The September 11th Decision: Why a Rebroadcast Should Not be Aired (Plus an Open Rant on Our Behavior)

The sixth anniversary of the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001 is upon us. Once again, those that were impacted through loss and/or those in the areas near where the attacks took place will have to remember the day and try to go about their lives again. As usual, the networks will have their own special programming on the morning of September 11th.

From personal observation, I have noticed that the NBC network has been running commercials over the past several days announcing their plan for the MSNBC cable news network for this morning. MSNBC will replay the broadcast from NBC's Today that ran on September 11, 2001. The announcement of this replay brings up one very important question: Is this right?

Thankfully, the people that have lost loved ones on that day will most likely be at a memorial or otherwise away from the television as will be most of the rest of us who are heading to work, class, or other engagements (if not a memorial) this morning. However, would the rebroadcast of the September 11, 2001 show be a fitting memorial or would it be disrespectful to those that lived and suffered through that day, regardless of how many may or may not come across the MSNBC replay?

Although any stray viewer will likely come across this rant after MSNBC has already replayed the broadcast, my views and the discussion that should be had over such a decision remain just as relevant for next year and beyond as it does this year. That said, it is my view that this replay definitely should not take place in this fashion on this morning of September 11th.



Such broadcasts are now best left to the history books, history channels, and special programs on networks away from the time slot given to cover the memorials and other news about this anniversary. Not only does each anniversary memorialize the day and the losses (and not just what many people saw through their televisions) as well as how we are moving on with our thoughts and as a society as we still struggle to rebuilt from that day six years ago.



What reason could there be to replay the September 11, 2001 broadcast, complete with some of the images burned into our memories and our hearts? Would it be to memorialize the day by replaying the day and opening wounds that are just beginning to heal? What purpose would it serve to replay that day and continue looking only backward and never forward?



Would the replay serve as a tool to "remind" us all about what happened on that day? How many such reminders would it take and how do we know when people have truly remembered that day?

September 11, 2001 has become such a political football that people routinely use "Have you forgotten?" as a blunt instrument to win an argument and cast their opponent as the type to be asleep at the wheel with a "pre-September 11th" or a "September 10th" mindset, both terms also firmly ensconced in the public mind as a political weapon. Surely there are some that do operate as if nothing changed and the world has not transformed since the fall of the Soviet Union, but is it necessary to throw that charge against any and all opponents?

If on September 11, 2001, "everything changed," then why are we still stuck with people using catchphrases about that day as a way to run up the scoreboard in the shouting match "debates" that are a favorite of cable news shows and as a way to capture that perfect sound bite so that it may be played over and over for their advantage?

If on September 11, 2001, "everything changed," then why do we rush to label each subsequent horrific and barbaric terrorist attack as "so-and-so country's 9/11?" If we're to claim our loss as devastating and unique, then why do we call other people's tremendous sufferings as "another 9/11" as if 9/11 were a brand to be exported? Not only does it appear that we render the losses of others in such attacks as not significant enough to be remembered for its own day, but it renders our own catastrophic experience as much less unique if we rush to label attacks as "another 9/11," regardless of the scale of the attacks. Or "have we forgotten?"

If on September 11, 2001, "everything changed," then why is it still a struggle for places like New York City to get the funding it needs to keep all these vital areas safe? Yet, some elected officials are more concerned about building bridges to nowhere and officials in the Department of Homeland Security (created in the aftermath of September 11, 2001) are concerned with making sure a bean festival is receiving Homeland Security funding.

If on September 11, 2001, "everything changed," then why must we go back and show those scenes again and again, without considering how some people may take to seeing those images over and over. If we were all for supporting those that lost on that day, how could we possibly shove those images of the impacts or the collapses, showing again and again their loved ones perishing in those attacks?

Is it for education? Yes, there are now children in grade school (as well as some older children that were likely too young to grasp the meaning of the day when it happened six years ago) that need to learn this history. However, tapes could be made to show those children all about that day. Not only will they be learning that recent history, but they will also be witnesses to what is happening and what will happen as those who came of age around September 11, 2001 inherit the country and the world's situation.

This generation (and I am a part of that generation, having been 16 years old at the time) will have some monumental tasks ahead of us. We will have to lead the country into this new world and if current leaders end up doing a poor job handling this war and our recovery, those tasks will only be harder. That is the burden placed upon this generation and hopefully we will accept it and work with it for the good of this country and the world.

We "have not forgotten" September 11, 2001 (and yes, there are always exceptions, but hopefully nobody will turn to them to lead). Although we will likely be accused of forgetting by current and near-future leaders (of any and all political parties) that may disagree with us, we must take it in stride and not throw away even more time engaging in such pointless battles. NBC does not need to provide us with a lesson. Not on this.

We've learned more about the world than perhaps any generation had before us by our age (with great thanks to technological advancements). Hopefully, that will mean that we will be able to set a sensible plan that works and works well. Some of us may need to snap out of our youthful political extremism, but there must be a few among this generation that can lead such a path to a better world and victory over those that see the slaughter of civilians as a just cause or politics by other means.

So, who benefits from this replay on MSNBC? It won't serve as much of a "reminder" to the country. It will not be of much use to anyone that's suffered directly or indirectly. It will not serve to educate those that were too young to properly digest the meaning of September 11, 2001 (not in this setting, anyway). And it will not be a useful guide for the generation that has September 11, 2001 burned into our collective conscience.

There is most likely great value in leaving the replays of broadcasts to historical specials. However, there is no value that can be had by playing this as the memorials for that day are underway. However, we must always remain thankful that we do live in a place where we could choose to produce or view such rebroadcasts as we wish and for people to express their opinions to anyone willing to listen. Above all, we must know that we have to maintain such rights or risk losing them for a very long time. With that said, this rant won't make a difference for this morning, but it is definitely worth considering as we move ahead.