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On Sunday, March 10th, CBS is airing a documentary called 9/11. It was made by two French filmmakers who were originally making a documentary about firefighters. They were in one of the firehouses in Lower Manhattan that were among the first to respond to the disaster. One of the brothers was already out on a call with the fire company when the first plane hit. His is the only footage of the first plane hitting the tower. The fire fighter crew went immediately to the Trade Center.. Their cameras were inside the North Tower when the second plane hit the South Tower. This is a totally unique view of the tragedy that no one has seen before.
Understandably, some people are upset by this film. But some people are upset with CBS for airing the documentary at all. And that I don't understand. Some people and groups like the Port Authority are calling for CBS to pull the show. People are claiming that CBS is exploiting the victim's widows in favor of ratings. Now obviously CBS - and any network for that matter - airs ANY program for ratings. There really isn't any motivation for a network to air any program except to have people watch it. Duh. Can CBS make money if the ratings for this program are high? Yes. But does that diminish the impact and historic value of the film? I don't think so. The filmmakers and the network have reportedly been very careful to edit out any objectionable footage. There is nothing gory or violent and no shots of anyone suffering or dying. If it is too soon for the widows and victims (and, quite frankly, I can see how it would be) then just don't watch it. I know that sounds simplistic but c'mon, just don't watch.
Now let's turn to something I think might be a little exploitative. Flight 93 charity seeks 'Let's roll' trademark. The Todd M. Beamer Foundation is named for the passenger who is believed to have helped overpower hijackers on Flight 93 that when down in western Pennsylvania. While on the phone, he was overheard to say "Let's Roll". So now the Foundation wants to trademark the phrase "Let's Roll" to be able to sell hats, t-shirts and mugs. In his memory. Now, I didn't even know you could trademark a phrase. I've been saying "Let's Roll" since Jake's been able to walk. That would be the thing I said to get him to moving on his unsteady feet. Can I no longer say those two words? Do I own a royalty to the Beamer Foundation everytime I say that? Well. I'm overreacting. Again. But it kind of irks me that a philanthropic organization has to take such a preditory stance on a simply two word phrase. Apparently, there are thirteen other claims on the phrase "Let's Roll". Here's what the foundation's director has to say
The trademarking of 'Let's roll' is a strictly preventive measure from our standpoint," foundation executive director Doug MacMillan said. "We want to limit its use. We want to be able to protect it, and we want to utilize that to benefit the children."
Thank you, Helen Lovejoy. Of course, two of the claims have been made before the Beamer foundation filed their claim. But they think that since "the public associates the phrase with Todd Beamer, ... that gives the foundation a legal advantage." I just don't get it
I drive towards Manhattan every morning. Because of the time of year, the sun is just rising above the skyline as I drive in. Sometimes the morning is so clear and light is just right that I can make out individual windows on the Empire State Building. And every morning I am amazed that I live so close to the most recognizable skyline in the world. And then I look about three degrees to the right. There is such a glaring omission from the skyline that I've been looking at for the last 20 to 25 years. I know that there are others who have been affected by this tragedy. But we all live with it in our little ways. And this is my little way.
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