Commercializing 9/11's Fifth Anniversary

[38ffems]

You know i will be the first to admit that I still don't really understand the korean war. I know very little about it and I feel terrible because I consider myself a war/history buff. People don't care if it doesn't directly involve them. I still think we should build the original towers right back where they were but with all the stuff that was wrong the first time fixed. I miss seeing those towers when I visit or drive by New York, of course I can see why people wouldn't want to put them back up either. This whole thing just sucks because you can't do anything to fix it, and releasing a stupid coin that is made of the metal from ground zero is just absurd. I think everyone should make a trip to the spot every year and just stand there and think. No stupid shirts or vendors selling commemoritve(spelling?) anything. I dont think everyone in the US fully understands what happened either and thats understandable I mean if you live on the west coast its probably easy to feel disconnected from the real tragedy while of course still feeling the overall effect of what happened.

[CALFFBOU]

I cant really much else that has already been said. Since 9/11, I have commented several times about "People making money off of dead Firefighters."

In some way, I guess they are keeping the memory alive. I dont know, still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

[MalahatTwo7]

Well 38, I was on the west coast, but worked at the Rescue Coordination Centre, and on that bit of trivia the call centre was very quiet for us. However, with some effort and multi-point coordination I will be attending the Services next month, for the first time. I'll be the only Canadian wearing a US Fire Service uniform, in attendance - I think anyhow. If not a Fire Dept uniform, then I'll be dressed in my "Best Army Bib 'n Tuck."

[nyckftbl]

Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, star of a new flick about the aftermath of 9/11, believes the United States "is responsible in some way" for the devastating terror attacks.
Gyllenhaal, 27, made the comments at the Tribeca Film Festival, where her new movie "The Great New Wonderful" - which has a plot centered on the destruction of the World Trade Center - premiered Friday.

"I think what's good about the movie is that it deals with 9/11 in such a subtle, open way that I think it allows it to be more complicated than just, 'Oh, look at these poor New Yorkers and how hard it was for them,'" Gyllenhaal told the NY1 cable channel.

"Because I think America has done reprehensible things and is responsible in some way and so I think the delicacy with which it's dealt allows that to sort of creep in," she added.

[LuckyThirteen]

Wow. I think I'm gonna keep what I'd like to say about her to myself as it would probably offend some Sailors I know.

[EastKyFF]

Rev, you really don't think time matters in terms of when it's OK to make a movie about a tragic event? What if a movie about 9/11 had been released when FDNY was still digging through the pile? Would that have been OK? I agree that nobody ever fully gets over some of these tragic events, but you extrapolate from that that it is therefore OK for people to profit from such events whenever they feel like it.

It's not. As a man of the cloth surely you understand grieving enough to realize that the passage of time makes it less difficult to discuss traumatic events. (Not easier, just less difficult. There is a difference.) During that time when emotions are raw--and in terms of 9/11, I am sure they still are for the families--I think it's despicable to turn a profit off a movie.

That's not to say that families of WWII or other conflicts should just "get over it", as the words you put in my mouth said. That's not what I was saying. My point was that the most recent emotions are the ones it is most distasteful to re-ignite.

And as for the "esteemed" Ms. Gyllenhaal, she's right. We have done reprehensible things and are responsible in some way.

Here are some reprehensible things we have done.

1. We have reprehensibly allowed people of all faiths to live freely.

2. We have reprehensibly allowed people to say whatever they want.

3. We have reprehensibly allowed people to choose their own government, and held that government accountable for its actions.

4. We have reprehensibly watched out for our own interests at home and abroad (God forbid!)

Mexico's economy is a train wreck and they refuse to hold people within their borders, so we should just let everybody and their brother come over here. Saddam gases people and invades whoever he wants, and we're the bad guys for taking him out (not to say that it hasn't been a quagmire ever since, but that's a flaw more of execution than of intent). Iran's trying to get the bomb and the UN is too weak to let us strong-arm them a little more.

Why is it everybody else gets to do whatever the hell they want in their own country, and we're the ones expected to adapt to it?

[IACOJRev]

Please allow me to clarify a few things...

1) Up to this point I was not familiar with any statements made by Ms. Gyllenhaal. I only had the first brief quote to go with. Since then, additional quotes and information has been posted. I concur... she's a nutcase.

2) As far as the passage of time... You may get over a tragedy in a few months, another may take a year or two, and still others a lifetime. How do we determine when enough time has passed? Show of hands? "How many people here are over this now?" Majority rules?

3) I believe that making a profit from another person's tragedy is disgusting. From hollywood productions to Rescue-tees' 5 Year Commemorative Badge that is advertised on this site. Edit: Ohh, I see that they also sell a Katrina badge too. These people are no different than those selling "WTC Gold Coins"

4) What does it say about us as a culture that we consider acts of war as "entertainment"? Sad. Very, very sad.

[EastKyFF]

I'm with you 100% on #1 & #3. My only addendum to #4 is that there is an educational role for SOME of these productions. I think of "Saving Private Ryan", and certainly "Schindler's List" in that regard. A lot of people who wouldn't pick up a book for anything have learned a lot from the historically accurate movies on certain subjects.

As for #2, I realize it's dicey to decide, but I think that any public forum--be it the media or any social circle--still indicates pretty clearly that a lot of people directly affected by 9/11 would feel it's too soon.

[IACOJRev]

I'm with you 100% on #1 & #3. My only addendum to #4 is that there is an educational role for SOME of these productions. I think of "Saving Private Ryan", and certainly "Schindler's List" in that regard. A lot of people who wouldn't pick up a book for anything have learned a lot from the historically accurate movies on certain subjects.

Good points. Thanks.

[MalahatTwo7]

Hmmm... Seems to be a fine line here, between "Tragedy For Profit" {maybe not quite the right phrase, but its what I've got} and trying to give appropriate rememberance for courage and loss. We all know that for some, part of the grieving process is to bury it down and forget, for others its about expression and sharing of feelings.

Every year nearly everyone makes donation to the Poppy Fund, for 11 November Rememberance Day Ceremonies. I suppose one could make case that the funds go to the Canadian or American Legions for charity. That could be construed as Tragedy for Profit, because someone, somewhere will benefit from those raised funds. Do I buy a poppy every year? Dang Straight I do. If the raised funds from coins and t-shirts or the monies earned from the movie went to the families of those who lost, I might consider purchase. But until it is absolutely defined in writing that it would be that way, I will not be making purchase.

I suppose the bottom line here is this: There is a time and a place for everything.

The question here should be: Is this an appropriate time to be making movies and other things about the WTC events?

**Oh ya figures just read the newer posts while I was working this one. One thing I would like to poke holes at, if I may is this. I know that Spielberg did a great job of Saving Private Ryan, but how many other "historically correct" programs turned out to not be so "correct" because of that wonderful thing called Artistic Licence?

Director to Writer: "Gee Frank, I know that you wrote it that way, and that the events happened that way, but wouldn't it look cooler if say it had a few more explosions and a really steamy sex scene in it instead?" Ya.

[ChiefReason]

I am not familiar with any other things that she may have said, so I'm just commenting on the single quote that you have provided. Is she being critical of the US here? I don't get that impression from reading this single quote. She is challenging us to look at ourselves and ask tough questions. What's wrong with that? In fact, I agree strongly with her final sentence.

Did you stop to think that her choice of the word "conflict" was looking at the entire situation as a whole and not just at the single attack on WTC? Afterall, she did in the previous sentence make reference to our role in the world, not just life in NYC.

So what, she said "conflict". Then again, I don't see a problem with using the word "anniversary" either.

Not an Oliver Stone fan, and quite frankly, don't care what he says.

You're the only one saying we made mistakes here. Didn't see that word anywhere in the quotes you provided.

Yeah, I do.


Oh, I see. So if this SAME move was released in another 20 years, all would be okay? If this were the case, why do our Vets and their families still cry at the war memorials in DC? Should we slap them and say, "Get over it, that was 35 years ago!" I don't think so.

And does the factor of time passing then make it okay for someone to make money on the tragedy as so many are arguing against with 9/11?

Rev is offering some compelling thought and asking tough questions.
For the good of the discussion, let's give it some thought and try to answer the questions without getting disjointed.
AS a man of the cloth, he has spent his entire life searching for answers.
Don't beat him up for it.
CR

[E40FDNYL35]

Fifth Anniversary of WTC Attacks

On Monday, September 11th, 2006, the City will commemorate the fifth anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center. As with previous ceremonies, the observance will take place at the World Trade Center site on the morning of September 11th.

Spouses, partners, and significant others will deliver the reading of the names of the victims during the ceremony, while music will provide a backdrop throughout the program. The ceremony will pause at four moments - twice to mark the times that each plane hit the towers (0846 and 0903 hours) and twice to mark each time when each tower fell (0959 and 1029 hours). The first moment of silence will be at 0846 hours and as always, houses of worship will be encouraged to toll their bells at that time.

While the names are read, family members will be able to descend the ramp to the lowest level of the site where they may lay flowers. The ceremony will conclude at approximately noon, however, the site will remain open to families until 1500 hours.

At sundown, the “Tribute of Light” will return for one night as a tribute to the memory of those lost. The “Tribute of Light” will be located at West and Morris Streets in Lower Manhattan.

As a mark of respect to those members of the Department who made the Supreme Sacrifice on September 11th, 2001, all Firehouses, Headquarters, EMS Stations and FDNY Facilities shall affect the following:

1. Department Apparatus (where applicable) shall be pulled onto the apron of quarters at 0846 hours where the members shall observe a moment of silence.
2. Company officer will read the attached prayer before placing apparatus back in quarters.
3. Companies shall observe additional moments of silence at 0903, 0959 and 1029 hours.
4. All FDNY family members are invited to attend the firehouse ceremony.
At 0930 hours, members of Battalion 18 will host the fifth annual memorial services at the Firefighters Memorial Monument on Riverside Drive and 100th Street (Upper West Side of Manhattan). All Firefighters and family members are invited to attend. A Mass at St. John the Divine will follow at 1215 hours.

At 1400 hours, a Memorial Service will be held at Fire Department Headquarters. All members are invited to attend.

September 11, 2006 Company Prayer
To be read by the Company Officer
Heavenly Father, on this day we honor and remember all those who gave their lives on September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center, [especially insert/say the names of members from your Firehouse or Company who were lost on September 11, 2001, here].Loving God, you know that their memories of our brothers are still with us and that the bonds of love and affection between us and them can never be broken; and we ask that You continue to be good to them in heaven.
[pause for five seconds of silence]
O God, so many innocent people were killed that day. We ask that You continue to bless them and keep them, that they may be at peace.
[pause for five seconds of silence]
We ask that You be with their families, that they may be comforted by Your presence.
[pause for five seconds of silence]
We ask that You be with us, who worked with those we lost, as we struggle with our own memories and our own experience of that day.
[pause for five seconds of silence]
We ask that You be with us, who came on the job after September 11, that we may continue their tradition of service to others.
[pause for five seconds of silence]
O God, You know that so many of our members went to the site to help. In the midst of our loss, we thank You for all who brought others to safety, and we ask that You help us to remember and give thanks for those who survived the towers’ collapse.
[pause for five seconds of silence]
Lord, let your blessing be upon us and give us grace: that we may have the courage to acknowledge our loss, the strength to bear our grief, the ability to support each other, an appreciation for the survivors, and the resolve to continue our work. We thank you for those we love but see no longer, and we entrust them to you, keeping their memories alive in our hearts and in the stories we tell about them; we ask that that you continue to bless them; and we ask that they may rest in peace. Amen.

[mcfd45]

I have a thick hair on my fat *** that Ms. Gyllenhaal can pucker up to. America did nothing to deserve what happened on 9/11. she should be ashamed of what she said. pucker up buttercup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
J

[SSTONER]

Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, star of a new flick about the aftermath of 9/11, believes the United States "is responsible in some way" for the devastating terror attacks.
Gyllenhaal, 27, made the comments at the Tribeca Film Festival, where her new movie "The Great New Wonderful" - which has a plot centered on the destruction of the World Trade Center - premiered Friday.

"I think what's good about the movie is that it deals with 9/11 in such a subtle, open way that I think it allows it to be more complicated than just, 'Oh, look at these poor New Yorkers and how hard it was for them,'" Gyllenhaal told the NY1 cable channel.

"Because I think America has done reprehensible things and is responsible in some way and so I think the delicacy with which it's dealt allows that to sort of creep in," she added.

I cant stand her - she sucks as an actress - and shes ignorant. Why the *uck they picked her to be in that movie I ll never know.