Megorious

This is a post I wrote last year on the 5th. anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Not much has changed in a year in terms of 9/11 remembrance so I thought I’d share it today.

[originally posted 9.11.2006]
I woke up this morning and watched some of CNN’s coverage of the September 11th attacks. All day long CNN is streaming their 9/11 coverage in real-time free via their new Internet video service Pipeline. Normally CNN requires a membership and monthly fee to watch what you can see on cable for free. But no charges today! And rightfully so…

I watched a bit of the first hour’s coverage this morning while mentally preparing myself for the first day of school. Five years ago the on-air talent seemed completely lost which goes to show you that some things haven’t changed in five years. CNN was leaching from a local New York station when the second plane hit the World Trade Center but the journalist on the air completely missed it. He was interviewing a man who witnessed the first plane hitting the first tower. As a result of their impromptu interview, they both missed the second plane as it slammed into the second tower.

I remember seeing that second plane live on television moments after I woke up. I was confused but Charles Gibson was not. In his calmest, most professional voice he said, “That looked like a second plane…” Gibson’s on-air tranquility was preceded by low, off-camera gasps. They knew what was going on. Soon the collected voices of God: Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw, and Dan Rather were on their respective networks anchoring non-stop. If 9/11 happened today we would have Charles Gibson, Brian Williams, and Katie “Legs” Couric.

Meanwhile…
Over at CNN, Aaron Brown found a staircase that led to the roof, not at all unlike Jeff Goldblum in “Independence Day”. For those of you who watched Aaron Brown for 72 hours straight yet don’t recollect who the hell he is, he has the ability to do two things to you: make you fall asleep and make you constipated. Somewhere in that drowsy full of shitness you may absorb some partial fact.

Mr. Brown, who jumped from ABC to CNN, reported from the roof of CNN’s New York Headquarters all day. While the idea must have seemed novel at the time, looking back it was anything but. Equipped with a disturbing backdrop, Mr. Brown had what was most likely presumed the best spot for the biggest story of his short CNN career. But being on the roof of a tall building when the city below is in complete and total chaos is not ideal for journalistic clarity. Watching the five-year old footage today I noticed how unorganized and confused he was, constantly suffering from audio and video problems from both on-air interviews and studio connection. Sure the entire day was chaotic but being perched on a rooftop is not going to make things easier. Perhaps the wind-sheer from being hundreds of feet in the air or the sirens and screams on the ground didn’t make for the best ambiance but Aaron Brown’s pejorative inclination was anything but comforting on 9/11.