Breaking Tweets » North America

Website publishes apparent text messages from 9/11

Marcus Wekenmann — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:55:04 +0000

According to CNN.com, a website says it has released thousands of intercepted text messages from the hours leading up to, during and after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon.

Wikileaks.org began releasing the messages Wednesday to mirror the times they were supposedly sent, starting at 3a.m., and ending 24 hours later.

The site says some texts originated from text pagers carried by government officials, yet some carry a personal tone.

According to the Associated Press, a Wikileaks spokesman says the texts were submitted to the site anonymously, but that the data is valid.

Tweeters around the world were both emotionally affected and suspicious of the messages:

Marianuum (Molde, Norway) Seriously? they have published all of the text messages that was sent during 9/11? Am I the only one who finds that disrespectful? 17 Nov 2009 from web

valeposh (Italy) …ok, seriously, I don’t think it’s right to release 9/11 text messages. Show some respect. People died. #911txts 25 Nov 2009 from web

SouthernCanuck (Texas) how the hell did wikileaks get a hold of 570,000 text messages from 9/11? 25 Nov 2009 from Netvibes

carfullofpandas (Calgary, AB, Canada) If anyone wants to ruin their afternoon Wikileaks is releasing pager text messages intercepted on 9/11. Really chilling/upsetting/disturbing 25 Nov 2009 from UberTwitter

yarnpr0n (Waterloo, ON Canada) Reading Wikileaks of text messages sent during 9/11 attacks. Has anyone else read these? Absolutely chilling. 25 Nov 2009 from TweetDeck

dwmurphy2 (Cleveland, Ohio) I can’t believe CNN is showing those personal text messages from 9/11. 25 Nov 2009 from Twitterrific

Klondike (Washington, DC) I’m growing rapidly more uncomfortable about this whole 9/11 text messages release. They didn’t even anonymize phone numbers. 26 Nov 2009 from web

— this quote was brought to you by quoteurl

Tweet This Post

One in six Americans go hungry

Fahad Zuberi — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:44:53 +0000

A new study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows more Americans are going hungry.

USA TODAY reports, forty-nine million people in American households one in six went hungry or had insufficient food at some point in 2008, the highest number since the government began tracking the problem in 1995.

Twitter users in the United States are wondering why they don’t hear more about this. Some users are being thankful for what they have in these tough times.

SexyNexBoy73 (Chambersburg, Pennsylvania)That is so sad.
Economic news – CNNMoney.com
>1 in 6 Americans goes hungry 16 Nov 2009 from txt

CYRSV (Santa Clara County, California) 1 in 6 Americans goes hungry – those who can give need to dig a little deeper this holiday season http://tinyurl.com/ya5hsgv 16 Nov 2009 from web

aMj89 (Greenville, North Carolina) 1 in 6 Americans goes hungry, maybe it should be 5 outta 6. http://bit.ly/2Mj0Tk 16 Nov 2009 from web

LiquidIvory (Sherman Oaks, California) 1 in 6 Americans goes hungry http://twurl.nl/7opaw6 Be thankful people 17 Nov 2009 from Tweetburner

KCMcCoy_PhD (Fresno, California) Why don’t we hear more about this? (CNNMoney.com) – 1 in 6 Americans goes hungry http://bit.ly/coBNa #cnnmoney 17 Nov 2009 from web

— this quote was brought to you by quoteurl

Tweet This Post

Swine flu challenges airline travelers

Nicole Hernandez — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:02:10 +0000

The push to prevent others from being infected with swine flu is causing conflict between airline travelers.

Tampa Bay Online reports the staff at United Airlines suspected passenger Mitra Mostoufi had the flu and forced her to get off the plane and stay in Tampa as she was trying to return to her home in Hawaii on Monday.

Mostoufi and other sick travelers are finding it difficult to travel by plane if airlines know they may potentially have the disease.

Twitter users question if what airlines are doing is appropriate and are scared of catching the disease on planes:

KGMB9 (Honolulu, Hawaii) Would you have appreciated being kicked off the plane? Even if you were accused of having Swine Flu? 11 Nov 2009 from web

Mucx (Barcelona, Spain) Hope they let me on the plane, still got this flu, sweating, shaking, standing at check in…that joke about swine flu has me worried now 07 Nov 2009 from Tweetie

authorchristine (Cyprus) I’m worrying about coming home with all this swine flu about, hope I don’t catch anything on the plane! 05 Nov 2009 from TweetDeck

bossbev (Undisclosed) These ppl are coughing on this plane. I am so scared of Swine Flu! Y don’t they cover mouths when coughn?????? 04 Nov 2009 from Echofon

snoopysnowcone (Massachusetts) On the plane and holding my breath so I don’t get swine flu… 06 Nov 2009 from Twitterrific

Juno_Is_Boring (Yakima, WA) About to board the plane to Denver. Then on to Kansas City. Hope we don’t get Swine Flu. 03 Nov 2009 from txt

Tweet This Post

TwitPics: Twitter users celebrate U.S. Veterans Day with photos

Elle Eichinger — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:59:44 +0000

The United State’s celebration of Veteran’s Day dates back to after World War I. First designated a holiday by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, current President Barack Obama honored the day by speaking at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. today.Twitter users were attending parades around the country, and also posting pictures of their own favorite soldiers.

@kevin_oates (Venice, CA): Great photo from Hyundia's video board in Times Square from the Veterans' Day Parade

@d1ane (Milford, MI):WWII Sailor at Memorial Day parade in Milford MI--INCREDIBLE turnout of both veterans and parade watchers.

@ThunderPig (Franklin, NC): The US Marines lead the way in the Franklin Veterans Day Parade. #wnc #nc #veterans

@chadxmerch (New York, NY): Veterans day on the George Washington bridge.

@KFDANewsDesk (Amarillo, TX)

@maple_fan (Ohio): In honor of Veterans' Day posting a fav pic of cousin's spouse & son. Shows military family sacrifice. Thank you.#fb

@kdgteachgrizz (location undisclosed): Kindergarten writing today!

Tweet This Post

Google offers free airport Wi-Fi for the holidays

Lisa Wyczesany — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:45:27 +0000

Google announced that they have started to offer free Wi-Fi in 47 airports in the United States now through January 15, 2010. Crunch Gear helped explain the holiday “gift” which includes Google’s charity matching – An initiative which results in the winning airport having $15,000 to donate to the local charity of their choice.

A list of the participating airports as well as other FAQ’s regarding the free Wi-Fi is offered through Google’s site.

Most Twitter users happily react to Google’s holiday spirit giveaway…

meaghanryan Thank you Google for free WiFi at my 2 favorite (and 45 other) airports through the holidays! Love them! 10 Nov 2009 from txt

Mona Google’s Giving Us Free WiFi for the Holidays! #gogoogle #worlddomination http://post.ly/CMCJ 11 Nov 2009 from Posterous

flutesUD @suneilmohan ‘Cause Austin is on the list! Its unbelievable how this tech-oriented city doesn’t have free wifi @ the airport normally. 11 Nov 2009 from web in reply to suneilmohan

bmqmen “Google, I salute you (for free airport wifi)” and related posts: Rex Hammock's RexBlog.comLong-time re.. http://bit.ly/1TNpjb 11 Nov 2009 from twitterfeed

Alan_Wolf Free airport wifi in select cities compliments of Google through the holidays. Madison is one the towns! http://bit.ly/3RVmW5 11 Nov 2009 from TweetDeck

…while some are frustrated with Google’s timing and their decision making with which airports to include.

alexdrovna um…the WiFi was always free at McCarren in #Vegas…do not understand the point of “Google Free WiFi” 11 Nov 2009 from Echofon

theonetruebix Not sure why I care that @google has free wifi at the PDX airport for the holidays. There’s free wifi there year-round anyway. 11 Nov 2009 from web

jvchuy Chicago doesn’t seem to get any free wifi http://www.freeholidaywifi.com/ what’s the deal? 11 Nov 2009 from Twitterrific

NicBall How did Google hookup free wifi in Toledo airport but not Columbus, Dayton, or Cincinnati? 11 Nov 2009 from SocialScope

gam007 i heard on the news that google is giving away free wifi at airports.wtf.i could have used that during hurricane ike aftermath 1 yr ago 11 Nov 2009 from web

Tweet This Post

‘Beltway sniper’ execution fuels death penalty discussion on Twitter

Tony Valdivieso — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:54:19 +0000

John Allen Muhammad terrorized the Washington D.C. area with Lee Boyd Malvo, killing ten people in 2002. Muhammad, better known as the ‘Beltway sniper’, now sits on death row, his fate all but sealed. He is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection Tuesday evening in Virginia.

According to CNN, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine denied a clemency request from Muhammad’s lawyers, closing off what is likely to be his last avenue of appeal early Tuesday. “I find no compelling reason to set aside the sentence that was recommended by the jury and then imposed and affirmed by the courts,” Kaine wrote in a statement released Tuesday. “Accordingly, I decline to intervene.”

Kaine’s statement came after the US Supreme Court rejected an appeal for a stay of execution from Muhammad’s lawyers on Monday. “We have allowed Virginia to truncate our deliberative process on a matter… that demands the most careful attention,” said Justice John Paul Stevens according to the New York Times.

While most Twitter users bid Muhammad a less than fond farewell, some used their tweets and the situation to argue against the death penalty:

anjxoxo (California) How do you feel about the death penalty? Are you ready for justice to be served? Or is a death sentence an unjust form of punishment? 09 Nov 2009 from web

whygreenberg (Brooklyn, NY) END DEATH PENALTY! RT @markknoller: SCOTUS denies stay of execution for DC sniper John Allen Muhammed…scheduled 2 b put 2 death tomorrow. 09 Nov 2009 from Tweetie

heidiweimer (Nashville, TN) RT @cnnbrk Supreme Ct refuses 2 block Tues execution of D.C.-area sniper//Seriously can’t believe we still execute n the U.S. Pray 4 him.#fb 09 Nov 2009 from web

melmarinda (Columbia, MD) So sad about tomorrow’s scheduled execution of the dc sniper in VA. I’m sad for his family…particularly his son. I remember being afraid.. 10 Nov 2009 from web

RazorSharp215 (Philadelphia, PA) As an opponent of the death penalty, am I the only one not celebrating the execution of the DC sniper? Legalized murder… HOW BARBARIC! 10 Nov 2009 from web

brodiehubbard (Los Angeles, CA) I don’t think killing people is right. I didn’t like it when the Beltway Sniper did it, I don’t like it any better when the state does it. 10 Nov 2009 from web

MzPortr (Novato, CA) The “beltway sniper” John Muhammad will be executed today. Not sure how I feel about that yet. 10 Nov 2009 from UberTwitter

Muhammad and Malvo were arrested in October 2002. Malvo is currently serving life in prison.

Tweet This Post

Twitter users react to recent increase in shootings

Lindsey Drakert — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:29:18 +0000

After the shooting at Ford Hood, Texas Thursday that killed 13 people and the shooting in Orlando, Florida that killed at least one and injured several others Friday, Twitter users are taking notice of the increase in gun violence.

Twitterers, especially those in Florida, posted about how gun violence keeps getting closer to their homes:

alexthewheel (Winter Park, FL) @philososaurus def dude today there was a shooting in downtown orlando -_- s’getting too close to home now. it was work related too. 06 Nov 2009 from mobile web

SummerLynn (Orlando, FL) Shooting in Orlando. Such an awful thing happened here today. I am 10 miles from it and safe. My heart goes out to the victims here today. 06 Nov 2009 from web

NewBodyCoach (Orlando, FL) Not even the vacation capital is immune from mass shootings. Prayers go to all the victoms of downtown Orlando shooting. 06 Nov 2009 from Echofon

yaya27 (Orlando, FL) Omg wats up with all this shooting!! What’s wrong with America?? I think da world is ending!! 06 Nov 2009 from Twitterrific

Some Twitterers reflected on what this gun violence means:

Joecool169 (Undisclosed) Anybody else think men are predisposed to gun violence after this weeks killings? 07 Nov 2009 from txt

jeremeets (Central New York) 2nd round of gun violence in as many days…sad…current gun legislation does not work…maybe we should focus on that 06 Nov 2009 from web

Tweet This Post

Gunman opens fire at Florida office

Kari O'Rourke — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:57:30 +0000

A gunman opened fired at an office downtown Orlando, Florida, Friday morning killing one person and injuring five others.

BBC News reports that Orlando police identified the gunman as Jason Rodriguez, 40, who used to work there. He was arrested at his mother’s house after fleeing the scene.

Twitter users in the area shared their concerns on the trending topic:

scotymax (Orlando, Fla.) Holy smokes! Shootings at the office building where I work in Orlando. Just happened to take today off. 06 Nov 2009 from Tweetie

GarrickBoyd (Orlando, Fla.) Suspect in the Orlando office shootings, Jason Rodriguez, 40, silver 02 Nissan SUV D11UXR http://yfrog.com/j84jxj 06 Nov 2009 from Tweetie

JP_Renaud (Orlando, Fla.) Orlando Florida Legion Place shooting – businesses at this location: RS&H, Tews staffing, Gulfatlantic Tile, an attoryney’s office, etc. 06 Nov 2009 from web

CMHillard (Orlando, Fla.) The office of one of our engineering subcontractors was shot up this afternoon by some psycho!!! I hope Keith is okay!!! 06 Nov 2009 from web

sam_gardner (Orlando, Fla.) Last I heard, our 16th floor office has been evacuated, but the 7th floor is still locked in the building, but safe #orlandoshooting 06 Nov 2009 from TweetDeck

ShirleyHuangESQ (Orlando, Fla.) News station reporting suspected Orlando office gunman said “They (his employer) left me to rot” (re: layoff). 06 Nov 2009 from DestroyTwitter

Krispykreme88 (Undisclosed) Scary – Lure office less than a mile from the shooting – thankful our design friends at Engauge are all safe! 06 Nov 2009 from TweetDeck

riccaboni (Orlando, Fla.) My school & hospital were on locked down because some dude shot up an office building that was 5 blocks from my location. What is going on?! 06 Nov 2009 from web

Tweet This Post

Fort Hood shootings: Seven dead at army post outside Killeen, Texas

Fahad Zuberi — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:28:21 +0000

At least seven people were killed and several others injured in a shooting at the Fort Hood military base outside Killeen, Texas on Thursday afternoon.

Local television station KXXV reported, “We’ve learned an incident has taken place at the sports dome, now known as the soldier readiness area. Temple ISD Schools Have Been locked down as part of this incident. The district’s spokeswoman tells News Channel 25 the district is on soft lockdown.”

People in and around Fort Hood were worried and shared their concerns on Twitter.

RicoRossi (Fort Hood, Texas) if your OFFPOST right now dont come to base, multiple shootings, several casualties, possible terrorist suspects… FT HOOD TX 05 Nov 2009 from web

Norrek4040 (Killeen, Texas) FORT HOOD IS LOCKED DOWN, 7 DEAD 12-15 WOUNDED! THEY DONT KNOW WHO’S DOING IT, BE SAFE PEOPLE! 05 Nov 2009 from MySpace

aneeia26 (Killeen, Texas) Wow. I do not know what to say, but thank you Jesus, I had left Fort Hood an hour before the shootings. 05 Nov 2009 from web

Jus_Shuga (undisclosed location) Over here at wrk lockdown too!!! Forthood is crazy right now 05 Nov 2009 from txt

music4life00 (undisclosed location) That’s what happens when yu live in a military town so sad 7 dead 05 Nov 2009 from UberTwitter

RicoRossi (Fort Hood, Texas) emergency sirens going off, HALO evacs, lockdowns, there is not 1 person walking thru the streets of FT HOOD 05 Nov 2009 from web

RebekahReports (Texas) Police have shot a male suspect in Army uniform with Major rank. He has run in to another building on Fort Hood. 05 Nov 2009 from TweetDeck

Other Twitter users are praying for the terror to end in Fort Hood.

nikimoo3 (location undisclosed) Pray for Fort Hood. Justin’s ok but idk about his friends 05 Nov 2009 from txt

LauraSergi (Connecticut) Prayers go out to the families and the people at Fort Hood 05 Nov 2009 from web

RobertEvans007 (undisclosed location) Please pray safety and protection for the soldiers and families at Fort Hood! 05 Nov 2009 from txt

Tweet This Post

First U.S. man since 1982 wins NYC Marathon

Tony Valdivieso — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:46:18 +0000

"Back from the race. Go USA! Meb Keflezighi is first American man to win marathon since '82." @TriciaWho

After a 27 year drought, an American won the New York City Marathon on Sunday. Meb Keflezighi, 34, became the first U.S. man to win the marathon since 1982. Alongside Keflezighi, five other Americans placed in the top ten.

Though Keflezighi took home a silver medal in 2004 Olympics marathon, his performance at the NYC marathon marked his first major marathon victory. “U.S.A. gave me all the opportunity in the world, education, sports, lifestyle… This is so special to me,” Keflezighi told the New York Times. He crossed the finish line with a personal best time of 2:09:15.

According to CNN, Keflezighi emigrated to California in 1987, becoming a U.S. citizen in 1998. One of 11 children, Keflezighi fled with his family from war-torn Eritrea during the countrys conflict with Ethiopia.

Twitterers were happy to learn of Keflezighi’s performance and accomplishment. It didn’t simply symbolize an American resurgence in the marathon; to many, it symbolized the American dream:

LarryJoe88 It was great to see the men’s winner break the tape with USA in bold letters across his chest. An American man won the NYC marathon! Cool. 01 Nov 2009 from TwitterBerry

erinbyrne Congrats @runmeb on winning the NYC marathon. Nice to have a winner running for the stars and stripes. 01 Nov 2009 from web

doccrynes Congrats to Meb K. First American winner of NYC Marathon since 1982…USA!…USA!…USA!!! 01 Nov 2009 from TweetDeck

HutchDeLoach Enjoyed the NY City Marathon on TV today. So exciting to see a USA men’s winner again after so long that I had to go for a run to celebrate! 01 Nov 2009 from web

BarbaraKB Winner of NYC marathon: another great story of US as the land of opportunity. 02 Nov 2009 from UberTwitter

vizval Winner of NY marathon said he’s living his dream. Dream big & bright and #visualize big & bright and you’ll live big & bright. 02 Nov 2009 from web

jonathanwolfson Can’t get any more American than good ol’ boy, winner of the men’s NYC marathon, #MebKefleghizi. 02 Nov 2009 from txt

Keflezighi, a member of the Twitterverse himself, had a simple message to share:

runmeb what a magic day. Going to after race dinner. 02 Nov 2009 from mobile web

— this quote was brought to you by quoteurl

Tweet This Post