A rchive Date
[ 14-09-2002 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ U.S ]
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[http://www.canoe.ca/Columnists/clancy.html
Deluge of sorrow
By ROY CLANCY - Calgary Sun
September 11, 2002
I don't know about you, but I'm finding the saturation coverage of the first anniversary of 9/11 a little hard to digest. It's not that the victims of these horrendous acts don't deserve remembrance and tribute, just that the human mind and psyche can handle only so much tragedy, so many tears, before it begins to tune out.
It's a natural reaction to the media onslaught that dilutes the memory of the victims and gets in the way of a deeper under- standing of those terrible events.
Even Walter Cronkite, the venerated American broadcaster who led the world into the television news era, admitted Monday that the 24/7 media coverage of 9/11 is over the top.
The clamour in the U.S. is understandable. For Americans, Sept. 11 is like the Alamo. The memory of the dark events is a rallying cry for freedom.
They take it personally
Because of that day, they see terrorism as a threat against each one of them - even those who haven't been born yet. They want it stomped out.
The American public, whipped into a frenzy by politicians who also have their own political agenda to consider, is forced to lash out against what is, for the most part, a faceless enemy.
The reaction of Canadians is almost as passionate - which may be difficult to fathom, when you consider that almost 40% of Canadians - according to a recent poll - don't even fear a terrorist attack on this country. It's easier to understand when you take into account the impact of a shared mass media that dominates our lives. After decades of daily inundation to U.S. issues and values, we're becoming Americans by default.
In truth, we are their brothers and sisters. We're married to them, work alongside them and have spilled our blood together in the common cause of freedom for almost a century.
The actual risk of a terrorist act upon Canada is difficult to assess, but as one astute Sun letter writer points out: Why would any rational terrorist attack Canada and risk provoking an all-out backlash against terrorism? Better to let the sleepy northern neighbour alone, to maintain an environment from which to hatch diabolical plots of mayhem.
Why cut off the finger of the Little Satan when you can use him to cut at the heart of the Great Satan? The trouble with this theory is that few would ever accuse terrorists of being rational. You can't really blame Canadians or Americans for being swept away by the torrent of media coverage on Sept. 11.
It brings home the reality that Canada must step up its own security if it is to maintain a vital relationship with its powerful neighbour. It is a painful reminder that our nation lags behind in securing our ports, bringing our military up to snuff and beefing up immigration screening. Canada's disinclination to take tough measures could be linked to the comfort zone of our federal politicians. Our Liberals don't have their backs against the wall, as do the U.S. Republicans, who face crucial Congressional elections that could tip the balance of power.
Problematic of course, is the notion that all the stepped-up security in the world won't eradicate terrorism. That a few hundred - or even a few dozen - men and a few million dollars can wreak such havoc serves to inspire other twisted individuals who long to strike a blow against America and freedom.
Ironically, as Cronkite also pointed out, the U.S. media has virtually no direct access to U.S. military "counter-terrorism" operations. He expressed surprise that big media hasn't kicked up a stink about not being able to cover military actions and theorized that they perhaps wouldn't welcome having to pay the massive tab to send news teams into the battle zones.
Still, it would provide another piece of the puzzle in the fight against terrorism - as would in-depth coverage of nations from which these activities emanate.
This scourge didn't materialize overnight and it won't be stomped out by drum-beating, a few military actions or by restricting the freedoms of the citizens of the free world. Although we must remember the victims with our tears, it's important to get on with the job of finding long-term, meaningful ways of eradicating this menace from the face of the Earth.
While it is easy to scapegoat the media for its superficial treatment of this gaping wound, the more pertinent problem stems from the lack of a free media in the fetid societies that breed terrorism. Propaganda substitutes for news in these lands.
Greedy, tyrannical leaders blame their country's woes on the U.S. - transforming the shining star of democracy into a target for fanatics, malcontents and cowards.
Letters to the editor should be sent to callet@sunpub.com. Clancy can be reached at 250-4235
 World Fact Book (CIA))]
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