November 17, 2001 Diary: America Strikes Back

Failure not an option
Saturday, November 17, 2001
Journal-World Editorial

The American airline industry must rebound and persist because our system demands it. The airline industry in America and its connections to other nations must survive and prevail. There is no option.

Freed aid workers describe captivity
Saturday, November 17, 2001
Two freshly scrubbed American women, their three-month Afghan captivity behind them, drew starkly divergent images Friday of their Taliban guards. The guards allowed them to pray and sing hymns in their Kabul jail cell, with some professing affection for the captives and promising to die protecting them.

Aviation security bill goes to Bush
Saturday, November 17, 2001
The most far-reaching aviation security bill in decades cleared Congress Friday and moved to the White House for President Bush's signature. The compromise legislation, which adds new layers of protection at airports and on airplanes, passed the House by a 410-9 vote just hours after it was endorsed by the Senate on a voice vote.

Bin Laden aide believed dead
Saturday, November 17, 2001
In twin blows to the Taliban and al-Qaida, the regime's supreme leader was reported ready Friday to abandon his home base of Kandahar, and U.S. officials disclosed that Osama bin Laden's military chief may have been killed.

'Right to Know' comes under attack
Saturday, November 17, 2001
By Joel Mathis

A federal law that lets the public know about hazardous chemicals in their communities may become a victim of the war on terrorism. Critics say terrorists could use information available under the "Right to Know" law to carry out a devastating chemical attack on Americans.

Thanksgiving escapes commercial hype
Saturday, November 17, 2001
By Mark Shields
Creators Syndicate

Once more, with emphasis: Thanksgiving is my all-time favorite holiday. Generations of merchant princes with dollar signs in their eyes have been unable to devise a means of commercializing Thanksgiving.

Disillusioned Pakistanis abandon Taliban
Saturday, November 17, 2001
Pakistani holy warriors are deserting Taliban ranks and streaming home in large numbers, tribal leaders said Friday, while in the streets of Peshawar, portraits of Osama bin Laden go unsold.

U.S. officials skeptical bin Laden has fled
Saturday, November 17, 2001
(Updated Saturday at 5:08 p.m.) The Taliban may be trying to confuse U.S. efforts to locate Osama bin Laden by putting out conflicting reports about the whereabouts of the suspected terrorist, U.S. officials said.

Former Afghan president arrives in capital
Saturday, November 17, 2001
(Updated Saturday at 10:43 a.m.) Former president Burhanuddin Rabbani returned to his former capital Saturday, declaring himself the legitimate head of state despite promises to support the formation of a broad-based government. The Taliban said Osama bin Laden had left Afghanistan _ a claim met with skepticism by U.S. officials.

U.N. hopes for speedily installing broad-based Afghan government on hold
Saturday, November 17, 2001
(Web Posted Saturday at 5:04 p.m.) U.N. hopes for speedy action to install a broad-based government in Afghanistan are on hold because the victorious northern alliance doesn't appear to be in any hurry to share power.

'West Wing' lowers standards
Saturday, November 17, 2001
By Peter A. Brown
The Orlando Sentinel

Movies and television have long sought to imitate reality. But among the more disturbing trends is the way Hollywood now seeks to influence our notion about what is real, if not plausible.

Anti-terrorism moves concern left and right
Saturday, November 17, 2001
A growing chorus on the left and the right is accusing the Bush administration of ignoring civil liberties while leaving the courts and Congress out in the cold as it aggressively pursues the war on terrorism.

Ashcroft overreaches on authority
Saturday, November 17, 2001
By Leonard Pitts Jr.
Miami Herald

You'd think John Ashcroft would have better things to do than pick on sick people. I mean, what with anthrax in the mail and terrorists on the loose, I find it incredible that he has the time — not to mention the inclination.

Bush welcomes turn of events
Saturday, November 17, 2001
The Taliban are on the run. The United States and Russia agree to slash their nuclear arsenals. Aid workers jailed in Afghanistan are free. "We've got incredibly good news," President Bush declared toward the end of a busy week.

Briefly
Saturday, November 17, 2001
• WASHINGTON, D.c.: New anthrax letter found
• Washington, D.C.: First lady to give address on plight of Afghan women
• New York City: Algerian charged with aiding millennium plot on LAX
• Washington, D.C.: National Guard troops deployed around Capitol