Do not yet have details, could be nothing related, could be tiny transformer blown, but we are trying to track it down now.

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2001

Answers

It sounds as if it might be a ground fault problem.

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2001

It occurs to me that although we may be jumpy, I'll bet some of the emergency workers are crawling the walls, too.

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2001

You're right. There's a bit of a strain there that I don't usually hear. Also, the station folks aren't as deadpan as they usually are. When I reported on the possible Post Office fire, the assignment editor said "Jesus!" and I've never heard him show any sign of frustration before.

We have to bear in mind that our TV staff have seen a lot more than we have. In the first day or two, there was feed coming into our local stations showing far worse than we saw--dozens of people jumping from windows and their landing, pieces of bodies, bodies crushed quite flat and/or charred. It sounds really gruesome but video people are trained to concentrate on shooting and not think about what they're shooting, so everything goes on film. The editors back at the station decide what to cut. You know, it might be worthwhile taking a few minutes to send a quick e-mail to your local TV stations telling them you appreciate the magnificent job they're doing under difficult and stressful circumstances.

I hadn't thought about it much until I heard that cussing today.

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2001