American Airlines has extensive operations in the UK. It looks like they might have a great case against the makers of ‘The Path to 9/11’: American Airlines to blame for 9/11, Disney/ABC movie falsely claims:
I’m just wondering when American Airlines is going to realize that it’s about to be defamed in the entire English-speaking world.
As I first noted yesterday, I have the entire “Path to 9/11” video. And one of the very first scenes makes it explicitly clear that American Airlines had Mohammad Atta in its grasp, warning lights flashing on the computer screen, yet the airline simply blew off the threat and helped Atta kill 3,000 Americans.
Unfortunately, it’s a total lie.
Besides England, there’s hay to be made in New Zealand and Australia (where apparently the film is being marketed as “the story of exactly what happened” on 9/11 !).
As AmericaBlog says, the potential damages are so large that when the dust settles ABC might stand for ‘Albright, Berger and Clinton.’ Plus the corporate plaintiffs…
I don’t understand the need for lawsuits. Fahrenheit 911 and Loose Change belong to the same genre, and yet I don’t recall any major push by objective journalists to have those films censored or their producers sued for libel. To the contrary, I recall Bush supporters simply letting the chips fall where they may. Fahrenheit 911 didn’t change the outcome of an election.
Why is this necessary?
There’s a big difference between theatrical release and showing something on network TV on the 5th anniversary of the first major attack on the US since Pearl Harbor. Broadcast spectrum scarcity and the the idea that broadcasters have a public trust is only the start of it. Subsidizing the lies is another (no commercials on P2911; films are suppose to make a profit).
I could go on.
I don’t think lawsuits are a great way to solve many things. But the justified fear of them is often a very good way to encourage people to avoid doing stuff they shouldn’t.
I don’t think your argument carries much weight today, given cable and satellite programming. I don’t know a soul who still receives television with rabbit ears.
Also, wouldn’t this set a bad precedent? I enjoy NPR, but I have to admit they do not give conservative viewpoints a fair say. Conservatives gripe about it…but since they have their own news outlets nobody goes off suing or boycotting.
Wouldn’t a counter-point movie be a better, and more American way of dealing with the issue? Something about all the ex-Clintons and now law professors getting heavy with a media outlet doesn’t sit right with me. In fact, I bet it has already been counterproductive as much of the public probably suspects these efforts to be “proof” of a coverup and that the movie is accurate.
Regarding this particular scene involving Atta and American Airlines, while its certainly specifically false in its specifics, the Airline would be ill-advised to pursue a lawsuit because their performance that day was consistently shoddy, especially as it concerns AA executives attempt to cover up the hijacking….
All vital details from [Flight 11 flight attendant] Sweeneys call reach American Airlines top management almost instantly. However, according to victims relatives who later hear this recording, the two managers at headquarters immediately begin discussing a cover-up of the hijacking details. They say, dont spread this around. Keep it close, Keep it quiet, and Lets keep this among ourselves. What else can we find out from our own sources about whats going on? One former American Airlines employee who has also heard this recording recalls, In Fort Worth, two managers in SOC [Systems Operations Control] were sitting beside each other and hearing it. They were both saying, Do not pass this along. Lets keep it right here. Keep it among the five of us.
source: The Complete 9-11 Timeline entry for 8:21 AM, 9-11-2001 at
http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/item.jsp?item=a821sweeneyreaches
We discussed 9/11 and it’s affects on the political spectrum this week on NewsCube. You can go see it here, http://www.poddedmeat.com/newscube
~James~
re: American Airlines Should Sue ABC Too.
They have issued this statement. Can the lawsuit be far behind?
FORT WORTH, Texas — American Airlines today issued the following statement regarding the ABC-TV program The Path to 9/11:
“The Disney/ABC television program, The Path to 9/11, which began airing last night, is inaccurate and irresponsible in its portrayal of the airport check-in events that occurred on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.
“A factual description of those events can be found in the official government edition of the 9/11 Commission Report and supporting documents.
“This misrepresentation of facts dishonors the memory of innocent American Airlines employees and all those who lost their lives as a result of the tragic events of 9/11.”
Umm…were the hijacked planes not UNITED AIRLINES? I might be wrong, but I’m pretty sure that would be a fairly good reason sue.