Wednesday, October 31, 2001

 

I'm not the only one

From the looks of my counter stats for the last couple of days, it seems I'm not the only one concerned with the way the traditional media is handling news in today's new world. People have come here after searching for censorship views and newspapers in today's society. Sure, those are only two people, but it shows me there's a trend toward questioning the news coverage we're spoon fed by the traditional media.

That's a good thing considering what we're being fed. While The Today Show gave us tips on how to put together a haunted house at the last minute airplanes were being detained in San Francisco and Seattle because of fears that someone aboard might be carrying anthrax. Both flights were released after the anthrax scare proved to be unfounded. But still, why wasn't it on The Today Show?

Why haven't we heard much about the 20 beef cattle who died of anthrax in Santa Clara County, California? Anthrax spores, which can lie dormant in the soil for half a century or more, are widespread in California's rangeland, according the San Francisco Chronicle. Well OK, whatever you say, but ..... before these deaths, the story says, California had just 10 reported cases in the past decade. Doesn't anyone else find this too much of a coincidence?

I don't really know what to think about the media anymore. Obviously, there's information out there and people are printing it. It's just a matter of finding it. I'm not sure what I think about television news anymore either. Are they censoring? Or are they simply trying not to jump the gun on certain stories. One thing I am sure of is the Internet has been a godsend to people searching for more news.

posted by Anne 10/31/2001 10:51:00 AM (0) comments

Friday, October 26, 2001

 

What's wrong with this picture?

OK. Last week a person was stopped by airport security becaue of a book he was carrying that had a picture of dynamite on the cover. But this week a man carries a loaded gun onto an airplane.

That's right. The man went through all the security checkpoints but managed to get onto the plane with a loaded gun in his briefcase. He had forgotten it was there and, when he opened his briefcase and saw it, gave it to a flight attendant who then took it to the cockpit, where it stayed for the remainder of the flight.

A security worker has been fired over the incident. Good.

There are many disturbing things about both of these stories, not the least of which is, if not for the Internet how many of us would have heard about them? I watch (listen to) an average of 4 to 6 hours of news programming a day. I didn't see or hear any coverage on either story.

Is this part of the censorship? Is the government telling the media not to report on what a mess everything really is? As a former journalist, I find this trend of not reporting news like this more than a little bit disturbing. The main purpose of journalism is to report the facts and let the public come to its own conclusion.

I understand not wanting to frighten the public any further, but I also believe we should be given all the facts. One of the facts right now is that airport security -- despite the presence of the National Guard -- doesn't seem to be any better than it was on Sept. 11.

The media is ignoring that, but flooding us with news of anthrax. Yes, the anthrax scare is disturbing but, obviously, the terrorists have specific targets and, unless the terrorists' tactics change, most Americans won't be directly affected. There are 50 states in this country. Four, along with the District of Columbia, have been affected. You do the math.

I'm not downplaying the fact that people have died because of it. I'm simply saying that the media's emphasis is wrong, and it's scaring people unnecessarily. Take, for example, the woman who "cooked" her mail in the microwave because she's afraid of anthrax.

I wish the media would start doing its job again and report responsibly -- and without bias.

posted by Anne 10/26/2001 08:26:00 AM (0) comments

Thursday, October 25, 2001

 

The war on journalism

For several days I've been trying to think of an appropriate response to a story in the New York Times saying that at the government's request, certain media outlets have agreed to censor coverage of the war on terrorism. I'm all for the greater good and all, but censorship is just wrong -- especially in America.

I know I couldn't say this any better than Paul McMaster, First Amendment Ombudsman, First Amendment Center.

The Freedom Forum rocks!

posted by Anne 10/25/2001 10:21:00 AM (0) comments

Monday, October 22, 2001

 

Looking for a bright side ...

I think we're all hard pressed to find a bright side to the tragedy of Sept. 11. But there are some good things that came out of it.

After being rudely awakened to the fact that America is not untouchable, our airport security, as well as other security will be (it's hoped) up to par with other nations around the world.

It's a tragedy in itself that it took something like the Sept. 11 disaster to give firefighters and emergency personnel the respect they deserve, but that has happened as well.

U.S. citizens are more united than ever before, and the rest of the world is pitching in and showing support.

On The Today Show this morning, Al Roker interviewed Frank Davis, the man who won Jay Leno's motorcycle on an ebay auction for more than $300,000. What's Davis going to do with the Harley he used his life savings and a new bank loan to win? He thinks it would be a good idea to take it to "Ground Zero" and let the rescue workers see it "and maybe make them smile for 5 minutes." He would also like to organize fund raisers related to the bike.

Paul McCartney helped organize The Concert for New York City, which was not only a fund raiser and tribute to the victims. It was also meant to honor members of the New York fire, police, and rescue crews who tirelessly worked to save lives and restore order in lower Manhattan. Of course you would expect Bon Jovi and Billy Joel to be there. But Eric Clapton, The Who, Elton John, Bono, David Bowie and Marc Anthony were among those who performed.

If you still have trouble looking for a bright side or finding hope, look at this. A cat apparently trapped under the World Trade Center debris has been found alive, with a new litter of three kittens. Vets say all of the cats will be just fine.

posted by Anne 10/22/2001 10:25:00 AM (0) comments

Saturday, October 20, 2001

 

In other news ...

Sept. 11 and its aftermath are the focus of most news organizations and, apparently, the majority of Internet users. That's understandable.

Links related to Sept. 11, terrorism, anthrax, et al dominate Blogdex and Daypop, which chronicle links that are currently popular with webloggers from around the world.

Among the links are Novel Security Measures, a newspaper story about a young man who was hassled while trying to board a plane with a novel that has a picture of dynamite on its cover.

Another popular link is
U.S. propaganda to Taliban: 'You are condemned' which details the propaganda the U.S. is sending to the Taliban. According to an English language translation posted on the Pentagon's Web site, one message gives the Taliban forces instructions how to surrender to U.S. troops.

"When you decide to surrender, approach United States forces with your hands in the air. Sling your weapon across your back muzzle towards the ground. Remove your magazine and expel any rounds. Doing this is your only chance of survival."

Then there's this: How Safe Are Your Illegal Drugs? Politicos have warned that dirt-cheap, high-potency heroin will soon flood world markets and cause an epidemic of overdoses in the wake of the Taliban evacuating opium supplies before the first bombs hit Afghani soil.

Have we forgotten that there's other news out there?

There's the O.J. Simpson road rage trial. Simpson is charged with auto burglary and battery in connection with a road rage confrontation on Dec. 4, 2000, with 55-year-old neighbor Jeffrey Pattinson. He faces up to 16 years if convicted of both charges.

The former football player allegedly blew through a red light, stopped in rage after Pattinson honked at him, then berated the man, reached into his car and snatched his glasses off his face. Simpson claims that Pattinson was the aggressor and, according to his lawyer, was looking forward to arguing his innocence.

Chandra Levy is still missing. Does anyone remember that a week before Sept. 11 A grand jury was scheduled to review allegations that Rep. Gary Condit obstructed justice when he asked flight attendant Anne Marie Smith to sign an affidavit stating they didn't have an affair?

The Emmy awards have been rescheduled. This is relevant (to me anyway)because Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band are up for several awards.

Also, October is National Breast Cancer Month. We've barely heard anything about an issue that usually floods the airwaves, Internet and newspapers in October.

As I said earlier, it's understandable that Sept. 11 and its aftermath are dominating news coverage, but we need to remember there's more out there.

I suppose that finding your fairy name is #14 on the Blogdex is a sign of hope.

This is Gossamer Catweb Fairy signing off for the day. (I don't believe I did that!)

posted by Anne 10/20/2001 07:07:00 AM (0) comments

Friday, October 19, 2001

 

A doctor who makes sense ... finally

Dr. Laura Popper, a New York pediatrician, is the first doctor I've heard on the news who made sense concerning anthrax and people trying to stock up on Cipro. I don't understand the rationale behind stocking up on an antibiotic to cure an infection that you have only a miniscule chance of contracting. My thinking is, save it for the people who will get it. How would you feel if you took the drug away from someone who really needed it?

Apparently, Dr. Popper is thinking along the same lines.

On the news this morning, Dr. Popper said it's time for doctors to be brave and (I'm paraphrasing here) not prescribe Cipro because of their patient's fears that they might be infected.

This article says that her phones are ringing off the hook. People are demanding Cipro, an antibiotic known to fight anthrax, but she's saying no.

"To me, it would be the equivalent of saying, 'We have a danger--let's give everybody a gun,'" says Popper.

Good for you, Dr Popper!

On the news last night, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said that of all the billions of people in the United States, only 7 have contracted anthrax. Yesterday in the United States, he said, 250,000 people were injured in automobile accidents and people haven't stopped driving because of it.

Now that is putting it into perspective.

posted by Anne 10/19/2001 07:42:00 AM (0) comments

Thursday, October 18, 2001

 

An ounce of prevention

My mom is a smart lady. If only people who make decisions about health issues in our country were that smart, there wouldn't be any concern about a possible upcoming crisis.

I remember when the decision was made to not make smallpox vacinations mandatory for children starting school. There hadn't been a case of smallpox in years, so the vacincations weren't necessary anymore, "they" said.

Of course there hadn't been a case in years, my mom said. That's because of the vacinations.

Had "they" not decided to stop the vacinations, we wouldn't be worried about the threat of an outbreak now. The terrorists would have one less weapon.

We've learned many lessons since Sept. 11. We're sure to learn many more. I hope the to-vacinate-or-not question is one of them.

posted by Anne 10/18/2001 09:09:00 AM (0) comments

 

Call me heartless, but ...

Today's local morning news program showed a feature about a 13-year-old Afghani boy and his plight during this time of war. He has to carry water to his family three times a day, work with cows in the family field, share a pencil at school ...

Blah, blah, blah ...

I assume this feature was supposed to make me feel sorry for children in Afghanistan. Call me heartless, but I didn't think about those children six weeks ago and I'm not all that concerned about them now. I'm more concerned with the American children who became orphans on Sept. 11.

This isn't a new feeling for me. I've always believed in taking care of our own first. I could never understand why so much government money (read: my tax money) went overseas to help people in other countries when we have so many people right here who need it.

With people living on the streets and children going to bed --- if they even have a bed --- all across America, why should I care about children in Third World countries? Why should I care about children in Afghanistan when my tax money could be going to help children in my own country?

I assume the feature story was meant to make me feel sorry for the children of war. It only served to make me angry and think more about the children of war right here in America.

posted by Anne 10/18/2001 07:24:00 AM (0) comments

Wednesday, October 17, 2001

 

Do you want fries with that?

I've read and heard several places that Osama bin Laden's MO is to engage in one form of terrorism, then switch tactics.

So far he's used the suicide pilots to "bomb" some of our most important buildings. For weeks we wondered what was next. But what came next wasn't the bombing of another building. He (whether or not the government is ready to confirm it yet) is behind the anthrax scare. I believe that the anthrax infestation will slow down within the next few days and, while we're waiting for the next case to appear, bin Laden and his cronies will be waiting for the next phase of the plan to take effect.

Until I read this article, I thought the theory my husband and I have on what's next is kind of out there on the edge. Our theory is that the terrorists will somehow target McDonald's. Why? It's what many other countries think of first (or at least in the top three, probably) when they think of America. McDonald's represents just about everything they hate about the United States.

The article I referred to says after the first bombings in Afghanistan crowds vandalized, stormed and blockaded McDonald's restaurant. In Indonesia, an American flag was burned outside a McDonald's. Pizza Hut, KFC and Coca-Cola have also been targets of anti-American sentiment.

I think this proves that our theory is at least on the right track. Maybe McDonald's won't be the next terrorist target, but I believe it's on the list.

posted by Anne 10/17/2001 11:13:00 AM (0) comments

 

Ridge will get the job done

About a year ago I had the honor and privledge of interviewing then-Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge. An imposing man, even during a telephone interview, I was thoroughly impressed by everything about him. I was proud to have voted for him and proud to have him as my governor.

When President Bush chose Ridge as the new Director of Homeland Security I felt there wasn't a better man for the job. After his interview with Tom Brokaw, I feel even more strongly that Ridge is the man to get the job done.

Excerpts from the interview:

"You know, we used to think of America the beautiful, fortress America, trusting America. And we find that perhaps we’ve trusted too much. And we’ve let our enemies come in and try to destroy what we believe in, destroy our families, destroy our cities.
But the president also, and I, we also agree they’ll never destroy our will. And at the end of the day, part of the responsibility as well as the opportunity I think for the Office of Homeland Security is to make sure that our resolve and our will and our commitment is as strong today as it was September 10 and it will be in years ahead. We can respond to these challenges, but they’re complex challenges. They’re difficult tasks. They will not be impossible ..."

"I consider myself a parent of young children. And it’s not the world I had envisioned for them. It’s not the kinds of scenes that I’d hoped they’d watch on television. But the reality is that is the world. The reality is, it’s entirely different perhaps even worse than we imagined. Also the reality is that we have the will and the way, as we have as a country in the past to adjust to the challenges of this new world.”

"And when the president urges Americans to go back to your soccer games and go back to work and and try to get back to the business of just being America, he’s recruiting. And right now I think we’ve got a country unified, recruits who want to help not only just being Americans, but again there’s this vast reservoir of talent out there that we’re gonna pull in to help secure American shores."

Coming from anyone else, I would consider this political propaganda. Coming from Ridge, I feel he believes in what he's saying and he'll do everything within his power to get the job done and make America the most safe and secure nation in the world.

posted by Anne 10/17/2001 08:40:00 AM (0) comments

 

Firefighters are everyday heroes

Patti at I Really Must Insist You Leave and Lavonne at : : b o r n f a m o u s : : both have interesting entries on firefighters as heroes. I also have looked upon firefighters as heroes for as long as I can remember.

I grew up living next door to a firefighter. His children are the same ages as me, my sister and brother so we all talked about their feelings everytime their father went out on a call -- and they weren't sure if he would come back. But, thankfully, he always did come back. He always downplayed what he did on those calls. We rarely knew what he did, how serious the call was, until we read it in the paper the next day.

Later in my life, I was the one who got to write those newspaper stories. Anyone who doesn't have an appreciation of the job firefighters do should work as a reporter and cover just one fire up close. There aren't many professions in which a person puts his life on the line for other people -- to save them and their property. Seeing the skill and dedication is awe-inspiring.

When I was the police/fire reporter, I used to say I liked writing fire stories "as long as no one gets hurt." That wasn't always the case. In the instances when people were injured, whether it be one of their own or a civilian, the firefighters always took it personally. I could see it in their eyes when they tried to hold back the tears, hear it in their cracking voices.

Fire stories when no one is injured are easy to write. You get to use phrases like "flames licked the sides of the house ...," "heat pushed firefighters back from the door but they pushed back with a vengence...," "thick, black smoke filled the air, billowing upward, creating ominous clouds in the dark night sky ...." As long as it was necessary to write stories about fires, the firefighters I worked with were happy with the work I did. Many of them thanked me for capturing the essence of their jobs.

I got to be friends with some of them, even spending time at the fire station instead of just calling on the phone when I needed to interview the chief or other firefighters. I feel honored that these heroes call me "friend." I've always called these men heroes.

posted by Anne 10/17/2001 08:19:00 AM (0) comments

Tuesday, October 16, 2001

 

When babies are victims ...

A 7-month old boy contracted anthrax at the ABC News offices in New York. Not that any one person is more important than any other person, but when babies are victims of terrorism that's a different story.

I'm hoping the people who are against the war on terrorism see it that way as well. Apparently the fact that thousands of American children are now orphans after Sept. 11 didn't open their eyes and make them want to fight back.

By now we've all seen pictures and video of poor Afghani children and their plight. Our hearts have gone out to them. They didn't ask to be put in the situation they're in. But the Taliban has the power to make the latest of the woes go away. They also have the power, the know-how, the resources and evil hearts to see to it that more innocent American babies are hurt.

The Taliban and Osama bin Laden don't seem to care if American children are hurt. They're American and that's all that matters to them. That's the difference between the bad guys (them) and the good guys (us).

Our government is concerned about civilians in Afghanistan. We're already sending aid in the form of food and medicine. Although some international officials believe this is counterproductive, at least it shows that the U.S. and its allies aren't heartless.

Anyone who could harm innocent babies and not give it a second thought obviously does not have a heart and is not living by the laws of Islam.

posted by Anne 10/16/2001 08:02:00 AM (0) comments

Monday, October 15, 2001

 

Now tell us it's not terrorists

Iwon.com and The Associated Press have reported that Anthrax Scares Sweep Countries.

Besides the U.S., Canada, Australia, Portugal, France, England, Germany among other countries have all reported anthrax scares. Mysterious white powder has been discovered in post offices, churches, government buildings, newspapers and other public and private buildings.

While none of the white powder in the other countries has been confirmed as anthrax, or any other dangerous substance -- yet -- the terrorists have done their jobs.

The root word of terrorist and terrorism is terror. The worldwide anthrax and chemical warfare scares have surely bred terror throughout the world.

The smartest things people can do now are use their heads and not panic. This is another battle we can't let the terrorist win if we are to be victorious in the war on terrorism.

posted by Anne 10/15/2001 08:42:00 PM (0) comments

 

Blogs play important, necessary role

The Los Angeles Times ran a story saying Personal Web Logs Put a Face on a Faraway Disaster. It basically says that people outside the blogging community didn't take blogs seriously until after Sept. 11.

Now, it seems, more people are taking them seriously because, among other reasons, they give personal views of world events instead of traditional journalism's objective views. Also, bloggers find information from dozens of Web sites, compare and contrast that information and express their opinions.

While some information industry experts are still critical of the way bloggers present the news, they agree that blogs have become important for people who want instant information and opinions.

Personal opinions are what I think is the most important function of blogs. It's very difficult for some people to watch the news and read the newspaper then figure out what they think about events, and if their feelings are in tune with others. Just about everyone can probably find a blogger who validates his/her feelings.

Another important thing to remember about blogs is that they're uncensored. In light of the fact that some major news outlets have agreed to government-suggested censorship concerning certain issues, I think it's vital that there is some kind of uncensored venue.

Yes, it's also important to remember that there is misinformation in blogs as well. However, it's easy to find the truth and, in a strange way, interesting to see the lengths to which people will go to spread misinformation.

As long as people remember blogs shouldn't be used as one's primary news source, I think they play an important and necessary role in today's ever-changing society.

posted by Anne 10/15/2001 07:53:00 AM (0) comments

Friday, October 12, 2001

 

Censorship?

I'm not sure yet how I feel about this. I can see both sides of the argument, however, I'm almost morally opposed to censorship -- even if it's for the greater good.

I'll have to think about this.

posted by Anne 10/12/2001 06:06:00 PM (0) comments

 

Anthrax: Of course it's terrorism

Anthrax is popping up all over the place: Florida, New York, Washington, Nevada and Colorado. But Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said "we have no proof whatsoever" that this ... is connected to terrorist activity.

Uh, excuse me?

I have to agree with Vice President Dick Cheney, who in an interview on the PBS "News Hour with Jim Lehrer," noted that the terrorist manuals associated with fugitive Osama bin Laden instruct his followers on "how to deploy these kinds of substances."

"When you start to piece it all together, and again we haven't finished the investigation and maybe it is coincidence, but I must say I'm a skeptic," he said. "I think the only responsible thing for us to do is to proceed on the basis they could be linked."

Exactly.

I'm hoping statements from Thompson and the FBI are meant to throw the terrorists offguard so they let their defenses down, make mistakes and, therefore, make it easier to find them. Maybe they're trying to make sure Americans don't work themselves into a panic.

As for me, it's hard to believe it's a coincidence that anthrax was found in offices of tabloid newspapers, the New York Times, NBC News (meant for Tom Brokaw), a State Department office that deals with congressional correspondence, the State Department's Foreign Service Institute in Arlington, Virginia, a suburban Denver hospital and Microsoft offices in Nevada.

posted by Anne 10/12/2001 05:54:00 PM (0) comments

Wednesday, October 10, 2001

 

A message to terrorists

Intruder wrestled from cockpit.

This incident, more than any other not directly related to the Sept. 11 attacks, should prove to Osama bin Laden and the terrorist network that Americans are ready and willing to fight back.

For anyone who hasn't heard, on Monday a man stormed into the cockpit of a jet Monday afternoon, throwing the Chicago-bound plane into a momentary dive before crew and passengers tackled the man, binding him with the seat belts used by flight attendants to demonstrate safety procedures. Two F-16 fighter jets scrambled at supersonic speeds to escort the American Airlines 767 to the ground, while passengers dragged the man to a galley, sat on him and a nurse injected him with a sedative stored in a cockpit kit.

"First the man blew right by me, and then the passengers were right on his tail," said Kevan Lyon, a San Diego book distributor sitting in first class. "It's like the passengers just knew what to do by instinct. Over the last few weeks, we've been trained to do this."

That's right. Trained. Osama bin Laden's cronies trained us. Ongoing news coverage of the passengers who thwarted terrorist efforts on Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania trained us. U.S. citizen's newfound patriotism trained us.

I don't have much more to say on the subject. I think the incident speaks for itself, and I think it sends a powerful message to terrorists.

posted by Anne 10/10/2001 10:16:00 AM (0) comments

Monday, October 08, 2001

 

Thoughts on National Newspaper Week

I don't know how much I'll be writing during the next few days because of a family emergency. Besides, I don't know what I could say that hasn't already been said. In a few days, I'm sure I'll think of something though. *w*

So, what I'd like to leave you with today is this: It's National Newspaper Week. Few people besides those who work at newspapers, and are close to those who do, know or even care about this celebration. But I think today, more than any other time in our history, it's important to look at the importance and relevance of newspapers in today's society. Consider this from my my former employer.

Today, we must pass along "The Journalist's Creed." Believe it or not, it was written by Walter Williams, dean of the School of Journalism, University of Missouri, who died in 1935. Despite its age, we find it painfully relevant in today's post- Sept. 11 world:

"I believe in the profession of journalism.

"I believe that the public journal is a public trust; that all connected with it are, to the full measure of their responsibility, trustees for the public; that acceptance of a lesser service than the public service is betrayal of this trust.

"I believe that clear thinking and clear statement, accuracy and fairness, are fundamental to good journalism.

"I believe that a journalist should write only what he holds in his heart to be true.

"I believe that suppression of the news, for any consideration other than the welfare of society, is indefensible.

"I believe that no one should write as a journalist what he would not say as a gentleman; that bribery by one's own pocketbook is as much to be avoided as bribery by the pocketbook of another; that individual responsibility may not be escaped by pleading another's instructions or another's dividends.

"I believe that advertising, news and editorial columns should alike serve the best interests of readers; that a single standard of helpful truth and cleanness should prevail for all; that the supreme test of good journalism is the measure of its public service.

"I believe that the journalism which succeeds best -- and best deserves success -- fears God and honors man; is stoutly independent, unmoved by pride of opinion or greed of power, constructive, tolerant but never careless, self-controlled, patient, always respectful of its readers but always unafraid, is quickly indignant at injustice; is unswayed by the appeal of privilege or the clamor of the mob; seeks to give every man a chance, and, as far as law and honest wage and recognition of human brotherhood can make it so, an equal chance; is profoundly patriotic while sincerely promoting international good will and cementing world-comradeship; is a journalism of humanity, of and for today's world."

posted by Anne 10/08/2001 10:12:00 AM (0) comments

Friday, October 05, 2001

 

Sometimes, all I can say is "Duh."

Retaliation Feared If U.S. Strikes Afghanistan. Thank you Washington Post for that headline, and thank you U.S. officials for making that clear. The thought never crossed my mind (she types, rolling her eyes and saying "duh").

At a briefing Tuesday, in response to a senator's question about the gravity of the threat, one intelligence official said there is a "100 percent" chance of an attack should the United States strike Afghanistan, according to sources familiar with the briefing.

I'm more than 3,000 miles away from the briefing and, therefore, not familiar with it all, but geez guys, even I knew that.

Attorney General John D. Ashcroft warned earlier this week that there is a "likelihood of additional terrorist activity," and that the "risks go up" once the United States responds with military action. (Duh.)

The Justice Department sought to play down that warning slightly Monday, after Ashcroft's words received more media attention than officials had expected. (Duh.)

"Ashcroft's and [Secretary of State Colin L.] Powell's people and the White House are working on how to word their warnings," a source familiar with multiagency discussions said. "The government doesn't want to panic people."

Well, we're already in a state of panic. Maybe the truth would calm us down and allow us to somewhat prepare for what's going to happen.

The overriding goal, a senior official said, is to make the United States a "hard target" for terrorists.

Again, I'm not even close to being a senior government official but even I could have told you that's the goal. (Duh.)

Two weeks ago, I was very proud of our government for being open and honest about everything that had happened. I do understand they can't tell us everything that's happening now because it would be showing their cards to bin Laden. But please give us the benefit of the doubt. We're not stupid. Don't treat us as if we are.

posted by Anne 10/05/2001 08:12:00 AM (0) comments

 

Reports, including a Pentagon analysis, suggest the airliner that went down in the Black Sea Thursday might have been struck by a missile errantly fired during an exercise by Ukrainian forces. However, Ukraine's Defense Ministry denied those reports, saying the missiles did not have the range needed to hit the airliner from where they were fired.

Sounds to me as if our government is trying to feed us the same line they did when TWA Flight 800 was downed.

I have two problems with this. Number one: Don't the people doing the military exercises know commerical airliners are going to be flying in the same space they're shooting their missiles? Fiona Hill, a Central Asia specialist at the Brookings Institution in Washington, said the accident could have been caused by bad communication. "The military would forget to tell the civilian aviation control that they're having an exercise. These communications screw-ups happen a lot," she said.(Whatever you say, Fiona.) Number two: When is our government going to believe we're ready to hear the truth? (Soon, I hope.)

In an unusual public move that seem aimed at preventing further panic among air travelers, the Pentagon quickly put out word that its intelligence pointed toward an errant missile. Could that be because the decline in air travel is crippling our economy?

Russia's NTV television, citing unofficial sources, said security measures had been boosted Monday after an indication picked up by Russian security services that terrorists might target it. So, why does Colin Powell say he "hadn't seen anything" to suggest it was terrorism. Powell called the jet crash a "tragedy, and we're deeply concerned about it."

I'm more concerned about when we're going to start getting the truth. We're still reeling over the Sept. 11 attacks, but I believe Americans are strong enough -- and deserve -- to hear the truth about terrorist activity.

posted by Anne 10/05/2001 07:52:00 AM (0) comments

Thursday, October 04, 2001

 

Russian authorities have not ruled out the possibility of terrorism. I certainly hope not.

The news that a Russian plane flying 77 people from Israel to Russia exploded before crashing into the Black Sea is, to me, one of the most disturbing events since Sept. 11.

Did Osama bin Laden not say there will be terrorism (in different words, I believe) anywhere there are Americans and Jews? What better way to get his point across than to bring down a flight that originated from Ben-Gurion airport in Israel? If he can penetrate the world's most secure aiport, what can't he do?

Also, according to a CNN reporter, "There is a fear that Russia could be targeted for some sort of retribution for its support of a global crackdown on international terrorism."

However, the report also says "... Nobody is making any connection with the September 11 attacks, but it is certainly something investigators will be looking at."

I guess there's no other way to say this besides ... Duh!!! It could very well be a coincidence, but does anyone really believe that? Maybe I'm overly paranoid, but I don't believe in that kind of coincidence. I'm hoping Russian and Israeli officials don't either.

Even as I'm writing this, CNN is posting updates that are making me feel better about how officials are handling the crash.

"A civilian aircraft crashed today and it is possible that it is the result of a terrorist act," Putin told a meeting of visiting European justice ministers.

A senior U.S. military source says the downing may have been caused by a surface-to-air missile, according to CNN.

Thank goodness they're on that page.

But then, there's yesterday's Greyhound bus incident. "The Justice Department said Wednesday's assault did not appear to be linked to the terrorist attacks Sept. 11."

The nation's largest bus company said it was assured by the FBI that the attack was an isolated incident, not an act of terrorism.

I don't buy that. What a unique and ingenious way to start some kind of biological warfare? Crash a few busses across the country and, in doing so, release some kind of biological agent. Poison Americans little by little, busload by busload, city by city.

Greyhound said it is implementing new security measures, including a search of all carry-on bags. They're just now searching carry-on bags? You think bin Laden and his cronies didn't know before yesterday bags weren't being checked? Do you think they know Amtrak doesn't check carry-ons either?

I hope someone is in charge of checking up on Manchester, Tenn., to see if its residents come down with mysterious illnesses in the next few days.

posted by Anne 10/04/2001 08:15:00 AM (0) comments