Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
10:19 pm Sunday, November 25, 2007

History repeating itself

By By Melissa Cason
It's been a decade since the blockbuster movie "Titanic" opened in theaters and became the highest grossing movie of all time, passing Star Wars.
I know that Jimmy and I watched the movie in theaters at least three times, and once it hit home video in September 1998, I made sure our home had a copy of the movie. I even pop it in the VCR occasionally when there is nothing on the tube and I have three hours to kill.
When I heard the story of the cruise passengers being rescued from lifeboats in sub-zero temperatures Thursday night after their ship struck an iceberg in the Antarctic Ocean, I couldn't help but think about how strange it is that history often repeats itself-maybe not with the exact course of events but in similar circumstances.
I feel like the events Thursday night were a repeat of the Titanic disaster on a smaller scale with a happier ending.
After hearing the story, I was thankful that we all learned from history.
We might not can keep disaster from striking but we can learn how to deal with it better.
I know many of us complained during history classes or decided that it would be an appropriate time to nap. But, learning about the past is extremely important.
I am thankful that our teachers forced us to learn it by making history lessons interesting.
There is no doubt that the Titanic story helped keep the 150 passengers and crew members aboard the ship alive because of what was learned from our past, and it is certain that proper protocol was followed to ensure passenger safety this time around.
I know that technological advancements were also a major contributing factor in the passengers being rescued from the freezing waters quickly.
Lessons were obviously learned and procedures were developed to ensure safety to provide a positive outcome.
I know all of the 150 people on board are thankful that lessons were learned from the past.

Also on Franklin County Times
Housing authority PILOT is waived
Main, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
March 11, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — City councilmembers recently voted to waive a payment in lieu of taxes, often called PILOT, from the Russellville Housing Authority. Pu...
Playground safety concerns are addressed
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
March 11, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — City officials say steps are being taken to improve safety at the playground in City Lake Park after parents raised concerns about dama...
Petition: Accountability sought from AHSAA
High School Sports, Main, Red Bay Tigers, ...
By Brady Petree and Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
March 11, 2026
RED BAY — A petition created by a Red Bay man calls for the Alabama High School Athletic Association to replay six state semifinal basketball games af...
State’s positive CWD cases nearly doubles
Franklin County, News
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
March 11, 2026
The total number of positive cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) found in white-tailed deer almost doubled in Alabama following the end of the 2025...
Pace crowned Miss RHS
News, Russellville
By María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimew.com 
March 11, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Lily Cate Pace was crowned the new Miss RHS during the 44th annual Miss RHS Pageant. Pace, a senior at Russellville High School who is ...
Scholars Bowl team competes at nationals
News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
March 11, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — Snow and ice kept the Northwest Shoals Community College Scholars Bowl team from attending a January qualifying tournament, but it sti...
The gimmick that became a calling
News
Chelsea Rutherford For the FCT 
March 11, 2026
Rick Revel was just 15 when he stood backstage at the Grand Ole Opry and received career-shaping advice from country icon Roy Acuff — if you want to m...
Read Across America celebrated
Franklin County, News
In the Community
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
March 11, 2026
Elementary schools throughout the county marked Read Across America Week with activities. At Vina Elementary School, firefighter Justin Epperson and E...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *