9/11 Widow Angry After Mark Wahlberg Repeats That He’d Have Saved United Flight 93
- Posted on January 18, 2012 at 4:47pm by
Billy Hallowell
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Actor Mark Wahlberg has created quite a bit of buzz over the past few weeks. Over the weekend, his newest film, “Contraband,” dominated the box office, taking in a whopping $28.5 million.
But it’s his media interviews that seem to be capturing the most attention. First, he poured his heart out about his faith and spiritual journal on CNN’s Piers Morgan. Then, he divulged his candid emotions about the September 11 attacks in an interview with Men’s Journal. His statements in the interview unfortunately offended at least one 9/11 widow.
Among his comments, Wahlberg said that he would have beaten the terrorists and landed at least one of the planes safely had he been present on board that tragic day. In previous interviews, he has made similar statements, while sharing the nagging thoughts he has regarding the attacks and his belief that the scenario would have turned out quite differently had he been involved.
In a 2006 interview, he said, “We certainly would have tried to do something to fight,” going on to admit that he’s had “over 50 dreams about it.” More than five years ago, Starpulse.com reported:
Mark Wahlberg still dreams about stopping the terrorists who attacked New York City and Washington, D.C., on September 11, 2001, because he should have been on one of the planes that crashed. The actor and some friends were booked on United Airlines flight 93 from his native Boston, Mass., to Los Angeles, which was hijacked by Al-Qaida terrorists.
Brave passengers forced the jet to crash into a field in Pennsylvania before it could reach it’s intended target, and the thought that he could have been involved still haunts Wahlberg.

In his most recent interview with Men’s Journal, the actor reiterated his feeling that he would have saved the day.
“If I was on that plane with my kids, it wouldn’t have went down like it did,” he told the magazine. “There would have been a lot of blood in that first-class cabin and then me saying, ‘OK, we’re going to land somewhere safely, don’t worry.’”
According to TMZ, Deena Burnett-Bailey, a 9/11 widow, is less than content with these words. Her husband, Thomas Burnett, called her from Flight 93 and said, ”I know we’re going to die. There’s three of us who are going to do something about it.”
To Burnett-Bailey, Wahlberg was “disrespectful.” She apparently responded:
“Does Mark Wahlberg have a pilot’s license? Then I think hindsight is 20/20 and it‘s insignificant to say what you would have done if you weren’t there. The plan for Flight 93 was foiled by heroes. For him to speculate that his presence on board could have stopped everything is silly and disrespectful. Sounds like someone is grandstanding.”
In an interview with TMZ, Wahlberg later apologized for the comments he made in the February edition of the magazine.
“To suggest I would have done anything differently than the passengers on that plane was irresponsible,” he said. “To speculate about such a situation is ridiculous to begin with. I deeply apologize to the families of the victims that my answer came off as insensitive, it was certainly not my intention.”
(H/T: Huffington Post)




















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Comments (152)
Frodo RinosBane
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:45pmReally, Marky? You ACTUALLY believe you’re an invincible super actor? Pathetic.
Report Post »neiman1
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:42pmHe wasn’t attacking any of the heroes who perished. He was talking about his own physical fitness and that power that comes to a father when his children are in danger. I don’t doubt his ability to fight off more than one of the terrorists before the plane had to crash could have made a huge difference. We will never know if he could have saved the flight but I am sure he could have greatly aided in the battle to take control.
Report Post »thegman
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:53pmPerhaps he is having a hard time separating real life from his movies?
Report Post »BlackAce41
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:56pmHe should not have to apology at all. He did not make fun of what happened he is just reflecting and talking about it out load as we all do.. I worked at Spirit Airlines and on the night of 9/11/01 I found Mohamed Atta’s name in our data base showing he flew on our airline the day before the attacks. Sometimes i wish i could have taken the call. He called a week before to complain that his name was not spelled correctly. Could i have noticed that he was one of the hijackers just by talking to him, is someone going to be upset with me because i said this? I wonder about it all the time. As does Mark.
Report Post »FreedomPurveyor
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:56pmThe hijackers turned the plane completely upside-down when the cockpit was being breached… which means the controls for the plane were on the ‘ceiling.’ Whether or not he could have beaten the terrorists to a bloody pulp is irrelevant, because it would not have saved the plane from crashing.
Then again, we all dream about saving the day. I believe him when he says he wasn’t trying to be insensitive.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:58pmI agree, me thinks the lady is a little too sensitive; her personal anguish is still and probably will forever be immediate and painful.
Report Post »mils
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:02pmHe is an actor..works in an alternate universe.. I suppose that sometimes they have a difficult time distinquishing fact from reality…
Report Post »I usually like his movies…again he’s an actor, and he’s also full of bravado…
Apologies are good.
GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:11pm@TheGMan,
I don´t think so…this guy is careful when opens his mouth. He was in the streets when he was a troubled young….you never forget that…..and the training that this guy made for his boxing movie was outstanding. He trained tree years just for that role….I think he can easily kick some asses, and after reading this week’s stories about him, sounds like he is a role model for kids.
And he said if he was with his kids…I think anyone could become a crazy psychopath if one’s kids are in that kind of danger. I know I would…..
Report Post »Virgil_Lance
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 7:22pmMr. Wahlberg seems like a nice guy, I believe that his heart is in the right place and he’s probably pretty tough. In reality though, Mike Tyson – maybe, Mark Wahlberg – no way! The fact remains that those heroic passengers on flight 93 won! Who knows how many thousands of lives that they saved that day.
Report Post »Rollo2
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 8:07pmMarkus Splendorius suffers delusions of grandeur.
No one knows exactly what occurred, or what actually happened to the “Lets Roll” team. But, Todd Behmer(sp?) and team apparently did everything they could find within their physical and intellectual grasp to prevent themselves and that aircraft to be USED by terrorists.
Now, pampered Hollywood types pamper their own egos by USING that terrible attack and saying they could do better!!!
Report Post »Wahlberg is USING the true heroes of the day to aggrandize himself.
That is what the terrorists did!!!
Rollo2
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 9:17pmgbtvfan_non_american_overseas/ents
“Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:11pm
@TheGMan,
I don´t think so…this guy is careful when opens his mouth. He was in the streets when he was a troubled young….you never forget that…”
Well, apparently he did, or he would never have had to apologize.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 9:24pmReminds me of when Val Kilmer insulted ‘Nam Vets. He was talking to a reporter initially about his portrayal of Doc Holiday and killing someone. He said something to the effect that because he is an actor and trained on how to pull the trigger and act out the scene, he knows axactly how it feels. Hmmmm.
The he went on to insult Vietnam Vets. [Kilmer] “I understand it more. It’s an actor’s job. A guy who’s lived through the horror of Vietnam has not spent his life preparing his mind for it. He’s some punk. Most guys were borderline criminal or poor, and that’s why they got sent to Vietnam. It was all the poor, wretched kids who got beat up by their dads, guys who didn’t get on the football team, couldn’t finagle a scholarship. They didn’t have the emotional equipment to handle that experience. But this is what an actor trains to do. I can more effectively represent that kid in Vietnam than a guy who was there.”
Report Post »jimtrees
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 9:52pmhe could’ve made the terrorist watch one of his movies, then beat them up in their sleep. would‘ve could’ve should’ve boy, should be the name of his next movie.
Report Post »Jefferson
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 10:19pmIf you watch him in the beginning of the movie “Shooter” it shows a copy of the 9/11 omission report on his desk next to his computer. He boots up his computer and says ” I wonder what kind of lies they’re going to tell us today.” That was a very significant moment in the film for those who pay attention.
Just curious. How did that plane get swallowed completely into the ground without a trace of bodies, luggage, seats, or ANYTHING?
I wonder why Cheney said he gave the order to shoot it down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC1QAR5gQrc
Rumsfeld said the same thing.
Hmmm..
Report Post »LookTowardsTheLight
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 10:28pmI’m sorry what the widows have lost in their lives but these people need to give it rest sometimes. There sensitivity is too off the charts.
Report Post »TunaBlue
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 10:33pmActors believe they have powers that the rest of us don’t. They think they have a certain expertise regarding all sorts of issues that they have no expertise in at all. Take for instance their desire to bloviate on politics, having no clue why they believe the things they do, except that they have “feelings” about the issue. They rarely provide any historical perspective or facts to support their positions.
But it’s all okay. In the words of Alec Baldwin, “It’s OK, I’ve played a pilot before.“ I can name five movies that Wahlberg has ”starred” in that he has played a part similar to the one he thinks would have played out on Flight 93 if he had been on that flight. Okay Mark, let’s do the impossible and pretend you could have changed history if only YOU could have been on that flight. What a narcissist.
Hey, I could have saved the world all the agony if I would have been at the Berghof on On July 11, 1944, with Staff Officer Lt. Colonel Count Claus Schenk von Stauffenberg.
Report Post »Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 3:24amJEFFERSON
If you didn‘t immediately discredit any sources that don’t come from a conspiracy website then you would know that they found all kinds of plane and body parts down in the ground and that most of the human remains and plane parts WERE recovered. The reason it doesn‘t look like a normal plane crash is because planes don’t usually crash going almost straight down at full throttle.
Seriously, 911 is the most scrutinized event in human history. Yet you truthers keep going on and on even though you have no proof after all this time. Speculation and really really WANTING something to be true is not evidence. You think there is no evidence because the only thing you’ll accept is evidence that backs up YOUR claims. Since there is none, you think there’s this big mystery.
Bring it on, Truther. I’ve had this argument a thousand times.
Report Post »I_Hate_Libs
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:29amMark you do not have to apologize its nice to hear an American who would stand up and take charge in a situation like that.
Anyone But Obama 2012!
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:33amI think he was expressing how it affects him, to this day, being haunted by the idea the he might have been able to do something about it. If he WERE a commercial pilot, or an Air Marshall, and made the same statements, would anyone be offended? Would it be okay?
Report Post »I think he just wishes he COULD have done something. Could he be capitalizing on his near brush with death? Sure. But our Heavenly Father tells us that it is not our place to judge men’s hearts. Only He can judge that. Mark knows his heart. If he is honest, and asks forgiveness, we are commanded to forgive him. And he did apologize / ask for forgiveness. If he is lying… he will answer for it someday.
merchantsailor
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 11:16amAl 4 of those aircraft may have been saved if the passengers and the people in general were not “told” corporate with the bad guys. Don’t do anything to upset them, play nice and do what they say, let he authority’s take care of it. Horse hockey I will do what I think is necessary when I see the opportunity.
Report Post »Just like everyone today is rolling over for the TSA and the paramilitary police forces with their armored vehicles in your locale. It will take more than Rumhead, Giggles, or Paul in this 2012 election to turn this all around.
sdavidson
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 1:43pmAs he said he has had dreams. I am sure in my dreams I coul have lead the 2011 Colts to the Superbowl and win the whole thing, but then reality sets in after I awake. I understand the protective instincts of a father and yes Wahlberg is in tremendous shape but lets all remember that all his fights in movies are choreographed, so please don’t assume he could take on an army when for all we know he could lose a fight trying to get out of a paper bag. Those men on that flight did what they had to do and for anyone to say they would have done things differently in hindsight is irresponsible and inconsiderate.
Report Post »jmresler
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 4:08pmThere‘s something called ’survivors guilt’… if he really has had 50 dreams (nightmares) about being on that flight, was indeed supposed to have been on it then I could understand his strong feelings. Everyone hopes/prays that they could make a difference in a terrible situation.
Report Post »MrMagoo
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:41pmHe apologized,good for him.I hope he continues to make great movies.
Report Post »Rollo2
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 9:24pmHe apologized because he had to. Depreciating the efforts of people who died trying to save the lives of others by saying that he could have done ‘better’ did not raise him one bit above snake droppings to me and many others.
Report Post »jungle J
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:39pmhe is an actor ..someone that pretends to be somebody else and can cry on command…why do people see actors as advisers on life issues? Oh, those that do are mentally ill….
Report Post »pmjr-jones
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:11pmnow the working force will work harder after seeing how much harder it is subconsciously?!
Report Post »pmjr-jones
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:13pmsubconsciously watched!?
Report Post »pmjr-jones
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:14pmim smahrtir becuz they say im mantelly ell!?
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:38pmAlright, everybody calm down. Much ado about nothing.
Report Post »cosmo
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:58pmAgreed!
Report Post »AwakenedGiant
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:38pmThis is the problem with Hollywood, they produce a bunch of movies where a PASSENGER can land a commercial airliner and everyone thinks they can do it!
I can’t even successfully land an aircraft on my COMPUTER!, let along adding the life or death aspect to it.
Report Post »GJPinks
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:01pmUnless you have a realy huge computer there is no way anyone can land a plane on it. Maybe a helecopter but not a plane
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:14pmI am serious,and don’t call me Shirley!
Report Post »antiencenom
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 9:44pmI agree, have you seen “the Dumb Ass” in the capital one commercials
Report Post »No not dimm “Jimmy” the other Dumb Ass.
I can’t utter his name !!!
Rockinphil
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 10:44pmRemember when Demi Moore said that she could be a Navy Seal because of her training for GI Jane? All of these narcissistic, pampered, and over paid actors make me want to vomit. Real life isn’t a movie set where you can do 15 takes to get it right.
Report Post »South Philly Boy
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:36pmSound like a new movie is comming are way
Report Post »jose wasabi
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:36pmI’m personally sick of 9/11 widows and don’t really care what they have to say. They each got millions of dollars after complaining about survivor’s benefits and rights after that horrible day. They seem to think they are the spokespeople for that tragic day, but they are not.
Report Post »8jrts
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:50pmI’m sure those “pesky” widows are sick of attitudes like yours as well.
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 7:52pm@ JOSE WASABI
Report Post »So now instead of attacking radical muslims we should attack the 9/11 widows ?
Rollo2
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 8:31pmI agree about the surviving families apparent ‘cashing in’, but that doesn’t give “playactors” the right to say that they could have been ‘better heroes’ than those who lost their lives in a desperate attempt to prevent an even larger and deadlier attempt to kill Americans.
Notice Wahlberg hasn‘t told us how ’HEROIC’ he would have been on one of the aircraft that destroyed that destroyed the WTC.
There were reports from the WTC planes that passengers were told that they would not be hurt if they complied with the terrorists instructions. If The terrorists had Wahlbergs‘ kid by the hair and was threatening to cut the childs’ throat if Wahlberg caused any disruption to the terrorists plans, would he sacrifice his child for what appeared to be a simple hijacking?
Wahlberg may be the next Chuck Norris, but even Chuck Norris is not making these claims.
Report Post »justanotherparatrooper
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:30pmI missed the part in Walbergs resume where he got his rating for flying heavy aircraft, was that before of after he was mucky murk?
Report Post »db321
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:45pmAt least he apologized – Liberal must understand, 9/11 happened and those responsible for the attacks are dead due to the courage of one George W. Bush and the Men and Women of our brilliant Armed Forces. Hollywood can spin it anyway they can – still doesn’t hide the fact that if America is attacked – Kill the ones that are responsible.
Report Post »Miss Anne
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:29pmDoes Wahlberg mean he’s Jewish?
Report Post »cosmo
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:28pmI completely understand why the widow was upset by his comments, but he did issue an apology. Sounds to me like he struggles with guilt because he should have been on that plane.
Report Post »Ookspay
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:31pmDitto. Dumb comment, apology, “outrage”. SOP 2012
Report Post »Rollo2
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 8:44pmHe suffers from delusions of grandeur.
Exemplified by his degradations of the heroic efforts of those who were there, were warned what was happening, and sacrificed their own lives to prevent greater success by the terrorists.
He should feel guilty for besmirching the sacrifices made by those who were there.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:28pmI think he just believes in the Hollywood fantasy land he works in. He’s certainly not a typical Hollywood type and seems to be a decent guy! No need to have a stroke over it.
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:30pmwe live in the land of the offended.
Report Post »Mike N
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:24pmIf I recall the reports accurately, by the time the passengers learned of the hijacking, the pilot and co-pilot were already dead.
That three passengers made their attempt at all was courageous indeed. Mr. Wahlberg’s contention that it should have been done sooner is nothing more than Monday-morning-quarterbacking. Absent the knowledge that the crew was already dead, it would be illogical, and potentially deadly for all aboard to take action in any untimely manner . . . waiting for the right moment was absolutely the right thing to do.
I would certainly not want an impatient gunslinger like Mr. Wahlberg aboard a hijacked flight on which I was traveling with my family . . . I’d much prefer a patient, calculating individual who appreciates not only the value of good timing, but of setting the stage for the action to be taken.
Report Post »Buck Shane
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:27pmYa know, it’s not imposable that what he dreamed could have been true. One more guy might have made the difference. Those guys attacked the terrorist – one more body might have helped.
Report Post »Their was likely someone on the plane that could have landed it. There are retire commercial pilots and retired military pilots who travel.
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:23pm.
Report Post »Poor thing has touched himself so much, he’s gone Crazy………..
Ookspay
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:35pmLMFAO, Bad Monkey, bad bad monkey!
Report Post »crazyrightwingmom
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:18pmThe problem is, before 9/11, no one thought unarmed people could do this, or even armed people. All we had known before were hijackings that went somewhere, and then returned. Now we know to punch first and ask later….that’s why “false alarms” are always good, and people who are afraid and report stuff should never be ostracized.
Report Post »jharper
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:18pmI kind of get an image in my mind of the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz. “If I were the King of the forest”…..I think Mark is just Monday morning quarterbacking.
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:13pmYeah, he would have saved them…if his standin did the fighting for him.
Report Post »What a delusional a-hole.
And it’s “wouldn’t have gone down”…not went down.
A little consideration for the families who lost love ones on 9-11, junior.
jdog777
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:08pmMark is 5′8″ and about a buck 60. What happens in movies and in real life are two different stories.
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:42pmJDOG77, you beat me, I was going to say only in the movies Wahlberg. Hollywood just can’t resist the temptation to pat themselves on the back as heros. I don’t blame the widow for being upset. He has no idea how or what he would have done. Sounds like the he is trying to prove his manhood rather than give the respect deserved to those who actually went through it. No actor is a hero, but those who were on that plane were, they earned that title. I still cry when I watch the videos of that horrific day. God Bless those who passed and their families.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 8:55pmHA! that is my height and weight; but I am a 55 yr old granddad that looks 4 months pregnant
Report Post »We are Americans
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:05pmI wonder if he thinks he’s a hero cause he can
Report Post »can do stuff like that in the movies. Unreal.
I hope Glenn supports this 9/11 widow. I know
Previously he has stated he was a little sick
of hearing them complain.
JustJason
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:05pmTo be fair… allot of men feel this way in hindsight. Prior to 9/11 allot of people would do what they were told and let the authorities handle it. There is proof of a new action to this situation. Remember when that former football player beat the crap our of that Shoe Bomber Guy Reed. The football player knew what was going and was not having it. He probably didnt spend time ringing the stewardess bell.
Report Post »hacker2000
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:04pm()__(()
Psst!!! Hey Mark this is NOT a MOVIE you getting a little carried away ,I blame wesley snipes and Kurt Russel for corrupting his mind with their movies Passenger 57 and Executive Decision.
.
Report Post »ShamanWorld
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:03pmGimme a break Mark. Just because you are foolish enough to think you are as heroic in real life as you are in movies is pathetic. Coulda, woulda ,shoulda…
Report Post »coryf076
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:03pmwalberg….I’m not a hero, but I did stay at a holiday inn.
actors….think they can do anything cuz they played make beleive in a movie a time or two. this guy should come out and say he put his foot in his mouth. i’ve sat there and watched the movie flight 93 thinking about all the things i would have done, but the fact is, until you‘re in that situation you don’t have a darn clue how you or anyone else would have handled it.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 4:58pmThe terrorists who were responsible for 9-11 are still at large.
Go ask Obama and Bush where their buddies are now. Maybe trying on some of Gadhafi’s clothes in Libya. Maybe sun bathing in Saudi Arabia with Bandar.
Or maybe they visited the Pentagon like Al Awlaki the CIA Lackey.
Perhaps… just maybe… the Feds are the terrorists themselves…infiltrating OWS protests outside nationwide and tossing smoke bombs at the White House to provoke a violent police response…
Report Post »georgiavietvet
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:20pmV-MAN MACE……………… you are one ignorant, stupid, brain dead, idiot, to make the statement that you just did. you must be a muslim sypathizer and apologist to make such ridiculous remarks. there are consiracy theorists and then there is you…………………….
Report Post »Mike N
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:27pmYour beliefs make me laugh, and your ability to vote makes me cry.
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:34pmV-MAN You really are blazing,huh?
Report Post »Rollo2
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 8:54pmWhen I warned my children to stay away from people like you, they laughed that I believed you exist!
Report Post »I’ve forewarded your post to each of them, along with warnings to keep an eye on you if they see you, and to keep their children AWAY from you.
TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 9:26pmLadies and gentlemen…. your typical Ron Paul groupie… V-MAN MACE. Easy to figure out.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 4:56pmConsider that many of these actors/actress’ live in a parallel universe where they never live in reality, just in a script. I don’t know what Obama promised the liberal Hollywood/sports world set but it must be big. Most of them make in the millions and don’t seem very concerned that the IRS is going to take alot more of their money, nor do they seem concerned that the jealous OWS group will camp out on their lawns – they are, after all in the 1%.
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