Saturday, August 20, 2011

THE 9/11 TIMELINE

After I posted my article entitled THE 9/11 CROSS, I've received a few interesting e-mails. 

It appears a few people are not real happy with my saying that since 9/11, I have learned that Islam, their so-called Prophet, and its followers, are all evil, murderous, bloodthirsty, sick.

And what makes me think that most Muslims, if not all Muslims, are evil?


Well, there's been suicide bombings, car bombings, beheadings, the torture of the innocent, the stated desire for mass murder, death threats against voices that Muslims disagree with - like say cartoonist and really anyone else who points out how Muslims insist to stay on the road of insanity.  

But the big lesson, the one that all Americans received, well now that was on 9/11. 

The year was 2001, and it was a clear September morning in New York.  No one knew how that morning would change our country.  For me, I believe that even those fanatical Muslim terrorists responsible for what was to happen - did not know what changes they would create.

For one thing, 9/11 showed Americans how we respond to evil.

7:58 a.m. - United Airlines Flight 175 departs Boston for Los Angeles, carrying 56 passengers, two pilots, and seven flight attendants. The Boeing 767 is hijacked after takeoff and diverted to New York.


7:59 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 11 departs Boston for Los Angeles, carrying 81 passengers, two pilots, and nine flight attendants. This Boeing 767 is also hijacked and diverted to New York.

8:01 a.m. - United Airlines Flight 93, a Boeing 757 carrying 38 passengers, two pilots, and five flight attendants, leaves Newark, N.J., for San Francisco.

8:10 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 77 departs Washington's Dulles International Airport for Los Angeles,
carrying 58 passengers, two pilots, and four flight attendants.

8:13 a.m. - American Flight 77's pilots last radio communication was made from the pilots to ground control, "twenty right American eleven."  The Boeing 757 had been hijacked.

8:15 a.m. - Boston Air Traffic Control began unsuccessful attempts to contact the pilots of American Airlines Flight 77 after the plane failed to respond to an order to climb.

8:20 a.m. - American Flight 11 stopped transmitting its transponder signal, and veered northward and departed dramatically from the westward heading of its planned route.  The controllers concluded that the plane had probably been hijacked.

8:24 a.m. - The following transmission was reportedly received from American Airlines Flight 11:

"We have some planes.  Just stay quiet and you'll be okay ... we are returning to the airport. ...


Nobody move.  Everything will be okay.  If you try to make any moves, you'll endanger yourself and the airplane.  Just stay quiet.  Nobody move please we are going back to the airport .. don't try to make any stupid moves."

8:41 a.m. -  One of pilots of United Airlines Flight 175 reported that he had overheard a transmission from hijacked Flight 11, he said, 


"Ya we figured we'd wait to go to you center ah we heard a suspicious transmission on our departure out of Boston ah with someone ah, ah sound like someone sound like someone keyed the mike and said ah everyone ah stay in your seats." 

Shortly thereafter, the last radio communication from United Airlines Flight 175 was made from the pilots and air traffic control, where one pilot says, "that's ah cut out ... did you copy that?"  

8:46 a.m. - American Flight 11 from Boston crashes into the North Tower at the World Trade Center. 

Later, human remains recovered from Ground Zero were identified as belonging to Flight 11's victims. 

8:46 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 77 veered severely off course.

8:50 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 77 has its jet's transponder shut off.

8:56 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 77 has its last radio communication between the pilots and air traffic control. 

The pilots' last transmission was, "ah direct FALMOUTH American seventy seven thanks." 

9 a.m. - While this was going on in the air, President George W. Bush arrives at Sarasota, Florida, at Emma E. Booker Elementary School to visit children there. 

White House Chief of Staff Andy Card informs the President that a plane has crashed into the World Trade Center. 

9:03 a.m. - United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston crashes into the South Tower at the World Trade Center.


Later, like that of American Airlines Flight 11, human remains at Ground Zero are found belonging to the victims on United Airlines Flight 175.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shuts down all New York area airports.

9:05 a.m. - While President Bush is visiting a second-grade class, Andy Card comes into the classroom to interrupt the President and whispers to him that a second plane has struck the towers. 

President Bush makes the decision to delay plans to address the tragedy, instead deciding to get more information first.

9:21 a.m. - Bridges and tunnels leading into New York City are closed. 

9:25 a.m. - All domestic flights are grounded by U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.
 
9:27 a.m. - United Airlines Fight 93 was hijacked.

9:30 a.m. - United Airlines Fight 93's transponder signal ceased. At about this time, the plane apparently reversed direction and began flying toward the capital.

9:30 a.m. - President Bush meets privately with National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, who briefs him.

President Bush then delivers first remarks on the tragedy and asks for a moment of silence the victims and their families:

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a difficult moment for America.



I, unfortunately, will be going back to Washington after my remarks. Secretary Rod Paige and [the] Lt. Governor will take the podium and discuss education. I do want to thank the folks here at -- at Booker Elementary School for their hospitality.


Today, we've had a national tragedy. Two airplanes have crashed into the World Trade Center in an apparent terrorist attack on our country.


I have spoken to the Vice President, to the Governor of New York, to the Director of the FBI, and have ordered that the full resources of the federal government go to help the victims and their families, and -- and to conduct a full-scale investigation to hunt down and to find those folks who committed this act.


Terrorism against our nation will not stand.


And now if you [would] join me in a moment of silence.


May God bless the victims, their families, and America.


Thank you very much.


9:38 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 77 was flown into the Pentagon and exploded, according to numerous eyewitnesses on the ground. 

The NTSB places the time of impact of Flight 77 into the Pentagon at 9:37:45. 

A Minnesota National Guard C-130 that had just taken off from nearby Andrews Air Force Base followed the jetliner in the seconds before it crashed.  The pilot of the C-130, who described the plane, provided the following account:


"It was like coming up to an intersection. When air traffic control asked me if we had him in sight, I told him that was an understatement - by then, he had pretty much filled our windscreen.  Then he made a pretty aggressive turn so he was moving right in front of us, a mile and a half, two miles away. ... 

They told us to turn and follow that aircraft - in 20-plus years of flying, I've never been asked to do something like that.  With all of the East Coast haze, I had a hard time picking him out.


The next thing I saw was the fireball.  It was huge.  I told Washington the airplane has impacted the ground.  Shook everyone up pretty good.  I told them the approximate location was close to the Potomac.  I figured he'd had some in-flight emergency and was trying to get back on the ground to Washington National. 


Suddenly, I could see the outline of the Pentagon.  It was horrible.  I told Washington this thing has impacted the west side of the Pentagon."
 
9:43 a.m. - President Bush's motorcade arrives at Sarasota's airport and pulls up close to Air Force One.  He learns a plane has hit the Pentagon as the motorcade gets near the airport. 

President Bush immediately boards the plane.  Security then does an extra-thorough search of all the baggage for the other passengers, delaying its takeoff.


9:55 a.m. - President Bush finally departs the Saratoga, Florida, airport on Air Force One without any fighter escort.  Air Force One takes off and quickly gains altitude.  Once the plane reaches cruising altitude, it flies in circles.

9:59 a.m. - The South Tower starts to collapse after burning for approximately 56 minutes.


10 a.m. - Aboard Air Force One while headed to Louisiana, President Bush calls Vice President Dick Cheney and puts America's military on a high alert status.  It was the highest alert status since the Cuban Missile Crisis in October of 1962.

The President continues going through reports from his staff, which also includes erroneous reports that a car bomb had struck the State Department.  Then he gets news that a plane has crashed near Pittsburgh.


10:05 a.m. - The South Tower at the World Trade Center collapses.

10:05 a.m. - The capitol of the United States and the White House are evacuated. The first time since the War of 1812 when the British burned Washington to the ground.


10:06 a.m. - A large section of one side of The Pentagon collapses.

Todd Beamer
 10:06 a.m. - United Airlines Flight 93 crashes in a wooded area near Somerset, Pennsylvania, after passengers confront hijackers.

One passenger, an American by the name of Todd Beamer, calls his wife on a cell phone and tells her of the plan to overpower the Muslim hijackers.

The connection remains open after Todd puts the phone down. Lisa Beamer hears her husband tell the other passengers, "Let's roll," signaling the start of the attack.


10:28 a.m. - The North Tower at the World Trade Center collapses.

10:32 a.m. - Vice President Dick Cheney calls President Bush and tells him of a threat to Air Force One. 

President Bush is also informed that it would take between 40 to 90 minutes to get a protective jet fighter escort up to Air Force One.  Because of this information, Air Force One turns toward Louisiana.

10:40 a.m. - Vice President Cheney called the President and informed him that The White House had just received a threat against Air Force One.  The caller had used its code word, "Angel," suggesting terrorists had inside information. 

President Bush told an aide, "Air Force One is next." 

Everyone on the plane knew that President Bush was angry that we were attacked, and this news didn't help to make things better.  "We're going to find out who did this," the President told Vice President Cheney, "and we're going to kick their asses."

Vice President Cheney urges President Bush not to return to Washington, saying, "There's still a threat to Washington."  Secretary of State Rice agreed, and had told the President the same thing.


The Vice President also voiced his concern that the terrorists might be trying to decapitate our government by trying to kill our leaders.  President Bush agreed.


Air Force One took evasive action because there is still no fighter escort.  Then within minutes those on board the president's plane could feel it bank suddenly and sharply to the left, its course now heading West to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. 


10:59 a.m. - Two F-16s meet Air Force One as escorts.  Piloted by Shane Brotherton and Randy Roberts from the Texas Air National Guard, this was the very same Texas Air National Guard that President Bush himself once served in as a Pilot.

11:29 a.m. - Four more fighters jets join up to now protect Air Force One.

11:40 a.m. - President Bush arrives at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, where he makes a series of telephone calls from the Base Commanding General's conference room.

The President tells Vice President Dick Cheney, in one telephone call, "It's the faceless coward that attacks."  

He also talks to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and then talks to New York Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.  Both cannot say where they are, even to the President of the United States.

12:36 p.m. - President Bush gives a short speech at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana that is taped and played by the networks at 1:04 p.m 

1:04 p.m. - President Bush speaks to our nation from a briefing room at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. 


His address to us was simple, short, reassuring, and to the point: 

"I want to reassure the American people that the full resources of the federal government are working to assist local authorities to save lives and to help the victims of these attacks. 


Make no mistake:  The United States will hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts.


I've been in regular contact with the Vice President, the Secretary of Defense, the national security team and my Cabinet.  We have taken all appropriate security precautions to protect the American people. 


Our military at home and around the world is on high alert status, and we have taken the necessary security precautions to continue the functions of your government.


We have been in touch with the leaders of Congress and with world leaders to assure them that we will do whatever is necessary to protect America and Americans.


I ask the American people to join me in saying a thanks for all the folks who have been fighting hard to rescue our fellow citizens and to join me in saying a prayer for the victims and their families.


The resolve of our great nation is being tested. But make no mistake:  We will show the world that we will pass this test. God bless."


1:15 p.m. - President Bush departs the conference room for Air Force One in a camouflaged Humvee. He talks to Vice President Dick Cheney again while en route to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. 

The President then schedules a 3 p.m. meeting with his National Security Staff.

He also talks with New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Gov. George Pataki, saying, "I know your heart is broken and your city is strained, and anything we can do - let me know." .


2:50 p.m. - Air Force One lands at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Nebraska. President Bush stays on the plane for about 10 minutes before entering United States Strategic Command at 3:06p.m.

The President is taken into an underground bunker designed to withstand a nuclear blast. 

Once there, the President uses an advanced strategic command and communications center to teleconference directly with Vice President Cheney, National Security Advisor Rice, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, and members of the National Security Council, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, CIA Director Tenet, and Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta. 

The meeting ended at 4:15 p.m..

4:33 p.m. - President Bush then departs for Washington.  While headed to Washington, he calls First Lady Laura Bush and says, "I'm coming home, see you at the White House."  He then gets to work on his prime-time speech to the nation.

At around 6 p.m. - Members from both sides of Congress, the House of Representatives and the Senate, make a joint statement regarding the attacks.  They end their press conference with the singing of  "God Bless America".

6:46 p.m. - President Bush arrives at White House to prepare for address to the nation. 

8:30 p.m. - President Bush speaks to nation from The Oval Office, and says,


"Good evening.  Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate 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 shatter 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 for our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and 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."


8:35 p.m. - President Bush meets with his full National Security Council, followed roughly half an hour later by a meeting with a smaller group of key advisers. 

President Bush and his advisers have already decided that Osama Bin Laden is behind the attacks.

CIA Director Tenet says that "al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan are essentially one and the same."

President Bush says, "tell the Taliban we're finished with them."

8:35 p.m. - President Bush then attends another National Security meeting.  


10:21 p.m. - After the meeting had ended, the Secret Service radio relays the news that President George W. Bush has gone upstairs to bed, "Trailblazer. Second floor of the residence."


Then it happened! It happened over night, it happened unconsciously, and it spread across the nation as if a strong wind had blown the dust off of it.  And yes, it was something that our enemies always underestimate.

If there is one thing that American History shows, it shows that we argue and squabble and fight over issues and priorities. We disagree over the direction which our nation may be headed. Heck, we even argue over the weather.


On the overall we have always been like a family arguing. In 1861, well that was us at our worse when we took to killing each other over problems. But that was an extreme, and I thank God that we have yet to revisit such a time. 

Today we still argue. We argue amongst ourselves and we can be pretty harsh at times.  But like family, others should not make the mistake of thinking that we won't unite if we're attacked.


Our enemies, since our conception, have constantly made the mistake of assuming that since we argue that we must be so deeply divided as a nation that we would not come together during times of disaster, need, or attack.


Many out there don't understand the common thread that weaves its way through our society. It is our unity during times of need, whether it be disaster or war or some other calamity, that brings us together.

And yes, we have a genuine desire to defend America when we are attacked.  Our sense of unity is what the Muslim terrorists awoke on 9/11.


So what happened on 9/11?  Well, our federal and state governments worked by jumping into action.  And for me, I believe providence had George W. Bush as our President at the time.  He was absolutely the right man at the right moment in history. 

And what did I personally learn since 9/11? 

Well, I've learned that Saudi Arabia financed the hijackers.  So to me, they are no different than the the Palestinians who danced in the streets when they saw Americans die on 9/11.  Yes, I see that the Saudis who are financing the Muslim extremists as just more of our enemies. 

I've learned that Muslims love bloodshed.  And if not all, then I'm thinking it's probably most.   

And if maybe there are those who do not subscribe to all of the Quran, then I have to ask why?  Why are they a part of such a murderous group? 

Why subscribe to the Quran when it calls repeatedly for blood and murder?

Calls like in the Quran (8:39), where it says, "So fight them until there is no more non-Muslims and all submit to the religion of Allah alone" 

Why be in such a religion that calls for murder and blood? 

I seems to me that those who follow that religion simply want violence.  The followers of Islam choose to follow a religion of hate and murder, of blood and violence.  It seems they want to destroy.  Since 9/11, I have learned that most, if not all, Muslims are crazed with a sick sort of blood lust.

Friends, I believe that President George W. Bush was right when he said,

"Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign unlike any other we have ever seen. It may include dramatic strikes visible on TV and covert operations secret even in success.


We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place until there is no refuge or no rest.

And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation in every region now has a decision to make: Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists." 


So what should be America's response to the evil called Islam? 

We must fight it everywhere we can, in every way we can.  We must stop the spread of their religion of hate in America.  We must constantly keep in mind that Islam is Anti-Democracy.

We must publicize their barbaric behavior, their hatred of women, their planned out slaughter of anyone who is not Muslim, their attacks on Christians and Churches, their wanton violence, their desire to enslave.

We must stop Muslims from bringing Sharia Law here.  We must stop Sharia Law from being used in any town or cities in America  - no matter what their liberal allies like the ACLU or the Democratic Party says. 

We must stop Sharia Law from being used in any nation that does not observe Religious Laws, like say Christian Cannon Laws, and only abides by Civil and Common Laws. 

America's response to the evil called Islam should also be for us to get into the fight.  We must vote for strong knowledgeable leaders who understand the threats to America. 

We must be willing to use force against the Muslim threat - simply because force is the only thing they respect and understand.  

And yes, I will never forget!



Story by Tom Correa