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Revision as of 22:19, 2 September 2003 by Hephaestos (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The 9/11 domestic conspiracy theory is a Conspiracy theory which asserts that George W. Bush or American intelligence agencies knew, in advance, about the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks, and allowed it to happen or even helped cause it. It is not to be confused with less extreme theories that parts of the US government may have had some warning of the attacks but did not act due to error or incomplete information.
Theorists often go on to argue that Bush actually supported the attacks as they would provide an excuse to launch the War on Terrorism. (See also: Operation Northwoods). Immediately after the attacks, Donald Rumsfeld was seeking evidence to "pin it" on enemies which were already targets of the administration: Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden. Wesley Clark has revealed pressure on himself to participate in this effort.
Some advocates of this theory claim that, on the day of the terrorist attacks, Israeli workers were warned not to go to work at the World Trade Center and that key government officials were warned not to fly on aircraft heading through New York and Washington airspace. No evidence has ever been offered in support of these theories.
Advocates also claim that Bush has not allowed a proper investigation of the attacks.
The theory is also supported by the story of Delmart Vreeland, a career criminal on the run from fraud charges in Michigan who claims to have been a spy for the Office of Naval Intelligence. While in Canadian custody on August 11 and 12 2001, Mr. Vreeland claims he wrote a note which listed a number of targets such as the Sears Tower, World Trade Center the White House and The Pentagon. The note also said: "Let one happen. Stop the rest!!!" The notes which were in an evidence locker on the morning of September 11, can be seen at: http://www.guerrillanews.com/wildcard/thenotes
Like most conspiracy theories, this one is generally derided by authority as being unsubstantiated, and less credible claims are examined in depth as more credible ones go unexamined. This happens even on Misplaced Pages (see Talk:9/11_domestic_conspiracy_theory).
This theory is not unique - such struggles to write history are common. It parallels the more widespread belief that the US government had advance knowledge of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which propelled the US into World War II, and the more mainstream belief that the Nazis started the Reichstag Fire.
Distrust of authority plays a role in the propagation of any such theory.
See also: