LOGO: Truthdig: Drilling Beneath the Headlines. A Progressive Journal of News and Opinion. Editor, Robert Scheer. Publisher, Zuade Kaufman.
2010 Webby Award Winner for Best Political Blog
 
February 17, 2012
Log in / Register

 Choose a size
Text Size

DIG DIRECTOR

Robert Scheer
Robert Scheer is editor in chief of Truthdig. He is a nationally syndicated columnist, author of seven books and a co-host of the political radio program "Left, Right and Center."








 
World Trade Center explosion
 

Robert Scheer: Gaping Holes in the 9/11 Narrative

Five years out from the attacks, why do we still know so little about what really happened that day?



What we still dont know about 9/11 could kill us. By “we I mean the public that has been kept in the dark for five years by a president who may know the truth but has chosen to ignore it. Instead of grappling with the thorny origins of that disaster, George Bush willfully turned the nation’s attention and resources to a totally unrelated and disastrous imperial adventure in Iraq.
 
Just how unrelated was definitively established last Friday with the belated release of the Senate Intelligence Committee’s second report, which concluded that there not only was zero connection between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda, but that Iraq was the one country in the region where Osama bin Laden could not operate.

The story was much different in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the two countries that had recognized and otherwise supported the Taliban government that hosted bin Laden during the run-up to 9/11. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, and yet there has been no serious investigation of the extended royal familys role in the recruitment of bin Laden’s soldiers” and the ease with which they secured legal visas to enter the United States.
While funds for Al Qaeda emanated from the Saudi kingdom, the essential logistical support for Al Qaeda came from Pakistan. Now, five years later, bin Laden and the remnants of his organization are assumed by the United States to have found refuge in Pakistans unruly tribal region, where the Pakistan government recently has reduced its forces, conceding that it could not defeat local tribesmen sympathetic to the Taliban.

Nor has there been any credible accounting of the role of Pakistan’s intelligence community, then and now, in support of Islamic terrorists on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghan border. Or in the passage of Pakistans nuclear secrets to what Bush refers to as “rogue nations.”

Recall that the predominant excuse for invading Iraq was the claim that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and would be willing to pass them on to rogue regimes and terrorists. Not only were such weapons not found, but the evidence from the accounts of former administration insiders and the Senate Intelligence Committee makes clear that the administration was consciously cherry-picking the evidence to shore up its fraudulent case.

There were weapons of mass destruction being shipped to “rogue nations, but they were coming from Pakistan in an extensive program headed by Abdul Qadeer (A.Q.) Khan, the father of the “Islamic bomb.” The Pakistan government has admitted that Khan passed on to North Korea, Libya and Iran technical know-how and vital materials for the creation of nuclear weapons.  But Khan was pardoned of any crimes by Pakistan’s dictator general, President Gen. Pervez Musharraf. Khan is restricted only by a loose form of house arrest and has never been made available to U.S. investigators. Yet the Bush administration dropped the sanctions originally imposed on Pakistan in reprisal for its development of nuclear weapons in return for Pakistans support in the “war on terror.”

As for Afghanistan, the Taliban is on the rise. NATO commanders last week urgently requested more troops, and the country is now torn by the anarchy of a narco-state that is supplying 92% of the world’s heroin market and generating massive profits for gangsters and terrorists alike.  The country is now as dangerous for American soldiers as is Iraq.

Despite this sorry record of neglect in Southwest Asia and the creation of a quagmire and recruiting poster for terrorism in Iraq, Bush once again arrogantly asserts that his policies have made us safer, even as he has undermined our domestic freedoms and mocked the U.S. commitment to international law, particularly concerning the treatment of prisoners.

Last week, Bush conceded that there were indeed secret CIA prisons, when finally announcing that the group of “key witnesses” to the 9/11 disaster would be moved to Guantanamo and for once afforded visits from the Red Cross and minimal legal representation. Some of them have been interrogated in secret for up to five years, with the Bush administration left as the sole interpreter of what they revealed.

After five years of official deceit, it is not too difficult to believe that the isolation of those prisoners was done less for reasons of learning the truth about 9/11 and more in an effort to politically manage the narrative released to the public.

There is glaring evidence that the latter was the case.  The 9/11 Commission report contains a disclaimer box on page 146, in which it is stated that the report’s account of what happened on 9/11 was in considerable measure based on what those key witnesses allegedly told interrogators, and that the commissioners were not allowed to meet the witnesses or their interrogators.

We submitted questions for use in the interrogations, but had no control over whether, when or how questions of particular interest would be asked. Nor were we allowed to talk to the interrogators so that we could better judge the credibility of the detainees and clarify ambiguities in the reporting.”

In short, the most cited source that we have on what happened on 9/11, the much celebrated 9/11 Commission Report, was stage-managed by the Bush administration, just as it has controlled and distorted so much other information.

In light of that sorry record of the propagandistic exploitation of the 9/11 tragedy for partisan political purpose, is it any wonder that large numbers of Americans have doubts about all of it and that a considerable industry of documentaries and investigative reports has sprung up with alternative theories ranging from the plausible to the absurd? 

In the sidebar to the left, we offer some examples of the better of those efforts, not by way of endorsing them but rather because there is so much reason to doubt the “truth” as the Bush administration has packaged it.

1
Dig last updated on Sep. 10, 2006


Get truth delivered to
your inbox every week.

Optional Member Code


More Below the Ad

Advertisement


Comments

Are you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig.

By Robert, September 12, 2006 at 5:45 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

I would like to thank Robert Scheer on the above article & research titled “Gaping Holes In The 9/11 Narrative.”

When it comes te topic of 9/11/01,we as Americans should not believe much of what our elected officials in this current administration nor a lot of our mainstream US news media tries to spew at us 24 hours daily seven days a week.

The truth will hopefully come out in our lifetime so that we may all judge for ourselves of what really happened that led & caused the tragic of 9/11. What were the reasons,objectives,goals of the attack? Why has so much information redarding 9/11 has been made as “CLASSIFIED INFORMATION”?

Here is information that we don’t see or hear on our mainstream US news networks & media.

http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/fiveisraelis.html

Report this

By Robert, September 12, 2006 at 5:43 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

I would like to thank Robert Scheer on the above article & research titled “Gaping Holes In The 9/11 Narrative.”

When it comes te topic of 9/11/01,we as Americans should not believe much of what our elected officials in this current administration nor a lot of our mainstream US news media tries to spew at us 24 hours daily seven days a week.

The truth will hopefully come out in our lifetime so that we may all judge for ourselves of what really happened that led & caused the tragic of 9/11. What were the reasons,objectives,goals of the attack? Why has so much information redarding 9/11 has been made as “CLASSIFIED INFORMATION”?

Here is information that we don’t see or hear on our mainstream US news networks & media.

http://www.whatrellyhappened.com/fiveisraelis.html

Report this

By Donovan, September 12, 2006 at 2:44 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

In response to Comment #22846 by wayne regarding “realpolitik,” I concur that every president has read Machiavelli: every major leader has.  I accept that a good deal of what I’m told by my “elected” officials is bullshit, that’s why I employ a good amount of skepticism.  The kind of skepticism that is scarcely noticible today.

I wish that more Americans would approach every presidential address with the attitude of “What crap am I going to get fed now?”

We’d be a lot healthier nation if that were so.

Report this

By Donovan, September 12, 2006 at 1:00 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

In response to Comment #22961 by Dwight Thomas Powers, I congradulate you, sir, on an eloquent description on the feelings I and so many others share.

If I’m this upset, I can only imagine how angry those who lost a friend or relative are because this fucking criminal we call our president.

Report this

By Dan Noel, September 12, 2006 at 11:34 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Last night, I went to the presentation of a locally-made movie in Huntington Beach, CA, about the efforts of BYU Professor Jones. Indeed, the demolition hypothesis looks very credible, especially when they showed side by side the short movies of WTC #7 collapsing and the demolition of a similar building. Also noteworthy was the reminder that NIST is still looking for a plausible explanation for what happened there…

Report this

By joann roberts, September 12, 2006 at 10:14 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

You’ve got me convinced.

Report this

By Dwight Thomas Powers, September 12, 2006 at 8:45 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

It’s now been 5 years and one day since that terrible day of September 11, 2001. I am still angry over those attacks on all Americans, supposedly carried out by 19 Saudi (or whatever) hijackers. It’s still unbelievable to me that we “know” ‘exactly’ whom did what then, and how we “know” the names of the actual culprits of 9-11, yet we still do not “know” how to kill or capture one very tall man named Bin Laden! In truly a crusade type fashion, we have since 9-11-01, as a result of those terrorist attacks essentially, and as a nation under the false tin-god of GWB, pathetically and wrongly bared false witness that all Muslims, or all Arabs are ‘evil doers’ through our Bush induced policies, both foreign and domestic (the Homeland Security Dept. and the inept CBP and FEMA that are a huge part of that charade) and still claim that “they hate our freedoms and they hate our way of life”, whatever the hell that is supposed to mean. I am even angrier today, all this time later, that neo-con idealogues,( all of whom somehow miraculously escaped serving in the military during the war of their time-Vietnam) such as George W. Bush and Dick Cheney have ‘hijacked’ my country, and labeled and ‘swift-boated’ any such as myself, who question Bush’s never-ending debacle of unecessary war in Iraq as “Nazi sympathisers” or “appeasers” or “defeatists”. I haven’t been this angry nor this bewildered since that day back in 1969, the day I nervously returned mostly in one piece to Levittown, N.Y. (a town built for returning W.W.II Veterans like my dad) from my own 13 months in hell in Vietnam. Back then, another lifetime ago, I was angry, depressed and confused (at best) at just how little my fellow countrymen ‘knew’ or even gave a damn about me or my friends then still fighting to survive their own war in Vietnam.More than ironically then, I was old enough,to die, but not yet old enough to vote or not for those who sent me to die! (There were then 550,000 of my brother American troops serving in Vietnam). Back then, there were those too, who said they ‘supported the troops’, those too who were duped into believing that Richard Nixon then had any real ‘secret peace plan’ to win the war. My parents were conned into voting for Nixon in 1968, but Hubert Humphrey was really no different! Nixon’s non-existent ‘secret peace plan’ merely more than doubled the names of the dead that would later appear on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Both my mom and my dad voted for Nixon in the false belief that he and his ‘peace plan’ would get their oldest son home alive from Vietnam and home sooner. Back then it was the jingoist wearing of American flag pins on one’s jacket lapels, or the plastered American flag deals on your car,or the ignorant repetition of that ‘glorious’ phrase “my country right or wrong” or the even more ignorant “if your heart ain’t in America, get your ass out” that the supposed ‘real patriots’ of that time brandished against those ‘commies’ like me who then openly and loudly opposed the always escalating carnage in Vietnam. My own frustration over Vietnam led to my becoming a very active and medal-tossing member of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (V.V.A.W.) ‘Back then’ too you may remember, was the same bullshit talk of “we must stay the course” as we cruised into one likely iceberg after another in Vietnam and as more and more fine men needlessly died. Well, back then, I was deemed ‘unpatriotic’ or even ‘treasonous’, when I told my now late and beloved father in our living room in Levittown that “the war was being lost in Vietnam by ignorant policies from Washington” and that “we should all demand that we pull all of our troops out of there immediately”. What the hell did I, a skinny 21 year old ‘kid’ know about war or ‘politics’ for that matter? Well, as it turned out, I “knew’ quite a bit then and even “know” more now, having been sent around ‘the world’in 1968 to an unnecessary stinking, life-sucking and putrid war by a Democrat, and then needlessly kept there in that hellhole in 1969 by a Republican. I then first-hand “knew” or had learned the hard way, that the war I was forced to fight in was based upon and insanely continued by a pack of lies by politicians of all stripes. Here it now is 37 years later, and I am angry that another foolish Republican who today also wears an American flag pin on his suit lapel and has lied and lied my country into yet another never-ending meatgrinder of a war in Iraq, while the original and seemingly ‘righteous’ war in Afghanistan rages on and is ‘conveniently’ forgotten about by most! After all, weren’t we all told that it was the terrible ( and now resurgent-thanks again Georgie-great plan) Taliban in Afghanistan who harbored that guy Bin Laden and his Al Qaeda who were responsible for the attacks of 9-11? Why then, did we make a left turn into yet another crusade in Iraq prior to really ‘completing the mission’ in Afghanistan? All of the false excuses and bald-faced lies used to ‘justiify’ war in Iraq have been proven to be false, and that war is still badly and criminally handled at best, yet Bush remains unimpeached! Afterall wasn’t that LIBERAL ‘evil doer’ Bill Clinton impeached for getting a blow job in the oral office and then lying about it? After 2600 deaths of American troops in Iraq based upon Georgie’s lies, why does he get a pass? This insanity goes on, ad-nauseum while GWB and his pack of right-wing ‘sunshine patriots’ have the unmitgated gall to denounce any and all who question he and his cronies’ ever-failing and ever body bag-stuffing war to ‘bring democracy’ to those who never wanted it and still don’t. The American created Iraqi military continue to sit on their asses and allow the Americans to shoulder ( and they will continue to do so unless given hard deadlines) most if not all the combat burden of war in Iraq, just as the American created ARVN did for me and my brothers in Vietnam. The Democratic’opposition party’ seems to be powerless to stop the insanity and loudly tell the ‘emporer’ that he has no clothes. They had better all soon get off their ineffectual asses and demand real answers to real questions of PEACE and not the ever grinding on Bush war-war-war! The bogus ‘democratization’ in Iraq goes on unfulfilled,(the only real filling going on is the body bags of troops and innocent civilians alike) as does the daily killing and maiming. So ‘back then’ did the lying and the dying continue in Vietnam under Tricky Dick’s ‘Vietnamization’. Today, the foiling of real ‘democracy’ in our own republic ‘homeland’  seems to go on and on despite our supposed system of ‘checks and balances’, and all under the ‘auspices’ of the current one party rethuglican rule. This President,and some of his more repugnant and ever pompous ‘evil doer’ political hacks have been all over the airways these past few weeks, not only trying to impossibly salvage this losing crusade in Iraq at the ever-rising cost of more spilled American blood and more corporately plundered taxpayer dollars, but also desperately in trying to maintain the right-wing stanglehold of our own government, as the critical mid-term elections approach. The ‘pious’ spouting and oft-repeated key phrases designed to further dupe honest Americans into a fog of confusion over the Bush war in Iraq, the brazen continued lying about a ‘connection’ that doesn’t now exist nor never had ever existed between Saddam Hussein,(see the 9-11 Commission Report) Al Qaeda and the attacks of 9-11-01, are further despicable testiment to just how low this President and his neo-conmen cronies will stoop to further attempt to sell this horribly expensive war in Iraq. All of this scamming of the public goes on, unabated, as if the Bush war in Iraq is worth one more precious American life, or worth one more American limb blown off! The snake-oil salesman in chief does not ‘own’ 9-11, but America does! It is our unique American tragedy to embrace, and learn from. Indeed “we shall never forget” nor should we. We should never be led down anymore primrose paths either! So too, do we all ‘own’ that American flag the right wing idealogues have once again wrongly appropriated as only ‘theirs’, just as they did during Vietnam! We all must rise in utter contempt and outrage and regain these symbols for ourselves along with our common decency as Americans! While Bush cravenly fritters away more lives of our fine and honorable troops in Iraq that he supposedly ‘supports’, he continues to lash out at any Americans who dare question him and his bellicose statements on his policy of more war, all the time. If Spiro Agnew (no lilli-livered effete liberal he) were still alive and out of jail now, he would no doubt have some sort of heavy hand in attacking anyone who dared question the ‘authority’ of the Bush radicals. This all goes on while Osama Bin Laden (remember him) and his jihadists hide out “somewhere” and seem to remain untouched by GWB and his grand crusade. No Mr.Bush, I will not allow you to lay false and bogusly ‘pious’ claim ever again to the ruins of the WTC, nor to the ruins of the Pentagon nor to that plowed over field in Shankskill Pennsylvania, where all those innocent Americans died 5 years ago during the cowardly terrorist attacks against all Americans. I will not allow YOU to still lie, unopposed about Iraq, falsely claiming it is the ‘central front’ in YOUR bogus ‘war on terror’. YOU Mr. President, in YOUR theoretical ‘super-Christian’ zeal have turned Iraq into the bottomless American-owned China Shop and abyss of death and destruction, that it now truly is, and YOU have turned most of the supposed ‘civilized world’ against America. You and your dastardly snide cohorts are responsible for this mess in Messopotamia! Where is YOUR plan to get our fine troops quickly the hell out of there? I realize that like Nixon and Vietnam, YOU have no plan. Many other every day Americans like myself are daily waking up to your big con game. YOU, GWB, your fellow radical ‘super-Christain’ idealogues and those who still pathetically remain silent like so many “good Germans” are are ALL responsible for that! ‘Back then’, Nixon’s 5th Avenue, former 7-UP (The UN Cola) ad-mad and fellow Watergate crook H.R.Bob Halderman,(in the Karl Rove tradition?) was supposedly responsible for creating the myth of the ‘Silent Majority’ that then supported the ever-continuing and escalating war in Vietnam. Today, as the dual Bush wars in Iraq and in Afghaniistan rage on, (and as Bush threatens yet more war with Iran while ignoring nuclear armed North Korea) and as that hallowed ground of the WTC remains one huge sad and unfilled hole,not unlike the big hole in my progressive-leaning and patriotic heart, I sit here only a few miles from that sad scar of a hole in lower Manhattan and angrily contemplate the next aluminum casket containing the remains of yet one more of OUR fine troops that has died in either Afghanistan or Iraq as those remains return to America and ultimately to yet one more grieving American family. Those remains are the real ‘Silent Majority’ of today Mr. Bush. Here, I lamely attempt to speak out in protest for that Marine, that Sailor, that Soldier, that Airman that died unnecessarily for YOUR highly suspect cause! Yeah Mr.self-proclaimed ‘war President’, YOU who made damned sure, through YOUR wealth and YOUR rich daddy’s connections that YOU skated into YOUR non-existent carrer in the T.A.N.G and out of combat in the Vietnam War that myself and 2.8 other loyal Americans served in. YOU had better believe I’m angry at YOU and all who continue to ignorantly and foolishly support YOU and YOUR crusade in Iraq.I cannot and will not be silent as you continue YOUR “stay the course” crusade of death and destruction! Each and every day now, there are many more patriotic Americans like me, who refuse to buy YOUR lies about why we need to “stay the course in Iraq” as more and more fine Americans needlessly die for YOUR big lie!                              Yours truly and most disrespectfully, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Report this

By Ed, September 12, 2006 at 4:26 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

No need to dig very deep to see the truth here.  Follow the money.

Report this

By deborah conner, September 12, 2006 at 3:28 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Articles I gathered back when and from the wayback machine.

http://www.jungcircle.com/muse/whywar.htm

Report this

By brodix, September 12, 2006 at 1:49 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

As someone who watched the events closely, but has only followed the controversy in passing, It’s building seven that stands out like a sore thumb. My impression of the coverage at the time was that it was brought down intentionally because it was unsafe. Consider the situation in that. It takes demolition experts weeks of examination and placing explosives to bring a building down under normal circumstances. In this instance, the steets were practically impassable, the entire country was focused on these few blocks. Police and firemen all over the place. Yet they set the explosives and brought it down that evening! Apparently there is still some abandoned bank building on the perimeter that hasn’t been brought down. Go figure.

Report this

By Lee Driver, September 11, 2006 at 10:58 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Here here. I want to thank and applaud all of you here today for this thoughtful and illuminating discussion. Ya did good. We did good. I hope you’re proud, and Mr. Scheer most surely must be. This was a good one, hardly any bashing, and insightful. Thank you one and all.

Report this

By LABueche, September 11, 2006 at 10:39 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

And you wonder why you can’t win an election?  With all due respect - you folks are nuts.  I hope none of you in the tin foil hat crowd are in positions of responsibility, or God forbid, raising children.

If only Al Gore had won.  We could have all joined hands and drifted off into a future of low flush toilets, diversity training, and citizenship with the world…

I’m reminded of the apologists for Mussolini and Hitler in 1936.  I know the left loves to equate Bush with Hitler, but in reality, it’s the left that never met a facist they didn’t love.  Hell -Mr. Scheer can clue us in on Kim Il Sung.

Kumbaya my friends - Kumbaya…

Report this

By paloma, September 11, 2006 at 9:36 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

1. Many people on this blog have not read Crossing the Rubicon, which answers with documentation and not speculation many, if not all, the questions that have been posed. The Center for Cooperative Research’s timeline is also an excellent resource; its URL has kindly been supplied by someone else, above.

2. Torture is physical agony for one, and psychological warfare on many. To the person who asked, Why torture, consider that if the United States seeks to hoard and control access to what remains of the planet’s oil reserves, it will have a far easier time imposing such territorial hegemony on a terrified populace.

3. Why do so many people accept that Osama bin Laden is responsible for 9/11? The only evidence that we have been shown is a video that is blatantly bogus, wherein bin Laden, who is left-handed, writes with his right hand, wears jewelry forbidden by his brand of fundamentalism, and has had a nose-bridge alteration and gained weight. Why would we accept as truth Osama’s role when a. the FBI do not accept it, as per their page on him in their site’s Most Wanted section (http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/terrorists/terbinladen.htm), and
b. his culpability was first told to us by the Decider’s appointee—while the Decider prepared to sell us on Iraq’s WMD? Among a thousand thousand other lies and acts of deceit?

Now before y’all freak out, please note that there is no defense, in my comment, of Osama bin Laden, as a person and as a criminal. I am asking why we accept the government conspiracy theory above all other conspiracy theories, when there is so much evidence to the contrary; some of which, like the question of controlled demolition (“Why Indeed Did the WTC Buildings Completely Collapse?” http://www.journalof911studies.com/), pertains to the physical dimensions of the tragedy, and others, such as Michael Ruppert’s Crossing the Rubicon (http://www.fromthewilderness.com/store/books.shtml) and
http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/02_11_02_lucy.html (also from Ruppert; see also http://www.oilempire.us) furnish evidence that is simply too voluminous and well-documented to ignore?

What did the Decider find too difficult to say: Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me? How about fool us ten thousand times?
Anybody mustering a blush?

Report this

By Daniel E. Moore, September 11, 2006 at 7:20 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

My Fellow Countrymen,
  I am an honorably discharged USAF veteran who loves his country. But, as I witnessed the WTC’s towers collapse I felt that something was not quite right. Afterwards some fellow military veterans told me if that I wanted a better understanding of 9-11-01 to take a look at OPERATION NORTHWOODS.
  In brief, this declassified Pentagon memo from the JFK days amounts to false flag terrorism and the actual killing of unsuspecting Cuban Americans to justify invading Cuba. Military tactics do not change. The whole world knows that 911 provided the opportunity for the neocons to launch the PNAC.
  All they needed was a national crisis. As far as Iran goes there is more than meets the eye. Most Muslims will tell you that the conflict in the Middle East is about zionism, or control over the world’s banks and money supplies.
  Rothchild helped establish the state of Israel in 1948 and also helped design the unconstitutional Federal Reserve system, a privately owned for profit international banking cartel in 1910. America’s military might is now being used along with United Nation troops to spearhead one world corporate government/orwellian police state and enslavement of the masses a.k.a. the new world order. Fight back now or get the RFID chip when they are mandatory.

Sincerely,

Daniel E. Moore, President

Report this

By td, September 11, 2006 at 5:25 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Most of the evidence of the conspiracy theorists have been plausibly refuted. However, I have not seen any legitimate explanation for two bits of evidence. The free fall speed of the collapse and the testimony of the janitor, please forgive I forget his name,corraborated by others working in the building, that an explosion occured in the basement of the first tower before the plane hit.

Report this

By LYRACHLE, September 11, 2006 at 5:24 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

THIS IS THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MOTHER OF ALL DRIVE BY SHOOTINGS- THE MOTHER OF ALL “WE HAVE A PROBLEM HERE HOUSTON"S
-MUCH IS BEING SAID ABOUT THIS TODAY…BUT…THERE ARE OTHER PERSPECTIVES…
IT IS, FOR ME ALSO THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF A FRIEND, WHO WAS A CASUALTY, UNREPORTED, I WOULD BET, OF THE AUGUST 14, 2003 BLACKOUT IN NYC- A WOMAN WHO HAD WATCHED THE SECOND PLANE HIT THE SECOND TOWER FROM HER KITCHEN WINDOW IN BROOKLYN IN 2001.  THAT DAY IN AUGUST 2003, SHE HAD RESTARTED HER LIFE, AS A WIDOW, A MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER.  THERE WAS A HEAT WAVE IN THE NORTHEAST.  IT WAS IN THE 100’S IN NYC AND PHILADELPHIA THAT DAY.  THE POWER GRID WAS UNDER HUGE DEMANDS. AFTER THE GRID FAILED, THE POWER WAS OUT ALL DAY THAT UNBEARABLY HOT AUGUST DAY, AROUND 5 PM, MY FRIEND DECIDED ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH, AND IT WAS BETTER TO VENTURE OUTSIDE, INTO THE UNCERTAINTY, THAN STAY INSIDE THE STIFFLING APARTMENT, THE ADDRESS SHE HAD DREAMED OF HAVING FOR SO LONG, ON THE UPPER EAST SIDE…SHE FELL ON THE STAIRS IN THE STAIRWELL DARKNESS THAT DAY, WHILE WALKING DOWN 4 FLIGHTS. SHE CRACKED A RIB OR TWO AND BRUISED A LUNG- LUNGS COMPROMISED BY A NUMBER OF THINGS- WHO KNOWS TO WHAT EXTENT THE TOXIC AIR OF POST 9/11?
SHE WAS FOUND UNCONSCIOUSRATHER QUICKLY BY NEIGHBORS, TAKEN TO A ONCE GREAT HOSPITAL, WHERE ONE OF THE ANTHRAX VICTIMS HAD DIED TWO YEARS BEFORE (WHAT PROGRESS HAVE WE MADE ON THAT TERRORIST ATTACK, PLEASE, DEAR LEADER?)...BUT BECAUSE THE POWER FAILURE, THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS WERE NOT OPERATING AS USUAL…HER MEDICAL HISTORY WAS NOT AVAILABLE.  AND WHEN HER DAUGHTER ARRIVED FROM CALIFORNIA WITHIN 24 HOURS…HER DAUGHTER, A NURSE WHO HAD SEEN GOODNESS KNOWS HOW MANY FRAGILE MEDICALLY FRAGILE INFANTS THROUGH RESPIRATORY FAILURE, THE HOSPITAL COULD NOT FIND HER MOTHER IN THE SYSTEM.  HER DAUGHTER SPENT A DESPERATE DAY TRYING TO FIND WHERE HER MOTHER WAS IN THE HOSPITAL.
IMAGINE THE CHAOS OF A NEW YORK CITY HOSPITAL IN A POWER FAILURE THAT WENT ON SO LONG…
BY THE TIME THE MEDICAL HISTORY WAS MATCHED, AND HER DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO BE INVOLVED…IT WAS TOO LATE.  HER MOTHER LAPSED INTO A COMA, FROM WHICH SHE NEVER FULLY EMERGED BEFORE PASSING AWAY.
WE DON’T COUNT CASUALTIES VERY ACCURATELY IN THESE THINGS.
LET US NOT FORGET HOW TO GRIEVE…

Report this

By Yankee0451, September 11, 2006 at 5:22 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

I love all the links to “critiqes” of alternative theories to what really happened on 911.  I especially liked the counterpunch link…rife with condesention and ridicule and bouncing all over the place.

911 Nuts we are.  Anyone who questions the official story is a nut?

Anyhoo, my point is, since when does the 911 Truth movement need to prove anything other than that the official account is pure bullshit?  As far as I know all we’re asking for is a real investigation…we dont’t have to explain ANYTHING.  We have to prove nothing except that the official account CANNOT be true.  Certainly WTC7 does a good job of that by itself.

So how about a REAL investigation, using REAL science, testimonies under oath, NO PARTISANS, and transparent to boot?

Excuse me for believing my eyes and not my lying president… and my eyes saw a demolition.

Call me a 911 Nut, but the official account isn’t even a GOOD lie.  I guess I’m in agreement with the counterpunch “critique” of we nutty conspriracy theorists, that our government is just not that competent to pull such a stunt off without blowing it.  That’s where the media come in, to call us all just plain nutty.

With a third of the country (and growing) now in the 911 Nut camp, how can anyone say they pulled it off without blowing it?

Report this

By p-rex, September 11, 2006 at 4:21 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

yes, and one doesn’t even need to talk about conspiracy theories to recognize that pnac wanted 9/11 to happen.

you don’t have to discuss the uncomfortable questions that are still unanswered; just look at it this way:

1) in september of 2000, pnac made a plan—a radical, ideological plan to remake america and the world that was dependent on a catastrophic event occurring.
2) september 11, 2001 happened.
3) the plan was dusted off and set into motion. dick cheney on meet the press this past weekend: “if we had it to do over again, we’d do exactly the same thing.”

of course they would’ve. that was the plan.

Report this

By cincigal, September 11, 2006 at 2:56 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Wake up America;Remember the words of a great American Patriot.“GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH”  Patrick Henry   He did not fear death more than he loved his country and what we stand for.Tell Bush and Cheney to stuff it.Take back out Country.Stand up and fight.

Report this

By lightning_fast_draw, September 11, 2006 at 2:39 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Now science is taking a closer look at 9/11 and are beginning to draw their own conclusions. It’s not suprising that they differ significantly from what the 9/11 Commission has reported.
The geo/political consequences of their findings could blow the lid off of the government if they are true. See for yourselves.

http://www.journalof911studies.com/

Report this

By Raymond Duray, September 11, 2006 at 2:33 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Those wishing to pursue the questions that many of us have been asking for the past five years might wish to examine this excoriation of the 9/11 Commission Report:

http://www.septembereleventh.org/newsarchive/2005-05-22-571pglie.php

Currently, some of the most intelligent criticism of the official 9/11 fairy tale is being posted on two highly recommended sites:


Scholars For 9/11 Truth: http://www.st911.org

9/11 Blogger is a daily listing of news items relating to 9/11: http://www.911blogger.com/

Good luck, do your own research. It leads to some semblance of the truth.

As for my own personal journey, I’ve done well over 2,000 hours of research into 9/11 and the cover-up commission report and I have come to the conclusion that the 19 purported hijackers were patsies and the rogue elements within our own govenrment were ultimately responsible for the murder of 3,000 of their fellow citizens on 9/11/01.

May justice be served.

Report this

By Craig R. Lane, September 11, 2006 at 2:20 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

I take great exception to the term “9/11 Conspiracy Nuts”. I prefer the term “9/11 Truth Psychos”. I just want answers to 2 things that Mr. Cockburn, (like EVERYONE ELSE WHEN WRITING ABOUT THE CONSPIRACY THOERIES THEY DISAGREE WITH), omitted as necessary and pertinent questions that even those without the conspiracy nut label would deem as reasonable queries:  1.) Who placed the options on American and United Airlines in the days preceding 9/11.
2.) Since Cockburn’s brother is writing a book on Rummy’s tenure, (thusly making HIM the end-all, knower of things unknown), he has his alleged photo. When can we see the video tapes from the gas station, (across the street from the Pentagon), and the video footage from some hotel roof that were IMMEDIATELY confiscated by the FBI. Yeah sure, there is alot of B.S. out there. But even the 9/11 Commission report is a conspiracy theory by definition.

Report this

By Charles Stegiel, September 11, 2006 at 2:12 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Bob I respected you when you wrote that excellent book “With Enough Shovels.”  Truth digging takes I reckon a few more, bu7t hey, you and I both know that a little dirt and plastic and a door and a slit trench will protect us from evil Ayrabs.  Bob, you seem to be Gatekeeper.  C’mon mon, anyone with a brain knows 9/11 was an inside job. 

4-Ton Girders: Blowing in the Wind?

David Chandler / 911SpeakOut.org | September 10 2006

4-ton girders were found as much as 600 feet from the
base of the North Tower of the World Trade Center
after its collapse. This raises ... all » obvious
questions. How fast must they have been ejected from
the collapsing building to land that far away? What
forces were at work to give such massive structures
high horizontal velocities? If anything besides
gravity was at work, pandora’s box is opened up.
_________________

Report this

By Dalon, September 11, 2006 at 1:33 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Lets be honest, conicidences of such magnitude rarely occur.  The government line is dubious at best.  And when you are the most powerful group of people in the world, it probably isn’t as hard as it is for others to sweep evidence under the rug. If this is truly a conspiracy, those involved would never allow that information to see the light of day. All the same, common sense serves me well enough. 

Every agenda the administration and GOP aspired to accomplish was served a glowing green light as a result of 9/11. The same companies that benefited from the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, are the same companies that benefited from this administration’s domestic and environmental policies.  What does the Bush Family, Cheney, Rice, and the rest have in common?  They are all former oil company executives. What does the Middle East hold?  OPEC and the world’s largest oil reserves. Which government in the middle east is closest with Bush family, has the American oil companies by the throat, and would be directly benefited by the Iraqi and Afghan regimes’ ouster?  Saudi Arbia.  What has been the overarching economic platform of this administration?  Breaks to corporations and big business.  What was concluded at Cheney’s secret energy meeting (so secret that he fought all the way to the Supreme Court to keep hidden from the public) with Ken Lay and the Oil Company Executives, after which gas prices and energy costs skyrocketed? The results do not require the proof be shown. The overarching political philosophy guiding their movements?  Pure free market captalism, the abolition of all social programs and worker protections, and privatization. In short, they want to resurrect the post Civil War America that lasted until the 30’s, where the wealthy held the power and the other 95% lived by their will. 

If you want to see the most guilty person in appearance you’ll ever see, watch a clip of Bush’s press conference in the Rose Garden following he and Cheney’s “conversation” with the 9/11 commission (It was a conversation they refused to conduct under oath.  This was after their efforts to block the formation of an investigative body were exhausted). 

Sorry, I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but when a coincedence is so extrodinary, it is usually not a coincidence.

Report this

By Perry Logan, September 11, 2006 at 1:30 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Er…all 9/11 conspiracies are crap.

There are now three excellent one-stop debunking sites, where the whole fantasy gets deconstructed:
http://www.911myths.com/
http://www.debunking911.com/
http://internetdetectives.biz/case/loose-change

Report this

By wayne, September 11, 2006 at 1:28 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

It’s called “realpolitik”, folks.

The fact that truth has nothing to do with politics in this world.

I don’t see many here complaining about the fact that Clinton almost completely ignored this problem for his entire term. Some of the covering up Bush has done has been for Clinton’s people to keep us from having a national scandal in time of war.

And if anyone thinks that either Clinton or Bush were going to go after the Saudi’s EVEN AFTER A 911 type incident, you are nuts.

$10 billion in quarterly oil profits means you get to dictate terms to even the US government and most of Exxonmobil’s and several of the other big oil companies’ money comes from the Saudi’s.

Not to mention the fact that much the entirety of the family fortunes of many in Congress (Senator Jay Rockefeller and his family is EXXONMOBIL and much of the the Bush family fortune consists of oil interests in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

Throw in the games of China, Russia, and Europe all with a huge percentage of their economies and energy tied up in the Arabs and you get a mess that no amount of truth, justice, or even decency will ever be done.

We went into Iraq so we could get our troops out of Saudi Arabia and influence Iran.

You think Bush could tell anyone that he hoped that by getting our troops off of Islamic Holy Ground this would reduce maybe the biggest complaint of bin Laden and his followers (not to mention the fear and or anger of the rest of the Saudi Royal family). We couldn’t do that while Saddamn was still in power.

How do you think the Iranians have reacted to the fact that we have troops on both sides of them? How do you think they would have reacted if Bush actually admitted he planned to invade?

Realpolitik.

In the old days it was called “playing the great game of nations”. Always let them think you are reacting from a position of strength. Always work for your own advantage while accusing everyone else of being selfish. If someone does get strong (and acts on their strength) everyone gets together to bring them down.

The game has never changed.

The most important thing is never, ever tell the truth…especially to your own people. They will never accept the means you use to further the nation.

You guys need to read Machiavelli sometime.

I promise you both Clinton and Bush have.

Report this

By FuzzFlash, September 11, 2006 at 12:43 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

“Daddy, what’s an inside job?”
“Don’t be silly,Virginia, and go back to sleep like a good girl or Santa Claus won’t come.”
“Sure, Daddy, I love it so when you watch over me….g’night.”

Report this

By Donovan Hixson, September 11, 2006 at 12:32 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

In response to comment #22743, would it matter if Bush & Co. release such pieces of evidence like the black boxes from all of the hijacked planes?  It’s been so long since 9/11 that anything they release now would be suspect.

It’s too late for Bush & Co. to save themselves; they need to resign or we need to fire them before things get worse.

Report this

By patrick, September 11, 2006 at 12:08 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

The ascendancy of the Bush Administration to power was a squandered opportunity for humanity to progress into a higher state of mass consciousness. Instead of leading the world into a 21st century golden age, we were deceived back into a brutal age of rape, pillage and murder; a barbaric age where a human life no longer has value.

We watch and we cry as this modern Roman Empire lashes out in its death throes of collapse. But this time it is in high speed. It will not take decades and decades to collapse; it will take but a few more years.  Sadly, it is the innocents that will be crushed by this behemoth when it falls. 

The question is now, will humanity fall into a new dark age or will there appear a shining light to guide us out of this dark cave we have been led into?  The answer lies within us all.

Report this

By Dawn Storm, September 11, 2006 at 11:34 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Dear Robert Sheer:
Thank you for broaching the gaping questions left by the official 9/11 Commission’s report.  Two questions in particular pique my “whodunnit” radar.
  1.  Who placed put options on United Airlines stock just prior to the 9/11 attacks and why did they never bother to collect the proceeds?
“The fact that $2.5 million of the put options remained unclaimed is not explained at all by market pessimism, and is evidence that the put option purchasers were part of a criminal conspiracy.”  http://911research.wtc7.net/sept11/stockputs.html

  2.  What caused WTC Building #7 to collapse when it was not struck by a plane nor fire? 
http://911research.wtc7.net/wtc/attack/wtc7.html

I would welcome Truthdigs perspective on both of these unanswered questions.

Report this

By jjohnjj, September 11, 2006 at 11:30 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Walt Disney was right wing, for sure… but I would not say the same about Michael Eisner and Steve Jobs.

Their children’s entertainment has been pretty good for the last fifteen years, promoting racial tolerance, respect for the environment, empowerment of women and the basic egalitarian Ameican values we used to see in Frank Capra films.

Over the last five years I found ABC’s News and Sunday talk shows far less aggravating than CBS and NBC.

If ABC is running a docudrama that benefits the GOP, there’s probably a specific reason… some business before Congress, the FCC or a federal court somewhere.

The networks are not powerless. They negotiate for advantage in a complex relationship between themselves, their sponsors, their parent corporations and government regulators. They use use their influence both for and against the party in power, as a carrot and a stick.

The “Road to 9/11” is just one more step in the dance.

Report this

By Broiler, September 11, 2006 at 11:07 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Robert,

This is an excellent dig on this infamous occasion. Here is a day that should invoke shared grief and sympathy for anyone touched by this tragedy. On this fifth anniversary everyone should be taking a sliver of comfort knowing that the perpetrators had been found and knowing justice will be served. By this time the world should be safer for all those that did not perish and we know that is not the case. There is no closure, none was expected. What was expected was that today we would have moved forward grieving. Instead we are all still digging through the rubble of “ground zero” searching for any remains of America.

Listening to WABC (NY, NY) radio on the way to work this morning, they mentioned a group of conspiracy theorists clashing with mourners and first responders at “ground zero”. Apparently the group was holding banners asking pointed questions. They were obviously hoping the coverage would get their message out and the mourners were outraged at the seeming disrespect. What a tragedy for both sides. The worst part is that all of these people are on the same side and our government will not let it be known.

It is evident from the posts here that the terms conspiracy, black boxes, security footage, collusion, deathbed confessions, Illuminati, Israeli connection, “wag the dog”, Saudi royal family, propaganda and disinformation are stuck in the minds of thinking Americans. Political opposition to the Bush regime has been slow and half-hearted in acknowledging these terms and demanding the information that would put the conspiracy theories to rest. Why is that? By challenging the Bush administration do you risk personal attack? In general do we still equate conspiracy theorists with crackpots?
Is it possible that we are dealing with a “one party” system?

“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.” – Wizard of Oz

“Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” – Dorothy

I am mentally numb from thinking of these possibilities. Perhaps
that is the outcome that was hoped for. Americans too naïve, incredulous,
tired and confused to question the reality that has been offered.

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone that
is mourning this day.

“Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.” - Jim Valvano

Report this

By L. Gordon, September 11, 2006 at 11:02 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Re: Comment #22738 by kevin99999:

It is a well known fact that Walt Disney himself was an anti-semite.  He would be very proud to push the right wing agenda as it exits today; apparently.

Report this

By SADBOY, September 11, 2006 at 10:51 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

IT IS ALL ABOUT NATURAL RESOURCES….AND HOW MULTINATION(USA MAINLY) CAN STEAL IT AND CONTROL IT. AFGHANISTAN IS ABOUT NATURAL GAS…..RESEARCH,READ AND LEARN THE TRUTH.

Report this

By Archers, September 11, 2006 at 10:49 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Sorry to bust your bubble,but Bin Laden has been dead since 1999. And those terrrrrorists-oh ! my god—19 of them and most from Saudia Arabia—and none from Iraq—-What !—Quack ! Quack!
If it was a black flag operation by Israel/USa,they would have used-paid—Iraqies. But that didn’t happen because just after the WTC downings—the FBI—like majic pulledout of the waste bin—19 terrrrorits ( as Sharonie would have said).
Here is my take—the 19 were not Arabs——Marvin Bush,  David Silverstein, Randy Jewalinie, Big Dick Chenny, Village Idiot G.W. Bush’it,Wolfowitz, Pearl, Libby and the 5 dancing Jews.
What fools abound in USA—-Another operation isin the works—-be patient fools-it’s about to happen.
Cheers !

Report this

By Frederick Riley, September 11, 2006 at 10:47 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Ouly people that can be hurt by this is the ones that was in it but you may not thank of the kids. can you think of your slfe as a kid playing kids 4-13 not knowing what to do or how to react. And looking awond you and your mom and dad ios not to be found. just ever one run yalling and not one person stoping to help you
its sad. and now look at them kids all alow and no one to hold them ans some diyed all over that one day.       

                ~God bless~

Report this

By Steve Burge, September 11, 2006 at 10:26 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Excellent, as always, Mr. Scheer. I would like to read your thoughts on the article “PANIC MONGERS COULDN’T BE MORE WRONG”, by Ted Galen Carpenter (of the Cato Institute), that was splashed all over the editiorial section of Sundays paper. Especially these ridiculous comments…“Whereas once we carpet bombed our adversaries, we now pursue largely nonmilitary tactics.” Oh, Really? I’m sure our soldiers fighting in the civil war in Iraq and the people we carpet bombed in Afghanistan would be surprised to hear that. And, the public might wonder what has bankrupted our treasury, if it isn’t “Military Tactics”?
Then he says that “Gingrich, Podhoretz, and other panicmongers do a great disservice by exagerating (terrorisms) threats. Is he noticing that the seeds of terrorism which we are planting in Iraq and Afaghanistan are resulting in an ever-increasing bumper crop of America Haters, who will never, ever forgive and forget what we have done to their homeland and their people.
The propaganda pumped out by the mainstream press will increase in shrill denial, the closer we get to the upcoming elections.          Steve

Report this

By felicity, September 11, 2006 at 10:02 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Mr. Scheer, you may have answered a question that has been gnawing at me for some time.  Why the warrantless wiretaps?  (The Bushco line of defense would be laughed out of any courtroom.)  “...to politically manage the narrative released to the public.”

Besides the obvious that the FISA court would not have issued warrants based on frivolous reasons for needing them, by not going the warrant route, going the secret route at the outset makes it more likely that in the end any information gathered from prisoners can be kept secret -  obviously more conducive toward (managing the narrative released to the public.) The looming conclusion is that some prisoners could reveal information calling into question or even refuting the narrative coming out of DC.

Why torture?  There is not a counter-intelligence agent alive who recommends torture as an effective way to gather viable intelligence. Setting aside possible sadistic tendencies of interrogators, we are left to assume that torture was used for some other reason. Anybody have any ideas why?

Report this

By Spinoza, September 11, 2006 at 10:02 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Today’s Democracy Now has a debate on the movie Loose Change. The problem with the conspiracy theories is that they don’t make sense in that there are too many witnesses. I don’t trust the Bushites but I don’t think they are that smart either.

As I’ve said before, if anything, the administration should have raised an alarm concerning a threat that they were warned about before the attack—- but I can understand why they didn’t. On the other hand not giving a warning can be conceived of as a conspiracy if the motivation was political in nature. We can’t know that one way or another.

We do know that the Bushites used the attack to achieve their ideological/political goals but that is another story. Most all right wingers were very very happy about the attack, especially Jewish right wingers who were gloating that now they can get the USA to go after the ragheads, their enemies.

On the other hand the recent scare about the attack on cross Atlantic planes was clearly politically manipulated and was done very stupidly so that Blair and Bush looked like crooks to anyone but mainstream audiences that where already convinced that they were under attack.

What we have to worry about is the manipulation to start the war against Iran and we need thousands and thousands of people in the streets. PLEASE PLEASE go to a World can’t Wait demonstration near you on October 5th. (worldcan’twait.org)

Report this

By Joseph, September 11, 2006 at 9:50 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

The official account of the 9-11 attack on America is actually a conspiracy theory, given that it lacks much credible proof. It is therefore subject to being judged on the same basis as any other conspiracy theory.  Unless the events of 9/11 are discussed openly and without apprehension, nothing else is real.

The need for a new honest, public, civil debate about what REALLY happened on 9/11 is made apparent by the Zogby poll results that indicate that close to fifty percent of Americans do not fully accept as complete or accurate, the 9/11 Commission Report, or the findings made by government scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology regarding the collapses of World Trade Center Buildings 1 & 2 & 7 (7 was never hit by a plane).

Report this

By Yoda, September 11, 2006 at 9:11 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Better than nothing, but pretty bad in my opinion.

Robert, can read? Do you know how to think for yourself?

Why do you avoid the deep subject and couch your “argument” in utterly cliched political phrasings?

“In light of that sorry record of the propagandistic exploitation of the 9/11 tragedy for partisan political purpose, is it any wonder that large numbers of Americans have doubts about all of it…”

This is just bs. What about the destroyed evidence, the witnesses who heard secondary explosions in the towers, the free-fall speed, Shanksville, etc., etc.?

Robert, LOOK AT THE F*CKING EVIDENCE AND DRAW YOUR CONCLUSIONS FROM THAT.

This is no time for more wimpy rhetoric from lefty gate-keepers.

Sorry, it’s better than nothing, but it’s just a few crumbs.

Report this

By david morrison, September 11, 2006 at 9:09 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

the events of 911 have given transparency to two things (among others).  that bush and his hired killers were responsible (http://www.911truth.org) and that the u.s. press is complicit in a cover-up.  the international press has done an adequate job of uncovering what is absolutely taboo here.  in a country where the entire mainstream media in all its forms is owned by 5 corporations.

Report this

By Lee Driver, September 11, 2006 at 9:01 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Thank you Mr. Scheer for kicking it up.

How do those high level planning sessions go do you figure?

Does someone actually say out loud with a straight face, “We don’t need to do that much to prevent attacks, we only need to look like we are?”

Does saying we’re doing everything we can to help Katrina victims suffice?

Do these men actually discuss in earnest, color coded terror alerts and longer security check lines at the airport in the same planning session where they discuss selling the ports to Dubai?

Isn’t this about the most delicate conflict of interest scenario ever, where the very individuals charged with protecting us are the ones who stand to benefit the most, in the polls and, along with their base, financially, from more threats and further attacks?

The very thing needed to set the PNAC in motion it was said, was a Pearl Harbor type catalyst. What catalyzing types of events do you figure have been kicked around in the strategy meetings regarding the stage management of the upcoming elections?

And now these planners, who are our fellow citizens, are directing us to view the Islamic extremist threat as similar to the Nazis in their run up to starting WWII, and warning us that those “appeasers” among us are aid and comfort to the enemy.

Do these very important men, our fellow Americans, in these very important secret high level strategic planning sessions know, do you figure, when they decide on employing such historical references, that in a related reference, when the very important highly placed planner Hermann Goering was asked by the prison psychologist during the Nuremburg trials, how did you get the people to go along, he said quote:

“Of course, the people don’t want war… It’s the leaders who determine the policy… and the people can always be made to do the leader’s bidding. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism.”

Do these fellow Americans leaders of ours, who have their hand on our tiller, consider do you figure, when they run this stuff out to us that it’s possible we’re not just a bunch of idiots?

Have they planned for that?

Report this

By wkirkland, September 11, 2006 at 9:01 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Good, Robert.  Don’t forget the Popular Mechanics look at the various theories:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/defense/1227842.html

Report this

By Kevin Fenton, September 11, 2006 at 8:55 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

I’d just like to point out that the US intelligence community was following three of the hijackers of American 77, which crashed into the Pentagon, before 9/11. Link to minutes of a meeting at which Donald Rumsfeld was told this on 9/11:
http://www.outragedmoderates.org/images/cambone_notes_9-11-01_9.53PM.pdf

I’d also like to point out that the NSA intercepted several calls made by the hijackers. For example, the LA Times says: “The current and former counter-terrorism officials, who requested anonymity, said there were repeated phone communications between a safe house in Yemen and the San Diego apartment rented by Alhazmi and Almihdhar. The Yemen site already had been linked directly to the Al Qaeda bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa in 1998 and to the 2000 bombing of the U.S. destroyer Cole in Yemen, several current and former U.S. counter-terrorism officials familiar with the case said. Those links made the safe house one of the “hottest” targets being monitored by the NSA before the Sept. 11 attacks, and had been so for several years, the officials said.”
http://www.unknownnews.org/0512231221whopperoftheday.html

I’m completely biased, but I think the 9/11 Timeline is the best source of info. You can find it here:
http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/project.jsp?project=911_project

Report this

By Dan Noel, September 11, 2006 at 8:53 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

As an engineer, when I watched the collapses, I instinctively thought “Who designed these things? Who built them? Who verified the work? They are in big trouble…”

I also remember wondering why the top of one tower would seem to tilt sideways as if it was going to fall by the side of the building, only to be quickly disappear in a big cloud.

Well, after quickly viewing related videos in Robert’s links, I have to admit that the demolition hypothesis would explain a few things…

Could it be that president Bush never learnt from “The Godfather” the paramount importance of identifying the true enemies of the United States before launching a full-scale action against them?

Report this

By bob kealy, September 11, 2006 at 8:19 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Martin Amis’s account in the Sept 10th Observer (UK) “The Age of Horrorism” exposes the incompetency of the GOP in providing our country with national security at home and abroad since   Bush fils took office in January 2001. The GOP should be removed from office in every way possible.

Report this

By Old Atlantic, September 11, 2006 at 8:12 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

This is what the US press needs to start talking about.  The UK press has freely discussed Pakistan’s role for years, but the US press has put its credibility behind the Bush 9-11 Commission Narrative. 

The keeping of al Qaeda prisoners away from the 9-11 Commission, lawyers, judges, and the FBI needs to be emphasized.  Why did they want to nab someone from under Italy’s nose so badly?  The US press uses crackpot conspiracy theories to avoid discussion of real gaps in the Bush and 9-11 Commission reports.

Report this

By Ricardo, September 11, 2006 at 8:10 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

And now what?
Anybody with any level of consciousness knew all of this from the begining. We know that all that has been said and done to this very day is propaganda and disinformation.
What happened to us the people that have been caniving with them from the begining?

Report this

By Mike de Martino, September 11, 2006 at 7:50 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

When our country invaded Iraq, I knew that they were lying about WMD.  Paul Wolfowitz said at the time that WMD was the most plausible excuse for going in, (not that it was true). I thought that since the US had propped up Sadam Husseins regime for so many years and killed over a quater million Iraqis in the first gulf war, we owed it to the Iraqi people to rid them of Sadam and release them from UN sanctions. Unfortunitly, the deceit of this administration has blinded us to what the real intentions of the Bush crowd are. Oil and the control of oil. Bush says we are addicted to oil. I say god damn, god damn the pusher man.

We know what lies they have told us. Let’s focus on the lies they are telling us now. Our troops return is overdue.

Nuke there ass and take the gas is not a policy that will serve us well in the long run.

Report this

By kevin99999, September 11, 2006 at 7:47 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

A silent prayer for those who perished on 9/11 and tens of thousands perished in Iraq and elsewhere.

Report this

By Don Howard, September 11, 2006 at 7:42 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Keep up the great work, Mr. Scheer! We need to hit these bastards with the truth and keep hitting them hard with it. As Harry Truman said, “I didn’t give them hell - I just told the truth and they thought it was hell.”
Give them hell, Mr. Scheer.

Report this

By Thomas McCullock, September 11, 2006 at 6:49 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

quote: yet there has been no serious investigation of the extended Royal family’s roll in the recruitment of bin Laden’s “soldiers”

bin Laden is determined to overthrow the Saudi royal family, why do you think they would have helped him? 

Sorry, but that makes no sense at all.

Report this

By Peter Weisbrod, September 11, 2006 at 6:15 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Good Morning,

Where is Molly Ivins’ column and all the others?

Greetings,

Peter

Report this

By harsaru, September 11, 2006 at 6:13 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.Hmmmm
Thing is I can understand why Successive American Governments have supported The Extremely repressive regime in Saudi Arabia (OIL OIL OIL) But Pakistan??????
Somebody tell me whats going on. The only 2 countries that really gained any advantage from the war on terror are Pakistan - Lots of aid - and Israel- even More aid and MORE weapons AND a blind eye turned to the increasing repression in the occupied territories and don’t forget that stupid(EVIL?) wall.

And how come everyone who demands more information about the events of 9/11 and after is dismissed as a conspiracy nut?

Whatever happened to freedom of information?

And the saddest thing of all is that the terrorists have won in a way. I mean - the point of terror is to create terror and everything you see or hear especially in America is all about feeling ‘Vulnerable’ and ‘less secure’and ‘making America safer’

All ‘Osama’ has do do is release a videotape saying he is planning more attacks (and this has happened on a regular basis over the last five years) and Bingo! FEAR!

America is HUGE and there has been this ONE time something (admittedly awful) happened.

Try living in Iraq
Or Afghanistan
Or Sudan
Or in the Occupied Territories.

Report this

By debrianna mansini, September 11, 2006 at 5:55 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

i wonder if anyome else has had that Limbaugh piece forwarded to them about how much money the 9/11 victims were awarded? i feel it is a way for the right to “wag the dog” away from the real reason they were given this “hush” money. he says we are living in 50 yrs. of entitlement and then lists all the money the gov. won’t give to the military… it is bizarre because i am sure he is not asking for a democratic vote… does anyone have anything to add?? see article

By Rush Limbaugh:
> >
> >I think the vast differences in compensation between victims of the September
> 11 casualty and those who die serving our country in Uniform are profound. No
> one is really talking about it either, because you just don’t criticize anything
> having to do with September 11. Well, I can’t let the numbers pass by because it
> says something really disturbing about the
> >entitlement mentality of this country. If you lost a family member in the
> September 11 attack, you’re going to get an average of $1,185,000. The range is
> a minimum guarantee of $250,000, all the way up to $4.7 million.
> >
> >
> >If you are a surviving family member of an American soldier killed in action,
> the first check you get is a $6,000 direct death benefit, half of which is
> taxable.
> >
> >Next, you get $1,750 for burial costs. If you are the surviving spouse, you get
> $833 a month until you remarry. And there’s a payment of $211 per month for each
> child under 18. When the child hits 18, those payments come to a screeching
> halt.
> >
> >Keep in mind that some of the people who are getting an average of $1.185
> million up to $4.7 million are complaining that it’s not enough. Their deaths
> were tragic, but for most, they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong
> time. Soldiers put themselves in harms way FOR ALL OF US, and they and their
> families know the dangers.
> >
> >We also learned over the weekend that some of the victims from the Oklahoma
> City bombing have started an organization asking for the same deal that the
> September 11 families are getting. In addition to that, some of the families of
> those bombed in the embassies are now asking for compensation as well.
> >
> >You see where this is going, don’t you? Folks, this is part and parcel of over
> 50 years of entitlement politics in this country. It’s just really sad. Every
> time a pay raise comes up for the military, they usually receive next to nothing
> of a raise. Now the green machine is in combat in the Middle East while their
> families have to survive on food stamps and live in low-rent housing. Make
> sense?
> >
> >However, our own U.S. Congress voted themselves a raise. Many of you don’t know
> that they only have to be in Congress one time to receive a pension that is more
> than $15,000 per month. And most are now equal to being millionaires plus. They
> did not receive Social Security on retirement because they didn’t have to pay
> into the system.
> >If some of the military people stay in for 20 years and get out as an E-7, they
> may receive a pension of $1,000 per month, and the very people who placed them
> in harm’s way receives a pension of $15,000 per month.
> >
> >I would like to see our elected officials pick up a weapon and join ranks
> before they start cutting out benefits and lowering pay for our sons and
> daughters who are now fighting
> >” When do we finally do something about this?” If this doesn’t seem fair to
> you, it is time to forward this to as many people as you can.
> >

Report this

By John Darling, September 11, 2006 at 5:22 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

I just finished watching “Flight 93”, the A&E Channel’s moving film version of what happened aboard that ill fated flight of five years past.

As I watched it, a myriad of emotions swept through me, the main one being the feeling of pride. Pride that these American’s, facing their doom, stood up to a real threat not only to their lives but to the lives of other Americans. I also felt great anger towards the invaders who dared to come into our country with the sole purpose of killing anyone unlucky enough to have been caught up in their evil schemes.

After the show, I mulled over all the things that I had seen and felt. As I did so another emotion came over me. It was an emotion that was greater than all those that had previously moved me. That emotion was one of intense outrage. The source of my outrage stemmed from a realization that I had come to.

I realized that the brave people on that plane did more to fight terrorism in what little time they had left in their lives than Bush and his cronies have done in the half decade that has past since that fateful day.

The people aboard Flight 93 took positive action aimed directly at those responsible for the criminal acts. Unlike Bush and his cronies, they did not attack another party who had absolutely nothing to with the transgressions.

As the anniversary of 9/11/2001 approaches we must remember the bravery shown by these people and remember that they were ordinary people, just like you and I, who stood up brave and proud and fought the terrorist to their death.

At the same time we must not forget those who insisted we invade Iraq while ignoring the real perpetrator who was hiding out in the caves of Afghanistan.

Instead of going after Osama Bin Laden, Bush and his gang invaded Iraq for reasons not yet known-no matter how many thousands of times they claim they did it to fight the “war on terror”.

We now know that they callously used the deaths of the brave people of Flight 93 and all the other victims of the attacks as an excuse to rape and pillage two countries, Iraq and America, while not making either one an iota safer than they were prior to that horrific day.

Well the time has come for this to end. It is time for the rest of us ordinary Americans to send Bush and his foot soldiers a message. It is time we make them accountable for their vile behavior by throwing them out of office. We must stand up like the people on Flight 93 and tell them that we will fight wrongdoing at all costs, especially wrongdoings perpetrated by our government.

It is time that we make America a strong and proud country once more; a country that the people on Flight 93 would be proud to live in.

Report this

By Richard Gilbert, September 11, 2006 at 4:37 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Remember whose watch it was On 9/11

As more facts emerge that support those who knew Iraq was a mistake and those who were genuinely puzzled that the US was going to attack Iraq, the counter argument being pressed by the right is that those who hold these views “hate” Bush, and therefore that nullifies any “fact” that is presented. I speak of the Senate Intel committee with a Republican majority that unequivocally stated there were no ties between Al Qaeda and Iraq, and no WMD in Iraq. Very recently Condoleezza Rice said: “ there were ties between Iraq and Al Qaeda “ she then weasel worded it: “of course we are going to learn more in time.” Hurry up, madam secretary you haven’t learned a thing since you ignored the CIA and Richard Clarke’s warnings in the Spring and Summer of 2001.
Lets remember one key fact in all of this. September 11, 2001 happened on George Bush’s watch. He was asleep in Crawford and ignored the concerns of the Intel community, Rice was inept, and yet Bush gets high marks as Mr. Security. Go figure!P.T. Barnum could not have sold that bill of goods to the dumbest of rubes in the circus.

Report this

By osisbs, September 11, 2006 at 4:32 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Saudi Hijackers?  Why were their names not on the passenger lists?  Why were they living with FBI informants and taking flying lessons on navy bases?  If you want the truth, just google “flight of the bumbleplanes” and read on.  Now we have the Easter Bunny, Santa Clause, and the Official 9/11 Story to believe in (oh yes, and My Pet Goat).

Report this

By James W. von Brunn, September 11, 2006 at 4:18 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

1) Who BENEFITTED MOST from 9-11 ? The answer tells much. 2)ODIGO warnings provide the Israeli
connection. 3)Blg. #7 proves internal explosives were used;proves Silverstein’s complicity; proves 9-11 was a false-flag operation. ETC.

USS LIBERTY, TONKIN GULF, 9-11, et al, illustrate ILLUMINATI control over Americas’s once great Republic.

Report this

By Spinoza, September 11, 2006 at 2:23 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Excellent critique of conspiracy theories.

http://www.counterpunch.org/cockburn09092006.html

Report this

By Dr. Suzy, September 11, 2006 at 2:13 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Just imagine if our President, instead of calling for war, had called for peace. Just imagine if he had exhorted us to follow the Bonobo Way instead of acting like baboons. Just imagine if he’d focused America’s energy on tracking down and trying Osama instead of murdering all those innocents in his so-called Terror War. Just imagine if he’d reminded us that the best revenge is living well. Just imagine if he’d told us not to be afraid, and not to let sheer terror guide our hearts or our missiles. Some of us would have felt frustrated. But America would have proven itself to be a true Beacon of Hope. Then we could take real pride in remembering this day.

http://www.drsusanblock.com/blog

Report this

By Paul Kibbey, September 10, 2006 at 11:10 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

I will be anxious to hear your take on the “Path to 9/11” ABC TV docu-drama.  I’m thinking that now the Republican have a better chance to keep their power in the upcoming election.  The bigger the lie the more easily it is believed.  ABC already presented some “balanced discussion” on the controversy.  If nobody aggressively picks this apart where people can see it the lie they are presenting will be taken as the truth and people will vote down those dems, those cut and runners without cajones.  ABC is riding untethered in Bush’s saddle, and look ma, no advertisements!

Report this

By Charles Newlin, September 10, 2006 at 10:47 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Hoo, boy, have you unleashed the whirlwind.

Your article is excellent, though, and your point well taken:  the flood of alternative theories is a response to the fragmentary, sometimes implausible nature of the official story - and the established fact that it emanates from a pack of liars, the Bush administration.

I have to agree that the “conspiracists” are better at questioning the official theory than at providing plausible answers.  That is hardly surprising, considering the pall of mystery and lies that shrouds the subject. I fear we will know very little till the deathbed confessions start.

It’s important, though, to remember what we do know, because it’s in the report:  The Bush admin. were extensively, urgently warned, and chose to do nothing, except for suppressing some investigations - notably, those that pointed to Saudi involvement with Al Qaeda.  What we do not know is motive.  In brief, was it criminal negligence, or a judgement that such an attack would do their agenda a world of good - as indeed it did.  “Cui bono?”, the traditional starting point of any murder investigation, points directly to the Bushies, as they benefitted more than anyone else.  That justifies a great deal of suspicion, but proves nothing by itself.

Evidently, I favor the theory that they knew but chose to let it happen.  That is bad enough.  For that matter, mere negligence, clearly established by the official record, is more than enough reason to ride them out of town on a rail.

Now the question that bothers me the most:  why have the Democrats entirely failed to call them to account on this point?  It is really the central conclusion of the 9/11 Comm. Report.  The political silence has been deafening, and amounts to collusion.  They ran out of excuses a long time ago. Does anyone have an explanation?  Perhaps that should be your next “Dig.”

Report this

By gnocchi, September 10, 2006 at 8:56 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Thanks for this, Robert.  So much better than a previous post calling all 9/11 conspiracies “crap”. 

The Bush admin could obliterate every 9/11 conspiracy theory simply by releasing evidence they MUST have if their story is even remotely true.  Where are the black boxes?  Where is the security footage of the Pentagon collision?  Where are the interviews with the air traffic controllers?

Until we see this evidence, we should continue to accuse them directly, loudly and publicly.  Whether their conclusions are right or wrong, the conspiracy theorists are performing a great public service by focusing scorn and suspicion on this criminal administration.

Report this

By kevin99999, September 10, 2006 at 8:15 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Disney is a rightwing organization and to ensure that children are infected with its rightwing ideology, all people of good conscience should boycott Disney’s product and services and look for alternatives.

We all know that ABC, being a corporate media outlet, is a tool of corporate and rightwing propaganda. They push us into iraq war and are still busy manipulating facts events, and lying, to justify their agenda. It does not matter to them if thousands of people die in the process.

Report this

Page 7 of 7 pages « First  <  5 6 7

Add Your Comment

Posts by unregistered readers are moderated. Posts by members
are published immediately. Why wait? Register today!






                        Number of characters remaining: 4000

Are you a human? Retype the word you see here.

     

Please read and abide by our comment policy.
By submitting this comment, you agree to this site's terms and conditions.

 

AP

Email this item Email    Print this item Print   

Del.icio.us this item Del.icio.us
Digg this item Digg
Facebook this item Facebook
Ma.gnolia this item Ma.gnolia
Newsvine this item Newsvine
Reddit this item Reddit
StumbleUpon this item StumbleUpon
Yahoo this item Yahoo


Truthdig Bazaar
Suggested
Reading List

The Five Biggest Lies Bush Told Us About Iraq

The Five Biggest Lies Bush Told Us About Iraq

By Robert Scheer, Christopher Scheer and Lakshmi Chaudhry

$9.95

- - -
Truthdig Bazaar
Suggested
Reading List


The Great American Stickup

By Robert Scheer

$10.00

- - -
Truthdig Bazaar
Suggested
Reading List

PornoPower

The Pornography of Power

By Robert Scheer

$11.89

- - -
Truthdig Bazaar
Suggested
Reading List


The Great American Stickup

By Robert Scheer

- - -
Truthdig Bazaar
Suggested
Reading List

TunaFish

Thinking Tuna Fish, Talking Death

By Robert Scheer

Hardcover $13.16

- - -
Truthdig Bazaar
Suggested
Reading List

Cover

Playing President

By Robert Scheer

Paperback $13.16

- - -
 
 
 
 
 
 

Advertisement



A Progressive Journal of News and Opinion. Editor, Robert Scheer. Publisher, Zuade Kaufman.
Copyright © 2012 Truthdig, L.L.C. All rights reserved.