to think that if 9/11 had happened anywhere else we wouldn't be remembering it ten years on?

[wannaBe]

... or probably even one year on.

I am not taking away from how horrific it was for all who were directly affected.

But if it had been anywhere but America the world would have moved on and we wouldn't be facing wall-to-wall coverage ten years on. Even if it had been the UK only the UK would be remembering.

To the missions' end! Otherwise their loved ones have died for no reason.

We have very close and historical connections to the USA. It's a bit like complaining that we are more concerned and affected by someone being run over in our own street, than in a neighbouring town.

It was also one of the most dramatic acts of terrorism ever. Just on the horror factor alone, I think the clips of the planes hitting the towers would be repeated anywhere in the world.

no-no-no fontsnob, I didn't say anything about you
"I don't know about the firefighters, if they were not invited it is an utter scandal. High-profile events always attract politicians and others happy to perk up their personal PR image. Smart people will recognize this."

although op I can see where ou are coming from, imo we remember it as we saw it. we saw it happen on tv, we watched the planes hit...
every where was affected, our local paper in sussex has it on the front page, a local person died there.

Oh okay, thanks for clearing that up! Sorry for the crossed wires. I agree, it is a scandal :(

But what is the missions end, that is what I am asking you! What point needs to be achieved for the mission to end? When will you know it is "done"? I don't understand that.

We don't, that's up to the government and the Military to decide, although the British Forces are already handing over to local forces, and they are grateful. Their communities now have schools and clean water and farmers have other crops to grow besides opium poppies.

I understand what the op means, but I don't think it is on TV because it was in America, but simply because even 10 years on the images have the ability to make you stop what you are doing and watch. I agree it is an even that should be remembered but I think TV channels make so much of it because they can. I don't think there has ever been such a huge even that has so much readily available footage. A poster above mentioned the boxing day tsunami, which was equally as devestating, however there is very little footage of the event taking place, and certainly not enough to fill hours of rolling news.

and I don't think they had one when they went it, that was one of the problems with it, with their hyperbolic op-names and unrealistic targets. Troops are leaving due to cost, not because they have reached some undefined end point.

duckdodgers - i have to agree with you on this one, I do not get and probably won't get it.

i remember Bhopal, I remember Oklahoma, I remember US embassy in Nairobi but those utter tragedies did not affect me personally

as I said, 9/11 affected me. i watched of my office oblitiraged and 2700 colleagues nearly died ("only" 6 died because of human bravery). i think if I had an office of this magnitude in Cairo and Cairo was the international business capital it would have the same effect on me.

very badly phrased, sorry...

And Milsean do you have personal knowledge of this? I do. Our troops are dedicated to this regardless of cuts.

bemybebe that must have been awful, so sorry.

I was in Yorkhill hospital in Glasgow when some of the children who were shot by Thomas Hamilton in Dunblane were flown there, and that was bad enough.

Sovery , my BIL was in Bhopal and escaped on a moped. But I couldnt tell you the date of it off the top of my head. I knew no-one involved in 9/11 but know the time it happened. I know the events are very different, but I guess to an extent it probably proves the OPs point.

Just wondering by the way, how many of you know the date of the Hiroshima bombing off the top of your head? How many older people who were alive at the time do? Many more died in that, and it was a completely human atrocity (ie, not a natural disaster)

My American family came to stay and they reckoned it actually got more coverage here in the UK than over there.
Not sure if that's accurate or not.

I remember how I saw the billboard for Evening Standard with this headline about Dunblane shooting... this image will also be with me forever.

What about the three-day Beslan school hostage?? I don't know, i am particularly prone to noticing such events and remembering them?

i remember Hiroshima, 8th August 1945 (off the top of my head so may be wrong)

ok, two days off. but still...

i am 39 btw

Beyond, as was WWI and WWII. I bet people still pop to Tesco's during the Cenotaph service. Millions of people died in the 2 World Wars. They changed history, moved the borders of countries, changed politics for many nations.

I always remember Beslan, how horrific

Me to I think because it hits home that children are vulnerable and dying maybe. Being in a children's hospital (I was with a friend) just made it more poignant. It was also my sons 3rd birthday - so maybe I remember it more because of that to - I couldn't wait to get home and hug him. I think if we have a personal connection, even in a small way, it makes it more "important" to us, not that it is not important though if we don't if you know what I mean. I have just read a story about the 200 or so people who jumped from the North Tower, I dont know them but my heart is literally aching at the sadness of it all.

"I think if we have a personal connection, even in a small way, it makes it more "important" to us, not that it is not important though if we don't if you know what I mean."

100% agree duckdodgers
9/11 is the 9/11 because of where it took place and when it took place. arguing that "9/11" would not have the same impact because it was else where is a bit strange because it then would not be 9/11 the way we know if...

this was my point