Until recently, I had believed that the first time Bush was briefed about the terrorist attacks of 9/11 was while he was sitting in that Florida classroom, reading a book to students. I've been digging into the timeline lately, and that scene was, in fact, the third briefing Bush received.
Here is the order of events: the first plane strikes the WTC at 8:46am. Bush is briefed by Karl Rove and his chief of staff at 8:55 while arriving at the school. Reporters ask him if he is aware of what is happening in New York, and he says yes. Condoleeza Rice briefs him on the phone at 9:00. The second plane strikes at 9:02. His chief of staff informs him of the second strike at 9:05, while he is in the classroom. This is the video footage most of us have seen. He continues reading the book and then gives a statement at 9:28.
I think 9/11 is one of those events everyone will always remember where they were and what they were feeling at the time it happened. I was in the car when I heard about the first plane on the radio, and I pictured a small private plane. I hoped it was an accident. I considered terrorism, but nobody seemed to know anything and I didn't want to think the worst. But when I heard about the second plane, there could be no doubt.
So now I picture Bush, sitting there in that classroom, knowing terrorists were attacking us, and choosing to remain at his photo op. For TWENTY THREE minutes. What was he thinking? Was he thinking? In that period of time he could have ordered jets to scramble which could have prevented the Pentagon strike. It would have required him to abandon the scripted message of the day and actually consult with advisors. He could have done it. But he didn't.
Bush has gotten, and is still getting, a lot of mileage out of 9/11 and his perceived reaction to it. But what was your initial thought when you first heard about the second plane? What would you expect a competent leader's first thoughts and subsequent reaction to be? Was Bush's reaction consistent with that? Not for me.
And this is just what I can glean from public press accounts. What might we learn from a more in-depth investigation? Is there any wonder why Bush and Cheney have exerted great effort to prevent an independent investigation of 9/11? Our country deserves better. The victims of 9/11 and their families deserve better.
9:36:26 PM 
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