[Aragorn]

Jesus!
I get up this morning to see images of the World Trade Center smoking and on fire from plane impacts. A plane has crashed near the Pentagon, a car bomb has exploded near the state dept. All air traffic in the entire U.S. has been grounded. This is tragic. Once we get through this mess I certainly hope the time for diplomacy is over and we get the people behind this terrible event.

[MarkS]

As an update:

The car bomb report was false and both World Trade Center towers have collapsed.

Tragic does not even begin to describe it.

Mark

[Reinhold]

This is Pearl Harbor, only on a much larger scale.

[MarkS]

Yes, this is an act of war.

We will be at war with the responsable parties within the week, I would guess. Right now, we need to find out who is responsable.

[thezookeeper]

All of our lives are affected. Take care of your families.

Joanne

[Aragorn]

Reinhold,

Couldn't have said it better myself. Unfortunately, this doesn't surprise me. As one of the world's superpowers(some may say only) with the largest global economy(with global interests), and a free society to boot, this was just a matter of time. Of course, this also makes us a "target". Too bad we, as Americans, have become complacent(IMO) while we watch on television the terrorist acts within countries elsewhere.

Our reprisal(s) needs to be final.

[Aragorn]

Both towers have collapsed now. My heart goes out to the deceased and their families. I believe the death toll will be significantly more than what occurred in Pearl. Yes, THIS IS AN ACT OF WAR!!!!

[Caesar Augustus]

This is an act of war! The cowards need to be dealt with. I pray for the familys of all affected.
Napoleon

[Aragorn]

Not only the cowards who planned and executed this act, but the nation(s) that harbored these terrorists as well, IMO!

[reptilicus]

I can only say that I hope the loss of life is as small as possible. I can only hope that there will not be a large-scale war as a result. I can only hope that after this is over peace will prevail on earth.
Regards,
Tom

[Bojinx]

Both Towers were reportedly at full capacity, which amounts to over 20,000 people, plus the plane passengers and crew, plus anyone on the ground or in surrounding buildings. Along with the plane that hit the pentagon, another was hijacked and went down around pittsburg. AA has confirmed that two flights were highhacked. United confirmed another. No word yet on the fourth, or any others.

They are saying that everything was so orchestrated that it could only be a handful of organizations.....

[scubadude]

We have relatives in D.C. and we have heard that the white house is ON FIRE! I have NOT confirmed this...it may be a rumor.....as it was not from what I consider a trusted source. If anyone can confirm I would appreciate it....Thank GOD all of our Kin is safe. Bush was in Sarasota Fl. this morning and thats about 35 min. from where I live....He was speaking at an elementary school and someone whispered into his ear what had happnd.....I Have also heard that there is still one Commercial airplane that is in U.S. airspace which alot of intelligence believe that this un-accounted aircraft is quite likely terrorism intentions....it was believed to be heading to L.A. from boston

[Bojinx]

The planes that hit the towers were American Airlines flight11 with 92 people on board and United Airlines flight175 (not sure of the number of passengers.)

The plane that hit the pentagon was AA flight77 with 64 passengers. The one that went down around pittsburg was UA flight93.

[scubadude]

I HAVE confirmed that the White House WAS/IS on fire!....I have relatives that have personally seen it and live not to far from there...Unfortunately I was not able to speak long enough with them to elaborate on the situation!

[Aragorn]

What I don't understand is what do these organizations hope to accomplish? Do they REALLY think that this will help their cause? Do they really think that the "Evil Empire of America" is going to take this "on the chin"? When Japan bombed Pearl did Hirohito(sp?) not speak the words "I fear that we have awoken a sleeping giant"? This by far is the most horrible act of terrorism I have seen.

They should be bombed back into the Stone Age. These organizations do not understand diplomacy and negotiation. They only understand violence. Let's give them a response that they'll understand. I am so overwrought with emotions right now for the victims and what our response should be. Perhaps when I'm less emotional, I'll rethink my thoughts...but I don't think so.

[Aragorn]

This is right out of a Tom Clancy novel, I swear.

[icemark]

The act of war stuff is a bit premature and talk like that will get us back in another war... more than likely in/with the middle east. We don't need another war!

It is almost incomprehensible, these actions, and my deepest sympathy goes out to anyone hurt or worse and their families.

But we need to keep a clear head and address the proper responsible parties. Not just go in with guns blazing (which is what I worry about with the current president). We have all these CIA and other secret services that will deal with the issue.

[Reinhold]

icemark:

What qualifies in your mind as an act of war? Does it have to be your children slaughtered by another government?

[MarkS]

Four planes hijacked. Two crashed into the World Trade Center which is staffed at around 70,000 people. Possibly 10,000 - 70,000 dead. A plane crashes into the Penagon, the highest U.S. military instalation in the world.

This is NOT an act of war?? What is?? Even terrorism has limits.

[icemark]

Act of war? what war with what country?

This is different than Pearl Harbor, where Japan (a nation/state) attacked the US.

This isn't Iraq, or Afghanistan or Korea attacking the US. its a bunch of left wing crazies group claiming responsibility. Not another country.

Or do you mean like the "war on drugs"?

Just what country do you want to go to war with???