My mother lives and works in NYC and it took some time to get through and confirm she was okay. My sympathies go out to anyone who doesn't know the status of their relatives or friends.

I do not understand the potential gain these terrorists were motivated by, whoever they are. Both sides of most international disputes have SOME serious backing by individual Americans. But I cannot see ANY Americans condoning this action.

I also believe our retribution will be severe. If I saw anyone "celebrating" today in my neighborhood I would not let it go lightly.

I agree with the thought that we must continue doing business-as-usual to totally invalidate any terrorist gain. But I find it difficult to contemplate. It is not that we've never been attacked on our own soil. But the damage is so massive and won't be assessed or recovered from for a long time! This sucks!

Weird that Tom Clancy had a similar plot (flying into congress), what, a few years ago? I saw his interviews today and he thought we never really strongly considered such an act.

 

shamma,

I understand that emotions are running high, but be careful that you do not make assumptions like those you have accused. We don't know the resources involved, the number of people, etc. All accounts till now say these individuals used knives, a weapon anyone can get. All it takes after that is determination and fanatacism.

Osama bin Laden may not be responsible for this event, but he is almost certainly a terrorist and this event will polarize the U.S. response to terrorism. Men, and the term is loosely applied, like Bin Laden can no longer be allowed to function, and Afghanistan's sheltering of him must end. This may have been a domestic attack, but suicide bombers are not a U.S. commodity, and are historically linked to Middle Eastern organizations. Does that mean the terrorists were from there? No, but it certainly does make one want to apply a little more scrutiny.

UL

 

<It is also premature to assume that Afghanistan or Osama Bin Laden is behind what took place today..........>
Doesn't matter at this point. He has done it in the past. He has been indicted for past crimes. He does support this act.

<What took place today required a massive amount of planning and organization, not to mention rousources way beyond the reach of Palestenians or a poor country like Afghanistan........>
Doesn't matter Afghanistan supports/shelters them. BTW: bin Laden is a multi-millionare. He probably has more money than the state of Afhganistan at this point. This act did not take much money to cary out. Nothing high-tech.

<I can't stand this BS with CNN talking constantly about how everything points to Osama Bin Laden, the same BS was said when the Oklahoma city bombing took place but then what do you know?!, it wasn't an Arab or Islamic attack like it was being assumed at the time..........>
I knew OKC wasn't a middle eastern act. My mother was in downtown OKC when it happened. I lived in the middle east before. This one has Middle East written all over it. Palestine or Afghanistan, it doesn't matter. Half-felt consilitatory statements won't alter the fact that someone that is was a member of their moment was responsible (assuming it was them). We don't have privy to that information. However, the government does. Since they are the ones that are going to make the decisions, it doesn't matter what I or you think. It is not just CNN saying it this time; Sam Nunn, Orin Hatch, John Kerry to name a few.

This is what we do know as fact:

• Target 1 was the world trade center, a previous target of Ossama in Laden. It is an icon of the US economic power one of the economic centers of the western world.
  
• Target 2 was the Pentagon. It is an icon of the military power of the western world.
  
• Target 3 was Camp David. It is an icon of the political power of the western world. This is the place of the signing of the first Camp David Accords.
  
• The attack occurred on 9-11. That is the date the CDAs were signed and the date Sadat was assissinated.
  
• The MO was hijacking(s), a favorite of Islamic Fundamentalists.
  
• There were credible threats of attack by bin Laden on US installations around the world. Bases in Japan and Korea were a hightened state of alert.
  
• http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/09/11/investiga...tion.terrorism/

The news is horrible on its reporting. You think they would have learned their lesson after the election fiasco.

One thing I hope does not come out of this is the ugly side of human nature. WWII and the Japanese, Blacks in the South, Koreans during the LA Riots, and on a smaller scale Arabs during the Gulf War. It has already started.

<...WTC...>
Glad to hear you didn't make it in today. [/B][/QUOTE]

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tanqueray
[B]

A couple of points:
1) This did not take a massive amount of resources.

 

Yes it is a fact that Osama Ben Laden is a terrorist, and in no way shape or form was I defending him, I hope that is clear now.

 

I understand what you are saying. Contrary to the reporting of most major news channels I believe most Arabs and Muslims are peace loving people. Unfortunately our media likes to paint a very extreme view of the middle east, and I suspect the people we see celebrating incidents like todays are also victims of their own nations very biased media reporting.

 

Actually, I don't think the towers were made to take a hit from a 707...the first was hit by a 737 which is a MUCH smaller aircraft...I used to work on KC-135(military model of the 707)...


Anyways, I still can't stop thinking about this trajedy, and wish the best for those who have lost friends or family. I mourn for your loss.

I'm glad my manager understood when he saw todays news on my computer, and offered help if needed.

I'm still shocked that something like this ever happened. Let's take a moment of silence for those who perished today.

My sincerest condolences,

Mark Wiloth

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ultimate lurker
[B]shamma,

I understand that emotions are running high, but be careful that you do not make assumptions like those you have accused.

 

I think people should also bear in mind that the people reported to be celebrating, may not have known the true extent of the situation. To many, America because of their backing of the Isreali's are an aggressor. In the same way that many Americans would celebrate the destruction of Osama bin Laden, some on the Middle East approve of attacks on Americans. If they were aware of the true extent of the events, I am sure that many would have reacted differently.

I am in no way condoning the actions of either those celebrating or the terrorists who carried out the attack.

My thoughts are with those who have lost their lives and loved ones.

I would just like to see people take a step back and see how things pan out before they start lashing out at others that they suspect of being responsible.

 

I just saw a report on Fox News that a Palestinian newspaper poll showed that 80% of Palestinians support suicide bombings. Maybe the people celebrating in the streets are normal Palestinians after all.

Here is a link that says 74% of Palestinians support suicide bombings, and another 7% aren't sure:
http://www.jmcc.org/polls/2001/no40.htm

Also, only 2400 American soldiers died at Pearl Harbor; AP is reporting at least 10,000 civilians dead in NY. In my opinion, this is much, much worse that Pearl Harbor.