Former Senator Leaves 9/11 Group, Takes Donations With Him

Brian Romanoff    Nor Cal Truth    Feb 21, 2012

This may be news to many of you. It's not pretty. It may upset you and let you down.

Former Senator Mike Gravel (who read the 'Pentagon Papers' leaks into the public record) had been actively involved in the 9/11 truth & justice movement for the last year.

That is over now.

911Blogger.com supports efforts to establish truth and justice concerning 9/11, including through fact-based research and investigation, and non-violent, sound activism, both within the system and by direct action. However, we are not supporting the Citizens 9/11 Commission Campaign (its stated goal is to use state ballot initiatives to establish a commission to investigate 9/11 and the aftermath) and we are unlikely to post submissions promoting it, in its current form. People have asked why 911Blogger has not been posting submissions concerning the Campaign; we have not been, due to various concerns that have been expressed by team members and others, which we believe are legitimate. To acknowledge 911Blogger's position on this issue, and in the interest of facilitating discussion of the Campaign, we are posting this critical essay by team member Erik Larson. Our concerns include points made by Larson, but, like all submissions posted at 911Blogger, publication of this essay should not be construed as an endorsement of it by 911Blogger.

We also wish to note that individuals involved in the Citizen's 9/11 Commission Campaign have made important contributions to society by exposing historical truths, such as Campaign founder Mike Gravel and Advisory Board member Cynthia McKinney. As a US Senator in 1971, Gravel read and entered 4100 pages of the Pentagon Papers into the Congressional Record. As a US Representative in 2002, McKinney questioned Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Joint Chiefs Chairman Richard Myers about the 9/11 war games during Congressional hearings. McKinney also chaired the 2004 “9/11 Omissions Hearings” following publication of the 9/11 Commission Report, and the 2005 follow up hearings, The 9/11 Commission Report One Year Later – A Citizens Response: Did The Commission Get It Right?, both of which documented important evidence through the testimony of credible witnesses.

The comments section below is open for thoughtful and civil discussion. Any comments made by 911blogger team members should be viewed as reflecting their own opinions, and not as the position of 911blogger.com.

-- 911Blogger Editorial Board

The initiative and referendum system is part of the American legal landscape in 24 states. In these states, citizens may write initiatives to amend the state Constitution or propose new statutes, and in some cases repeal laws with referendums. In the case of either an initiative or a referendum, the voting public decides on the outcome of the proposal during an election. In each state which allows citizens to put initiatives on the ballot, the process is slightly different, but the basics remain the same.

Pentagon Papers Whistleblowers, Congressman Who Saved Headwaters Forest, and 9/11 Commissioners Themselves Call for a New 9/11 Investigation

The two main players in releasing the Pentagon Papers were Daniel Ellsberg and United States Senator Mike Gravel.

Senator Gravel is the person who read the Pentagon Papers into the Congressional Record. This act made the papers public record, so that they could not be censored by the government. He was the only member of Congress courageous enough to do so.

Both Ellsberg and Gravel - like many other high-level former officials in the government and intelligence services (including many well-known whistleblowers) - support a new 9/11 investigation. Ellsberg says that the case of a certain 9/11 whistleblower is "far more explosive than the Pentagon Papers". (Here's some of what that whistleblower says.) He also said that the government is ordering the media to cover up her allegations about 9/11.

And he said that some of the claims concerning government involvement in 9/11 are credible, that "very serious questions have been raised about what they [U.S. government officials] knew beforehand and how much involvement there might have been", that engineering 9/11 would not be humanly or psychologically beyond the scope of those in office, and that there's enough evidence to justify a new, "hard-hitting" investigation into 9/11 with subpoenas and testimony taken under oath (see this and this).

Gravel is now backing a California ballot initiative for a new 9/11 investigation. The text of the initiative is below.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

LIVE VIDEO-CAST FROM BERKELEY --
FORMER U.S. SENATOR MIKE GRAVEL PRESENTS
A DRAFT OF THE CALIFORNIA INITIATIVE
TO ENACT A 9/11 TRUTH COMMISSION LAW

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/

The main players in releasing the Pentagon Papers were Daniel Ellsberg and Senator Mike Gravel.

Ellsberg is, of course, the former military analyst and famed whistleblower who smuggled the Pentagon Papers out of the Rand Corporation.

Senator Gravel is the person who read the Pentagon Papers into the Congressional Record. This act made the papers public record, so that they could not be censored by the government.

Ellsberg and Gravel are receiving a lot of media attention right now for their support of Wikileaks.

But little attention has been paid to Ellsberg and Gravel's support for a new 9/11 investigation.

Ellsberg says that the case of a certain 9/11 whistleblower is "far more explosive than the Pentagon Papers". (Here's some of what that whistleblower says.)

By Will Rahn
The Daily Caller
12/09/2010 

Former Alaska Senator and 2008 Democratic presidential candidate Mike Gravel told The Daily Caller in an exclusive interview that he is mulling a primary challenge to President Barack Obama in 2012.

In an e-mail exchange arranged by his daughter, TheDC asked Gravel if he was considering a run for president in 2012 and if he is specifically considering a primary challenge to President Obama. He replied, “Both are possible.”

Progressives who view President Obama’s recent tax compromise with Republican leadership as a betrayal have suggested in recent days that a primary challenge to Obama in 2012 is not unimaginable. TheDC reported that some progressives have been floating names like Howard Dean, Russ Feingold, and even actor George Clooney as possible contenders.

Gravel, who served in the Senate from 1969 to 1980, also stated that he believes that members of the U.S. government “may certainly have participated with the obviously known perpetrators” of the September 11th attacks. “Obviously an act that has triggered three wars, Afghan, Iraqi and the continuing War on Terror, should be extensively investigated”, Gravel continued, “which was not done and which the government avoids addressing.”

(In his concluding remarks, former Senator Mike Gravel suggests a California ballot initiative to create a new 9/11 investigation.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVLIYcg1MRY&playnext=1&videos=hhX0xcmgIVk...

Update on NYC 9/11 Ballot Initiative
Les Jamieson reports: Big Week For NYC 9/11 Ballot Initiative

History was made on Tuesday, June 17th with the appearance of former Sen. Mike Gravel on Democracy Now with Amy Goodman. Doug Wight, Jose Rodriguez (Sen. Gravel's assistant) and I were there in the studio. It was an amazing experience, being that we've tried so hard for so long to get decent coverage on Democracy Now. I was totally pleased with Amy's detailed setup of the interview. She basically explained what the Initiative is about, articulating that there is this effort calling for a new 9/11 investigation. It was apparent that she was well studied on this and new just what to say. Sen. Gravel got in some good sound bites. He could have gone into more depth, but considering his flight from CA the night before was delayed 2 hours which caused him to get only 3 hours sleep, I have to give him kudos for what he did get across. Here are some direct results of the broadcast:

9/11 Truth edges into mainstream alternative news . . . This is a milestone. --Betsy

http://www.democracynow.org/2008/6/17/former_senator_mike_gravel_calls

A daily TV/radio news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, airing on over 700 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the U.S. HomeDonateStoreStationsPast

Democracy Now!
June 17, 2008

Former Senator Mike Gravel Calls for Independent 9/11 Investigation and Prosecution of President Bush and Vice President Cheney

The former Democratic senator from Alaska discusses his presidential campaign, his role in the releasing of the Pentagon Papers and his support for NYC 9/11 Ballot Initiative Campaign, a grassroots group seeking to place an initiative on the ballot of the November 6th general election allowing registered New York City voters to create a new commission to investigate 9/11. [includes rush transcript]

Guest:

Sen. Mike Gravel, former Democratic senator from Alaska, who served two terms from 1969 to 1981, and a former candidate in the 2008 presidential election.

9/11 Ballot Initiative Campaign

Gravel: Cheney and Bush should be tried for war crimes
Supports NYC initiative for new 9-11 probe

By Peter Duveen

PETER'S NEW YORK, June 17, 2008--President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney should be tried for war crimes, former U.S. senator Mike Gravel said today. Gravel also said he supports a new investigation into the events of 9-11.

"He deserves to be prosecuted," Gravel said of Bush. "He and Cheney need to go to the Hague and stand in the dock." Gravel made the statements during an interview with Amy Goodman of Democracy Now, a nationally syndicated radio program. The interview was aired today on radio station WBAI, based in New York City.

The Hague refers to the Dutch city selected by international treaty as the venue to prosecute war crimes. The dock is the place in the courtroom where defendants are seated in full public view while their trial is being conducted.

Bush and Cheney should be tried for their actions leading up to, and in the aftermath of, the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, Gravel implied. "What they did is criminal," he said. "Four thousand Americans have died as a result of their fraud on the American people."

Tune in to Democracy Now on Tuesday June 17th! Amy Goodman will interview Mike Gravel regarding the NYC 9/11 Ballot Initiative as well as his recent books. If you're in NYC area, tune in to WBAI 99.5 FM at 9am. It's also available on MNN and other cable networks. Outside of NYC, go to www.democracynow.org to stream it, find your local radio or cable news outlet, or read the transcript.

Sen. Gravel is extremely passionate about this campaign. Here's a direct quote:

“It is essential for the people of New York City to bring about a new Commission,” said former Senator Mike Gravel. “This possibly will be the only opportunity that we will have to hold George Bush and Dick Cheney legally accountable for their actions on and after the Sept. 11th attacks. This is a great opportunity that we must not squander. To all New York City voters, please sign the petition for this historic ballot initiative. For those of you in the rest of the U.S. who desire truth, justice, and accountability for 9/11, please contact anyone you know in New York City to download the petition, volunteer and donate at www.nyc911initiative.org.”

Source: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h__Y67IpXiQ2tpHYzBMDIpRNfqYwD90T01S00

Libertarian Party picks Barr as presidential candidate

By STEVEN K. PAULSON

DENVER (AP) — The Libertarian Party on Sunday picked former Republican Rep. Bob Barr to be its presidential candidate after six rounds of balloting.

Barr beat research scientist Mary Ruwart, who also sought the party's presidential nomination unsuccessfully in 1983, on the final ballot. The vote was 324-276.

Barr endorsed Wayne Allyn Root, who was eliminated in the fifth round, to be his vice-presidential nominee.

Barr left the GOP in 2006 over what he called bloated spending and civil liberties intrusions by the Bush administration.

The former Georgia congressman said he's not in the race to be a spoiler.

"I'm a competitor and I'm in this to win. I do not view the role of the Libertarian Party to be a spoiler and I certainly have no intention of being a spoiler," Barr said.

A couple of weeks ago Mike Gravel was in Los Angeles. During the Q+A, I first thanked him for talking about the "military-industrial complex" in the 1st presidential debate, and then asked him to speak on the potential power of understanding false-flag operations as a mechanism of war and Empire. He proceeded to speak on his ideas for global democracy, making the convincing case that there already is global governance, it just has been hijacked, misused and abused. I then asked him again to speak specifically to my question. Although he brought up some interesting points, I remain unconvinced that a better "system" will cure us of our ongoing treasonous hijackings, and a bit puzzled by why he won't speak to the "false-flag" mechanism even in a historical sense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSVtmJypbU8

Presidential Candidate, Sen. Mike Gravel Meets with 9/11 First Responders

http://ny911truth.org/

Gravel's campaign guy was on Air America a few minutes ago talking about Gravel's comments:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sen-mike-gravel/the-real-lessons-of-911_b_...

9/10/07
Sen. Mike Gravel
The Huffington Post

The Real Lessons of 9/11
Posted September 10, 2007 | 10:14 AM (EST)

As we mark the six anniversary of the 9/11 attack, it is time for Americans to face the real lessons of that horrible morning. Until we dispel the myths which the Bush administration and a compliant media have been feeding us, we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes and suffer similar consequences.

Lesson 1: They Do Not Hate Us Because 'We are Free.'

For decades the U.S Government has committed horrible acts around the world, often in secret but always in the name of the American people. In every region on earth, our government has overthrown or undermined democracies, aided brutal dictatorships, and funded guerrilla wars under the guise of fighting for freedom. Until the American people grapple with this fact, our government will continue to engage in activities that destabilize the world community and bring pain and suffering to millions, including our own citizens.

Today, August 21, 2007, on the Michael Medved show, Presidential candidate Mike Gravel reconfirmed his support for an independent investigation of 9-11-01 and affirmed his support for a criminal investigation as well. I wanted to see if he would go a little further than he has in the past, having learned a bit in the interim from the 9-11 Truth movement, but he fell back on things he has said before. Still, he affirmed support for a criminal investigation and made it explicit that any investigation should be free of government interest. Here is the recording: Click here to watch 'Mike-Gravel-part-1--asked-about-9-11-Investigation-on-Medved-show-8-21-07'

After I got cut off, Medved asked Gravel whether he thought JFK's assassination was a conspiracy. Gravel, having referenced the Warren Commission before, said he didn't think so, but he had questions about Ruby shooting Oswald. Medved told him to read Vincent Bugliosi's book "Reclaiming History."

Apologies if this has already been posted so please let me know if it has I'll delete it.

I also know it's almost blasphemy if anyone in the 9/11 truth to voice support for anyone other than Ron Paul, but.....

I never saw this on 911blogger and it's only had 1000 views on YouTube since July 23, 2007, so here it is:

Mike Gravel says:

1. He'll support a new investigation
2. "Hell No" we don't know the truth about 9/11.

Student Scholars member, Eric Jackman asks Sen. Mike Gravel about his career and a new 9/11 investigation...

He might not be 'our candidate', and he might not have the calm persuasiveness of Ron Paul, but Mike Gravel let's the world know where he stands. Check him out in this Huff Post article:

-------------
WHY HILLARY SCARES ME
By Mike Gravel

During one of the debates I mentioned that my fellow Democratic candidates scare me. Hillary's speech last week to the Take Back America conference gives me yet another reason to be afraid.

In an indignant voice she decried the Bush administration's ''stunning record of secrecy and corruption, of cronyism run amok. . . It is everything our founders were afraid of, everything our Constitution was designed to prevent.'' Actually, our Constitution grants Congress the power to prevent these ills but Hillary and her colleagues weren't up to the task.

Our founders' legacy did not stop Hillary from voting for the Patriot Act and then supporting its renewal in 2006 despite revelations that the government was using it to infringe on the very liberties that our founders held sacred. Where was her commitment to our founders when she voted to gut our habeas corpus protections?

info@gravel2008.us
alex@gravel2008.us
elliott@gravel2008.us

Dear Senator Gravel,

Do you want to win?

You are one word away from turning US politics on its head. There is one powerful, earth shaking word that can stop this madness in its tracks and press "reset" on the entire imperial project.

That word is "Treason."

In particular, the treason that transpired on September 11th 2001. There is no other issue, and no other combination of words that will put you in the White Hosue except for this issue, and this word: Treason.

Treason is knowingly allowing the attacks on our nation and not doing anything whatsoever to stop them. That happened. Everyone knows it, yet no one puts it on national television.

Treason is being told "America is under attack," yet sitting there, stalling for time, and reading a children's book.

Treason is when the Vice President of the United States illegally assumes control of our armed forces and orders a stand down of force protection at the Pentagon, as witnessed in Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta's testimony under oath to the 9/11 Commission.