9/11 - How Did You Hear About It?

[larrysputnik]

It was quite strange trying to find US sites with the best information about what was going on in my own country.

After 9/11 I found myself watching BBC and using the internet more often than local news stations for accurate information. US media tend to siphon the news to the public and often leave out pertinent information. It is strange that in these two closely related circumstances we each looked to the outer news sources for better information! I know you did it out of necessity, but I looked to your media outlets out of a demand for the full story. Honestly, I do that with most serious news nowadays.

[monkey66]

I had a bit of a premonition that day. I was at work but decided that 'I felt ill'. Couldn't put my finger on what was wrong but decided I could not work and needed to go home (never happened before or since). Got home, switched on the telly and 5 mins later the news flashes came up. Conspiracy stories, please form an orderly queue.

Now on 7/7 i was working in an operations security role in London. Learnt several important lessons.

1. Whilst i was busy doing what I needed to do (set up comms systems and partially implement DR plans), until I had heard from my wife that she was safe (She was on one of the attacked tube lines at the time) my mind was also preparing for the possability that I was going to have to leave and look for her. Whilst this may be seen as a deriliction of duty the reality is that if your nearest and dearest need your help you will not be very likely to function well. Another member of our team left to find his wife (all ok thank god). We took account of all team members whom this may have a personal impact on and how this would effect our staffing levels.

2. In an emergency any bleeding edge systems are dropped for old faithfulls. Most of the security services abandoned their digital comms for the old analogue network.

3. There were a lot (several hundred0 of 'suspect' packages all over London that had to be dealt with.

4. The Amercian embassy did not get it's lunchtime food delivery past the DPG police outside "if you are not on the list....".

5. The Israeli ambassador was reported to have hurriedly left his engagement before the bombs went off .... conspiracy was mooted. This was a little inaccurate. They were in the vicinity of one of the tube bombs, his security guy felt the blast and made the call to leave now (experience will out).

[Simon-JG-hr]

Strange how these things stay with you. I heard the news at an almost eerie moment. I was on my way home and just as the traffic lights went red, the church and Cathederal bells started ringing as it was 4pm, and the news came on... The bells added quite a creepy drama to the report (as if needed). The moment is truly etched into my memory, as is the time I head about the bombs in London, and indeed the kidnap of Navy sailors by the Iranians.

[Simon-JG-hr]

PS. Beautiful and poignant photo G-man.

[celsis]

I was in Edinburgh on holiday and I was walking up the royal Mile from my friends house at Abbeyhill, heading towards my favourite pub, the Tollbooth Tavern. As I approached the pub, I could what were obviously Americans, standing in the pub doorway with their mouths wide open, literally!

I don't think I've ever seen anything like it! The pub had given up their phone to American tourists to phone home. Women were being comforted by all and sundry. It was like the third world war had broken out and a nuke had fallen on the US.

The US had a lot of friends that day. Unfortunately, it only took a year and a puppet president to completely destroy all that warmth, sympathy and respect.