Sounds horrific

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Answers

Incredibly a second plane has crashed into a second tower. I've just seen it live on CNN and it is dreadful. Absolutely shocking.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Some kind of kamikaze pilots?

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Too early to speculate - but it's perfect visibility and there is 'no reason for any aircraft to be that close to the world trade center. They would normally be a couple of miles away'.According to some expert

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

They reckon one was a hijacked passenger plane !

Horrific!

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

According to the beeb, the FBI are investigating reports that two United Airlines planes were hijacked.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

I'm completely stunned. I was watching the flames from the first attack and then saw another plane come from the right followed by this huge fireball. Incredible - absolutely incredible.

Who could do such a thing?

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Are they sugesting that the Afgani "ben " watshisname is behind it?

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

They are not pointing the blame yet. The FBI say they are looking at the 'possibility' of foul play but no-one has claimed responsibilty yet.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Unbeliveable, unbeliveable.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Foul play? Red card offence all the way ref.

F*&king mad thing to happen...poor bastards

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

What's going on? Word about this has spread through the office, but we're having network problems and I can't access any news websites

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Anyone know of any news sites or radio webcasts other than cnn or bbc?

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

To put this into perspective, there are 130,000 people working in the world trade center. The death toll is going to be imence.

GW Bush is bound to retaliate against whoever was behind this. I can see them invading Iraq, Libya, Afganistan, or wherever these terorists are from.

Btw Ciara wasn't flying out of Boston today was she? The planes were hijacked from there.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Glad to see you posting Allison.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Nope....am in Annapolis, MD near the Naval Academy. How in the world was a plane hijacked out of Boston and nobody knew about it or tried to stop it?! This is nuts

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

For the benefit of those having trouble getting info...from The Times

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11 2001

Two planes crash into World Trade Center

Two aircraft, in what appears to be a deliberate terrorist attack, have crashed into the upper floors of both World Trade Center towers today.

There was no immediate word on injuries or fatalities in the twin disasters, which happened shortly before 9 am (1300 GMT) and then right around 9 a.m. The explosions were believed to be18 minutes apart.

In Washington, officials said the FBI was investigating reports of two plane hijacking before the crashes.

A senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the agency is pursuing reports that one or both of the planes, possibly United Airlines craft, were hijacked and that the crashes may have been the result of a suicide mission.

The source stressed that the reports are preliminary and officials do not know the cause of the crashes.

"It certainly doesn’t look like an accident," said a second government official, also speaking on condition of anonymity.

The towers were struck by bombers in February 1993. Fifty thousand people work in the towers.

The first airplane, possibly a small passenger aircraft, exploded into the northern tower at 8.48am local time.

A second, lower-flying airplane flew straight into the second tower within 18 minutes of the first one. This tower is home to the headquarters of New York's Port Authority.

Joe Traffenburg, speaking on CNN, said: "The (second) plane was flying low and we just looked at it and it went into the building kamikaze-style. Then there was a mass explosion with windows flying everywhere. It was horrible."

The World Trade Center is 110 stories (1,360ft). Black smoke and fire could be seen pouring out of the upper floors of the towers.

An eyewitness said: "I just saw a huge ball of fire on top and then the smoke seemed to simmer down."

A rescue operation is under way.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

According to the BBC a third plane has been hijacked and is possibly on it's way to New York. The Palestinians are claiming responsibility

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Apparently the Pentagon is fire.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Just watched it. Utter disbelief. Poor, poor people.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Ciara...try listening to NPR, they have the story. Parts of the Pentagon have now been evacuated and the white house is on fire. I am not kidding...listening to the radio and this guy is saying that smoke is coming out of the white house..............

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

The pentagon IS on fire.

Absolutely incredible.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

CNN are saying that a helicopter, possibly military, crashed into the Pentagon.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

A third explosion has been reported at the Pentagon.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Holy shit....they're saying it was 2 united airlines jets for the WTC....

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

All airtraffic in the USA has been grounded.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Sears tower in chicago has been evacuated, all the courts are closed.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Watched the whole thing live on CNN. Totally horrific! God!! a massive exploson now below the towers!!!!!!!!!1

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

BBC say it was a plane that crashed into the Pentagon

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

One tower has collapsed. The second tower on the world trade centre has collapsed.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

South tower of the WTC has collapsed

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Below the towers??

Ananova are reporting possibly 8 planes hijacked!

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

I've just seen the tower collapse. There are no words that can describe this.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Bloody Hell this is unbelievable

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Reports that one of the planes has crashed into the Pentagon!

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Well, my building is being evacuated. Big law firm based in NYC. Hopefully see you all tomorrow, this is unbelievable.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Probably an idea to keep away from financial centres and military installations at the moment, kids.

Absolutely mad

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

We're getting reports that one tried to crash into the white house but its been shot down...and apparently it's the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine who've claimed responsibility...they're saying it's only the beginning....

Holy shit....

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Anyone have a url for real audio? My internet connection is still dodgy. Can't believe what's going on.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Definitely one hihg jacked plane crashed into the wtc, and possibly another from Newark and another from Boston. Unbelievble. Haven't heard anything about the white house.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

American Airlines say one plane was from Boston to LA

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

tragic. just been watching it. stunned.

they're saying it's 3 planes, 2 UA and one AA. Rumours of explosion on Capitol Hill now... Jesus

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

A car bombhsa exploded outside the state department

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

A friend just called to say another plane has reportedly taken off (hijacked) and is headed for NYC

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Both towers have now collapsed

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

What do the terrorists hope to gain?

There will be retaliation from the USA, and more of the terrorists countrimen, friends and family will die because of their actions.It's sheer stupidity.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

I just don't believe this. I'm freaking without access to a television! The twin towers are so massive, I just can't imagine something like that collapsing. And the amount of people in the buildings and that area. Tragic doesn't even begin to describe it.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Part of the pentagon has collapsed. Reports on CNN that plane is 'down' in Pennsylvania

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Hate to be an alarmist, but more of a realist. Can anyone get in touch with Screacher, I believe he has symes number and check that he is ok.

He is one of us.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Good point Gus. Is there anyone else in New York?

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

If so I wouldn't recommend hanging around. This is a big f**king mess and no mistake.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

I've just rang my mate in NYC She was in floods of tears, but thank God She is safe

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

\just heard the London Stockexchange is being evacuated...precautionary I hope.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

And Loads of my work colleagues are at a conference in Washington. This is appalling

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

another reported down near Pittsburgh

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

As has canary warf.

If I worked in LOndon I think i'd go home NOW ,,, just in case.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

A second plane is flying towards the Pentagon.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Jesus Christ - big prayers for everyone.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Oh my lord this is so awful. How can anyone hope this is an answer - my heart goes out everyone involved. The television coverage is quite terrifying, it just doesn`t look as though it could possibly be real.

767 has crashed 80 miles south of Pittsburgh - I believe this is one of the big wide bodied ones.

Phone lines gridlocked in New York - obviously the NY stock exchange is not trading - Uk stockmarket is currently falling through the floor - as would be expected.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Haway man guys, this is just the 2001 version of Orson Wells' "War of the worlds" which caused NY to evacuate when it was on the radio. It's just the modern internet equivalent.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

I wish Cliff...I wish....

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Black Tuesday....we may be seeing the beginnings of war.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Maybe not Sparxx....there's no doubt the americans will want to hit back hard but they've got no stationary target.....I doubt they'll hit out wildy, they'll pick their targets carefully....

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

But war with whom?

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Come on people I am concerned for syme, after seeing the reports of secondary explosions caused by bits of the WTC hitting other buildings.

I know there will be thousands of casualties and as you all do feel for them, I know people in the NYPD, New York State court etc and have called them, I will be worried until someone speaks to syme. If any of you have his number I will call from here!

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Totally and utterly surreal to watch live that second plane crash into the world tower. 2 hrs of horrific news coverage.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Gus I don't think Syme is in NYC.Maybe his company is just based there.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Gus, Syme is in Chicago - he was posting on here a short while ago. Have e-mailed him but of course if threir offices in Chicago have also been evacuated, we won't here for some time. I don't have his number.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

I have a feeling they know exactly who is behind it. Their intelligence budget is huge...they pay to know these kinds of things... btu if you ask me it all points to Osama Bin Laden.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

It really can't be 'that' good an intelligence network if this can happen. CIA will be in for a serious kicking. As for suspects, Oklahoma was caused by an American.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Reporting 747 has crashed

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Thanks Screach, I knew he was based in Chicago, but from his hurried post, thought he must have been working in NYC

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Anyone seen some horsemen knocking about? F*&king disastrous. Unbelievable

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

I've just had an email from my friend in New York. He's okay which is a relief but he will never forget what he has seen.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

It gets worse. One plane shot down, two others still missing

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Yes Gus. On re-reading it, I'm sure he is just saying the HQ of his company is in NYC.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

The US Air Force will HAVE to shoot down any plane approaching DC even though they know it's full of civilians. God help them all

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Just watched BBC News 24 for last 2 hours + totally shocked. They were talking to a correspondant in the basement of a tower when he suddenly shouted 'oh my god' followed by live scenes of the tower collapsing. Minutes later live pictures as the second tower collapsed. Most eye witnesses saying how they saw people jumping out the windows of the towers. Apparently nearly 200 people on one of the hijacked planes which hit the towers. The buildings were still being evacuated when they collapsed, estimated 30,000 people altogether in them at 9am when the 1st plane hit. Part of the Pentagon has now collapsed also. Awful+my deepest sympathy to all involved.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Islamic Jihad are claiming responsibility saying that th attacks are as a result of US policy in the middle east.

This is unconfirmed

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

I would not want to be a Muslim in America right now. Any sympathy the Taliban, Palestinians and Arabs in general had with 90% of the world has now evaporated. Not saying it is right, just that it will happen.

86 on one flight, 64 on the other that crashed into WTC, both American Airlines. One from Boston to LA the other Dulles (Washington) to LA. The 747 that crashed was United Airlines from NY to Atlanta (unconfirmed) and unknown on board, the plane that crashed into the Pentagon was small commuter, either a gulfstream or Cessna Citation holds about 20 pax and crew. (no of people on board also unconfirmed)

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Just received a very strange phonecall from work, it is 2342 here, I have to go. Not sure what is going on here, but this is what I get paid for.

See you all tomorrow hopefully.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Good luck Gus. Fingers crossed.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Take care Gus!

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

what is the justification behind this??? Why would anybody want to pick a fight like this with the U.S.? Lord knows there's a lot of things that irk me about the American people, but I could never even wish for something like this to happen.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Like all of you I am stunned. To all the BBS contributers in the USA, take care!

Kind of puts everything into perspective............

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

I watched perhaps 20-30,000 people die in NYC on CNN this afternoon - killed presumably in the name of one religion or another. Words are inadequate.

I've worked with several companies in the WTC and am acquainted, not closely, with several people who work there.

These buildings are IMMENSE structures - each one hashad a ground area about the size of SJP, and ca 100 storeys high.

Sadly, Satan is alive and well - I'm not religious, but I can't think of anyway else to describe todays appalling, tragic events.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Tracey and I had a close friend and ex colleague who left The Bahamas for the USA four years ago. We stayed in touch and last we heard he had a job in the world trade center

Im to scared to email his daughter

please god he moved jobs

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

i'm with you all

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

The hijackers must have been taught how to pilot airliners as anyone who has tried to land on a runway on flight sim will tell you. How many maniacs with that kind of specialism are there? At least 4 less than this morning obviously.

Amazing how certain bits of footage have only been shown the once: the footage of the cavorting Palestinians has been pulled (social responsibilty?) and the very first view of one of the towers collapsing clearly showed another fireball before it came down.

Can I please ask that anyone who hears the inevitable bouts of gallows humour fights the urge to post them on here: I really don't want to hear any. This was so profoundly shocking that I would have walked out of a movie showing the story line as plain ridiculous. As torn as I am between concern over further polarisation of the world and a visceral desire to see someone pay for this, I really worry that this couldn't have come in a more dangerous presidency.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

My prayers are with your colleauge that he's one of the lucky ones to get out, Pete. It may be very small comfort, but there was an interview on CBS a couple of hours ago with a woman who escaped from the 91st floor of one of the towers just before the collapse. She said everyone in her office got out.

Been home for about an hour after the MD state offices were shut down at noon. Trying to catch up on everything after making the requisite calls and emails. This whole thing is so unreal. Every radio station was turned to news feeds, no music. Every tv station is either on a news feed or has suspended normal programming. The pictures on tv are unreal.

As I was driving home, there was a sign on one of the highways that warns of traffic problems. It said "Heavy traffic on I-95 North. Avoid New York City". Chilling.

The only thing that really shocks me about all of this is the enormity of the attack. I don't think anyone could have imagined something on this scale. The fact that the US was attacked doesn't surprise me a bit. For too long, people here have felt the terrorist attacks in other countries couldn't happen on our soil. Security at US airports has long been a joke. And now thousands of innocent people have paid for this hubris with their lives. My thoughts and prayers are with all those families.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

I know what you mean, Softie, and can only hope someone locks Shrub in an office soemwhere and lets the more experienced heads of Colin Powell and Dick Cheney deal with this. So far the word from congressman and senators is that they need to find out who is actually responsible so we target any retribution at the right people.

Cameras are now able to get near the WTC area. It looks like Beirut. Seeing the streets I once walked so often in this state....I don't even know what to say. Now it's starting to seem all too horrifyingly real to me.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Hear hear Softie. Any of that would for me be infinitely worse than having to put up with outsiders on here hurling puerile abuse.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Ciara,

My thoughts and prayers go out to all Americans today, I'm completely stunned, sickened and crying out for vengeance, so I can only imagine how you must feel. Our US offices were closed soon after the news got out and (the company is American) all air travel has been banned until further notice.

Ironically I've just finished reading Storming Heaven by Dale Brown. The plot is a terrorist attack on the US using commercial planes - finishing with an attack on the White House. Like Softie I thought it was far fetched.

I just hope this is the turning point in the war against Terrorism, and that those who live by the sword will truly die by it!

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

The events of today are shocking - tho as Ciara says, it was not too surprising that it could happen within the shores of the USA. One of my best mates is involved in sales in the financial district of NYC. Thankfully, I (eventually) found him online, tho trying valiantly to contact one of his reps who was due for a meeting there today.

Looking at the footaqge, both near and far, I can empathise with Ciara. Only a few months ago, I walked those same streets myself. No doubt, like many on here, I have stood on the top of the WT centre and marvelled at the sight of Manhattan spread out below me. Little did I imagine the devastation if one or both should be brought to the ground in an uncontrolled manner.

It is unlikely that a bomb could have been placed to cause such similar devastation. The perpetrators chose one of the only two possible means to inflict such damage. The other was a misile attack. I guess the authorities had contingency for that, but not for something as "simple" as an attack by a civil aircraft.

The world is shocked today. Let's hope that this shock can be controlled and that it doesn't eacalate into uncontrolled revenge.

My prayers are with those who suffered today.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Just sitting here watching the news. I feel a mixture of genuine physical sickness and fear. What might happen from this. We are witnessing one of the most historic days in human civilisation.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

My understanding from watching hours of tv reporting is that four planes were hijacked -- or commandeered -- two attacked the twin towers one the Pentagon and the other crashed en route to either Washington or Camp David. 34 people were alleged to have been killed in the Pentagon, but the latest estimate at Lower Manhatten is 10,000, including at least 200 firemen. As I write, several buildings are burning, but are too unsafe to try to stem the fires. All my family members are safe, -- a week ago my son was on the floor into which the second plane crashed. The government is functioning -- precautions are probably being temporarily overdone -- no problem with that. This is a tragedy which to me always seemed a possibility, but I never thought it would be on this scale. Calm should prevail, and appropriate action taken only after due consideration.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Floridian - I'm very relieved to hear your son was not there today. It seems most likely that the three planes which crashed into the WT centre and the Pentagon are most likely to have been navigated to the general area by the flight crew. But once these huge structures were in sight (not difficult, given their size and the excellent weather conditions), it seems that the task of itting their eventual targets was not too difficult.

If so, then it seems likely that the plane that crashed near Pittsburgh was done so deliberately by the pilot of that plane. Can you imagine what must have been going through the minds of those poor folks onboard those planes? And also those trapped in the 2nd tower when the first crashed to the ground. I can only begin to think how I might have behaved. So even greater credit to the pilot who forced his plane to crash-land in open countryside.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Just heard an American guy telling David Dimbleby when asked if they knew who were behind the attacks, that they wouldn't know for a long time, if at all, so he reckons they should just go after every terrorist group.

He also maintained that America are now at war.

That I find scary.

I read a couple of Tom Clancy books while on holiday. They were about the antics of an elite international anti terrorist group.

Far fetched as sh1t from China, but it wouldn't surprise me if something like that isn't organised in the wake of what's happened today.

I'd hate to think there already is a group like that, because they can't be much good if they didn't know enough in advance of this to do something to reduce the carnage.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

A passenger on that plane that crashed near Pittsburgh, locked himself in the lavatory and used his cell phone to call 911 to report the hijacking in progress. There was an explosion as he was speaking and the plane was lost. So dunno if the hijackers just blew it up knowing they were foiled, or if maybe the pilot just ditched. I do wonder why the pilots of the 2 planes that hit the WTC didn't ditch into the river. Or if the hijackers took over the controls at that point.

Another bldg in the WTC complex has now collapsed.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

I still wonder if the Pittsburg plane was shot down. If the authorities knew it was a hijacked plane, in the light of what had happened they'd have no choice but to bring it down over an unpopulated area. Either that or a heroic crew did something that caused the plane to crash. Either way my heart goes our to everyone on board (with one or two obvious exceptions).

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

I've been watching CNN tonight. There was a story on there about a CNN reporter who was on the plane that hit the Pentagon - her name was Barbara Olsen - she was the wife of the US Solicitor General Ted Olson. She managed to phone her husband, whose birthday it was, to tell him what was happening. She was not able to say where the hijackers were from but she said that all the passangers had been forced to the back of the plane. She asked her husband what instructions she should give the pilot who was also there - it seems like the terrorists had taken over the flying of the plane.

Ehud Barak, former PM of Israel, was on BBC 2. He suggested that the positive outcome from today's events might be that it will create the will amongst the nations of the world to act in concert against terrorism. He suggest that the problem could be erradicated within 10 years if the governments of the world acted together and didn't worry to much about the possibility of "colateral damage". He was very forthright and pointed out that everyone knew who the rogue states were who sponsored these terrorist groups and there was sufficient intelligence available to identify and deal with the main perpetrators. It might well be that, God willing, the greatest "victory" of these deranged individuals will bring about their ultimate destruction.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Kabul has been attacked. There is a huge fire apparently at some sort of fuel dump on the edge of the city and there appears to be anti-aircraft activity. They've not wasted much time have they?

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

As thoughts move on to the allocation of blame, I only hope the Western democracies - in considering their response to today's appalling acts - remember that in addition to the inevitable extraction of revenge, we also need to more vigorously address the underlying injustices that forment much of the Islamic-based terrorism.

We simply cannot bomb these situations out of existence, and they will inevitably keep arising until the underlying causes are appropriately addressed.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

F**K common sense,f**k common decency ,F**k the lilly livered liberals.Nuke the bastards. Crush the middle east and take no prisoners.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Every cynical, me, I can't help wondering if the terrorists groups bombed Kabul in an attempt to blame the US.

Jacko, I've had similar thoughts re the outcome of all this. I do think these idiots have done something that could effectively turn the entire world against them. I only hope countries are smart enough to band together to fight this.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Gus,

Everything alright then?

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

If all the warnings are to be believed, the person using their cellphone on the Pittsburgh plane may have brought it down herself.

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

"**K common sense,f**k common decency ,F**k the lilly livered liberals.Nuke the bastards. Crush the middle east and take no prisoners"

a) Proof once again that you have little common sense or common decency 'super'kev.

b) A good example of the sort of thinking that leads to the horror we all saw yesterday.

c) Your heads a mess.

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

apparently Osamu bin laden has trained people all over in different skills , such as pilots and hijakers , missile engineers etc etc etc... he trains these people and can call on them whenever he wants..

If we get this bloke though soemone else will come in what do you do ...

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

My sincere hope is that this will prove to be a turning point in history and that the outcome will be a global united front against terrorism. My great fear is that this attrocity will simply open the floodgates on every major and minor conflict in the Middle East, and fuel the fires of discontent elsewhere.

I agree with Clarky that the underlying causes have to be seriously addressed, but as we have seen with Ireland, it has not proved possible to undo a couple of hundred years of history, let alone a couple of thousand.

I really think that this is a pivotal point in modern history, but I have no idea which way the balance will tip. I do feel that we will see even more innocent lives wasted whichever direction this takes.

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

The most concerning point is that the US leader is a bear of little intellect. Saying that justice / revenge / retaliation will include the harbourers of those responsible speaks to me of a blanket attack. Something like the Tripoli bombings, US bombing of Bhagdad, Cambodian carpet bombing seems likely. Which helped a lot didn't it?

If the US does attack in this manner, say Kabul or bin Laden's HQ in Afghanistan, there will be a hell of a mess and it will not be a neat end to it all. There is no military way to defeat terrorism, and to be honest I don't think the world will ever find everyone responsible for this atrocity. It's a long game being played and it stinks.

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

"If we get this bloke though soemone else will come in what do you do ..."

My point exactly kennyboy - if they took Bin Laden out tomorrow, their will be a successor by the weekend.
I'm not saying retribution should not be taken against the perpetrators of yesterday's carnage - and indeed it will - however, unless we seriously address the underlying issues there will always be another Bin Laden.

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

We're all jumping to the arab/muslim conclusion here.....I remember doing that in the aftermath of Oklahoma and then feeling guilty about it afterwards.....

I disagree that another Bin Laden would pop up tomorrow, he has massive resources (he's a multi-Billionaire)....people like that are NOT ten a penny....

Anyway, i'm for sitting on this until things become clearer.....

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

The issue of the hi-jackers apparently including trained pilots was raised on BBC News24 this morning. A former 747 Captain reckoned that once something like a 767 was fully airborne, it could be flown and directed at a large building by anyone with only a few hours training on a flight simulator. Really comforting.

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

Gav,

I don't intend to get into an argument over this, but if you really believe the availability of financial resources is the limiting factor to another despot replacing any that are killed as a result of this outrage, then I'm afraid you're mistaken.

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

I nearly decked someone on my bus this morning. Two blokes moaning on and on and on about how this was going to affect their pension funds! I was beaten to it by another irate passenger telling them to shut the f*&k up.

My major worry is, as mentioned by others above, the Americans saying that they should not wait to find out who did this before retalliating.

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

I wish I could get some sort of idea of what the percentage of `fanatics` is/are in these Muslim states. TV coverage is not a good guide, and I suspect that there is a large majority of muslims as terrified of the regime they are living under, as the might of America. Look at the `human shield` tactics used by Saddam - I don`t suppose he asked for volunteers. I feel acute anxiety at the thought of further innocent victims dying in acts of vengence.

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

Clarky,

Financial resources is definitely ONE of the limiting factors in someone popping up to take a despots place, it isn't the only one.....contacts, intelligence, technology and a huge lack of regard for human life are other limiting factors...there are many many more.

I repeat, people who can perpetrate acts like this are NOT ten a penny...

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

Gal - if you look at 'state sponsored' terrorism, then the USA has a fairly appaling record itself. Although angered at the time, I heard a UK mulsim leader say that to some degree the US brought this upon itself with its international aggression. Despite the total insensitivity of such comments today, there is some truth in it (no, I don't think what happened was 'deserved' - far from it, I'm appalled). Probably not the time or right thread to bring that up, but I get a bit concerned with the immediate reaction (not from your good self) that it MUST be bin Laden / Afghanistan / Palestinians / A.N.Other Islamic country.

I've tried to supress my own gut feelings that the bastards are muslim extremists and look at other possibilities, like Gav reminding us of Timothy McVeigh. But as a commentator said yesterday (to paraphrase) if it smells like s*&t and looks like s&^t it's likely to indeed be s&^t.

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

According to a documentary on bin Laden he got his Billions from america they funded him when he was bombing the russians etc on behalf of afghanistan.

If he is wiped out yes another will return BUT how many people are willing to die for the cause ?? do you think that potential leaders will not come forth, if they know they will be assasinated.

This is assuming it was him , why on earth would he not admit it if it was , surely these terrorists want the world to know who they are , otherwise no-one knows why they are doing it and therfore can do nothing o help them.

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

Kenny, My view is that it's the last thing anyone would admit...it's so much better for them to create confusion and mayhem....by not giving the US a clean target to retaliate to they're increasing the chances that other nations might stand by them or stick up for them making the international situation so much more precarious...

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

Yep, it would be asking for a cruise missle up the arse if anyone / organisation / country stood up and admitted responsibility. I'm also unsure if such a devestating attack would require the vast expertise and funding talked about on some media channels. After all, a fairly small number of people would be needed to take over a jet liner (say, 5 per aircraft = 20 or so) and only basic flight training. So with all the recon, planning and operation maybe about 200-500 or so? The BNP have more members than that!

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Authorities in Massachusetts have identified five Arab men as suspects in Tuesday's attack on New York City and have seized a rental car containing Arabic-language flight training manuals at Logan International Airport, a source told the Boston Herald newspaper.

Two of the men were brothers whose passports were traced to the United Arab Emirates, the unidentified source told the Herald. One of the men was a trained pilot, the newspaper reported.

The paper said investigators suspect the two brothers were aboard hijacked United Airlines flight 175, which pilot union officials said was one of the aircraft that crashed into the World Trade Center.

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

Yeah loads of sites are carrying that story this morning....

Still best to wait and see I reckon....

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

Maybe today would be a good day for the IRA (makes them look all the more puny) to give up violence?

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

THis is on a knife edge, where next?

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

"As for yesterday you should have seen us all yesterday as we saw the news coming in, everybody was and still is in complete shock. We have a lot of colleagues who work in the States who we talk to on a daily basis, all our thoughts have to go out to them all. it's a very slow this morning." this from a friend who works in the stock exchange, london...

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

Swift - the problem with terrorism is that this incident has now raised the bar significantly. Yesterday's events showed the world just what is possible. Who's to say the next lot (IRA or otherwise) might not choose another, equally (or more) newsworthy target. It doesn't bear thining about.

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

My friend and his family have just reported in. Thank who ever is smiling down on him.

He was in the air at the time of the attack, and was routed to Washington DC instead of New York.

So worried was he about his family he found a taxi driver to drive him from DC to New York.

He was shocked and now he is angry and wanting revenge as so many of his colleagues have perished in the Twin Towers.

I can't say I blame him. Its a frightening state.

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

I said yesterday that my friends brother works for Cantor in Tokyo. Apparently 1500 worked for them in New York. They have only been able to contact 100.

I still can't believe what happened.

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

I've gotten an email from friends who had colleagues working at the WTC. They phoned to say they had gone up to the roof of the tower confident that they'd be rescued.

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001