Passengers voted to attack hijackers

CNN ^ | September 12, 2001 Posted: 10:56 PM EDT (0256 GMT) | CNN

[paul544]

Think about the other flights. These guys basically hijacked these planes with little more than threats. Everyone is asking, "If they only had knives, why didn't someone fight back?". But if you look at this amazing story, the people on board probablly thought that the plane had a bomb. In other words, the first 3 flights had no idea what the real intent was, otherwise they may have done the same thing.

[TheDon]

It is definitely 20/20 as the other 3 flight outcomes indicate. No one figured the hijackers were going to do what they did. I imagine one of the reasons the hijackers took 4 planes was they knew this was a one time event. No passengers in the future will sit passively while hijackers hold them off with knives and threats of a bomb. The outcome of flight #4 shows this.

As soon as I heard about flight #4 doing a nosedive into a field, I figured the flight crew had tried to fight off the hijackers. They did the only logical thing in the circumstance, perhaps a rather stoic point of view, but that does not mean it didn't take a great deal of courage to do it! They are true heros! Who is alive today, who would not have been, save for these brave men!

[TheDon]

No, I'm just sorry you live such a cynical life.

[Fred Mertz]

You are DonQ's evil twin brother. Thanks for the confirmation.

[abner]

In defense of Mr. Mertz, I heard that someone today had an interview with two eyewitnesses to our military shooting down the plane. I personally would rather believe that heroism on the plane is the reason it went down where it did.

With all of the the articles and events coming out so fast and furious, we really can't be sure of anything at this point. I'm not flaming, just showing that it is possible he could be right. Propaganda is an accepted tactic in a war, right?

[tjg]

"I dont know if civilians can get the Medal"

They can't. These civilians surely do deserve it though.

[L`enn]

This group had the advantage the other 3 airliners did not have. The knowledge of what happened in NY earlier. This made their decision to fight back easier, yet not any less courageous.

[farmer18th]

I'm going to make sure my sons know the story of these men. They were brave enough to do the right thing without even having to wear a badge or a uniform. GOD BLESS THEM!

[Semaphore Heathcliffe]

bump for these guys.

[patent]

In defense of Mr. Mertz, I heard that someone today had an interview with two eyewitnesses to our military shooting down the plane. I personally would rather believe that heroism on the plane is the reason it went down where it did.

This type of story is floated every time a plane goes down. There isn’t any reliable evidence for it, but there is reliable evidence in favor of passenger/crew action. CNN is not the only outlet reporting this. You don’t even need to leave this thread to see that.

With all of the the articles and events coming out so fast and furious, we really can't be sure of anything at this point. I'm not flaming, just showing that it is possible he could be right. Propaganda is an accepted tactic in a war, right?

Sure, but my problem here is not whether he is right or wrong. Its that what he pulled out of the article to justify his comment, in no way justifies his comment. The idea that people with cell phones, calling their families, may have already learned of the WTC attacks from other passengers, who also had cell phones? That seems phony? The next time you are on a business/commuter flight, wait until it lands and then look around as at least 1/3 of the people pull out cell phones and make calls (cabs, family, business associates, whatever). This passage seems like a ready excuse to post his thoughts, no more. I don't appreciate that.

patent  +AMDG

[TheDon]

I heard that someone today had an interview with two eyewitnesses to our military shooting down the plane

Let's see, "I heard", that "someone" had and interview with "two eyewitnesses". Sounds like solid evidence to me!

[Jay W]

"The men voted to attack the terrorists,"

That statement's one of the most poignant silver-linings in this entire horrible tragedy so far. The men voted to attack the terrorists. Those men are heroes.

[Plummz]

With CNN, it's just as likely poor writing as something contrived. I think it's quite possible folks on the plane knew about the WTC -- I believe I saw an interview with one set of relatives who said they told them about it themselves. (I stopped taping coverage around 5pm today, hopefully I got it on tape.)

[ET(end tyranny)]

I don't think that plane had very many passengers on it, but not sure. Anyone know the passenger counts for each plane. Anyway, it may have been more than 1%.

[Jack Bull]

Heroes who did not look to politicians for guidance. They did what had to be done for their country. Selfless, brave, wise, remarkable. The defense of our country started on that flight. We need not be afraid when we stand together. Hollywood better not screw up this story...

[abner]

This passage seems like a ready excuse to post his thoughts, no more. I don't appreciate that.

Huh?

[Plummz]

You're not a little suspicious that our favorite network CNN gets a scoop like this? I am. It's too neat and tidy.

Actually, I first read about the Glick information on Jerry Pournelle's site. Admittedly, it was from a relative who is/was an Army major, so if it's an elaborate cover on a military shoot down, that would fit. I'm not fully convinced of either possibility at this point, and would not dismiss either out of hand.

[dandelion]

I am absolutely stunned by the goodness of God, to give America Men such as these. Thank God they were on board, thank God that they made the ultimate sacrifice so that others might live. Thank God that, in our lifetime, heroes still yet walk among us...

[Mr. Bungle]

The heroism by those men - willing to act to defend others irrespective of their inevitable deaths - is the stuff this nation is built on. God has rewarded them in heaven, and their names will live in history forever. We can never forget them.

These men, like those firefighters and police who entered the WTC only to have it collapse on them, are of a continuing line. They are heirs of the heroes who won our independence, and those who have protected us ever since.

Song for the Fallen

[patent]

This passage seems like a ready excuse to post his thoughts, no more. I don't appreciate that.

Huh?

Can you explain to me how this passage justifies his belief the story is contrived? That is what I mean.