Sept 11, 2001

[txradioguy]

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.

Thank you, good night, and God bless America.

[Kyle Ricky]

God Speed... God Bless this country, God bless the victims, God bless the heroes, and God bless the families who were effected that day. 

[Revolution]

Thank you for that. 

 

[Splashdown]

That.

[Gina]

   I still remember how the sky looked and how crisp it was outside.  How silent it was without the airplanes flying overheard after they were all grounded.  I just remember I hugged my son so tight that night and he was patting my cheeks asking "wha wong?" because I was bawling in front of the tv.   

[txradioguy]

  I still remember how the sky looked and how crisp it was outside.  How silent it was without the airplanes flying overheard after they were all grounded.  I just remember I hugged my son so tight that night and he was patting my cheeks asking "wha wong?" because I was bawling in front of the tv.   

Bright blue West Texas sky that day.

Saw the second plane hit the towers live and I knew this was an attack.  Heard on AP radio news on my sister station as I was racing to the office...heard the news annoucners voice crack...first time ever I'd heard that about any tragedy.

My boss (former Marine Force Recon) asked as soon as he saw me if I was getting called up...told him I was about to find out...he said if you're gotta go...get the hell outta here.

I remember seeing the Sheriff's Deputy car parked outside my kids charter school.  The lights of downtown Midland completely dark.

I remember not sleeping that night...every time I closed my eyes a plane was slamming into a building.

And I remember that 11 years ago my life changed.  On the 2nd anniv I was in baghdad Iraq.

On the 9th anniv. I was in Afghanistan.

And 11 years later I still cry today.

[Gina]

Thank your for your service, txradioguy

[Eupher]

Getting ready for work in Salt Lake City, TV on in the kitchen.

First report of a plane slamming into the North Tower. WTF?

Second report - which I visually saw - of the second plane hitting the South Tower. That's no accident, I thought.

I had to get to work and upon getting there, the entire break room was filled with people. Saw the towers falling down, the South Tower first.

My first thought was, "Oh, the humanity."

I waited to get recalled to active duty, but there were too many younger people lined up ready to go. They were angry, motivated, ready to kick some terrorist ass. I didn't have to go.

Thank you to those who signed up then, served, and who are serving now. 

[Splashdown]

Thanks for your service!

[Ausonius]

"So, what do these terrorists want?" My 8th Graders today had heard a vague reference to "the attacks" during the morning prayer at my Catholic school, and since they have only a fuzzy awareness of the significance of September 11, 2001, I spent some time explaining 1300 years of History.

Part of the problem for them and for us today is that the word "Islamic" is not allowed to modify "terrorist" any more. To many of these kids, "the terrorists" are antic vandals with larger egos and weaponry, a 21st-century version of a 1950's greaser gang vandalizing garages for a cheap thrill. The warped religious and civilizational aspects of Arabic/Islamic Terrorism are no longer discussed or explained...perhaps because they are still not completely understood by the population at large!

I gave a quick sketch of Islam on the march - off and on - against Christianity and Western Civilization since the 700's (Battles of Mazikert and Tours, the First Crusade, Lepanto, and the Siege of Vienna) and mentioned the re-establishment of Israel via Islamic complicity with the Nazis all being involved. To be sure, it is a complicated story over 1300 years!

"So, what do these terrorists want?" The answer is the same as it was in the 700's, which we do not want to believe, and at times cannot believe, but the Islamic terrorists are on record with their demands: they want the extinction of Christianity (along with all other religions) and Western Civilization.

Certain elements of Islam are capable of thinking in centuries: what is left of The West needs to comprehend that quickly.

[Rachel]

"So, what do these terrorists want?" My 8th Graders today had heard a vague reference to "the attacks" during the morning prayer at my Catholic school, and since they have only a fuzzy awareness of the significance of September 11, 2001, I spent some time explaining 1300 years of History.

Part of the problem for them and for us today is that the word "Islamic" is not allowed to modify "terrorist" any more. To many of these kids, "the terrorists" are antic vandals with larger egos and weaponry, a 21st-century version of a 1950's greaser gang vandalizing garages for a cheap thrill. The warped religious and civilizational aspects of Arabic/Islamic Terrorism are no longer discussed or explained...perhaps because they are still not completely understood by the population at large!

I gave a quick sketch of Islam on the march - off and on - against Christianity and Western Civilization since the 700's (Battles of Mazikert and Tours, the First Crusade, Lepanto, and the Siege of Vienna) and mentioned the re-establishment of Israel via Islamic complicity with the Nazis all being involved. To be sure, it is a complicated story over 1300 years!

"So, what do these terrorists want?" The answer is the same as it was in the 700's, which we do not want to believe, and at times cannot believe, but the Islamic terrorists are on record with their demands: they want the extinction of Christianity (along with all other religions) and Western Civilization.

Certain elements of Islam are capable of thinking in centuries: what is left of The West needs to comprehend that quickly.

You've done an important duty in educating the youth of America concerning the truth of Islam. The behavior and lack of assimilation of Muslims is a prime example of why they don't want to be part of the Western world, I gave up culinary habits and cultural differences that don't fit well into American society, this isn't something Muslims are really willing to do, they just want to dominate and change society to their theocratic world-view.

I don't understand why particularly the European left panders to Muslims, as the two have quite a lot of differing outlooks on the world, such as in regards to homosexuality and women.

[JohnnyReb]

While in my pickup between 3 and 4 o'clock, the radio news reports kept saying "ultra conservative religious Egyptians" had taken the American embassy.

NOTE the bold part....I wanted to reach in the radio and slap the newsman and the later talk show hosts that kept repeating that phrase.

I guess us dang Methodist are running wild in Egypt.

[Ausonius]

You've done an important duty in educating the youth of America concerning the truth of Islam. The behavior and lack of assimilation of Muslims is a prime example of why they don't want to be part of the Western world, I gave up culinary habits and cultural differences that don't fit well into American society, this isn't something Muslims are really willing to do, they just want to dominate and change society to their theocratic world-view.

I don't understand why particularly the European left panders to Muslims, as the two have quite a lot of differing outlooks on the world, such as in regards to homosexuality and women.

Many thanks for the nice comments! 

The situation reminds me of the following scene: In Goldfinger, James Bond is about to split in two by a laser, and he asks Goldfinger if he expects him to talk.

"No, Mr. Bond!  I expect you to die!"

Islamic terrorists do not want us to compromise, or to live in peace with toleration, or to pay them money for (imaginary) grievanves.

Like Goldfinger, they just want us to die.

While in my pickup between 3 and 4 o'clock, the radio news reports kept saying "ultra conservative religious Egyptians" had taken the American embassy.

NOTE the bold part....I wanted to reach in the radio and slap the newsman and the later talk show hosts that kept repeating that phrase.

I guess us dang Methodist are running wild in Egypt.

Good for you!  In fact, they are the radicals.  I know a family of Coptic Christian Egyptians: their kids have been and are my students.  They are in constant fear - with good reasons, like constant violence to the point of massacres unreported here, of course - that their relatives in Egypt will eventually be exterminated.

[JohnnyReb]

Your coptic students have good reason to fear the Muslims....all this over a burned shirt at the laundry.

Following copied from.....

http://www.jihadwatch.org/2012/09/raymond-ibrahim-collective-punishment-of-egypts-christian-copts.html

Last month saw Egypt's latest large-scale "collective punishment" of Christian Copts. It started when a Christian launderer accidently burned the shirt of a Muslim customer, which led to a brawl between the two Egyptians (first reported here). The next day "the Muslim, with approximately 20 of his followers, went to the Christian's home to attack him. Expecting this, the Christian was prepared and climbed to the highest point of his roof, hurling Molotov cocktails at the Muslims." One Muslim man was injured and later died in a hospital. Before he died, between 2,000-3,000 Muslims attacked the Christians of the village, leading to an exodus of approximately 120 Coptic families. AINA has details of the aftermath:

The sectarian crisis in the village of Dahshur escalated on August 1 after the burial of the Muslim man who died yesterday in hospital. Hundreds of Muslims torched and looted Coptic businesses and homes despite hundreds of security forces being deployed in the village. Eyewitnesses reported that security forces did not protect most Coptic property... "As 120 families had already fled the village the day before after being terrorized, the businesses and homes were an easy game for the mob to make a complete clean-up of everything that could be looted," said Coptic activist Wagih Jacob. "The security forces were at the scene of the crime while it was taking place and did nothing at all." After the violence, the family of the deceased Moaz Hasab-Allah said that destroying Coptic property is not enough and that Copts have to "pay for their son's death" with lives.
Collectively punishing dhimmis—the barely tolerated non-Muslim infidels indigenous to the lands conquered by Islam—for the crimes of the individual is standard under Islam, and a regular occurrence among Egypt's native Christians. Other examples include:

Jan, 2012: A mob of over 3,000 Muslims attacked Christians in an Alexandrian village because a Muslim accused a Christian of having "intimate photos" of a Muslim woman on his phone. Terrified, the Christian, who denied having such photos, turned himself in to the police. Regardless, Coptic homes and shops were looted and set ablaze. Three Christians were injured, while "terrorized" Christian women and children, rendered homeless, stood in the streets with no place to go. As usual, it took the army an hour to drive 2 kilometers to the village: "This happens every time. They [security] wait outside the village until the Muslims have had enough violence, then they appear." None of the perpetrators were arrested. Later, in an effort to empty the village of its 62 Christian families, Muslims attacked them again, burning more Coptic property. According to police, the Muslim woman concerned has denied the whole story, and no photos were found....

[J P Sousa]

What boils my blood is the liberals just look at terrorists as "oppressed minorities". The libs are still in fairy land.

Although terrorists state their jihadi motives loudly and clearly, Westerners and Muslims alike too often fail to hear them. Islamic organizations, Canadian author Irshad Manji observes, pretend that "Islam is an innocent bystander in today's terrorism."

http://www.danielpipes.org/2798/what-do-the-terrorists-want-a-caliphate
  

http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/2005/12/the-caliphate

BTW: on September 11, 2001 my wife called from her office in tears........I told her to go home and pet her dog. I felt helpless not being able to comfort her. 

.

[obumazombie]

Thanks for your service!

Ditto.

[BlueStateSaint]

On that day I was in my lab, telling my supervisor about how the latest calibration had fared, and talking about a contaminated helium tank for the gas chromatograph (I think that was it).  One of the senior chemists came in and said, "A plane has hit the World Trade Center."  I thought, "Was the pilot blind?"  I went over to the workstation on my desk, which is on the Net.  CNN.com had a "small plane had hit Tower 1," or something like that.  Then the second plane hit, and things changed.  In the organic extraction lab across the hall, they have a radio (the lab is under the Empire State Plaza) and it was tuned to the Howard Stern Show.  Howard was speechless.  His sidekick Robin Quivers, however, was not.  She wanted to nuke Iraq right then and there.  As the morning wore on, someone mentioned "al Qaida."  One of my co-workers remembered that they were behind the first bombing of the WTC, and that the 42-story Corning Tower, above the lab, was the fourth alternate target in 1993.  The radio mentioned something about al Qaida's tendency to go back to targets they had not destroyed, and finishing the job.  I told my wife (about a half-mile away) this, in a phone call, and her answer was, "Get the Hell out of there!"  I made my way to the parking lot and retrieved the car, and I had to go back into Albany and get my wife.  I got her, her mother, and a co-worker of my MIL's.  I remember going up Broadway in Albany, in a 30 mph zone, at damn near 90.  There was no one on the streets in the city.  I got everyone to the lot and my wife and I went home . . . She cried a lot.  She couldn't get that I was pissed.  Pissed that some individuals would, once joined as a group, attack the US.

[Gina]

On that day I was in my lab, telling my supervisor about how the latest calibration had fared, and talking about a contaminated helium tank for the gas chromatograph (I think that was it).  One of the senior chemists came in and said, "A plane has hit the World Trade Center."  I thought, "Was the pilot blind?"  I went over to the workstation on my desk, which is on the Net.  CNN.com had a "small plane had hit Tower 1," or something like that.  Then the second plane hit, and things changed.  In the organic extraction lab across the hall, they have a radio (the lab is under the Empire State Plaza) and it was tuned to the Howard Stern Show.  Howard was speechless.  His sidekick Robin Quivers, however, was not.  She wanted to nuke Iraq right then and there.  As the morning wore on, someone mentioned "al Qaida."  One of my co-workers remembered that they were behind the first bombing of the WTC, and that the 42-story Corning Tower, above the lab, was the fourth alternate target in 1993.  The radio mentioned something about al Qaida's tendency to go back to targets they had not destroyed, and finishing the job.  I told my wife (about a half-mile away) this, in a phone call, and her answer was, "Get the Hell out of there!"  I made my way to the parking lot and retrieved the car, and I had to go back into Albany and get my wife.  I got her, her mother, and a co-worker of my MIL's.  I remember going up Broadway in Albany, in a 30 mph zone, at damn near 90.  There was no one on the streets in the city.  I got everyone to the lot and my wife and I went home . . . She cried a lot.  She couldn't get that I was pissed.  Pissed that some individuals would, once joined as a group, attack the US.

I remember that.  I was listening to the guy on the radio and they were acting like it was some small plane. Then all of a sudden the guy had this terror in his voice and he screamed "Oh no another plane just hit".  That just sent chills up my spine thinking about that moment.