Black September

Words are not enough, but they are all I have.

Fanatics who have declared war on the USA, months or years ago. I don't
truly understand why beyond some vague reasons revolving around a
difference of religious beliefs or perhaps different positions as
regards Israel. My ignorance annoys me but in the end it does not
matter why. For me there cannot be any justification for such carnage,
for others there is justification enough to die for.

Fanatics who are, mostly, already known to those charged with the
safety of the nation or nations. Fanatics who, it is believed, have
committed terrorist acts in the past and are a constant threat.
Fanatics who are named and pictured on the 'ten most wanted' list.
Fanatics who broadcast their intentions in plain language. However,
fanatics that are free to plan, to train, to fund raise, to prepare.
Fanatics who live in relative safety, perhaps even luxury who stay in
nice hotels and do normal things like buying groceries, renting houses
in Florida and training to be pilots. Wolves in sheep's clothing, iron
fists in gloved hands a public face hiding a private evil. Fanatics
with private fortunes running into hundreds of
millions of US dollars, from where does one gather huge sums with such
an agenda for spending it? I wonder which 'safe' currency such people
choose for their bank accounts?

For some reason they are ignored, at the very least the threat is not
taken seriously. Why? Because of the paperwork and manpower involved in
gathering enough proof to bring them to trial in a nice civilised
fashion? Because they are protected by nations who, perhaps secretly,
share their views? Because they are all bark and no bite? Because we
want to avoid an international incident? Because surely nobody would go
THAT far, would they? Most likely because they have not, yet, crossed
the line drawn in the sand of acceptability? Whatever the reason, they
roam free, they go about their business, quietly, but without
hindrance.

A complex human time bomb is slowly built who's parts are spread far
and wide. Like a dry rot spreading across the planet. But every bomb
needs a trigger, every action needs an order. Who held the trigger, who
gave the orders?

Fanatics with more imagination than their enemy. With such imagination
everyday things, like a passenger flight, become a way to change the
world. Security measures are almost non existent, despite constant
warnings. Security versus freedom to live the American way of life.
Arrogance, stupidity, ignorance? A feeling of invincibility? Whatever
the reason, these flying bombs can be bought with little more than
planning, determination and a penknife.

September 11th, 2001, a nation of innocents awakes and goes about it's
business. Business as usual. A business that some have pledged to bring
to it's knees. Many in South Manhattan have only one thing on their
mind after breakfast, money. The stock markets are falling, recession
looms, these are serious things to worry about. After all, the Dow
Jones and NASDAQ are like gods, icons to be worshiped. Sacrifices and
offerings should really be made to appease these gods because if they
are displeased the world feels the wrath. At least that's the way some
see it. Others have different gods with different needs. At least
that's the way they see it. What to buy in the shopping centre below
the WTC?
Where to park the car? Sod this traffic! Nice weather! Did that email
arrive? Drop the kids at school, pick up the laundry, time for another
coffee. Firemen playing cards, police filling out forms. Tourists
wishing the observation deck opened earlier than 09.30. Was it bombed
before? A terrorist target? Distant memory, it's a tall building but
the sky's are safe.

In Washington thousands of uniforms kiss their wives and children
goodbye and head for the Pentagon. Proud to be serving the nation,
pleased to be working at the heart of the best military and
intelligence operation in the world. Unaware that intelligence and
security have already failed and that a 'new kind of enemy' is about to
keep their military very busy.

Planes are in the air, just taken off, still planes, not bombs yet.
Between 4-6 passengers on each one know something the others don't,
they have a plan, they have orders, a mission to bring a little horror
into every passengers life before murdering them. But do even all the
fanatics know what is about to happen? Perhaps not, how many of them
signed up for this mission knowing everything? How many were about to
experience the same horror as the innocents as the totality of the evil
plan became clear? Apart from the fanatics on board these were regular
flights, full of regular people going about their business. Business as
usual. Did anyone notice the fanatics, talk to them, "nice day, should
be a
good flight". Stewardesses mumble through the same, but in this case
futile, safety briefings. Some look around to identify the nearest
emergency exit, some read the safety booklet, some know it's all
pointless.

Did any of the fanatics have second thoughts? What was going through
their minds as they looked at the people around them? Were they so
consumed with hatred they were unable to see fellow human beings with
every right to see the end of this day? What kind of sickness enables
one to carry out such orders? Did even one of them have a second of
hesitation? All it would take to prevent the forthcoming devastation is
for a few people to sit back and enjoy the rest of the flight. It was a
moment that required a little divine intervention, but whose god was in
the driving seat? Did evil have a moment of glory on board those
planes? They looked at their watches, timing was critical to success.
Weapons, pathetic but effective, are readied, signals are given.

The horror unfolds.