MSNBC's 3-hour repeat of the live 9/11/01 broadcast. Good idea? Bad idea?

[Human Torch]

During Imus this morning, Tweety came on and talked about how important it was for the channel to show three hours worth of real-time 9/11/01 broadcasts...Katie and Matt and the rest, archive footage of the whole morning.

Have we forgotten what happened five years ago? When we look at how the Bush administration has handled the aftermath, are we going to feel good about the way we've been "protected" and vote Republican in November? Is the purpose to re-instill the fear and uncertainty and doubt that we all felt on that day? How can we learn "lessons" from what happened when the biggest lesson of all is that our government abandoned the search for the people who orchestrated the attacks, or that they ignored reports like "Bin laden determined to strike in U.S. using commercial airliners as weapons?"

There are many, many different opinions that could be voiced on this...I'd like to hear yours.

:toast:

[w4rma]

1. I don't mind. (nt)

[Contrary1]

2. As long as they show the scene

your picture refers to...all 7 long minutes of it.

[file83]

3. Depends on who you mean it's good/bad for...

It's a BAD idea for Dems - it'll bring back the "fear" to the public that helped Bush get his 90% approval rating.

It's a Good idea for the Reptillians, er, I mean Republicans - their votes depend on FEAR.

[bigscott]

4. stupid idea

what good does this serve? what purpose? I have been avoiding all news outlets today because I dont need to be reminded of this - I was driving to NYC that morning when the signs on I-95 began flashing NYC CLOSED. Now they have to re-live every freaking minute of it? Please - try something constructive - perhaps "The Price Is Right"

[karmaqueen]

5. It is good for me to remember.

I watched the original broadcast that day. I was cleaning out my closet and I am doing the same thing today. One thing I am reminded of is that I have not changed and I still collect too much junk. I am much sadder today than I was then if that is possible. While the tragedy was overwhelming, the humanity we witnessed and the caring that poured in from all over the world has been squandered by a crazy group of leaders. We could have come out of that horrible situation stronger, more unified and worked with the world to make the planet a better place. Instead we are so hated by everyone Americans cannot even travel and feel safe. I remember my daughter calling on her way home from college terrified, my one niece was stuck in Las Vegas and her college age son was home alone, she was so upset. I have one relative who is a Limbaugh fan and their first reaction was to drop a bomb on the whole middle east, sadly this is the route that the nutty bunch seem to want to follow. I know on Limpballs broadcast that day he kept saying that he knew Saddam was behind this, seems strange that he "thought" that right away. I wonder how he knew what the talking points would be that soon. It is good for me to watch because I feel history should always be fresh in our minds and maybe somehow we can avoid past mistakes.

[karynnj]

6. I think it is traumatic to watch

Seeing the replay time after time of the plane flying into the second tower back in 2001 was very traumatic for many people. I live in NJ and on clear days could see the towers in the distance on one oft traveled road in my area. I also had worked briefly in the late 1970s in one of the smaller buildings. It amazed me how in my mind, I could clearly see exactly how the PATH entrance in the basement of the buildings looked, remembered normal mornings - grabbing a coffee and danish at a small store selling it, and heading over to our elevators near the edge of the complex. Obviously, some things would have changed in over 20 years, but the sheer normality of the memory, made the surreal pictures of death, destruction and chaos seem unbelievable.

Also the knowledge that my husband, kids and I were likely to know someone who died. One of my kids was in a class with a boy whose dad died. I don't think I need to see TV rebroadcast. The important fact is that so many died and it was the catalyst of so much that has gone wrong in this country since then. I drive past my county's 911 memorial several times most days - as it is on a road I often use. It is striking enough - though simple, that I do see it and process it for what it is. In some ways, replaying the chaotic coverage of those first hours is an ego trip for the news media - there was a lot of confusing and innacurate information covered.

[Mz Pip]

7. It's been interesting

It certainly brings back the sense of chaos and horror.

Don't think it's necessarily that good for the Repugs. Bin Laden is still out there. And remember America, this is whast he can do.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[MaineDem]

8. I don't have a problem with it

It's there if someone wants to watch it. It's not mandatory.

I was watching the streaming as-it-happened coverage on cnn.com. I was amazed at how quickly the WTC buildings fell. In my mind, it was much later than an hour or so after the planes hit. I seem to remember that day as going very slowly.

Also, John King (I think) reporting with the President, said GWB was first informed about the even by Condi Rice and then later by Andy Card. I thought Card told him first.

Time sure does create memory lapses. Especially as I get older.

They mentioned Osama within the first hour. I thought that, in hindsight, might indicate "they" had some idea of this before it happened. A reporter did say the government had no warning about this.

[Vinca]

9. Good idea. If it's going to be portrayed, it should not be in

"docudrama" format (like that other network). Right off the bat I was struck by details I'd missed on the day, like the Pentagon saying they hadn't scrambled jets 15 minutes after the 2nd tower was hit.

[El Fuego]

10. Good idea, we don't need a fictionalized account.

I was working that day was only able to hear it on the radio.

[wellstone dem]

11. same here

I was at work, and have long wished that I could have seen the initial coverage. So for me, I'm glad it was repeated. But I understand that for others who are more closely connected, that this unending coverage is very painful.