The J-TAC (Stephenville, Tex.), Vol. 162, No. 2, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 13, 2001 Page: 2 of 12
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THE J-TAC
September 13, 2001
1. ■
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New York financial beacon destroyed
By Fred Tasker
Knight Ridder Newspapers
MIAMI - The World Trade Center towers, which
opened in 1970, were the world's tallest buildings
for only a year, before being eclipsed by the Sears
Tower.
But for decades until Tuesday's tragedy, they
were a potent symbol of the muscle and grace of
American commerce.
The twin, 1'10-story towers stretched up more
than a quarter mile into the sky, eclipsing the
Empire State Building and radically altering
Manhattan's skyline.
That symbolism, unfortunately, was recognized
'.by America's enemies as well. When the center
was bombed before, in 1993, documents the FBI
found on one conspirator said the group's intent
was to demoralize America by blowing up "the
towers that constitute the pillars of their civiliza-
tion."
.. Until Tuesday, the center was the world's
biggest commercial complex, with 13 million
square feet of space on 16 acres of lower
Manhattan. Every day 50,000 workers joined
thousands of visitors riding each tower's 104 ele-
vators up into a maze of international businesses,
shops, restaurants, art galleries.
It was so big it had its own ZIP Code, 10048.
Financial institutions were its biggest tenants:
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter alone occupied 50
floors. The 107th floor hosted Windows on the
World, a restaurant with perhaps the world's best
view, where celebrity chef Michael Lomonaco
served his famous pan roasted sea scallops with a
three-caviar rice-wine glaze, and where the more
intimate Cellar in the Sky restaurant under equal-
ly celebrated sommelier Andrea Immer sold more
wine than any other restaurant in the world.
Conceived in the 1960s as an urban renewal
project, the trade center was designed by Japanese
architect Minora Yamasaki. His massive,
unadorned shapes were cheered for their audaci-
ty and rapped for what one critic called their
"pharaonic grandiosity," hailed as a triumph of
democracy, damned as dehumanizing in their
immensity.
But tragedy followed the center's history. On
Feb. 26, 1993, an 1,800-pound bomb in a rented
Ryder van exploded in an underground public
parking garage, consuming five undergrou nd
floors, setting more than 200 cars ablaze, sending
smoke up elevator shafts and temporarily strand-
ing thousands of occupants.
Six died; more than 1,000 were injured. Six
Islamic militants were convicted in the bombing
and sentenced to life behind bars.
In a brilliant exercise of rebuilding zeal, the $300
million worth of damage was repaired and the
building fully reoccupied in only six weeks.
Officials also created a $50 million security system
for the building, with a guard force 300 strong,
multi-ton planters outside to keep vehicles from
crashing into the building and a sophisticated,
fiber-optic computer network with redundant
PCs controlling the building's security, lights, air
conditioning and other operating systems.
Tenants on foot needed photo IDs and had to
pass through security turnstiles while they were
checked out in computerized databases. Visitors
got temporary, date-sensitive badges. Mail chutes
had extra-narrow slots to stop bulky explosives.
In the garages, only pre-screened workers could
park. Even they were watched from bullet-resis-
tant guard booths. Vehicles and drivers were
logged in together and monitored so that, if a vis-
itor failed to reach an assigned parking space in
the time allowed, security personnel would go to
check.
Since the 1993 bombing, occupancy had
increased, reaching 98 percent early this year.
Rents had doubled since 1996. Valued at $1.2 bil-
lion when it was built, the complex in February
had been leased for 99 years to Vornado Realty
Trust for $3.25 billion.
But on Tuesday, it all came tumbling down.
Lewis Eisenberg, chairman of the Port
Authority of New York and New Jersey, under-
stood the symbolism.
"I just saw my two towers fall. I am devasted
beyond belief," he said. "In many respects, this is
significantly worse than Pearl Harbor, and we
don't know who the enemy is.
"As Americans, we will pull together and do
what's right."
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Special to The J-TAC
An ambulance tries to get through to survivors
Mi First Baptist Church
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FOR
Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
Worship Service 10:30 a.m.
334 W Green Street
Go East on Washington Street toward downtown and turn left on Barton Street.
Hosted by
LifeNet
(University Student Ministry)
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Photo uv Aaron Lemons
Barbara Offor listens carefully to Dr. Zelman during Tuesday night's forum.
Students gather for crisis forum
By Myresa Hurst
Staff Writer
On Tuesday night, Tarleton held an "America
Under Attack" informational forum. Faculty, staff
and students gathered to discuss the recent
tragedy. A total of twenty-nine concerned mem-
bers of the Tarleton family were present.
Heading the discussion was Dr. Don Zelman,
the Dean of the College of Liberal and Fine Arts.
Dr. Zelman began by comparing the terrorist
attacks to other defining moments in American
history such as the stock market crash of 1929, the
Great Depression, the bombing of Pearl Harbor
and the Vietnam War.
The students and faculty expressed concerns
about several important issues that havq been
raised in the light of the attacks on America. One
such issue, the perceptions of American pride, was
a recurring theme throughout the forum. Several
of those present offered their viewpoints on what
impact this tragedy has had on the country's over-
all sense of dignity. Most of the opinions voiced
were in agreement that though this was indeed an
abominable event in our history, the country
would unite in its efforts both to reconstruct the
monuments and lives affected as well as bring the
responsible parties to justice.
The possibility of military engagement to realize
this justice was felt to be very real. Though the
concept of an actual contention on American soil
was unanimously considered to be horrific, it was
generally agreed upon that the necessity for atone-
ment for these actions transcended any apprehen-
sions.
The fear of further terrorism that will undoubt-
edly sweep across the nation was a major concern
of those in attendance. It was felt that considera-
tion for international students and community
members, such as ensuring their protection from
the possibility of violence, should be a top priori-
ty
Another topic addressed was the impact that the
suspension of all air traffic would have on the now
wounded U.S. economy. Commerce has unmis-
takably been interrupted and some felt that fur-
thering this delay could do more harm than good.
An opposing opinion suggested that allowing air
space over the country to be re-opened this quick-
ly wotild place more civilian lives in jeopardy.
This raised a valid question: does freedom
equate to vulnerability? Dr. Zelman indicated that
historically, Americans have preferred having the
fullest possible extent of their freedoms, even if
that, to some degree, exposed them to the possi-
bility of danger.
The Student Counseling Center welcomes any-
one wishing to discuss the tragedy. Walk-ins are
welcome and appointments can be made at 968-
9044.
ATTENTION:
Calling ALL Students &
Spouses of Married Students
Selected Birth Control Pills - $5.00/month
Depo Provera - $50.00
CAI.l. FOR INFORMATION
Women's Physicals / PAP Smear tests -
CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT
.00
Physical Exams for Men - $25.00
CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT
iuclcin Health Center
968-9271 • Student Development Center, Rm 212
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The J-TAC (Stephenville, Tex.), Vol. 162, No. 2, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 13, 2001, newspaper, September 13, 2001; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth142006/m1/2/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Tarleton State University.