On March 10, CBS is
On March 10, CBS is planning to air footage recorded inside the World Trade Center during the attacks. This has prompted a few politicians to issue letters in which they urge CBS to either delay airing the program for another six months (New Jersey's Bergen Country Prosecuter William H. Schmidt), or to "exercise taste and caution" in its production (New Jersey Senators Robert G. Toricelli and Jon Corzine). Some of those who lost people on 9/11 don't want it to be aired at all, which is understandable.
However, the Great Glass Eyes in our homes obey us. We can elect to turn them off, and that is what those who do not want to see this documentary should do. As long as CBS doesn’t indulge itself with “teaser” footage during promo ads scattered throughout regular viewing hours, there shouldn’t be a problem. The promo for the program I saw last night was circumspect.
I do question CBS’s choice of Robert DeNiro as host. Clearly, they intend his presence to emphasize the Heroism and Sacrifice of the day, subtly changing the tone from “sensational new footage” to “portraits of courage.” A bit disingenuous, like all televised attempts to be sensitive and compassionate while trying to gain ratings share.
I’ll be watching, of course. I was there that day. I want to see what was happening 300 yards away from me. I'll tape it, and put the video in the box along with the the newspapers, the magazines, the bit of burned office paperwork and the small jar of thick gray dust. And then I'll put the box in the closet.
