Archive through September 05, 2002
TV ClubHouse: Archive: Disgusted with September 11 hype:
Archive through September 05, 2002
Ocean_Islands | Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 10:53 am     I don't know about you, but I am disgusted with this hype regarding the annivesary of Sept 11. It feels like TV channels are competing for advertising dollars. It doesn't feel appropriate. And I for one don't really want to watch an entire week of documentaries on September 11 on any channel. The attacks basically just happened. A year is no time at all; and I haven't forgotten the events, have you? |
Rose_City | Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 11:50 am     Hi Ocean_Islands and hear, hear. All this hype sickens me. Can you imagine being a family member or a friend of a WTC victim and having to see, ad nauseum, the horrific sight of those planes crashing into the towers, the people jumping from buildings, the stunned families walking around like zombies--hoping, praying--someone saw their family member...It's a terrible thing to do to them and to us, too. And I agree with you, it's avarice on the part of the advertisers--not love and respect for the lives lost. Just terrible, isn't it? Rose_City P.S. I enjoy your BB posts! |
Reader234 | Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 12:51 pm     I agree. And Bush has asked us to view the weekend BEFORE as a time of prayer, and volunteering. It will make it even longer, because after th11th they will have to analyze over and over and over again, what 'we' did! uggg But I do think there is much being said not to commercilize this, thre are several sponsors saying NOT to run thier ads during programing, and in another thread it was posted that many channels will not have regular programing out of respect. Its all so confusing, no one knows what to do, you do want to respect, and if we do nothing, than that could appear to be disrespectful. I hope when schools view this they wont make the younger grades go thru this, with pics etc, they are too young to understand. |
Djgirl5235 | Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 01:12 pm     There was talk about not showing the footage from that day since it was horrific on it's own, and children are still trying to understand what happened that day. I for one do not need to relive that day, as it is firmly etched in my minds eye, as I'm sure the day Kennedy was shot is in the minds eye of our parents. This was the #1 tragedy of our generation (the Generation-Xers) and one we're not about to forget. I agree with an international day of tribute to the lives fallen on that day, however, to have a whole WEEK seems overdone, and outlandish to me. JMHO... |
Rose_City | Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 01:18 pm     Reader234: I think you touched on the heart of this problem: People don't know what to do, haven't a clue how to deal with it. In a way, I feel sorry for the media because the pressure on them must be unfathomable. It's heartening to hear that some sponsers are backing away. Hopefull, more will follow suit. This oversaturation, though, I hope won't numb people. Reader234: I see you're a teacher. (Note to you: teachers, librarians and nurses are my personal heroes. Thanks for all you do!) As an educator, how do you think schools should handle the next couple weeks? Do you think they'll plant the kids in front of the TV all day? Assign essays? Explore their feelings? Do you think it will be handled responsibly in the schools? (Sorry for all the questions!) |
Kaili | Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 01:37 pm     Rose_City...I am student teaching this year (in Social Studies)- the administration at the school I am at asked the SS department to try to come up with something to do in commemoration. They only want 15 minutes school wide, then the SS teachers have the option to take the day to discuss it or to continue on with regular material. This is in a high school I should add. It was decided that each student will be given a half sheet of paper to express themselves on- they can draw a picture, write a poem, do whatever they want. Every sheet will then be placed on the cafeteria wall for everyone to see. They don't have to put their names and they will be encouraged but not forced to participate. That is how this one school is doing it. We were also given a few sheets released by the National Association of School Psychologists that is titled "One year Later: Remembering Sept. 11, 2001- Tips for Teachers" which discusses being mindful of the "anniversary effect", possible student reactions, how to deal with it/them, how activities should be done to make it positive rather than negative. It's four pages but if you (or anyone else) is interested, I can scan it and see if I can attach it or something? I'm not sure if .pdf files can be attached or not on these posts. Or I could scan it and email it to anyone interested. |
Kat | Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 01:59 pm     I am sure it is different for each area of the country. Certainly in our area grade school children do remember what happened and some are still living with residual fears. When the mayor announced the city's plans including the school activities, I know children that are relieved and do want something done in school. It was life altering moment for all the children in this city and being able to talk about it a year later is healthy and will help in the healing. I believe that people who do not wish to participate or observe the anniversary can do so but there are people who do appreciate that the loss is not forgotten and is remembered one year later. |
Twiggyish | Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 02:27 pm     Our town is having a flashlight ceremony at dusk on the 11th. Everyone is going to gather at the bridge (it's a large one) and one by one light flashlights. It should be very beautiful over the river. |
Rose_City | Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 02:46 pm     Kaili and Kat: Wow, I'm thrilled that so many teachers are on this board. To me, teachers are heroes--all of you, so thanks for all you do. Please know, you are loved and supported even by people like me who aren't lucky enough to have children. A million thanks for doing this difficult job! Kaila, what an excellent project for the kids. When it's over, please let us know how they responded and felt about their contributions, if you get a chance. Kat, I do agree but worry about the oversaturation, wondering if kids will feel numb to the horror after a while. Since I'm not a parent, I'm clueless here. Am I off target in my thinking? Twiggyish, that ceremony sounds like a thoughtful, peaceful event. Lovely idea! Djgirl: You were talking about the Kennedy assassination... I was in 7th grade at the time. (Yes, I am a living fossil! ) I remember sitting in English class and watching my teacher cry as he told us the news. Some kids broke down; others just stared at their shoes. Since the impact of that day was so huge, it makes me wonder what the impact of this ENORMOUS event last year will be on the kids. Will all the media coverage make them feel more or less intensely? |
Yuhuru | Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 03:22 pm     I'm with you Oceans |
Maesin | Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 03:43 pm     Ocean_Islands, thank you for starting this thread. I am glad to know that I am not the only one out here. I am tired of the propaganda. That's what I think of the media coverage and every political figure that brings it up at every ribbon cutting ceremony. We know what happened, don’t regurgitate it over and over and make it meaningless. My Mom and I were talking about this and like she said, Sept. 11, 2001 will be remembered the same as Dec. 7, 1941. It is what it is and the best we can do is pay our respects, try to learn something and keep living our lives to the best of our ability. My flag will fly, the same as any other day, but I know I might look at it a little longer. I will wear one of my local fireman shirts. I will think of my friends that are in the military and wish a little harder they were home. I will go to work. I will go to school. I will talk about it. I will probably turn on my TV at some point. I may cry. I will not be drawn into political discussions involving war or assassination. I will not let CNN, MSNBC, FoxNews or any other form of media scare me into thinking there will be a repeat of last year. I will not forget to thank my lucky stars I am here, living in a great country, with some awfully nice Canadian neighbors. Thank you again for this thread and thank you for letting me take up some space on it. |
Whoami | Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 11:10 pm     I agree about the hype. I just stopped in the grocery store tonight to pick up dog food. The bakery display at the front of the store had decorated cookies and mini-cakes of all things. With red/white/blue motifs, pictures of firefighters, and the date Sept. 11, and phrases like "never forget" emblazened in icing. Way over the top tacky if you ask me! Further down the front aisle, another display with coffee cups and keychains with the famous firefighters raising the flag picture on it. Now a commemerative keychain may not be too bad, and maybe even a coffee cup. But I was so put off by the cookies and cake, I just walked on by in disgust. Respect, remember, and pray for the people who are still going through painful times. The rest, stop making it into a retail event. |
Ocean_Islands | Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 03:40 pm     It is horrible. It makes me feel that we haven't learned anything. Have we? |
Nancy | Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 07:10 pm     rrrr--we've had 10 local police stations(in the northern mass area) get envelopes today with white powder--envelope saying "black september"--tests so far says its not anthrax--but i think all this hype is not a good thing |
Whit4you | Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 08:33 pm     I personally disagree that there is too much hype in regards to Sept. 11th. Don't know why I'm bothering to post this here because it won't matter - won't change a thing. But at least it'll give me a chance to express how I feel about all the 'hype' about there being to much hype. 100 years from now - Sept. 11th will be to our great great grandchildren as significant as say World War I is to us. They will look back on the history of our generation and know that OJ Simpson and Jon Bennett Ramsey got more coverage then ALL the events surrounding Sept. 11th combined. Any search of any old news will find 100 references to Nicole Simpson for each reference to say the 600 lost at Cantor Fitgerald that day. What will that tell them about us as a society? Not even a year later people seem upset about the 'hype' - about how much Sept. 11th is being discussed and talked about. Honestly I think people feel this way out of fear - deep down they've never really thought about Sept. 11th and they don't want to somehow get into the reality of it. Or perhaps they want the 'hype' to go away out of some deep guilt - that they survived or that they are 'ok' already? I do wonder, I mean I personally feel that just one moment in time - just one moment in time during those hours is worth more words then all the words written about Nicole Simpson and Jon Bennett Ramsey combined... This moment as the tower collapses:
If anyone truely stopped and thought about that moment...and the hundreds and hundreds of people in that building at that moment - and what happened to them in the following moments and so on... I don't think there are ever enough words to do it justice, and certainly think that more words could be spoken on it then on Nicole or Jon Bennet The fact that in that moment the worst tragedy to ever befall any one American corporation took place and yet that is just a small news glitch now yet is called 'overhyped' - astounds me personally. To me if nothing else happened besides what happened to Cantor Fitgerald that moment - it still would not be being overhyped by being talked about more then Nicole or Jon Bennett etc. For me personally every article - every paper - every story written gives me a bit more inner peace. That's one more story told - one more moment that those lost are recognized. One more chance that one more of them might be mentioned by name for history. Every time I see someones name mentioned in one of these 'anniversary' stories I feel something inside - that they were mentioned - one less who never even got a blip on the screen because there were so many. I really don't know why some people feel that it's being talked about to much - but personally I don't think it could ever be talked about to much and unfortunately after this anniversary - it'll be over for most forever... just an occasional thought about it and an annual brief event. |
Melfie1222 | Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 10:02 pm     Whit4you why was it necessary to post that photo? you asked "If anyone truely stopped and thought about that moment..." we have. |
Maris | Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 10:33 pm     Whit I tend to avoid this sort of thread but I just wanted to say I agree. I dont think that event will ever be overhyped to me. It is nice to know that there are people who are not so jaded that they want to define memorials as overhyped events and tacky cakes. . |
Loppes | Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 10:40 pm     Melfie1222, I am puzzled by your post to Whit4you which seems to belittle her personal opinion of 911. I saw nothing wrong with her posting the picture or her thoughts. There is no need to be condescending. I don't think the victim families or people in New York think anything about 911 is hype. We should respect their right to mourn. I don't feel the mass murder of 3000 innocent people is hype. Nor, do those who lost family and good friends on the planes and the Pentagon feel its hype, such as myself. To call a mass murder hype seems to belittle the memory of those we lost. Lon |
Whit4you | Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 10:59 pm     Melfie because it's an image very similiar to that - the moment I saw that 2nd tower collapse that comes to my mind when I hear all the talk about Sept 11th being 'overhyped' - I can't concieve of any amout of news coverage - discussion - media events etc that would ever make me feel that moment was overhyped. Even if the amount of coverage made the OJ coverage pale in comparison it would not seem overhype to me. In that moment - if you just count one single tiny subpart of that one moment that in and of itself would warrent as much coverage as the entire event and its aftermath. It is tough to make myself clear without writting a book here myself. But just that one precise moment captured in my mind (similiar to that picture) in and of itself is worth as much if not more coverage then OJ. It's sad to think that 100 years from now, 200 years from now...and so on - THAT moment in time will be looked back on as something that recieved LESS media attention or 'hype' as it's being called - then Nicole Brown Simpson, or Jon Bennet Ramsey. I guess I just feel like there could never be 'too much' written about it, there could never be too many shows on it, or stories about it - to ever really do it justice, but in the trying they do make an attempt to not forget. I still remember exactly where I was standing one day years ago when I read a story on the front pages of our paper about 5,000 people dying in China. The next day bought the paper - and there was just a small blurb about it on like page 3 or something. That really bothered me alot, maybe I'm oversensitive I don't know but sheesh over 5,000 people lost their lives and was only front page news for one day? I'm not judging anyone who thinks this is overhyped as 'bad people' at all. Honestly. I mean if it isn't some guilt they don't understand or a way to protect themselves from thinking about what this 'hype' really is about - then it's probably one of many other justifiable reasons not that they are 'cold' or 'bad' or 'desensitized' or what have you. I do think we as a society are desensitized from all the movies and so on however, that a moment like that can happen and months later they can even hint that it is being talked about to much or being 'hyped'. |
Whoami | Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 11:40 pm     I guess it depends on how one wants to define "hype." To me, decorating a cookie with the picture of a firefighter is hype. It's nothing more than using 9/11 as a gimick to sell cookies. Flying your flag, driving with your headlights on that day, or any of the other rememberance things people are planning are anything but hype. That is healing for the ones affected, and a way for the rest of us to show our respect. To gain a profit from this event, whether it is by selling cookies, or commercial space on a TV program, I think is just wrong. |
Gentoo | Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 11:51 pm     The terrorist attack on Sept 11 last year was a big event. That will naturally be exploited by the media, as all big events are. Its a chance to get the news programs pumped and pulling in the advertising dollars. Its no different than christmas, an election, or any other big buzz. It was a big story, and it is going to be exploited. That's just the way the media is. On the other hand, the attack was a major incident in U.S. history, and was a disaster to be remembered and kept in the hearts of the american public. It should not be forgotten, just as the world wars shouldn't be forgotten (though its really not on that level). It should be remembered and reflected upon with a heavy heart. Now, the true issue is how should we reflect on it? Should we let the big commercial tv stations and radio stations who are basically out for the sensationalistic buck instruct us on how to remember our loved ones? Of course not. So long as we remember the event, and hold in in our hearts, we don't need to be bombarded with sensationalistic footage again and again. We don't need to hear deathcries and see people jumping to their doom. Letting them tell you when and how to greive is silly. They may as well throw up pictures of your dead grandparents and childhood dog while they are at it. We should be able to change the channel and watch sitcoms and cooking shows instead. |
Ocean_Islands | Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 07:16 am     I'm shocked to think that you agree with 'September 11' cupcakes, Whit4you. If you don't see that as what it is, that's sad. The problem is that this struggle is not over. Continued emphasis on what happened on Sept. 11 leaves unsolved the many problems that led to this happening. That is frightening. We need to stop looking back and start looking forward to solutions. Just think about how many millions could die in a world war that could be started due to this incident. I think it's more important to work towards solutions. Americans are isolating themselves in their pain. They are pushing the world away. The whole world has to be involved in a solution, and that will never come if all we do is look at pictures of 9/11. |
Nutsy | Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 07:32 am     From a Canadian perspective, I realize that the date will always have a significant meaning, and that the memory of those lost should always be remembered. I don't accept, however, that I need to be reminded of it on every network for three weeks preceding the date. I have found myself watching parts of these "anniversary" shows with a sick feeling in my stomach - there are images I never really needed to see being "shown for the first time" in an effort to bump up a particular network's ratings, and I find that to be absolutely unacceptable. Yes, we should all remember those who lost their lives. No, I do not need a network to tell me how to remember it, when to remember it, and how long to remember it for - because I have a feeling that come a week after Sept. 11th, there'll be a new focus for the networks, and THAT is sad. |
Maris | Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 07:43 am     Maybe if we keep looking at pictures of 9/11 we will remember that those countries who professed to be our friends, bred those killers. The next time one of those countries is threatened by an invading army, we should just tell them dont look to us to give you our sons and tanks. Do we want to talk about the problems that led to this happening??? Are you saying we are to blame because some disgruntled Yemeni is ticked off because the Saudi Government ASKED the United States to put their troops on Saudi soil instead of taking his help. Dont let yourself be fooled. This is not about the middle east and the palestinians. Bin Laden never even mentioned the palestinian problem till AFTER 9/11. This is about one man with billions of dollars who hates the Saudi Royal family and wants Saudi Arabia. I am so tired of the United States being the scapegoat and being blamed. There was the outcry about how the US should not get involved with nation building and then there were the screams about someone has to save the women and people of Afghanistan. We have to help these people, give them food, rebuild their country, provide assistance and then we get trashed for doing just that. I say we keep working on the only solution right now which is to wipe out Al Quaeda and demand cooperation from all those countries that have benefitted from our support for half a century. We have a right to demand help. If they dont want to provide assistance that is their choice but dont blame us when we turn our backs if they need help. If there is a world war because of this incident, it wasn't our fault or the fault of Israel. Look at the Saudis who harbored and created those people. |
Ocean_Islands | Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 07:54 am     No, I am not laying blame. But this was done for a reason. This reason needs to be understood and actions taken. "If there is a world war because of this incident, it wasn't our fault or the fault of Israel. Look at the Saudis who harbored and created those people." A world war could be started by any country, not just those you mentioned. Look at Japan; they attacked us out of the blue when we were looking at Europe. As the world's largest power we have a responsibility to the world, not just to ourselves, and a world war could easily be our fault. If you don't think so, there is some naivete there. |
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