Plane crashes into World Trade Center

[manish]

In case you guys haven't heard, a couple of planes crashed into the World Trade Center. Most of the news sites are dead and all communications atleast in the tri-state area are clogged up.

Manish

[sheila]

Yeegads. On the spamcop.social newsgroup someone posted a short message about the WTC and something awful happening. I couldn't understand what he was talking about.

:(

<added later>It's like the news sites were slashdotted. I can't get Yahoo news or CNN either. </added later>

[janderk]

Oooh my God. I bear with you guys.

If there's a country behind it, this means war :(

JD

[Tatu]

Both of the WTC building have collapsed. !!!!!! COLLAPSED. I'm speechless. 110 stories each.

Bush stated an apparent terrorist attack. Heads to DC. All news sites down with demand.

State Dept & Whitehouse evacuated. Pretty much all of DC evacuated. Capitol Hill with fire. Pentagon with an apparent plane crash. DCMall fire reports.

:(

ALL U.S. PLANES GROUNDED. Planes in air escorted and diverted by air force. A few planes have been diverted from DC almost by force. One plane reported but not confirmed to have been shot down 30mi outside of US airspace. Didn't respond to communications. Rerouting many commercial flights to Canada.

EDIT: Plane crash near Pittsburgh. May be related.

Stock exchange closed.

"Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine" has SUPPOSEDLY claimed responsibility for something. Still unconfirmed. EDIT: I highly doubt this, because as news reports have stated there are only a couple groups capable of the attacks that have been now been demonstrated. I believe the main suspect on TV now is the same man who was responsible for the African embassy bombings years ago.


EDIT: Every one is being sent home from schools and places of employment.

[John Kennett]

It's like the news sites were slashdotted. I can't get Yahoo news or CNN either.
Slashdot seems to be the only news site that is still up!

John

[jimbo]

This is the most horrendous thing I've ever seen. I know so many people who have close relatives (brothers, fathers, mothers, sisters, etc.) who work in or around the Twin Towers.

I've been watching and/or listening since 9AM, and I'm still shaking.

Please pray for us.

The radio reports are so similar to "The War of The Worlds" - it's almost surreal.

My office is all but shut down, and I'm about to leave myself. My commute home usually has a spectacular view of downtown Manhattan. I may take another way home today, as I can't bear to look.

-jim

[jimbo]

I wanted to add, that my prayers and thoughts go out to everyone in any of the other cities effected by this, and to the innocent passengers on all of the various hijacked aircraft.

-jim

[jimbo]

This was a quote I just heard on the radio from an EMS guy:

Bodies, even a half hour later just falling out of the go**amn sky

This is not a good day...

-jim

[Bob]

Jim,

Our prayers go out to everyone, as this will have such a wide ranging affect throughout the Country.

I have just verified that my Mother-In-Law was safe, as she is a Stewardess for American and we were under the impression that she was to be in the North East this morning, however her flight had been cancelled very early this morning and she never left the ground from Dallas.

But everyone I have talked to has someone possibly involved or close, this will have a very long lasting effect, without any doubt!

Take care,
Bob

[MTDesigns]

We finally managed to get in touch with my husband's uncle, who has an office 3 blocks away from the WTC. Thank goodness he and his wife were uptown, not downtown today!! I pray for all the innocent victims and their families...this is a total nightmare. We moved to FL over 4 yrs ago, and I used to work near there.

I volunteered in my child's school today and there are so many people who are related to American Airline pilots there. I met one of the pilots who came to pick up his daughter before they closed the schools...at that time I hadn't seen the tv news...

[sheila]

They are closing the schools early in FL today?

My two school-aged kids were standing with me, shortly before 7am CA time, as we watched some of the news broadcast. This was before the WTC had collapsed. They left for school. It is 9:30 am here, and they haven't come home yet. I'm just getting ready to drive the little one to preschool.

This is unbelievable, and my prayers go out to everyone involved.

[ryount]

Here is a site that has some info:
http://poliglut.com/article.php?sid=1219&mode=thread&order=0

and some photos:
http://www.spack.nu/wtc/

[Kara]

I've put a prayer request on my index page. www.surromomsonline.com

One of my website members is missing and presumed dead :waa: With another one of my site members there is speculation that he was/is on a hijacked plane.

I just can't belive all this.

Kara :waa:

[Tatu]

Originally posted by sheila:
They are closing the schools early in FL today?
I believe most if not all counties have schools closed. My county has all police and fire officers at work. Most Floridians know that something of epic proporations has happened when Disney World shuts down.

[sheila]

Originally posted by Tatu:
I believe most if not all counties have schools closed. My county has all police and fire officers at work. Most Floridians know that something of epic proporations has happened when Disney World shuts down.
Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm are also shut down out here (Los Angeles area).

Schools are apparently still in session, though, at 10:30 am, my kids haven't come home early. We all know something of epic proportions has happened, but at least in my neighborhood, I don't know as the kids being home would make them any safer, nor would it help the situation any.

[Deb]

I wish mine were home. As a home schooling mother of three it's a rare occasion for me to not have the children at home with me. Last night (for the first time in almost a year) they left to spend a week with their biological father who is here on leave from the US Army prior to being stationed in Korea. I'm struggling a great deal between letting them remain in an Orlando based hotel or bringing them home. I'm being told the right thing to do is let them remain which is probably true but ugh... I do wish they were here right now :/

Considering the fact that I'm stressing over the above, I cannot even fathom what those closer to the situation are feeling. It's a rude reminder of the conflict that exists in all too many areas and the horrendous ways, we, the supposedly intelligent species, choose to deal with them :(

My heart goes out to all involved.

Deb
- No Tag Is Appropriate

[BOF]

My sincere sympathies go out to all Americans, and in particular to those closely affected. The scenes of destruction in New York were reminiscent of the blitz in London and other UK cities during WW2 - terrible, truly awful.

First priority is obviously search and rescue, but eventually the perpetrators of this outrage must be sought out and exterminated, like the vermin they are. A long, hard look also needs to be taken at security measures to ensure, as far as possible, that such a thing never happens again - in America or anywhere else.

My thoughts are with you.

[dank]

eventually the perpetrators of this outrage must be sought out and exterminated, like the vermin they are
This is probably the wrong time to bring this up, considering how high emotions are likely to be running right now, but... While I most definitely do not condone anything of this sort, I would hope people consider what may or may not have brought it on and how dealing with it in different ways will either perpetuate such attacks or resolve future situations.

Punishing the perpetrators, if successful, will at least partially deal with that group. However, is anyone naive enough to think it will cut off the entire group or curtail other such groups' endeavors? Probably not. More likely, it will just further anger them.

We in this country may not have initiated the attack, but I think we're very much responsible by the manner with which we've pissed off much of the rest of the world. Let us not forget that the US has a rich tradition in political undermining of other countries... We consume far more resources per capita than any other country in the world, yet we place our newfound morals on the developing countries by limiting their consumption in the name of environmental conservation, i.e. our clean air and oil. Gotta protect our interests at all costs. Is there a more hypocritical country on the planet? I'd say we could give China a run for its money...

Today's date is cruelly ironic: 9-11

That said, my sympathies are extended to all affected.

Dan

[Kara]

Dan, I am in complete agreement with you. There will never be peace in this world until everyone stops the hate.

Kara

[Deb]

Let us not forget that the US has a rich tradition in political undermining of other countries... Is there a more hypocritical country on the planet The whole ordeal is devastating but I must firmly request (and will enforce) that NO insult to any country, or the people of any country, take place on these forums. Tossing blame and anger will not solve the problem and FutureQuest as a whole will not permit the participation of racist type insult within our network. This is certainly a time of sadness and by all means anger but not a time to place blame or insult on any particular nation or people that have not been confirmed guilty of the act.

Thank you for your cooperation ahead of time concerning this issue.

Deb
- One thing every country has in common is that they all have real humans with real hearts within.. These people are the ones we need be concerned about.

[manish]

If any of you live in the tristate area (around NYC), please donate blood. Area hospitals urgently need blood. One number to call is 1-800 GIVE LIFE or visit www.redcross.org. Or, you can contact your local hospital. Please call ahead because the hospitals are trying to accomodate a lot of people.

Manish

[Deb]

For those willing, blood is able to be given just about anywhere. I know here in Florida the blood banks are packed yet asking for more.... They are requesting more to show up tomorrow however as today they really are packed (which is awesome).

I just realized WorldTradeCenter.com is redirecting automatically to the Red Cross which is sure to have the needed info in that area.

Deb
- Doing what you can is the best thing you can do.

[dank]

Sorry, Deb. My intent was actually just the opposite. Not to cast blame or anger, rather to avoid exactly that by questioning ourselves and the whole situation and looking at how these things could be avoided in the future. Anything short of that seems anti-constructive for the sake of being politically correct. No offense intended, although most people will be offended when confronted by a mirror, no matter what the circumstances.

Dan

[Mandi]

A heart wrenching day indeed . . . my biggest site caters to military families . . . much angst and raw emotion being played out. I live in a small, isolated community and the streets are so quiet here . . . it's astonishing to see the ripple effect of such a disaster.

Please give blood if you can. It's killing me that I can't.

[Gerrit]

... to say I am sincerely sorry for what has happened yesterday, and the tragedies impact. My heart is with you all, and i hope your families and friends are safe.

Gerrit

[Armand]

All I can say is that my heart completely and utterly goes out to anyone remotely affected, physically as well as emotionally (which at this point spans the world).

Please give blood if you can. It's killing me that I can't.

You are not alone there my friend. I wish I could also, but it would do the receiptent more harm than good unfortunately (dang tainted blood).

The one upside, if there can be any, will be how much this will draw us together and hopefully stregthen our resolve to make the world a better place than this. That latter is desperately needed lest this evil season of the "Gathering" continue.

And wow Deb, you put that so well on your reminder... far better than I did on my site to my people.

[jimbo]

This isn't just a NY thing or a Washington thing. This was a deliberate attack on all of us who live in the United States of America.

As bad as all of this is right now, there is one thing every US citizen has to remember:

http://www.bergen.com/news/images/wtc_firemen_flag_091201.jpg

...and the flag was still there

-jim

[thudfactor]

I'm often privately and publicly critical of people's attitudes and behavior around here in the DC Metro area, but I was proud yesterday. I left my office building, which is three blocks away from the White House, at about 10:30 yesterday morning to begin what was a four hour trip home to the extreme suburbs. Many of us left our buildings thinking the Mall was on fire and that the White House had been attacked.

It was a very scary day for all of us. Those people who lost loved ones at the Pentagon and the World Trade Center are still going through a lot. However, yesterday the scene was not the screaming panic you so often see in the movies. We had a very orderly evacuation of very patient people -- astounding, considering the circumstances. If what I saw yesterday on the trip home was any indication, the goal of terrorizing and panicing the District was an almost immediate failure.

I hope you all find your community members and loved ones safe.

[JRepici]

Hello all,

Please add my prayers to the others.

I live in NJ, about a 90-minute ride to D.C. and about the same in the other direction to NYC. Not that the proximity matters, this was an attack against America and to a larger extent it was an attack on the well-being and security of everyone everywhere.

You can bring up valid concerns about the industry that occupied those towers. Most of the money our children gave to drug dealers passed through third-world countries and ended up back at that place. But besides a small handful of top executives, most of the thousands of people working there were innocent mothers, brothers, sisters, fathers, sons, daughters, lovers, and best friends. They were just trying to make a crust.

The people who I most lost respect for in this was not the perps, but the Palestinians who celebrated in the street at the news that thousands of their fellow human beings had been snuffed out in an instant.

<sigh>

I'm back at my desk today writing code and determined to get back to business as usual.

Two exceptions: I'm going to get out and donate some blood today or tomorrow, and I'm keeping the radio on to listen for news of the imminent capture of those who did this.

-John

P.S. FQ service never went down to spite the fact that my packets rout through New York.

[sheila]

Not that the proximity matters, this was an attack against America and to a larger extent it was an attack on the well-being and security of everyone everywhere.
I live about a 90 minute drive from downtown Los Angeles.

Last night at the dinner table, my daughter said that one girl's parents came to school to pick her up. She had left for school yesterday morning unaware of the events on the East coast. Her grandmother was on one of those planes.

Obviously those who planned this wanted to do it in a way to affect as many people across the country as they could.

[manish]

I just heard on the radio that somebody emailed his son from one of the towers telling him that he loved him and that he would see him in heaven :(. This was after the first tower was hit and the guy figured that they were not going to make it. They have not heard from him since... I don't know if I would have wanted to be one of the people receiving that email....

Manish

[JRepici]

Hi,

They are making arrests now.

Should there be fireworks tonight in Afghanistan if we find absolute ties to them?

That's how I read my president's lips.

-John

[JWM]

I chose yesterday as my "work from home day" prior to knowing what was to happen. My office in NYC is far enough away that I would not have been in danger, but stil....

On occassion I'm down at the trade center on business. My wife is very freaked out about this, and I'm forgoing the commute the next several days.

Two of our potential clients that we've been working with occuppied floors 90-100 in each of the towers. A guy I work with used to be in the office that was struck by the first plane, and another lives in an apartment building down the block from WTC.

Scary stuff.

jim

[Dunx]

I also chose to work at home for yesterday morning; funny how I didn't get much done.

What scares me is that one of the planes hijacked flew out of Newark, which is where my flight to Portland departed from last Sunday when I was coming back from the UK.

Horrifying.

[Deb]

Again, I feel whatever efforts we can make to try to help aide the many who have been affected should be taken. Please visit the thread found at:
http://www.aota.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9186

These monsters succeed only if we let them. The fight may continue with weapons and more violent deaths but the war can only be won by those who refuse to let this terror into our hearts. Please do all you can to support the victims and keep the heart of the people strong, as in the end...that's what really counts.

I sincerely thank you. I know if any community has the diligence to follow-through; it's this one!

Deb
- Community <<== It's what we're about.

[ryount]

I just found out a friend of mine who was doing consulting work in NY is ok. I had no idea where he was working up there but it turns out he was a block away from the WTC complex. He had quite a story. They managed to make it to Jersey where he was staying and rent a car and are driving back home to the Atlanta area. He was actually going to be flying down to Tampa Saturday to stay with me and go to the Bucs game but I don't think he plans on flying anytime soon.

[manish]

FYI - You can use the following website to find out the status of somebody you know. Please note that this site is being used by many people. Please don't use this unless you really need to....
http://www.elbnet.com/wtc/

These guys are searching through various sources.

Manish

[zmax]

I found out that everyone we know in the area is ok. However apparently someone I worked with, Anna Williams Allison, some years ago and knew other friends and collegues of mine was on Flight 11. We are all going to a memorial gathering at a friends house this weekend.

http://www.superdavid.com/wtc/anna.jpg

David

[sheila]

Originally posted by zmax:
... someone I worked with, Anna Williams Allison, some years ago and knew other friends and collegues of mine was on Flight 11.
I am so sorry. Prayers and best wishes for Anna's family and friends who are left to deal with this. :(

[Deb]

As we start to see more and more faces on our television sets et al I, as I'm sure many, can't help but to be even more saddened about the events. We keep hoping for the best but fearing the worst as the hours go by :( We will certainly add Anna to the many that are in our hearts and prayers.

Deb
- Utter Dismay

[jimbo]

The events of 9-11-01 seem as if they could have happened last week. The memories are still so fresh in my mind, and the pain - while much less now - is still present every day. I was blessed not to lose any of my friends or loved ones in the attacks, but that doesn't mean I don't grieve every day for the people who were lost.

Reading this thread brings back even more memories.

I needed to acknowledge the anniversary of 9-11 on my site, but since the majority of my users are in the NYC Metro area, I didn't want to indundate them with WTC stuff - because the local (and national) media is doing a fine job of that already.

So I opened the "WTC & Pentagon Attacks" archive, and also a forum for people to post their rememberances in.

I've altered the logo on my site:
http://www.nyyfans.com/img/nyyflogo.gif

And I've posted in a pop-up on site entry something I wrote in an email to someone who asked me how I'd be observing the anniversary:
http://www.nyyfans.com/911/

I had no idea this anniversary would come so quickly, and that it would have such a profound effect on me. I've been thrust back 363 days all of the sudden.

-jim

[Mandi]

{{{Jim}}} and all other FQ'sters so directly affected.