Conspiracy? What is the truth about 9/11?

By Gary Dickson -- Record-Bee columnist
Lake County Record Bee Lakeport CA
Posted: 01/16/2009

Conspiracy? What is the truth about 9/11?

Almost before the smoke had cleared from the collapse of the World Trade Center towers and from within the cavity at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, conspiracy theories began to appear. There were so many and they emerged so quickly that President Bush addressed the matter on November 10, 2001, in a speech to the United Nations. The President condemned the introduction of "outrageous conspiracy theories ... that attempt to shift the blame away from the terrorists, themselves, away from the guilty."

Bush's comments failed to stop citizens from issuing their own 9/11 theories and his appeal didn't suppress the audacity of claims made by some conspiracy theorists. Today, there are millions of pages, on the web and in print, which offer wide ranging explanations of what happened on 9/11. This led Time Magazine to print, "This is not a fringe phenomenon. It is a mainstream political reality." On September 11, 2006, a large group of protestors assembled at Ground Zero wearing "Investigate 9/11" t-shirts. In 2008, 9/11 conspiracy theories topped a "greatest conspiracy theory" list compiled by The Daily Telegraph, Great Britain's best selling newspaper.

I recently watched "Loose Change" on PBS. I had not previously heard about this documentary and I found myself mesmerized by the pace that it leads viewers through explanations concerning dozens of questions that have arisen surrounding the events of 9/11. And, "Loose Change"

likely makes the most audacious claim of all the 9/11 conspiracy theories. Viewers are bluntly told that the attacks on September 11, 2001 were orchestrated by the United States government. Wow! That's a hard pill to swallow. Yet, many people still believe the CIA assassinated President Kennedy and the Moon landings were faked in a NASA studio.

One of the most interesting elements surrounding "Loose Change" is that its writer and filmmaker, Dylan Avery, did not plan to make a documentary about 9/11. In 2002, while hoping to be admitted to film school, he set out to write a script and make a film about a fictitious World Trade Center-type of assault, with a twist. The attack would not be what it seemed. Instead of an act of terrorism, his storyline was going to feature government insiders who planned and carried out the attack for their own evil purposes. The deeper he dug into 9/11, for background information, the more he became convinced that the 9/11 attacks, in reality, were just like the fictitious story he was creating.

Since 2002, Avery has produced three versions of "Loose Change". Naturally, he has received criticism from numerous individuals and organizations. His first two versions were produced on a shoestring budget. The last one, "Loose Change Final Cut", had $200,000 of financial backing. With each new edition, Avery strengthened the information on some theories and abandoned suppositions that had been disproved by facts or scientific argument. Although this young man has incurred the wrath of many, he has also been applauded for his diligent efforts to make his documentary as factual as he can possibly make it.

To most Americans, the idea that our own government would carry out such an evil act on its own people is beyond the realm of acceptability. Be that as it may, Dylan Avery's fearless work has caused many skeptics to think twice. But, political activist George Monbiot says that if it were true, Dylan Avery would have already disappeared, like Jimmy Hoffa. But, I don't believe that. If the government did make 9/11 happen, the one thing that would cause widespread suspicion now would be the death or disappearance of Dylan Avery.

Everyone has a right to think what they wish concerning the historic and tragic events of 9/11, but I believe everyone should at least view "Loose Change" and consider the information that Avery presents. In the seven-plus years since 9/11 many puzzling issues concerning that horrific September day have become issues of debate.

Note: If you can't catch the documentary on PBS, you can view it on your computer at YouTube.com, or purchase a copy from a variety of outlets.

Gary Dickson is Record-Bee publisher. He may be reached at 263-5636 ext. 24 or by email at gdickson@record-bee.com