9-11: The Attack on America

World Trade Towers: circa 2001

September 11, 2001: 8:45 a.m. EDT

World Trade Center: North Tower

September 11, 2001: 9:03 a.m. EDT

World Trade Center: South Tower

Terrorism in AmericaTerrorism in America

“9-11: Communication & Crisis”

For more information: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/rhetoricofterrorism.htm

Timeline: September 11-14, 2001

9-11: An Ideological Context

Osama Bin Laden

Q: What is the meaning of your call for Muslims to take arms against America in particular, and what is the message that you wish to send to the West in general?

1998 Interview with Osama Bin Laden

A: “The call to wage war against America was made because America has spear-headed the crusade against the Islamic nation, sending tens of thousands of its troops to the land of the two Holy Mosques over and above its meddling in its affairs and its politics, and its support of the oppressive, corrupt and tyrannical regime that is in control. These are the reasons behind the singling out of America as a target. And not exempt of responsibility are those Western regimes whose presence in the region offers support to the American troops there. We know at least one reason behind the symbolic participation of the Western forces and that is to support the Jewish and Zionist plans for expansion of what is called the Great Israel. Surely, their presence is not out of concern over their interests in the region....Their presence has no meaning save one and that is to offer support to the Jews in Palestine who are in need of their Christian brothers to achieve full control over the Arab Peninsula which they intend to make an important part of the so called Greater Israel.” -- Osama Bin Laden

1999 PBS Interview

Ahmed Sattar

9-11: Initial Reaction

...A frame of meaning

President Bush: Sarasota Florida

9:30 a.m. EDT

Structure #1 of Rhetorical Drama

Frame of Meaning- “National Tragedy”

Target of Cause or Blame- “Apparent Terrorist Attack”

Response/Plan of Action- “Help the victims and their families” - “Full scale investigation to ‘hunt down’ the ‘folks’ responsible”

Flashpoint of Events:

9:40am - All U.S. Flights Cancelled

9:43am - AA Flight 77 Crashes Pentagon

September 11, 2001: 9:43 a.m. EDT

Washington D.C. - The Pentagon

Flashpoint of Events:

9:40am - All U.S. Flights Cancelled9:43am - AA Flight 77 Crashes into Pentagon9:45am - White House evacuates9:59am - WTC South Tower collapses10:10am - UA Flight 93 Crashes in Somerset10:29am - WTC North Tower Collapses

President Bush: Barksdale AFB, Louisiana

1:04 p.m. EDT

Structure #2 of Rhetorical DramaFrame of Meaning- “Freedom was attacked”- “Cowardly acts”- Test of American resolve

Target of Cause or Blame- “Faceless Coward”

Response/Plan of Action- “’Hunt down’ and punish those responsible the ‘folks’ responsible”- “All appropriate security actions to protect the American people”- “Military on high alert status”- Thanks to rescue workers- “Prayer for victims and their families”

Other Voices

...from the Holy Land

Jerusalem Post: Interview #1

Palestinian Woman

Jerusalem Post: Interview #2

Palestinian Man

9-11: The Response

...Meaning, Resolution, Solidarity

President George W. Bush

9/11 Address to the American People - 8:31 p.m. EDT

“They cannot dent the steel of American resolve”

Structure #3 of Rhetorical DramaFrame of Meaning- “Our ve “Evil, despicable acts of terror”- “Acts of mass murder” - “Our freedom came under attack”- “Terrible sadness…quiet unyielding anger”- “Great people moved to defend great Nation”- “Cannot dent the steel of American resolve”

Target of Cause or Blame- “Deliberate and deadly terrorist attacks”

Plan of Action- Government’s Emergency Response Plans- Local rescue efforts- Impending Military Response

9-11: Consolation & Solidarity

Reverend Billy Graham

9/14 National Episcopal Cathedral Memorial Service

“A Day to Remember”