As we approach the anniversary of an awful day for the US, I think it's a good time to ask if our response to this event was justifiable. Nearly 3000 people lost their lives that day, a vast majority of them innocent civilians. During the war in Afghanistan, almost 1800 US service men and women have lost their lives, with many more sustaining life altering injuries. I can't find any credible evidence on the loss of civilian life in this conflict, one article I found put deaths between 2007 and 2010 at more than 9700.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2010/aug/10/afghanistan-civilian-casualties-statistics
So, conservatively, we can put deaths as a result of our actions in Afghanistan at at least 11500. We had fairly broad international support for this war and congress was also on board. so we can leave out comments aimed only at former president Bush. What I want to discuss is, was it worth it? Do you believe that our loss on 9/11 justifies the subsequent loss of life?
Originally posted by dryhumpApologies for thread hijacking, but I thought I'd share a link, - one that is at least on-topic with the title of the thread.
As we approach the anniversary of an awful day for the US, I think it's a good time to ask if our response to this event was justifiable. Nearly 3000 people lost their lives that day, a vast majority of them innocent civilians. During the war in Afghanistan, almost 1800 US service men and women have lost their lives, with many more sustaining life altering ...[text shortened]... , was it worth it? Do you believe that our loss on 9/11 justifies the subsequent loss of life?
The frankly incredible, free and fully legal resource that is the Internet Archive (http://www.archive.org/ - check it out, it really is awesome) has released its "9/11 Television News Archive": over 3000 hours of television news footage from a huge number of US and international broadcasters between 9/11 and 16th September 2001:
http://www.archive.org/details/911/day/20010911
A remarkable achievement - not just in collating it all, but in the way they've put together the mini-site for it.
I don't need to get all Baudrillard on you to insist that the mediation of 9/11 by television is part and parcel of the global experience of 9/11 as such and that, for any real history of that event, something like this archive will be an indispensable tool for future histories (as well as being the go-to source for your Truther types, and won't that be fun?).
And because it was so mediated by television, watching some of it again has a decidedly uncanny effect. I suppose you should go in to it with that in mind, because some people might find it quite emotional.
Very highly recommended.
Originally posted by DrKFI was refreshing myself with the - highly recommended*! - Introducing Baudrillard this afternoon and caught myself wondering: how would He have responded to #jan25, #feb17, etc? 'Cos they seemed to be in a sense taking revenge on simulacra. Real, in a word.
And because it was so mediated by television, watching some of it again has a decidedly uncanny effect. I suppose you should go in to it with that in mind, because some people might find it quite emotional.
*especially for amnesiacs
Originally posted by DrKFIt was moving to rewatch the pivotal moments. The second plane crashing, the first tower falling. The CNN anchor, when he watched the tower start to fall in on itself, said it best: "Good Lord. [5-second on-air silence]. There are no words."
Apologies for thread hijacking, but I thought I'd share a link, - one that is at least on-topic with the title of the thread.
The frankly incredible, free and fully legal resource that is the Internet Archive (http://www.archive.org/ - check it out, it really is awesome) has released its "9/11 Television News Archive": over 3000 hours of television news fo ...[text shortened]... at in mind, because some people might find it quite emotional.
Very highly recommended.
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Originally posted by dryhumpWell, on the upside, we invaded Iraq to get even with Al Qaida.
As we approach the anniversary of an awful day for the US, I think it's a good time to ask if our response to this event was justifiable. Nearly 3000 people lost their lives that day, a vast majority of them innocent civilians. During the war in Afghanistan, almost 1800 US service men and women have lost their lives, with many more sustaining life altering ...[text shortened]... , was it worth it? Do you believe that our loss on 9/11 justifies the subsequent loss of life?