American Tragedy.... |
Let every Nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty. John F. Kennedy |
Pam's Meanderings.... |
This one takes a long time to load, but is worth it! |
Statement by the President on the United States in His Address to the Nation 8:30 p.m. EDT 9/11/2001 |
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 the 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 greter 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. George W. Bush |
What YOU can do... |
THE TERRORIST WANT us to be afraid; they want us to stay home, hoarding fuel and food. They want to crush our free and open society by paralyzing us with fear. We can stop them. Our collective actions have a tremendous effect and will repel this terrorist threat and send a clear message to the world. |
1. Keep your money in the stock market; leave your investments where they are. Show your faith in our economy 2. Fill your car's gas tank as you normally would. Don't run to the gas station to fill up your car. Stay with your normal pattern of refueling. 3. Buy things - anything, no matter how small Delayed purchases can be self-fulfilling prophecies of a failing economy. Our collective purchases will have a phenomenal impact and help us fight fear-induced volatility of the price of everyday goods and services. 4. Fly the American flag Stand tall and be American 5. Withdraw cash from the bank as you usually would Terrorists fully intend to scare us into thinking that our systems are vulnerable well beyond the point of impact. |
6. Use transportation systems Make business and travel arrangements as you normally would 7. Conserve energy This will help to stabilize prices and supplies. 8. Write your members of Congress and demand more funding for alternative fuel research. By reducing our dependence on foreign oil, we enable our government to do what is deemed necessary. 9. Help unify this country by engaging your neighbors and community. We need to have one voice to fight terrorism. Everyone must come together in order for our collective actions to defeat this evil. 10.Get back into your normal pattern of work and living. |
IT'S UP TO YOU! There are many great lessons to be learned from these events; among them is the understanding tat we each have the ability to defend our nation. We are each empowered to make decisions that will collectively allow us not only to survive this time of crisis, but to emerge ever-stronger in our response to this unspeakable act of evil. |
BUSH READIES TROOPS Sunday, Sept 16, 2001 |
WASHINGTON - President Bush ordered U.S. Troops to get ready for war and braced Americans for a long, difficult assault against terrorists to avenge the deadliest attack on the nation. "Those who make war against the United States have chosen their own destruction." he declared Saturday. |
"We will smoke them out of their holes," Bush said. "We'll get them running and we'll bring them to justice." |
But first the nation had to mourn its dead. "This is indeed a sad occasion, one to be repeated thousands of times by our fellow citizens across the country." Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said at the memorial service for Barbara Olson, wife of U.S. Solicitor General Theodore Olson. |
She was among the 64 passengers and crew members on American Airlines Flight 77 that crashed into the Pentagon. Rescue workers searched with diminishing hopes in the rubble of the World Trade Center in New York and the crash-scarred Pentagon for any survivors. |
Four days after hijackers seized commercial airliners and slammed them into the symbols of American military and economic might, Bush said prime suspect Osama bin Laden's days ae numbered. "If he thinks he can hide and run from the United States and our allies he will be sorely mistaken." |
"This act will not stand," he said. |
The vow recalled the words of his fatherPresident Bush who put Iraq on notice in 1990 that the Unted States would not tolerate the invasion of Kuwait. Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice - who played key roles in the Persian Gulf War - huddled with Bush under extraordinary security Saturday at Camp David in western Maryland. |
"We're at war," the commander in chief said |
"Everybody who wears the uniform: Get ready," Bush instructed. The White House would not rule out the use of ground troops; Bush himself said "the conflict will not be easy." |
The President urged Americans to go about their lives but cautioned the threat might not be over. He said there should be "a heightened sense of awareness that a group of barbarians have declared war on the American people." |
Bush intended to challenge Americans on Sunday to defy terrorists by returning to the normal course of their lives as soon as possible, aides said. He also hoped to reassure jittery financial markets by espousing the fundamentals of the economy. |
The stock market was to open Monday, even as risks loomed. |
Lt. Gen. Russell Davis of the National Guard said combat patrols are guarding the sky above Washington, New York and a few other cities he would not identify. |
As Americans struggled to find a sense of normalcy, jarring devlopements kept them on edge. |
- - Recovery workers found many bodies at the Pentagon where officials believe 188 people were killed. |
- - Workers toiled in the muck and stink of what was the World Trade Center in New York, finding a small fraction of the thousands of bodies buried beneath tons of rubble. |
- - Continental Airlines laid off 12, 000 employees and cut its flight schedule by 20 percent because of an expected drop in air travel. |
Attorney General John Ashcroft, with Bush at Camp David, said that investigators "are beginning to understand the ways in which this terrible crime was committed." Authorities issued their second warrant, seeking a witness they consider valuable. |
Powell said that Pakistan has offered to "assist us in whatever might be required." effectively pledging its soil and airspace to an assault on neighboring Afganistan. Bush added Mexican President Vincente Fox to the list of world leaders he has called since Tuesday. The pair talked about bolstering efforts to prevent terrorism along the 2100 mile border. |
One day after leading the nation in prayer, Bush changed his tone to begin preparing Americans for sacrifices ahead. |
"I will not settle for a token act. Our response will be sweeping, sustained and effective." he said. "We have much to do and much to ask of the American people." |
His advisers said that fighting terrorists will expose U.S. troops to severe risk and American citizens to retaliatory strikes. Bush did not speak in such blunt terms, but used his weekly radio address to raise the first words of caution. |
"You will be asked for your patience, for the conflict will not be short. You will be asked for resolve, for the conflict will not be easy. You will be asked for your strength, because the course to victory may be long." he said. |
Bush sounded a patriotic chord as citizens emptied store shelves of U.S. flags and other American emblems, held fundraiser drives and gave blood. |
"A terrorist attack designed to tear us apart has instead bound us together as a nation." he said |
In a display of unity, New York's two senator - - both Democrats - - thanked President Bush, Gov. George Pataski and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani - - all Republans - - for their support. |
"Underneath our tears is the strong determination of America to win this war," Bush said |
Vengeance will take time, Bush said. |
"Victory against terrorism will not take place in a single battle but in a series of decisive actions against terrorist organizations and those who harbor and support them." Butsh said. "We are planning a broad and sustained campaign to secure our country and eradicte the evil of terrorism.: |
Bush did not mention his father's Persian Gulf War, but spoke of a new type of battle. |
"This is a conflict without battlefields or beachheads, a conflict with opponents who believe they are invisible. Yet they are mistaken." the President said. "They will be exposed." |
POEMS, ETC... |
New York....U.S.A. New York, New York What did they do to you? They ripped your heart apart And they knocked you down, that's true. They tore this country right in half, So many lives were lost. Never in our lifetime did we see Such devastation and all it cost. They put a hole right through this nation Our land has been defaced. They've ripped so many lives apart Our innocent martyrs can never be replaced. The terrorists that commit these crimes With their epitaphs they shout And say they do it all for God But Satan's what it's all about. They also hit the soul of us When they hit the Pentagon With yet another plane filled with loved ones And a fourth one sacrificed to save many others. So many family and friends now gone. They will not stop this country tho No matter what their sin. We'll lift our hearts and join in prayer And let the heling once again begin. This is not the first time...we've been hit before We can never forget Pearl Harbor Day Nor all the planes sabotaged along the way. So now we come together once more Each in his own way, we pause and pray. Our prayers go up for those we love, For the victims we lost yesterday and all the years before. Their families and friends, the workers, the medics, And all of the heros of the day. And although life will never again be as we knew it We stand tall and salute our flag and say.... GOD BLESS OUR U S A !! Joanne |
I AM I am an American. This I'm proud to be No foreign threat will take that away from me.. This is my land, my country, my people who I love All races, all colors, this land is Blessed from above. We will stand strong ad prove ourselves if tested. We won't crumble, or be divided of terror they have vested. We will hold strong, whether it be in prayer or by might. Our tears only water the seeds we hold to Strenghten us thru this plight. Our flag will fly high in all it's glory of Red, White and Blue our hearts beat with pride as we do what we must do. The people of this great country will put aside all foolish drivel And take up arms together to fight for the good to beat evil. I am an American, you'll not take that away from me I am all people who fight to keep our country free. I am a nation quick to defend the unjustice And set the record straight We are a country bonded by blood, love loyalty And this you can't negate! I am an American for One and All Fort this reason I stand Tall Sunny |
ONE.... As the soot and dirt and ash rained down, We became one color. As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building We became one class. As we lit candles of waiting and hope, We became one generation. As the firefighters and police officers fought their way into the inferno, We became one gender. As we fell to our knees in prayer for strenght, We became one faith. As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement, We spoke one language. As we gave our blood in lines a mile long, We became one body. As we mourned together the great loss, We became one family. As we cried tears of grief and loss, We became one soul. As we retell with pride of the sacrifice of heroes, We become one people. We are One color One class One generation One gender One faith One language One body One family One soul One people We are the Power of One. We are United. We are America. |
