Americans are better right? RIGHT?

The moderators of this debate seem curiously committed to making sure both candidates describe Americans as "exceptional." Judy Woodruff asked McCain three times if "Americans are better," and Richard Stengel just asked Obama if volunteerism was part of what makes Americans so special.

Usher meets with "Generation S"

At the start of the ServiceNation event today, famed R&B artist Usher met with "100 Exceptional Young Leaders" who gathered at Columbia University to discuss their ideas for the future of community service. Usher has been named ServiceNation's "Youth Chair," and he has deemed the country's youth "Generation S" for their service potential. Along with a list of musical accomplishments, Usher founded "New Look," a non-profit organization dedicated to providing youth from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds the opportunity to learn about the business behind sports and entertainment."Set a platform. Set a vision. I'll be the voice. I make that promise to you today," he told the group at the conclusion of the meeting.

Italiani a Ground Zero

Rita Gioia (53) da L’Aquila e’ in vacanza con il marito e una coppia di amici a New York per la prima volta e ha scelto di ricordare l’11 settembre a Ground Zero.

“Ci e’ sembrato doveroso venire qui”, spiega Rita frastornata dalle emozioni, il caos e il circo mediatico. “La cosa piu’ impressionante e’ il senso di vuoto, c’e’ troppo cielo“, commenta un gruppo di ragazze toscane.

Sia Rita che il marito ricordano ancora l’incredulita’ di 7 anni fa davanti alla TV. “Non ci si rendeva conto, sembrava quasi un cartone animato, con gli avvenimenti cosi’ in diretta”.

Diversi New Yorkesi venuti a rendere omaggio alle vittime degli attacchi terroristici percepiscono una carenza di partecipazione all’evento questo anno. Anche Matteo da Bergamo nota soprattutto una gran folla di curiosi. “Forse perche’ le aree a cui abbiamo accesso sono quelle riservate ai turisti”, scherza. “Da parte degli americani ci sara’ anche una voglia di rimozione”, osserva Rita.

Per la prima volta le celebrazioni sono circondate da imponenti misure di sicurezza per la presenza nel pomeriggio di Barack Obama e John McCain. In serata i due leaders parteciperanno al loro primo dibattito ufficiale come candidati alla Columbia University.

“A noi piace il candidato democratico, ma parlando dell’America niente e’ cosi’ netto come potrebbe sembrare”, continua Rita. “Non sappiamo se ce la fara’, se gli Americani sono pronti”.

In Italia la campagna elettorale americana e’ molto seguita in ogni suo aspetto. “Obama e’ percepito come un divo in Italia, si sottolinea il suo modo di vestire, un pochino largo ma non baggy”, conclude Rita ironica.

Come in altre occasioni, il bel paese si nutre di dettagli modalioli.

People watch 911 remembrance from plaza

Barricades kept the public away from the 911 remembrance at Zuccotti Park but people watched and listened the best they could while gathering across the street at the plaza in front of the Brown Brothers Harriman building.

J-Schoolers On the Ground

Ground Zero, September 11, 2008

Sobreviviendo después del 9-11

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Escuche el relato de Jaime Giraldo, un inmigrante colombiano que trabajó como rescatista en Ground Zero. Giraldo solo estuvo durante un mes en el lugar, pero estuvo expuesto a químicos y gases tóxicos mientras removía los escombros. Hoy sufre de problemas de salud crónicos.

Jaime no sabía que los candidatos presidenciales Obama y McCain iban a hacer presencia en el distrito financiero para honrrar a las víctimas. El fue a rendirle tributo a algunos de sus compañeros de trabajo que fallecieron por culpa de los gases que inhalaron mientras trabajaban sin las precauciones adecuadas.

Go Shopping

A block away from the World Trade Center site, even Century 21 has its own version of a 9/11 memorial ceremony.

The store, which opens at 7:45 a.m., silenced the piped-in muzak at 8:46 and 9:03 a.m. to mark the times the planes slammed into the nearby Twin Towers.

Following the attacks, the discount designer department store was closed until Feb. 2002 but has been thriving since it re-opened, said Iris Rodriguez, a supervisor on the third floor women's department. "The first day back was really busy. They missed us," she said of the store's reopening.

Rodriguez, 54, has worked at Century 21 for 10 years and was there the day of the terrorist attacks but didn't see or hear anything until a customer who had just arrived by bus broke the news to the department store staff.

"I looked out the window and saw flames and papers falling everywhere," she said.

Seven years later, Rodriguez has never attended the nearby memorial ceremony."I feel like it's not my place because I was lucky," she said.

Families: McCain and Obama, Stay Away

Johnny Bulaga Sr. and his wife Fran got up at 5:30 a.m. to travel from their home in Haskell, N.J. to attend today’s Sept. 11 ceremony near Ground Zero. Their son, John Bulaga Jr., 35, was working as a network engineer for Cantor Fitzgerald when he was killed in the attacks seven years ago.

The Bulagas were glad to hear that presidential candidates Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama were staying away from speaking at the official ceremony. Instead, the candidates will make a joint appearance in the pit after the ceremony concludes.

“There’s enough politics in this whole thing,” Bulaga Sr. said, sweeping his arm toward the crane at the pit. “That’s why it’s taken so long to do anything. I just hope it’s completed in my lifetime.”

This is the last year that families of Sept. 11 victims will be able to visit the pit where the World Trade Centers once stood. The first steel beam that will support the Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum was laid Tuesday, a day after new designs for the long-delayed memorial were unveiled.

“This is the focal point, but I don’t need to be anywhere to remember my son. We have pictures of him everywhere, and he’s right here,” Bulaga Sr. said, tapping his heart.

Columbia Journalism Student Asks Pres. Clinton About Service and 9/11

Columbia Journalism student Chana Doreaux was on hand for former President Bill Clinton's remarks regarding 9/11 and service at the New York Hilton yesterday. The former President on Wednesday said 9/11 was a political decision, not a religious one. Recalling that more than 200 Muslims were murdered in the attack on America, he endorsed a national day of service to honor all who died and draw Americans of all cultures - including Muslims - together in the spirit of Martin Luther King.

Below is an excerpt from a forthcoming story, with audio of her asking the former president about his views on service in America.

Never Forget

Amidst the families whose losses were too great, I solemnly remember that I almost shared in their loss seven years ago. On that Eleventh of September, my mother had just gotten off the Path Train under the World Trade Center when the first plane hit. Smelling smoke, she hurried outside confused and distraught only to see the second plane collide. I have always been grateful for my fortune on such a misfortunate day, but I shall never forget what could have been.


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