9/11 Coverage Is Toxic

[Bill Dickerson]

I've gotten to where I can't watch TV especially the news so I listen to talk radio. I really miss Art Bell. His open lines were always surprising and interesting.

I keep a radio on for noise and it's usually news/talk radio. I'm already stressed and all I get this morning is 9/11 coverage. Oy Vey all that Live news coverage and people screaming from that morning.

I know it's how some people grieve. I respect all those people who were damaged by the event but I can remember and cry without all of the gore presented.

I guess I won't be listening to the radio this morning either.

Anybody else having trouble with all of the angst and pain playing over and over again?

 

[Philippa]

It must be pretty rough over there today. I'd imagine things would be quite raw every year at this time.

I just finished watching the experts talk about 9/11, in a documentary, and how it was a cover up and the building was demolished, categorically and that they are demanding an independant investigation to reveal the truth of what happened there that day, for the families of the victims to find closure.

I was outside helping my then lover build an aviary the day they came down, and I knew in my heart, as soon as I saw it on t.v, that it was an inside job...without even seeing any evidence.

My heart goes out to everyone who lost someone or just their sense of security that day.

I can imagine it would be overkill on the t.v. I wouldn't watch it either if I was over there. There is wanting to remember the dead, and then there is re-traumatizing everyone needlessly with graphic images of horror. Turning the 'off' button is the best thing to do really.

 

[Bill Dickerson]

I guess I do agree with them showing it since they disappear each year until the next 9/11. It does help reinforce how dangerous the world is today.

I won't get into the conspiracy theories I'll just say your welcome to believe what you wish.

I would entertain your theory in a private chat. We can swap theories.

(Conspiracy Theory 1997 ) Jerry Fletcher: A good conspiracy is unprovable. I mean, if you can prove it, it means they screwed up somewhere.

 

[catjudo]

I agree, Bill. I haven't turned on a TV or radio this yet this morning. I'm avoiding it. It's bad enough that when I pull up my typical online websites that a peruse they're blasted with stories, but I just don't click a link and I don't have to view anything I can't handle.

My daughter is only in second grade (7½ years old), so 9/11 happened before she was born. She really knows nothing about it. I cringe this time every year afraid that this will be the year that she learns about it in school. She came home yesterday asking me questions about and clarification about wars and where they are fought. I gave her answers that were truthful but simple and I'm honestly crossing my fingers that this won't be a topic that is addressed in her classroom today. It is an important part of history, but she is so young and it can be difficult to assure little kids that even though something so horrible happened she does not need to live in fear for her safety.

As for the type of conspiracy theories that you're talking about Philippa...could we please, just for this one day, be respectful and leave the conspiracy theories out of the open discussion? While I realize there are people in fringe groups who believe them, I find them to be ludicrous. And even if a person doesn't feel the same, hopefully you can see how they would seem disrespectful to the people who lost their loved ones that day.

 

[Bill Dickerson]

I think it will be a few years before she is really presented with the issue. Kids do know something of things going on. They miss very little.

I'm probably older than you and we were always worrying about the bomb and the Soviets. I know it scared the crap out of me along with many others. Kids cope pretty well if they feel safe at home. The questions reveal she is thinking about such things. As they say still water run deep.

If you show no fear she will be confident that she is safe.

 

[The Albatross]

At work on Saturday a network began their 9/11 coverage. I had a very physical body reaction. Remembering was very hard for me. I was on line and my husband was home. I saw it all at home with my husband and was getting the raw news reports. I later found out that two people (one on a plane that went into the second tower, and one on a plane that went down in PA) who were close to my California family were on two the planes that had been hijacked. But I began shivering, and breath holding, and felt like I was going to pass out.

Though not directly a personal trauma, I have avoided coverage since then... and the images are burned into my brain. I find the coverage of that day to be more disturbing to me than the initial incident. So I'm staying away from it.

If this is the reaction I feel, I can only marvel at those who were directly affected by the trauma, and today I will be praying for them and their families.

 

[The Albatross]

The concern Catjudo is pretty legitimate I think. On a flight after 9/11 I sat next to a little girl of about 6 or 7, and she was frightened half to death of take of and fearful of hijack or an accident. They had given her crayons and some paper, and she kept drawing plane crashes with "bad guys"/hijackers. Apparently she had absorbed a lot of stress and anxiety from her mom and grandmother about flying --- it was hard to calm her down and redirect her to drawing pictures about her pets and home. But by the time the first hour of the flight was over... she began to relax and enjoy the flight.

It made me realize, how disturbing for our children, this incident really was.

 

[Philippa]

As for the type of conspiracy theories that you're talking about Philippa...could we please, just for this one day, be respectful and leave the conspiracy theories out of the open discussion? While I realize there are people in fringe groups who believe them, I find them to be ludicrous. And even if a person doesn't feel the same, hopefully you can see how they would seem disrespectful to the people who lost their loved ones that day.

Sure thing.

I don't believe I did anything disrespectful in saying that I watched a documentary about scientific evidence found at the scene and pieced together by non-fringe group scientists and engineers though...but I will not say anything more about it, if that is your request.

 

[Philippa]

I won't get into the conspiracy theories I'll just say your welcome to believe what you wish.

A theory is just a theory...a belief is something different. I don't mistake theories for truth nor do I believe in anything, especially not a theory. Evidence is another thing alltogether though. But yes, I'm open to private chatting about it if you like.

 

[catjudo]

Thank you, Philippa. I don't think saying you watched a documentary is disrespectful. But when you start saying things like

and I knew in my heart, as soon as I saw it on t.v, that it was an inside job...without even seeing any evidence.

it can become very touchy for some people.

I think it will be a few years before she is really presented with the issue.

I think you are right. But I do know other local schools who have covered this piece of history with kids her age and even younger. I think her school does not really do that, but I also think it is somewhat left to the individual teacher's discretion. Regardless, I do trust her school to handle it in an age appropriate manner...just don't think it is really necessary to go there yet with 7-year-olds.

 

[Philippa]

Thank you, Philippa. I don't think saying you watched a documentary is disrespectful. But when you start saying things like

it can become very touchy for some people.

Ok, as someone who isn't from the states I wouldn't know what people get touchy on, and I feel like it is very hard to say anything to many people from america online without getting some sort of feedback that I have said something wrong or not PC enough, or am not being sensitive enough...which can often feel very constricting.

I can see why many people would not want to read or hear my expression of what I felt that day.

 

[NarcSis]

I agree with your discomfort in terms of the coverage, some stations focus exclusively on the tragedy rather than the remembrance and solemnity of the day. I too cannot take being bombarded with constant screaming and the images on this day.

Although I am a neighbor to the north, we spent that day, what was a day off for me and hubby, voluntarily deployed at the airport, there was panic everywhere. It was a very tense day up here too.

On this day I pay tribute in solemn remembrance, not in glorifying tragedy.

Peace be with everyone.