This is a great topic which can be explored in a multitude of ways by a number of students. This is likely the most significant international event that has occurred in your lifetime. Since many of you were only in elementary school at that time the deeper issues involved may not be fully understood. This connects to Unit 4 - Geopolitics.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So I'll start you with an essay of 25,000 words.
The 25 most Powerful Photos - link below.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/photos/9-11-the-25-most-powerful-photos-1347326402-slideshow/
I saw some of these pictures when I came into class today, but decided when I got home to take a look at all of them. The pictures they show are heartbreaking, and it is hard to believe they are real. I will never understand how the people behind 9/11 were able to do what they did.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is one of the most significant events that has ever happened in our lifetime and that it will never soon be forgotten. In saying this however, tragedies such as these happen all over the globe. They are simply looked over because it does not immediately become aware to our side of the globe. For example In Africa the number of terrorist attacks has gone up 86% in Kenya alone. Out of all 877 attacks last year alone, they have claimed 2,771 lives and injured 2,787. Along with those statistics there have been 650 abductions. There is no denying the fact that 9/11 was a major turning point in civilization as we know it but looking out side of our own countries gives us the insite that events such as these are not so uncommon.
ReplyDelete*www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24471:terror-attacks-in-africa-increased-during-2011&catid=3:Civil%20Security&Itenid=113
This is my post....
ReplyDeleteThere is a number of controversial topics surrounding the events of 9/11, but one of the most famous is the theory of a conspiracy. An act of purpose conducted by the government of the United States. Such a theory doesn’t go without good reason, of course. Right before the attacks some fishy business went down. What was described as an “extraordinary” amount of put options were placed in United Airlines stocks, the same airlines that hijacked during the attacks. NORAD lacked presence in the attacks- leading us to believe they were told to “stand-down.” Witnesses even accounted hearing explosions inside the building as they attempted to escape. The hijackers passports and identification were found as evidence, but how did the identification made out of paper survive an explosion which destroyed buildings. These examples are few of the many defending this theory. As demonstrated in documentaries such as “Loose Change” and articles (like this one: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14665953) explaining in detail the planned attacks for September 11, 2001 it’s fairly obvious that this tragedy was in fact a conspiracy.
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ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with Hannzy. There is much conspiracy surrounding 9/11, the events leading up to and in the aftermath. Also I believe that it could have been totally avoidable and the reaction to 9/11 not only by president Bush but by his administration was futile in many ways. We also cant forget that there were two other targets; the pentagon was hit at 9:37 AM and one was headed to the white house but passengers revolted and it crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. After this Bush launched the "War on Terror" in response to the attacks. There after 5921 American military were killed and some 42 thousand were wounded and for what? Sure it's noble to fight for your country, especially after it has been subject to attack. To me this was nothing more than a pointless war no one would ever win and I think it was all a cover up to hide the fact that it all had to do with oil... thats what. Almost six-thousand dead for oil. 9/11 is just scratching the surface of this conspiracy that is America.
Sources: 9/11 Commission Report and US military statistics.)
I was watching a documentary last night on 911 and it showed video of the two planes crashing into the buildings. What I don't get is how did they get this footage if it happened so fast and it was such good quality I just don't understand how they got the shot with out knowing it was going to happen. That's what mind boggles me. The one photo really got to me ... and that was the one of the people jumping out of the building. That broke my heart! R.I.P to everyone that lost there lives on this day :(
ReplyDelete--T.S
I also do agree that it seems rather logical that the 9/11 "terrorist attack" could have however been a conspiracy. Much gossip and studies have been conducted within the past 11 years trying to prove it was a conspiracy; which in fact if it was, it could be undeniably one of the largest cover-ups in history. Lets just say that it was not a conspiracy though, then the real question is to "why it happened?". Many including myself have noticed that every target on 9/11 is symbolic to the U.S. For example: Twin Towers are symbolic of financial strength, the Pentagon is symbolic of military power, and the White House is symbolic of government. Could the attack be a result of religion beliefs? Perhaps jealousy? A particular theory includes "blowback", meaning they are counter-attacks for the U.S interference in other nations' business. The list can go on as to why...
ReplyDeleteIn response to Swizzle G:
ReplyDeleteFor my ISU last year I did extensive research on George W. Bush's terms in Office as President, so I have some knowledge on the American government's involvement in 9/11. Prior to the first tower being attacked, the American government had cameras trained on both of the towers. They had prepared for an event to take place. This gives a lot of conspiracy theorists fuel for believing the American government was behind the attacks, though that is a whole different subject.
I strongly agree with Mimi. Not to disregard 9/11 as an unimportant issue but it is not the only great catastrophe that has occurred in the world. 11 years have passed and several other issues are still ongoing in several places across the globe. I feel that because it took place in America, it is deemed “more important” solely because it happened on this side of the world. We in the western world are often ignorant to issues that take place in other parts of the world because of the mindset of “it didn’t happen near me, so I don’t care.” As a result of this, many issues are overlooked because we are too self-absorbed when we should open our eyes and focus on the rest of the world as well. The nearness of an issue does not determine the seriousness, and who knows—an issue that takes place somewhere else may eventually affect North America as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Thomas to capture the shot of the towers falling they would of had to know that this attack was going to be perused. K Stein also brings up a good point as too the Americans being behind this, as much as I would not like to believe that this is true, why would the Americans set up cameras to record this event if they had no reason to?
ReplyDeleteI also would like to say I agree with Mimi and Ren, I over heard some other students say how it was disrespectful that Central didn't have a moment of respect for the 9/11 tribute, however I think that is not the case, if we had a tribute for 9/11 because some Canadians were involved it means we would have to have a tribute or moment of silence for every tragedy that happens but since we do not an American event should not be prioritized.
L.B
These posts above are a fantastic discussion on this topic. This is exactly what I am looking for in terms of interactions. While there are many theories surrounding the events of 9/11 and the following years and controversial laws such as the Patriot Act (which was extended under Obama's rule), there is no denying that innocent people lost their lives on that day and that we owe them respect.
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ReplyDeleteThis is my weekly post. I agree with Hannzy. One of the most famous topics in 9/11 is the theory of conspiracy. Theorists have many reasons to believe that this event was in fact a conspiracy. Theorist believe that the World Trade Centre buildings were not only destroyed by planes, but also by bombs, phone calls from the planes that were made, and the former President George W. Bush secretly profited from the attack. Also hijackers passports and identification was found as evidence. How did identification made out of paper survive in the 9/11 explosion, which destroyed buildings? Phone calls were made from the planes when cell phones cannot receive reception from the altitude that planes typically fly. Many of us today are still really curious about these theories of conspiracy which is why I don't believe we were ever told the truth about 9/11.
ReplyDeletehttp://newsone.com/742485/the-11-most-compelling-911-conspiracy-theories
I also agree with with L.B. Even though some Canadians were involved in this tragic event I don't think we should have a tribute for it at Central. My reason for that is because Canadians have been involved in other tragedies throughout the world, and it would only be fair if we showed recognition to those events too.
this is my weekly post
ReplyDelete11 years ago this month, World trade center buildings number 1 and 2 were each struck by commercial airplanes. Soon after, the terrorist group “al-Qaeda” claimed responsibility for the attacks. September 11th is surrounded by conspiracy theories; these theories are born from a number of inconsistencies in the data surrounding the attacks: The near “free-fall” speed of the buildings as they fell, mysterious scheduling changes within the buildings and most obviously, the fact that the buildings fell straight down into their footprint. Must of the conspiracy theories are based on video footage and records, the most irrefutable evidence of foul-play that I believe exists in the September 11th attacks, is World trade center, building #7.
World trade center building 7 was a small high-rise on the world trade center complex, on the day of the attacks, building 7 also collapsed. The official story is that this building caught fire because of burning debris falling from 1 and 2; however It is very uncommon for a high-rise building to fall as a result of fire damage, it was not long before building 7 collapsed to the ground. Why did the building ignite so easily? Why did the building fall at free fall speeds? Conspiracy theorist claim that buildings 1,2 and 7 were wired up with explosives before the attacks. Many people would have motive to cause this horrific event- for example, the people behind the Enron scandal may have wanted the buildings gone, because crucial convicting evidence was destroyed in the attacks.
I truly don't think we will ever no what caused this tragedy to occur but there are many fantastic cases to be made for the whole thing being a set up. It seems like everything was just used as an excuse to invade foreign countries for oil, something America has an extensive history of doing. http://www.thedebate.org/thedebate/afghanistan.asp
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/03/19/1047749824415.html
This is my weekly post.
ReplyDeleteThis event is always going to be very significant, and always be a controversial event in history. In response to Mimi’s post, I do agree with her. Although it is a very important tragic event, there are many other events around the world of which we over-look. Not stating that 9/11 should be over-looked, or forgotten; but we do not realize, or think about tragedies around the world which may be worse. 9/11 which happened 11 years ago is still talked about daily. We still focus heavily on that event, while there are other situations that we should maybe shift a bit of our attention over to.The examples Mimi used are very good to prove her point.
“For example In Africa the number of terrorist attacks has gone up 86% in Kenya alone. Out of all 877 attacks last year alone, they have claimed 2,771 lives and injured 2,787. Along with those statistics there have been 650 abductions.”
Those numbers are very high, and maybe we should be trying to help that problem. Yes many lives were lost in 9/11, but that was one event. This example shows that there are places that suffer attacks yearly. New York, where 9/11 was attacked, isn’t attacked yearly. We should focus on areas that have attacks this often, and try to help that. In my opinion, places like Africa who are attacked this often need our help. I am not saying that other terrorist attacks are worse, but they do happen. 9/11 was a huge attack, but I do believe we should think about the others as well around the world.
http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/terrorism/globalterrorism1.html This link shows many other terrorist attacks, many of which Canadians are not educated on.