Thanks to Tim for sending this in:

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread215616/pg1

AboveTopSecret.com conducted a survey of its members and visitors, asking their opinions of several generalized statements related to the possibility of conspiracies related to the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001. WIth the largest active conspiracy theory discussion board, and over 80,000 daily visitors, AboveTopSecret.com represents an interesting slice of "Internet opinion". The survey is by no means a scientific study of general opinions related to 9/11 conspiracies, but a few interesting conclusions have emerged.

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We asked our members and guests a series of eight questions that progressively advanced from somewhat mild ideas of a 9/11-related conspiracy, to full-fledged deep conspiracies. As of July 8th, 1,650 respondents have completed the survey, with a near equal mix of regular AboveTopSecret.com discussion board members, and unregistered visitors.

Question One: General Conspiracy?

Our first question asked, "Do you believe there are one or more conspiracies related to the events of 9/11/2001?" Three quarters of all respondents indicated they do indeed feel there is some level of conspiracy. The remaining respondents were evenly split between uncertain and believing there are no conspiracies. While at first glance, the large number of respondents believing in conspiracies may seen appropriate for a "conspiracy theory" website, we are somewhat surprised at the relatively small percentage indicating "no". Given the broad reach of AboveTopSecret.com, and the high visibility of some "debunking" members, we expected the "no" response to be higher.

Question Two: What Conspiracy?

Our second question asked, "Do you believe the events of 9/11/2001 where perpetrated solely by extremist terrorists?" While 61% of all respondents indicated "no", the typical response of those who follow conspiracy speculation, 21% indicated "yes". This may seem somewhat at odds with the first question. Typical conspiracy theories regarding the 9/11 attacks involve parties other than the "official story" terrorists showcased in the news media. Our next question might explain the nature of the surprising response to second question.

Question Three: A Mild Scandal or Cover-Up?

Our third question asked, "Do you believe persons within the United States government, or government agencies, are covering up foreknowledge of the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001?" Among all possible conspiracy theories related to 9/11, this most basic of cover-up theories has been the generally "palatable" for many people, and is reflected in the response. Representing our highest score of all questions, 79% of all respondents feel the specific terrorist attacks were anticipated within the U.S. government. Only 9% of all respondents feel that this cover-up theory is unlikely.

Question Four: A Deeper Conspiracy?

Our fourth question asked, "Do you believe persons within the United States government, or government agencies, played any role in aiding, organizing, training, or equipping the terrorist groups and/or individuals who attacked on 9/11/2001?" As we delve into the possibility of deeper conspiracies, the responses reflect a lesser certainty. A common theme among many deeper conspiracy theories is the possibility that the terrorists or terrorist groups were "sponsored" with the objective of initiating the attacks on 9/11. At 58%, more than half of all respondents feel this is a likely common thread related to 9/11 conspiracy theories. The respondents answering "no" and "not certain" are nearly equally split with 22% and 20% respectively.

Question Five: A Deep Government Plot?

Our fifth question asked, "Do you believe persons within the United States government, or government agencies, had direct involvement in making the attacks of 9/11/2001 appear to have been perpetrated by extremist terrorists?" Continuing to move into deeper and more intense conspiracy territory, the responses indicate a slight decrease in certainty. The idea that covert government groups carried out the attacks of 9/11 and positioned evidence to point to extremist Islamic terrorists is not uncommon in many "conspiracy theory circles". However, it represents attributes of the more extreme conspiracy speculations. A smaller slice of respondents indicated "not certain", and the "no" responses increased to 26%. However, the majority believe this may be true as 56% responded "yes" to this concept.

Question Six: The Unthinkable?

Our sixth question asked, "Do you believe persons within the United States government, or government agencies, organized a controlled demolition of the World Trade Center buildings (including WTC7) in concert with the passenger airline collisions?" Because of the nature of the collapse of the World Trade Center towers, a popular theory among the most intense conspiracies involves the possibility of a pre-planned controlled demolition of the World Trade Center towers. While this theory is supported by an amazing number of websites with a staggering degree of detail, exactly half of all respondents agree with this extreme theory.

Question Seven: Deep Conspiracies and Deep Deception?

Our seventh question asked, "Do you believe persons within the United States government, or government agencies, organized a missile strike on the Pentagon and fabricated evidence to make it appear as though a 757 struck the building?" The responses to this question surprised us more than any other. Perhaps the most visible, most discussed, and most examined conspiracy theory surrounding 9/11 is the concept that a cruise missile (or other munition) caused the damage at the Pentagon. However, the responses to this question represents a startling statistical dead heat, with no conclusive answer.

Question Eight: Is The Conspiracy Still Under Way?

Our eighth and final question asked, "Do you believe persons within the United States government, or government agencies, are planning future events designed to appear as terrorist attacks?" The most popular reoccurring idea among all conspiracy theories related to 9/11, from mild to extreme, is that the events support the need for a war economy, culture of government secrecy, and the rise of the "police state" in response to the "war on terrorism". An extension of these theories is the need for a continued enemy in the form of terrorism and future staged terrorist threats or attacks. More than half of all respondents agree while only 21% disagree with the idea that orchestrated terrorist events will occur in the future.

Preliminary Conclusions

While these questions represent only general ideas and are asked of visitors to a conspiracy theory website, we can safely conclude the following statement:
"A majority of the survey respondents believe in a moderate degree of conspiratorial complicity from cover-up to direct involvement by factions within the United States Government, or government agencies, in the terrorist attacks of 9/11."

Certainly, such a statement is not a surprise. However, on the surface many of the more popular discussion threads on AboveTopSecret.com appear to involve a more balanced outlook, or in some cases, a degree of "conspiracy debunking". While the tone of some discussions may seem as though deep conspiracies are not generally supported, it's clear that this survey indicates a deep belief in a serious conspiracy by the members and visitors of AboveTopSecret.com.