4um: The 9/11 conspiracy plots thicken

They are politically diverse and include academics, ex-officials and Web surfers. All share a belief that the Bush administration played a role in the 9/11 attacks. Their numbers seem to speak to Americans' innate distrust of their government.

NEW YORK — He felt no shiver of doubt in those first terrible hours.

He watched the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and assumed al-Qaida had wreaked terrible vengeance. He listened to anchors and military experts and assumed the facts of Sept. 11, 2001, were as stated on the screen.

It was a year before David Ray Griffin, an eminent liberal theologian and philosopher, began his stroll down the path of disbelief. He wondered why Bush listened to a child's story while the nation was attacked and how Osama bin Laden, America's Public Enemy No. 1, escaped in the mountains of Tora Bora.

He wondered why 110-story towers crashed and military jets failed to intercept even one airliner. He read the 9/11 Commission report with a swell of anger. Contradictions were ignored and no military or civilian official was reprimanded, much less cashiered.

"To me, the report read as a cartoon," Griffin said. "It's a much greater stretch to accept the official conspiracy story than to consider the alternatives."

Such as?

"There was massive complicity in this attack by U.S. government operatives."

If that feels like a skip off the cliff of established reality, more Americans are in free fall than you might guess. There are few more startling measures of American distrust of leaders than the extent of belief that the Bush administration had a hand in the attacks of Sept. 11 to spark an invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq.

36 percent suspicious

A recent Scripps Howard/Ohio University poll of 1,010 Americans found that 36 percent suspect the U.S. government promoted the attacks or intentionally sat on its hands. Sixteen percent believe explosives brought down the towers. Twelve percent believe a cruise missile hit the Pentagon.

Distrust percolates more strongly near Ground Zero. A Zogby International poll of New York City residents two years ago found 49.3 percent believed the government "consciously failed to act."

Establishment assessments of the believers tend toward the psychotherapeutic. Many academics, politicians and thinkers left, right and center say the conspiracy theories are a case of one plus one equals five. It's a piling up of improbabilities.

Thomas Eager, a professor of materials science at MIT, has studied the collapse of the twin towers. "At first, I thought it was amazing that the buildings would come down in their own footprints," Eager says. "Then I realized that it wasn't that amazing — it's the only way a building that weighs a million tons and is 95 percent air can come down."

But the chatter out there is loud enough for the National Institute of Standards and Technology to post a Web "fact sheet" poking holes in the conspiracy theories and defending its report on the towers.

The loose agglomeration known as the "9/11 Truth Movement" has stopped looking for truth from the government. A cacophonous and free-range a bunch of conspiracists, they produce hip-hop inflected documentaries and scholarly conferences. The Web is their mother lode. Every citizen is a researcher.

Did you see that the CIA met with bin Laden in a hospital room in Dubai? Check out this Pakistani site; there are really weird doings in Baluchistan ...

Peter Knight, senior lecturer in American studies at the University of Manchester and editor of the 2002 book "Conspiracy Nation: The Politics of Paranoia in Postwar America," called the movement "a strange beast, an amalgam of elements. You've got the anti-Bush, anti-Iraq war crowd — you know, if they lied about the war, maybe they lied about 9/11. Another part is people merely interested in the anomalies, with no preconceived political agenda.

"Then you have the more traditional right-wing conspiracy part of the continuum that believes a vast cabal has taken over the United States, the mega-conspiracy of the right's new world order. To them, all of these things are connected. Each group inserts 9/11 into its pre-existing conspiracy model."

The academic wing is led by Griffin, who founded the Center for a Postmodern World at Claremont University; James Fetzer, a tenured philosopher at the University of Minnesota; and Daniel Orr, retired chairman of the economics department at the University of Illinois.

The movement's de facto minister of engineering is Steven Jones, a tenured physics professor at Brigham Young University who has studied vectors and velocities and tested explosives and concluded that the collapse of the twin towers is best explained as controlled demolition, sped by a thousand pounds of high-grade thermite.

Jones has been placed on paid leave while the Mormon-church-owned school investigates his claims, it was announced Friday.

The physicist published his views two weeks ago in the book "9/11 and American Empire: Intellectuals Speak Out."

Former Reagan aide Barbara Honegger is a senior military-affairs journalist at the Naval Postgraduate School in California. She's convinced, based on her freelance research, that a bomb went off about six minutes before an airplane hit the Pentagon — or didn't hit it, as some believe the case may be.

Then there's Morgan O. Reynolds, appointed by George W. Bush as chief economist at the Labor Department. He left in 2002 and doesn't think much of his former boss.

"Who did it? Elements of our government and M-16 and the Mossad. The government's case is a laugh-out-loud proposition. They used patsies and lies and subterfuge and there's no way that Bush and Cheney could have invaded Iraq without the help of 9/11," Reynolds asserts.

They are cantankerous and sometimes distrust each other — who knows where the double agents lurk? But unreasonable questions resonate with the reasonable. Colleen Kelly's brother, a salesman, had breakfast at the Windows on the World restaurant on Sept. 11. After he died she founded September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows to oppose the Iraq war. She lives in the Bronx and gives a gingerly embrace to the conspiracy crowd.

"Sometimes I listen to them and I think that's sooooo outlandish and bizarre," she says. "But that day had such disastrous geopolitical consequences. If David Ray Griffin asks uncomfortable questions and points out painful discrepancies, good for him."

Griffin's book, "The New Pearl Harbor: Disturbing Questions About the Bush Administration and 9/11," sold more than 100,000 copies and became a movement founding stone. Last year he traveled through New England, giving speeches. One evening in West Hartford, Conn., 400 mostly middle-aged and upper-middle-class doctors and lawyers, teachers and social workers sat waiting.

Griffin took the podium and laid down his ideas with calm and cool. He concluded:

"It is already possible to know beyond a reasonable doubt one very important thing: The destruction of the World Trade Center was an inside job, orchestrated by domestic terrorists. The welfare of our republic and perhaps even the survival of our civilization depend on getting the truth about 9/11 exposed."

Chip Berlet, senior analyst at Political Research Associates, a Boston-based left-leaning think tank, is no fan of the 9/11 Commission. He believes a serious investigation should have led to indictments and the firing of incompetent generals and civilian officials.

"They don't do their homework; it's a kind of charlatanism," says Berlet. "They say there's no debris on the lawn in front of the Pentagon, but they base their analysis on a photo on the Internet. That's like analyzing an impressionist painting by looking at a postcard.

"I love 'The X-Files' but I don't base my research on it. My vision of hell is having to review these [conspiracy] books over and over again."

In the days after Sept. 11, experts claimed temperatures reached 2,000 degrees on the upper floors. Others claimed steel melted. Nope. What happened, says Eager, the MIT materials-science professor, is that jet fuel sloshed around and beams got rubbery.

"It's not too much to think that you could have some regions at 900 degrees and others at 1,200 degrees, and that will distort the beams."

The truth movement doesn't really care for Eager. A Web site casts a fisheye of suspicion at the professor and his colleagues. "Did the MIT have prior knowledge?" notes one chat room. "This is for sure another speculative topic ... "

Professsor Jones' suspension was reported Friday by The Associated Press. Peter Knight was quoted by McClatchy Newspapers.

Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.
Lord Acton

He (Gordon Duff) also implies that forcibly removing Obama, a Constitution-hating, on-the-down-low, crackhead Communist, is an attack on America, Mom, and apple pie. I swear these military people are worse than useless. Just look around at the condition of the country and tell me if they have fulfilled their oaths to protect the nation from all enemies foreign and domestic.
OsamaBinGoldstein posted on 2010-05-25 9:39:59 ET (2 images) Reply Trace

Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.
Lord Acton

Are you upset because I spent a little time pinning buckie's ears back. Such petty jealousy.

My point of course, which you took out of context of course, was I simply grew tired the childish antics of you and buckie. As well when I insult someone it is clearly an insult and not an attempt to avoid issues or derail the discussion. It's just that you two with your barbarian table manners earn every drop of vitriol which I drop in your direction. So, I gave you some of your own medicine. You're just jealous because I'm better at than you are, and even worse I use all them thar edumacated wurdz you don't understand. Cry me a river shipmate, cry me a river.

Oh, by the way, I'm sure this eluded you, I didn't use any crass 4 letter vulgarisms of the kind you and buckie seem to be so fond of. Ain't that just the shits?

"One of the least understood strategies of the world revolution now moving rapidly toward its goal is the use of mind control as a major means of obtaining the consent of the people who will be subjects of the New World Order." K.M. Heaton, The National Educator

2:43 "Exposed to fires for 7 hours and critically weakened, Truss 1 (in the northeast corner) finally failed at 5:20.

2:48 "This vertical collapse progressed all the way to the roof, as evidenced by the collapse of the east penthouse."

2:56 "Unable to handle the redistributed wieight, the two remaining trusses gae way about 8 seconds later, resulting in a complete collapse of the building."

3:39 "The firefighers certainly weren't surprised when the building collapsed just as predicted."

Naturally, the k00ksites do not show the collapse starting with the failure of Truss 1, which gave in about 8 seconds before Trusses 2 and 3.

Trusses 2 and 3 failed simultaneously and allowed for the remaining parts of the building to go down to the ground all at once.

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One of the major consequences of the 9/11 movement has been to draw enormous amounts of energy and effort away from activism directed to real and ongoing crimes of state, and their institutional background, crimes that are far more serious than blowing up the WTC would be, if there were any credibility to that thesis. That is, I suspect, why the 9/11 movement is treated far more tolerantly by centers of power than is the norm for serious critical and activist work....Noam Chomsky

AGABLOWviator and Buckie need a tissue for their big crocodile tears and sniffles.

Po' lil' victims whining about insults on one hand and throwing them in vulgar tirades with the other.

"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. ... We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of." Edward Bernays, Father of Public Relations

As already stated, you're a pathological lying windbag who can't abide by the rules you yourself post.

Bingo. If they wish to be treated like adults participating in a debate from opposite ends of an issue then it would seem to me that it would behoove them to behave as adults. Now, I know that is not going to happen, but then I'm an optimist.

Just noting for the record it's your side which posts rules for discourse, which you then systematically violate every time you feel like it.

All of the acoustic measurements AND seismic recordings show no demolitions on 9/11... before or after the respective passenger jet crashes.... you would think everyone running for their lives that day would have busted eardrums from any explosions before the collapse.

Not at all my dear microencephalic neanderthal, unlike you when I levy an insult it is not to win the debate, or because I am so ungracious as to emulate the dregs in an ill tempered tantrum because I have been proven wrong on a point (not that, that happens), but because the level of refinement of another, such as yourself, encourages comparisons worthy of the churlish behavior exhibited. Mind you I am not saying you are without some class it is simply that it is all of the lowest order.

Yeah, by all means, let's start another 1200+ posting thread about who did 9/11 that no one's cared about since, oh...I dunno...2002.

Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.
Lord Acton

Obviously some of us care about it. But if you don't, why do you post to the threads? No one is forcing you to post to them or read them, are they?

Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.
Lord Acton

I'm trying to remember when I first realized that AGitprop was working for the dark side...years and years ago I suppose.

"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams

As usual you distort and twist. Not that you're very good at - it is awfully transparent. I take it subtlety is not your strong point?

In any event if I insult you, assuming you are capable of comprehending the insult, it is because I am insulting you and not as a device to win the debate. In other words I am not engaging in misrepresenting another's position while degrading them, as though anyone of any intelligence cannot see through your tactic, I am insulting them. It is really quite straightforward. If I call you an imbecile or a knave it is because I am naming you that which you are and not for any other purpose. I do hope that was not too sophisticated for you. Please let me know if you need a translation in monosyllables.

The fabled conspiracies keep rattling around without facts or witnesses... I think it is all BS. FormerLurker created a thread about FLT77 BRIEF WHILE BACK about the cabin door proving that Hanjour couldn't have done his dirty deeds. FL was BUSTED.

FL also claimed that Hanjour did not have pilot credentials based on the FAA structure and requirements. FL was busted.

FL has claimed that everyone under the Sun but any terrorists created demolitions of the WTC ... to include all government officials that day. FL has no proof.

This continuing speculation and silly behaviour has gone on too long. It is time to slap the speculators into reasonable sanity with FACTS.

I have known/known of aggravator since way back in the day when I posted on John Deere's board. Can't tell he has added any additional brain cells to complement the two he had then.

Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.
Lord Acton

What has become apparent is that he is either in the military or been in it. That's why I am guessing he works for the CENTCOM disinfo squad.

What a pansy assed jerk... "I do believe" .... no facts, no data.... as always... NADA... like all your posts.

Why didn't you just come right out and say the truth concerning your own opinion: "I, Original_Intent have my nose firmly planted in your South end."

Thank you. I do believe the good Mr. Aggravator might be experiencing a dawning realization that I am not inexperienced in flame wars, but that generally I do not engage in them. However, if he really wants to play ...

Why the double negative? Can't you talk or calmly discuss anything in simple terms with FACTS?

This is that point where when off the Internets I find myself face to face with one of these mother fuckers and saying 'yes, FUCK YOU mother FUCKER'...and then it's on. I thought I'd mellow with age but I simply can't tolerate 'them' especially when they think they know it all and don't have a CLUE what the truth is. Of course, this is the Internets and AGitprop along with many others can all spout off while we deep down know what we're dealing with. With AGitprop, I'm going to say defense industry suck ass. Who knows...

There you go with that transference again. I guess it is one of your quirks to express your homoerotic tendencies and impute them to others - perhaps in the hopes they might reciprocate? However, and whatever, the case may be unlike you and your boyfriends my interest in other men is upon a more normal level of one hetero man to another. I do hope you find your life partner some day but you are barking up the wrong leg here.

I've read plenty of his posts. He doesn't use the f word and he doesn't lie. At least not in any of the very many posts of his I've read.

You pansy assed poster... you can't say anything without some wiggle room in your posts... NO FACTS, NO DATA ... just "maybe" "possibly" "I guess" ...