October 3, 2001 Diary: America Responds

United We Stand

Six killed in Greyhound crash
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
(Updated Wednesday at 3:54 p.m.) A passenger on a Greyhound bus cut the driver's throat Wednesday, causing a crash that killed six of the 40 people aboard and prompted Greyhound to temporarily halt service nationwide. The driver told authorities the attacker used a box cutter.

Cracks in coalition delay military strikes
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
The United States and Britain were close to launching military strikes against terrorism suspect Osama bin Laden and his protectors in Afghanistan until three key allies suddenly expressed reservations, senior U.S. officials said Tuesday. In the last two days, the officials said, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Oman either have limited their support for military action or told U.S. officials they cannot back an American-led military campaign.

First among Trade Center's missing declared dead by court
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
(Web Posted Wednesday at 9:22 a.m.) It took a court to declare Iris Rothberg's son dead. She has no proof to show a medical examiner and no body to bury, just the promise of a wooden urn filled with soil from the World Trade Center where he worked.

Feds cut key interest rate
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
The Federal Reserve cut a key interest rate by one-half percentage point Tuesday, pushing it to the lowest level since John F. Kennedy was president in a struggle to offset economic shocks from the terrorist attacks.

Suspect held in France describes bin Laden links
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
A French-Algerian man now jailed in France has given authorities a wealth of compelling detail, describing his recruitment at Osama bin Laden's home in Afghanistan for a suicide bombing against the U.S. Embassy in Paris.

FBI missed opportunity before attacks
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
The Justice Department turned down a request for a national security search warrant that would have allowed investigators to search the computer of a man who is now a material witness in the Sept. 11 attacks investigation.

Senate bristles at House bill on terrorism
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
The anti-terror compromise legislation emerging from the House of Representatives faces opposition in the Senate even though the White House asked Congress to deliver it to President Bush by Friday.

Business Briefcase
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
• Economy: Bush adviser cites recession probability
• Legislation: Congress crafting recovery package
• Media: News Corp. to miss profit growth targets
• Merger: GE-Honeywell merger officially called off
• Labor: Nissan workers await union vote

Indian plane hijacked on domestic flight
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
(Updated Wednesday at 3:52 p.m.) A Boeing 737 jetliner reportedly carrying 54 people was hijacked Wednesday night on a domestic flight from Bombay and landed in New Delhi, India's civil aviation minister said Thursday.

Giuliani rules out seeking third term
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
(Web Posted Wednesday at 3:56 p.m.) Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said Wednesday he will not press for a third term, but he repeated his offer to stay on for an extra three months to guide the city through the aftermath of the World Trade Center attack.

U.S. trying to stop money flow to terrorists
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
(Web Posted Wednesday at 10:09 a.m.) The Bush administration told Congress on Wednesday that it was using every means at its disposal to halt the flow of money to terrorist organizations. But it appealed to lawmakers for increased powers to close major loopholes in current law.

WTC burn victim looks forward to long life
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
A young securities broker who was enveloped in a fireball on the 83rd floor of the World Trade Center said Tuesday that he remembers thinking, "Please, God, just make it quick."

N.Y. gets assistance in hour of need
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
Ben Cox usually preaches in small-town North Carolina, but he moved his ministry to Manhattan for a week to deliver a message of support from the Rev. Billy Graham. "I'm concerned that people's hearts are going to get hard," said Cox, a pastor and ad salesman back home.

New York to provide urns to families of trade center victims
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
The families of the more than 5,000 victims of the World Trade Center attack will each receive a wooden urn with dirt from the mass graveyard, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said Tuesday as the first death certificates for the missing were issued.

U.N. sends more aid for refugees fleeing Afghanistan
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
The U.N. refugee agency said Tuesday that it had flown more emergency aid to Pakistan to help fleeing Afghans. Kris Janowski, spokesman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, said a plane carrying 45 tons of blankets and plastic sheets had arrived in Peshawar, Pakistan.

AG compiles list of gas-gouging stations
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
State officials are compiling a list of gasoline station owners who have agreed to a settlement with Atty. Gen. Carla Stovall over suspected price gouging. The incidents occurred in the hours following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on Washington and New York, in which some station owners raised the price of fuel to as high as $5 a gallon of regular unleaded.

Guard units preparing for Wichita airport duty
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
Kansas National Guardsmen should be on security duty at Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport, the state's largest, by the end of the week. They would be the first guardsmen deployed by Gov. Bill Graves as part of President Bush's plan to provide increased security at airports following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

National Airport reopens Thursday, with restrictions
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
Tough new security is vital at airports and on planes after the terrorist attacks, government advisory panels said Tuesday. President Bush announced the reopening of close-in Reagan National Airport and declared, "America ought to be on alert, but we need to get back to business."

Many losing battle with fear
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
By E.R. Shipp
New York Daily News

Mayor Rudy Giuliani of New York misses no opportunity to convey this message: "Continue living your lives as you always have." At Chicago's O'Hare Airport on Thursday in a pep rally attended by many airline employees, President Bush inveighed: "Get on the airlines. Get about the business of America."

News shifts sense of humor
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
By Ellen Goodman
The Boston Globe

Before Sept. 11, eyes would have rolled. "Saturday Night Live" skit writers would have dashed to their keyboards. Comedy Central would have found fodder for its fold.

Trust in government is tenuous
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
By David Broder
Washington Post Writers Group

Every parent has told a child seeking permission for an overnight visit to a friend's house or the use of the family car, "Trust is something that must be earned. You have to show me you're trustworthy."

Nation Briefs
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
• WASHINGTON, D.C.: Senate OKs defense bill
• Washington, D.C.: Gun sales spike after attacks
• Boston: Airport security chief ousted
• New York: Giuliani, Pataki ratings soar

6News report: Burn victim released
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
Kim Hall reports on the release of the first burn victim from the terrorist attacks.

6News report: Canada to help with border safety
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
Kim Hall reports on the meeting between Attorney General John Ashcroft and the Canadian Solicitor.

6News report: Greece to aid in war on terrorism
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
Kim Hall reports on the meeting between Secretary of State Colin Powell and his meeting with Greece's Foreign Minister.

Charitable energy
Wednesday, October 3, 2001

Flag respect
Wednesday, October 3, 2001