June 17, 2004
9/11 Commission wrings hands 'cause Bush didn't react for "minutes" on 9/11
Shortly after 9AM on September 11, 2001, while millions of us were watching disaster unfolding before our eyes, George W. Bush was in a classroom full of second graders in Sarasota, FL.
White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card bent down and whispered in the President's ear.
In a moment captured on video and replayed, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card whispered in Bush's ear, saying, "A second plane hit the second tower. America is under attack." Bush's face froze, his lips tight.Bush told the 9/11 Investigative Commission that his first instinct was to project calm. He felt the Nation shouldn't see him in an excited fashion in a moment of crisis. Not only that, but his first instinct was also not to alarm the children around him.
Information was very fluid in those first minutes, and decisions were being made on a split-second basis.
I can't fault President Bush for waiting a few moments, not only to avoid alarming those closest to him -- the children -- but also to say the most reassuring thing he could under the circumstances. To ensure that he and his team were on top of the crisis and that decisions were being made that could safeguard as many American lives as possible.
Say what you will about the President; but you cannot fault him for taking time to be deliberate throughout the 9/11 crisis period.
Posted by mhking at June 17, 2004 10:19 PMI can only imagine what people would be saying if he'd looked shocked, jumped right up and rushed from the room: "He panicked!" "It scared the @#$!! out of him!" "He frightened those poor confused children when what they needed was to know their President had things under control!"
DIYDo, DIYDon't
Posted by: McGehee at June 18, 2004 07:49 AMIt wouldn't have mattered if the man pulled out a Time Machine and singlehandedly stopped each plane, someone would whine that he had no right to mess with the Space-Time continuum.
Posted by: Marble at June 18, 2004 07:53 AMIt's true. He could have jumped up in a Superman cape and singlehandedly intercepted those planes before they hit, and people would still criticize him.
As for myself, I've long held that image in my head as a point of reassurance. He was disciplined enough hold it together and remain calm for the sake of children, and then stand up and promise that he would do everything he could to protect America.
Who knows what he showed Laura in privacy? Who knows what tears he's shed in his darker moments? The point is that he has the self-control and discipline to remain calm in the face of crisis. That's not to say that he's perfect, but discernment is a tremendous skill for a leader to have.
Posted by: Linda at June 22, 2004 05:38 PMI am truly amazed by the comments posted on this site about this incident. The leader of the most powerful nation on earth sat there reading nursery rhymes to kids FOR NEARLY TEN MINUTES whilst America was under attack. What excuse is there for that, other than the fact that he knew of the attack beforehand.
I cannot believe that in the days after the attack, only three planes were allowed to fly in US airspace and they were planes filled with Bin Ladens family - there has been no explanation for this!!
I truly believe that this attack was instigated by the American government to gain public backing to go to war in the middle east. It is clear that a missle hit the Pentagon. A 767 plane does not leave a hole only 16 foot wide, and where did the plane, wings, engines, passengers, luggage etc go? There is no footage showing any remains on the grounds at the Pentagon.
I also believe that the second plane that hit the WTC was in fact a US military plane. Many observers to this incident report that the plane had no windows and couldn't possibly be a passenger plane.
I would strongly suggest that ALL american citizens watch the 'IN PLANE SITE' DVD. It is a real eye opener!! I just cannot believe that the american public have faith in this man!! Peace - Out!!!
Posted by: Deano at March 21, 2005 06:29 PM