I don't know.. the difference is, those attrocities aren't relevant to the lives of those living in the UK. Which doesn't mean there should be no coverage, no information whatsoever, doesn't mean we should pretend it's nothing, but what happened a year ago has changed world politics dramatically. Its given the US an excuse to blatantly interfere with the Middle East and declare open warfare, and many people in the UK were personally touched by the deaths in the US. It was an important day, for all the worst reasons.
Australia remembers the 25th April, a day when hundreds of soldiers were slaughtered in WWI. The UK doesn't think twice about it because it's not relevant here. Sadly the same goes for lots of past tragedies the world over - only the locals care enough to remember.
Something should be done about all those thousands who die of hunger while we throw away uneaten mcdonalds, something should be done about the ongoing wars and violence everywhere, but those issues don't lessen what happened a year ago.
I'm not saying the press aren't overkilling it, but it was a tragedy, it was all those evocative words the press are throwing so blithely about, but I don't want to become cold-hearted about it just because the press is abusing the emotions for their own ratings. I'd rather extent my sympathy and save my rants for bemoaning the actions the US took after Sept 11th, and other real issues.
Sorry for rambling on, this whole issue and people's reactions to it fascinates (and scares) me :)
Re: Many examples exist
Date: 2002-09-11 12:38 pm (UTC)Australia remembers the 25th April, a day when hundreds of soldiers were slaughtered in WWI. The UK doesn't think twice about it because it's not relevant here. Sadly the same goes for lots of past tragedies the world over - only the locals care enough to remember.
Something should be done about all those thousands who die of hunger while we throw away uneaten mcdonalds, something should be done about the ongoing wars and violence everywhere, but those issues don't lessen what happened a year ago.
I'm not saying the press aren't overkilling it, but it was a tragedy, it was all those evocative words the press are throwing so blithely about, but I don't want to become cold-hearted about it just because the press is abusing the emotions for their own ratings. I'd rather extent my sympathy and save my rants for bemoaning the actions the US took after Sept 11th, and other real issues.
Sorry for rambling on, this whole issue and people's reactions to it fascinates (and scares) me :)