Terrorist attacks were a statistical failure......

by LDH 10 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  LDH

  From my Aunt Judy. I plan to share with my 11 yo--the grim news pictures can have affect kids....

  By now everyone has been hearing the death toll rise and reports of the destruction from the terrorist attacks on the US. These were deplorable acts that we will never forget. But now is a time to look at the other side of the numbers coming out of New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

  The sad but somewhat uplifting side that the mainstream media has not reported yet - the SURVIVAL rates and some positive news about the attacks.

  *** The Buildings ***

  * The World Trade Center -
  The twin towers of the World Trade Center were places of employment for some
  50,000 people. With the missing list of just over 5,000 people, that means 90% of the people targeted survived the attack. A 90% on a test is an 'A'.

  * The Pentagon -
  Some 23,000 people were the target of a third plane aimed at the Pentagon. The latest count shows that only 123 lost their lives. That is an amazing 99.5% survival rate. in addition, the plane seems to have come in too low, too early to affect a large portion of the building. On top of that, the section that was hit was the first of five sections to undergo renovations that would help protect the Pentagon from terrorist attacks. It had recently completed straightening and blastproofing, saving untold lives.

  This attack was sad, but a statistical failure.

  *** The Planes ***

  * American Airlines Flight 77
  This Boeing 757 that was flown into the outside of the Pentagon could have carried up to 289 people, yet only 64 were aboard. Luckily 78% of the seats were empty.

  * American Airlines Flight 11
  This Boeing 767 could have had up to 351 people aboard, but only carried 92.
  Thankfully 74% of the seats were unfilled.

  * United Airlines Flight 175
  Another Boeing 767 that could have sat 351 people only had 65 people on board. Fortunately it was 81% empty.

  * United Airlines Flight 93
  This Boeing 757 was one of the most uplifting stories yet. The smallest flight to be hijacked with only 45 people aboard out of a possible 289 had 84% of its capacity unused. Yet these people stood up to the attackers and thwarted a fourth attempted destruction of a national landmark, saving untold numbers of lives in the process.

  *** In Summary ***
  Out of potentially 74,280 Americans directly targeted by these inept cowards, 93% survived or avoided the attacks. That's a higher survival rate than heart attacks, breast cancer, kidney transplants and liver transplants - all common, survivable illnesses.

  The Hijacked planes were mostly empty, the Pentagon was hit at it's strongest point, the overwhelming majority of people in the World Trade Center buildings escaped, and a handful of passengers gave the ultimate sacrifice to save even more lives.

  Pass this information on to those in fear and the media. Don't fear these terrorists. The odds are against them.
• 

  Seeker

  Those are excellent reminders, and I thank you for posting it. Here are just a few minor corrections:

  At that time of the morning, it is estimated that there may have been about 20,000 people at the WTC, not the maximum 50,000. If the planes had hit at, say, 11AM, it would have included far more potential victims.

  It has been pointed out that the hijackers deliberately chose flights that would be mostly empty so that there would be less chance of people overpowering them. Your written piece chalks this up to "luck," but it seems that was actually part of the plan.

  The plane that crashed in PA would never have hit its target. Even if the people on board hadn't acted, there were already military jets trailing it, ready to shoot it down should it be necessary. As heroic as the people on board were (and they were), it would have made no difference even if they had sat in their seats and done nothing. The military would have destroyed the plane first before it could hit anything.

  If this is going to be passed around widely, and since it uses such precise details, the details should be correct.
• 

  LDH

  Seeker, I purposely didn't rationalize any of the numbers. Statistics can say whatever you want to make them say.

  I cut and pasted from an email my Aunt sent me. I'll use it just as it is, because it will provide some comfort to an 11 yo (my kid) who flies alone.

  But you of course, are free to make any adjustments you see fit.

  Lisa
• 

  LDH

  PS, Seeker, you noted:

  At that time of the morning, it is estimated that there may have been about 20,000 people at the WTC, not the maximum 50,000. If the planes had hit at, say, 11AM, it would have included far more potential victims.

  I have heard others say this as well. How do you arrive at that conclusion? At 95% of the office buildings in America, you start work at 8 or at the latest 9 am.

  Lisa
• 

  Seeker

  Oh, I knew you didn't make it up and were just passing it along. All I was suggesting is that the correct facts be included. No sense, in my opinion, in passing along untrue parts. It may be comforting, but the true facts are also comforting in the same way.

  But you are free to do what you want, of course.
• 

  dubla

  At that time of the morning, it is estimated that there may have been about 20,000 people at the WTC, not the maximum 50,000. If the planes had hit at, say, 11AM, it would have included far more potential victims.

  and the thinking here is?? are you saying the terrorist purposely attacked when the building was only 40% full? i doubt it.

  aa
• 

  Seeker

  I have heard others say this as well. How do you arrive at that conclusion?

  I didn't arrive at it, it was reported. While the nation was watching CNN, I was watching the local NYC stations, and they reported it. I think Guiliani also said it that day at one of his news conferences. It also makes sense because...

  At 95% of the office buildings in America, you start work at 8 or at the latest 9 am

  Welcome to New York, the part of the country that starts at 9am. The first attack hit at 8:48am. The tourist parts open at 9:30am. So only those who got to work early were there when it happened. That would certainly include certain stock and bond jobs, but the average office worker wouldn't be there yet.

  I'm certain of that 20,000 number. It was reported here many times. And yes, it is just an estimate given by NYC officials, but it's probably a good estimate given from those who would know.
• 

  Seeker

  aa

  and the thinking here is?? are you saying the terrorist purposely attacked when the building was only 40% full? i doubt it.

  I said nothing of the kind! I just reported facts, nothing else. I don't know what was in their heads, I only know how it turned out.
• 

  bboyneko

  The plane that crashed in PA would never have hit its target. Even if the people on board hadn't acted, there were already military jets trailing it, ready to shoot it down should it be necessary. As heroic as the people on board were (and they were), it would have made no difference even if they had sat in their seats and done nothing. The military would have destroyed the plane first before it could hit anything.

  thats not quite true, if they had suceeded in overpowering the terrorists AND taking control of the plane, the military wouldnt have shot down the plane and everyone would have been ok in that flight. TO say they might as well have done nothing is not thinking the issue through clearly.
• 

  Seeker

  bboyneko,

  You are right, that is a more thorough way of looking at it. I retract what I said. It is still true that there is no way that plane would have hit anything, one way or another, but it is feasible the people on the plane who acted could have done it themselves.