'United93' portrayedin theaters: Reminderof p·atriotismor pain?

I will admit that the sho\\'. does have a bit of originality to it. One episode featured a mother of a large family as a contestant. By the end of her episode, some of her children replaced the super-hot models and opened the cases for mom. Even a proposal to a girlfriend was made into an episode. The boyfriend touch-ingly told his girlfriend that he was only judging the "deal or no deal" by their future together. Getting down on one knee, he proposed and, of course, she responded, "Deal!" I assume that this ring might be upgraded in the years to come, as the couple walkedaway with $301,000, taking the banker's deal.

This reality-based game show fad is dropping quickly, as a new reality series," God or the Girl"premiereda few weeks ago. This show follows four men who are searching their souls to decide if it is time to enter the seminary or to get married. The show asks, "Can these young men resist the temptations of the flesh? Or will they answer the call to serve God?" I refused to abandon "DOND" for this one.

Even though I'm addicted to some of these shows, the luster is already fading. We are desperate for cult-like reality shows to succeed, and we latch on to all we can get.

The more and more we feed into this, the more we're going to be complaining that television shows are numbing our minds. However, I'm sure we'll still be tuning in to see who wins what and what con~ testant will finally walk away with a silver briefcase with $1 million as the ultimate deal

It bas been four and a half years since the tragedy of 9/11. There were so many horrifying images that. many of us were haunted by as we sat for hours watching the television reports as the days went on.

At the end of this month, the movie "United 93" will be opening in movie theaters and is going to show what happened on the fourth plane that did not reach its target set for Washington D.C. but crashed in Shanksville, Pa.

This movie will portray the real life actions made by those that were brave enough to not just sit back and let the hijackers take over the plane. "United 93" is based off of the phone calls that were made to friends and family of the passengers before the plane went down.

It is very hard for me to decide if I am really going to pay $10 to go see this movie. I think that it is going to be a somewhat educational movie and it will show the audience what happened on Flight 93 but I can't help but have a sad little ping in my stomach when I think about this.

Sept. 11 was one of the worst things to happen on American soil since the attack on Pearl Harbor. The whole country was affected by it. Now, the entertainment world feels that enough time has passed that they can cash in on this tragedy and make the "big bucks" by selling the story of Flight 93.

The actors that have been cast are not well-known actors. This

The american flagis a symbol of American patriotism. is supposed to give the audience a feeling of reality so we aren't seeing Brad Pitt playing the pilot or Julia Roberts playing a passenger. I actually like the fact that they used not-so-famous actors but the point is still the same; it is too soon to be making a film related to the 9/11 tragedy.

Many people think that "United 93" will bring b~ck the idea of patriotism that has become lost in the mist of the war in Iraq and will remind them or the reasons that the United Stated is at war with Iraq. Others feel that this is just a movie that reminds us of that horrible day and that's it.

I personally do not think I would like to see what happened to the victims of 9/11 up close and personal. These were innocent people that were killed and just because it is a well-known tragedy, it does not mean that the movie industry should be able to profit off of it.

What is the real purpose of showing this movie? What is the point to show what these people went through before their untimely death? So that Ameri- can's can remember what happened on Sept. 11? For me, I don't think those images will ever leave my mind. So why Hollywood should put new images into the mix, I don't know.

There are those out there that say that there are tons of movies made that show many wars that have been fought over time like the movie Pearl Harbor. Yet there is one huge difference with the 9/11 attacks: Americans were not in a war and not ready for an attack on their people. And for the most part, any move that portrays actual events was longer then four and a half years ago. The victims' families are still alive and well and are going to have to see their family members being portrayed in their last moments of life.

So I do not think I will shovel out the $10 to see how the entertainment business portrays "United 93." I will keep the memories I have from Sept. 11, 2001 and not make more by seeing this movie.

Life is fragile when held in the hands of others

GAIL KATHERINEZIEGLER STAFF WRITER GKZ722@CABRINI.EDU

The recent death of my grandfather has led me to wonder about the dignity of death and if there is such a thing as a "good" death.

Terri Schaivo's ex-husband and parents have both come out with books recently around the first anniversary of her death. This debate prompted questions about the "right to die" and living wills.

Fortunately, my grandfather had a very clear living will, which said no nourishment of any kind. Although my grandmother had the final say, she abided by his wishes and ultimately let him make his own decisions. These were fairly clear. She tried to feed him, and he spit out the applesauce. However in his final days, he had chocolate ice cream and juice when he was thirsty or asked for something to eat.

Somehow through my grandfather's dementia he knew that he wanted his suffering to end. He had Parkinson's disease for over two decades which stripped him of his ability to move and eventually_ stripped away his sound·mind.

When we had to move him into a skilled nursing facility, be let us know very how be felt. He thought of his new home as a prison and tried several times to escape. He dismantled the alarm system on his wheelchair using his skills from a career as an electrician.

My grandfather also continually asked about The Hemlock Society, which provides pills in

In a sense, my family was lucky knowing that we were honoring his wishes and letting•him make his own decisions about when he was ready to go. I feel that we were able to give him as much dignity as possible in his last days. We also let him choose

Even though my grandfather didn't know my name, he knew he wanted a different life than the one he had.

-Gail Ziegler

able to recognize me. I know he would have resented my grandmother for not letting him go, if he understood the situation at all. He probably would have lost the ability to walk and he would have been deeply depressed and angry.

order to end your own life. A friend of my grandparents died two days before his pills arrived in the mail. Even though my grandfather didn't know my name, he knew he wanted a different life than the one he had.

when he was going to go, which is a deeply personal decision. I don't know if there is a more personal decision than that.

If we hadn't respected his wishes, we could go and visit him. I don't know if he would be

I don't know how to relate to Terri Schaivo's case because she didn't have a living will, which presents the case for making sure your loved ones have drawn one up. It is ridiculous how the Bush family and the Pope got involved in these people's lives. It stripped away any privacy that Terri and her family deserved. The death of someone is so personal and should be private. •

I am glad that my family gave my grandfather control of his life and also his death and in the end I know we made the right decision by letting him decide.