9/11 Newspaper Ads?

I found image on Digg, supposedly from a Dubai newspaper:

Smoking.

This one is linked in the comments:

Nature

Any reason to suspect these are fake?

HT

[Zachary Fizz]

I get the Khaleej Times, but didn't read it on 11th September. I will check to see if we still have that day's paper, though probably it has been thrown away.

[Eve MG]

I don't think HT's saying they were necessarily printed on 9/11, just that they refer to it.

It seems insensitive to me, but I've seen something similar with respect to AIDS - there used to be billboards with a picture of camouflage helmet that said something like:
The Vietnam War
The Korean Conflict
(Some other war)
AIDS has killed more than all of these.

But I think the helmet would be less likely to give a strong reaction (although maybe it would, for those who were in those wars) than a representation of the burning towers.

In other words, I hope they're not real, because I think it's insensitive to use the towers like that. Even to get out a good message.

[Seaboe Muffinchucker]

Originally Posted by Eve MG

In other words, I hope they're not real, because I think it's insensitive to use the towers like that. Even to get out a good message.

I don't know that it's insensitive for non-USians to use them that way. I do think it would be in an American newspaper.

Seaboe

I don't really see how it's insensitive. assuming the info is accurate, they're stating a fact that both puts 9/11 in perspective and reinforces the dangers of the issue it's addressing.

[Recklessmess]

Originally Posted by Jonny T

I don't really see how it's insensitive. assuming the info is accurate, they're stating a fact that both puts 9/11 in perspective and reinforces the dangers of the issue it's addressing.

Especially given the level of paranoia in the US regarding terrorism. Americans will spend their lives worrying about the .00000001% chance of dying in a terrorist attack, yet ignore the whole number statistics regarding real threats to your life - lung cancer, heart disease, automobile accidents, etc.

I realize this isn't an American ad, but I think Americans are the ones that are most likely to get upset about it.

[Mickey Blue]

Originally Posted by Recklessmess

Especially given the level of paranoia in the US regarding terrorism. Americans will spend their lives worrying about the .00000001% chance of dying in a terrorist attack, yet ignore the whole number statistics regarding real threats to your life - lung cancer, heart disease, automobile accidents, etc.

I realize this isn't an American ad, but I think Americans are the ones that are most likely to get upset about it.

In fairness I think this is more of a human issue then an American one. We tend to be the most scared of things that are the least likely.. I mean realistically the fear of car accidents should rank far above shark attacks, plane crashes, murder, rape, and a plethora of other dangers that exist out there.. But they don't. Most of us would think twice before walking alone through the bad part of town, but don't even give a second thought to speeding along the interstate with dozens of other multi-ton chunks of metal.

Its just the way we work I think, or at least the way most of us do (myself included, and I"ve been in a major crash so its not like I even have the "that only happens to other people" attitude).



As for the ad, as others said, depending on the venue I'd think it would be an innappropriate image, not so much the statement of numbers but the "towers". Thats an image that will be forever burned (pardon the pun) in many peoples minds as a representation of something horrific that happened to them (either directly or indirectly).

-MB

[One-Fang]

People don't rationalise what they're afraid of.

I was speaking to the traffic safety coordinator for our area the other day. She spends a lot of time and money on safety around schools. I asked how many accidents there actually were around schools and she said basically none, and what few there are are normally caused by parents dropping off/picking up, not traffic passing. But school traffic safety is paramount on th minds of the constituents, and what they want her to spend her budget on.

People aren't rational.

[Eddylizard]

Originally Posted by One-Fang

People don't rationalise what they're afraid of.

I was speaking to the traffic safety coordinator for our area the other day. She spends a lot of time and money on safety around schools. I asked how many accidents there actually were around schools and she said basically none.

Could it be that the fact that there are no (or few) traffic accidents around schools is a result of the traffic safety co-ordinator having spent a lot of time and money on improving safety around schools?