2 PLANES CRASHED INTO WORLD TRADE CENTER IN NY

[Winglet]

…is how I’ve heard Pearl Harbor described. This is worse. This is peacetime terrorism, war for those who can’t afford war. America being the giant, assume that if it can happen to us, it can happen to any country. Now, when it is said that we are at war with terrorists, take it along the same lines as the “War on Crime” and the “War on Drugs”, in that we are not fighting a specific force, but beating down the threat where it springs up. Unfortunately, this means we can only take preventative measures. We can only take action after the fact, after the drugs are in the country, after the crime has been committed, and after the bombs have gone off. This war will be fought in the hearts of every American, and it will be won in the voting booths in November when the image of Manhattan disappearing in a cloud of dust, smoke, and human misery is still fresh in our minds.

JoHn (WiNgLeT)

“A horse runs with his legs, competes with his heart, and performs with his soul.”
-Tesio
Look at my ultra cool site! www.geocities.com/winglet18

[Becca]

Hattie- I wish I had the clarity of mind and the ability to be so capable as you to remain speechless.

I truly believe that we must return what has come to us, and that it can not be stood for. My world was shattered, and a large portion of the security and basis of the free world felt a slamming blow when this happened. If people need to stand up to be behind our country, to be the ones who stand behind the rights we have all been so fortunate and ready to exercise and consider ours. Freedom and the fortune to have our basic rights does not come gaurenteed; At times we must stand up and fight back, and ensure those rights. If it means draft, it means draft. If it means sending our men, and our women to war, that is precisely what it means. We can not sit back and allow an offense to our lives, our world, and our beliefs.
Our hand has been seen across the world. From world wars to vietnam to civil disputes amongst our allies to Bosnia and other conflicts, we have offered our help, and played a part. Argue with that, if you will. But when WE have been attacked, when a direct assault on our own land has occured, our hand will not be interfering in anything, our hand will be held up in defense for the safety of our citizens and of the free world. We ARE a member of NATO- and that involves a contract; it goes both ways.

[pt1]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>and to pt–that ‘indefensible attitude’ comment you made was rude and uncalled for. You may not agree with ClipClop, but tolerate his/her opinions. Intolerant attitudes caused this whole tragic situation, let’s not fuel another one.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

but IMO you’re dead wrong.

“I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

I hold with that axiom, and will defend ClipClop or your or anyone’s right to express their opinion - INCLUDING MY OWN.

Because I respect everyone’s right to have and express their own opinion does NOT imply respect for the actual opinions.

I respect CC’s right to her opinion and her right to express it. I think the particular opinion which was under discussion is hogwash.

And I have a right to that opinion, and to express it.

Works both ways.

[gwen]

My Husband is a Police officer right there…i am getting worried!!! he hasn’t called yet!!

Barb

[Daphnes_hair_dresser]

Do you think that, " the powers that be," will actually be able to do anything?

[Magnolia]

The lack of security @ our airports is frightening. Why in the world can someone get on a plane with a knife of any kind? even a pocketknife. I think it is safe to say that most likely you will not need it desperately during your flight. I believe that in the next few years our country will see quite a few changes as to how easily we get on flights. Obviously, the system we had until now didnt work for us

I was wondering about that… You may not bring knives on planes. Brad carries knives in his carry-on for work (Box cutters and Exactos) They always pull his luggage at the carryon scan area and question him about the knives and generally confiscate them. (He mails them with other equiptment now!). Anyhow, apparently, there are all kinds of fiberglass knives being made now that DO NOT set off detectors. Which scares the bejeebers out of me, as they are undetectable (IE, they could get by anyone, even the most diligent security officer).
I wish to god that they armed the airline personnel so that they could be better prepared to deal with this in the future. I think that they will have to arm and train them. Sadly, whatever barrier we make to weaponry, someone will be creative enough to get around.

Ride it Like You Stole It…

[jparkes]

Well, in my opinion it is!!! So, what’s wrong with that?

Listen, this country is targeted because of it’s greatness, it’s power and wealth. Terrorist would love to see this nation fall and crumble.

[LoriO]

The south building has completely collapsed!!!

[Jumphigh83]

Can you imagine the thoughts that pilot had before ditching the plane in Pitsburg?? I just can’t imagine being in their shoes feeling what they must have felt…Godspeed all the victims and God help all their loved ones…

Betsy
Lead, follow, or get out of the way…

[Velvet]

And yet, why the heck were the children standing around him? He KNEW what had happened, he could have gone to another room away from the children that had no clue about the incident, and then made his speech.

I just think there are a lot of gaffs in this one, and I think his people need to help him and he’s got to stop thinking he’s capable–of speeches. Please, Tony Blair put him to shame, and so did Colin Powell. It’s sad that we have such weak appearing representation during a crisis.

And yes, he can’t compare to Clinton…and maybe that’s my problem. That man could speak! Heck, I hated Ronny Raygun and yet I think he did MUCH better. Even Bush’s daddy has done a better job of instilling confidence in the American people.

Like I said, my opinion. And yet again, it’s how we look to the world and how strong our leadership appears to Americans that counts in a situation like this. It’s our fault for letting the two parties putting up candidates that no one could seem to make up their mind between (based on the old election fiasco).

[Lisamarie8]

There I said it ClipClop…

before anyone freaks…THAT was a joke.

–My most accommodating strength is my willingness to humiliate myself

[Flash44]

I’m just so mad. As imperfect as the US is, no country has been such a haven for immigrants. No one in this country can go back more than a few generations before finding a relative that came here from another country. It’s a country comprised of individuals who came her during the past 200 years from other countries. God help us and the world.

[Glimmerglass]

Engineers shocked by towers� collapse

By Blair Kamin
Tribune architecture critic
Published September 11, 2001, 12:18 PM CDT

The World Trade Center, a symbol of American economic might, survived one terrorist attack in 1993. It was designed to withstand the impact of a jet, but both its towers collapsed this morning after planes rammed them.

The structural engineer who designed the towers said as recently as last week that their steel columns could remain standing if they were hit by a 707.

Les Robertson, the Trade Center�s structural engineer, spoke last week at a conference on tall buildings in Frankfurt, Germany. He was asked during a question-and-answer session what he had done to protect the twin towers from terrorist attacks, according to Joseph Burns, a principal at the Chicago firm of Thornton-Thomasetti Engineers.

Burns, who was present, said that Robertson said of the center, �I designed it for a 707 to smash into it.�

[Duffy]

Not to redirect this thread again or anything…

I know security is lax in airports. They have seemed to be more concerned about my jewelry setting off the machine, then questioning the metal nail file in my purse or carryon.

I’ve been IM’ing with a friend who travels internationally a lot. The suggestion came up that the grounds crew, in some way, shape, or fashion, could have easily been involved. Two of the planes left from Boston, with a high Arab population. One from Newark, with a large Arab population in the towns just to the north - easy job commute to Newark airport. I don’t mean to jump the gun here and put the blame where, perhaps it does not belong yet…Just bringing up possibilities…

[DMK]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jparkes:
And to the people on this board that mock it and condemn it, I suggest you find another country to live in!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

jparkes, by this logic, we would still be a slave holding colony of the British Empire…

What makes this country great is that right wing war mongers can stand up and shout out how the rest of the world should bow to our will and become a parking lot if they don’t acknowledge our superiority… In fact they can stand right next to the left wing pacifists shouting out that not one molecule should be injured in any retaliatory action. Most of us stand in the middle and are required to have the intelligence to sort the wheat from the chaff. It’s fairly challenging on a good day.

Remember, I may not agree with you, but I defend to the death your right to voice your opinion… even one that says I should leave the country if I don’t agree with it…

But remember that “not agreeing” and “not supporting” are NOT the same thing. Dick Gephardt was interviewed this morning about the debate that raged prior to issuing the Gulf War resolution. He pointed out that of course there was debate about how/if/under what conditions to issue that resolution. But once it was voted on and passed, Congress as a unified body stood behind that resolution. Who here thinks that isn’t what democracy is about?

[Midge]

Well, both towers are gone and ABC is the only network I can get on my TV…

Whoever is responsible must PAY!

[palindrome]

I really cannot believe this. My English teacher’s nephew works (I guess worked) near the top of one of the World Trade Center buildings. She hasn’t been able to contact him, so she’s unsure as to whether he made it - but I saw the videos of the towers collapsing, and I can’t imagine how anyone on the upper levels could have gotten out in time. My mom’s good friend adopted an eight-year-old girl from China just ten days ago, and lives quite close to the WTC. I would think she’s okay, but there’s no way to know right now. Like someone else said, what is the world coming to? This is just unbelievable, not to mention tragic and devastating.

[Velvet]

That’s not my plan? Who is the real Velvet, anyway???

Oh, and to say the kids server no purpose, I meant in a way that would rally Americans. And to say then that they were being used, I meant maybe to the rest of the world to show that children, too, were being impacted by what was happening.

I feel for the victims and their families. What I was doing is what half the media was doing last night as well; critically watching what our new President was doing and how he was handling the situation. The comments on his speeches are on him because he approved of using them, and on his staff because they wrote them. To say I was comparing him to Clinton, Bush and Reagan’s abilities is probably true. I think in this age of media scrutiny, we need people who can represent us well…or a staff behind them who thinks things through more throroughly (as in the second speech when they had hours to prepare). The rest of the world is watching…and their opinions DO matter in this situation as well. I think we need to not only look at how we see it, but how strongly we are represented to them…because they are the ones who created this situation in the first place.

Justtoooldandjaded Velvet

[jparkes]

For some odd reason, I just don’t get it. Maybe many/most of the posters on this board are young and haven’t experienced a national crisis but I have. From the Cuban Missle Crisis to the Vietnam War, I can remember all too well the clossness this nation came to WWIII. We may be on the verge of it right now and I wholeheartedly stand behind the leaders of my country, the USA, in the decisions that need to be made.
And I’m sorry if I have ticked some of you off, but this country needs our prayers, support and a show of unity right now. Not bitterness or hatered.
If it’s WWIII, then so be it. May God have mercy on us all.

[smc]

thank you jolie we new yorkers do get a bad rap sometimes!!