Niels Harrit, Associate professor, PhD, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen
When viewed in the rear-view mirror of history, the attack on USA on September 11th, 2001 (9/11) might very well prove to be the single most important political event since World War II. It sparked the so-called “war on terror”, which has left a trail of casualties and refugees, with numbers running into the millions.
Military expenses and security budgets have soared. As have the number of terrorists. Civil rights have been curtailed for everybody. Fear is prevalent. Our children and grandchildren are left with a less secure world – and a mountain of debt.
In spite of this profound impact, the physical and technical realities of 9/11 have never been satisfactorily explained by the US Government. Before considering this claim and its consequences, it is worthwhile reminding ourselves of the “scientific method”, which has served our western societies so well for the last 250 years as an absolute prerequisite for our material wealth.
In a scientific investigation, the first step is to collect data. These can be observations from our environment, or they can be obtained from experiments. Secondly, a hypothesis is established, in which data are put into a cause-effect relationship. Thirdly, the hypothesis is tested. In the experimental sciences the measurements can be repeated. If not, the greatest scrutiny has to be applied to ensure that the theory can account for ALL of the observations. Fourthly, if step three is passed successfully, the theory is transformed into a model. If not, the theory is deemed wrong (no less) and one has to go back and come up with a new theory.
It looks simple. But history and experience have shown that it is not. All steps can be flawed. If the data are bad, insufficient or treated selectively, the theory is bound to fail. If eyes are closed while the theory is being held up against reality (other data) it is bad science or even fraud.
On the day of 9/11, a theory was established almost before the data were collected: The attack was a consequence of a great conspiracy spearheaded by Osama Bin Laden and his Al-Queda network. We call this the “Official Conspiracy Theory” (OCT).
The problem is that the OCT has failed to account for many of the phenomena on 9/11. Actually, it has failed as a reasonable rationale behind an alarming number of events. Two examples are presented below.
The World Trade Center (WTC) was hit by two airliners. Surprisingly few people are aware that three (3!) skyscrapers collapsed on that day. The WTC complex was made up of seven buildings, the last of which, WTC7, was 47 stories or 183 m tall. At 5.21 pm, WTC7 collapsed in a totally symmetrical fashion, falling at free-fall speed. This means that all supporting elements failed simultaneously. The random fires in the building could never have caused this. In fact, no steel-framed high-rise building has ever collapsed due to fire, before or after 9/11. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was assigned to do a technical analysis of the WTC collapses. However, publication of the report on WTC7 has been postponed repeatedly. As of writing, release of the final report has been announced for August 2008. Remember that WTC7 was not hit by an airplane. The OCT cannot account for the collapse of WTC7.
According to the OCT, the Pentagon was hit by AA Flight 77, a Boeing 757. Early photos taken of the impact site reveal a hole in the outer wall with a diameter of between 4.6 m and 5.5 m. A Boeing 757 is 38 m wide (wings) and 12 m tall (tail). It weighs more than 100 metric tons. There was no wreckage to be seen from an aircraft this size. The OCT simply cannot be right on this point.
These are just two among hundreds of discrepancies and anomalies separating the OCT and reality. The highly respected professor of philosophy and theology, David Ray Griffin, has listed 40 “smoking guns” in his book “The New Pearl Harbor”. Hundreds of qualified specialists doubt the OCT. See TFF Associate Richard Falk’s foreword to Griffin’s book here and Doris Kruckenberg in Danish about the Danish edition. Here is an article by Griffin himself).
It may be hard to accept, but the conclusion is very, very simple: The Official Conspiracy Theory does not stand up to the scrutiny of the scientific method!
Recently on this website, Jonathan Powers evaluated the current state of democracy in the world. From steady progress during the last half century, the tide has turned and “democracy is going backwards”.
Among the cornerstones of democracy, an objective judicial system and a critical press rank equally high. Apparently, both have failed in the case of 9/11. No one denies that a terrible crime was committed, but the case has never been solved and the press doesn’t talk about it.
We in the West love to talk about exporting democracy. But is it worth exporting if its institutions cannot cope with 9/11?
On the other hand, if we in the West can meet the challenge of reinvestigating the events of 9/11 in a free and transparent process, there is no doubt that our democratic institutions will come out stronger.
If we want to stop the war on terror, there is no other way. Is 9/11 a roadblock, or a shortcut to peace?
The point being made here is: 9/11 is an opportunity, a unique chance to turn the tide – the last, possibly.
As outlined above, the factual situation is so evident, so crystal clear, that breaking the “mainstream barrier” of the press is the only obstacle to a free and unfettered process. It looks simple, but it is not. No one wants to hear the story.
Preventing war and maintaining peace might become even more difficult as the consequences of global warming start to manifest themselves (if it isn’t already happening). If the worst case scenario is allowed to develop, the present situation in the Gaza strip will look like a holiday camp in comparison.
Our democratic institutions must be re-established very soon.
Every peace-loving person should therefore call for an international and transparent investigation into 9/11.
Without truth there can be no peace.9/11 is key.
