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Story Links: Truth-Ache | Drop The Pilot | BAe Watch | Ribble Rousers | Round The Horn | Bang To Riots | Set To Stun | Inside SchNEWS | Ox Tale | Arabian Flights | ...and finally...

It’s the big fight over ‘the truth’. In the blue corner we have the US government’s official version of 9-11 events and in all the other corners we have proponents of various ‘conspiracy’ theories. But in these days of governments caught telling outright lies about WMDs etc, and a massive groundswell of cynicism about any official pronouncement - just what is a conspiracy theory? What happens when ‘common sense’ is hijacked and the fringe goes mainstream? And does it matter anyway?

The self-proclaimed 9-11 truth movement, in many ways a genuine grassroots movement (or cult?), is growing and its ideas are gradually filtering into the mainstream. No anti-war event is complete now without a new 9-11 conspiracy DVD and flyers to some new talk / book launch - and our inbox often overflows with new ‘revelations’. Every possible, and some quite impossible angles are covered - from the relatively mainstream question marks hanging over the US administration’s possible advance knowledge of the plot, to off-planet assertions about holograms, missiles and alien DNA. This kind of thing will always delight the ‘Elvis faked the moon landings with a black helicopter’ Internet crowd, but with polls showing that a third of Americans and nearly half of New Yorkers believing US officials either knew about the attacks or were actively involved, this represents a major uprising of disbelief. This has forced the US govt into producing a series of rebuttals, asserting their ‘truth’ and challenging the accusations.

The two main strands of theorising could be summed up as “they knew in advance” and “the whole thing was faked”. At the more plausible end we have the idea that the Neo-Cons had anticipated or were complicit in the events of 9-11. In any case, the event enabled them to put into practice an agenda for global domination hatched years before. It is all laid out in the year 2000 paper, ‘Rebuilding America’s Defenses’ published by the Project for a New American Century, a think-tank whose members included Cheney, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz (See SchNEWS 387). It talked about the fact that a “catastrophic and catalyzing event - a new Pearl Harbor” would be needed to transform the public’s attitude to war. Certainly there were no flies on the Cheney-Bush axis when it came to taking advantage of 9-11’s propaganda value, and even now Bush routinely invokes it as an emblem of America’s need to be militarily aggressive.

At the other end of the reality spectrum, are those that are sure that all the buildings were pre-primed with explosives, that all the Jews who worked there were given advanced warning, that the planes never existed and were in fact holograms disguising missiles etc etc. The trouble with all these theories is that they require mind-boggling numbers of people to have been ‘in on it’. It seems unlikely that the clique responsible for the disaster in Iraq could have organised something so slickly. And why would they need to go to the trouble? Two planes striking the towers would have been more than enough to serve as the big catalytic terrorist event... And if you were orchestrating the whole thing, why bother faking it with missiles or holograms anyway? Just use real planes... much simpler.

Perhaps this is why too much speculation on these points leads inevitably to a paranoiac world view where only secret cabals who control everything from behind the scenes could pull the wool over everone’s eyes in such an all-encompassing way.

SHAYLER TRASH

The ‘truths’ arrived at by some of these theories are so way out there, we began to wonder if they’d been spread deliberately to sow confusion, making it easier for the authorities to discredit the whole 9-11 debate by association. Conspiracy on conspiracy – where does it end?

There’s no doubt that big questions about the role of the US government remain unanswered (for example, relationships with Saudi elites), but it seems they’re in danger of being drowned out by the clamour of outright lunacy.

Poster-boy of the UK branch of the 9-11 Truth movement is former MI5 agent David Shayler. An acknowledged ‘insider’, he must have seemed a great asset to the fraternity. But at the Big Green Gathering this year, SchNEWS were confronted with the spectacle of a man who appeared to have swallowed and regurgitated the entire works of David “blame the lizards” Icke. No stone was left turned, no subject demystified as Dave told us how aliens have been negotiating with our government and 500 abductees are the only people who’ve got any real idea about all this 9-11 stuff. That includes 7/7 and 11/7 (date of Mumbai bombings by the way) - all evidence of an underground plot by a ‘shadow Zionist secret government’. Amongst other interesting points conjured forth were that the Royal family is descended from multi-dimensional Annunaki lizards (and ‘flaws’ in evolutionary theory prove it!) Riveting though this stuff is, it is, unfortunately, a load of bollocks.

On the other hand, the documented existence of a shadow world of CIA mounted black-ops and coups makes the idea that 9-11 was a ‘false flag’ operation seem within the realms of possibility. American intelligence has a long and bloody history of covert operations, instigating coups and funding opposition against those that challenge their authority. Coups such as the one on the less well remembered September 11th - 1973, when the CIA helped overthrow the democratically elected leader of Chile, Salvador Allende, and usher in a brutal military dictatorship. Doubts over 9-11, the cornerstone of the US’s ideological crusade, make it easier to appreciate that it’s just all in a days work for the US to fund and arm people like Saddam and the anti-Soviet forces in Afghanistan, which gave rise to Al-Qaeda.

The fact that these theories are catching on so widely is partly due to the huge growth of scepticism about the role of governments in the entire War on Terror™. In this country we already know that our government plotted the war on Iraq well in advance, lied about Iraq’s WMDs and engaged in a systematic propaganda campaign to support the invasion. We know that our government, in alliance with the US, is engaged in secret renditions, torture and aggressive war. Public awareness of the true nature of power has probably never been higher - and the fact that so many are willing to believe that the US government may have slaughtered its own citizens shows how the ideological ground is shifting. It’s not, in the end, the truth of the allegations but the effect they’re having that’s important.

The 9-11 truth movement clearly sees the anti-war crowd as fertile recruiting ground (maybe we should return the compliment). They argue that proving 9-11 a hoax should be the main focus of any faction opposing the Neo-Con-men. But in reality, whether or not 9-11 was orchestrated, we should be concentrating on the broader US-led capitalist agendas, and their catastrophic consequences. 9-11 was a symptom rather than a cause of a ‘big picture’ which doesn’t need science fiction to explain it. World power is not a neat pyramid structure with aliens, Jews or a cabal of men with a secret handshake at the top. It makes more sense to see a range of competing power blocks, alliances and cartels in a shifting, perpetual power play – with governments, nationalist and business interests doing what they’ve always done, battling for control of land, resources, workforces and populations. There is one conspiracy that doesn’t lurk in smoky rooms behind closed doors – it’s called global capitalism.

DROP THE PILOT

Plane Stupid have called for a day of action against short-haul flights on November 6th – 2 days after the mass climate change event in London. This is a public call out to anyone who opposes the unsustainable growth in air travel (See SchNEWS 554). Half of all flights in Europe are to destinations less than 500km away – that’s the equivalent of London to the Scottish border. That’s places like Manchester or Paris that are easily reachable by train, bus or ferry – all alternatives which are far less polluting. Local groups are encouraged to target short-haul flight operators in their area, using creative direct action to wake people up a bit.

For instance, on Sept 1st activists attached a banner stating “Stop Airport Expansion” to helium balloons and let them float to the ceiling of Bristol Airport. In Norwich, people dressed as stewardesses and handed out leaflets outside a travel agents, urging people to fly less.

On November 4th there will be a Day Of International Climate Protest coinciding with the UN Climate Talks in Nairobi Nov 6-17th. There will be protests in London with a Climate Rally at the US Embassy, Grosvenor Sq at 12pm, and a Mass Demo at Trafalgar Square between 1 and 3pm.

See www.planestupid.com and www.globalclimatecampaign.org

BAe WATCH

Last Friday an entrance at BAe System’s factory in Brough, North Humberside, was blockaded by a noise demo with local campaigners, Rhythms Of Resistance samba band and activists from the Camp Against Climate Change. After encountering three van loads of police when they arrived at Brough station, the group moved towards the factory, and blockaded the entrance which employees had been diverted to, and then left without any arrests.

RIBBLE ROUSERS

Areas of green land around Frenchwood Rec Ground, at the River Ribble near Preston, are threatened with destruction to make way for housing developments, and the banks of the river to be concreted for boat moorings and a proposed water sports park. There will be a ramble this Sunday 10th along the river edge affected - meet at the Avenham Park end of the Old Tram Bridge at 2pm.
* For more http://save-the-ribble.blogspot.com

ROUND THE HORN

Squatters living next to derelict Hornsey Hospital (149 Park Road, Crouch End, London) are facing eviction. A group of 20 originally moved into the Old Nurses Home – empty for 5 years - early last year and left by agreement with the council in January. Three months later, they returned to find the building was being trashed and covered in such pleasant rubbish as faeces and needles. Moving back in, they cleaned and renovated the place, making plans to develop the gardens to open up as a community space.

Now the owners, Camden and Islington Mental and Social Health Care Trust want them out to sell the land off, presumably eyeing up some profitable luxury flat development or other, but the squatters want to stay until the building is put back into community use. “This building is meant to be for the people of Hornsey and Haringey. If we are here, we look after the building and stop kids vandalising it. Instead of demanding a council flat, we are using, maintaining and protecting derelict council property. Our ideal situation would simply be to be left here until they actually do something positive with the building.” They have widespread local support and a 500 strong petition but now face imminent eviction. That’s what you get for an attempt to demonstrate real care in the community...

BANG TO RIOTS

British mining company Asia Energy was forcibly booted out of Bangladesh last week. 30,000 rioted in Phulbari, north-west Bangladesh during the weekend of August 26th over their US$1.4 billion plan for a massive open-cast coal mine in the area which would impact on 100 villages, displace 100,000 people and destroy the landscape. When a crowd tried to enter the firm’s offices, paramilitaries tear-gassed and fired on the crowd killing six and injuring 300.

On Monday 28th, protesters torched and ransacked buildings and homes including that of an Asia Energy manager, while educational institutions across the country went on strike. Two days later there was a nationwide general strike with blockaded roads and railways; then the following day the Bangladeshi Government bowed under the pressure and cancelled the mine.

* For more see http://libcom.org/news/bangladesh-unrest-bhulpari-mining-garment-industry-310806

SET TO STUN

The European Microwave Conference is on at GMEX in Manchester on 10-15th Sept. But this conference is not just about the use of microwaves for communications or domestic use because “…microwave is a fast growing sector in network-centric warfare as it is at the heart of the infrastructure, data link, communications and surveillance systems used on all air, ground, ship and space platforms.” The EMC will focus on military uses and feature 34 companies who supply parts for weapons systems such as F-15 & F-16 fighters, Apache helicopters, Hellfire and Trident missiles. The firms there will include Brighton’s own bomb factory EDO-MBM, who make parts for Hellfire missiles (see www.smashedo.org.uk)

There will be a Day Of Action on September 11th at the GMEX from 8.30am organised by Manchester CND. For more call 0161 2738283 see www.gmdcnd.org.uk

* Smash EDO are having a Mass March against EDO’s Complicity in War Crimes in Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan on Saturday, Sept 16th. Meet 12pm at The Level, Brighton. www.smashedo.org.uk

Inside SchNEWS

* Animal rights activist Sarah Whitehead has been remanded until further notice in connection with alleged witness intimidation and harassment against a pet shop owner/breeder. Please send letters of support to: Sarah Whitehead NR9244, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middlesex TW15 3JZ, England.

* Also, a Polish anti-fascist has been sentenced to 3 months for failing to comply with a community order. Igor Kisielwwicz was originally convicted for getting physical with a neo-nazi. Send urgent letters of support to Igor Kisielewicz, syn Aleksandra, A.S. Bialystok, Kopernika 21, 15-377 Bialystok, Poland and see www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

* The American freelance journalist, Josh Wolf, locked up for refusing to hand over video footage of anti-G8 protesters (See SchNEWS 555) has been released on bail. For more see his blog at www.joshwolf.net/blog

* Ernesto Leal, a Chilean who escaped the Pinochet regime with his family as a child, and has been living in the UK for 30 years, has won his fight to stay in the country. This comes after Neo-Labour’s push to deport foreign nationals who have served prison sentences, of which Ernesto is one after serving time in 2003 for a grievous bodily harm conviction following a racially motivated pub brawl (See SchNEWS 542). For more see www.friendsofernesto.org.uk

Ox Tale

Ah, that venerated seat of learning, Oxford University. That production line for middle- and upper-class bright, and/or well-connected, young types to ease their way into the top echelons of society. All with the very best teaching, support and resources money can buy, of course. Leaders in fields like animal experimentation and defence related research. With a longer unbroken history as being part of the establishment than parliament, just who is busy propping it up these days?

In 2003, charitable institutions and businesses paid a staggering 92 million quid to the university with a further £70 mill coming from research councils and Government agencies. No wonder they aren’t worried about the whole ‘increase top-up fees or face funding shortage’ debate. Included in the roll-call of the rich and powerful of our times are the usual range of big computer firms, mobile phone companies, big oil, defence contractors, animal testing supporters like Mars/Masterfoods and other do-gooders.

Whilst the good ol’ US military coughed up nearly £700,000’s worth of influence, Rolls-Royce topped the lot with nearly a million of funding on their own - good to know the powerful of the next generation are being looked after by such noble causes. Full list of funders at www.speakcampaigns.org.uk/Contact_the_funders.php

* For more about Oxford’s funding, Mars/Masterfoods Inc and both their roles in animal cruelty see www.speakcampaigns.org.uk/events/20060821george-mars.php

Arabian Flights

A man was prevented from boarding his flight at Kennedy Airport in New York last month. Suspicions were raised when Raed Jarrar, an Iraqi human rights activist, was spotted with a t-shirt declaring, “We will not be silent” in English and Arabic. Security insisted he turn the shirt inside out, but Raed refused. He eventually agreed to wear another shirt over the offending article rather than miss his flight. As one clear-thinking obviously not racist official told him, “Going to an airport with a T-shirt in Arabic script is like going to a bank and wearing a T-shirt that says, ‘I’m a robber.”’ For more see his blog http://raedinthemiddle.blogspot.com

...and finally...

Psst! Don’t anyone tell but we’ve discovered a fatal flaw in the defences of American war planes. The secret came out when a group of people tried to enter the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) grounds in Toronto at the end of the Labour Day parade, but were barred from entering until they’d popped all the bunches of colourful balloons they were carrying. Apparently, US fighters were due to roar past overhead imminently and the presence of rogue balloons could be incredibly dangerous to them! Sadly, quite how they could be targeted at the planes was never explained. The winged harbingers of death were there to support the clean family-fun entertainment extravaganza - sponsored by a community-concious donut chain, whose charitable foundation’s motto is “helping children gain a positive view of the world.”

During this event – which is the Canada’s largest family fair – the military PR machine rolled out their own ‘house of horrors’ attraction where kids could get the chance to feel the comforting weight of an assault rifle, sit in tanks and warplane cockpits, and generally thrill at the guided missiles and assorted hardware. Huge posters advertised upwards of $8,000 in free tuition for those signing up with the forces. Well... anything for the kids!

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