Monday, October 18 2010   -   In the Media

Jon Wiener
October 17, 2010
TheNation.com > Blogs > The Notion

As WikiLeaks prepares to release 400,000 Iraq war documents, two former government security officials argue that WikiLeaks could have prevented 9/11, if the website had been around in 2001.

The two ought to know: Coleen Rowley, the Minneapolis FBI agent who tried to sound the alarm a month before 9/11, and Bogdan Dzakovic, a special agent for the FAA's security division, who was a leader of the agency's "Red Team" that was warning officials about vulnerabilities in airport security just before 9/11.

"Things might have been different if there had been a quick, confidential way to get information out," the two write -- and WikiLeaks could have provided exactly that, according to their op-ed in the LA Times on Friday.

 

Sunday, October 10 2010   -   In the Media

October 6, 2010
By Catherine Herridge
Exclusive by Foxnews.com

A document obtained and witnesses interviewed by Fox News raise new questions over whether there was an effort by the Defense Department to cover up a pre-9/11 military intelligence program known as "Able Danger."

At least five witnesses questioned by the Defense Department's Inspector General told Fox News that their statements were distorted by investigators in the final IG's report -- or it left out key information, backing up assertions that lead hijacker Mohammed Atta was identified a year before 9/11.

Atta is believed to have been the ringleader of the Sept. 11 hijackers who piloted American Airlines Flight 11 into the World Trade Center. Claims about how early Atta first tripped the radar of the Department of Defense date back to 2005, but those claims never made it into the Inspector General's report. The report was completed in 2006 and, until now, has been available only in a version with the names of virtually all of the witnesses blacked out.

Fox News, as part of an ongoing investigation, exclusively obtained a clean copy of the report and spoke to several principal witnesses, including an intelligence and data collector who asked that she not be named.

The witness told Fox News she was interviewed twice by a Defense Department investigator. She said she told the investigator that it was highly likely a department database included the picture of Atta, whom she knew under an alias, Mohammed el-Sayed.

 

Friday, October 8 2010   -   Get Involved

October 7, 2010
A California Initiative to Enact a 9/11 Truth Commission Law

FORMER U.S. SENATOR MIKE GRAVEL

Senator Gravel read the "Pentagon Papers" into the Senate record in 1971, and thus helped bring an end to the Viet Nam war. Currently, over 1300 architects and engineers are calling for a new investigation of 9/11 (see http://ae911truth.org). Senator Gravel and concerned citizens are joining together to raise funds to file an initiative in California to enact a 9/11 Truth Commission law. The goal is a new commission untainted by politics and with subpoena powers.

The senator's talk will focus on the 9/11 initiative, but he will also speak on other topics and will take questions.

 

Thursday, October 7 2010   -   Civil Liberties-Police State

By Michael Collins
Part II of III (Part I)
October 7, 2010
The Agonist

WASHINGTON - Placed in office through legalized bribery, supported by public funding for their every need, protected against the laws that we're expected to obey, Congress represents the epitome of lawlessness; lawmakers who have no regard for the law. (Image)

Members of Congress are different. They get to retire at age 62 with lifetime pensions and health benefits. To qualify, they need just five years of service. They get free phone, mail, and other communications plus paid domestic and foreign travel. Supposedly, they're not allowed to take gifts but the list of exceptions offers plenty of room for luxurious appreciation.

The biggest gift of all - a six to seven figure job with a major corporation or lobbying firm right after retirement - is still fair game for any member. The revolving door never stops.

But supposedly Congress passes laws for the public benefit. They come to power based on contributions from their patrons, usually large donors. Then members resolutely deny that these contributions translate into legislation favorable to the donors. If pressed, member's state that the contributions merely buy access not votes.

 

Wednesday, October 6 2010   -   Open Letters

Published October 6, 2010
by David Ray Griffin
Source: 911Truth.org

I experienced some serious illnesses during June and July that almost resulted in my death. Because many people have kindly expressed interest in my condition, and also because I do not wish to repeat myself dozens of times, I have written up this account.

Background: I had experienced some medical problems starting in 1990 that are relevant to the recent conditions, although these illnesses themselves involved no serious concerns.

In 1990, 1995, and 1997, I had back operations for herniated discs. Although the first of these three operations involved serious pain, there were no complications, hence nothing serious.

Then in 2005, my doctor discovered something potentially more serious: My aortic valve developed serious stenosis (due to rheumatic fever I had as a child). My aortic valve was replaced by a pig valve. As before, there were no complications.
 

Tuesday, October 5 2010   -   Civil Liberties-Police State

By Michael Collins
Part I of III
October 4, 2010
American Politics Journal

WASHINGTON - Selected to run by the powerful and wealthy, promising the public one thing and delivering another after elected, the President of the United States is the focus of a new political doctrine -- the unitary executive. The office of the president has rapidly become a law unto itself over the past ten years.

Some time before February 2010, the President of the United States authorized the assassination of a U.S. citizen living overseas. The citizen was identified by the White House as a terrorist.

Unlike previous government programs to kill individuals overseas, this one wasn't a covert operation. The program was openly announced, without qualification. Dennis Blair, the Director of National Intelligence, discussed the plan in February at a congressional hearing. A few weeks later, John O. Brennan, the president's National Security Adviser, announced that the marked man was one of "dozens" of U.S. citizens put on the presidential death list because "they are very concerning to us."

The principal of unfettered executive power, absent political and judicial restraint, was officially established. Executive power now supersedes established law.

 

Saturday, October 2 2010   -   First Responders/Health Effects

October 1, 2010
www.ajourneyfor911.info

Retired NFL great George Martin, who walked from New York to San Diego in 2007-08 to help thousands of 9/11 rescue and recovery workers with serious medical conditions, is hitting the road once again. On Sunday, October 17, 2010, Martin will lead an assembly of former New York Giants and other NFL alumni, 9/11 first responders and others in the 2nd Annual "Giant Steps for 9/11" Walk and Family Fun Day to raise funds for thousands of Ground Zero first responders.

"The care of our 9/11 first responders is a national problem and an American responsibility," said Martin, co-captain of the Super Bowl XXI Champion New York Giants (1986), who formed a Journey for 9/11 Foundation at the completion of his cross-country trek. "Government funding and insurance policies do not adequately cover the substantial cost of the care these people desperately need. As Americans, we must do more. We cannot turn our backs on those who answered the call and now suffer with serious medical conditions."

 

Saturday, October 2 2010   -   Other Important News

October 1, 2010
By Michael Calderone
news.yahoo.com

Publishers know that controversy fuels book sales. Apparently, so does burning them.

The Pentagon has only helped build buzz around "Operation Dark Heart," a firsthand account of special operations in Afghanistan, by burning 9,500 copies -- nearly all the first run. (Some review copies, released before publication, have filtered out and sold for more than $2,000 on eBay, according to Time magazine.)

Destroying books isn't an everyday occurrence. In fact, the Pentagon says it has never destroyed copies of a book before. But in this case, the Pentagon contends that Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer's work includes classified information that shouldn't have been published and therefore it was the only option.

On Sept. 24, four days after the burning, publisher St. Martin's Press printed 50,000 copies of the book with supposedly classified information now blacked out. Even with redactions, the second run -- five times larger than the first -- is selling well. Time magazine noted that "Operation Dark Heart" hit No. 1 on Amazon's biography list and No. 2 on Barnes & Noble's political list.

 

Saturday, October 2 2010   -   Legal Response to 9/11

By William Fisher
ipsnews.net

NEW YORK, Sep 27, 2010 (IPS) - Hundreds of people who believe they were falsely detained and imprisoned by the Department of Justice in the wake of the Sep. 11, 2001 attacks are now seeking redress through the U.S. courts.

The exact number of detainees is unclear, as no lists were ever released publicly. But according to a report by the Office of the Inspector General in 2002, 475 9/11 detainees were arrested and detained in New York and New Jersey. Hundreds more were arrested across the country.

Some of these men are plaintiffs in a federal class action lawsuit against former Attorney General John Ashcroft and other top officials in the administration of President George W. Bush (2001-2009) who were responsible for their illegal roundup, abuse and detention.

The suit charges that the detainees were kept in solitary confinement with the lights on 24 hours a day; placed under a communications blackout so that they could not seek the assistance of their attorneys, families and friends; subjected to physical and verbal abuse; forced to endure inhumane conditions of confinement; and obstructed in their efforts to practice their religion.

 

Saturday, October 2 2010   -   First Responders/Health Effects

The following names are the people in Congress that voted AGAINST helping the 9/11 1st Responders with health care. There are about 900 dead responders since the attacks 9 years ago, and tens of thousands more sick and dying. When everybody was running away from Ground Zero, these people were running in to save as many people as they can. The people on this list feel that we should not help them. Please adjust your voter ballots accordingly in November.

No Votes (160) ...

 

Wednesday, September 29 2010   -   First Responders/Health Effects

9/11 Health and Compensation Bill Passes House

International Association of Fire Fighters

September 29, 2010 -- Legislation to establish health treatment and monitoring programs for World Trade Center responders was overwhelmingly approved by a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives.

H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, was approved by a vote of 268-160. The vote to pass the bill followed an attempt by Representative Christopher Lee (R-NY) and House Republican Leadership to amend H.R. 847 by adding unrelated legislation to repeal a portion of the health care reform law and reform the medical malpractice system. The motion failed by a vote of 185-244. Had the motion succeeded, it would have effectively killed the bill.

"I am pleased that the 9/11 Act passed the House by an overwhelming and bipartisan majority," says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. "World Trade Center responders know they are finally one step closer to receiving the care and benefits they need and deserve."

 

Thursday, September 23 2010   -   First Responders/Health Effects

September 21, 2010
By John Feal
FealGood Foundation

Dear Friends, Supporters and Fellow First Responders:

As most of you are aware, the past twenty-four hours have been extremely chaotic in regards to the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. I, along with fellow FealGood Foundation board members, have worked with various union leaders to keep the pressure on our elected officials. As of approximately 5:30 today our bill was moved into the "Rules Committee" of the United States House of Representatives and prepared for full House vote. While a modest victory, this should be considered a step forward to our ultimate goal. However, to our great displeasure, a date for such a vote has not yet been announced. This is unacceptable and over the next twenty-four hours we will continue to place additional pressure on leadership to give us the date we have waited nine years for.

Make no mistake, all involved in this struggle consider it an insult of the highest degree that we are forced to continue to lobby House leaders to merely place this bill on calendar. Despite this, we have been advised that the bill will be given a date for vote tomorrow, September 22, 2010. While promises to this fragile community have been made and broken so many times that I do not expect you to believe this one, we must respect the leadership our New York Congressional Delegation has provided and rely on them to ensure that this promise is kept. Tomorrow, the 9/11 community expects to be able to celebrate its victory at the same time Democratic leaders from around the country converge on New York for political appearances and fundraising.

 

Wednesday, September 22 2010   -   Resources and Materials

September 21, 2010
by John Bursill
Visibility911.com/johnbursill/

This years new Project Censored book, Censored 2011, has been released including numerous stories and references to the 9/11 cover up. Dr. Peter Phillips and Mickey Huff explain in this interview that they have been censored by so called "alternative" left wing publications because of their refusal to drop 9/11 truth content!

From the show notes: "Censored 2011" with Dr. Peter Phillips and Dr. Mickey Huff. We discuss the new Project Censored book and some of the most censored news stories of the past year. --END--

Listen Here: Guns and Butter: Project Censored 2011

RELATED

See Project Censored.org for a list of the Top Censored Stories each year going back to 1976. You can join their mailing list here.

Censored 2011- New Book Release on 9/15
Censored Notebook

Project Censored's "Censored 2011: The Top Censored Stories of 2009-2010" is now available for order here! This year's volume is truly Media Democracy in Action. Not only does it cover the most under-reported stories the corporate media ignore, but this year's Censored Deja Vu, Junk Food News and News Abuse, Signs of Health, and FAIR's 10th anniversary of Fear and Favor in the News Room. A full Truth Emergency section debuts this year for "Censored 2011" to address State Crimes Against Democracy as well as analysis of the corporate media spin that led to the Iraq War and continues to hide US allied atrocities in the Middle East.

 

Wednesday, September 22 2010   -   In the Media

September 19, 2010
By Cosmos
9/11 Truth News

Attacked by the Left. Attacked by the Right. Attacked by "edgy" political comedians for scant, confused laughs -- with no discernible purpose other than to discourage and further isolate those seeking justice. No matter if their political affiliation is Coke, or whether they lean hard towards Pepsi, everyone in the corporate mainstream media can agree that 9/11 truth is a target worthy of derision.

Yet, strangely, none of them can seem to get their story straight.

When left-wing commentators denounce 9/11 truth activists, the activists are derided as right-wing conspiracy freaks -- lumped in with the Tea Party and various hate groups. When it's the Right's turn to attack, those seeking answers about 9/11 are uniformly painted as Bush-burnt America haters, the very worst of the left-wing losers.

Sometimes -- just to mix it up -- a lefty journalist will agree that 9/11 truth is indeed a scourge of the Left, and even concoct a bizarre conspiracy theory to explain it away.

When it comes to political humor in the corporate media, the drill is exactly the same.

 

Wednesday, September 15 2010   -   9/11 A/V Galleries

Letter from Tod Fletcher
posted September 15, 2010
911Truth.org

Dear 9/11 Truth Community,

As many in the 9/11 truth community know, David Ray Griffin has been in the hospital. He is recovering from major back surgery and serious complications from it. He will recover completely and be able to return to the cause, but his recovery will require a rather long time. At present he needs rest and therapy and he is not able to do the many things that he would be doing were he well.

One of his main concerns right now is that his new book, Cognitive Infiltration: an Obama Appointee's Plan to Undermine the 9/11 Conspiracy Theory, successfully make the impact that it should. As many in our community already know, it is a response to legal scholar (and now Obama appointee) Cass Sunstein's highly deceptive argument for a new Cointelpro-like operation to be directed against the 9/11 truth movement. Griffin utilizes all his own remarkable capabilities to thoroughly deconstruct and expose the fraudulent nature of this prominent legal scholar's call for an illegal operation. Griffin's book was just published, at the beginning of September, and there hasn't yet been time for many to have read it.

Griffin feels the book is especially important and laments that he is not able to promote it as he would normally do. But there is a way that we can step in and fill his shoes --