ABC NEWS SPECIAL: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK {TERRORIST ATTACKS} (TV)
Summary
This "ABC News Special" presents stories of response to the terrorist bombings of September 11, 2001, six days after the attacks. Anchor Peter Jennings begins by talking about the return to normal network programming and showing footage of first lady Laura Bush at a memorial service for those who perished in the flight that crashed in Pennsylvania. In the first report, Cynthia McFadden follows Kevin Salter, a lawyer who works in lower Manhattan, to work. Salter recalls escaping after viewing the World Trade Center crashes through his office window -- and tries to deal with the lack of amenities in his now deserted neighborhood. Next, Erin Hayes reports from Atlanta on the efforts of Americans throughout the country to get back to work and school. Jennings then checks in quickly with Terry Moran at the White House, who explains that French President Jacques Chirac and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have both scheduled visits to Washington in the near future. The president is seen at the Pentagon with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld; the chief executive speaks of wanting suspected terrorist planner Osama bin Laden "dead or alive."
Reporter John McWethy explains that no firm plans for waging war against bin Laden have been announced as yet. Following this, John Qui–ones interviews workers at tall buildings like the Sears Tower and the Empire State Building about their security concerns. In the next report, Brian Ross traces the recent path of suspected hijacker Mohamed Atta; terrorist expert Harvey Kushner of Long Island University explains that more terrorist cells may still exist in the United States. Following this, Chris Wallace examines the possibility that in future attacks the U.S. government will feel obliged to shoot down civilian aircraft. General Donald Shepherd, former head of the Air National Guard, and Duane Woerth of the Airline Pilots Association agree that such a tactic may prove difficult but necessary. Next, John Miller shares his 1998 interview with Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan, in which the leader argues that, like him, Americans do not distinguish between military and civilian targets and predicts that his war with the United States may last longer than the Afghan struggle with the Soviets. Tom Jarriel then reports on U.S. military options in Afghanistan in a possible search for bin Laden; former head of U.S. special operations Wayne Downing and former ambassador to Pakistan Robert Oakley talk of the history of that country and possible strategies.
Next, Barbara Walters shares an interview with New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who recalls the events of the past few days and speaks of the comfort he receives from his colleagues and his companion Judith Nathan. Finally, Elizabeth Vargas interviews Kelly Ryer, who fled from the second World Trade Center tower just before its collapse. Jennings closes with footage of a baseball game in St. Louis at which the crowd sings the national anthem. Includes commercials, promos, and a public service announcement. Commercials include Sela Ward for Sprint and Tiger Woods for Buick.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: September 17, 2001 Monday 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:59:45
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:66825
- GENRE: News
- SUBJECT HEADING: Disasters; Hijacking of aircraft; Mayors; September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001; Terrorism
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 2001
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Benadryl allergy medication
- TV - Commercials - Buick automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Chevrolet automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Crest Whitestrips tooth cleaner
- TV - Commercials - Electrosol dishwasher detergent
- TV - Commercials - Ethan Allen furniture stores
- TV - Commercials - Fabreze fabric odor remover
- TV - Commercials - Gas-X antacid
- TV - Commercials - Michelin tires at Sears department stores
- TV - Commercials - Pepto-Bismol digestive medication
- TV - Commercials - Sprint long-distance telephone service
- TV - PSA - Ad Council, "Get Green," recycle
- TV - Promos - "Alias"
- TV - Promos - "Now and Again"
- TV - Promos - "Philly"
- TV - Promos - "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher"
- TV - Promos - "Spin City"
- TV - Promos - "The Miss America Pageant"
- TV - Promos - "The Practice"
CREDITS
- Peter Jennings … Anchor
- Erin Hayes … Reporter
- Tom Jarriel … Reporter
- Cynthia McFadden … Reporter
- John McWethy … Reporter
- John Miller … Reporter
- Terry Moran … Reporter
- John Quinones … Reporter
- Brian Ross … Reporter
- Elizabeth Vargas … Reporter
- Chris Wallace … Reporter
- Barbara Walters … Reporter
- Mohamed Atta
- bin Laden, Osama
- Tony Blair
- George W. Bush
- Laura Bush
- Jacques Chirac
- Wayne Downing
- Giuliani, Rudy (See also: Giuliani, Rudolph)
- Harvey Kushner
- Judith Nathan
- Robert Oakley
- Donald Rumsfeld
- Kelly Ryer
- Kevin Salter
- Donald Shepherd
- Duane Woerth