Wikipedia on 9/11 Conspiracies

[Michael Hardner]

I was browsing Wikipedia to get some information on 9/11 conspiracies. Here's the summary:

Wikipedia Entry - WTC Collapse

Controlled demolition speculations

A distinct minority has challenged the findings of mainstream engineers, the U.S. Government and independent researchers, arguing that controlled demolition may have occurred. For more information, please see: 9/11 conspiracy theories.

Wikipedia Entry - 9/11 Conspiracy Theories

Structural and civil engineers respond

As the above individuals have supplied fuel for the demolition theory, the mainstream of the academic world has yet to be convinced [by the conspiracy theories]. Massachusetts Institute of Technology has devoted a number of staff members to the analysis of the World Trade Center collapse. Numerous aspects of the collapse have been documented and reviewed within the scientific community. [60] The country's leading structural and civil engineers have examined the attack from the point of impact up through the collapse, concluding that explosives were not necessary to provide what the world observed. [61]

The following are a few examples of the structural engineering response to the collapse:

The following are a few examples of the structural engineering response to the collapse:

* According to Farid Alfawak-hiri of the American Institute of Steel Construction, "Steel loses about 50 percent of its strength at 1100 °F (593 °C)." Asif Usmani of Edinburgh University concluded that the interconnecting beams of the towers could have expanded by around 9 cm at 930 °F (500 °C), causing the floors above to buckle.

* Dr. Thomas Eagar, professor of materials engineering and engineering systems at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has stated that the building "would have had to have tipped at least 100 feet to one side in order to move its center of gravity from the center of the building out beyond its base." In other words, the structure had no "choice" but to fall straight down. [62]

* Jet fuel wasn't the only thing burning, notes Forman Williams, Professor of Engineering at the University of California, San Diego. He says that while the jet fuel was the catalyst for the WTC fires, the resulting inferno was intensified by the combustible material inside the buildings, including rugs, curtains, furniture and paper. NIST reports that pockets of fire hit 1832°F (1000°C), high enough to cause structural failure. [63]

Critics of the demolition theory also point out the in-depth planning, preparation, and production involved in a controlled demolition. This labor-intensive task leaves clear signs of the work, such as stripping away building materials to expose the structural supports, and running cables from the explosives to the detonation timers. [64]

[short work.]

Edited to add: Short work of the demolition theory was made here. Is anyone here convinced by this that wasn't convinced before ?

[KrustyKidd]

Is anyone here convinced by this that wasn't convinced before ?

Those 'experts' were in on it. Probably Israeli agents or worse, US government or whatever.

The truth is out there.

Just need to open the mind is all.

[Michael Hardner]

Is it possible that there still exist institutions and authorities that are generally trusted in society ?

One would hope that such is the case. With the lack of response here, I'm hoping that the aforementioned academic groups and associations form a framework of trust, whose authority supplants that of government.

The other interesting thing I noticed is that if you do a 'google' search of 'wtc demolition' or somesuch, trying to find a NON conspiracy site is like finding a needle in a haystack. Given that the academics have given their assessments and found nothing incredible about the official theory, it follows that this is another example of 'dull news doesn't sell'.

It also flies in the face of the idea that people aren't allowing the 'TRUTH' out. Google and see - you get several pages where one side of the debate - ie. the ridiculous one - dominates.

[politika]

Is anyone here convinced by this that wasn't convinced before ?

Those 'experts' were in on it. Probably Israeli agents or worse, US government or whatever.

The truth is out there.

Just need to open the mind is all.

I definalty agree with you just look at the name "Farid Alfawak-hiri "

[theloniusfleabag]

Dear Mr. Hardner,

Is it possible that there still exist institutions and authorities that are generally trusted in society ?

Usually 'not-for-profits', but these can be abused as well if there is a buck to be made. You are right, cynicism is rampant, but there are so many examples of 'crookedness' out there, it is hard to keep a trusting face on all the time. The FBI has been implicated in murder, and aiding and abetting murder, coersion with the threat of murder, (the testimony of Myrtle Poor Bear in the case of Leonard Pelltier), the CIA was caught testing chemical and biological 'weapons' (or 'agents', such as LSD, to see if they could be used as a weapon) against citizens of the USA, and corporate shenanigans such as Enron, and a host of others, has left people with a very bitter view of the world indeed.

[Wilber]

Conspiracy theories simplify things. They allow people to avoid dealing with difficult issues.