New York World Trade Center Destruction September 11,2001
On
Tuesday September11,2001 two hijacked planes slammed into the New York's
World Trade Center , destroying the twin 110-story towers.
On
September11,2001 two hijacked planes slammed into the New York's
World Trade Center Tuesday, destroying the twin 110-story towers.
A third plane
crashed into The Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
A fourth plane
crashed in Western Pennsylvania. It is reported that passengers
fought with the hijackers preventing them from completing their
mission.
FBI
aerial photograph United airlines Flight 93 Crash Site
All
four planes were hijacked within hours of each other.
266
passengers and crew died. Several cell phone calls from the planes
reported teams of 3 to 5 hijackers armed with knives and box
cutters had commandeered the flights. In total there were 19
hijackers, seven of whom were believed to be pilots.
It
is estimated that 40,000 to 50,000 people were at The World Trade
Center. Authorities say 2,749 people died at the World Trade
Center.
At
least 300 New York City Firefighters were killed including Peter
Ganci, Fire Department chief and The Rev. Mychal Judge, New York
Fire Department chaplain.
The death toll at the Pentagon
was 189.
In
September 2001 The US had high security on international flights,
and virtually no security on internal flights. Key parts of
international procedure - such as making sure bags are
accompanied, and X-raying hold baggage - are absent. Airport
security was maintained by low paid employees that had a high rate
of turnover.
Former
Vice President Al Gore was head of a commission that recommended
sweeping changes in airport security several years ago, The United
States Congress, The Federal Aviation Administration and the
airline industry basically dismissed the recommendations, saying
it would cause delays and it would be too costly.
The
usual suspect, Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, warned three weeks
before the attack that he and his followers would carry out an
unprecedented attack on US interests for its support of Israel. The people ultimately
responsible for these terrorist attacks died in completing it .
Many
people in The United States questioned how these terrorists armed
with only box cutters, could
strike these targets so easily.
A
box cutter compared to a 6" ruler
On
September 17, Dan Rather, veteran anchorman and newsman for CBS, made
an emotional appearance on CBS's ''Late Show with David
Letterman'' and he has one possible answer for these questions.
Dan
Rather being interviewed by David Letterman
The usually calm and collected newsman was visibly shaken during
much of the interview. He said it is well known in the law
enforcement community, that even though 29 billion dollars are
spent on intelligence by the United States, the CIA and The FBI
are considered to be like "The Keystone Kops". He said
in essence that both agencies hide information from each other, do
not work together and are not accountable for their shortcomings.
The" Keystone Kops" were a silent movie series that
portrayed a "slapstick" bungling group of police.
President
George W. Bush Address To The Nation
Remarks by
the President Upon Arrival at Barksdale Air Force Base
THE PRESIDENT:
Freedom
itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward. And freedom will be
defended.
I want
to reassure the American people that the full resources of the federal
government are working to assist local authorities to save lives and to help the
victims of these attacks. Make no mistake: The United States will hunt down and
punish those responsible for these cowardly acts.
I've
been in regular contact with the Vice President, the Secretary of Defense, the
national security team and my Cabinet. We have taken all appropriate security
precautions to protect the American people. Our military at home and around the
world is on high alert status, and we have taken the necessary security
precautions to continue the functions of your government.
We have
been in touch with the leaders of Congress and with world leaders to assure them
that we will do whatever is necessary to protect America and Americans.
I ask
the American people to join me in saying a thanks for all the folks who have
been fighting hard to rescue our fellow citizens and to join me in saying a
prayer for the victims and their families.
The
resolve of our great nation is being tested. But make no mistake: We will show
the world that we will pass this test. God bless.
8:30 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. Today, our fellow
citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of
deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes, or in their
offices; secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers; moms
and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil,
despicable acts of terror.
The pictures of airplanes flying into
buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with
disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass
murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they
have failed; our country is strong.
A great people has been moved to defend a
great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest
buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered
steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.
America was targeted for attack because we're
the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will
keep that light from shining.
Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of
human nature. And we responded with the best of America -- with the daring of
our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give
blood and help in any way they could.
Immediately following the first attack, I
implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful,
and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and
Washington, D.C. to help with local rescue efforts.
Our first priority is to get help to those who
have been injured, and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home
and around the world from further attacks.
The functions of our government continue
without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated
today are reopening for essential personnel tonight, and will be open for
business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American
economy will be open for business, as well.
The search is underway for those who are
behind these evil acts. I've directed the full resources of our intelligence and
law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to
justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these
acts and those who harbor them.
I appreciate so very much the members of
Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf
of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer
their condolences and assistance.
America and our friends and allies join with
all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win
the war against terrorism. Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who
grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense
of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by
a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: "Even
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You
are with me."
This is a day when all Americans from every
walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down
enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this
day. Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our
world.
