October 9, 2001 Diary: America Strikes Back

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Attacks anger Islamic world
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
European nations threw their support behind U.S.-British attacks on Osama bin Laden and the Afghan rulers who protect him, but the military strikes sparked protests and sharp criticism across the Muslim world.
In the Gaza Strip, anti-American demonstrations ended with a gunbattle between Palestinian police and student protesters that left two Palestinian bystanders dead.

KU boosts security for football weekend
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
By Terry Rombeck

Kansas University is adding some new events to its homecoming football game Saturday: bag searches and ticket-checks.
In response to the start of U.S.-led retaliation against accused terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden, university officials say security will be tighter than usual when the Jayhawks play No. 3 Oklahoma University.

A measured start to a long campaign
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
By Jim Hoagland
Washington Post Writers Group

Day One of the long campaign ahead against global terror established an overriding war aim for the United States remarkable in clarity and ambition. The strikes on Afghanistan were a necessary first step toward removing terrorist-inspired fear from the everyday concerns of Americans.

New director opens homeland security office
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
In a windowless space 10 paces from the Oval Office, Tom Ridge reported for duty Monday at the new Office of Homeland Security. His assignment: figure out where America is vulnerable to terrorist attack and try to ensure it doesn't happen again.
"The task before us is difficult, but not impossible," said Ridge, who resigned as Pennsylvania governor just three days earlier to accept the daunting challenge laid out by President Bush.

State Capitol antes up security
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
The state is restricting the traffic flow on the Capitol grounds again and has added security personnel in the wake of military strikes in Afghanistan.
Sawhorses of wood and metal went up Monday to prevent vehicles from driving through arches under the north and south Statehouse steps. The barriers were designed to force traffic around the steps and away from the building.

Air strikes could stall industry revival
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
The U.S. air strikes on Afghanistan threaten the nation's airlines just as they were beginning to lure back travelers with tighter security and lower fares.
"In the immediate future, people are going to be wary of flying," said Bob Abrams, a travel agent at Valerie Wilson Travel in New York. "But I've seen this stuff go away in a month. Thanksgiving is going to be a bellwether. It's the biggest travel day of the year."

Military claims preliminary success
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
The U.S.-led bombing campaign in Afghanistan has been at least modestly successful against its first set of targets, senior Pentagon officials said Monday.
Five long-range bombers — a pair of B-2 stealth bombers flying from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., and three B-1B's from the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia — joined 10 strike planes launched from aircraft carriers in the Arabian Sea in sending bombs and missiles at air defense and other military targets across Afghanistan.

Lawrence reaction to attacks mixed
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
By Terry Rombeck

Lawrence response to the continuing U.S. attacks in Afghanistan on Monday ranged from patriotic support to outrage.
Some said the military action was a logical step in the fight against terrorism. Others said they were simply a way to please Americans hungry for vengeance.

Campaign includes food, leaflet drops
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
America is battling terrorism with messages as well as might — dropping leaflets and filling radio airwaves with words urging Afghans to shun the ruling Taliban and back the war on terrorism.

U.S. tries to maintain diplomacy with Muslim states
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
The Bush administration is struggling to maintain the backing of Arab and other Muslim states even as it warns that it may take its war against terrorism beyond Afghanistan.

Second case of anthrax prompts FBI investigation
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
The FBI on Monday took over the investigation into the anthrax death of a Florida man after the germ was found in the nose of a co-worker and on a computer keyboard in their office. Hundreds of people who worked near the men lined up to get medical tests.

FAA ranks Wichita near bottom in security
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport fell near the bottom of the class in Federal Aviation Administration tests designed to grade security at the nation's airports.

Land mines a big threat to troops in Afghanistan
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
There's the treacherous terrain, the peaks and valleys, the caves where enemy soldiers can hide for deadly ambushes.

Nation briefs
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
• British journalist released from Afghan custody
• Nation wins seat on U.N. Security Council
• Railroads, truckers add new security measures
• More than 600 arrested; 200 still being sought

Amidst terror, Americans keep giving
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
Almost as soon as terrorists struck New York and Washington, Americans began donating money — and then asking each other to give more. They still are.