Posted on 01/30/2003 5:46:26 PM PST by MadIvan
Relatives of September 11 victims wept yesterday as for the first time they confronted an alleged plotter, frequently breaking down and sometimes shouting as they delivered emotional testimony to a Hamburg court.
A bereaved husband, two widows, a mother and a father who are among 20 co-plaintiffs in the first September 11 trial spelt out the horrendous impact the attacks had had on their lives.
On trial is Mounir el Motassadeq, 28, a Moroccan student accused of acting as a logistician for the Hamburg-based gang that planned the attack and of assisting in the murders of 3,045 people.
"We wanted to present the faces of the victims and their families today so that they're not just statistics," said Maureen Fanning, who lost her fireman husband Jack, 54, when the World Trade Centre collapsed. Mrs Fanning told the court his death had forced her to place one of their two severely autistic sons into a care home.
"Sean and Patrick have very little in their lives. They can't read or write. They have no friends to ring the doorbell. They had Jack to walk in the door and smile at them, something special. That was stolen from them on 9/11."
Mrs Fanning said the only possession of her husband's recovered was his helmet. Joan Molinaro, who lost her fireman son Carl, 32, reduced many in the court to tears, including the interpreter, when she described how she was haunted by the images of the plane attacks.
"I have watched my son die 100 times, every time I see videotapes of the towers falling," she said through tears. When I watch, I lean towards the TV and my mind screams: 'Carl run, run, run. This time you'll make it out'. I look at the faces of the people coming out but his face is never there."
Deena Burnett, whose 38-year-old husband Thomas was on United Airlines flight 93 which crashed in a field in Pennsylvania, looked directly at Motassadeq as she told how her three young daughters had yet to comprehend fully their father's loss.
"I hear them talk to their Dad at night by whispering prayers. They stuff crayon drawings into helium balloons and watch in the childlike hope that angels will carry them to Tom."
Michael Low, whose daughter Sarah, 29, was a flight attendant on American Airlines 11, which was rammed into the north tower, said all that had been recovered of his daughter were small bone fragments and two rings.
The impact of her loss meant "I'll never get to walk her down the aisle or to experience the joy of her first child".
As he spoke, Motassadeq, in a grey shirt, listened attentively, sometimes resting his chin in his left hand or clutching his beard. The co-plaintiffs are being led by Stephen Push, whose wife Lisa Raines, 42, a lobbyist for the pharmaceutical industry, was on board the plane that hit the Pentagon.
Since her death, his life "has had no joy in it" and he was constantly bombarded with reminders of the attacks.
"A sunny day reminds me that the hijackers selected a cloudless day better to see their targets at a distance," he said. "The mere sight of a commercial plane gives me a sick feeling in my stomach."
Mr Push, who founded the Families of September 11 organisation, said he had received his wife's body parts in a sealed coffin as well as a bent anniversary ring and half a burnt credit card.
Motassadeq, who denies the charges, dropped his gaze as Mrs Fanning delivered an angry outburst. "The defendant has chosen to associate himself with the forces of evil.
"Under the guise of religion, he has submitted himself freely and voluntarily to be educated and brainwashed in hatred and murder," she said, calling for a sentence of life imprisonment.
The trial continues.
Don't count on it.
Patience, FRiend.
The Al Queda was first on the list.
Paid.
Saddam is next on the list.
In WWII this country had to make nice with the kommies. Later, Ronald the Great put them out of business, now the former kommunist nations of the Soviet bloc are either on our side (Poland) or they are on the sidelines.
We will fix the Saudis later.
Take the long view. America is not only the most powerful nation since Rome, we are also spreading FReedom. FReedom is a seed that will take root in the toughest, stoniest soil and will still bring in a bountiful harvest.
I agree with you. What greater proof do people need of a "smoking gun" than September 11, 2001 when over 3,000 of our innocent citizens were slaughtered? I think that is over 3000 "smoking guns".
U.S., Saudis not helping in 9/11 suspect's trial, Germans say
New York Times / Minneapolis Star Tribune ^ | 8 Dec 2002 | By DESMOND BUTLER
Posted on 12/11/2002 9:41 PM EST by dagnabbit
BERLIN -- German authorities investigating a Moroccan man on trial on charges that he was involved in the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States say there is evidence that he had contact with a Saudi diplomat as well as the leaders of an extremist group in Saudi Arabia.
But despite their requests for help following up on these leads, German officials said, responses had not been forthcoming from U.S. or Saudi authorities.
In Washington, a Justice Department spokesman named called questions about the German authorities' requests "too sensitive" for comment.
Excerpted - click for full article ^
Source: http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/3482399.html
You are very welcome.
I, myself, give thanks to the WWII generation. They are leaving us now, soon there will be none left. If you know a WWII veteran, please visit him (or her) and thank them for saving the world.
Also, I pay homage to the Korean Veterans, and (never forget) the VietNam veterans. Last, but not least, the Gulf War Veterans.
Standing the watch was good and neccesary, but compared to the sacrifices of these warriors it was a walk in Disneyland.
I did see some combat in dockside bars. Usually when some (censored) made a derogatory comment about the USA.
I always won. And I'm a little-bitty Marine.
The awful truth is that we need their oil to drive our civillisation.
What is true today may well not be true tomorrow.
If my optomism is right there will come a day when we don't need these (censored) or their oil.
If, in the long run, we still need their oil, we will be in a very good position to dictate terms of contract.
They'll get what is coming to them. No Fear.
I applaud your fighting spirit.
You are mistaken on one little detail.
We can rebuild the towers. We can rebuild them taller than before.
This would be the ultimate "F--- YOU!" to our enemies.
We must never give in, never bow down.
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