9/11 Special

Lets keep this nice or I will ask a mod to close it. This is NOT a Debate! I repeat this is not a debate. This is to share my condolences and pay my respects, and share what I felt.)

10 years ago the twin towers were hit. Back then I was 15 and in my highschool science class. I realized yesterday after watching all the stuff on TV just how little I really understood 9/11 just how little I connected with such a tragedy.

Yesterday my husband and I watched the History channel special on 9/11 which documented 7 or so people who got video of this horrifying event. I realized last night how in the dark I kept myself about this. How cut off I was from what exactly happened. I am by no means an emotional person but I cried like a school girl. I found myself holding onto my husband and how grateful I was to have him. Watching each camera persons experience, the utter blackness that covered them as the first tower collapsed. Hearing please of help from those stuck in buildings with the ash filling their lungs. Watching firemen most of whom never were seen again going to the last standing tower. The cries of help from the people in the tower via 911. My heart broke in two.

I truly TRULY understood the magnitude last night. I fully grasped what it was people went through that day. The shock, the helpless feelings some had and the utter terror.

I just want to say how sorry I am for what happened that day. I'm sorry if anyone on here knows of someone or lost someone to that tragedy. I'm sorry for all the lives lost to such a horrible thing. Both at the towers, the brave souls that stopped the plane from reaching it's destination, and the pentagon. I hope America and the world never has to experience this again.

I turned to my husband yesterday and said "They stole something from Americans that day. They stole their sense of security. While no one is ever safe from this kind of stuff it still is a shock. It's like a robber who comes in while you're sleeping and takes whatever they're able to. In the end you're not as upset about the lost possessions, as you are about the sense of lost security. The feeling that you can't be safe in your own home and how you are on alert for pretty much the rest of you life worrying if it'll happen again.

I'd also like to respectfully thank all those who helped that day. To all those who put their life on the line. I'm sorry my eyes weren't opened sooner. Anyone who watched that special had to come away feeling some ounce of remorse and sadness for what will always be remember in America. Watching that special opened my eyes, as I'm sure it did for others as well.

I'm sorry for all those other countries who deal with bombings and war. It's such a horrifying thing to have going on and still going on for some of you. I'm just utterly sorry that there is such ugliness in this world. I guess for the longest time I wanted to believe the 'evil' was only in fairy tales. A kid part of me wanted/wants to believe that. But the hole in my heart tells me different. I can only hope those of you going through this every day will one day know peace, feel safe and not loose another loved one to such evil.

Like you I didn't fully understand, but this year it hit me hard. I did know of someone who was there, he made it out and survived, moved to Europe with his family a year later. He couldn't be here anymore (it was a friends Dad), and they're still there to this day. It's heartbreaking to see the videos and know you're not watching a movie.

I think that's the disbelief part of it.. I want to believe it's just a movie. So heartbreaking so many lost their lives that day. (and those who continue to lose their lives to things like this)

Ok, pardon my stupidity and ignorance, I am just a bit confused by this...I mean can anyone tell me what exactly happened that day?? Some told me it was an attack on America because of some economical problems and issues and some are telling me that some stolen plans hit a tower or something....I'm quite unsure, so if someone knows, could tell me, no drama I promise :P

:)

Four planes total I believe were hijacked. One was flown into a field, unsure of the actual target, but it's to be believed the passengers on the plane tried to take the plane back.

Another plane was flown into the Pentagon, and then the other two were flown into the twin towers in NYC.

I don't think any of us know 100% the real reason behind it. Some people think it was bin Laden/Al Quada attacking us because we are free, and the way we live is offensive to them. Some believe it was an attack from Al Quada to wage war, to destroy us economically etc. Some believe it was the George Bush administration (President at the time) that staged this attack, for what purpose I don't really understand.

Conspiracies are all over the place with this, again, I don't think we'll ever 100% know the truth.

Http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11_attacks

should give you an exact insight on what took place that day.

Four planes total I believe were hijacked. One was flown into a field, unsure of the actual target, but it's to be believed the passengers on the plane tried to take the plane back.
^^^
never heard of that one??
some told me it was a plane who hit the twin tower in NewYork city, yes..but never heard of the field..:/

Papa told me it was because some people who are citizens who stole...(maybe?) planes and did that.

Some believe it was an attack from Al Quada to wage war, to destroy us economically etc. Some believe it was the George Bush administration (President at the time) that staged this attack, for what purpose I don't really understand.
^^^^
I agree with this, I've always been against Al Quaeda....and Osama Bin Ladin, and lots of people believe it is the real reason.

BRitt you mean the president now? :/

EDITED: thanks Rabea

I believe that airplane was headed Into Washington D.C
before passengers tried to fight the Terrorist people in the plane which caused it to hit a field, not sure how close to the detestation where they though,

Casualties were, 2977 which were american Civilians
and 19 Terrorists

Not the President now. George Bush was the President at the time of the attacks in 2001.

Two planes hit the twin towers, one in each building. There was some time in between impact.

The one with the field isn't talked about as much as the other locations, I'm not sure why. Maybe because it didn't hit a building or have as many casualties? I really don't know. Thats right, they were to be believed they were headed to Washington DC, in which case I would automatically assume the White House would be a possible target.

I don't know if the hijackers were legal citizens of the US or not.

3977 American people died that day??? :/
it IS a tragedy.

I guess the reasons were economic?? maybe....however it is so pitiful to wage a war in this way whether it be by Osama Bin Ladin or by legal citizens...I believe many innocent people passed away for no reason but hatred and greediness. Such a shame

2977, not 3977. But yes, a lot of people died that day.. people who were just going to work. The videos are horrific to watch.

Are there any videos??
was it decided before or..was it a sudden attack? sorry,I'm just curious :/

Oh and yes 2977 thanks for the correction.

2977

not 3977,
tottal death count of 2996 including the hijackers

and brit, i don't believe united 93 was destined to hit the white house, that would be almost impossible, they would shoot it down instantly, it was directed to the capital itself, and the destination of the targets were decided by the pilots themselves.

also, there is a movie i believe called united 93, describing the acts that took place specially in that airplane >.<

Yeah, you can youtube videos and it'll show you all kinds of stuff. They played it over and over on Sunday.. made me sick to my stomach.

I think there were threats that a terrorist attack was going to happen, but of that I don't really know. It's hard to know what real truth is when so much speculation happens, especially 10 years worth lol

-- I didn't say that was the intended target.. I'm saying it was a possibility and my opinion. The majority of the focus has always been on the two planes that hit the two towers, so that's all I really focused on as well. I hadn't heard of that movie. After a while you kind of get burnt out (emotionally) on watching things regarding the attacks. It's too much for me to handle. :/

I never saw any video yet still I feel sick....that must be tragic.

the white house? no way...

EDITED:

Gimme links.....UNLESS the movies are too harsh.

According to obama bin ladan, the reason behind the attacks were 3 things,

The United states support for Israel
Sanctions taken against Iraq
and The Presence of United states military army in the Kingdom of saudi arbia.

of course god knows what was in Binladan's mind when
he planned it, or if these reasons were the actual ones behind the hijacking, as brit said, there are many speculations and no1 can know the truth to what have happened exactly that day,

anyways, it's a tribute thread, so i'm going to shhhhh before Amanda gets annoyed
cheers!

The United states support for Israel
Sanctions taken against Iraq
and The Presence of United states military army in the Kingdom of saudi arbia.

^^^
Rabea, just a question dear, do you as a citizen believe that Osama bin Ladin would do such sacrifices for us?? I doubt it.

I've always been against the system of Al Quaeda and Osama Bin Ladin. They are terrorists more than nationalists.

---and I'm quite surprised that the United States of America got threatened......there were threats..?? why didn't the government take actions or something?

It is, however, pretty pitiful that this attack was focused on those innocent citizens rather than military forces, as I know when there is a war, everything should be focused on the military not the public, right?? and as everybody said..3977 people died that day..I don't think it is fair....and I don't think it was a defense for what America has done.

I am always annoyed and sick when I see or hear about dead children and innocent people, no matter what their nationalities are, whether they be Palestinian, Syrian or American, that's sick.

God be with every family who lost a member due to 11th September tragedy.

Loooool Rabea.. "According to obama bin ladan, the reason behind the attacks were 3 things,"

After Osama Bin Laden was killed, SO many news reporters came on saying Obama was dead, Obama Bin Laden, or call Obama "Barak Osama". They're names are too close, and it always cracks me up. I don't know why.

I think every country probably gets threats all the time -- and as a lot of people have said, America felt untouchable. We were mighty and invincible and it would NEVER happen here... until it did. Now I think they take the threats much more seriously, as our alerts go up and down on a publicly known basis, where I don't know if it did before.

What the hell are you talking about guys???
Who is Obasma ??

..lol what? Osama Bin Laden = crazy man.
Barack Obama = current US President.

Rabea or you said "Obasma", one of you edited, though. :P

Anyway, America isn't untouchable, every country is felt, it is just maybe the fact that your country is the strongest of all countries all over the world, so nobody would expect an attack on it.

Dozens of Saudi citizens were flown back to Saudi Arabia at their government's expense, while the bin Ladens are believed to have paid their own way, according to a Saudi diplomat. All of those who took up the Saudi government's offer to fly home were reportedly questioned by the FBI before being allowed to board the flights. A Saudi diplomat told The Boston Globe that the relatives of bin Laden had been advised by both the Saudi government and the FBI to return to Saudi Arabia at least temporarily for their own safety

Though it may seem a racial issue the intent of GW
Bush or Barack Hussein Obama was not to attack Arabs

"Anyway, America isn't untouchable, every country is felt, it is just maybe the fact that your country is the strongest of all countries all over the world, so nobody would expect an attack on it."

Very true. People always say/hear American's are arrogant (which is true sometimes, of course not ALL people lol), and one thing we like to think is we have such a big military, no one will ever hurt us. We were very, very wrong, and it humbled us. I equate it to how I felt as a teenager. I made really stupid decisions that could have easily killed me, but I had that mindset 'it won't happen to me, it can't happen to me'. America is young compared to other countries.. maybe we hit our young 'teen' phase?

"One thing we like to think is we have such a big military, no one will ever hurt us. We were very, very wrong, and it humbled us."

I definitely agree on this, if the American government took actions due to the threats, nothing would have happened, some of you said there were threats, right?? And I guess any country would be more careful. However, you can't say America is young, it is not, it is pretty strong compared to the rest of the world in my opinion.

11th September tragedy was determined years before it happened, I believe, Osama Bin Laden won't ever defend us (the Arabs) many Arabic and Muslim leaders defend our countries without killing innocent public like this, so I might say, what happened ten years ago would never be excused.

Rabea, just a question dear, do you as a citizen believe that Osama bin Ladin would do such sacrifices for us?? I doubt it.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

from a personal experience and i am by no means an expert or posses the intellectualism thinking to think this through, Osama bin Ladna's problem with America is a personal one, and that is my conclusion to why he initiated the attacks.
but to answer your question since you asked it,
Osama's vision is an extreme one, Bin Ladans are the 2nd most richest family in KSA after the royals.
to leave all that lavish wealth and go for a life of strife keeping in mind that he is a very sick man, and this is dated back to the 80's when the Soviet union was occupying Afghanistan is a good thing on his behalf, many Arabs and the whole world including Americans as well acknowledged it,
so to believe he would have done such a thing for what he believes in, yeah, i do believe he would go that far >.<

yet after the SU existence was no longer felt in Afghanistan was when Osama showed his true colors, 10 years of civil war where women had absoultley no rights, it was very savage, and the victim of this were the Afghani's, they have been through 10 years of war with the SU, 10 years of civil war, and 10 years of the NAto forces,

any Afghani person under the age of 30 haven't tasted anything and do not know anything but war.

and here is a piece of information you might not know about Osama,

prior to Going to Afghanistan, he wanted to go to Iraq, he wasn't pleased with the way Sadam was murdering the Kurds and wanted to liberate it from him, but that was stopped to save whatever Good relations Saudi arbia had with Iraq's after the gulf war. i find it very Ironic That the two of them were enemies. they really did share the same P.O.V about everything.

But to try and analyze Osama as a person is beyond me or you or anyone noura, lol

and even if I don't sympathies with the Americans, i have issues against him because he have killed more Muslims than anything in his supposed war on the devil.

>.<
that's an honest mistake on the Obama bin ladan part
lol

Sometimes, you make me wonder upon the amount of information you have, Rabea! I am nowhere the 'nationalist' you are. :P

And oh well, I may never know anything about Osama and I don't actually want to, but nothing would justify his behavior in 11th September, we are used to wage wars defending our countries by killing/arresting soldiers, and NOT innocent people. That's what I was saying.

I am against him with everything, almost. He didn't only kill Americans, he killed Muslims and all kinds of humans! :|

I want to congratulate everyone on this thread for conducting an informative, sincere and calm discussion.
Thank you.

^^Lol we have to date this! the very first thread without drama! haha.

Actually I re-posted here because I believe that the drama in the previous thread was caused almost by me. :)

Larry, now you've jynxed it! Haha. :P

But I do have say well done everyone, I am impressed at the way you've conducted yourselves. Continue to do so. It makes not only for a pleasant discussion but a pleasant atmosphere here in P&Q for all to benefit from. It is greatly appreciated.

Liz

We'll try to be less dramatic and misunderstanding in the future, I promise. :P

I say America is young because were only 235 yrs oldish, where other countries are thousands of years old.

Larry and Liz, you're gonna jinx it! Lol

Shhhhhh stop talking about it. xP

Oh Britt, you mean young/old? haha I thought young/big. o.O Opps I should take English lessons all over again.

Loool, yeah, I mean we're newbies in the country world :P

History Channel had this special:

102 minutes that changed America

Here are a few I-witness' from the tragic day. I watched the entire special and I can honestly say it changed how I felt about 9/11. It was so moving and made me upset for those who went through this. Until this special I was truly ignorant to just exactly what people went through and the terror they experienced.

http://www.history.com/videos/cheryl-dunn-on-911

http://www.history.com/videos/sam-riegel-and-quyen-tran-on-911

http://www.history.com/videos/alfie-alvarado-on-911

"also, there is a movie i believe called united 93, describing the acts that took place specially in that airplane >.<"

I advise anyone who hasn't watched this film to watch it. I watched it years ago and it still haunts me.

Thanks for the links, and I'll google that movie! :)

OHHH JEEEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZEEEEEEEEE

I WATCHED A MOVIE AND IT WAS HORRIBLEEEEEE
I COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES....I COULDN'T CONINTUE WATCHING I SWEAR I HAD CHILLS AND TEARS!!!!

WHAT IN THE HECK????!!!!! :OOO

Now as you can see this is why people were remembering 9/11's 10th anniversary. Why it's a touchy subject for many Americans and even Non- Americans such as myself.

I agree, it is a touchy subject, and everyone should remember it. I am not American and I was horrified by the pictures, they were really unbelievable. All we were saying is that there are people who live the same scenes everyday, too. :)

Isn't there any ceremonies in this day? I mean what do people usually do in this day? Pray, maybe?

The entire day Americans had their own ceremonies. I believe other countries may have as well? I'd have to ask my parents back in Canada. At least I know my husband and I went to one. It was one that not only remembered 9/11 but also 2 fallen soldiers of the community. Since my husband and his father are both boy/eagle scouts (as were the soldiers who lost their lives) his father put on a great ceremony. There were bigger ceremonies where families of those lost to the attack read their parent/childs/spouses names. Here in the USA it was broadcasted on pretty much every channel of the different things people were doing.

I'm not religious but I know many who were praying. Me I was hoping for peace in peoples hearts. Overall for me it was just a very sad day full of remembrance and overall opening my eyes.