The 9/11 Forest (and the trees)
Another comments reply turned blog post.
EVERYONE comes into 9/11 Truth at a different point. Some earlier, some later. That's just the way it is. It's the nature of the beast.
Look how long it took Sheen. And Rosie is just now speaking out. Ed Asner spoke out and seems to have backed off a little. (afaik) And there are a few others. Eventually Olbermann and Maher and Jon Stewart, and some others, will also get to the point where they will feel the need to speak out publicly.
Some people think the 9/11 Truth and Justice Movement is dead and/or dieing. And I understand their impatience and frustration. But the movement is, literally, in its infancy. We probably don't even have 1% of the population behind us. And it takes 5% to 10% (+/-) to form a "critical mass".
Part of the problem is that most people in the movement are not activists. Not really. And those that are, the majority, are new activists. They have no experience or frame of reference. (which is partly why the movement is so disorganized right now) And we don't even have any strong leaders in the movement yet. Although people like Griffin and Jones and some others are playing the part, whether they like it or not, and some will eventually become the leaders that are needed.
Having been in the Animal Rights Movement for over 20 years, I have "seen it all". I remember the irritation and impatience and frustration and outright anger when it looked like "things aren't happening fast enough and nothing is changing!" However, now that I can look back on it, I do see all of the MANY changes that have been made and how the movement has progressed and how much more aware and informed and educated people are about all of the many AR issues. However, there is so much more still to do.
And I can even see the changes in our movement over the last couple of years, smallish as they are.
So people need to calm down and try to understand the way these things work, and keep fighting the good fight, and become more active (activist) if they can, and enjoy every little victory, and the occasional large victory, etc. And try to see the forest for the trees.
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Senior 9/11 Bureau Chief Correspondent
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"We probably don't even have
"We probably don't even have 1% of the population behind us. " That's a little disheartening considering all the polls where 9/11 truth has prevailed. 84% on our side I believe, in one particular poll. What I think is equally important is that the percentage of Americans who've even HEARD of 9/11 truth is probably up to 70% by now. That's a victory in and of itself. Patience is key.
Do you have any links?
To the polls and such. I was guesstimating. Based on what I've read and heard and personally experienced.
You aren't quoting the poll that claims "84% of people polled believe something is wrong with 9/11" (paraphrased) are you?
Because I suggest that that is not a "9/11 Truth (and Justice) Poll".
If someone did an actual "9/11 Truth" poll, although what exactly that would be I'm not sure, I would bet that the numbers would be pretty low. And then only some small percentage of that believe it to the point where they would support the 9/11 Truth and Justice Movement and the people active in it and the things we are doing and want done. (much less even become minimally active themselves, even to the point of feeling comfortable speaking out about it to friends, family, co-workers and strangers on the street)
For example, if you did an actual, valid poll asking how many people think there should be another investigation into 9/11, I would guess and bet that the number would be pretty low. (< 20%? I doubt very much if it would be that high, and, if so, not much higher)
There is a jump there, imo. A difference in depth and breadth of belief, and also in potential "action" based on the belief, and in "true support". All across the board.
I do tabling and leafletting and the like, and the number of people who still react with surprise that there is such a think as the "9/11 Truth and Justice Movement", and who don't know that WTC 7 also fell on 9/11, and who ignore you and won't look you in the eye when you speak to them as they pass by, and the 'few' who get angry and such — that number is still WAY too high. Sometimes surprisingly high to me.
I know people who have lost friends from talking about 9/11, who have become estranged from family members, who "believe and support what we are doing" but won't discuss it with others (closet 9/11 truthers), and other situations like that. A lot of them. (relatively speaking)
Statistically, the reactions and such that I get are the same as the general populace to within some (smallish) percentage points. That's partly what I was using for my "analysis" and background for my comments.
I think there are also major hurdles to be overcome before we can claim being close to some "critical mass", such as actual reporting on the 9/11 Truth and Justice Movement in the mainstream media on a somewhat regular basis with some minimal attempt at objective analysis and reportage, some of it being positive, with the obvious negativity that will never stop. And, of course, an eventual investigation, or at least getting close to that occurring.
So I think we are still pretty far away from where we need to be. How long it will take is a good question. Someone I met recently who is, and I'm not sure how I should state this, "in" the "upper eschelons", if you will, of the movement, who I won't name because I don't want to put him on the spot — he thinks that we will see a change for the positive in the next 5 years, and maybe something done about 9/11 like we would like to see in the 5 years following that. And that may be optimistic. Although I agree with that assessment, more or less.
We need to be in it for the long haul, because that is what it is going to take.
One of our most powerful tools, of course, is the Internet. "They" HUGELY underestimated the effect the Internet would have on our movement. One of their biggest mistakes. And I think it is still pretty true that, without the Internet, "9/11 Truth and Justice" doesn't exist. Although that is slowly, but surely, changing.
We can only hope that we/I am wrong about the timeline, and that perhaps the Internet will keep compressing the timeline as it has already done, and that things will continue to happen quickly and faster than they would have without the Internet. (which is why we are where we are at now, rather than 20 years down the line)
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Senior 9/11 Bureau Chief Correspondent
http://www.chico911truth.org/
"When the game is over, the king and the pawn go into the same box."
9/11 Truth is the Path to Peace