[LikeLight]

I've been saying the same thing ever since 9/11 . . . I don't think these terrorists ever, in their wildest dreams, expected the towers to collapse . . . burn, yes, death and suffering, yes, but never the total collapse. It's like that old commercial showing a start-up online ordering company . . . the orders start coming in faster and faster . . . at first everyone's excited, then, as the pace picks up, there is a sudden realization of fear . . . a realization that they'll never be able to fill all the orders. That's what Osama experienced, I believe . . . a big grin that gradually turned to a fearful frown as he realized what would result from his unexpected "success".

[LenS]

I disagree. I think that Al Qaeda was definitely trying to bring down the buildings. One reason for the military tribunals is to avoid the situation in the previous attack where experts at that trial had to discuss what the bombers were attempting and why that attack failed to collapse the buildings. A comment was made that even a small plane would fail and that only a larger jet might have a chance of success. Al Qaeda studied the public info from that trial. They learned from their previous miscalculation and improved their attack method. The only thing about the second Towers' attacks that possibly surprised them was that the buildings stayed up for a while.

They discounted an American response because US responses against Arab terrorism have been temporary and involved quick withdrawals ever since the bombings in Lebanon in 1983.