Great Books discussion

1. Describe what was so surprising about the response time from NEADS and the FAA as described on pages 20-25.

2. List some of the conclusions the Commission came up with on page 29 which detailed the effectiveness of the response of different agencies after the attacks. What are some of your reactions to these conclusions?

3. Retell the events that made Bin Laden a powerful leader of Al Queda and explain some of your reactions to the events described.

4. Identify the U.S.A's response to the 1993 bombing at the World Trade Center on page 40. Why do you think very little changed?

5. Given the description of security problems in the FAA listed on page 41, how do you feel about the tight security now present in airports? Have you ever been held up and frustrated at the airport due to strict security in place?

Analyze the weaknesses detailed by the "National Crisis Management" section, beginning on pg. 26. Make an evaluation - are any of the gaps in protocol justifiable? Identify the errors in crisis management that should have been avoided.

Evaluate which of Bin Ladin's statements on pg. 30 you find most shocking or offensive.

Describe the event detailed on pg. 39 that acted as a precursor to 9/11.

The communication might have been lost. Maybe they were in shock. The FAA might not have known what was going on.

The FAA might not have realized what was happening at the time. Maybe the connection was lost, like Hannah said.

The most offensive statement that Bin Ladin said was how it was more important to kill Americans than other infidels.

It's not justifiable. The FAA sent someone who didn't have any experience at all. Why would they do this?Its not practical.

The most shocking thing I think he said is that he didn't care if he killed civilians or military personnel.

I agree with what Becca says. It really was offensive that he wanted to kill Americans than other infidels.

When he said all Americans are targets, I find that awful and racist. Not all Americans are mean.

I think that the FAA were panicking because they weren't prepared for something this big. Also, they really didn

The bombing was key to 9/11. The terrorists were all set and ready to attack soon. Bin Laden was serious about attacking.

The bombing in 1993 was a precursor because it was in New York.

That should've been a warning that they were coming after the World Trade Center.

Terrorists set off a bomb in a parking garage.