It's upsetting to me to talk with my friends in New York and hear about the almost daily bomb threats, scares, evacuations, and so on, and never hear much if any mention of these things on the news
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On the subject of the local news reporting a bomb scare, I don't know about where you live, but here in New Orleans they do report it. The last time it happened many of the parents heard about it on the local news first, and went to pick up their children. Of course I'm referring to the noon news in this case
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Let me add, on a more personal and perhaps gentler note, in an age where we have the ability to get to know each other in a format such as this, I am concerned about what happens to people across this country and across the world.
In your case I would say from reading over your journal that you appear to be a caring mom, and a good hearted person. You have my repsect, and best wishes.
Knowledge brings understanding, and a better grasp on the concept that we are all fragile human beings that in times of crises need to be aware of and understand
the plight of others (in this case the citizens of NYC), who if circumstances were different, could easily be us in our own cities and towns.
I am suggesting that the news media is carefully filtering what we are seeing, and learning, taking on the role of "parent," when they should be making the facts accessible and clear. As citizens of a country that lauds democracy and freedom of speech as integral parts of a nation we are entitled to know what is going on.
Let me try to clarify my original point.
We don't know when bomb scares, etc., are happening as of late in NYC.
I think it could if it hasn't already give a very false sense of normalcy to the nation about the city, as though everything is as close to normal as it could be. I don't think that's a good thing, ok?
There is a huge difference between reporting every single little detail and white washing a situation.
As far as information goes, unless it is a matter of military intelligence, I just want to be informed, and I feel that to be prepared for a situation properly, you need to know all the available facts, not just what some TV execs decide will bring them the most ratings without depressing everyone too much!
I live in NYC, and though it's kind of you to worry, there really is no need to. There aren't nearly as many bomb threats here as people seem to think there are. I was asked, only two weeks ago, if New York was "closed down" and if no one was allowed to enter or exit the city. That's completely silly. New York City is functioning exactly as it always has. There were a few bomb threats, and the city is taking proper precautions, but just about all of those threats are totally made up.
It might also interest you to know that, even before September 11, NYC would get an almost innumerable amount of bomb threats on a regular basis. Particularly schools, because children have an awful sense of humor. But for a city as big as New York to have to report each of these to the public ...?
Hate to say it, but we don't even see half the murders that go on around here in the papers. New Yorkers aren't living in fear. In fact, we've become so oblivious to it, you won't hear terrorism brought up in conversation.
Jesus. That is a tad bit extreme, don't you think? The media may be skewed, as it's always been; But I don't recall them missing anything that would affect my perspective of what's happening in the world or even in this city.
If you are *really* that interested in hearing about and seeing all the little things that go on, there are places to find that out. NY Newspapers are still covering as much as they should.
But as far as covering everything? I'm glad they aren't. Because, as I tried to point out with my "closing NY" statement, people often take even the tiniest bit of information and blow it completely out of proportion. I'm sorry if the friends and family you have here are still fearing for their lives; But as far as the people I surround myself with, they're more interested in moving on with their lives, going back to work and school and functioning normally, and they want the media to follow that thinking.
And please don't take my statements so personally.
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In your case I would say from reading over your journal that you appear to be a caring mom, and a good hearted person. You have my repsect, and best wishes.
Knowledge brings understanding, and a better grasp on the concept that we are all fragile human beings that in times of crises need to be aware of and understand
the plight of others (in this case the citizens of NYC), who if circumstances were different, could easily be us in our own cities and towns.
I am suggesting that the news media is carefully filtering what we are seeing, and learning, taking on the role of "parent," when they should be making the facts accessible and clear. As citizens of a country that lauds democracy and freedom of speech as integral parts of a nation we are entitled to know what is going on.
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How and when do we know when it's a "real" threat? Personally I think that's a ridiculous statement.
I do agree with you though, that the news media does filter what we see. It always has and it always will.
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Do you wait until the building blows up? Because then at least you were sure that there was a bomb in it.
Come on.
I agree that the media should not report EVERY bomb scare and they don't.
But how late is too late?
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We don't know when bomb scares, etc., are happening as of late in NYC.
I think it could if it hasn't already give a very false sense of normalcy to the nation about the city, as though everything is as close to normal as it could be. I don't think that's a good thing, ok?
There is a huge difference between reporting every single little detail and white washing a situation.
As far as information goes, unless it is a matter of military intelligence, I just want to be informed, and I feel that to be prepared for a situation properly, you need to know all the available facts, not just what some TV execs decide will bring them the most ratings without depressing everyone too much!
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I live in NYC, and though it's kind of you to worry, there really is no need to. There aren't nearly as many bomb threats here as people seem to think there are. I was asked, only two weeks ago, if New York was "closed down" and if no one was allowed to enter or exit the city. That's completely silly. New York City is functioning exactly as it always has. There were a few bomb threats, and the city is taking proper precautions, but just about all of those threats are totally made up.
It might also interest you to know that, even before September 11, NYC would get an almost innumerable amount of bomb threats on a regular basis. Particularly schools, because children have an awful sense of humor. But for a city as big as New York to have to report each of these to the public ...?
Hate to say it, but we don't even see half the murders that go on around here in the papers. New Yorkers aren't living in fear. In fact, we've become so oblivious to it, you won't hear terrorism brought up in conversation.
Reply
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If you are *really* that interested in hearing about and seeing all the little things that go on, there are places to find that out. NY Newspapers are still covering as much as they should.
But as far as covering everything? I'm glad they aren't. Because, as I tried to point out with my "closing NY" statement, people often take even the tiniest bit of information and blow it completely out of proportion. I'm sorry if the friends and family you have here are still fearing for their lives; But as far as the people I surround myself with, they're more interested in moving on with their lives, going back to work and school and functioning normally, and they want the media to follow that thinking.
And please don't take my statements so personally.
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