this one suffers from overkill and i still didn't say everything that needed to be said; let me know what i left out, how to improve, if you have ideas

9/11 Truth, Part 8 of 11: 9/11 Aftermath and Anthrax; Subverted Rights, Endless War, People's Victories
http://911reports.wordpress.com/2008/08/31/911-truth-part-8-of-11-911-aftermath-and-anthrax-subverted-rights-endless-war/

This article is an overview of some of the ways in which 9/11 and the Anthrax attacks have been used; manipulating public fears and understanding, increasing military budgets and private contracts, reducing oversight and accountability, launching imperialist wars, and implementing repressive police state measures- as well as victories for the People and the Constitution.

Post 9/11 Attacks on Freedom, People, Human Rights & Nations

Wars: After 9/11 Bush, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Perle and numerous other Bush Administration stepped up efforts for military-backed regime change in Afghanistan, Iraq and currently Iran. The Anthrax outbreaks happened within a month or two of 9/11, were falsely blamed on Muslims by the senders and heightened the fears, confusion and anger of the public and Congress. In an attempt to link the Anthrax attacks to Iraq, government scientists lied to ABC News, and they and the other corporate media hyped public fears and misconceptions. The Senate Intelligence Committee documented that the Bush Administrations claims about Iraq’s WMD and the threat posed were unsupported by the facts, and an independent investigation by the Center for Public Integrity found that the Bush Administration told 935 lies in their PR campaign to sell war with Iraq to the American People and the World, including many subtly and overtly linking Saddam Hussein and Iraq to 9/11 and Al Qaeda; there was no link. Estimates published by The Lancet and Opinion Research Business show that over a million Iraqis have been killed as a result of the 2003 US invasion and over 3 million displaced by the war. See also BushLies.net. The Bush Administration and CIA are supporting the US designated terror Group MEK in an effort to destabilize and provoke Iran (see this and this, too) while lying about their attempts at diplomacy. 9/11 has been used to justify wars for control of geopolitically strategic resources such as pipeline routes as in Afghanistan and control of oil as with Iraq. However, the primary benefit is not the profit from these things, it’s the power on the “grand chessboard” of the world.

Katrina: After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, over 1800 were confirmed dead, and over 700 are still categorized as “missing”, in a disaster which was foreseen in the days and years beforehand. The response of the Bush Administration was to use the aftermath as an exercise in martial law and opportunity for handing out no-bid crony contracts worth hundreds of millions. They did their best to shut out and manage the press and were very slow in their humanitarian response and Bush asked “What didn’t go right?”, but sank lower in the polls.

Port Security & the People’s Will: In 2006 the Bush Administration, Bill Clinton and Bob Dole tried to arrange management contracts for six US ports to a company owned by the government of the United Arab Emirates, a country through which some funding had come for the 9/11 attacks. After massive public opposition, the deal was cancelled.

Net Neutrality & the People’s Will: Some more good news is that Congress in 2006 was not able to pass a law abolishing Net Neutrality, thanks to the grassroots and cooperative efforts of citizens, organizations and business (see this, too). The COPE Act would have left the internet exposed to unchecked manipulation by corporations, powerful special interests and the military. However, July, 2008 at Fortune’s Brainstorm Tech conference, civil liberties advocate and Stanford Law Professor Lawrence Lessig has said there will be an “internet 9/11” event followed by an internet PATRIOT Act, according to former counterterrorism Tsar Richard Clarke. The spell of 9/11 is wearing off and people are realizing more and more the war on terror is a fraud and is not going to end terror. Rumsfeld said in 2006, “the correction for that, I suppose, is an attack.”; he was ousted in 2006 right after the election, following increasing pressure from the public and the military. CFR/Bilderberg member Zbigniew Brzezinski publicly warned Congress that the Bush Administration might stage a pretext for attacking Iran. A public warning like this to Congress from an elite insider may be an indication of policy conflicts in the elite class that has exploited 9/11 as an “opportunity”. Many in the US military oppose an attack on Iran, and many have already resigned or stepped down due to their lack of support for the Bush Administration’s aggressive and unnecessary policy of war-mongering.

Wiretapping & Terror: Another predictable result (one which is useful to powerful elites and corporations seeking to manipulate politics, society and the economy for their private benefit) was muted dissent and questioning of government, and greater public, media, congressional and corporate support for a paradigm in which military adventures, budget increases and warrantless domestic wiretapping without meaningful oversight, is normal and acceptable. The warrantless domestic spying began before 9/11, was ruled illegal by a Federal judge in 2006, which was overturned on appeal and denied cert by the SCOTUS. However, it was never legalized until Congress passed a law in June 2008, supported by most Republicans and Obama, Pelosi, Hoyer, Reid and well over 100 other Democrats voted to pass the bill which gave immunity to the Telecoms who helped the Bush Administration break the law. The 9/11 attacks created a sense of vulnerability stemming from our intelligence, investigative, law enforcement and defense agencies “failing” to prevent a major “Al Qaeda” attack on us soil, and the “shock and awe” of the Twin Towers destruction and the mass slaughter of nearly 3000 people. In addition, an endless “war on terror” with torture, rendition and other violations of civil rights and liberties including airport checks, delays and humiliation and death by taser have all been used to terrorize the American People. Draconian measures have been instituted, such as the PATRIOT Act, National Security Letters, NSA warrantless wiretapping, elimination of Posse Comitatus with the Warner 2006 Defense Authorization, and the attempted elimination of Habeus Corpus (which the Supreme Court has twice overruled). Since 9/11, over 83,000 people have been detained and over 100 detainees have died in US custody. An unknown number of the deaths were innocent, many innocent detainees have been released after being held for years without charge, and undisclosed numbers are being held indefinitely without charge as “enemy combatants” even when it’s known they’re innocent.

Thought Crimes & Grassroots Victories: Another example of how 9/11 has been exploited is also somewhat of a grassroots victory, a lesson in the power of the People as well as the need for us to watchdog government and public servants, is the attempted and apparently failed imposition of the “Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007”. This passed in the house with a 404-6 vote, but has been stalled in the Senate since last year, due to public outrage and opposition by numerous civil liberties groups; among other things, this bill blames the internet for helping to radicalize people, equates non-violent protest and undefined “extremist belief system”s with “force”, terrorism and violence, and in the opening hearings testimony was received and accepted that equated those who question the 9/11 events and advocate for full investigations, with terrorists. However, attempts are being made to implement this ideology and strategy without the color of law and appropriated funds at the University of Maryland.

Threats to Security: Neocons and Republocrats have been continually threatening Americans with another attack, if they’re not given all the power and tax money they want, no questions asked. If a nuclear attack happens on a US city, “false-flag” or not, and martial law is declared; will US Citizens be next? Halliburton has contingency contracts to build concentration camps in the US, supposedly to contain a massive influx of immigrants, but also to “support the rapid development of new programs” and has drilled “Operation Falcon”, in which Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies coordinated to round up more than 10,000 felons. Presidential Directive NSPD-51 declares the President has the authority to suspend the Constitution and run all 3 branches of government if he chooses to declare an emergency- even based on events elsewhere in the world. On September 11, 2001, “Continuity of Government” plans were set in motion by Richard Clarke that authorize a parallel shadow government to take over if the current one becomes unable to function; this apparently has never been suspended. Also, a state of emergency was declared on September 14, 2001 that has been continually renewed ever since. Even in this state of high alert, nuclear weapons scheduled for decommission were discovered to have gone missing after being flown, in violation of many standard procedures and security protocols, to Barksdale Air Force base, a staging base for mideast operations. This may be an example of a false-flag attack foiled by alert and patriotic service members.

Press Freedom:

Federal Source to ABC News: We Know Who You're Calling by Brian Ross, Richard Esposito

FBI Acknowledges: Journalists' Phone Records are Fair Game by Brian Ross, Richard Esposito

FBI Apologizes to Post, Times: Phone Records Were Breached By Carrie Johnson Washington Post

Articles

Loss of Civil Liberties Since 9/11 Timeline

Proof that Government Spying is Not for Our Protection by George Washington

Spying, Artificial Intelligence and Martial Law by George Washington

Nancy Pelosi, How Do You Plead? by George Washington

Programs Which the Government Claims Are Aimed At Foreign Enemies are being Used Against American Citizens within the United States by George Washington

The USA PATRIOT Act Was Planned Before 9/11 by Jennifer Van Bergen

According to Olga Bonfiglio in ZMag.org, “Although the USA PATRIOT Act appeared to have been a forthright, Congressional johnny-on-the-spot response to 9/11, in actuality at least two-thirds of the Act had already been drafted before the attacks. As a U.S. senator, former Attorney General John Ashcroft was among those who pushed for hard-core law enforcement enhancement, a kind of Department of Justice (DOJ) ‘wish list’ that evolved into the USA PATRIOT Act.”

Attacks on Freedom: Post-9/11/01 Attacks on Self-Determination and Civil Liberties – 911Research.WTC7.net

Attacks on Individuals: Post 9/11/01 Harassment and Killings of Individuals – 911Research.WTC7.net

Attacks on Human Rights: Human Rights Abuses Abound Post 9/11/01 – 911Research.WTC7.net

International Aggression: Post 9/11/01 Attacks on Nations – 911Research.WTC7.net

People Power: We the People are the last check and balance on abuse of government and corporate power; our will is the basis for the law. What is being done and has been done with Our government is not what’s admitted by Republocrats and the corporate media, because they’re afraid of losing their freedom, wealth, job, career, lifestyle, position, privilege, markets, future, posterity, etc. However, in this age of new media and accelerating technology, state-sponsored terror and disinformation may not be able to succeed. The People are being empowered by the deflation of costs and decentralization of control over information, communications and organization. Policy-making elites don’t fear violent opposition; what they do fear is public knowledge and organization. But aren't governments able to crush militarily any nonviolent movement they want to? - TrainingForChange.org.

Articles by George Washington:

The False Logic of Hopelessness (Why the Elephant Should Stand Up to the Mouse)

Each of our Individual Voices Is More Important Than We've Realized

Hope In a Time of Hopelessness

Fascism Is Over ... If We Want It

Courage

Why We’ll Win

The Third Stage of 9/11 Truth

Let's Talk Impeachment, Not Violent Revolution

Can We Have a Peaceful Revolution?

Were Gandhi, King and Mandela Wrong?

Quotes from famous historical figures can give us perspective, inspire us, educate us, and rouse us to action.

Anthrax Attacks

Beginning on September 11, White House staff were put on Cipro, the Anthrax antidote. The first Anthrax letters were mailed to the New York Post and and Tom Brokaw at NBC a week after 9/11 happened; October 9, Senators Patrick Leahy and Tom Daschle received Anthrax letters. The Bush Administration had wanted the PATRIOT Act passed in a week, and Daschle and Leahy were blocking passage of the PATRIOT Act so it could be adequately reviewed. Also in early October Anthrax was discovered at The Sun, a newspaper in Boca Raton, FL, but the letter was reportedly never found. In the resulting climate of fear, uncertainty and hysteria about potential terror attacks, the PATRIOT Act was passed overwhelmingly. The Anthrax was discovered to be of the Aames strain, highly refined and weaponized; when the FBI traced it back to Fort Detrick, MD, the remaining stockpiles were destroyed. Following this, the FBI attempted to pin the attacks on AAMRIID Scientist Steven Hatfill (they failed and paid $5.8 mil. The FBI and DOJ stonewalled Congress and the public on the status of its investigation until AAMRIID scientist Bruce Ivins reportedly committed suicide with Tylenol, which can take 24 hours (no autopsy was done), and the FBI began leaking their weak and contradictory circumstantial case to the corporate media, which regurgitated the “evidence” mostly without question for the court of public opinion.

However, in the world and in the blogosphere, the scientific community and even Congress and mainstream media, people are not convinced. Numerous holes have been documented in the FBI’s case such as lack of demonstrable interest and motive on Ivins’ part, his passing lie detector tests twice, his handwriting samples not being matched to the letters, in addition to his not even having the ability or opportunity. Also, the FBI oversaw the destruction of the Aames strain after it was linked to the attacks, and also destroyed a sample that Ivins had given them. Likewise, the FBI’s failure to pursue Ivins years before while they were attempting to pin the attacks on Steven Hatfill, even having Ivins participate in their investigation, even when he had done things that might have been deemed suspicious, raises questions about the character and intent of their “investigation”. People continue to ask questions and demand answers, and it is not likely Ivins will be accepted as the culprit, barring new evidence. Meanwhile, the FBI has not investigated other conflicts and leads, such as the CIA and government contractor Battelle, and the person who tipped off the FBI BEFORE the outbreak ever happened. “Sunlight is the best disinfectant”, as the saying goes.

Before Ivins

Chronology of Anthrax Events in the Sun Sentinel

FBI & BUSH ADMINISTRATION SUED OVER ANTHRAX DOCUMENTS - Judicial Watch Wants to Know Why White House Went on Cipro Beginning September 11th: What Was Known and When?


Anthrax attack bug "identical" to army strain – New Scientist

BioWarfare, Terror Weapons and the US: Home Brew? by Francis A. Boyle

Anthrax Coverup: A Government Insider Speaks Out by Steve Watson

2001 Anthrax attack on US Congress made by scientists and covered up by FBI, expert says by Sherwood Ross

Justin Raimondo – Antiwar.com

Who Planned the Anthrax Attacks? It's the $5,800,000 question by Justin Raimondo

The Anthrax Follies and the Bizarro Effect: The case against Bruce Ivins is pathetic by Justin Raimondo, AntiWar.com

Justin Raimondo of AntiWar.com – anthrax coverage

GeorgeWashington.Blogspot.com

Anthrax, Congress and the PATRIOT Act by George Washington

Even Fort Detrick Scientists Themselves Think the Killer Anthrax Came from their Facility by George Washington

Remember the Anthrax Attack? by George Washington

The Anthrax Attack Was a Classic False Flag Operation Targeting Arabs by George Washington

Parallels Between the Anthrax and 9/11 Investigations by George Washington

Ivins Could Not Have Applied High-Tech Coating to the Killer Anthrax by George Washington

The FBI Admits It Has No Case Against Ivins by George Washington

Search for “Anthrax” on GeorgeWashington.blogspot.com – extensive coverage

Meryl Nass, MD – AnthraxVaccine.Blogspot.com

Conclusive evidence of means, motive and opportunity are missing by Meryl Nass, MD

Papers of Record Unsatisfied post by Meryl Nass, MD

AnthraxVaccine.Blogspot.com by Meryl Nass, MD – extensive coverage

Glenn Greenwald

Journalists, their lying sources, and the anthrax investigation by Glenn Greenwald

Doubts over the anthrax case intensify -- except among much of the media by Glenn Greenwald

August 2008- Anthrax articles - Glenn Greenwald

BradBlog.com

Washington Post Scrubs Friday Article That Cast Doubt on Reported 'Anthrax Killer' Case

Exclusive: Government's Purported 'Anthrax Killer' Was a Registered Democrat

Radio Free Anthrax, AP's Sorority Girls and Other Toxic Odds & Ends...

Other Blogs, MSM & the US Government

August 6, 2008 US DOJ release of Amerithrax Court Documents

August 6, 2008 US DOJ Transcript of Amerithrax Investigation Press Conference

August 7, 2008 GRASSLEY SEEKS ANSWERS TO FBI’S AMERITHRAX INVESTIGATION Senate office Press release

Anthrax Foreknowledge? The DOJ & FBI Don’t Care by Erik Larson

Should ABC News Reveal Anonymous Sources in Anthrax Probe? Bloggers Say Yes by Kim E. Pearson

Doubts about anthrax story: Survivors, relatives wonder if dead scientist was truly the culprit By Stephen Kiehl, Sun Reporter

Scientsts Continue To Question Anthrax Investigation And Case Against Bruce Ivins by Andrew Tilghman

Ivins' Lawyer Rebuts DOJ Anthrax Allegations by David Kestenbaum, NPR

FOX killing the (already killed) messenger in anthrax case by Chrish in NewsHounds.us

Bruce Ivins Wasn’t the Anthrax Culprit by Richard Spertzel in the Wall Street Journal

Is ‘Anthrax Killer’ Bruce Ivins Just The Latest Richard Jewell? By David Neiwert, FireDogLake.com

Anthrax Timeline, Two Emptywheel at FireDogLake.com

Anthrax Articles From The Hartford Courant preserved byAnthraxInvestigation.com

Some Public Interest Orgs Supporting Rights and Transparency

American Civil Liberties Union

Amnesty International

Center for Constitutional Rights

Election Defense Alliance

Electronic Frontier Foundation

Electronic Privacy Information Center

Federation of American Scientists

Government Accountability Project

Human Rights Watch

National Lawyers Guild

National Security Whistleblowers Coalition

Public Citizen

Source Watch

Inspirational article by George Washington Let's Talk Impeachment, Not Violent Revolution

A 9/11/2008 Resolution: Start Your Own 9/11 Blog! By Arabesque

Click here for all the articles in the: 9/11 Truth Overview Series