Top 10 9/11 Conspiracy Theories

All over the Internet, debate about the true story of 9/11 rages…in chat rooms, on message boards, and on popular sites such as YouTube, people express conflicting opinions, share information, and examine available evidence. This list is not designed to outline the author’s personal viewpoint – rather, it is meant to detail the most common conspiracy theories related to the events of that fateful and tragic day. While the theories listed below may appear to be expressed in the author’s own point of view, they are meant to reflect only the viewpoint of the Truth Movement itself. Nothing printed below is intended to serve as definite evidence of wrongdoing or criminal activity – much of the information included on this list should be regarded as speculation.

10. Prior Events

Strange Events Happening Before 9/11  (Prior Knowledge)

A series of strange happenings in the days and weeks leading up to the 9/11 attacks serve as proof to Truthers that a far-reaching conspiracy was in the works. Some examples of this alleged prior knowledge include: suspicious insider trading and anonymous phone calls warning VIPs not to travel on that day.

Put option contracts on United Airlines stock (which “bet” on a price drop) were in great demand preceding the attacks – clearly, many traders and investors believed that the company’s stock would plummet in value. The same surge in put options were reported for American Airlines, the other company affected by the 9/11 disaster. Many tenants of WTC buildings also saw an increase in trading on the days prior to 9/11 (Merrill Lynch stock registered an incredible 12,215 put options for several days before the attack).

Most notably, former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown received a phone call from someone close to him, warning him not to board an airliner on Sept. 11^th, 2001. This warning was somewhat subtle and general – Brown was told that Americans should be careful about flying on that day – but the timing of the warning indicated foreknowledge of a terrorist strike. The message was clear and difficult to misinterpret – someone was trying to protect Brown (propagandamatrix.com, 911blogger.com).

9. The Silverstein Connection

Larry Silverstein, the now infamous real estate developer who purchased a lease on The World Trade Center (through his Silverstein Group) half a year before the 9/11 attacks, is an important figure in the shadowy world of 9/11 conspiracy. The profits he earned from the attacks on these buildings are cited as one reason why suspicion falls on his shoulders – however, there are also other reasons why this man is often at the center of controversy.

When The Silverstein Group purchased the lease on these buildings, Larry Silverstein raved in the press about the profit potential and quality of the buildings. Insiders report that these accounts of the building’s worth were quite inflated. In fact, the buildings were commonly viewed as “money pits” due to the presence of asbestos and the need for extremely expensive upgrades throughout. These troubled buildings, which would have required a cash outlay of 200 million dollars to upgrade, were instead destroyed on 9/11. When Silverstein filed for his insurance payout on the buildings, his profits totaled a reported 7.1 billion dollars.

The plot thickens when Truthers consider the behavior of Silverstein on 9/11. His famous remark, “Pull it”, is viewed as proof that WTC-7 was felled through controlled demolition and not from extensive fire damage, as reported by government agencies. Now, Silverstein has explained his remarks – he has claimed that his comment was a way of saying that rescue personnel should be pulled out of the building for their own safety. Truthers are skeptical – they point to an earlier evacuation of safety personnel – one that Silverstein would likely have been well aware of (keystoburlington.com).

8. The Marvin Bush Connection

The powerful and well-connected Bush family is regarded with derision by Truthers. They point mockingly at former POTUS George W. Bush’s recitation of “My Pet Goat” to schoolchildren during the 9/11 attacks on American soil – in their eyes, Bush seemed to “fiddle while Rome burned”. Their suspicions about Bush’s role in an “inside job” were strengthened when the Truth Movement began to uncover curious connections linking the President’s younger brother, Marvin Bush, with the security of the WTC buildings during the months leading up to Sept. 11, 2001.

In fact, Marvin Bush was an important senior member of a company named Securacom – this firm was responsible for taking care of security at a series of strategic locations, including the World Trade Center, Dulles International Airport, and United Airlines.

On the weekend preceding the attacks, “power downs” in WTC 2 were noticed by staff who worked in the building – these “power downs” were controlled by Securacom, and they deprived the south tower of electricity for a full day and a half (Sept. 8^th and 9^th, 2001). Due to this power down, no security footage could be filmed at that time, and doors were unlocked. Eyewitnesses report a series of engineers and other newcomers to the building entering and exiting the building during the power down. This loss of electricity and security affected the South Tower from floor 50 up…

For those who believe in a far-reaching conspiracy by the Bush family and their political and business cronies, Marvin Bush’s role in events serves as a red flag. Securacom operated in many key spheres of influence: clients included the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S Air force, and the Department of Justice. (thebirdman.org)

7. Operation Northwoods

The notorious false flag operation known as Northwoods is viewed by Truthers as a template for the 9/11 attacks. For those who see the events of that day as an “inside job”, Operation Northwoods serves as damning evidence of the American government’s desire to gain global political advantage by deceiving and harming ordinary citizens.

In 1962, the Northwoods report was issued, and it outlined CIA plans for attacks on American or foreign targets, through the use of bombs or hijackings. The main focus of this plan was a desire to orchestrate attacks on Cuba, and then blame the Cuban government for these acts of terrorism – thereby creating loss of faith by citizens in their current leadership.

A journalist named Jamie Bamford wrote this concise précis of Operation Northwoods in his book, Body of Secrets:

Operation Northwoods, which had the written approval of the Chairman and every member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called for innocent people to be shot on American streets; for boats carrying refugees fleeing Cuba to be sunk on the high seas; for a wave of violent terrorism to be launched in Washington, D.C., Miami, and elsewhere. People would be framed for bombings they did not commit; planes would be hijacked. Using phony evidence, all of it would be blamed on Castro, thus giving Lemnitzer and his cabal the excuse, as well as the public and international backing, they needed to launch their war…

(source: Wikipedia)

The Truth Movement considers Operation Northwoods documents as proof positive that the American government is willing to sacrifice innocent life for the sake of political agenda.

6. What Happened To Flight 93?

The “mystery” of doomed Flight 93 continues to consume members of the Truth

Movement. The official account of this passenger jet’s final flight is terrifying and very sad – while en route from Newark, New Jersey to San Francisco, California the flight was hijacked. Passengers who had learned about attacks on the Pentagon and WTC buildings (from Airfone/cell phone calls placed on board) then confronted the terrorists and attempted to seize control of the cockpit. The altercation between passengers and hijackers resulted in a devastating crash in Somerset County, Pennsylvania – there were no survivors.

Of course, Truthers dispute the official account of events (whatreallyhappened.com). They point to eyewitness accounts that seem to bolster an alternative version of events – one where an American military missile shot down the commercial airliner. Those who believe the missile theory don’t necessarily dispute the decision to intercept – however, they wonder why the government would not own up to its role in the crash of Flight 93. Quotes from politicians and high-ranking military personnel after the event seem to strengthen the theory that this flight did not crash near Shanksville solely due to the passengers storming the cockpit. A quote recorded in a transcript from a trial at Guatanamo: “If they hadn’t shot down the fourth plane [Flight 93] it would’ve hit the dome.” (Q  uote: Stone, a Navy officer. Source: The Brisbane Times.)

5. Thermite Was Found On Site At The World Trade Center

Pools of molten metal were rumored to burn at Ground Zero, lending credence to the theory of a controlled demolition, or inside job. Since the temperatures required to melt structural steel into a pool of molten metal are staggeringly high, the presence of thermite is believed to have produced this outcome. When thermite is used to trigger temperatures of 2500 Celsius, molten steel is created due to thermite reaction.

But what is thermite? This substance is defined as a combination of aluminum metal and ferric oxide – it is commonly used in incendiary tools to achieve rapid bursts of extremely high temperatures. Modern compounds known as nanothermites, or super thermites, dramatically increase this incendiary power. These destructive potions can be painted onto steel to get the desired effect. According to Truther Dr. Stephen Jones, evidence of the use of thermites was found in particle dust recovered from Ground Zero.

Truthers believe that high-tech nanothermites were used to weaken steel and reduce the amount of noise produced by more conventional demolition explosives (these would also need to be used to fell the buildings). They argue that the blisteringly hot temperatures created by a thermite signature are the only logical reason for pools of molten steel to exist. These pools (according to eyewitness accounts) were believed to burn for weeks after the tragic events of 9/11.

The idea of thermites being used as a spur to cause the collapse of the WTC buildings was not taken seriously by NIST (National Institute Of Standards And Technologies) a federal agency who studied the event in great detail. In fact, government officials examining the evidence chose not to test the steel for incendiary compounds. “Was the steel tested for explosives or thermite residues? … NIST did not test for the residue of these compounds in the steel” (NIST Responses to FAQs, August 2006).

4. Faked Cell Phone Calls

The Cell Phone Calls From Passengers In High-jacked Aircraft Were Faked

The infamous cell phone calls placed by passengers and airline personnel on 9/11 are another bone of contention for the Truth movement. According to studies, cell phone calls at high altitudes (during 2001) were often impossible to make. Whether the recorded calls, such as Todd Beamer’s notorious “Let’s Roll” call (alluding to action against terrorists who had taken over the plane) were faked through voice simulation and other high-tech methods is subject to fierce debate. The vast majority of these phone calls came from Flight 93.

Over time, Truthers pointed to a series of “changed” stories about the origin of cell phone calls from airliners on 9/11 – for example, it is now believed that many of the “impossible” cell phone calls were actually placed from onboard Airfones – however, shifting versions of events have raised suspicions about revisionist history on the part of 9/11 debunkers and insiders.

One key element of the “faked cell phone calls” conspiracy theory is based around a strange conversation between passenger Mark Brigham and his own mother:

M. Brigham: “Mom? This is Mark Brigham. I want you to know that I love you. I’m on a flight from Newark to San Francisco and there are three guys who have taken over the plane and they say they have a bomb.”
Brigham’s mother: “Who are these guys?
M. Brigham: (pause) “You believe me, don’t you?
Brigham’s mother: Yes, Mark. I believe you. But who are these guys?

Truthers are puzzled and dismayed by the caller’s use of his first and last names during a phone call with his own mother. They believe this interaction never really happened, and that it is the result of high-tech voice morphing technology (globalresearch.ca).

3. There Was An Air Defense Stand-Down

Following 9/11, the air defense response on that fateful day was subject to immense scrutiny. After all, the United States government and military have a series of responses which are supposed to kick in at the first sign of trouble in the air. The failure of the Pentagon to “scramble” jets and bring down the hijacked planes (especially the second plane to hit the Twin Towers and Flight 77) was difficult to understand. To Truthers, it seemed all too obvious that a stand-down order was in place, and that this order would have had to come from those in very high places (911research.wtc7.net).

Truthers also point to a series of “war games” staged on that day… ones that threw personnel into confusion about what was “real” or “simulated”. The scheduling of these widespread “war games” on 9/11 appeared more than coincidental, in light of the role they played in events. These military exercises made it difficult, if not impossible, for personnel to make the snap decisions that were required to protect Americans (bcrevolution.ca).

The failure of the chain of command on that day was also called into question. Many Truth Movement members view former Vice-President Dick Cheney as the “puppetmaster” who sought to prevent proper air defense support through subterfuge. Truthers point to new legislation that changed prior DOD protocols for actions related to hijacked jets – new rules stipulated that the Secretary of Defense (Donald Rumsfeld) must be the only one authorized to issue intercept orders (the7thfire.com).

2. WCT-7 Was A Controlled Demolition

The near-freefall of WTC-7 raised a series of questions… the building’s destruction was ignored by the 9/11 Commission in its report on the events of that day. This glaring oversight did little to assuage the fears and doubts of Truthers. In terms of physics, the laws of symmetry and asymmetry are important lessons that every student learns… the symmetrical fall of this building seemed to defy science. Videotapes of the building on 9/11 show a structure that was burning, but not consumed by flames – however, other videotapes display different angles and more damage from fire.

Stores of diesel fuel in the building were believed to play a role in the fall of WTC-7 – through the weakening of support beams and the softening of steel. The temperatures that are necessary to heat steel to a failure level are incredibly high – whether the fuel load in the building could have accomplished this is fiercely contested. The building itself was heavily fireproofed, and fires should have burned themselves out (at temperatures too low to affect steel columns and joists) within 30 minutes or less.

It must be stated that a plane did not hit this building; nor was it toppled by an avalanche of debris from the Twin Towers disaster (as is commonly reported).

It took seven years for a report to be issued regarding the scientific reasons for the building’s descent at near free-fall speed – and this report was based on computer modeling, rather than reenactments or real-life tests. Many scientists and architects for Truth believe that a symmetrical fall due to fire alone is a scientific impossibility. They believe that the final NIST report uses inaccurate equations and doctored science to explain the impossible… under the new phenomenon of “thermal expansion”.

In fact, no other steel structures (except the Twin Towers) have ever fallen due to airplane strikes or fire damage alone…

For many, the BBC report which “press released” the fall of WTC-7 while it was still standing serves as more proof of government foreknowledge and global conspiracy (911truth.org).

1. The Pentagon Wasn’t Hit By A Commercial Plane

This “smoking gun” is one of the mainstays of the 9/11 Truth Movement. Since passenger jet crashes normally leave a huge wake of destruction – including sheared wings, scorched earth, strewn luggage, and (sadly) bodies and body parts – the scene at the Pentagon crash site raised some serious questions. In fact, many Truthers believe that the Pentagon was hit by a guided missile (or smaller aircraft), and that a “decoy” plane was flown near the Pentagon to provide onlookers with an “eye-witness” visual of the scenario.

Truthers argue that the circumference of the Pentagon “hole” was simply too small for the passenger jet’s wide body and wings. The single videotape released by the government adds fuel to the fire. In this video, there is no clear view of a jet crashing into the building – instead, something strikes the Pentagon at a blindingly fast speed. Since the Pentagon is one of the most protected structures in the world, Truthers wonder why there isn’t a clearer, more indisputable record of the crash.

In fact, it’s believed that a different videotape of the moment of impact was confiscated from a nearby gas station (by government agents) immediately after the incident, leading Truthers to suspect an orchestrated “inside job”, or, at the very least, significant foreknowledge of a terrorist strike.

Other issues regarding the crash site include: contrasting accounts from bystanders, “sliced” poles in the aircraft’s flight pattern towards the Pentagon (were they made by the plane, or cut to stage the scene?), and avionics parts at the crash scene which did not appear to match the make and model of airplane…

Speedy removal of evidence added to speculation of government foreknowledge

or complicity. The fact that the Pentagon was reinforced just before the incident, at the exact location of the crash, seemed suspicious to many. Also, the records stored in the destroyed Pentagon wing were related to a mysterious, trillion-dollar deficit. The fact that potentates such as Donald Rumsfeld were in the Pentagon, but as far away as humanly possible from the crash itself, provoked even more questions from the Truth Movement. (flyingsnail.com)

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