Why the World Trade Center?

[HowardStern]

What's Bel Laden's fixation with this place anyway? I would have gone for the 4 biggest power plants in California or the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, or something else.

 

[StageLeft]

Symbolism and max deaths.

 

[d0ofy]

Because it's a big, easy target. It effectively shuts down America. It's toppling creates a domino effect that hurts more than a few power plants.

 

[yakko]

It was mainly done for what it stands for. A lot of people think America is evil because we are capitalists.

 

[Aelus]

It was a symbolic attack, he meant to hit you in your economical, your military, and your political center.

i doubt he wanted to maximize deaths, it seems to me it was much more of a symbolic attack than truly trying to bring america on it's knees.

still, it has to be proven it's him...

Aelus

 

[Tauren]

It is called the 'World' Trade Center for a reason. It effectively shut down the world economy.

 

[Windogg]

The WTC complex is basically the financial heart of the United States if not the world. The New York Stock Exchange, NY Conmmodities Exchange, and major Wall Street firms have office or headquarters within the complex. The sheer concentration of firms in the area would make any incident felt. Look at how the stock exchanges have been shutdown by this disaster. Companies like Bank of America with occupied a major portion of the areas first hit has basically been shutdown. American Express with a building in the area had their website down for most of the day. Finally just the sheer number of people in the area would guarantee an unimaginable number of casualties. The area is also home to much of New York City's goverment offices.

Attacking a power plant or bridge would cause major inconvenience but power can always be diverted and temporary bridges can be erected. The immediate effects are tough but long term there is less of am impact.

 

[Kipper]

Symbolic attack, as opposed to mass casualties. I doubt the terrorists were expecting the WTC to collapse. I'm a bit surpised that people are already pointing fingers @ the Middle East, considering that there is yet still no major physical evidence to support the theory. It's VERY likely, I will admit, but we still haven't elapsed much time between the actual attacks and the beginning of the investigation.

 

[HowardStern]

<< Symbolic attack, as opposed to mass casualties. I doubt the terrorists were expecting the WTC to collapse. I'm a bit surpised that people are already pointing fingers @ the Middle East, considering that there is yet still no major physical evidence to support the theory. It's VERY likely, I will admit, but we still haven't elapsed much time between the actual attacks and the beginning of the investigation. >>



We have the cell phone calls, the recorded conversations from the Air Traffic Controllers, and we will find the flight recorders. Eventually all of this will be on TV, most likely right before we attack whomever is responsible.

 

[HowardStern]

OK, so still I'd think if they were going for symbolism they's pick The White House, The Pentagon, The Capital building, and some other federal building in Washington DC. My guess is that the PA airplane was headed towards the Capital or White House.

 

[Queasy]

1) Huge Economic Center for the United States
2) Symbol for capitalism and power for the United States
3) Tallest structures in New York City - what Bin Laden considers the den of evil


Has all the makings of a prime target for someone that has as much hatred towards the US as Bin Laden does.

 

[veryape]

Because much of our financial buisnesses are in that building,not to mention the symbolism that building carried with it.

 

[psteng19]

<< What's Bel Laden's fixation with this place anyway? I would have gone for the 4 biggest power plants in California or the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, or something else. >>

obviously you've never been to NYC. 14th st. and below have been entire shut down. that's the entire market.
50,000 are at the WTC at any given time during the work day. Do you think this would be as big news if it hit a power plant and killed the 50 people that worked there?

 

[virtuamike]

Maybe because it's easier to take out the WTC with a plane than it is to take out a power plant or the Pentagon (still can't understand why they didn't just keep going and take out the White Houuse, would have been far more demoralizing).

 

[MadRat]

Not a shred of metal would have reached the White House. Ever hear of Phalanx close-win weapon systems? The White House is ringed with them.

 

[crypticlogin]

<< Not a shred of metal would have reached the White House. Ever hear of Phalanx close-win weapon systems? The White House is ringed with them. >>



In that light, why isn't the Pentagon, the hub of the military, as well defended as the White House? I've always wondered this...

 

[DannyLove]

this is a dumb and obvious question.

danny~!