Ground Zero - NYC
Nov 12th, 2001, 06:17 PM
#21
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This argument is ridiculous. WHat is disgusting is people SELLING cameras down there, which they are, at ludicrously high prices I might add.
Taking pics is a matter of choice. I live here, so if someone is going to attack the place I live I feel I have every right to go see the damage. I chose not to take pics bc i'll remember it in my mind w.out needing a photo, however if others want to, so be it, who cares?
I will say though that if i had been in one of those towers and managed to escape, I would DEFINITELY want to take a pic of the wreckage, as reminder what I narrowly escaped and more importantly a reminder that all the crap I was worried about and squawbling about (like the people on this thread) matters little in the big picture.
Taking pics is a matter of choice. I live here, so if someone is going to attack the place I live I feel I have every right to go see the damage. I chose not to take pics bc i'll remember it in my mind w.out needing a photo, however if others want to, so be it, who cares?
I will say though that if i had been in one of those towers and managed to escape, I would DEFINITELY want to take a pic of the wreckage, as reminder what I narrowly escaped and more importantly a reminder that all the crap I was worried about and squawbling about (like the people on this thread) matters little in the big picture.
Nov 13th, 2001, 06:59 AM
#23
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Hello all. I don't want to add fuel to the fire but.... I think it is unfortuante that some people think it is disrespectful for an amateur to snap a picture but not for a professional to take one and then donate the money. Most,if not all amateurs will not make 1 cent from the pics. If photographers
(amateurs and others) did not document history then we would not have
history books with any pictures. We would say to our children when they are in high school "It was a really big explosion" but they won't get the full impression like they would with a picture. We need to document things. How would we know what Hitler or Bin Laden looked like without pictures? If people go there with ignorance in their heart - to try to make a buck or not take what happened seriously - then they have to live with themselves. People phothgraphed the Jews in concentration camps - an abbhoration that we can feel in our bones because we have the images in our minds to go along with the story. Not disrepectful. History. And what is the
big deal with buying a FDNY souvenir hat?? New Yorkers should be glad people are spending their money on that instead of an Arizona Diamondbacks hat! People want to show their respect. Why is it ok for Guiliani to wear an FDNY hat and not some tourist who came to New York to spend money there?? Because we don't live there? The tragedy was in THEIR town so they OWN it and we are not allowed to feel anything or grieve in the same way they might? I will be coming to New York City in 2 days. I am coming to attend a benefit concert for the WTC Attacks. I will come with a fistful of money to spend. I will buy an FDNY hat and wear it proudly. But I will also be bringing my camera. I can only speak for myself - but if all you see is a tourist taking snapshots - maybe YOU are not seeing the whole picture.
(amateurs and others) did not document history then we would not have
history books with any pictures. We would say to our children when they are in high school "It was a really big explosion" but they won't get the full impression like they would with a picture. We need to document things. How would we know what Hitler or Bin Laden looked like without pictures? If people go there with ignorance in their heart - to try to make a buck or not take what happened seriously - then they have to live with themselves. People phothgraphed the Jews in concentration camps - an abbhoration that we can feel in our bones because we have the images in our minds to go along with the story. Not disrepectful. History. And what is the
big deal with buying a FDNY souvenir hat?? New Yorkers should be glad people are spending their money on that instead of an Arizona Diamondbacks hat! People want to show their respect. Why is it ok for Guiliani to wear an FDNY hat and not some tourist who came to New York to spend money there?? Because we don't live there? The tragedy was in THEIR town so they OWN it and we are not allowed to feel anything or grieve in the same way they might? I will be coming to New York City in 2 days. I am coming to attend a benefit concert for the WTC Attacks. I will come with a fistful of money to spend. I will buy an FDNY hat and wear it proudly. But I will also be bringing my camera. I can only speak for myself - but if all you see is a tourist taking snapshots - maybe YOU are not seeing the whole picture.
Nov 13th, 2001, 08:21 AM
#24
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Kate or CM or whomever:
The WTC site is not a graveyard. It is the site of an attack in which several thousand people are buried within the wreckage of a building. It will not be anybodys final resting place. As we speak bulldozers are removing everything in their path -- building or body. Of course the site deserves the utmost respect, but if you want to take a picture, take a picture and don't let anyone make you feel guilty about doing it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with photographing what is surely the darkest day in American history for your own benefit.
Also be sure to check out the www.hereisnewyork.com website and even visit the display while you're here. But at the end of the day, if they can take photos, why can't you?
The WTC site is not a graveyard. It is the site of an attack in which several thousand people are buried within the wreckage of a building. It will not be anybodys final resting place. As we speak bulldozers are removing everything in their path -- building or body. Of course the site deserves the utmost respect, but if you want to take a picture, take a picture and don't let anyone make you feel guilty about doing it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with photographing what is surely the darkest day in American history for your own benefit.
Also be sure to check out the www.hereisnewyork.com website and even visit the display while you're here. But at the end of the day, if they can take photos, why can't you?
Nov 13th, 2001, 04:57 PM
#28
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I just don't get it. Haven't you all seen about enough of this tragedy? You can't open a magazine, newspaper, or televised newscast without seeing this disaster replayed over and over again. I am absolutely sick to death from all of this. To want MORE rememberance photos, why on earth? You can get amazing quality, professional shots by buying the end of year TIME or some other such publication. I cannot believe that there is any other reason for someone to go about snapping pictures of the site other than that they want to document or (and if the shoe fits..)prove that they were there. Slam if you will, but at least admit your real reasons for the photos. Paying respects is one thing. Showing off painfully sad photos around the water cooler is quite another.
Nov 13th, 2001, 06:28 PM
#29
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If your family was just in a terrible car accident and they are dead and still trapped in the car, how would you feel if a lot of people stood around the car and took pictures? Most people know this without having it spelled out to them.The Mayor had to threaten to have cameras confiscated if sightseers were caught snapping away, while people are still risking their lives, digging remains of people out of that pile..If anyone wants to pay respect to these people, send money or volunteer for the families.Show respect by not standing there and gawking.
Nov 14th, 2001, 08:33 AM
#31
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Help me here. I am continually perplexed by people who argue that it's their "right" to do something, so everyone else should shut up about it.
What do "rights" have to do with any of this. Maybe it's the irony of ironies to discuss good taste on a Fodor's forum but, good heavens, do some of you "rights" types have no concept of what the term means?
What do "rights" have to do with any of this. Maybe it's the irony of ironies to discuss good taste on a Fodor's forum but, good heavens, do some of you "rights" types have no concept of what the term means?
Nov 14th, 2001, 08:50 AM
#32
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No, I don't claim to OWN the tragedy just because I live here, just because I worked at WTC, just because I was there on that day and saw the horror and the suffering and managed to get out with my life, by the grace of God. I WISH that I could give some of it to you. I wish with all my heart that I could take some of this burden that I bear and share it with you. Maybe then you would understand why rescue workers, victims and their families alike ask you to show respect and not snap pictures like it is some kind of freakin' side show.
Nov 14th, 2001, 09:25 AM
#33
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It's funny, we were just in the city Saturday with our kids and a few people asked me if we went to ground zero. It didn't even occur to me to go there. We just had no desire. My husband commutes in usually to Union Square or midtown about 3 times a week and he too has no desire to go there. I guess because he has so many friends with offices overlooking the scene who can't even stand to be there and are seriously looking to move their offices.
Nov 14th, 2001, 11:23 AM
#34
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Curious-maybe it is because you and your husband do not consider this the latest tourist attraction/side show for the entertainment of out of towners?
Lisa, I wish someone could help lift the burden of sadness from you just a little, although doesn't knowing that you are not alone with this sadness help ? There are plenty of people out here, with broken hearts over what has happened, and is still happening there..God Bless you and all of us.
Lisa, I wish someone could help lift the burden of sadness from you just a little, although doesn't knowing that you are not alone with this sadness help ? There are plenty of people out here, with broken hearts over what has happened, and is still happening there..God Bless you and all of us.
