November 21, 2001 Diary: America Strikes Back

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U.S. moves to seal escape routes for bin Laden
Wednesday, November 21, 2001
(Updated Wednesday at 3:45 p.m.) With a lull on Afghanistan's northern battlefront and a stalemate on its southern one, the United States and its allies moved to seal off potential escape routes — even at sea — for Osama bin Laden.

Afghans step cautiously into new future
Wednesday, November 21, 2001
Scores of women shed their burqas and marched through the streets of Kabul to demand new rights Tuesday. Then, dutiful Afghan wives, they covered up again and hurried home. "Change will take a little time," allowed Soriya Parlika, the protest organizer who headed Afghanistan's Red Crescent Society before the Taliban forced women to leave their jobs, "but this a start."

Bush asks Americans to dig deeper for charity
Wednesday, November 21, 2001
President Bush announced $1 billion in federal aid to the homeless Tuesday and called on Americans to "dig a little deeper" and donate more to charities this holiday season. "The generosity of this country will say to the world that we're a nation that will not be affected by terror and evil," Bush said during a visit to So Others Might Eat, an interfaith charity in Washington that serves the homeless 300,000 meals each year.

U.N. talks to include northern alliance
Wednesday, November 21, 2001
On the day that thousands of Taliban soldiers reportedly defected from the hardline Islamic militia, the alliance that controls Afghanistan's capital and much of its countryside agreed Tuesday to attend power-sharing talks next week in Germany.

Intelligence policies questioned
Wednesday, November 21, 2001
By Scott Rothschild

A "major shakeup" is needed at U.S. intelligence agencies, U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts said Tuesday during a visit to the Lawrence American Legion post. Roberts, a Kansas Republican, said that the Senate Intelligence Committee is reviewing what happened Sept. 11. He predicted significant changes will come in the way the government gathers intelligence.

Pentagon wants to move gunships closer to Afghan border
Wednesday, November 21, 2001
(Updated Wednesday at 12:17 p.m.) The Pentagon would like to move low-flying, deadly AC-130 gunships closer to Northern Afghanistan to support anti-Taliban forces in their battle for control of Kunduz, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Wednesday.

President braces nation for drawn-out military struggle
Wednesday, November 21, 2001
(Updated Wednesday at 3:45 p.m.) President Bush pledged Wednesday to dismantle Osama bin Laden's terrorist network "piece by piece," urging perseverance from the military after a string of victories.

Letter to senator had billions of anthrax spores
Wednesday, November 21, 2001
(Web Posted Wednesday at 7:39 a.m.) A letter to Sen. Patrick Leahy was laced with billions of anthrax spores, authorities said, and a mysterious new case of the disease was confirmed in Connecticut. The most deadly form of the disease appeared in a 94-year-old woman in a rural area southwest of Hartford.

Local briefs
Wednesday, November 21, 2001
• Bell-ringers collecting donations for fund-raiser

The Salvation Army's annual "Red Kettle" fund-raiser officially begins Friday, but bell-ringers are already on the street accepting donations.

The church's goal is to raise $150,000 by Christmas, to fund the costs of providing a seasonal homeless shelter, food programs and youth basketball activities.

Bell-ringers are stationed at 18 sites throughout Lawrence. The official kickoff is 11 a.m. Friday at Firstar Bank, Ninth and Massachusetts streets.
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• Charity: Salvation Army requests 50 washable blankets

The Salvation Army needs blankets to warm the homeless persons who stay at its overnight shelter.

Capt. Carolyn Schuetz said the shelter is housing more people than ever — more than 40 nightly, compared to 27 nightly last winter. That's put a strain on the blanket supply.

"We've given away lots of blankets this year," she said. "I gave out many blankets before it was cold, and now it's cold."

Schuetz said 50 washable blankets are needed. To contribute, call The Salvation Army at 843-4188 or take the blankets to the shelter at 946 N.H.
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• Transportation: Transit offers free bus rides on Saturdays until Dec. 22

The Lawrence Transit System will offer free rides on all T routes on Saturdays from Nov. 24 through Dec. 22.

All buses, except Route 5, stop downtown at Ninth and Massachusetts streets. T routes pass by area grocery stores, major shopping areas, medical centers, both universities and high schools, many recreational facilities and principal employment areas.

Saturday hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For bus maps and schedules, phone 312-7054 or check the T's Web site, www.lawrenceks.org/tran/guide/
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• Leavenworth County: Authorities investigate body discovered near Tonganoxie

Leavenworth County Sheriff's officers are investigating the discovery of a body Monday northwest of Tonganoxie.

The Sheriff's Office is saying little about the discovery. No specific street or other location was released other than it was in a wooded area off of Kansas Highway 16. An autopsy was to be conducted Tuesday, a sheriff's spokesman said.

The body was described only as a white male. No identification or cause of death had been determined.

An officer investigating an unrelated call discovered the body about 6:30 p.m. Monday, the spokesman said.
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• Christmas lights: Ceremony on Friday will light up Ottawa

Ottawa Mayor Gene Ramsey Friday will follow a tradition of his predecessors.

Ramsey will take part in the Christmas Downtown Lighting Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Haley Park. The Mayor's Christmas tree and the downtown lights will be turned on at 7 p.m.

New case of anthrax suspected
Wednesday, November 21, 2001
A letter to Sen. Patrick Leahy was laced with billions of anthrax spores, authorities said Tuesday, and a suspected case of the most deadly form of the disease mysteriously appeared in Connecticut.

U.N. told of alliance brutality to Afghans
Wednesday, November 21, 2001
Tahmeena Faryal, her face hidden, said the Taliban and the northern alliance "have outdone each other" in carrying out massacres and violating women's rights in Afghanistan.

'Second phase' of war under way
Wednesday, November 21, 2001
Even as U.S. and British commandos pursue Osama bin Laden and the remnants of his inner circle, the second phase of the U.S.-led military campaign against the al-Qaida terrorist network has begun far from the mountains of Afghanistan.

Bonn to host talks on post-Taliban Afghan government
Wednesday, November 21, 2001
(Updated Wednesday at 12:16 p.m.) U.N.-sponsored talks on the formation of a post-Taliban government in Afghanistan will start next week in Bonn, the German Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

Taliban to fight to keep territory
Wednesday, November 21, 2001
(Web Posted Wednesday at 8:01 a.m.) The Taliban vowed Wednesday to stand and fight on their home ground, but the U.S. commander of the war in Afghanistan said the allies would drive them from their stronghold of Kandahar and destroy Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network.

Connecticut woman dies of inhalation anthrax
Wednesday, November 21, 2001
(Web Posted Wednesday at 1:35 p.m.) A 94-year-old woman from rural Connecticut died of inhalation anthrax Wednesday, five days after she was admitted to a hospital. The source of her infection, distant from other recent bioterror attacks, remained a mystery.