Posted on 07/22/2004 1:39:34 PM PDT by kattracks
(CNSNews.com) - In addition to dissecting the intelligence failures and recommending improvements, the 585-page report issued Thursday by the 9/11 Commission retraces in excruciating detail the worst terrorist attacks in American history. It also chronicles President Bush's desire to "to project calm, not to have the country see an excited reaction at a moment of crisis," after he learned that America was under attack.Aboard United Airlines Flight 175, which had taken off in Boston bound for Los Angeles, passenger Peter Hanson called his father. "I think they've taken over the cockpit -- an attendant has been stabbed -- and someone else up front may have been killed," Peter Hanson told his father Lee Hanson at 8:52 a.m. Eastern Time.
Eight minutes later, Lee Hanson received a second call from his son.
"It's getting bad, Dad -- a stewardess was stabbed, they seem to have knives and Mace. They said they have a bomb. It's getting very bad on the plane. Passengers are throwing up and getting sick. The plane is making jerky movements. I don't think the pilot is flying the plane. I think we are going down," Peter Hanson reported.
"I think they intend to go to Chicago or someplace and fly into a building. Don't worry, Dad. If it happens, it'll be very fast. My God, my God!"
Three minutes later, United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center, killing everyone on board instantly. It was the second plane to strike. At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 had smashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower. Whatever uncertainty existed over whether the American Airlines crash had been an accident vanished when the second plane hit.
The 9/11 Commission report goes on to describe President Bush's reaction to the attacks.
At 9:05 a.m., Bush was sitting in a Sarasota, Fla., classroom, visiting with children, when White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card whispered in his ear, "A second plane hit the second tower. America is under attack."
According to the report, "The press was standing behind the children; [the president] saw their phones and pagers start to ring. The president felt he should project strength and calm until he could better understand what was happening. The president remained in the classroom for another five to seven minutes."
Later, aboard Air Force One, after the Pentagon had also been struck by a hijacked jetliner, President Bush spoke with Vice President Dick Cheney by telephone. According to notes obtained by the commission, Bush told his vice president, "Sounds like we have a minor war going on here, I heard about the Pentagon. We're at war ... somebody's going to pay."
Smoke that, Mr. Fatboy.
OMG - this is heart wrenching to read!
What's your point????
My only hope is the hijackers are spending eternity being tormented by the demons of hell. Damn them all for taking so many innocent lives.
Crosslinked:
President Bush's instinctive first reaction. That's why I'm voting for him.
bump
Amen.
Gore's first reaction: "We're at war. We should go to the UN and see who we can pay!"
Thank God that we have a president with strength and character, who was able to react with calm and reserve. What would John Kerry do -- call Kofi and Jacques and ask them what to do? Issue a stern "You're gonna get it this time"?
I hate to pick nits, but 175 took off from Newark.
Got a burr in yer saddle? What's your problem?
double amen.
But I'll give it a try...
REMEMBER, NEVER FORGET!
That's funny only because it's so true.
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