More of 9/11 Commission Chapter 1

The unfortunate National Guard c-130H that watched the plane fly into the pentagon resumed it's course to Minnesota and had the misfortune of watching Flight 93 crash as well. Another interesting thing about flight 93 is just how long the passenger revolt continued through repeated attempts from the terrorists to quell them by rolling the plane and tossing the passengers around, they kept fighting to the bitter end. I couldn't even imagine.

What was our President doing during this crisis? As those of you who have seen Fahrenheit 9/11 surely know, he sat in the school classroom for at least 7 minutes before doing anything. Whether you would criticize that or not, his next bit of action is questionable as well. He decided he would address the nation and had his entire staff in Florida working on his speech, instead of anything else - he was focused on a speech. Cheney told him not to come back to Washington. It seems from the report that Cheney was running the show (surprise anyone?). While he and his wife were in the White House bunker with his chief of staff and the secret service, it seems that no one can recall him specifically discussing with the President orders to shoot down any aircraft that would not respond to the military planes (such orders are supposed to originate from the President). Although, Cheney gave these orders, which no one would disagree with his action, but it does illuminate the power structure of the white house.

However you view the President and Vice-President's actions, Rumsfeld's ought to make you a bit concerned. The Secretary of Defense was briefed about the terrorist attacks in New York that morning and then the Pentagon was hit. While most people's first instinct might be to go out and help with the rescue efforts, the Secretary of Defense should probably have got in touch with military command or the President, but Rumsfeld ran out to help. The chain of command for the orders to shoot down aircraft apparently goes from the President to the Secretary of Defense, to the military. However, no one could find Rumsfeld, not the President, not the VP, because he was outside aiding with the rescue effort all morning. Not that we would condemn him for helping out, but shouldn't a little light have gone off somewhere in his head telling him he might just be needed at the White House?

posted by Sarai @ 1:43 PM