9/11...America's greatest money maker

[texace]

OK...now that the one year thingy approaches, I think it's time we look at everything this country did in the wake of the attacks. Be warned...there is some contraversial material...so if you are easily offended or very patriotic...don't bother reading.

After the attacks...America was proud. We were the most patriotic we've been since Vietnam (I think)...flags sprung up...homemade stickers appeared on cars. Everything was somber, yet proud.

Now look at what we have. Comemorative coins, commercial stickers, commercial flags, shirts, watches, shoes, everything. Everything has sprung up to "commemorate" 9/11 with thse items. But you know what? All of the proceeds from these items do not go to chairity, or to a 9/11 fund...it goes to those who market the idea. Manufacturers were and still are making bundles of money off of so called patriots.

I say so called because I no longer believe there are true patriots. All I see now are faded stickers, tattered flags on cars, muddy flags in gutters, all this "Remeber 9/11" crap...hell I even saw an American flag BEACH TOWEL! It;s sickening...the lengths this country goes for a buck.

One other thing that gets me a little irritated. They keep saying in the media that 9/11 was the worst attack on America. What about Pearl Harbor? Does that not count anymore because it's a military installation? What about the Pentagon? I never hear any mention of the Pentagon refering to 9/11...nor the plane in Pennsylvania. The media are milking this for every saddened heart and patriot in the country.

Like I heard Animal say in another thread...it may be un-American...but on 9/11...I'm going to live my life normally...just like I did last year.

[Animal]

It was an awful attack, but to me the more sickening thing is how so many people and corporations took advantage of it, specially the media.
Those teary eye inducing specials with melodramatic sad background music are racking the ratings like never before.

Come on people, be a little more cynical. Not as cynical as the amazinhunks who make business out of 9/11, but cynical enough that you can see past those motherdiddlyers.

And if you think only corporations have found a bunch of ways to benefit from this... well I better not go into politics now.

[midnight Target]

What is more American than commerce? Now you guys need to lighten up. Free trade and the capitalist system are exactly what pisses off those Al quaida freaks. If you don't like the do-dads don't buy em.

These things only cheapen the heroics of those who served and gave their lives on 9-11 if you allow them to cheapen the memory in your heart.

[Eagler]

One other thing that gets me a little irritated. They keep saying in the media that 9/11 was the worst attack on America. What about Pearl Harbor?

August 21,1959 <- when Hawaii became America

b4 then it was a military installation, that is why they can say "on America" and it is why they make a bigger deal about the attacks on the WTC's than the Pentagon.

FWIW I haven't heard it referenced that way, I hear it described as "since" Pearl Harbor

Do you and Animal subscribe to the Ritter newsletter too?

Yeah, you two enjoy tomorrow, it's just another day ....  

[Dago]

One other thing that gets me a little irritated. They keep saying in the media that 9/11 was the worst attack on America. What about Pearl Harbor? Does that not count anymore because it's a military installation?

I am pretty sure if you check the numbers, more people died on 9/11 than died at Pearl Harbor.

dago

[texace]

What can I say? In my mind...it is just another day. I don't let commerce cheapen my heart or memory, but it's just one of those things.

FWIW, about 1,500 lost their lives on the Arizona alone...and it was addressed as "The worst attack on America since Pearl Harbor " in the begining of the coverage. It was an attack on American lives if that's any consolation. The argument there was that no one seems to remember them...as they joined the military to die for their country...

Excuse me for my non-patriotic behavior. A year of seeing torn and shreaded flags and faded stickers on cars at work. It will drain it out of you real quick.

[Thrawn]

Pearl Harbour

Total American casualties: 2,395 deaths including 54 civilians


Commercialisation of 9/11 is one of the most sickest, tackiest things I've ever seen.  Rationalising it as the "American Way" (tm) is a cop out in my opinion.

[gofaster]

Originally posted by texace
I say so called because I no longer believe there are true patriots. All I see now are faded stickers, tattered flags on cars, muddy flags in gutters, all this "Remeber 9/11" crap...hell I even saw an American flag BEACH TOWEL! It;s sickening...the lengths this country goes for a buck.

Hey, I own an American flag beach towel!  I use it at beach volleyball tournaments, whether I'm playing or cheering, to let everyone know my citizenship - and proud of it!

I don't plan on getting any of those statuettes or coins, or posters, or other souvenirs.  But I did see a DVD that CNN had put together of the news coverage from the day of the tragedy that looked very, very interesting, particularly from a historical perspective.  I remember being addicted to the news that whole week.  And proceeds will be going to a 9/11 fund.