The Falling Man. Do you remember this photograph? (The man who jumped from World Trade Towers)

esquire ^ | September 2003, Volume 140, | By Tom Junod

[Rummyfan]

Good on you buddy!

[Publius6961]

At 8:46 tomorrow, I will be standing under an American Flag, burning a koran. Darn, that's a good idea. Maybe I better make a trip to Barnes and Nobles after work.

Hmmmmmmmmmm.
5:46 is a quiet tranquil hour, here in California. Just as it was that day I still remember vividly.

I could certainly spare one of the copies of the koran, that most famous of all comic books.

[TXBubba]

Guess I'm one of the few so far that read this thing to the end. I found it very interesting in the fact is shows how different people deal with their grief.

I agreed with the point that the displaying of these things was/is "too soon". I also agreed with the poster that said these things need to be shown. I found it really disturbing that the news media at one point actually pretended it never happened. Just reinforces the false news we get every day. It happened. It is terrible but it happened. Should it be shown "live on TV", no.

If it had been my husband or brother would I have looked at the pictures. I can't say. My closest and best friend died this summer. Do I want to see pictures of her at the end? No.

Well, like I said, I found the article interesting in the fact it made me think on all these issues.

[dennisw]

This article has the typical smarmy, smarter-than-you Upper West Side mentality that pervades Esquire ..........

True. It made many good points but this mentality pervaded it. Well, that's New York (Manhattan) and that's where the atrocity took place. So it must have some validity.

[lilylangtree]

This article saddens me. But thanks for posting it.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Question: In the middle photograph is someone holding a baby?

[HungarianGypsy]

I read quite a bit, but couldn't finish it. It takes a lot of bravery for someone to know they are going to die, then choose to make the decision these people did. Perhaps we all can't handle seeing the pictures, but it is something that should not be ignored. It really happened. The picture that really always get to me is the picture of someone holding their baby out the window, so they can breathe. I need to stop writing now. I'm crying again.

[dennisw]

Guess I'm one of the few so far that read this thing to the end. I found it very interesting in the fact is shows how different people deal with their grief.

What I saw was the author making an honest effort to find out who the falling man was. He spent a lot of time investigating. He spent time philosophizing about the falling man in the greater context. He did more than OK. This is about as good as it gets at Esquire

[bicycle thug]

The article ain't perfect, but it puts the flesh and blood, family, hopes and dreams of those so horribly murdered two years ago. My palms and the bottoms of my feet sweat when I see those pictures.

I find I am still very angry at those cowards who forced people to die this and other ways. Cowards who would have humanity and identity stripped from them to make room for the agenda that motivated these murderous acts of terror.

I look at these pictures and think; "Never again." We owe those who died and who lost loved ones to make justice and deterence central to anything we do in reaction to that horrible day, September 11, 2001.

[Skooz]

I never noticed it before. But it looks like it. That's crushingly heart-breaking. It makes an intolerable picture even more tragic.

Exterminate Terrorist Vermin.

[f.Christian]

The most poignant remark about 911 I read was ... strangers --- a man and a woman jumping together --- their last dance !

They didn't have a choice but they graciously helped each other !

I've also thought at least Nicloe Brown didn't have to die slaughtered alone ... she was provided a death mate --- we all are the mourners - victims too !

[technochick99]

These photos should be published. We should know the horrors that people suffered that day.

I agree. We should never forget, and we should work towards ensuring it never happens to us again. In the 2 years since it happened, I have put this out of my mind. Seeing this picture reawakens the horror and anger from that day.

[dennisw]

I read quite a bit, but couldn't finish it. It takes a lot of bravery for someone to know they are going to die, then choose to make the decision these people did. Perhaps we all can't handle seeing the pictures, but it is something that should not be ignored.

The funny thing is the live video of falling men/women was shown on Spanish language TV on 9-11-2001. US broadcasters refused to televise such footage. Didn't want to upset all the soccer moms and soccer dads.

[Peter Porcupine]

I suppose it's comforting to think the murdered people falling out of the buildings 'embraced' their fate and were ok with it. I have a feeling that's the exact opposite of their experience however.

I was there watching it that day. This article is really, really stupid.

Did either of you read beyond the first paragraph? The author is *not* saying anyone "embraced" their fate or were okay with it. He said the picture of the "Falling Man" could lead one to conclude that...and then goes on to explain how that is a *false* impression.

[freedomson]

'Have another wet dorito, bitch.'

[Mr. Jeeves]

Question: In the middle photograph is someone holding a baby?

No. The picture has been thoroughly discussed on FR in the past. It's just a guy in a white shirt squeezing his head out the window. No children were listed among the dead at the WTC - there were two on the airplanes, though.

[nina0113]

I never had feelings of "shame and guilt" looking at the jumpers. Outrage, horror, pity, yes.

[oceanview]

CNN has been showing that in their latest coverage of it, one scene actually shows giuliani's reaction of horror as he is looking up at the jumpers.

[southern cross forever]

NO i wont do that again, I would AGAIN like to APOLOGIZE to EVERYONE on this form for that AWFUL comment that i made . It was stupid and i was a bonehead , PLEASE except my APOLOGY ! IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN ! I feel bad for those people and their families and i should not have said it.again sorry guys.

[Lazamataz]

Better. You may have a lemon cookie. But until you are back in favor, NO MACADAMIA NUT COOKIES FOR YOU!