the images evoke powerful emotions so I suppose the argument here is whether or not that's a positive thing.
-- stupop, Sep 05 2003


// I can be resolved and resilient and as much of a %$#@! as I need to be to get the job done without it, //

I don't see where the job is getting done, though, Ray. There's the difference between you and me, I guess.

It seems from the responses here that people aren't ready to revisit this yet. I wonder how this idea would have been accepted if someone else had written it.
-- waugsqueke, Sep 05 2003


The day it happened, I felt that the media over-used and over-broadcast that footage. Once was quite enough for me to realise the sickening gravity of the situation; I have no desire to see it replayed over and over in that kind of density ever again.
-- -alx, Sep 05 2003


// I wonder how this idea would have been accepted if someone else had written it. //

Probably about the same.
-- RayfordSteele, Sep 05 2003


//I wonder how this idea would have been accepted if someone else had written it.//

Honostly, waugsqueke, that you authored this idea, in my eyes, made it more worthy of my attention. From that point I presumed it to be an exercise in thought and dialogue as opposed to being a mere rant by an errant 'baker. Not that you aren't an errant 'baker at times. < stated affectionately and with respect>

For the record, I'm all for this being available; having the news broadcasts played in thier entirety.

Also for the record:

I do feel that a _zealous promotion_ of the media's coverage of events being made available may actually undermine more than motivate our society.

I also choose neither to croissant nor fishbone this idea. I feel your idea "just is" and my thoughts "just are"... and my convictions are re-affirmed already because of this.
-- Tiger Lily, Sep 05 2003


[Waugs] has a point - we shouldn't forget the events of 9/11, but I think a memorial day ought to be sufficient. I suppose archival news clips are available for those who feel a need to see them.
-- Don Quixote, Sep 05 2003


And I think the fact that they're building a memorial over the sight will help us "lest we forget." It's like Pearl Harbor--we'll never forget that either.
-- benlevi7, Sep 05 2003


What's Pearl Harbor?
-- grip, Sep 05 2003


Gee, buddha pest, I almost thought you were an idiot until I felt your 'suckered' punch.
-- Tiger Lily, Sep 05 2003


//Honostly, waugsqueke, that you authored this idea, in my eyes, made it more worthy of my attention. From that point I presumed it to be an exercise in thought and dialogue as opposed to being a mere rant by an errant 'baker.//

Couldn't have put it better. Except I wouldn't have mis-typed "Henestly". Oh, shoot...
-- egbert, Sep 05 2003


half baked? -- aside from a sweet forum to post ideas, and have cool folks shoot em down, its also a proving ground for morals and standards ... reguardless if this gets COMPLETELY fishboned, I think its cool for the debate objectively speaking ...

I don't think that would be a good idea -- its history ... by all means, stop beating that (dead?) horse anytime ... if you know what happened, or even a SLIGHT implication of what happened, then the initial broadcast has done its fair share ... we're just trying to live in the same world here ... furthermore, I think sensationalizing it like that would indeed be playing into the hands of thoes directly, AGGRESSIVELY opposing the interests of a group of people ...
-- Letsbuildafort, Sep 05 2003


honostly now... mis-typed?

Smooooth. <g>
-- Tiger Lily, Sep 05 2003


For what it is worth I think that the broadcast should be repeated uncut from one station, for those who wish to rekindle the emotions of that day. For some this would not be good medicine.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Sep 06 2003


Fight/Flight/Fright. Every time I see the towers come down I have to deal in a philisophical interior dialog about the merits/drawbacks of total and complete Imperialism. Do people outside the United States have any understanding of what that sight means to Americans?
If they show it again this year I hope that they might also show similar but less catostrophic occurances in Africa, Israel, Palastine, England, Ireland, Russia, Columbia, India, Etc. as Americans still are having a hard time tolerating such an attack without a placeable enemy.(At least I am)
Do you really want to encourage more military actions?
-- Zimmy, Sep 06 2003


Zimmy: People outside of America do know what Americans feel about the collapse of the twin towers. However it is not a unified, single emotion across America otherwise there would not have been a single peace march in the US and Bush would be in a far stronger position than he is in now.

The shame of it is that it took this event for many Americans to look across their border to realise what has been done in their name or see the negative effects of the fund raising that took place in their midst had on non-Americans. America was one side of the Cold War and it was a shame that when the USSR capitulated the Cold War battlefields (such as Afganistan, Iran and Iraq) where not immediately civilised and repaired by the richer, winning side.

On this anniversary it might be more appropriate to compare New York state to both Afganistan and Iraq to compare the ways in which each has been rebuilt since the tragedies that occurred there.

Then, maybe, peace would have a chance.
-- Aristotle, Sep 06 2003


A complete, uncut rebroadcast would include an awful lot of misinformation, as the newscasters, police, etc. tried to figure out what had happened. Perhaps an edited version, showing things *once* in the order in which they occurred, with a good narration, would be better. The showing over and over of the collision of the planes with the buildings, and then the collapse of the buildings, is - to me - unneccessary.
-- TeaTotal, Sep 06 2003


The essence of terrorism, as distinct from other forms of warfare, is attention-seeking. Therefore [-].
-- pertinax, Sep 06 2006


Could some rocket scientist please explain to me how waugs, who no longer visits the bakery, was able to post a link for this; this story marking the anniversary?

Oh yeah, I guess since it's almost 3am I should just sneak up to the bed and drop kick him between his ears, and ask him myself.

Anyway, we have spoke on this topic many times in the last week, and I am still torn.

I want to respect and remember, but I don't want the media to get some sort of self back-patting "yay, didn't we do a good job" sort of orgasmic ca-ca jolly out of it.

I would rather see one of the very fine documentaries rebroadcast,

NOOOOO COMMERCIALS, either car ones, or whatever, or what great new fall line ups the stations have.

(Actually, I would let survivors chose the footage that was accurate, or even the stuff that was wrong, and how that wrong info changed their lifes for an hour, or ten, and let them decide the format.)

The US media, I believe, should keep it's eyes on Iraq on 9/11. CT is tiny but we lost 3 soldiers just this week.
-- blissmiss, Sep 06 2006


"commercial free, exactly as it happened."

Was 9/11 a commercial free day on US TV?
-- rrr, Apr 08 2007


What [pertinax] and [UnaBubba] said.
-- zen_tom, Apr 08 2007


Terrorists have been trying to blow those towers since I was a little boy, and they've been reasonably successful before.

I guess I'm just crass and unemotional, but I don't see how such a likely tragedy is such big news. I feel the same about floods and hurricanes in New Orleans, tornadoes in Kansas, and Earthquaked right here in my own home state.

Seems to me that the eventuality of the fact was so patently obvious that little news coverage of the actual event would be necessary. Some discussion as to what precautions had been taken to avoid the problem, how to make surviving areas more secure from the threat, and news on the war that was sure to start from it would suffice for the next year.
-- ye_river_xiv, Apr 08 2007


#!$*ing statists, not only are you not content to exploit this event to oppress our freedoms more and more, but you want to REMIND us of this EVERY YEAR?

Your Christian heroes need to get booted from office on the double and replaced by house plants. At least plants don't start wars, you addle-headed warmongers.
-- Francois Tremblay, Apr 09 2007


I'd rather see the destruction of Fallujah broadcast a *first* time, including the part where the US military allowed civilians to evacuate, *except* for adult males, who were turned back to the city to await annhilation.

Spectre aerial gunships, cluster bombs, daisy cutters, *black* prisons - these are also weapons of terror. We need balance here, not another replay of the justification for eternal war for empire.
-- nuclear hobo, Apr 09 2007


If the United States should rebroadcast 9/11 all the time, then,

1 - Japan should rebroadcast the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki all the time. Japanese people will in turn hate Americans.

2 - The Holocaust should be brought up at every goddamn moment. Jewish people will in turn remember to hate Germans.

3 - A video depiction of the Rape of Nanking should be broadcast in China every week. Chinese people would be reminded to hate Japanese people.

4 - The Irish should air documentaries every Tuesday on the massacre of Irish civilians by Oliver Cromwell. This will remind them not to end the Northern Ireland conflict.

etc. etc.

In other words, this is a horrible idea. It's little more than a National Five Minute Hate. Instead of "Damn Goldstein!" we'd have "Damn those ragheads!" Do we need that? No.

9/11 did not change everything, and I want my goddamn country back. Planes killing thousands of people was the best thing that ever happened to Rudy Giuliani's career, or George W. Bush's, and I'm sick of them twisting the knife to suck support from Americans.

End it, and do something constructive, for Chrissake.
-- TerranFury, Apr 09 2007


Hear hear. Second the motion.
-- normzone, Apr 09 2007


Thanks, [TF], well said.

With the reminder that the original posting didn't say anything about the reasons for the re-broadcast. Nor about which parties would come out to put their spin on what happened by naming the alleged perpetrators, ascribing their alleged motives and attacking their alleged supporters.
-- baconbrain, Apr 10 2007


Looking at the votes - almost even - makes me wonder how many understand the truths brought forward so clearly by [TerranFury].
-- nuclear hobo, Apr 10 2007


Why not rebroadcast it? Everyone stayed glued to their television for the entire week as they showed the crash and the collapse over and over again. The ratings will go right through the roof!
-- Jscotty, Apr 10 2007


As I recall, the BBC was the only channel that actually said anything coherent on 9/11, but unfortunately most Americans were forced to listen to the blabbering nonsense on CNN which took about 6 years to cover the story.
-- quantum_flux, Apr 11 2007


And with Wayne Rooney's foot the CNN/BBC roles were reversed.
-- Texticle, Apr 11 2007


This rebroadcast of 9/11 has been brought to you by Halliburton, Exxon Mobil, KBR, Bechtel, General Dynamics, The Carlyle Group ...
-- nuclear hobo, Apr 11 2007



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