When the crane collapsed

Bob, Tucson — Fri, 30 May 2008 19:17:28 GMT

This story should overwhelm news coverage of the NYC stations but I hope it does not get covered in Nightly News like the last NYC crane accident did, or like the small private plane hitting an apartment building did, or like the broken underground steam line did. This accident today is a terrible tradegy but when the cable news chanels go wall-to-wall with this local story and the network news shows cover it - it reinforces the "elitist" reputation we in the hinderland have about the news producers in NYC: that they feel their world is the center of the universe for all things.

There are horrible construction accidents every day all around the country involving destruction and death of construction workers and sometimes innocents. Sometimes they are in small towns and sometimes in other huge cities... but they happen EVERY day and construction accidents only make the national news when they happen in NYC where the national news producers live.

Report on how many construction workers have died so far this year in the new "city center" project in Las Vagas where there are about 17 cranes in operation if you are going to report on this accident.

I hate to see time lost from national and international news reporting for the sensationalizing of your local stories. I would prefer to be kept up-to-date daily with reports of the deaths and injuries in our two wars. More time to Richard Engel and no time to Mayor Bloomberg's reactions to the interuption of the first avenue comuter traffic for the upper east side.

Get real and keep this story off Nightly. Let us just settle for hearing tomorrow morning if Meridith was inconvenienced in her limo ride home from the Today show today.

Why should we care about construction accident deaths in your home town when you don't care about reporting the accidental deaths in our home towns?

When the crane collapsed

AC Valley Stream, NY — Fri, 30 May 2008 19:41:02 GMT

What I want to know is.. Who are the engineers that are requiring the permits from the city. Every crane must have a lincesed engineer construct the hoist, and purchase a permit for the construction company. Now that we've had two accidents in such a short time, who is at fault? Is this the same engineer hired by the construction companies or is this the same city engineer that is allowing the permits?

When the crane collapsed

al75 — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:02:00 GMT

Hmm... no comment about Scott McClellen's charges that major media outlets like NBC bought the White House propaganda effort to sell the war hook, line, and sinker?

Did you know that the Iraq war is still going on? Our troops are still dying over there? We're borrowing more money from China every day to pay for it?

I guess NBC made the call that it's time to focus local today.

But why?

Wouldn't you serve your advertisers -- and your country -- better, if you actually started reporting the news?

When the crane collapsed

Andres Rodriguez, West Palm Beach, Florida — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:11:49 GMT

This is a bit overwrought isn't it?

9/11 comparisons, really?

When the crane collapsed

Mary, Poughquag, NY — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:12:34 GMT

has anyone questioned whether the crane company was union or SCAB?

When the crane collapsed

Mike Caprio, Brooklyn, NY — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:31:26 GMT

I hope these poor now homeless people sue the hell out of the construction company. There is far too much unscrupulous development happening in New York right now.

When the crane collapsed

Full Moon — Fri, 30 May 2008 21:52:03 GMT

A large crane, at least 12 sories, is anchored less than 100 feet off of Interstate 71 at Kenwood Shopping Mall in Cincinnati. The extended part, with hook, etc., faces the freeway. When I drive by it I always imagine it falling onto the interstate.

Sounds crazy but I play a game. When I reach a certain point I step up my speed greatly, knowing I can clear the crane before it falls to the road below.

And that's what I'll tell the cop should I be given a ticket. After New York, unbelievably large cranes are sure to get a second look.

When the crane collapsed

Stanley Mazal - Retired Sheet Metal Construction Worker — Fri, 30 May 2008 21:57:33 GMT

Halliburton-Kellog Brown and Root (KBR)sez anybody can do this - get killed like in Iraq. They should not get paid good wages, and a little respect for putting their lives on the line every day. I have done this for 40 years in zero to 110 degree weather rain and shine out on the line while they are in their aircondition board rooms smirking about profits like this national addministration has done for the last 8 years. It goes around even after they are in what they say we should all be concerned about, fear.

When the crane collapsed

Craig Roberts Zanesville OH. — Fri, 30 May 2008 23:04:04 GMT

As a former const. worker who started out as a welder and and worked my way to a Crane operator i know why these cranes are failing. Check the steel that there made of,there not as strong as they uesd to be.
I'd like to see nbc or someone send a good investigate/reporter on these and the ones to come on this story.

When the crane collapsed

panTribe — Fri, 30 May 2008 23:11:40 GMT

This really isnt a story about NYC unions or inspection crews. Its about the steel. and yes, there may be a China connection. How many times do the steel screw caps snap when you're trying to assemble something made in China. The steel is FAULTY. For a more complete understanding on why cranes are collapsing, do your homework MSNBC: http://spaces.icgpartners.com/index2.asp?NGuid=8FEDE942824542D3BB3D24CEF6D3AD75

The Crane industry ran a piece highlighting DANGEROUS STEEL FROM CHINA raising safety concerns among crane operators... Check it Out: http://www.felixeng.com/appfiles/article-05.pdf

panTribe

When the crane collapsed

Tim, New York — Fri, 30 May 2008 23:42:10 GMT

Bob, have you ever been to NYC? If so, you'd understand how this is more than just a "local" story and not hold such a provincial attitude about New York. Please, come to NYC for a visit. We'll personally guarantee you won't get mugged if you promise not to walk 5 abreast on the sidewalk or come to a dead stop in the middle of it just to look up and point at the skyscrapers...or perhaps even a gigantic, falling crane.

Bob in Tucson wrote: "This story should overwhelm news coverage of the NYC stations but I hope it does not get covered in Nightly News like the last NYC crane accident did, or like the small private plane hitting an apartment building did, or like the broken underground steam line did. This accident today is a terrible tradegy but when the cable news chanels go wall-to-wall with this local story and the network news shows cover it - it reinforces the "elitist" reputation we in the hinderland have about the news producers in NYC: that they feel their world is the center of the universe for all things."

When the crane collapsed

Gregory, New York, New York — Fri, 30 May 2008 23:46:17 GMT

Bob in Tucson, please. The international stature and influence of both of our respective cities, Tucson and Manhattan, (historically and right up to the present day), is a direct reflection of work ethic, cultural achievement, competitiveness, a commitment to excellence. We all wind up where we can cut it, Bob, and you are no exception. Don't like New York? That's okay with us. Stay in Tucson and watch the local news.