Evolving.
The greyest of arguments
Published on March 5, 2004 By Angloesque In Politics
I'm not talking about a legal right; no one "owns" what happened on September 11. I guess I'm wondering if he has a moral right. If the terrorist attacks on that date were on America, then every American in some way owns a part of what happened then, Bush included.

But is it an equal distribution of "right"? On the Today show, Katie Couric interviewed three women about Bush's campaign ads. Two of the three women felt Bush was profiting from Sept. 11, which is technically true if the ads inspire a viewer to contribute to his campaign fund. (Aside: give me a candidate who'll use his campaign money to balance the budget and help eliminate our deficit and I'm so there.) One woman felt it was okay for him to use those images because, in effect, that's what happened. I don't mean to sound crass, but do these women and the firefighters unions and the police have more of a right to what happened on that date because of their proximity to the event than others? than me? than the president? than Alaskans? I don't know.

I'm sure there was much debate in the Bush camp about using these images, but I wonder if it's more detrimental to his campaign than helpful. Any commercial, to me, represents money or power, whether it's about a mop or a drug giant trying to get you to ask your doctor about a drug they don't tell you anything about in the commercial. Ergo, Bush is trying to win power by using these images. OTOH, though, it was the highlight of his presidency, aside--maybe--from Saddam Hussein's capture.

Ahh, I hate to have arguments about morals because they tend to be circular. Still, this one's about as grey as you can get.

Comments (Page 2)
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on Mar 10, 2004
Was it in bad taste for FDR to use the slogan "Remember Pearl Harbor" on his re-election buttons? I think not.

9/11 was a defining moment for America and the Bush presidency. Why not point that out?
on Mar 11, 2004
Was it in bad taste for FDR to use the slogan "Remember Pearl Harbor" on his re-election buttons? I think not.

9/11 was a defining moment for America and the Bush presidency. Why not point that out?


No one disagrees with this! Can we please stop missing the point? The point was the imagery used. I don't have any problem with "Remember 9/11" buttons. I would have a problem with images of the blown-up Pearl Harbor on an FDR poster.
on Jul 16, 2004
What is wrong with showing images on thousands dead? Are we afraid to be faced with the truth that thousands DID die? Have you forgotten what it felt that day to see your homeland under fire (now I feel like a country song)? Have you grown from what happened that day? Do you have a deeper appreciation for your local fire dept? Maybe this is the country boy in me coming out but we seem to be a society that has this bubble around us and if anyone disturbs our bubble "How dare they" attitude. Don't shake up my world. Leave me alone. If it tugs at your hearts to see those images then GOOD! If it sways you to vote one way or another then run for mayor for idiotsville. My heart goes out to each and everyone that died and their family & friends! But remember who gave America the black eye! It is painful but pain reminds us that we are human and that life is short and we don't know how long we have to live!
on Jul 16, 2004
Just like to note that this is a really old discussion and I don't think those ads are running anymore ('least I haven't seen any).
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