Unraveling the Complexities of September 11, 2001

Background and Initial Observations

On the morning of September 11, 2001, the world watched in horror as commercial airliners crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon, and a fourth, United Flight 93, crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. The official narrative, as determined by the 9/11 Commission Report, asserts that these attacks were orchestrated by al-Qaeda. However, discrepancies in the official account have fueled alternative theories.

David Ray Griffin and the 9/11 Truth Movement

David Ray Griffin, an emeritus professor of philosophy of religion and theology, has been a vocal critic of the official 9/11 narrative. Author of over 30 books, including several on the September 11 attacks, Griffin challenges the consistency and credibility of the official "conspiracy theory." His work, including titles like “The New Pearl Harbor Revisited,” questions the capability of al-Qaeda to execute such coordinated and devastating attacks and suggests possible complicity or outright orchestration by elements within the U.S. government.

Key Points of Contention

1. Response Times and Actions: Griffin points out anomalies in the response of the U.S. government on the day of the attacks, such as the delayed evacuation of President Bush from a Florida classroom and conflicting accounts of Vice President Cheney's movements.

2. Technological Feasibility of Phone Calls: Initially, it was reported that numerous phone calls were made from high altitudes on the hijacked flights, a claim later contradicted by technological limitations of the time, leading to changes in the official account.

3. Interception Failures: The failure to intercept the hijacked planes, despite protocols for dealing with such incidents, raises questions. Griffin argues that changes in the official timeline were made to accommodate criticisms from the 9/11 Truth Movement.

4. The Collapse of WTC 7: This building, not struck by a plane, collapsed in a manner consistent with a controlled demolition. Official explanations delayed until late 2008 have not satisfactorily addressed why it mirrored the implosions used in controlled demolitions.

5. Pentagon Attack: The official story states that Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, but Griffin and others cite eyewitness accounts and physical evidence suggesting otherwise, possibly pointing to a missile or a smaller aircraft.

6. Flight 93: The official narrative claims heroism on the part of passengers thwarted the attackers, but Griffin suggests the plane may have been shot down under orders from Vice President Cheney.

Statistical Anomalies and Insider Trading

A notable point often overlooked in mainstream discussions is the surge in put options on stocks of airlines and companies in the WTC just before the attacks. This financial anomaly suggests foreknowledge of the events. A study by Allen Poteshman, a finance professor at the University of Illinois, published in the Journal of Business, concluded that the abnormal trading patterns were consistent with insiders anticipating the 9/11 attacks.

Conclusion: The Need for Further Investigation

Despite the extensive investigations that followed, significant gaps and questions remain that fuel the call for a new, more thorough, and transparent investigation into the events of September 11. As Griffin and other members of the 9/11 Truth Movement argue, only a comprehensive new inquiry will satisfy the global need for clarity and closure on one of the darkest days in recent history.

For further reading on the implications of 9/11 and its aftermath, consider exploring The New Pearl Harbor Revisited and The 9/11 Commission Report: Omissions and Distortions.

This exploration into the events of September 11, 2001, underscores the complexity and enduring mysteries of the day, highlighting the need for continued scrutiny and the pursuit of truth.