Ok, I'll admit it. I did watch some TV today.

I started off the day as I resolved - no NPR, no morning NYT .... nothing. I wanted to keep away from the media's exploitation of a tragedy for their own fiscal benefit. I did have a nice talk with my dentist before my face was all numb about how we hoped things wouldn't get out of hand again - we have a large muslim population here, and they have really had a hard year.

And at work we had our moment of silence. Some people went out to the plaza for a memorial service. I had some brief conversations about the topic. Most people couldn't believe a year had already gone by.

When I got home, I puttered around and then turned on the TV to watch 60 Minutes II interview with Drinky, and then I watched his speech. The interview was done well. The producers did a good job at making him seem more poised than usual. The speech, typical Drinky - it was cheerleading at its worst.

I realized though, while watching 60 Minutes II, that there are really two kinds of mourning going on here. One is the mourning on the personal level for people who lost loved ones. The second type is on a national level. Regardless of who is at fault, the US was, in fact, violated, and we are mourning the loss of 3000 people (not just Americans, contrary to what GWB seems to believe, going by his interview tonight.) The nation needs to put itself back together. Some of this broadcasting IS helpful - the memorials, the speeches, the tributes.. it is important to give the nation a chance to express themselves and to obtain a sort of closure to the period of national mourning. Feelings are running high, not just because of the media, but also because it is natural to be reflective on an anniversary. The flag waving, while obnoxious at the high levels of the past year aren't so bad today I don't think. Today, Americans felt more American than they did on Independence day this year. The planned events give people a constructive outlet for their feelings. I just hope that the media will put the pictures of flaming and collapsing buildings to rest for awhile now. No more talk of 9/11, Ground Zero, Osama sightings, gas dogs and so on, unless it is truly newsworthy. Let people go on with their lives.