October 11, 2001 Diary: America Strikes Back

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President draws line in sand
Thursday, October 11, 2001
With American pilots poised to unleash "bunker-busting" bombs against the Taliban in Afghanistan, President Bush declared Wednesday that "our calling" is the eradication of terrorism around the globe. "Now is the time to draw the line in the sand against the evil ones," he said.

Bush seeks to reassure Americans about security
Thursday, October 11, 2001
(Updated Friday at 1:12 a.m.)President Bush said Thursday night that after a five-day aerial bombardment aimed at the al-Qaida network, "we've got them on the run." He said he doesn't know whether Osama bin Laden "is dead or alive. I want him brought to justice."

Commissions discuss contingencies in event of countywide disaster
Thursday, October 11, 2001
By Chad Lawhorn

If a disaster strikes in Douglas County, elected officials learned at a Wednesday evening study session that they'll need to be calm, accessible, and perhaps most of all, prepared to spend money.

NATO European pilots to patrol over U.S.
Thursday, October 11, 2001
European pilots will help protect U.S. skies for the first time starting Friday, flying five AWACS planes that are being deployed to Tinker Air Force base from a NATO base in Germany. "They will be defending the homeland, flying combat air patrol," Air Force Capt. Steven Rolenc said.

Events shaping Bush's mission
Thursday, October 11, 2001
By David Shribman
The Boston Globe

Treasury Secretary Paul H. O'Neill was reading a statement in the White House Rose Garden the other morning, warning that the United States would punish foreign banks "that make these evil acts possible," and as he spoke President Bush stood silently beside him, his chin up — remarkably, prominently, noticeably so.

Ground forces await marching orders
Thursday, October 11, 2001
The next phase of the military campaign in Afghanistan is likely to be even less visible and far more dangerous for U.S. forces than the first four days of airstrikes, experts say. The ruling Taliban's military forces have been unable to threaten U.S. bombers and strike aircraft.

Northern alliance ready to advance
Thursday, October 11, 2001
Artillery fire cracked incessantly Wednesday at a front-line outpost in northern Afghanistan, and fighters in an anti-Taliban alliance said they were eager to take advantage of the current U.S. assault to advance. "We're very happy. Now we can go farther and capture more Taliban posts," said 40-year-old Mohammed moments after firing a round of ammunition at a Taliban outpost about 750 yards across a valley.

Gasoline-gouging case settled
Thursday, October 11, 2001
By Scott Rothschild

Ali Ezzeddine of Lawrence said he made a brief error at the worst possible moment Sept. 11, and the mistake has cost him peace of mind ever since. On that day, as the nation reeled from terrorist attacks, Ezzeddine, manager of the Conoco on 23rd Street and Haskell Avenue, raised the price of gasoline to $5.62 per gallon.

U.S. urges networks' caution
Thursday, October 11, 2001
Suspicious that Osama bin Laden is using American television to send coded messages, the White House asked networks Wednesday to think twice before airing his terrorist organization's videotaped messages. "At best, this is a forum for prerecorded, pretaped propaganda inciting people to kill Americans," White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said.

FBI warns of possible terrorist strike in next few days
Thursday, October 11, 2001
(Updated Friday at 1:12 a.m.) In a stark warning, the FBI said Thursday it has received information there may be additional terrorist attacks inside the United States or abroad in the next several days.

President salutes victims, those fighting terrorists
Thursday, October 11, 2001
(Updated Friday at 1:12 a.m.) The men who struck America one month ago "died in vain," President Bush said Thursday, and pledged the military will have "every resource, every weapon, every means" necessary to triumph in a worldwide war on terrorism.

At least nine hijackers in U.S. illegally
Thursday, October 11, 2001
(Updated Friday at 1:11 a.m.) The U.S. government said Thursday that at least nine of the 19 hijackers were in the United States legally at the time of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Rumsfeld: Taliban leadership targeted in bombing campaign
Thursday, October 11, 2001
(Updated Friday at 1:11 a.m.) U.S. airstrikes are targeting leaders of the al-Qaida terrorist network and the Taliban government that is harboring them in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Thursday.

KU profs assess job of media after attacks
Thursday, October 11, 2001
By Terry Rombeck

Protecting both American troops and the public's right to know will be a major challenge for journalists in the upcoming months, speakers at a forum said Wednesday. "Journalists need to find a balance between freedom and responsibility," said Charles Marsh, Kansas University associate professor of journalism.

More funding sought for front-line response
Thursday, October 11, 2001
Local firefighters, police, paramedics, and emergency room doctors on the front line of homeland security say they are ill-equipped and underfunded when it comes to fighting terrorists.

White House seeks help to secure computers
Thursday, October 11, 2001
After one day on the job, the president's cyberspace security adviser asked computer companies Wednesday to help design a new secure telecommunications network for government use.

Islamic leaders call for careful terrorism response
Thursday, October 11, 2001
Leaders of Islamic nations called on the world to address the roots of terrorism and expressed concern Wednesday over the death of Afghan civilians in the U.S.-led bombing campaign.

Atheists search for role as nation asked to pray
Thursday, October 11, 2001
As America mourns the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Gail Pepin can't help but feel left out when everyone else goes to worship. An atheist, Pepin covered for her co-workers as they attended a prayer vigil. She tuned in when President Bush spoke to the nation about the attacks, but shrunk back each time he mentioned God.

Best U.S. defense lies within
Thursday, October 11, 2001
By Cal Thomast
Tribune Media Services

"The task for us is difficult, but not impossible," said Tom Ridge, America's new director of homeland security. Ridge likened his task, among other great undertakings, to John F. Kennedy's pledge following the Soviet Union's early success in space to put a man on the moon before 1970.

Third anthrax case leads to launch of federal probe
Thursday, October 11, 2001
(Updated Thursday at 8:25 a.m.) Federal officials said they have launched a criminal investigation into the source of anthrax contamination at a supermarket tabloid after learning a third employee was exposed.

Air Force sergeant first casualty in anti-terrorism military effort
Thursday, October 11, 2001
(Updated Friday at 1:11 a.m.) An Air Force sergeant was killed in a heavy equipment accident in the Arabian Peninsula, becoming the first death in Operation Enduring Freedom, military officials said Thursday.

Month after attack, moment of silence observed at ground zero
Thursday, October 11, 2001
(Updated Friday at 1:11 a.m.) Through unstinting smoke and endless tears, weary cleanup workers paused for a moment at ground zero Thursday to mark a grim milestone — the passage of one month since two colossal towers ceased to exist, along with thousands of people trapped inside.

Airstrikes trigger civilian flight from Kandahar
Thursday, October 11, 2001
(Updated Thursday at 8:18 a.m.) Heavy explosions rocked the Kabul airport Thursday afternoon in the first daylight raids on the capital and bursts of Taliban anti-aircraft fire rang out during the fifth day of U.S. airstrikes on Afghanistan.