Is Bush's use of 9/11 footage in campaign ads in poor taste?

[PhillyKev 0]

I haven't seen the ads yet, so don't have my own opinion. But people closer to the issue than I aren't happy about them.

9/11 Victims' Kin Angered by Bush Ads

[billvon 3,120]

WASHINGTON, March 3 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO (IAFF), Harold Schaitberger, issued the following statement today after President Bush unveiled new political ads that use images of fire fighters in September 11, 2001 attacks for political gain:

"I'm disappointed but not surprised that the President would try to trade on the heroism of those fire fighters in the September 11 attacks. The use of 9/11 images are hypocrisy at its worst. Here's a President that initially opposed the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and now uses its first anniversary as cause to promote his re-election. Here is a President that proposed two budgets with no funding for FIRE Act grants and still plays on the image of America's bravest. His advertisements are disgraceful.

"Bush is calling on the biggest disaster in our country's history, and indeed in the history of the fire service, to win sympathy for his campaign. Since the attacks, Bush has been using images of himself putting his arm around a retired FDNY fire fighter on the pile of rubble at ground zero. But for two and a half years he has basically shortchanged fire fighters and the safety of our homeland by not providing fire fighters the resources needed to do the job that America deserves.

"The fact is Bush's actions have resulted in fire stations closing in communities around the country. Two-thirds of America's fire departments remain under-staffed because Bush is failing to enforce a new law that was passed with bipartisan support in Congress that would put more fire fighters in our communities. President Bush's budget proposes to cut Homeland Security Department funding for first responders by $700 million for next year and cuts funding for the FIRE Act, a grant program that helps fire departments fund equipment needs, 33 percent by $250 million. In addition, state and local programs for homeland security purposes were reduced $200 million.

"We're going to be aggressive and vocal in our efforts to ensure that the citizens of this country know about Bush's poor record on protecting their safety and providing for the needs of the people who are supposed to respond in an emergency."

[vdschoor 0]

http://www.georgewbush.com/tvads/

Here you can view the ads..
I was curious as to what was in them.

[jerry81 10]

How exactly was the footage used and is it possible to view the ads online somewhere?

[edit: Thanks Videoscooter!

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[Zenister 0]

no not really, just the typical political exploitation...

although it was a tactical error to be the first one to use it, now everyone else can see how bad the fallout is before they decide to release their version using it was well....

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[ianmdrennan 2]

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tactical error

Those seem to be his speciality

Performance Designs Factory Team

[Gawain 0]

In pure political speak, 9/11 was the major event of this Presidential term. To think that a politician would not use this is asinine (doesn't matter who's in the office).

Having said that, being reminded of 9/11 is painful and necessary.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[Kramer 0]

After watching these videos, I'd hardly say that "9/11 footage" was used. It shows about one second of what looks to be the rubble of the Trade Centers with an American Flag flying in the foreground.

If they had shown the planes crashing into the buildings, then yes, poor taste. But this?? Nah....

The FAKE KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!!!!!!!!!

[tunaplanet 0]

The ads are fine. It's just another issue for the sheep to cry/bitch/moan/whine about. When I saw it I said to myself, "Gee, I wonder how long before someone posts it on dz.com," and sure enough...here's a thread by Phillykev. Was sure it would be you or Quade posting about it.

Forty-two

[Michele 1]

I've seen some of the ads, and have heard the talking heads' opinions.

I don't see an issue with using the footage that they used in the ads. It's not as if Bush wasn't president at the time, and it's not as if it wasn't a huge turning point in this country.

I don't see it as a tactical error at all.

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[quade 4]

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Was sure it would be you or Quade posting about it.

Hey, I'll do media analysis of anything on TV you want. I mean, I dont' know if you noticed or not, but I also had quite a bit to say on the subject of the Oscars and Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction. Don't assume that everything I have to say about this particular series of ads is going to be bad because, it's not.

I think we have to agree that THE defining moment in GWBs Presidency so far was September 11, 2001. I think there's no getting around it.

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Bush-Cheney '04
TV: 60

"Lead"

President Bush:
One of the things that must never change is the entrepreneurial spirit of America. This country needs a President who clearly sees that.

Laura Bush:
The strength, the focus, the characteristics that these times demand.

President Bush:
And as the economy grows, the job base grows and somebody who's looking for work will be more likely to find a job. I know exactly where I want to lead this country; I know what we need to do to make the world more free and more peaceful. I know what we need to do to make sure every person has a chance at realizing the American dream. I know what we need to do to continue economic growth so people can find work, to raise the standards at schools so children can learn, to fulfill the promise to America's seniors. Americans are hard working, decent, generous people. I'm optimistic about America because I believe in the people of America.

President Bush:
I'm President Bush and I approve of this message.

I actually have more problems with his :60 ad "Lead". He keeps saying "I know what I'd like to do to . . . " WTF? Why isn't he saying "I'm DOING"? Arrrgh. Don't tell me that you're keeping this crap in your head! Tell me what you're DOING to create jobs.

"Tested" is the controvercial :30 ad. The images shown are pretty bland and I'm not sure why if he's going in that direction he doesn't show something stronger. Also, the one thing that kind of hit me was the word "sacrifice" being said over the image of a still living black firefighter. I dunno, something just hit me in a way like it was this person we were going to have to sacrifice in order to get back to normal. Just a funky gut feeling and not what I thought I was going to be reacting to. Honestly, invoking September 11 is expected here, but I think the basic ad is the wrong direction to go with it. Clearly you don't want to horrify people, but as I've said many times before "fear = good ad". It's a delicate balance in this instance. Coulda been worse -- coulda been better too.

His :30 "Safer, Stronger" is just . . . well . . . wrong. I don't think that's a message that will work for him, but rather against him. Of course, that's just my opinion, but I think only about half the country thinks they're "safer" because of GWB and I dont' know a lot of people that think the economy is "stronger".

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[PhillyKev 0]

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The ads are fine. It's just another issue for the sheep to cry/bitch/moan/whine about. When I saw it I said to myself, "Gee, I wonder how long before someone posts it on dz.com," and sure enough...here's a thread by Phillykev. Was sure it would be you or Quade posting about it.

Whatever....read my post again. Did I make any judgments about it? No, I was cuirous what other people thought. I read the news article and was curious. And if you want to call anybody sheep, take a look at those who blindly follow without question, that's pretty much what a sheep is and describes the majority of the rabid Bush supporters.

[Mirage63 0]

".....safer" because of GWB and I dont' know a lot of people that think the economy is "stronger".





Hey Quade,

Just thought I tell you I feel safer and the economy seems better.

but you don't know me.

OTOH most democrates don't seem to feel that way and since you s-e-e-m to lean that way you might just be hanging a lot of people who feel unsafe and unloved by the economy :-)

come hang out with us you'll feel better, make more money, rob from the poor and give to the rich.

but hey I sure like skydiving

[Hazarrd 1]

as much as I hate bush, i dont see a problem with it. big deal, its history? ive seen the ad on his website and its nothing major.

as far as whether or not what he says in the commerical is true, who care? all politicians lie.

.-.

[quade 4]

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Just thought I tell you I feel safer and the economy seems better.

You're certainly entitled to your position.

However, if you feel safer it's only a feeling. I don't think you're safer because the organization that planned the attacks of September 11 -- they're still out there. Show me the head of Osama bin Laden and I'll say that's a step in the right direction.

As for the economy. Well, let's see . . . where do you want to start? Jobs? Strength of the dollar against the Euro? Deficits?

Tell me one area that has improved?

Oh, wait . . . taxes for the wealthiest 1% of the population are lower . . . dang, ya got me there.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[SkydiverRick 0]

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I haven't seen the ads yet, so don't have my own opinion. But people closer to the issue than I aren't happy about them.

9/11 Victims' Kin Angered by Bush Ads

I find Kerry's use of the Vietnam war in bad taste.

never pull low......unless you are

[Zenister 0]

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Just thought I tell you I feel safer and the economy seems better.

You're certainly entitled to your position.

However, if you feel safer it's only a feeling. I don't think you're safer because the organization that planned the attacks of September 11 -- they're still out there.

yes, but they are rather busy much closer to their homes than to yours, and that makes you safer.

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[SkydiverRick 0]

However, if you feel safer it's only a feeling. I don't think you're safer because the organization that planned the attacks of September 11 -- they're still out there.

[PhillyKev 0]

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There's a lot less of them.

Really? Seems to me there's been some heavy recruiting going on since we started pissing off more people. Do you have the latest census figures for terrorists?

[tunaplanet 0]

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as much as I hate bush, i dont see a problem with it. big deal, its history? ive seen the ad on his website and its nothing major.

Finally, a democrat who isn't blind and jumps on every oppositional-bashing bandwagon. Thank you, Mirage. It's refreshing to see someone who can man up and not follow the flock, or even give credit to the opposition if it is due.

Forty-two

[Mirage63 0]

"However, if you feel safer it's only a feeling. I don't think you're safer because the organization that planned the attacks of September 11 -- they're still out there."

Well there's a lot less of them "out there"

Associated press today:
"The number of people filing new applications for unemployment benefits dropped last week, a sign that companies may be feeling better about the economic recovery's durability and less inclined to lay off workers...."

And "rich people" pay more taxes than "poor people" who should get the break (if any) is the question.

[skybytch 273]

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Just thought I tell you I feel safer and the economy seems better.

I don't feel safer; I feel that quite a bit of my privacy and even a few of what I'd consider to be my civil rights have been taken away from me in the past four years.

"My" economy - the industry I am in - has still not recovered from Sept. 11th. I was far better off financially in March of 2000 than I am today, and that would be true even if I was still working for the same company I was then.

imho using any footage from September 11, 2001 for a political campaign is in extremely bad taste.

[SkydiverRick 0]

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There's a lot less of them.

Really? Seems to me there's been some heavy recruiting going on since we started pissing off more people. Do you have the latest census figures for terrorists?

We only need to count the dead ones to verify what I said.

never pull low......unless you are

[quade 4]

Yes, please tell me about companies being less inclined to lay off workers.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[wmw999 2,589]

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We only need to count the dead ones to verify what I said

Well, it is probably true that of the group that were terrorists in 2001, there are fewer. That's a really safe statement.

Many other people have died in the world, too. Is the world population smaller?

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)