Passengers voted to attack hijackers

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

[AlaskaErik]

This aircraft crashed in PA 1 hour and 25 minutes after the first plane crashed into the WTC. That's plenty of time for people to have seen it on TV and inform their loved ones calling from the plane. Also, eyewitness accounts indicated that the plane was operating normally just before impact. No indication of any smoke streaming from the aircraft, as would be the case if it had been struck by a missile. By all accounts, there were enough heroes with the intestinal fortitude to cut short the murderous intent of the barbarians who had seized the plane, at the cost of their lives and the lives of everyone else aboard. I consider them heroes who undoubtedly averted a much greater catastrophe.

[Post Toasties]

Thank God for these heroes.

[Humidston]

I'd nominate these men for the Medal of Honor.

I heartily agree!!!

[SuperLuminal]

40-50 years ago, the same thing would have happened on all of the planes. It is refreshing to know that there are some selfless, freedom-loving cititzens left.

This has become a sensitive, counseling-addicted Nation of spineless wimps. Just look at the TV coverage of this disaster.

A Nation that produces sailors who are more interested in their own safety than in protecting the secrets of one of our most important aircraft. Even though their act of abject cowardice put at risk millions of Americans on the west coast.

Nope! Prior to the 1970's, none of the other three aircraft would have reached their targets either.

[libertarian_usa]

Have any of you heard either way on the other three crashes?

I have not watched the TV today, but I can tell you that yesterday all I heard with regards to classified was the PA crash. From Armey's lips (I swear to god i wasn't hallucinating) when he first spoke on the air from Washington.

[ET(end tyranny)]

But evidently there is a switch that can be flipped. I heard several different people talk about this throughout the day.

I think what is happening is that those in charge know that we the public want answers... so they are trying to give us 'some' answers. BUT, I think they are also gathering evidence so as to get their co-alition together.

Earlier FNC said that so far 4 countries have been implicated, but I didn't hear them say which ones. I don't think those in charge want to give the guilty parties any advance warning and so are keeping certain things to themselves at this point. But that's just my opinion.

I have been suspicious of our government in the past. So far, in this, from what I have seen, it seems to be legit. Could I be wrong, sure, but time will tell. I just think that we are getting the truth, in as much as we are able to be told so as not to jeopardize retaliation. jmo

[TheDon]

I'm just saying we shouldn't start to follow the media blindly now either.

Right out of the CT handbook.

[soccermom]

#17 -- Exactly! Well stated.

[abner]

LOL!

[MissAmericanPie]

These men deserve the highest civilian honor that can be bestowed, and in a solemn offical ceremony. Because of their bravery and sacrifice all that evidence was found that has led to finding their murderers.

[soccermom]

Prior to the 1970s, no one would have fathomed what we saw yesterday. Hindsight is 20/20. It is easy for us, knowing what the plan was, to say we would overcome thugs with just knives. I don't think there is a person in the world who wouldn't have fought them -- knowing their fate. But a suicide mission with a hijacked jet is something unheard of. In most cases, the plane lands with few, if any deaths. Now why should they risk having the whole plane blow up by a bomb when, according to this report, the passengers were told they were returning to the airport? The only reason these people put up a fight when the passengers on the other jets apparently didn't, is because they knew what happened at the WTC.

[habs4ever]

I disagree about which flight, they all faced the same odds.Because the hijackers did not carry guns, only knives.So, its a Mexican standoff, whereby these turds have no way to defend themselves IF the planes lands.It either crashes on impact due to them, or the passengers, or blows up in the air, or on a tarmac, from a bomb on board.Those odds never changed the moment the planes got off the ground.

I don't think your average terrorist understands that calculation, so by brandsihing a knife, thinks he's in control.They are clearly counting on suprise to mollify the passengers.But the outcome was going to be same, no matter, and that was because of the lack of armed weapons.Do you understand what I'm saying here? Does it make sense to you?

[longfellow]

What else is there to say.

[Sword_Svalbardt]

That took some serious balls, knowing it is over, but on who's dime - your, or theirs. I'll pick mine anytime. These guys did right, they are heroes. God bless them all in giving the ultimate sacrifice.

Sword

[Issaquahking]

Hey everyone,
Let's not say anything that would help those interested in destoying our country(like my house by such and such a base, etc, etc.). I know, we all know the country like the back of our hand but those who wish us harm don't ( FR is read by the enemy); don't help the enemy! Paranoid? No the war is just now starting.

[habs4ever]

Its not nice to think about this, but those outcomes were told when the terrorists took the planes without any guns.In the panic and confusion, no one realized that the passengers actually held the upper hand, in a rigged game.They could choose to die on there own terms, not those ashholes'.But in the chaos, only a few understood this.That is understandable, and normal, and no fault of their own.The hijackers were counting on this.The terror froze everyone.

I hope if something like ever happens again that many will be able to think clearly about the odds faster and maybe have some chance at survival.If a guy has only a knife, he can lose.That, terribly, is the best chance one gets.For him to lose, not for you to win.

[soccermom]

OK -- so why use your hometown in your handle? I live in your back yard.

[soccermom]

Yes, but they also said they had a bomb. History tells us that hijackings usually end without mass loss of life. They had no way of knowing the agenda here was any different -- until they heard about the WTC crashes and then they acted. Why piss off terrorists who have a bomb, when they are telling you that they're turning the plane around to land? Once they realized that this was a suicide mission, they did indeed act.