Justice League of America unveils anti-terror reorganization

Superman: "We recognize a compelling need to change."



METROPOLIS (UPSI) -- Saying the terrorist attacks of September 11 "marked a turning point for the Justice League," acting director Superman unveiled a dramatic reorganization marking a change in the JLA's priorities from crime-fighting to preventing terrorism. The association of crime-fighting super-heroes, consisting of Batman, Superman, Wonderwoman, Green Lantern, Flash, Hawkman, Hawkgirl and Aquaman had been criticized sharply in recent months for failing to protect the American public from terrorist attacks.



After September 11, said Superman, "It had become clear that we had to fundamentally alter the way we do business." The super-hero outlined a series of steps designed to change the Justice League from its former crime-fighting stance to one aligned against terrorist groups. The head of the JLA also acknowledged that its earlier anti-terror efforts were flawed, bowing to strong criticism by the press.



"It's no secret that (former JLA counter-terror head) Aquaman had undergone counseling for a substance-abuse problem," Superman stated, "he did not meet our expectations for counter-terror leadership. And let's be clear about all of our activities prior to 9/11: Lex Luthor and the Joker are not the threats they once were... they live in retirement homes." Superman, who took over as acting head of the JLA only a week before the attacks, unveiled a list of Justice League priorities, the first of which read, "Protect the United States from terrorist attacks."



"When I replaced the Flash as acting head of the JLA," the man of steel stated, "the terrorist threat was not in our normal scope of operations. In fact, on 9/11, I myself was flying from New York to an undisclosed location for a class reunion.



[Story continued on page A12]