America keeps it low key this time

Eleven years after the nightmarish events of September 2001, Americans are set to mark the anniversary of the terror attacks on Tuesday with low key ceremonies, indicating an apparent diminished passion about that fateful day.

The US pre-poll surveys show the ailing American economy has become the main issue with the public.

The main event would be held at Ground Zero and would comprise a ritual reading of names of those killed, sans the presence of any VVIPs, unlike in years gone-by when the presidents and mayors would be in attendance.

President Barack Obama in the thick of campaign for his re-election and First Lady Michelle will mark the anniversary with a moment of silence in the White House lawns. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will also skip the ceremony.

Even his rival Mitt Romney is keeping away from political events to keep the sanctity of the occasion. Both Obama and Romney are taking down their negative advertisements in a brief truce from political battle.