Two separate planes have crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York. One plane was reportedly a hijacked 747.

-- news (hound@OMG.com), September 11, 2001

Answers

Yes, it was - en route from Boston to L.A., though I've also heard it could have been a 737 or even a 757, per MSNBC news.

Watch the film footage of the 2nd plane - this was no accident!

-- Deb Mc. (not@this.time.pls), September 11, 2001.

They're saying one plane was a hijacked American Airlines 767. I haven't heard what the 2nd plane was yet.

Deano, in a state of shock......

-- Deano (deano@luvthbeach.com), September 11, 2001.

Today is Rosh Hoshana. Definitely a significant day for this attack. I am stunned and in tears. Pray for the poor souls still trapped in those towers.

I fear that this day will reveal even more horrors before the sun goes down.

-- news (hound@OMG.com), September 11, 2001.

Now they are saying there was an attack at the DoD in the Pentagon. White House has been evacuated.

Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthbeach.com), September 11, 2001.

Reports now that the south tower has collapsed.

-- news (hound@OMG.com), September 11, 2001.

I hear one of the world trade center towers is totally collapsed now.

This is going to change our country forever.

One good thing about the size and coordination of the attack is that these bastards will be easier to trace. Palistine, maybe the Taliban, maybe Iraq, will not exist in it's present form after this week. I'm jumping to conclusions here about who the bastards are, of course.

-- Bemused (and_amazed@you.people), September 11, 2001.

And now a car-bomb outside the State Department. I want to ask SO to leave work for the day. I can't imagine they'll get any work done anyway. They're standing at the window watching the Pentagon blaze. It's across the river from where he's working, but I don't see anyplace in DC or NY city safe at this point.

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), September 11, 2001.

As Bemused has stated, this country and American’s in general will never be the same. The real tough times are yet ahead as we sort out the perps and take retaliatory action. I predict that Arabs and Muslims living in the U.S. are about to be treated poorly, to say the least. The rest of the world will be watching to see how we react to these tragedies.

How do you feel right now?

I hope you don’t own any retirement property in Afghanistan.

-- So (cr@t.es), September 11, 2001.

The 2nd tower of the World Trade Center just collapsed in on itself, just like the first tower did.

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), September 11, 2001.

All those trapped people. What a horror!

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), September 11, 2001.

Actually I think it was mostly evacuated (the 2nd tower.)

A plane just went down near Pittsburgh. They are evacuating buildings in downtown Minneapolis here now, and it looks like my company is letting non-disaster-recover people go home. The markets are closed, won't re-open today, so there's not much for us to do anyway.

Word is the bastards chose a Boston to LA flight to crash into the WTC because it still would be full of fuel when it got to New York. Makes a bigger bomb. I hear it's PLO Democractic fron (or some such) who's claiming responsibility?

-- Bemused (and_amazed@you.people), September 11, 2001.

I suspect that this is a massive ‘team’ effort, one that required huge amounts of capital and planning. Whoever comes forth as responsible is just the tip of the iceberg.

There will be hell to pay.

-- So (cr@t.es), September 11, 2001.

Now the news is reporting that the car-bomb report may be false. It seems there is still another plane unaccounted for. Airports are closing all across the country and international planes bound for the US are being diverted to Canada.

I wonder why downtown D.C. isn't being evacuated.

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), September 11, 2001.

wonder where bush is headed to hide out

-- Cherri (jessam6@home.com), September 11, 2001.

For those of you who know me, and know I work in New York, I am home safely. The boats were running from the west side of manhatten back to New Jersey.

Anything else I am thinking is way too jumbled

-- Futureshock (gray@matter.think), September 11, 2001.

Canadian airports are now shut down as well, with the exception of any diverted US flights landing here.

-- The Toner (the.toner@home.com), September 11, 2001.

I need to know which was hit first...bldg one or two? asap please and the other building evac was done before plane hit? I need to know 72nd floor

-- kritter (kritter@adelphia.net), September 11, 2001.

North tower hit first is what I remember seeing before cnn.com went down.

The tower collapsed about an hour later.

hang in there.

-- Bemused (and_amazed@you.people), September 11, 2001.

I just saw laughing and dancing in the streets of Palestine. Sad, truly sad.

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), September 11, 2001.

Don't let the bastards win. Be more productive today than you've ever been before.

Cherri if you were here now, I'd punch you in the mouth you fucking bitch.

-- Betsy Ross (A Proud@ .American), September 11, 2001.

"wonder where bush is headed to hide out"

That's a pretty slimy thing to say Cherri.

-- libs are idiots (moreinterpretation@ugly.com), September 11, 2001.

"Cherri if you were here now, I'd punch you in the mouth you fucking bitch. -- Betsy Ross (A Proud@ .American), September 11, 2001."

I served my country in time of war, and diidn't go AWOL to run someones campaign like someone we know, so I have the right to critisize whomever I wish. Especially when that person did not fullfill his military obligation. Starting flame wars with other people isn't going to do much to bring the country together. A statement by the president of the country would be in order...still waiting...(for someone to write it for him and give him time to practice reading it from a monitor-maybe there isn't a monitor handy?)

-- Cherri (jessam6@home.com), September 11, 2001.

Cherri, it seems you threw the first flame. And btw, the prez did speak and flew immediately back to DC.

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), September 11, 2001.

Palestinians celebrate US carnage

Thousands of Palestinians are celebrating terror attacks in the United States, chanting God is Great and distributing candy to passers-by. However, their leader, Yasser Arafat, said he was horrified. The US government has become increasingly unpopular in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the past year of Israeli-Palestinian fighting. Many Palestinians accuse Washington of siding with Israel and in the West Bank town of Nablus, about 3,000 people poured into the street shortly after the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and targets in Washington.

I'm afraid people who believe that the violence and insanity of the middle east can be contained or ignored like a small-time local contagion are badly deceiving themselves -- the middle east will be the focus of the world until the end of time ...

-- Paradigm Shift (The world@changes.now), September 11, 2001.

To criticize our leader at this point in time is unfair and uncalled for.

Tell us Cherri, what would you be doing right now if you were President?

-- Betsy Ross (A Proud@ .American), September 11, 2001.

Guess you are listening to a different station than I am, talk about the body government going into a secure area. Lets get real people, he isn't going to be sitting somewhere that would allow him to be vulnerable to harm.

IRS is evacuated.

-- Cherri (jessam6@home.com), September 11, 2001.

Cherri is a slug. I guess the leftist politicians in Washington are now bravely manning the airports, eh Cherri, and only conservatives are being evacuated, huh you stupid bitch??!!

Geez, at a time of national tragedy, all Cherri can do is focus on her hatred of Bush. What a jerk!

-- (cherri.is.@jerk.for.sure), September 11, 2001.

Maria, Unless Barksdale AFB suddenly moved to DC, he is in Louisiana.

As for my opinion of Bush, I am judging him by his history of military conduct. Besides, it doesn't matter what I think, I will let actions speak for themselves. I just wish we had a president with a mind with a better ability to deal with the increadable amount of factors involved. Even George sr would be suited to handle this.

-- Cherri (jessam6@home.com), September 11, 2001.

Let me repeat, Cherri, he spoke about three hours ago to the American people, he didn't give his speech on education, and immediately boarded a plane headed for DC. He wasn't 'hiding out'.

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), September 11, 2001.

Whatever you say Cherri. You are pretty fucking incredible.

-- libs are idiots (moreinterpretation@ugly.com), September 11, 2001.

Heard from my step mom that my dad he was second bldg and got out evaced and is safe! she heard from neighbor who heard from husband a list of many who were with him and ok. Many hundreds from upper floors were evacuated before second plane and are safe, this is good news for anyone who might have had family in second building

-- kritter (kritter@adelphia.net), September 11, 2001.

I think it's pretty hard to be productive today. The airports here in DFW are closed and being evacuated, the Dallas World Trade Center has been evacuated, most of the tall skyscrapers have been evacuated, some schools are closing, etc. I'm not sure whether some of these things are being done out of fear [precaution] or to initiate a sense of mourning. If it's the former, when will it end? Will anyone ever feel safe again?

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), September 11, 2001.

Events of this magnitude always seem to bring out the worst/best in people. In your case Cherri, you have once again demonstrated what a worthless piece of human waste you are. As a proud American, I am ashamed that scum like you live in this great country.

Just My Opinion

-- Just (my@2.cents), September 11, 2001.

Today is Rosh Hoshana. Definitely a significant day for this attack.

Actually, Rosh Hashana isn't until next Monday evening.

-- (for@your.info), September 11, 2001.

nice of me to provide you with a whipping boy to focus your agresive emotions on. Guess I am not allowed the freedom of speach if what I speak of does not go along with the group mindset.

I regret the fact that we have a leader who may not have the ability to lead in a way that is best for the future of our country. Hell, on C-Span there are people calling in blaming Clinton for this.

-- Cherri (jessam6@home.com), September 11, 2001.

Then they are idiots too. Are you using as your excuse the poor behavior of others? To infer that Bush is out 'hiding' away scared is pretty slimy, even by your socialist standards.

-- libs are idiots (moreinterpretation@ugly.com), September 11, 2001.

Bush is out 'hiding' away, as is normal proceedure in a siruation like this. Did I say scared? or did you assume he is?

-- Cherri (jessam6@home.com), September 11, 2001.

And my opinion of cherri falls ever downward.

Folks, instead of sitting around arguing with that woman, I am headed to my local blood bank. There is a shortage of blood in the US, which will be made even worse because of the blood needed to help the vicims of this horrific tragedy.

Go give blood.

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeed@yahoo.com), September 11, 2001.

I think it's about time this Cherri broad quit rappin her self in the flag and free speech and step up and show some courage by supporting our President and the current Administration in this terrible day. This will be looked upon as far worse than Pearl Harbor from hereon thruout history. You lady have the biggest set of nuts of anybody on this board and probably very little common sense and decency. Turn sidewise so you show the daylite. Pray for those killed and injured and proceed with the payback.

-- Boswell (fundown@thefarm.net), September 11, 2001.

I was on my way to work this AM as usual; just leisurely taking the 12-minute drive to my office. The radio station DJs were talking about "this terrible tragedy". Took them almost TEN MINUTES to tell us what "this terrible tragedy" was.

I almost crashed the car. My SIL works in the WTC. As soon as I got to the office, I called my Mom in PA. She was frantic; no one could find my SIL. My brother (driving his usual route in LI) was beside himself. This was 7 AM PDT.

At approximately 8 AM PDT, we finally heard from her - she hadn't quite made it into the building; was safe in a barber shop nearby. She didn't have to be to work until 9:30 this AM which is (no doubt) what saved her. Whew. I thought.

I had, in the meantime, frantically driven back home. There was (as Anita so eloquently put it) no way I was going to be productive today. (I got the "she's OK" call on my cell phone when I was about two minutes from my house.) I ran into the house and CNN was already on. The second tower had just collapsed.

It was another hour before we heard from my SIL, who was (once again) OK. I have a couple of cousins who work in the area; we assume they, too, are OK, but we haven't heard from them yet. SIL is probably still stuck somewhere in Manhattan as there is no subway or bus service out of the borough. My brother is stuck somewhere in LI trying to get home. I'm more worried about him right now.

A friend of mine teaches at Borough of Manhattan Community College just a block or so from the WTC. She, too, is OK; managed to get out of the area before either tower collapsed.

kritter, I'm glad your Dad is OK. FS, glad you're OK, too. My best to you both and anyone else who's there.

I can't count the number of people I know who work(ed) in those buildings. I can't even remember their names and that hurts. It's like I'm watching a movie when I see those video clips on CNN. It's surreal. I can't believe any of this happened in MY CITY to MY PEOPLE.

My Mom worked for NYPD for 20 years (just retired in March). She knows there were many (MANY) cops whom she's known over the years who were in that collapse trying to help and rescue others. She's devastated. People she worked with are gone. Just like that. NYC lost many of their Finest (cops) and their Bravest (firefighters) today. They gave their lives trying to help others.

While this is no time for political nonsense, the fact that anyone is calling in to anywhere blaming Clinton for this should be a clue as to just how absurd the Clinton-bashing bullshit has become. If it isn't, then you need to look inward at what's wrong with YOU. Clinton didn't give the Taliban $43 million to "combat the drug trade" (do you really think that's where it went?).

Cherri, you are my friend and I respect your opinion. Bush isn't a leader; that's a fact that becomes more evident every time he is forced to speak. But this is neither the time nor the place for Bush- bashing. And to the others, this isn't the time for Cherri-bashing, either. Park the egos, people. I've lost friends in this; so have thousands of others. Think about the tens of thousands in NYC who have lost their lives and/or their loved ones. NYC is suffering a severe blood shortage. Anywhere in the US where you donate will probably make it to them where they desperately need it. (Thank you, Unk, for being so selfless.)

THOSE are the people who need our attention right now. Not the idiot currently in the White House, nor the one formerly in the White House. The idiot(s) is/are inconsequential but we need to pull together. NYC needs help. If you can, give it in any way possible.

-- (PatriciaS@lasvegas.com), September 11, 2001.

As I surfed from one channel to another, I caught part of an interview with Sen Chris Dodd (D-Conn) on NBC. He has never been one of my favorites but he made a straightforward statement of support for Bush and against partisanship.

There may ultimately be some good to come from this atrocity. We are suddenly reminded that there are more important issues than Gary Condit, Social Security lockboxes, spotted owls and the NFL.

This country will come together. Maybe even the world will come together. Putin has already made a strong condemnation. Even the Taliban has backed away. Maybe terrorism will no longer find a safe haven in any country. Maybe.

It remains to be seen what quality of leadership Bush will provide in this, his first major test. People don't expect much, so maybe he will surprise.

Unk, thanks for your remarks.

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), September 11, 2001.

PatriciaS

I think the whole country is in shock over the massive loss of life and injuries suffered in NYC and WDC. However, I find it disturbing to hear derogatory remarks about our President coming from individuals such as yourself and Cherri, during these most trying times. It is one thing to take a liberal position and oppose a Republican administration. It is something else entirely to bash our President at this most critical time in our history. I’ll not debate you on this subject for fear of taking on the stench you must surely be emitting. If I were you, I would be most careful about running your mouth in public. There are some extreme patriots out there that would happily silence you.

-- All (liberals@must.die), September 11, 2001.

Patricia Scott and Cherri Stewart,

It is the two of you who are making this political. You two are political fanatics and you paint everything with that brush.

This isn't about politics; it's about religion and fanaticism.

Stop while you have a shred of respect left.

-- (Opps! @ Too.late), September 11, 2001.

I am deeply saddened by these events, my thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to all affected, it is a dark day in America.

This is not the time for political rantings, today we are ALL, regardless of affiliations, Americans.Today we have ALL been terrorized, today, our fellow American brothers and sisters have been taken from us or injured.God bless them, their friends and families.God bless America.

Ditto to Unk,give blood.

-- capnnotsofun (capnnotsofun1@excite.com), September 11, 2001.

Oops, how true! Too late for either one of them.

-- Such Hatred (should.not@be.here.and.now), September 11, 2001.

"If I were you, I would be most careful about running your mouth in public. There are some extreme patriots out there that would happily silence you."

Nice to see that our own local terrorists are alive and well. So much for the country pulling together. I just gave blood, have you?

BTW, Bush may just be the right person at the right time to have in the White House to deal with this act of war. Only time will tell. As far as the issue of whether or not there is an appropriate time to exercise freedom of speech I don't believe anyone put you in charge of scheduling.

I wish all the survivalists/militia types would spend less time policing the thoughts of Americans and attacking our government and its institutions and instead organize a hunting trip against the true enemies of America.

-- Jack Booted Thug (governmentconspiracy@NWO.com), September 11, 2001.

Here's what the rest of the world thinks

http://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/europe/09/11/trade.centre.reaction/

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), September 11, 2001.

Hey morons .... why don't you try reading what I wrote? I mentioned TWO IDIOTS, not just one.

Losers.

-- (PatriciaS@lasvegas.com), September 11, 2001.

this is just the beginning!!!! check out the''poor picked on palestinians''

-- al-d. (dogs@zianet.com), September 11, 2001.

World shock over U.S. attacks

September 11, 2001 Posted: 3:46 PM EDT (1946 GMT)

LONDON, England -- World leaders reacted with revulsion as news spread of the aircraft attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and on the Pentagon in Washington.

A sombre and visibly shaken British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the world's democracies must "fight this evil" perpetrated by suspected terrorists in the U.S..

Blair, who cancelled a speech he was due to make to union leaders in Brighton, southern England, added these sort of attacks were "perpetrated by fanatics, utterly indifferent to the sanctity of human life."

"This mass terrorism is the new evil in our world today. It is perpetrated by fanatics who are utterly indifferent to the sanctity of life," he said.

EU foreign ministers will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to consider their response to the attacks.

In France, armed troops have been deployed at airports and metro stations. Border controls have increased. French President Jacques Chirac called the attacks "monstrous."

The U.S. Embassy in Paris is closed and will be shut again on Wednesday. The embassy is warning Americans in France to be careful about speaking English on the streets.

In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram to U.S. President George W. Bush. "Dear George," he wrote, "such an inhuman act must not go unpunished."

Chinese President Jiang Zemin also sent a message to Bush expressing sympathy over the deadly attacks, Xinhua news agency was reported by Reuters as saying.

Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque said his country's position was "total rejection of this sort of terrorist attack," Reuters said.

In Islamabad, Pakistan, Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, the Taliban ambassador to Pakistan, said: "We want to tell the American children that Afghanistan feels your pain and we hope that the courts find justice."

In Kabul, Afghanistan, Wakeel Ahmed Mutawakel, the foreign minister of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban government, told the Arab television network Al Jazeera, "We denounce this terrorist attack, whoever is behind it."

U.S. officials said their "working assumption" is that the attacks in New York and Washington were acts of "overseas terrorism" and said they cannot rule out additional attacks. The officials said they had no intelligence beforehand that a massive terrorist plot was under way.

There have been a number of denials of responsibility by Palestinian groups and by the Al Quaida group headed by fugitive Saudi and accused terrorist Osama bin Laden. U.S. officials say they have received no credible claim of responsibility.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat expressed their condolences for the attack. Reaction from other Palestinian sources has been harsh.

Sheikh Yassin, leader of the Islamic militant group Hamas, said "no doubt this is a result of injustice the U.S practices against the weak in the world."

From Gaza, Islamic Jihad official Nafez Azzam said "what happened in the United States today is a consequence of American policies in this region."

Both Yassin and Azzam said they were against the killing of innocent people.

In the West Bank, Qais abu Leila, leader of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, denied any connection to the incident and said it has always opposed "terror attacks on civilian targets, especially outside the occupied territories."

He added: "We call on the U.S. administration to review their attitudes and policies towards the Palestinian question because this policy arouses the hatred and anger of Arab and Islamic peoples and urges them to harm U.S. interests in our region."

Mexico's President Vicente Fox reiterated his country's "total, categorical rejection of forms of violence, of all forms of terrorism."

Canada tightened security in major cities and along the U.S. border.

More reaction

EU External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten told Reuters."This is an act of war by madmen."

He compared the attack with that deployed by the Japanese at the U.S. naval base Pearl Harbor in 1941.

"It is the worst attack on the United States since Pearl Harbor," he added.

"This is one of those few days in life that one can actually say will change everything."

NATO Secretary-General George Robertson called it an "intolerable aggression against democracy," Reuters reported.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan called the attacks "deliberate acts of terrorism, carefully planned and co-ordinated."

Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit was reported by Reuters as saying: "The United States of America is face to face with one of the greatest tragedies in its history, something that could affect the entire world,"

Flags half-mast in Italy

The Italian and EU flags flew at half-mast at the office of prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, who said Italy joined the U.S. in condemning "these monstrous criminals who have demonstrated a vile and brutal affront against humanity," The Associated Press said.

French President Jacques Chirac, in a live televised address, condemned the attacks as "monstrous," AP said, while prime minister Lionel Jospin talked of his "sadness and horror."

Israeli Defence Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer told Israel's Army Radio it was "simply a tragedy," Reuters reported.

"It's simply a terrible thing."

Guy Verhofstadt, the prime minister of Belgium, which currently holds the chair of the EU, expressed "deep shock and dismay" on hearing of the attacks.

"On behalf of the European Union, [Verhofstadt and foreign minister Louis Michel] condemn in the strongest possible terms this type of cowardly attack on innocent civilians."

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said: "This is not only an attack on the United States but an attack on the civilised world."

Pope John Paul II sent a telegram, which said: "I hurry to express to you and your fellow citizens my profound sorrow and my closeness in prayer for the nation at this dark and tragic moment."

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II also sent a message of condolence to U.S. President George W. Bush expressing her "disbelief and total shock."

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark described the attacks as a horror story.

"It's the sort of thing the worst movie scenario wouldn't dream up," Clark told Reuters by telephone from Hong Kong.

"It's obviously a very sophisticated terrorist attack to get all that co-ordinated."

Japan ordered its military to tighten security for the huge U.S. bases scattered across the country and U.S. Marines went on maximum alert.

"This incident in the United States is extremely cowardly and is beyond what any words can describe," Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was reported by Reuters as saying.

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), September 11, 2001.

Thanks for that, Maria. It's what we need right now - world condemnation. If it's strong enough, these bastards will have no place to hide.

-- (PatriciaS@lasvegas.com), September 11, 2001.

I hope there's at least someone in charge who recalls that the "working assumption" for the Oklahoma City bombing was that it was due to "overseas terrorism."

-- (what@i.think), September 11, 2001.

Building 7 of the WTC is on fire and may collapse. There is also structural damage to some surrounding buildings. Due to this, workers cannot get to the site to evacuate survivors. I haven't felt this sad in a long time. I nearly lost it when reporters discussed temporary morgues.

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), September 11, 2001.

Just got off the phone (FINALLY!) with SIL. She was on the 44th floor (company cafeteria) in building 1 when the first plane hit. She was sitting next to the window and saw (direct quote) "airplane parts and stuff" come raining down.

She said that "stuff" will stay with her all her life.

It was so good to hear her voice. I just wish everyone was as lucky as she was.

Sad? Yes, Anita. Haven't stopped crying or shaking all day. The last time I felt emotions even approaching these was when TWA 800 crashed off Long Island.

-- (PatriciaS@lasvegas.com), September 11, 2001.

Has the UN offerred humanitarian aid to the victims of of this wretched act?

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), September 11, 2001.

Word is comming acroos that the gold and oil futures were being bid up until the markets being closed down. Some talk about their goal in destroying those buildings was to distrupt the financial market. Anyone else hear on this area?

-- Cherri (jessam6@home.com), September 11, 2001.

My first reaction was (and still at this time is) to suspect Bin-Laden, the Taliban, or one of the anti-Isreal groups in Palestine or Syria. The last I saw on CNN, there are unconfirmed reports that in spite of the Bin-Laden denouncement of the attacks, there may be growing evidence that it's them.

But there's another possibility that makes me even sicker - that it's an American based group of terrorists. We can't rule that out, even though I think it's unlikely. Think about what your first thoughts were after the O.K. City bombing - I for one didn't suspect that was courtesy of a US "militia", but it was.

Someone got on those three planes, and they weren't suspected as being hijackers - to the effect that they were able to bring weapons on board deadly enough to suppress the flight crew and take control. And they could fly American commercial aircraft. There is no way a regular commercial pilot still alive at the controls would allow what happened - he/she would take a bullet first, after trying to drop the plane in the river.

The fourth plane that crashed in Penn - maybe that was a pilot who was succesfull in not letting the bastards take the controls alive.

Like I said - I still suspect Muslim fundamentalist/fanatics, but we can't rule anything out at this time. And I hate that.

(Good to hear the news, Kritter.)

-- Bemused (and_amazed@you.people), September 11, 2001.

Cherri - here we are working under the assumption that the US St market will still be closed tomorrow. I think it will open, but I'm scared about what will happen if it does.

-- Bemused (and_amazed@you.people), September 11, 2001.

I hope there's at least someone in charge who recalls that the "working assumption" for the Oklahoma City bombing was that it was due to "overseas terrorism." -- (what@i.think), September 11, 2001.

Agreed. There's plenty of time to let this play out and deal with the responsible party/parties (preferably, as painfully as possible). The United States ain't going anywhere, and so far as I can see, we're still standin'.

-- (I Think@So.Too), September 11, 2001.

Another thing, those aircraft have vacinity detectors that can tell when it is close to an object and the computer in the plane tries to steer the aircraft away.

Also, it is strange how those buildings collapsed the way they did-inward.

-- Cherri (jessam6@home.com), September 11, 2001.

Keeping the markets closed would be the worst thing that could happen. We can't let terrorists dictate how we live our lives. Not to mention it wouldn't be good for the economy. I predict it will be business as usual and Greenspan will lower interest rates again. Contrary to Cherri and Patricia, our local loonies, this country is run by very capable people who will do the right thing.

Bemused, I think the chance of this terrorism was caused by anyone other than religious nuts is nil. It is only religious fanatics who believe so strongly in their cause they kill themselves. I have yet to see a militia member go on a suicide mission...much less three of them. (Or is it four?)

-- Betsy Ross (A Proud @ .American), September 11, 2001.

Bemused, markets around the world today were down about 7%. The US dollar dropped against most currencies. If it opens tomorrow (extremely doubtful with the disruption today), you can bet on it tanking. I just hope that records were stored in a remote location. Morgan Stanley Dean Whitter occupied most of the upper floors.

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), September 11, 2001.

I have to laugh at these people who completely missed everything I wrote except one stupid line.

Uh, Betsy, these "very capable people" of whom you speak? They ***missed the boat on this one completely***. And in the last IDIOT'S administration? They ***completely missed the boat on the embassy bombings in Africa***.

Any other brilliant observations you'd like to share?

I have no doubt the USA will "do the right thing". It's what we DO. It's who we ARE. It transcends the idiot "leadership" of any point in time because none of them are **leaders** - they're all POLITICIANS.

Politician = Idiot. Get it yet?

-- (PatriciaS@lasvegas.com), September 11, 2001.

Just reported on CNN: Barbara Olson, wife of Ted Olson, US Solicitor General, was on one of the hijacked/crashed flights. She apparently called him a number of times from the plane during the flight. I can't even imagine .....

My sympathies to her family.

-- (PatriciaS@lasvegas.com), September 11, 2001.

Turn and give your side profile again Cherri! If all of the flight deck crew can be overrun, the "vacinity" detectors can also be 'offed'. They are for inflight aircraft avoidance and runway incursion. If they detect all or any large objects, than the ground contact on landing couldn't be accomplished. Man turned on the switch and he can shut it off!

-- Boswell (fundown@thefarm.net), September 11, 2001.

Betsy Ross (A Proud @ .American, now defines who is loonie and who isn't. You ever serve your country in time of war? Freedom of speech is a right a lot of us served and faught for, if I wanted to live in a country where others (like you) dictated what I was allowed to say, I would go live in palistine.

My horror at the destruction and loss of human life is not lessoned by my concern for a strong leadership to counteract the acts. I cannot donate blood because I am on blood thinners, but have donated blood for decades even when there was no shortage, since I have rh-negitive blood.

-- Cherri (jessam6@home.com), September 11, 2001.

I love you Deedah.

Keep your wits about you folks.

-- flora (***@__._), September 11, 2001.

It is only religious fanatics who believe so strongly in their cause they kill themselves.

Betsy Ross--

In this case, I think you are right. It probably was some Islamic religious extremists who killed themselves in the name of jihad, visualizing Allah's heavenly reward of a garden of virgins.

But surely you don't think that religious zealotry is the only motivation for suicidal missions? Political/nationalistic zealotry can bring people to the same place--Japanese kamikazes and Viet Namese self-imolators come to mind. And self-sacrifice unto certain death occurs routinely among those protecting their loved-ones or friends. Is the soldier who throws himself on a grenade to protect his comrades doing so out of religious fanaticism?

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), September 11, 2001.

My sympathies to our American brothers and sisters....I can't even begin to understand the pain you are feeling.

I have phoned the hotline in Toronto where people can offer accommodation to those travellers stranded at Toronto's Pearson Int'l Airport. I have offered to put up a family that has young children (we have the diapers and toys and stuff that they would need). I'll let you know if I end up being able to host someone.

Cherri - please drop the Bush bashing. There's a time and place for everything, and this isn't the time to go after the Prez. An act of war was committed against your country and in wartime people need to rally behind their leader.

I'm heading home now.....I'll give my kids the biggest hugs they've ever had.

-- Johnny Canuck (j_canuck@hotmail.com), September 11, 2001.

Hello everone. I am Jane, Tarzan's wife. He called me from NYC to tell me that he is okay. He has minor injuries but they let him give blood anyway. They desperately need blood up there. He asked me to tell everyone to give blood if they can. He posts on a couple of internet forums and I think he would like it if I let those people know that he is safe. He does not know when he can come home or even how he will come home.

-- Jane (jane@swingingthroughthejunglewithouta.net), September 11, 2001.

That's great news, Jane!!!! Give my best to him when you speak with him again. My thoughts are with you.

-- (PatriciaS@lasvegas.com), September 11, 2001.

Lars, I'm talking about the here and now, and this situation today.

I think we should start a new tactic. We can't keep Cherri and Patricia from expressing their opinion (and wouldn't want to!) so let's do this: Let's turn our backs on them except to spit on them. Don't respond to their posts except to correct their stupidity (as Boswell did) or to humiliate them.

-- Betsy Ross (A Proud@ .American), September 11, 2001.

That presumes you COULD "humiliate" me, Ms. Ross. Think again. And should you "spit", be certain the wind is at your back. LOL.

Now please try to focus on the people I mentioned above -- THE VICTIMS -- instead of your own quite horribly selfish motivation to "be noticed".

BTW, the city of Kabul is under a missile attack. It seems that one target was a fuel dump. I wonder whose missiles they are?

-- (PatriciaS@lasvegas.com), September 11, 2001.

BTW, the city of Kabul is under a missile attack. It seems that one target was a fuel dump. I wonder whose missiles they are?

I'm watching that now. What the hell is happening today?

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), September 11, 2001.

From Janes:

A prime suspect

By JIR contributor Sean Boyne

An initial prime suspect behind the terrorist onslaught on the US, the most devastating such attack the world has ever seen, is Osama bin Laden, the terrorist mastermind who resides in Afghanistan.

Bin Laden is one of the few terror bosses with the resources, ruthlessness and organisational skills to facilitate such an elaborate attack on his prime enemy, the United States.

The terrorists struck at the heart of the American system: the World Trade Center was one of the symbols of Western capitalism; the Pentagon is the nerve centre of US military might. Immediately US allies around the world went onto a state of alert.

The operations, which resulted in a huge death toll running into thousands, were carried out with ruthless professionalism.

From his safe haven in Afghanistan bin Laden, an exiled Saudi millionaire, has shown in the past that he has the ability to run his operations far from home with deadly effectiveness.

His operatives were able to carry out devastating and well co-ordinated car bomb attacks on two US embassies in Africa in 1998. Washington launched cruise missile attacks against bin Laden's base in Afghanistan in retaliation, but terrorism experts believe that bin Laden continued to build up his network - the US missile attacks providing him with an additional motive for retaliation.

And security experts believe that bin Laden absorbed the remnants of the terror group responsible for a previous bomb attack on the World Trade Center in 1993.

Because of the extremist ideology that drives bin Laden and his followers, it can be expected that suicide attacks would form part of their modus operandi. This is another consideration that would support the thesis that bin Laden might be behind the attacks, since the hijackers of the aircraft would obviously have died in the attacks.

However, at the time of writing, it should be noted that analysts are still speculating in trying to pinpoint a culprit.

As far back as September 1999, Jane's Terrorism and Security Monitor (JTSM) reported that law enforcement agencies were fearful that bin Laden's group was preparing for a series of new attacks on US targets, especially financial targets in New York.

JTSM reported that the security agencies recommended stepped-up security at the New York Stock Exchange and the Federal Reserve Board.

It has also been reported on BBC Radio that just three weeks ago bin Laden warned that there would be an attack on New York in retaliation for US support for Israel. The fact that Israeli forces have become locked in conflict with the Palestinians may have acted as the immediate catalyst for the attacks.

Investigators have been examining the passenger lists from the hijacked aircraft in an attempt to identify the hijackers. If the airliners' 'Black Box' flight data recorders are recovered, these could also help identify the operatives involved.

The unprecedented attacks in Washington and New York were initially claimed by a caller to a media outlet claiming to represent the Palestinian Marxist-Leninist group the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP). However, a senior figure in the DFLP later denied involvement.

Aircraft hijacking has formerly been a hallmark of Middle Eastern terror groups. The advent of what is considered modern international terrorism occurred in July 1968 when members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) hijacked an Israeli El Al commercial flight en route from Rome to Tel Aviv.

There have been other hijackings since then, but this is the first time that hijacked aircraft have been used as 'flying bombs' to attack high-profile buildings in the Western world.

It was a classical terrorist outrage: a 'spectacular' or 'terrorism as theatre' to use some of the phrases that have been used to describe such horrific events.

Moreover, those responsible showed no regard for the scale of the deaths that would result from their actions, thus achieving another terrorist aim: the striking of fear and panic into the citizens of the country that is being targeted.

Should bin Laden emerge as the culprit, it can be expected that US forces will mount devastating retaliatory strikes against him if his location can be pin-pointed in Afghanistan, where he has been hiding out in a region controlled by the ruling Taliban. Last December Jane's Intelligence Review reported that, according to Afghan opponents of the Taliban movement, bin Laden had moved to a heavily defended hideout in the northern mountains of Afghanistan. Meanwhile, one can expect that US intelligence agencies charged with monitoring the terrorist threat will be carrying out an urgent post-mortem. They will be seeking to answer a number of questions. How did the terrorists manage to mount such an audacious attack undiscovered? How could such an attack be prevented in future?

The number one priority, however, remains tracking down those responsible. If bin Laden is proven to be the culprit, he faces a distinctly hazardous future.

http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/misc/jane s010911_2_n.shtml

-- Cherri (jessam6@home.com), September 11, 2001.

I don't know. I just wish I could stop shaking, but I can't. I can't get past my SIL being in WTC 1 when the first plane hit and what she saw; I can't get past all the cops and fire and EMS personnel who were in each building trying to rescue others as they collapsed; I can't get past Barbara Olson being on one of the flights and calling her husband.....

The videos still seem like movie clips.

I have NEVER seen Rudy Guiliani so shaken as he was today, yet he managed to keep it together and direct the disaster efforts. I am quite impressed with the strength he has shown. It's just what the City needs right now.

-- (PatriciaS@lasvegas.com), September 11, 2001.

My God...my heart goes out to the victims and their families. And I wanted so much to give blood, but I was recently diagnosed with Hepatitis C, so I guess THAT'S out. I assume before long agencies will set up other ways to contribute.

Y'all, please leave Patricia and Cherri alone and focus on the real issues, ok? I really think their comments on GWB would have gone pretty much unnoticed if some of you hadn't chosen to beat them up on it.

-- Eve (eve_rebekah@yahoo.com), September 11, 2001.

I work phones for the travel industry. Been on the phone all day with frantic people in the area trying to get out of the city. Can't help them. They tell me they have kids, the kids have to get out...can't help them. Rest of the u.s. full of stranded people banding together trying to get from stranded point to home. All day people telling me either they need to flee home or get home. Quietly begging, telling me about children, parents, finances...can't help them...much. Today finally started breaking some minor rules...maybe major rules, hope I don't go to jail... giving advice not mine to give, giving them my i.d. and promising to stand by them if there is trouble later. No idea what later means. Will give blood.

-- helen (sick@sick.sick), September 11, 2001.

Helen, you are just the sweetest woman.....I love you, Helen. Thanks for being there for so many.

Eve, I hope you are well :-)

-- (PatriciaS@lasvegas.com), September 11, 2001.

Thanks, Patricia, I'm doing fine so far -- actually, I can't AFFORD to get sick yet. :)

And ditto on your comment on Helen...

-- Eve (eve_rebekah@yahoo.com), September 11, 2001.

Lars, I was referring to the here and now -- this situation today.

Since Eve has seen fit to offer aid and comfort to the enemy, I suggest we turn our backs and spit on her too.

-- Betsy Ross (A Proud@ .American), September 11, 2001.

Betsy, please, I'm really just trying to get us to focus on the issues -- there's a lot of intelligence and imagination here and innumerable things that could be be worked on and talked about -- from charity to religion to politics to governments to compassion to war -- even the draft. Why spend our energies fighting each other?

-- Eve (eve_rebekah@yahoo.com), September 11, 2001.

How about we turn around and piss on Betsy?

-- Jack Booted Thug (governmentconspiracy@NWO.com), September 11, 2001.

(((((All my American friends)))))) My prayers are with you.

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), September 11, 2001.

I read about half this thread and had to quit. Some regulars have suprised me beyond words. Not a time for politics or partisanship. This hits home like no one on this board could have imagined. 'W' did good and said the right things.

Freedom has been attacked by a faceless COWARD. FREEDOM will be defended.

I'll never forget those words.

Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), September 11, 2001.

Well folks, it only took me seven and a half hours, but I gave my pint.

I arrived to a very VERY busy blood bank, and was issued number 208 in line. This was at 4pm. I was sooooo tempted to leave and go about my business, but it struck me that a few hours out of my evening was nothing in comparison to how much other Americans were suffering, so I stayed. Number 149 got tired of waiting so I asked him for his numbered slip, heehee, moved up nearly 60 spots in line just by asking. Eventually I was number 136. All this in an office that normally handles about 10-15 donors a day.

The folks who work there were real troopers, they had been there since 9am, and never took a break. At about 6pm the manager asked me (a tallish fellow) to announce to the crowd that the main office in Orlando had just shipped 2000 units of blood to NY, and that our waiting to donate was for a good cause. I met a lot of nice people, ate free donuts, and was happy to see a lot of young people donating blood too. I am glad I went.

You should too.

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeed@yahoo.com), September 12, 2001.

Unc,

Way to go, buddy!

The blood donation centres in Toronto were over-run today. Many people were told to come back tomorrow (Wed). I would like to donate, but the Canadian Blood Service won't take donations from people who have spent more that 3 months in the UK in the last 15 years ('cuz of Mad Cow disease). I lived in London from 88-94, so that rules me out.

I wish I could help in some other way.

-- Johnny Canuck (j_canuck@hotmail.com), September 12, 2001.

I NOW understand the urge to go out and enlist in defense of my country.

I never 'got it' before. Seeing movies of WWI and II-eras, with teens all gung ho, running out to join the fight,

I never FELT that urge in my bones...not once...until yesterday.

All day yesterday I wanted to be around people - quite out of the ordinary for me. I walked the the local brew pub at lunchtime. I'd not seen that deer-in-the-headlights look in so many people's eyes before. There wasn't a lot of hatred for the perpetrators expressed by patrons. I think the layers of shock were too thick to allow such feelings to congeal in their hearts and travel to their brains, where it could then be expelled. That time will come.

This coordinated series of attacks upon the U.S. was brilliantly planned and executed. This country now has proof - in the blood of thousands and with visual evidence by way of the perversion of the NYC skyline - which will affect our consciousness long after the dead are mourned - that terrorists MUST be dealt with on their own playing fields under the rule THEY set - no mercy. There comes a time when we must allow our nation's standards of justice to metamorphose when the threat to it and us manifests in such a large-scale event.

Perhaps some who question Israeli hard line responses to arab terrorist strikes, which have occured as many hundreds of singular strikes over several decades, may now begin to see that their hands have been forced. I hope we all can look to that situation and realize quelling terrorism is not a one and done undertaking. I predict our odds of success to that of the U.S. 'War on Drugs'. I'm not optimistic. However, in this case, unlike the war on drugs, not only am I all for it but I am rooting for us to win handily.

Cliche I know, but, our world is forever changed.

So glad you're ok, FS & Tarz.

My apologies (in advance) if my words have offended anyone. The nerves are raw and my thinking cloudy. In my best jewish mother voice: Vat else is new? :)

-- Rich (living_in_interesting_times@hotmail.com), September 12, 2001.

I am shaken to the very core of my heart. Never in my life did I ever believe such horrific events could occur.

I had just dropped my friends off in downtown Cleveland Ohio and went back home. I got the call from my job. I now have heard that the plane which went down in Pittsburg did a U-Turn right over Cleveland. There is uprising here in Cleveland and many Arabs are already being harrassed.

Some gas stations attempted to and got away w/gouging last nite. $5.00 per gallon, now they are shutting the doors of the gougers.

To ALL krit, pat, fs, I am grateful that you and your loved ones are okay.

I just dont know what to say. I am crushed and afraid. They even shut down most of the malls here yesterday.

-- sumer (I@aint.sayin), September 12, 2001.

In the Pacific during WW11 on the hell island of Tarawa a terrible thing occurred 2 or 3 days after the battle. Close to 6000 American Marines and Japanese were killed and in these days following the awful conflict the stench of death was noticed by pilots at several thousand feet and sailors anchored off shore miles away. The people of New York and surrounding areas should prepare themselves for what might come. It is terrible but real! The recovery effort will take days if not months to accomplish and many lives will be changed forever. The cowards that did this need to be hunted out and KILLED. We need to get tough and not be sissys in this period in our lives. Support our fighting men and women 100% with every resource you got because we have been attacked and stepped on bad. Lock and load your weapon of choice and stand up and be counted. This is not business as usual anymore!

-- Boswell (cjseed@webtv.net), September 12, 2001.

I received a very short email from our y2k friend Mara, who lives in Manhatten. She is ok. No details.

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), September 12, 2001.

FS, Tarz, krit's dad, Patricia's SIL, I'm so glad you guys and your loved ones made it through this thing.

Please tell us your and/or their stories in detail when you get a chance.

-- Eve (eve_rebekah@yahoo.com), September 12, 2001.

Just kindof a small gripe here: As much as the entire US has been asked to give blood to help the victims in NY and DC, here in Texas it's been made clear that the blood given will not leave Texas. I don't know if Texans [in general] just don't give blood on a regular basis or what the story is, but the only reassurance given is that the blood will be stored, and will be used. Maybe this isn't even statewide, but it's the case in the DFW area.

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), September 12, 2001.

Anita

They said the same thing here yesterday afernoon. Blood-Alliance donations stayed in the area and Red Cross donations went where it was needed. They came back 30 minutes later and said that if a national emergency was declared, ALL blood donations would be directed to where it was needed most.

I passed a blood bank on the way to work this morning that is always empty. This morning it created a traffic jam. 4-6 hour wait to give blood. If one little city in the middle of nowhere is any indication of what's happenning across this country, plasma will not be in short.

Those mother fuckers! Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), September 12, 2001.

Deano and Anita,

Just give the blood where you can. The fact that your center was keeping it for DFW doesn't mean that no blood from Texas went to NYC. Giving blood at any reputable collection center simply means that Red Cross blood will be freed up for NYC, because DFW's needs are being met by YOU.

Doesn't matter whether your blood frees up a pint in Kansas City or Nome, AL, if you think about it; all that matters is whether NYC gets what it needs.

-- Stephen M. Poole (smpoole7@bellsouth.net), September 12, 2001.

Cherri.. I lost 2 people in tower one.. AND ALL YOU TALK ABOUT in this thread is bush. I only wish with all that is in my that YOU lost your nigger boyfriend in one of those fucking towers you whore. I HATE YOU and truly wish death on you fucking cunt. I want to see your fat ass falling down 104 floors to your mother fucking death. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW I MEAN this YOU WHORE.

-- Cherri (Wow@wow.com), September 16, 2001.

Wow Cherri, looks like you've made a new friend!

-- Stupid (bitch@big.mouth), September 16, 2001.