Honestly I must admit having my own theories on 911, hey who doesn’t, but who cares about them.
Anyway this video (watch out 1h21) is quite interesting. Not that long ago I also ‘enjoyed’ reading this article. Personally I am not into any kind of conspiracy theory, I’ld rather state that the Pentagon has quite an efficient defense system. But that’s not my point.
I am more interested in the fact of how a nation reacts on terrorism. Belgium has had some interesting ‘terrorists’ in the 80’s. Actually it were ‘local groups’, with or without any specific deonthology. CCC (Cellules Communistes Combattantes) and Nijvel Gang being the more known ones. Actually it also where the only really groups that were the name ‘terrorist’ worthy.
It is also a public secret (especially in secret services) that Brussels is the European epicenter of several terrorist organsations. The ideas behind the ‘tolerate them’ tactics of Belgian Security Services (hell yes even Belgium has those) are simple :: Let them operate and they will leave the (Belgian) country in peace.
So far it seems to work. Imagine the damage that could be done, European Parlement, Nato aso…
But back to the States. A highly offensive country, Vietnam and Ruanda are just some small examples of not always needed interventions, is totally terrified by what happened. By only one attack. Monthly new theories actually show us that 911 was no real surprize. And ‘it’ will happen again, we just don’t know when. Personally I think it is time to ditch the trauma and start ‘living’ again. Or maybe start thinking of a new government and new ’superpower tactics’. Smartest thing I ever read about the whole superpower idea was that the US needs Irak, or even Iran. You need an ennemy to show off your ‘real power’ don’t you. Especially now the USSR and the Cold War are history since quite some years.
And no I am not interested in the reasons for Irak, if they were valid or not. No I won’t judge any war (every war is one too much), I’ld rather think of all the guys who have to go to the war. They are the ‘real victims’. But I do think it is time to stop the ‘propaganda’. It works contraproductive and is a cheap excuse to continue developping the US-military power. All day threats where higher in the 80’s in Belgium (yes I am aware of violence in the States as well, every week you could go to Bank or Grocery Store and be hit. The same as when a sniper operates in your neighbourhood weeks/years long) but still the country wasn’t that traumatized. Oh btw, ever thought of that no matter ‘why it happened’ there might be quite some nations ‘out there’ (yes there is life outside of the US) who just hate the US. Sometimes I can even imagine them having valid reasons.
One more question. How come not more people died in the Twin Towers. Nah… honestly?!
Thanks JJ for the inspiration.
14 have made me smarter ↓
1 JJ // Apr 10, 2006 at 4:28 pm// View all comments by JJ//
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“How come not more people died in the Twin Towers”
I think this is a very valid question. Early estimates on Sept 11 guessed the death toll would rise into the tens of thousands. The film you linked suggests the fires inside the buildings were not as hot and widespread as the official story indicates. The filmmakers suggest the towers did not fall due to fire and heat, but due to carefully placed explosives - allowing time for people to escape.
I don’t know what I believe, but I do think the attacks warrant further investigation.
2 Charred // Apr 10, 2006 at 8:17 pm// View all comments by Charred//
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I was taking a class on building construction at the Fire Academy when the towers fell; my instructor was on the FEMA team that responded to the tragedy, as were several of my friends.
Needless to say, we examined the case VERY thoroughly that semester.
I have also attended a lecture wherein different aspects of the towers’ architecture, and how they reacted during the disaster were discussed.
There are many reasons the death toll wasn’t higher, but the biggest reason was the time of day: approximately 08:40. Most people were still on their way to work, so the towers were practically empty.
There were no explosives.
3 Franky // Apr 10, 2006 at 8:25 pm// View all comments by Franky//
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JJ :: I listened/watched (to) the video. And since here in Europe media don’t follow that case that much (not at all) there were quite some new elements for me. Especially concerning the temperature elements.
I most of time only read stuff about it online, when stumbing upon a link like I did today.
Charrred :: I would never have thought of explosives, until I saw the movie today. Quite interesting details. As for the fire and the heat, I find it very strange how the towers came down ‘quite vertically’. If the metal would have melted, the collapse wouldn’t have been that ’suddenly’ and we would have seen come the towers down as well, but not that fast. Just my 43cents, 43cents that sound logic to me.
The time of the day is an interesting factor. Normally there were 3 times as many people already inside the Towers at that moment of the day. As soon as numbers became ‘official’ I found them ‘interesting’.
4 Charred // Apr 10, 2006 at 8:43 pm// View all comments by Charred//
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The towers had an anticipated life span of about 100 years (IIRC), and were designed to come down cleanly in a classic “pancake” collapse.
Steel loses structural integrity at around 1000 degrees F. It is an abrupt failure.
Trust me, those towers fell on their own, and they fell as they were designed to.
5 Franky // Apr 10, 2006 at 8:46 pm// View all comments by Franky//
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Last is nice. It is actually quite impressive that years ago already engeneers were that brilliant to design them to fall this way. Without computers even. I wonder if engineers today still are that smart.
6 Charred // Apr 10, 2006 at 9:19 pm// View all comments by Charred//
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Yeah, it is really cool; i sincerely hope they are still that smart.
7 Sarah // Apr 11, 2006 at 1:34 pm// View all comments by Sarah//
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Had a whole other comment planned but now my brain’s been distracted. Now I’m thinking wow that is pretty cool that back in the 60’s/70’s engineers designed the towers to fall that way and like you say “without computers even”.
Completely forgotten what I was originally gonna say!
8 J. // Apr 11, 2006 at 5:15 pm// View all comments by J.//
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There are a lot of suspicious things and unanswered questions about 9/11. It’s the nature of the beast I think. Elvis is alive in Japan somewhere and Bigfoot had a camper for lunch last week.
But … I found it odd the way Bush reacted when told (at the school he was visiting) and I have to believe that this was known somehow that it would happen.
One big clusterfuck.
All I know is I don’t think I will ever get that picture out of my mind of those people jumping from windows.
Horrible.
9 Charred // Apr 11, 2006 at 7:18 pm// View all comments by Charred//
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I have no problems with how the President reacted; in fact, I think it was smart.
Think about it.
Not only did he NOT scare the crap out of those kids, but he also he give them an event they will remember for the rest of their lives while giving himself time to consider how the world had changed, what the possible courses of action were–and which one would be most appropriate–WITHOUT the whole world breathing down on himself.
The man is A LOT smarter than the world would have you believe.
10 J. // Apr 11, 2006 at 7:31 pm// View all comments by J.//
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His intelligence is surely debate worthy.
There’s some interesting reading here http://www.thememoryhole.org/911/bush-911.htm with a few more interesting links in the piece itself.
Like religion and taxes, I’m sure this could be talked over until the end of time. At the end of the day though, what’s done is done. Right?
11 Franky // Apr 11, 2006 at 8:02 pm// View all comments by Franky//
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Sarah :: getting old?
J. :: Yes something still seem to need some more explanation. Too many contrary ‘new things’ always come out.
Charred :: Honestly, who did he scare? Afghanistan? Ever wondered why France doesn’t get bombed? Maybe because people are more afraid of the French Foreign Legion. I had this topic last week with a Briton.
Nothing has changed. Everyone agreed with the war against terrorism. Loads of countries, organizations (fe UN) didn’t agree with Irak. HE still went. What has changed? That theStates still think they are the superpower. Seems nothing new to me.
His Intelligence. To make it that far you gotta be a smart dude. And daily be able to analyze loads of files, feedback you get from your team. I am sure everyone in that position would daily make errors and history has proven that no one has ever managed it ‘properly’. So I for myself will never judge a president/prime minister of any country ‘being not intelligent’. I couldn’t do it better.
12 Franky // Apr 12, 2006 at 10:46 am// View all comments by Franky//
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Uh, while shaving this morning I realized something in my last comment wasn’t how I meant it. I emant with ‘who did he scare’ moer something like ‘whole western Europe laughs about the US Forces’.
No not my opinion, I couldn’t care less basically, just an observation I made in The Netherlands, Germany and France.
13 Sarah // Apr 12, 2006 at 12:32 pm// View all comments by Sarah//
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Nah, not getting old yet, it’s just this damn pregnancy, I’m an intellegent woman normally. Honest!
(Sorry to distract away from the main topic again, I’m actually finding this post and it’s subsequent comments quite interesting!)
14 jacq // Apr 12, 2006 at 3:49 pm// View all comments by jacq//
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It still seems serve some purpose for the US govt. to use their *scare tactics* on the American public to justify their occupation in Iraq. I don’t listen to it anymore. But since the troops are there, it’s almost as if we’re forced to support them no matter what our opinions are of war. Especially if you have a family member who has been deployed numerous times. It’s also ironic how protecting the American borders is such a “selective thing” in the states. Terrorists could very well blend in with the illegals (Mexicans), as with anyone. The US will always continue to bully and police the world. Not all Americans agree with those methods. I’m one of them.