No Firemen invited to Ground Zero memorial

[vodkancoke]

I am watching the CNN memorial and a fireman was interviewed saying they have been un-invited to the ground zero memorial. I don't understand why that would be. They were a huge part of this tragedy. 343 firefighters died. Why can they not be there along with everyone else?

[vodkancoke]

Very true Gromit, I just thought it was a shame they weren't there.

[jackthehat]

There are 'representatives' of the Services there, they will perform the traditional flag-folding...

[vodkancoke]

Sorry DT, I agree, this thread isn't about George Bush. I'll keep my opinions of him to myself!

[DTCwordfan]

just raise another thread, vodka,

[joko]

i agree DT...just because hes a t1t, hes still the president...to say 'who invited him?' is a bit puerile...

i also agree the firefighter should be represented somehow, such as the chief from each dept or something... i understand space is tight, but lose a few polititcians etc

are there celebrities there?

[boxtops]

I hope not, joko - who would go, unless they are relatives of those who died?

[vodkancoke]

As far as I can tell there are no celebrities there.

[fliptheswitch]

DT, "Lastly the thread is about the recognition, or lack of it, of the (brave) firemen, not the President of the time."

Er.. yes, I know. That's why I answered it and said it was due to lack of room. Doesn't mean I have to agree with it, or am not entitled to my own opinions. I was agreeing with vodkancoke... The OP. But yeah, I will absolutely save my hate for GB for another thread!

[joko]

well you never know, some feel 'entitled' because theyre famous and believe they have 'power' ...such as bono, sting etc

i hope there are none there too

so who is there? politicians and families of the bereaved?

[fliptheswitch]

Joko, " but lose a few polititcians etc". That is exactly the point I was making in my first post. I never even mentioned GB because I know he actually "has" to be there, it's expected. Doesn't mean I have to agree with it though.

As for "celebrities" being there. If they were, that would be the biggest píss take of all! (though I doubt very much this is the case).

[fliptheswitch]

Lol Joko. Actually, I bet Bono is there!

[fliptheswitch]

...And Geldof.

[vodkancoke]

Joko as far as I can tell, the families are there, a few politicians, some of the NYPD and a choir.

[DTCwordfan]

the thread for your venting has been delivered, vodka and flip

[Bobbisox]

I have tried to get my head round seeing GB talking to those kids and having a message in his ear about America being under attack?
and he carries on talking with the kids, now, was this a good thing for the sake of the those children?
I am not too sure, I then saw him as a man of calmness and not the swaggering Texan we so often saw

[joko]

he was probably in a kind of dumbfounded shock and didnt want to alarm anybody, let alone kids, until hed had chance to think...

what would have been the 'correct' reaction? leap up screaming 'oh my god', and run out the room? then hed have been slated for being undignified.

i think in this instance he did the right thing...(for once)

although really its not like hes the one who actually has to deal wth this stuff anyway...his aides etc tell him whats what...