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.

LeBOF and OP
The question is what "it" in the OP is.

If "it" means three thousand casualties in any circumstances - maybe not. But we are talking about the attack that was designed in its form and place to create the ultimate impact and the perpetrators have succeeded.

When the towers went down many thought that tens of thousands perished. The fact that a "mere" three died in the most appalling of circumstances (including poor souls that fell to their death) is a testament of bravery of emergency services and ordinary people inside the towers.

26 nationalities lost their citizens in this tragedy. It was an international business centre in the business capital of the world.

This OP is sent to provoke "yankee-bashing" ahead of the ten-year anniversary. OP, have you no shame???

So if 3000 people were killed in France do you not think it would be remembered in the same way Wannabe?

thats true LeBOF i was off the cuff but still feel it could have been worded better posters inclusing myself wouldnt have reacted that way

anyways am still watchin it here and it still shocks me.

begon i think that is how long is a piece of string. Like saying how many died in the 1st world war, if you actually look at how many deaths came after the 'ceasefire' which were directly caused by that war - Many historians don't even consider the 2nd world war a separate war. They say it was one war with a break in the middle. All the problems in Bosnia/Serejevo were still rippling from it too almost 100 years later.

And the middle east has also descended from it which instigated the 9/11 attacks. The deaths/effects are just immeasurable.

Oh, and scuzy, I hope it doesn't sound patronising if I say I'm always really impressed when people are able to say they've changed their mind and then carry on with the debate, especially when they have clearly felt passionately about the side they were originally defending. If it happens to me, my inclination is always to slink off crossly, so I think that's really strong of you.

Oh God, that does sound patronising, doesn't it?

Some things just have huge symbolic and actual relevance that impact on the public's psyche, and rightly so.

"So if 3000 people were killed in France do you not think it would be remembered in the same way Wannabe?"

I think that misses the point though, with France also being a developed western country.

Do people remember the hundreds of people who died in the 1998 Al Qaeda US Embassy bombings in Africa? Not so much. Even if they'd killed 3000 people of different nationalities I honestly don't think it would have had as much of an impact as actually being on US soil.

I think if something similar had happened in another famous first world city to an iconic building or landmark and it was televised live - then yes we would all remember it and it would be noted 10 yrs on.

YANBU.

If this had happened in Pakistan, would the coverage be this extensive? Of course it wouldn't.

Agree with begonyabampot, I think if it happened in a first world city it would be remembered (although perhaps not quite as much courage).

Any other countries though, no. Just mentioned in passing.

It is remembered for two reasons - firstly because of the number of people who died; and secondly because the world was changed forever on that day whether we like it or not and whether we agree with subsequent actions or not.

I wouldn't expect the majority of Americans to know about 7/7 and neither would I expect the majority of Britains to know or remember the Oaklahoma bombing.

*coverage not courage

I disagree OP. It was the sheer unprecedented scale of the attack that made it so worthy of remembrance, and that would be the case wherever int he world it occurred. Although of course when it happens in an English speaking nation where the citizens share many of the same values as us, we perhaps feel more in touch with their pain.

I remember being gripped and devastated by a fifth anniversary documentary of the Tsunami, but I have no affinity with anoyone in any of the countries affected.

Badgercub you would have a very very hard time coming up with a target in Africa that would have such a concentration of people/nationalities and mix of business/tourists as in NY in the WTC.

Oklahoma City bombing had massive loss of life. How many people remember the year, number of casualties and other details???

The fact that 9/11 is remembered ten years on and will remember for many years to come is not the "fault" of the USA and not the achievement of the media.

Mollie - x-posted, sorry.

My understanding is that people who WERE actually, genuinely affected by this terrible tradegy actually HATE the fact that it is raked up by the media year after year. Commemeration and remembrance yes. That dreadful footage shown on tv, in papers, on the internet, year in, year out - NO!

If your dh/family member/friend died on 9/11 - are you saying you would really like to watch all that every year on the anniversary of their death? Every bloody year? What if you want to heal, to move on to some kind of normality afterwards?

No, that is not allowed - as the importance of the viewing public to sit and wring their hands, and remember what they were doing, and talk about how tragic it is for every after takes precedence of the needs of the genuinely bereaved and traumatised.

Yes there should be remembrance of the people that died that day. We can do that quietly and in a dignified manner. Why do we needs weeks of media wound opening to do that?

Obviously this is an emotive subject, but i think the people commenting using language like shameful should actually read the thoughtful and thought provoking posts that people have taken the time to write. It is actually a good question to ask, perhaps not the right day to ask it though. It has certainly made me think about the wider impact it has had over the last 10 years and what that means, and has meant, for all of us.

And people died elsewhere that day too. Not just in the Towers. Remember the plane that crashed and the Pentagon?

Portofino - this is utter rubbish. Are you the representative "of the genuinely bereaved and traumatised"?

What is undignified about the media coverage? There is a "switch off" button on the TV you know?

OP - I think you are getting a raw deal here. It's quite clear from you first post that you were not suggesting the world should forget 9/11 or that the events that happened that day were anything less than shocking and horrific.

Perhaps you've picked the wrong example at the most emotive time.

People can debate all day whether you meant that America has it's eyes closed to the rest of the world or whether you meant Britain cares more for American events than those of any other country. Or something else entirely. But they are jumping the gun and very wrong to accuse you of being jealous of 9/11 or suggesting you mean it shouldn't be remembered outside of America.

I remember reading a book by Bill Bryson, I think it was Notes from a Small Island, in which he writes about the way the British press focuses a great deal on American news while all but ignoring things that happen much closer to home, in France for example, or in countries still linked to us through the monarchy, such as Australia.

This was before 9/11.

In 2009 I was given a book to review and it was made up of news reports of the Obama inauguration, complete with pages and pages of photographs of the story on the front covers of newspapers and magazines from around the world. It's very interesting. I doubt anyone did a similar book for David Cameron (not that he deserves one) even in Britain.

I've tried to think of other terrorist attacks that have happened around the world (Madrid bombings, Tokyo Subway Sarin Gas Attacks) and I couldn't tell you the dates they took place or the amount of years that have gone by.

But I stil think that you are being (not unreasonable) but perhaps forgetful of some of the worldwide events we have remembered recently (such as 25 years from the Chernobyl disaster).

There are some things which we might remark upon more because they happened in a country we are closely affiliated with, and remember for longer, but there are others that are so shocking and terrifying that the whole world will remember for many years to come.

I think 9/11 is one of those things, and would be no matter where it took place, perhaps not because it took place on American soil but because it also took place on television.

The whole world saw the second plane hit the towers and both towers fall, live on their television sets, and they can watch it over and over again via the internet. And once you've seen it, you can't forget it, no matter what country you live in.

And when you think about the memorable moments that have taken place live on television, rather than just reported on afterwards, 9/11 is probably the biggest event ever to be captured as it happened. The whole world shared it so the whole world will remember it now and for many, many years to come.

thanks Northey ... i contemplated slinking off alright

but FigsandWine Pakistan doesnt broadcast worldwide like america does, speaks a different language and would not have as many worldwide nationalities living there

Adding to Portofino's point I read (though I can't remember where so please correct me if i'm wrong) that the firefighters at work across those terrible days were not invited to the commemerative service at ground zero. Which does beg the question, who was the service for, if those people who saved lives couldn't be there bacause there wasn't the space with all the visiting heads of state etc.

The fact is, it doesn't happen every year, it's just because it is the 10th anniversary.

sigh

will people please read. i wasnt the first to say the word jealous but i have apologised for saying that. it was a silly argument on my behalf before i understood the point of the OP