http://www.snopes.com/photos/politics/bushbook.asp

I don't hold snopes in much regard, however, on this one point I think they have it right. Using the "upside down book" comment is disinformation and easily debukable.

That Mr. Vivas would choose that point is not a good sign.

The point that W was apparently "out of the loop" and in a classroom of remedial readers is somewhat valid. It gives him plausible deniability and puts him where he was on camera and being closely watched.

EDIT: Is it Mr. Steele or Vivas. I'm not clear.

First off, according to the Snopes page referred to above, that photo was taken at the George Sanchez Charter School in Houston in the summer of 2002, not at Booker Elementary on 9/11 - totally different. If you're comment's sincere, are you trying to imply that Steele's intentionally trying to spread disinformation by mixing in a joke about the book with the rest of what he said? Get a sense of humor. Let me ask you this - how many people would've watched this and then gone to check if the book was really upside down before looking into all the evidence of Cheney's complicity? It's hard to tell if the book's upside down in the pictures from Booker, I doubt Steele's looked into it. It's doesn't even matter. Besides, there are much better things you could be spending your time on than failing to discredit this. This is a good clip that will get new people to look into 9/11. Attacking it on an inconsequential point that has no bearing on anything seems to end up doing more harm than good. If you think Steele "didn't go far enough" and was providing a "limited hangout" - it's better than nothing. Is he entitled to his own opinion or is this a cult? Besides, do you really think anyone's going to just watch this one-minute video, believe it all, and do no more research?

I copied this, his personal statement on Amazon:

"In my own words
"The 11 September attacks on America have validated what the iconoclasts have been telling the bureacracy and their temporary political masters since at least 1988.

"The malicious manner in which the Bush-Cheney Administration failed to capture Bin Laden in Afghanistan when CIA had "eyes on" for four days, and then invaded Iraq on a web of lies, has dramatically reduced global as well as US security and prosperity.

"The sad truth is that we have a military and an intelligence community optimized to fight the Soviet Union (which no longer exists) on the open fields of Germany (which are no longer the battleground). We are at least 20 years away from being safe against brilliant unconventional attacks *unless* the public really gets into this in a big way and demands draconian changes in how we structure ourselves for both home front and overseas defense.

"The current federal government has no understanding of the larger threats facing this country, no strategy for harnessing all instruments of national strategy, and no possibilities for significantly enhancing our security and prosperity into future generations. Our children's futures are at risk because government has become ignorant, and the people have abdicated their responsibility for imposing common sense on their elected representatives.

"There are three quick ways you can learn more.

"First, you can take the time to go down through the reviews that I have posted--these will give you an excellent 'tour d'horizon' on books relevant to restructuring national defense and intelligence.

"Second, you can visit my web site www then oss.net and click on either Archives or (most recent) NewsSorters and then References. That will show you my latest thinking, all free.

"Third, you can download for free the key chapters from each of my first two books, at oss.net on the home page, or you can consider buying any of my books.

"Amazon.com reviews have reached critical mass and render a real service to the public. Browse the comments, buy the books, and join the debate--Norman Cousins is right when he says that governments can only perceive small and intermediate truths--that only the people can perceive great truths--and that the particular truth in which the government needs instruction today is that new means for meeting the largest problems of the world have to be created.

"We will not win this war without your intellect and your vote. Sadly, the 'fake war' (one not properly declared by Congress) is being used to cover-up failures in the Executive, to stonewall Congressional inquires, and to deprive U.S. citizens of their civil liberties. The current approach is both ignorant and political--only the common sense of the people, exercised in the vote and constant scrutiny, can preserve our Republic and restore balance to our foreign and domestic policies.

"The good news is that "collective intelligence," what some call "the wisdom of the crowd" is emerging, and with every advance of cellular and Internet technology, the balance of power is being shifted back to the public. One day we will have public intelligence driving public policy, and that is a good thing."