10 years after 9/11 questions still abound

We're less than a week away from the 10th year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, 10 years since the biggest conspiracy ever. 

Don't bristle at the use of the word  "conspiracy".  That 9/11 was a conspiracy is not in doubt.  The only question is who were the conspirators.  The official story is that it was Muslim extremists who conspired to attack the heart of American capitalism because Islamic extremists hate the freedoms enjoyed by citizens of the U.S.A.   Others have suggested that there was involvement to one degree or another by U.S. security and/or intelligence agencies. 

Conspiracy is one of the most common, (if not the most common) criminal charges laid in our courts.  By simple definition it means:  An agreement to perform together an illegal, wrongful, or subversive act.  In other words two or more people acting together.  We're not talking about the assassination of JFK here, where the lone gunman theory endorsed by the Warren Commission discounted evidence of a conspiracy. 

But like the shooting of Kennedy, questions about 9/11 are still around and far too many have yet to be answered. 

• Why all the secrecy and foot dragging on having an investigation into the attacks? 
• Why did building 7 collapse so perfectly when it wasn't even hit by a plane?
• Who profited from all the short selling on stocks like UAL just before 9/11?
• Where did the anthrax used to terrorize U.S. lawmakers come from, and why were laced letters made to look like they were coming from Islamic extremists?
• Why did the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania practically disintegrate?

There are lots of questions out there, just go to 9/11 Truth Alliance for a quick primer.

Like the Kennedy assassination I suspect this will remain a riddle for a very long time to come.  Do I buy the official version?  No, there are far too many holes, too many unanswered - and in the case of mainstream corporate media - unasked questions. 

There's too much evidence of widespread foreknowledge of the attacks in my opinion to fully accept the official conspiracy.  But without a concerted and fully open inquiry I doubt we'll ever have all the answers.  Maybe Oliver Stone's grand kids will put out a movie in another 25 years. 

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Book Review "Broken Words" Understanding the grip Neo-Cons have on evangelicals

As the author of a blog I get occasional emails asking me to review a book or promote a particular cause.  In most cases I decline, and I've never agreed to review a book before...until now.

The book I was asked to review is entitled 'Broken Words' its subtitled 'The Abuse of Science and Faith In American Politics'   and is written by Jonathan Dudley.  I quickly agreed because this is a topic I find extremely compelling, and equally vexing.  I was raised with the Christian faith, and I still consider myself an adherent, so it is with some consternation that I witness the strong level of support the U.S Republican party and Canada's Conservatives garner from people who identify themselves as Christian. 

My Christianity is about tolerance, forgiveness and helping those in need...and these are not the values I see on the right hand side of the political landscape, be it in Canada or the U.S.  

I'll dispense with traditional form and give you my recommendation up front.  I consider this an important work and very much worth reading for those interested in understanding the dichotomy between American style evangelicals and the neo-conservative right wing element of the political spectrum. 

Before reading a book as contentious as this its important to understand an author's frame of reference and his bona fides.  Mr. Dudley takes on what he calls 'The Big Four' issues:  Abortion, Homosexuality, Evolution and Environmentalism from the perspective of a person raised in the fundamentalist, evangelical Christian tradition.  Along with that perspective he brings a BS in biology from Calvin College and a MA in religion from Yale University.   

The author doesn't attack these issues, he dissects them while carefully avoiding the usual venom and hyperbole which typically dominates the debate on these issues.  With respect to abortion he often references Exodus 21 v 21-25 wherein it clearly states that a pregnant woman's life is more valuable and superior to that of an unborn child or fetus.  While many of the religious right engage in arguments that are nothing short of literary contortion in efforts to support their 'abortion is murder' view, Dudley will have none of it.  If you're going to take the Bible literally you can't pick and choose only the parts that support your agenda.

And that is his springborad to the other big issues.  Its fascinating reading to see how these issues (the other three are homosexuality, evolution and environmentalism) have been used to wed the fundamentalist/evangelical Christian community to the GOP in the United States...and as a Canadian I see distinct similarities with our Conservative Party. 

If you're looking to order this book its available on amazon.ca - LINK -

Whether you're a born again Christian looking for answers to these questions or someone like myself interested in better understanding the dynamic between Christians and Neo-Cons, then this rates as a must read in my opinion. 

FYI full disclosure.  I received zero compensation for this review aside from the book itself and I am not associated with amazon.  If you order the book here or elsewhere it doesn't matter to me one way or another. 

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Jack Layton's passing, let's leave the analysis for another day....

So what does the passing of NDP leader Jack Layton mean? 

Let's forget about that for now and just take a bit of time to admire the man for his energy, his convictions and passion.  They say a candle burns brightest before it goes out, and that is a fitting description of how Jack Layton captivated a significant portion of the electorate and vaulted the NDP to never before seen heights for Canada's socialist party in our most recent election.

I was as shocked as anyone at how gaunt and aged Jack looked during the news conference when he announced he was taking time off to battle cancer, but I'll relegate that image to the back of the photo library and instead remember the vibrant campaigner who exuded energy, even while using a cane.

Rest well and be at peace Jack Layton.

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Stock Markets Collapse - Time to panic or a buying oppourtunity?

Ah the stock market, where everyone knows the mantra buy low and sell high.  There's just one problem, if some investors are buying low there needs to be others willing to sell low. 

Nothing like some panic, this time brought on by the debt crisis in the U.S. and subsequent downgrading of the rating for the world's biggest economy.  Scary stuff, scary scary scary.  For rookies playing the market for the first time, this is new ground.  From the spring of 2009 until now the market has been very bullish, and bull markets can make even the most challenged investor believe he or she is the next Warren Buffet. 

Recent history has shown that the big winners over the past 10+ years have been those who bought into the market when all around them were running for cover.

Perhaps today's rally is evidence of that mindset, but personally I think there's more pain to come in the broader markets.  Capitulation is a word often bandied about, and we're no where near that point yet.  When Joe Sixpack and Sally Housecoat can't take it and bail on their holdings, that's when markets typically rebound. 

Look at a chart for the past 12 years or so as we've gone from bull to bear markets in the wake of: the dot.com meltdown, the toxic debt recession of 2008 and now the latest fears about US debt levels.  In the stock market history is constantly repeating itself, and I don't see any reason to see this time being any different. 

For those who have cash when the market bottoms out, history says they'll win big. 

 


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