Bush will speak at 10:15 pm eastern. The networks have already begun coverage (though there isn't really anything to show yet).
ABC still has Richard Engel in Baghdad, and CNN also still has reporters there.
They are reporting that the first strikes on Baghdad was "a target of opportunity" aimed at the Iraqi leadership. They reportedly involved about 40 Tomahawk cruise missiles and a small number of F-117A Nighthawk stealth bombers.
Bush gave a brief speech (which you can watch here or read the text).
Ted Koppel is saying the strikes were a surprise to the 3rd Infantry who only knew about it when they were told to clear the airspace two hours ago.
At 10:20, there was some flashes of fire in Baghdad where it is 6:20 a.m. Engel who speaks Arabic says it seems there is normal programming on Iraqi radio which Radio Free Iraq broadcast Bush's speech.
Jennings says, "We have to honestly admit we've been caught offguard."
News websites like CNN and ABCNews.com seem to be overloaded. Google News doesn't have links to any stories about the start of the war as of 10:30 p.m (they did by 11 p.m., but it was not the top story. There are still some things people are better at).
Since it seems like this was an isolated strike, ABC ends their special report just after 11 p.m. Here on the west coast, the San Francisco affiliate joins "My Wife and Kids." The CBS affiliate is showing "Survivor." The Fox station is still showing the Fox News Channel. Though they switched about 10 minutes later to CNN (with Aaron Brown anchoring) which even they realize is much better .
Nic Robertson on CNN is reporting at 11:20 p.m. that Iraq will be holding a press conference within an hour.
The Fox affiliate went to American Idol at 8:30 pacific time.
The ABC station breaks into "The Bachelor: Where are They Now?" for Hussein's speech and then returns to shots of a teary Brooke as they update her life. When it finishes, ABC has a special news report at 10 p.m. pacific.
Article comments
1 - Jim Carruthers
ghack. I just want to hide after seeing this idiot on teevee. I spent a decade hiding from MAD and _this_ is the best the corporate oligarchy can up with? A pinhead idiot? Geez, if we are going to get armageddon, can we at least have a headliner?
2 - san
Operation Iraqi Freedom = Operation Trade One Dictator For Another