Bush Explains Reaction to 9/11 Attacks

He might have overshot the mark. In an interview with National Geographic Television, former president George W. Bush explains his much-criticized blank reaction to the news of the September 11 terrorist attacks as his attempt at projecting calm. Describing getting the news while visiting a Florida classroom, he says: "My first reaction was anger. Who the hell would do that to America? Then I immediately focused on the children, and the contrast between the attack and the innocence of children." Then he realized a lot of people would be watching his reaction. "So I made the decision not to jump up immediately and leave the classroom. I didn't want to rattle the kids. I wanted to project a sense of calm."