What is it about the Saudis that allows them to skate away? Their clever and sophisticated use of the billions from our dependence on their oil for energy. They use that money to divert focus of revolutionary zeal from regime change into worl-wide terrorism, spending freely on renting our political leadership!
1
Obama must release the entire 28-page chapter on Saudi financing on 911. No more excuses, no more delays.
3
The Saudis may have supported fighters in Afghanistan in the 80s and 90s. Guess who else was. Good old U.S. of A. In fact our Stinger and other
anti-aircraft missiles may have have been the deciding factor in getting the Russians to pull out. We poured billions in there, The big question are if they knew or were they in on the planning for 9/11. The next set of questions are what they did after 9/11. We have to realize that the Saudis are about money before religion and our country is the one printing the largest portion. We also supply some threat to their enemies of helping them if they are attacked as Kuwait was. How does 9/11 profit them. They will follow the money and ISIS as well as other groups like them are an unnecessary expense.
anti-aircraft missiles may have have been the deciding factor in getting the Russians to pull out. We poured billions in there, The big question are if they knew or were they in on the planning for 9/11. The next set of questions are what they did after 9/11. We have to realize that the Saudis are about money before religion and our country is the one printing the largest portion. We also supply some threat to their enemies of helping them if they are attacked as Kuwait was. How does 9/11 profit them. They will follow the money and ISIS as well as other groups like them are an unnecessary expense.
The story says the Saudi government had said it wanted the pages released. When was that? Does this mean the Saudis know what's in the classified report but the American people don't? If so, there can be no justification for that.
5
Now is the time (way past time) to declassify--before we wind up with a president in 2016 with ties to those complicit.
2
Call me cynical but I don't expect for one second anything of substance to come from this. It's the same as our relationship with Pakistan. "Realpolitik" will overcome the desire to view our alliance with profundity. We cannot remake the entire planet and we will always have to have dialogue with those we dislike and disagree with BUT those that go against our very core as a country? It's a pretty repulsive world we live in.
5
I remember, from American network news on 09/11/2001, that, when all airline arrivals and departures to and from the United States were temporarily stopped by American government order, it was announced that the only exception to that order were flights to and from Saudi Arabia. What are the full facts surrounding this?
5
On September 20, 2001, the FBI obtained a list which had been published presumably unknowingly in an American publication on September 1, 2001 detailing specific facts of the upcoming attacks of September 11, 2001. Evidence within the 9/11 Commission Report can substantiate its importance.
The list originated from a company based in London whose address was near the 16 room dormitory where Zacarias Moussaoui, according to the 9/11 Commission Report, was still residing and where Ramzi Binalshibh stayed from December 2, 2000 until December 9, 2000. This list is central to the US government's case against both Ramzi Binalshibh and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. But, It may be withheld in violation of US law and jeopardize the most important terrorism trial the US has still to prosecute. Shouldn't we ask why?
The list originated from a company based in London whose address was near the 16 room dormitory where Zacarias Moussaoui, according to the 9/11 Commission Report, was still residing and where Ramzi Binalshibh stayed from December 2, 2000 until December 9, 2000. This list is central to the US government's case against both Ramzi Binalshibh and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. But, It may be withheld in violation of US law and jeopardize the most important terrorism trial the US has still to prosecute. Shouldn't we ask why?
2
This is yet another false flag. In fact, not one single part of the 9/11 Commission report stands up to basic scrutiny. This nonsense about Saudi financing only seeks to give some implied credibility to the official "19 hijackers" story. How utterly shameless--and conniving.
3
Please enlighten us with your "truth".
2
On 9/11 we were attacked by Saudis. The attack was funded by Saudis. Osama Bin Laden is an ex CIA asset that was a part of the Saudi royal family...
And yet our Presidents praise and kiss up to this inhumane government regime?
And yet our Presidents praise and kiss up to this inhumane government regime?
10
FDR allied himself with Joe Stalin during WWII so that he could lock up all the Japanese Americans because they voted Republican and the Congressional Mid-terms where being held before we could land in North Africa. There is three disconnected lies presented as a single truth.
Decades come and go real fast as facts on the ground change. If President Obama could release the pages without damaging the country he would.
Decades come and go real fast as facts on the ground change. If President Obama could release the pages without damaging the country he would.
5
What is the connection between allying with the Soviet Union in the common cause against Germany and the internment of Japanese Americans on the West coast? I don't get it. And locking them up because they voted Republican before mid-term elections sounds like a paranoiac fantasy. Otherwise, how do you know this?
3
The country was damaged on 911. He is proteting those responsible. Wake up.
2
Obama has to stop allowing the 'intelligence' community to foot drag on yet more information that needs to be released to the American people and the world.
6
I don't think it is the intelligence community that is the entity to blame for dragging its feet...
2
Great appreciation to the Times for finally having the integrity to bring this to light. I've been screaming this from the mountain tops for years. So much so that I actually brought it to light in a film that I made @ www.forward13thefilm.com. I apologize to both The Times filters and those of you out there that might construe this as opportunistic plug but please understand where I'm coming from. Immediately following 911, I went to a marine recruiting station to enlist and when the recruiter didn't understand my question, "But what about Saudi," I walked right out of there and would eventually make this film. As infuriating as its been that main stream media has refused to ferret this story out to its conclusion, considering our adventures in different theaters, it's only piece of the story. September 15th 2008 was the financial equivalency to 911 and since neither any Wall Street huckster or Saudi machination of influence has been brought to justice. In the meantime, we sent no one to France following the Isis inspired attacks on Charlie Hebdo, but anyone that matters attended King Abdullah's funeral. Over the course of the past 14 years, we've experienced a hostile takeover led by the great multinational-Wall Street-Big Oil puppeteers that use Tea Party charlatans to confound the congregation that actually vote while both parties play ball and the disenfranchised bury their heads. How's that $50 per barrel feeling now?
23
It seems that our politicians don't think American citizens, whom they allegedly represent, can handle the truth. Move along, there is nothing here to see. We will tell you what to think.
Stop patronizing us. Declassify Part 4, and let us draw our own conclusions. I think American citizens are smart, and mature enough to handle the truth.
Stop patronizing us. Declassify Part 4, and let us draw our own conclusions. I think American citizens are smart, and mature enough to handle the truth.
24
Anahid of Los Angeles: "I think American citizens are smart, and mature enough to handle the truth."
Well, at least most NYT readers are. But I'm not at all confident about the people who get their "news" from Fox.
Well, at least most NYT readers are. But I'm not at all confident about the people who get their "news" from Fox.
19
I believe your first paragraph is more true than your second. The majority of Americans have been brained by the corporate media who are in cohort with the ruling class. We all know that corporations are people. Therefore money controls Congress.
4
I think it should be apparent to everyone that to expose the Saudi government's involvement in supporting Al-Queda would seriously embarrass US foreign policy as it has been carried out since 9/12/2001. Worse yet, it would upset the CEO's of Exxon/Mobil, Shell, BP, et. al. because business is business and it cannot be negatively impacted by the inconvenient truth; so they continue to cast a blind eye to the fact that thousands of Americans were killed on 9/11 or died or were seriously sickened thereafter as a result of the attacks. An executive of an oil company once told me that "when you control the world's energy, you control the world." We have dishonored the generations that preceded us; Americans with the moral force of the Greatest Generation are gone, maybe forever.
2
If the Saudi government says it wants to have the information released then release it. If the Saudis refute the allegations then perhaps we will need to look elsewhere.
9
Sometimes I wish Americans could step back a few feet and have a look at what they are up to, and how they are perceived from the outside. On the same page of the NY Times people arguing how their own government keeps them in the dark and how Russia never comes clean on it's activities. How about cleaning house and taking a year or so off from starting any wars. If you had taken care of the miscreants in Reagan's Contra mess, we never would have had the same players causing the Iraq fiasco and now trying to start up a few more wars. Your own bad guys have to pay for their crimes, especially Condi Rice. She should be sitting in a cell not on a College Football panel.
35
Amen to that! brother. Peace.
5
And you could crowd that cell with the people who aided her and abetted the lies that justified the war---Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, et al...
12
I've got a better idea, Tom - why don't we just keep our noses out of all wars, and see how the rest of y'all handle things?
1
When government says it cannot divulge information in order to protect National Security it always means that they are covering up their wrongdoings.
23
The thousands of Americans who were killed that day deserve to have justice...we need to know the truth ! Most of the attackers were Saudis and yet we retaliated against Iraq which had nothing to do with the Taliban. The Bush family had a very incestous relationship with the Saudi Royal family, if I remember, I think they financed quite few business endeavors for George Bush. What good does homeland security do if our true enemy has tentacles into our government and denial is our nation's security policy. One thing is for certain we don't need another Bush in the White House and we need know the full extent of the Saudi's royal family's involvement in 9-11.
43
Meant to say Al Qaeda not Taliban.
Meant to say Al Qaeda not the Taliban.
1
Yes.. but there was also deep involvement of the CIA- FBI and US military in 9/11… the Saudi royals supplied the funding, handlers and al Qaeda patsies… rogue elements in the US supplied the rest.
The Congressional 9/11 investigators disclosed much of this in their Inquiry which everyone interested should download and read (for free). The CIA role was described as "inexplicable" for example. Strong words from a government investigation.
By contrast, many of the top 9/11 Commissioners have repudiated the "official" 9/11 Commission Report controlled by Zelikow. Why is the Times giving him the authoritative word on this story?
The Congressional 9/11 investigators disclosed much of this in their Inquiry which everyone interested should download and read (for free). The CIA role was described as "inexplicable" for example. Strong words from a government investigation.
By contrast, many of the top 9/11 Commissioners have repudiated the "official" 9/11 Commission Report controlled by Zelikow. Why is the Times giving him the authoritative word on this story?
7
Release the classified 28 pages. 9-11 was an extraordinary event and the entire truth must come to light, for a couple of reasons. First, to shut down the crackpot, conspiracy obsessed "truthers", and two for the historical record can be clear. The families of the victims and all the rest of us who were terrified deserve the truth no matter who it inconveniences.
Another thought; Looking at the Saudi suspects pictured here, it struck me how odd it is for the males of a modern state to still be wearing the tribal, desert garb and bedouin headgear of their ancient past. I think it says a lot about where their souls and inner sensibilities lie. Can you imagine Obama and Bhoener strutting around in powdered wigs, satin knee britches and ruffled puffy shirts?
Another thought; Looking at the Saudi suspects pictured here, it struck me how odd it is for the males of a modern state to still be wearing the tribal, desert garb and bedouin headgear of their ancient past. I think it says a lot about where their souls and inner sensibilities lie. Can you imagine Obama and Bhoener strutting around in powdered wigs, satin knee britches and ruffled puffy shirts?
6
I can see Boehner and McConnell in powdered wigs and white sheets with holes in them.
1
We can now honor the thousands of lives lost in New York, and the hundreds of thousands of children , women and men in the Middle East by honoring " the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth."
Our government has failed us here and the only question is "will it to continue to side with the devil."
Our government has failed us here and the only question is "will it to continue to side with the devil."
10
Our government has been failing us on many fronts since 70's-80's. Use to be we had a good idea big money controled our government, but now our elected representatives rub it in our faces as fact. Saudis financed Bush Jr in oil and Jr caused the company to go belly up, so he's definitely not going to point fingers. If you remember back to 9/11 Bush allowed all Bin Ladin family and other Saudi's a free and quick pass out of USA. Those planes were the only ones allowed in the air at that time?
8
Money is free speech and the Saudi government has bought our silence at the expense of those who lost their lives on and after 9/11. In America money talks and everything else walks. Nothing good can come from a government that is a bought and paid for proposition. Men like Michael Milken and Larry Ellison have conspired to use derivative based funny money to wrecks havoc on industry after industry. It can only create moral hazards and plant economic I.E.D.s throughout our society. WE can all feel it. Look to the city by the bay and you can see them use a combination of tax credits and venture capital to drive the cost of real estate beyond the reach of generations of local merchants and citizens. This misuse of money and law have purged the region of working class families by turning the rules of supply and demand on it head. Social engineering done behind closed doors isn't governance. Is it?
11
Sam forgot to mention the Koche brothers, Jamie Dimon, Jamie Dimon, Jeff Bezos and those wonderful people who brought us Tiananmen Square. The Saudi family is not the only force of evil that rules our lives. They are flooding the market with oil and that has ruined the shale oil industry. Anything under $90 a barrel and fracking becomes unprofitable . . . oops.
4
Bush quashed the report. Interesting. Bush called Pakistan our #1 ally in terror war when Bin Laden was already living in Pakistan. Bush claimed there was yellowcake uranium in Iraq and invaded Iraq. Condoleezza Rice ignored warnings about Al Qaeda training pilots in the US. The sum total of Bush administration mistakes, lies and secrecy is a criminal self-indictment. It's high time the Bush/Cheney crew receives the punishment they deserve.
38
As much as many agree, even Obama feared a military coup if he made any moves against them. No one wants to be another dead Kennedy.
15
Sept 10th 2001, Newark-Liberty Airport. A Royal Saudi 747S was parked on the tarmac, north side of airport, in clear view of the WTC. Did that pane depart on the 10th or the 11th? Who was on that plane. Why Newark and not JFK. These questions have always troubled me and I for one would like to know the answer.
18
Interesting re plane. Never heard that one before! What else don't we know?
Thanks.
Thanks.
4
I still wonder about the white van with explosives caught on the bridge with jubilant Israelis. The van that supposedly blew up somewhere else that day also. There is so much that was covered up because most of the investigators on the 911 committee were Jewish. Google it, I'm not making this stuff up.
3
I have heard about the Saudis leaving stealthily by plane right after 9/11. I ALWAYS wondered about that. The invasion of Iraq was a huge mistake paid for in the lives of both Americans and Iraqis. Meanwhile the Bush family and Cheny profited substantially. Shame on them and the way they twisted gullible American citizens into going to war.
We citizens and those who sacrificed so much on and after 9/11 need to know the entire truth of what happened.
We citizens and those who sacrificed so much on and after 9/11 need to know the entire truth of what happened.
5
Remember Bush walking hand in hand with King Abdullah and kissing him on the cheek? Bush called Prince Bandar his "brother." Also remember that Bush and Cheney made sure Bin Laden's entire family of 22 members was flown out of the country to Saudi Arabia even though all air travel was banned and NONE of them had even been questioned. And Republicans have the nerve to continuously slam Pres. Obama for a simple bow.
42
Why has the full lip kiss Bush shared with the Prince suddenly become a kiss on the cheek?
6
I think the outrageous part of this article is the fact that US citizens are not allowed to know the full details of a report carried out by the US government for the purpose of providing the American public with some clues as to how September 11, 2001 occurred and changed the country for everyone.
The Saudi connection to terrorism, however, is complex and touchy, and it is not straightforward. And these 28 pages probably won't help stop funding to al-Qaeda today, or to the Islamic State. In fact, the reaction of the Gulf kingdoms to stirred up American opinions, and another round of fresh Islamophobia, could hinder efforts to locate sources of financing to the Islamic State, which should come above any short term political victory for the American public, no matter how curious it is about those 28 pages.
The Saudi connection to terrorism, however, is complex and touchy, and it is not straightforward. And these 28 pages probably won't help stop funding to al-Qaeda today, or to the Islamic State. In fact, the reaction of the Gulf kingdoms to stirred up American opinions, and another round of fresh Islamophobia, could hinder efforts to locate sources of financing to the Islamic State, which should come above any short term political victory for the American public, no matter how curious it is about those 28 pages.
3
The question regarding those 28 pages redacted in Dec 2002 is this: If the US public had access to the information contained in those pages, 3 months later would they have been willing to go to war and sacrifice 4500 American lives against Saudi Arabia's mortal enemy Iraq?
11
Instead we went after IRAN's mortal enemy IRAQ, and see where that got us today. The entire stabilityof the world for generations to come has been set on its head due to the Bushe Cheney folly.
5
and this is why we should withdraw from the middle east....we supplied the weapons used to kill our own people and the funding???follow the money and you will find we have no real allies there but it is good for business here.
2
I suspect that the US is practicing the "keeping your enemies closer" diplomacy with the Saudis. Outside of their oil resources the United States is diametrically opposed to practically every aspect of Saudi law, government and treatment of it's people. Oil revenues are the power behind the Saudis and that's a force to be reckoned with. It's got to be a great concern to the kingdom that the US is no longer dependent upon their oil reserves. The only recourse the Saudis have is to drop the price of oil in effort to slow US production and ride their oil horse until it drops. They are well aware that once their oil monopoly is gone so is their power and they take on the role of ISIS's whipping boy.
5
The US kowtows to 2 middle eastern countries, Israel and Saudi Arabia, whose "friendship" to our country is suspect at best.
14
Although I do believe these particular pages should be declassified, I have very little faith in "the American public" to recognize the facts that will be revealed.
Just give us the facts, people say, but now look at the anti-vaxxers -- they have equal access to the truth about vaccines and infectious diseases, but they don't believe it. Instead, they believe in proven liars like Andrew Wakefield, and disinformation-carriers like Jenny McCarthy. The latter may be even worse than the former, because she really believes that the entire medical field is one giant conspiracy.
When these 9/11 pages are eventually declassified, as they will be, too many people won't even see what the data reveals, unless it jibes with their own personal, pre-existing confirmation bias.
Anymore, too many people don't even recognize truth. And this scares me even worse than terrorism.
Just give us the facts, people say, but now look at the anti-vaxxers -- they have equal access to the truth about vaccines and infectious diseases, but they don't believe it. Instead, they believe in proven liars like Andrew Wakefield, and disinformation-carriers like Jenny McCarthy. The latter may be even worse than the former, because she really believes that the entire medical field is one giant conspiracy.
When these 9/11 pages are eventually declassified, as they will be, too many people won't even see what the data reveals, unless it jibes with their own personal, pre-existing confirmation bias.
Anymore, too many people don't even recognize truth. And this scares me even worse than terrorism.
5
And this is probably connected to the whisking away of probably-prominent Saudis on an airplane immediately after the 9/11 horrors, even though all air flight was otherwise suspended.
21
US does a great job of picking 'friends', especially in the Islamic world! Our middle east friend Saudi Arabia is implicated in birthing, funding, training and aiding in executing the most horrific terrorist attack in the U.S. and even the world carried out by Al Qaeda headed by a Saudi Osama Bin Laden. Then he hides out for years in a big house with his wives and children right next to the military headquarters of our other big friend in the Muslim world - Pakistan, being protected for years. Both of these countries ban and/or abuse non-Muslims (Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists, ...) in their country even as they threaten anyone and every one who says anything about their head mullah Mohammed. In return we lavish them with billions of dollars in 'aid' and military hardware.
But hey, we are tough on Venezuela, Cuba, Russia.......our real enemies who have never hurt or killed any Americans. Go figure!!
But hey, we are tough on Venezuela, Cuba, Russia.......our real enemies who have never hurt or killed any Americans. Go figure!!
14
I don't how the majority of Americans have never been able to connect the dots.
Now if we can only connect the dots on oil exploration land grabs and price fixing. Also look at the bailout of Disney and you'll realize the rabbit hole is alot deeper.
Now if we can only connect the dots on oil exploration land grabs and price fixing. Also look at the bailout of Disney and you'll realize the rabbit hole is alot deeper.
8
What Disney need a bail out? How could that be... they are to big and too invasive, but too big to fail?
1
The Religious source of Wahabism, the funder, the provider of shelter, and the source of most of Sunni Moslem terrorism. The House of Saud is the creator of Al Qaeda, the funder of almost all mosques that have preached Wahabist hate, and until recently the patron of Isis until that snake got out of their control. They are not confronted because of oil and the wealth that springs from it. There can be no peace until they are deposed. They are the masters of buying our leaders, just look how they bought and paid for the Bush family, and represent a great threat to all our freedoms.
28
And the Saudis are the great friends of our other great friends, the Israelis. The Israelis ahve bought and paid for our leaders (with money which comes from the U.S.) to insure that US foreign policy serves Israeli interests.
4
Timed exactly when we need Saudi cooperation on continued low oil prices to keep pressure on those adventurous Russians about their Ukrainian ambitions. One would believe that several of the front page stories are more related than they appear on the surface.
7
Heaven forbid that the documents be declassified, providing hard evidence to the fact that too many refuse to accept - that Saddam Hussein had absolutely no involvement in the attacks on 9/11, and our invasion of Iraq was based on a pack of lies.
26
If you need a classifed document to tell you that then you are way behind the times. We knew then and still know now, they were egyptians that came through saudi. As far as Saddam (or in Bush Jr speak Saadaam)
We knew then and now it was for oil that never paid off. We were told point blank that the war would pay for itself with the oil riches we were going to reap.
We knew then and now it was for oil that never paid off. We were told point blank that the war would pay for itself with the oil riches we were going to reap.
3
Yes, I agree!!!
Bush and Cheney should be in a prison cell for killing more then 4000 American lives for a farse.... The oil and the money they have is the cause!
All involved in the attacks of sept 11th WERE Saudis!
Bush and Cheney should be in a prison cell for killing more then 4000 American lives for a farse.... The oil and the money they have is the cause!
All involved in the attacks of sept 11th WERE Saudis!
4
Yes, Osama bin Laden was a billionaire, but he was a small fish compared to other multi-billionaires which included almost all the Royals of Saudi Arabia. To form Al Qaeda and make such neatly executed multi-pronged attacks would'nt have been possible unless there was extremely rich funding. Zacarias Moussaoui is a mollusc in the scheme of things but his claims seem to carry on a lot of weight. Declassifying information would enable us to get at the truth. It would shed light on whether we have a snake under our wing or a pet lamb. All the turmoil in the ME seems to point to Sunnis and Saudi Arabia is as Sunni as they come. The deadly ISIS, Al Qaeda in various denominations have all sprouted from Saudi Arabia. Are we backing the tiger ( sorry, you beautiful animal ) which is hell-bent on our ruin? Time to get the facts. Maybe ME will get the peace that it's citizens are craving for.
6
American excessive backing to Israel against the Arab and Muslim World is the cause of 9/11 and other attacks :
Americans to a large extent have been insulated from the terror and misery resulting from the war "responding" to 9/11 (and the lies of Cheney, et al).
After reviewing the events at the Boston Marathon in my mind's eye at bedtime last night I prayed for the victims, their families, bystanders, the responders, police & fire personnel and medical professionals caring for the dead, wounded, and traumatized. After a while I thought about countries like Iraq and Afghanistan where hundreds of thousands are dead or have experienced this, sometimes on a daily basis, and are still experiencing it, but on much larger scale. They have lost their family members, their health and wholeness, homes, livelihoods, and their whole way of life.
Americans to a large extent have been insulated from the terror and misery resulting from the war "responding" to 9/11 (and the lies of Cheney, et al).
After reviewing the events at the Boston Marathon in my mind's eye at bedtime last night I prayed for the victims, their families, bystanders, the responders, police & fire personnel and medical professionals caring for the dead, wounded, and traumatized. After a while I thought about countries like Iraq and Afghanistan where hundreds of thousands are dead or have experienced this, sometimes on a daily basis, and are still experiencing it, but on much larger scale. They have lost their family members, their health and wholeness, homes, livelihoods, and their whole way of life.
11
15 of the 19 Hijackers were Saudi.
George W. Bush and the Bin Laden Family, Meeting At Ritz Carlton Hotel, NYC, One Day Before 9/11. They also owned an oil company together.
George W. Bush and the Bin Laden Family, Meeting At Ritz Carlton Hotel, NYC, One Day Before 9/11. They also owned an oil company together.
15
Yesterday, Tom Friedman criticized John Boehner and Benjamin Netanyahu for arranging Mr. Netanyahu's March address to Congress, without informing President Obama. His article drew nearly 1000 comments.
Here there is no mention of Israel in the main article and only the occasional mention in the comments. And yet, Saudi Arabia is allied with Israel (and to some extent Egypt) in facing down Iran over the latter’s desire to build an arsenal of nuclear weapons.
Causing potential embarrassment to a key ally of Israel at a time when the negotiations with Iran are coming to a head, may not be as good a move as some think.
Here there is no mention of Israel in the main article and only the occasional mention in the comments. And yet, Saudi Arabia is allied with Israel (and to some extent Egypt) in facing down Iran over the latter’s desire to build an arsenal of nuclear weapons.
Causing potential embarrassment to a key ally of Israel at a time when the negotiations with Iran are coming to a head, may not be as good a move as some think.
3
Do not release the 28 pages. It will only cause discomfort among oligarchs both at home and in Saudi Arabia. Their peace of mind, their investment interests, their privilege must be safe guarded above all else.
21
Yes, and it would hurt Jeb Bush's presidential run.
Rescind The Carter Doctrine. Now.
5
Yeah, look what it got Carter instead of being viewed as the best president. The Iran–Contra affair Gave Carter the TKO of one-termer.
3
Again, it seems that Americans can't properly understand the subtleties in mid-eastern politics. The marriage between the Saudis and the Wahhabi sect plays a far greater role in Saudi society than one might imagine.
Something similar is going on in Iran. There is a quasi-government which has a lot of power and meddles in every decision that the elected government makes. Pakistan's notorious security service is another example of this damned duality in which one department prosecutes AQ and another protects them.
I believe Saudi government tells the truth when it says they had nothing to do with 9/11. But they are too entangled with those Wahhabi preachers and activists to hold them responsible for aiding and abetting the terrorists.
Whether papers are made public or not, in the long term, it is more important is to find out how the US in particular and the western world in general can help such countries break free from these corrupt symbiotic relationships and be governed only and only by the rule of [secular] law. Until then, such incidents shall be commonplace in the middle east, no matter how many nations the US invades.
Something similar is going on in Iran. There is a quasi-government which has a lot of power and meddles in every decision that the elected government makes. Pakistan's notorious security service is another example of this damned duality in which one department prosecutes AQ and another protects them.
I believe Saudi government tells the truth when it says they had nothing to do with 9/11. But they are too entangled with those Wahhabi preachers and activists to hold them responsible for aiding and abetting the terrorists.
Whether papers are made public or not, in the long term, it is more important is to find out how the US in particular and the western world in general can help such countries break free from these corrupt symbiotic relationships and be governed only and only by the rule of [secular] law. Until then, such incidents shall be commonplace in the middle east, no matter how many nations the US invades.
4
It is also true that US and Israel have a close relationship that warrants suspicion that Israel and the Neocons were involved on 9/11. Top officials in both nations accused Al Qaeda was behind the attacks on 9/11 before any investigations were conducted. This was prescripted to turn public opinion against innocent parties.
3
Most especially, the prime function of 9/11 was to make the whole world into an empire of Islamophobes so that everything and anywhing could be blamed on Muslims with no questions asked. This has worked to perfection Now the Palestinians, instead of being victims, have become Terrorists.
1
We elect our leaders for a reason... to make these decisions. Extremely tough decisions that often not black or white. No one (except the executive office) know exactly what goes on in situations like these and maybe it is best that we don't, for our safety and sanity.
While America is a democracy, we must rely on our leaders (that we elected) to make the right decisions. Even more importantly, we must believe that our President is always working for America's best interest. Even if that means not releasing 28 pages, that will most likely not amount to any kind of retribution that people are seeking, in order to protect our way of life.
While America is a democracy, we must rely on our leaders (that we elected) to make the right decisions. Even more importantly, we must believe that our President is always working for America's best interest. Even if that means not releasing 28 pages, that will most likely not amount to any kind of retribution that people are seeking, in order to protect our way of life.
1
The Bush clan is joined at the hip to the House of Saud for one simple reason: oil profits! Prince Bandhar was sl tight with the Bushes he was called "Bandahr Bush". Bush and Cheney knew 9/11 was coming and did nothing, because it would give them a pretext to invade Iraq and steal their oil for Bush and Cheney's friends in Big Oil. Cheney's Oil Committee had maps of the Iraqi oil fields for divvying up after the invasion. And Bush did indeed fly the members of the Bin Laden family out of the US the day after 9/11. Why?
Because it was all part of the plan to seize Iraq.
Because it was all part of the plan to seize Iraq.
23
Come on now, this is America, the people will do anything for money. The Saudis and the drug cartels have so much cash to solve their problems. And Bush/Cheney aren't the only ones that take it.
9
Actually, the Pentagon was instructed to make plans to invade five countries: Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and of course, Iran. Three in total chaos, Lebanon tottering, and now just Iran to go to a Sunni/Zionist/NeoCon's dream world.
3
GeorgeBaldwin. I agree. but there's more.
Boy, that "Bandar Bush" was something else. The late king had to yank him out of the spotlight by naming him special council and forcing him to travel with him wherever he went. The new king distanced him and his son even more. The new choice for deputy crown prince and (terrorists' repellent) was interesting.
Boy, that "Bandar Bush" was something else. The late king had to yank him out of the spotlight by naming him special council and forcing him to travel with him wherever he went. The new king distanced him and his son even more. The new choice for deputy crown prince and (terrorists' repellent) was interesting.
2
This boils down to that old saying: the enemy of my enemy is my friend, doesn't it? Sigh. The problem is always that complex problems require complex solutions. It isn't as easy as saying that Saudis are all bad, corrupt puppetmasters of Jihadists. Nor is it so simple as the Saudis are our ally, so turn the other cheek and look the other way. Foreign policies, especially ones dealing with vastly different cultures and the aftermath of other administrations are endlessly complicated. But no matter what, the truth should be our guiding principle here. Release the 28 redacted pages and let us start grappling with what really happened.
14
Look, anyone with half a brain could see for themselves that the THREE world trade buildings were demolished in broad daylight. A plane and a fire can not turn three giant steel skyscrapers into dust and molten metal. And of course, Al Qaeda is a creation of the CIA during the Afghan war (which Jimmy Carter started).
3
Huh? That was The Soviet Union that started the Afghan war. 36 nations opposed their invasion of Afghanistan. Carter did supply some weapons to the Afghans to fight the Soviets. Read up on your history and fact check your conspiracy theories.
2
Are you saying that Al Qaeda did the third building? With possible technical help from the CIA? There are many interesting theories, and I hope some of them begin to unravel as the unanswered questions about 9-11 start to get more attention
1
I was surprised too. Here's the facts from Carter's national security adviser, Zbigniew Brzezinski:
"...Indeed, it was July 3, 1979 that President Carter signed the first directive for secret aid to the opponents of the pro-Soviet regime in Kabul. And that very day, I wrote a note to the president in which I explained to him that in my opinion this aid was going to induce a Soviet military intervention."
Q: ...You don’t regret anything today?
Brzezinski: Regret what? That secret operation was an excellent idea. It had the effect of drawing the Russians into the Afghan trap and you want me to regret it? The day that the Soviets officially crossed the border, I wrote to President Carter: We now have the opportunity of giving to the USSR its Vietnam war. Indeed, for almost 10 years, Moscow had to carry on a war unsupportable by the government, a conflict that brought about the demoralization and finally the breakup of the Soviet empire.
Question: And neither do you regret having supported the Islamic [integrisme], having given arms and advice to future terrorists?
Brzezinski: What is most important to the history of the world? The Taliban or the collapse of the Soviet empire? Some stirred-up Moslems or the liberation of Central Europe and the end of the cold war?
http://www.counterpunch.org/1998/01/15/how-jimmy-carter-and-i-started-th...
"...Indeed, it was July 3, 1979 that President Carter signed the first directive for secret aid to the opponents of the pro-Soviet regime in Kabul. And that very day, I wrote a note to the president in which I explained to him that in my opinion this aid was going to induce a Soviet military intervention."
Q: ...You don’t regret anything today?
Brzezinski: Regret what? That secret operation was an excellent idea. It had the effect of drawing the Russians into the Afghan trap and you want me to regret it? The day that the Soviets officially crossed the border, I wrote to President Carter: We now have the opportunity of giving to the USSR its Vietnam war. Indeed, for almost 10 years, Moscow had to carry on a war unsupportable by the government, a conflict that brought about the demoralization and finally the breakup of the Soviet empire.
Question: And neither do you regret having supported the Islamic [integrisme], having given arms and advice to future terrorists?
Brzezinski: What is most important to the history of the world? The Taliban or the collapse of the Soviet empire? Some stirred-up Moslems or the liberation of Central Europe and the end of the cold war?
http://www.counterpunch.org/1998/01/15/how-jimmy-carter-and-i-started-th...
If, according to congressional intelligence committees, there was, " ... [a] likelihood that charities with significant Saudi government sponsorship diverted funds to Al Qaeda...”, then I think the American public, myself included, can be pretty sure that this was the case.
... This is what I would call "a governmentally correct way of leaking a reasonably accurate summary of the contents of the missing 28 pages of yet to be declassified material..."
I think the intelligence committees are also telling us in so many words that, "there is no smoking gun to be found in these 28 pages." [my caption]
It should also be noted that,"summary leaks" of this type by Congress and the intelligence communities not only serves the public interest, but also avoids the propagation of [useless!] conspiracy theories.
... It really doesn't hurt to trust the government in the majority of cases to faithfully pursue the public interest. They usually know what they are doing, which is why we continue to elect them...
... This is what I would call "a governmentally correct way of leaking a reasonably accurate summary of the contents of the missing 28 pages of yet to be declassified material..."
I think the intelligence committees are also telling us in so many words that, "there is no smoking gun to be found in these 28 pages." [my caption]
It should also be noted that,"summary leaks" of this type by Congress and the intelligence communities not only serves the public interest, but also avoids the propagation of [useless!] conspiracy theories.
... It really doesn't hurt to trust the government in the majority of cases to faithfully pursue the public interest. They usually know what they are doing, which is why we continue to elect them...
2
We continue to elect them because we get a choice between bad and worse. What really scares me is that a lot of people are choosing worse.
4
My mind keeps flashing on the image of George W. Bush and Saudi
King Abdullah holding hands when King Abdullah visited the Crawford
ranch in, I think, 2005.
King Abdullah holding hands when King Abdullah visited the Crawford
ranch in, I think, 2005.
8
Was it better than the current president bowing to them?
1
And by the way -- this too from the lede: "... that by all accounts implicate prominent Saudis in financing terrorism."
That by all accounts.... Yes. (Which accounts?) The WP and Newsweek and yahoo and google had a rather big story last week -- the Times didn't, its intravenous Israel coverage already maxed out -- on the assassination of some Hezbollah operative, and all the stories, referring to this guy who had his arms and legs and head separated from his torso when either the CIA or Mossad pushed the button triggering the bomb, stories were a little vague on that, had numerous phrases like "suspected involvement" and "was believed to be" and "incriminated in".... none of which means the guy was actually responsible or involved in any of that.
And "by all accounts".... by all accounts but the true one?
I.e., it might not be Saudi Arabia after all.
That by all accounts.... Yes. (Which accounts?) The WP and Newsweek and yahoo and google had a rather big story last week -- the Times didn't, its intravenous Israel coverage already maxed out -- on the assassination of some Hezbollah operative, and all the stories, referring to this guy who had his arms and legs and head separated from his torso when either the CIA or Mossad pushed the button triggering the bomb, stories were a little vague on that, had numerous phrases like "suspected involvement" and "was believed to be" and "incriminated in".... none of which means the guy was actually responsible or involved in any of that.
And "by all accounts".... by all accounts but the true one?
I.e., it might not be Saudi Arabia after all.
1
Don't forget Carmen Bin Laden's book. She lived in the Bin Laden family for a time, and she is certain the Saudi royal family helped finance Osama Bin Laden.
3
What about all those Saudis involved in 9/11
What about and why were all plains grounded after 9/11 except the ones which ferried Saudi royals and rich people out of the US?
When GWB (the Bush family we are told are great friends with the Saudi royals) called the Saudi king personally and asked him to lower the oil price to aid recovery after the crisis he said NO! is this not weakness and subservience to Saudi by this Empire of overwhelming power?
What about and why were all plains grounded after 9/11 except the ones which ferried Saudi royals and rich people out of the US?
When GWB (the Bush family we are told are great friends with the Saudi royals) called the Saudi king personally and asked him to lower the oil price to aid recovery after the crisis he said NO! is this not weakness and subservience to Saudi by this Empire of overwhelming power?
5
Another interesting issue raised by some of the conspiracy theories is that several of the 9-11 hijackers appear to be alive and well in Saudi Arabia. They were all supposed to have been killed. Another of the conspiracy theories is that the planes were remote controlled from somewhere on the ground.
1
This should do wonders for Jeb's campaign
10
Yeah, since his brother and father were best buds with the Saudis - specifically the house of Saud and the whole fabulous Bin Laden bunch. Check it out, its all there in B&W for all to read. Ask also, what planes were allowed to leave the US immediately after 9/11 when EVERYTHING was grounded. Look it up, I don't want to spoil the surprise. Funny bedfellows oil makes.
11
Sorry, my mistake, planes were allowed to leave after 9/13 - and yes, they were filled with Bin Ladens relatives - perhaps innocent, perhaps not - but with a death dealer like Bin Laden a tactical mistake.
1
This is not exactly shocking news. The USA, see Charley Wilson War for example, gave arms to what is now the Taliban and Al Qaida. Our "allies" the Saudis did the same. We removed the Soviet Union from Afganistan and ended up paying Trillions for......continuing chaos and state sponsored terrorism, those states being us and the Saudis. I have no solutions but History sure is interesting.
4
Choosing this time to release this report indicating Saudia Arabia is nothing but a political ploy to get Saudi back into our control of the OIL price.
3
There is a question that the President and Vice-President may have both intentionally withheld advance knowledge of 9-11. Tis might suggest treason, and both of them were Republican so the political ploy might be a lot more complex than a matter of the oil price.
3
Release the pages. Were not eighteen of the nineteen 9/11 hijackers Saudi nationals? This was a costly undertaking. Releasing the 28 pages may "show us the money" then, and also point to Saudi funding of ISIS now. All the "Daddy Terrorbucks" will perpetuate the cycle of terror until shown up and shut down. We need not match bucks with bucks, nor killing with killing. Find and dry the funding - - - let terror die on the vine.
Wally V, Massachusetts
Wally V, Massachusetts
4
Do the right thing Obama. Let the people know the truth.
14
we produce 9MM bbls/day of our own crude oil and have inventories that "are the highest in at least 80 years" (per the US Energy Information Agency)... yet we still import 7MM bbls/day...after #1 Canada (at 3MM bbl/day), Saudi Arabia ranks #2 and provides 1MM bbls/day of those imports, just above Mexico and Venezuela...so what is the reason we are still a customer for Saudi oil when we have an excess of inventory, have other suppliers in our neighborhood and are even beginning to export more and more of our crude ?... what's going on here ?... is there a reasonable technical explanation (e.g., our refineries are set up to process heavy oil - not the light oil coming out of No. Dakota) - or something more nasty and politically distasteful ?
4
US refineries can process any crude from West Texas light to the nasty Koch tar sands. We are also swimming in natural gas; so my money is on nasty and politically distasteful.
4
I'm sure it has nothing to do with the multi-national corps who rely on US support (military and otherwise) in order to continue to maximize their profits for their shareholders, not only here in the US but throughout the world. You know, those same corporate interests that lavish millions on our elected leaders and fund their campaigns? This is not about domestic self-sufficiency, it's about profits.
3
Perhaps we could have an independent counsel report on the Bush-Saudi connection as a way to clear the air and move forward.
2
For financing terror, at the very least, the Saudis should be made to pay for all international security costs since 2001.
1
All these meetings between Al Qaeda and Saudi leadership were going on in the final year of the Clinton administration and the US knew nothing about them? Yet I can't find the word "Clinton" anywhere in this article. Yet the word "Bush" is mentioned 18 times.
Guess we are getting read for Hillary to run for President at the New York Times.
Guess we are getting read for Hillary to run for President at the New York Times.
1
I understand maintaining a relationship with a country that we depend on for a vital resource, but, there are lines you don't cross. So, am I still supposed to sustain confidence in my government, and its policies with this level of duplicity?
4
I remember well the reports that (then) President Bush had flown out the Saudi royal relatives...Bin Laden family relatives, also who were here in the US immediately after 9/11 in hush hush secrecy and private planes, when no planes were allowed to fly. His pals...
In America where seeking justice is now merely pompous carvings in stone, this is yet another example of victims deprived of their right to see their assassins apprehended.
The fix is in yet again...only this time it's be-robed royals who are exonerated, their oil greasing their escape.
In America where seeking justice is now merely pompous carvings in stone, this is yet another example of victims deprived of their right to see their assassins apprehended.
The fix is in yet again...only this time it's be-robed royals who are exonerated, their oil greasing their escape.
7
It's easy to see who controls the levers of power here in the U.S. If you're a petro state that funnels millions of bucks to terrorist organizations like A.Q. you can have a section of a Congressional Committee report that implicates your involvement in 9/11 redacted. However, if you are a an anti-fracking activist that has the temerity to drive up to fracking sites and take pictures you will be visited by the State Police at your home and labeled as a potential "terrorist". Think it can't happen here?
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/02/02/in-fracking-hot-spots...
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/02/02/in-fracking-hot-spots...
9
9/11 reports told us that most of the terrorists were Saudi. History tells they are one of the most repressive societies on earth, yet our leaders would rather invest money in supporting them than in building our own independent energy grid that could engineer gasoline out of our transportation system. We can thank those now well known but secret energy meetings at the White House that the Supreme Court ruled were a perfectly legal way for any government official to set policy - secretly behind closed doors and answerable to no one. This whole travesty is the direct result of money becoming free speech. It's not. Today corporations use Michael Milken's tried and true method of converting worthless paper into cash in the form of derivatives and they flood the halls of government from the president all the way down to our local city officials with Milken's funny money. We are so numb from it that corruption not only seems inevitable, but a necessary evil no matter how many of us gets kicked out of jobs, homes and even our hometowns. The Saudi government is codified corruption done by despots. Our corruption is done by crackpots congressmen, tinpot business leaders and folks like Larry Ellison, Sergey Brin and Zuckerman who love to take things that are not theirs . . . just ask the mayor of San Francisco.
11
Saudi Arabia should not be considered our ally. Probably one of the worst countries in the world in regard to human rights. Those who will decry Israel are even more so obligated to decry Saudi Arabia. However, somehow Saudi Arabia often gets excuses from our criticism. Maybe because we are too quick in trying to be sympathetic to Muslims, even when they use their religion as an excuse to ruthlessly subjugate and kill.
7
Duh!!! Here's a clue. How many prisoners have we kept in Guantanamo for a decade? How many prisoners have we tried and convicted? We can't take them to trial because, they would implicate all of the players in the 9/11 attacks. Once the prisoners have legal representation, documents have to be released for both the prosecution and defense.
5
I would sure like to know what enormous power the Saudi royals have over the greatest Empire the world has ever known. If its oil the Empire could just take it and if they can't why not - a full battle fleet with carrier and nuclear weapons is right there in Bahrain.
Why is necessary for the Great Empire to humiliate itself and show its subservience to Saudi royals by sending a delegation of 30 of its highest ranking officials including the president to kiss the ring and feet of the new king? Especially after not bothering to send anyone at all to France after the Charlie killings.
Why is necessary for the Great Empire to humiliate itself and show its subservience to Saudi royals by sending a delegation of 30 of its highest ranking officials including the president to kiss the ring and feet of the new king? Especially after not bothering to send anyone at all to France after the Charlie killings.
4
No surprises here. The Saudis have learned to use charitable contributions as bribes. Start with the William Jefferson Clinton foundation. Look it up on open secrets dot org and you will find that in some years the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has donated $25,000,000.00 to WmJfClinton. Of course there was a pay back, advocating for intervention in Syria.
If you're a DC Mandarin, a Deputy Secretary of this or a Chief Assistant that, chances are the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has donated a million dollars or more to a hospital, museum or other charitable cause where you now sit on the board of directors. Have the Saudis given you any money? Not one dime, but you are beholden to them your new socialite standing. And just imagine where all that political money comes from now that blind trusts are allowed to contribute without naming their donors.
Fact is, all islamic terrorism comes from Saudi Arabia. It's the home of Wahhabism, a violent 19th Century islamic sect that wants to impose seventh century superstition and religious violence in every corner of the globe. British colonialists suborned it to undermine Ottoman control. Today, Saudi Arabia's sectarian government is overseen by the biological descendants of Wahhab ibn Saud. Their billions today support mass live burials and beheadings and, lately, immolation in a cage. How can we forget that 19 of the 20 September 11 hijackers were educated upper middle class Saudis? When are we Americans going to get justice?
If you're a DC Mandarin, a Deputy Secretary of this or a Chief Assistant that, chances are the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has donated a million dollars or more to a hospital, museum or other charitable cause where you now sit on the board of directors. Have the Saudis given you any money? Not one dime, but you are beholden to them your new socialite standing. And just imagine where all that political money comes from now that blind trusts are allowed to contribute without naming their donors.
Fact is, all islamic terrorism comes from Saudi Arabia. It's the home of Wahhabism, a violent 19th Century islamic sect that wants to impose seventh century superstition and religious violence in every corner of the globe. British colonialists suborned it to undermine Ottoman control. Today, Saudi Arabia's sectarian government is overseen by the biological descendants of Wahhab ibn Saud. Their billions today support mass live burials and beheadings and, lately, immolation in a cage. How can we forget that 19 of the 20 September 11 hijackers were educated upper middle class Saudis? When are we Americans going to get justice?
6
Bush Saving the Saudis after 9/11
http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2003/10/saving-the-saudis-20...
Inside the Saudi 9/11 coverup
http://nypost.com/2013/12/15/inside-the-saudi-911-coverup/
President Bush inexplicably censored 28 full pages of the 800-page report. Text isn’t just blacked-out here and there in this critical-yet-missing middle section. The pages are completely blank, except for dotted lines where an estimated 7,200 words once stood (this story by comparison is about 1,000 words).
A pair of lawmakers who recently read the redacted portion say they are “absolutely shocked” at the level of foreign state involvement in the attacks.
http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2003/10/saving-the-saudis-20...
Inside the Saudi 9/11 coverup
http://nypost.com/2013/12/15/inside-the-saudi-911-coverup/
President Bush inexplicably censored 28 full pages of the 800-page report. Text isn’t just blacked-out here and there in this critical-yet-missing middle section. The pages are completely blank, except for dotted lines where an estimated 7,200 words once stood (this story by comparison is about 1,000 words).
A pair of lawmakers who recently read the redacted portion say they are “absolutely shocked” at the level of foreign state involvement in the attacks.
11
Gee, I'm so glad I'm not a cynic because I could easily conclude or think that our Govt by it's close ties with the Saudi Govt, who was an enemy of the Saddam Hussein, paid some of its more radical followers (most of the hijackers were from Sadi Arabia) to carry out an attack on US soil for the sole purpose of disposing this hated enemy who was also an enemy of the newly elected president who needed an excuse to sell to a gullible American public a reason for going to war with Iraq. They knew Clinton wouldn't sign off on such a plan, so they bided their time, Bush won the election by cheating himself into the presidency with the help of the Supreme Court and one of the first things he did after setting with his new Cabinet Members was ask 'how do we can get rid of Saddam Hussein'. What a great screenplay! A country complicit in the killing of their own people so they wouldn't lose the money of another country. Not that my country would ever do something as horrible as that, but what a great conspiracy film it could be. Damn, wish I could write.
16
I remember 9/11 like yesterday. No commercials flights were allowed to fly for from Tuesday until Saturday but planes picking-up various Saudis were allowed to fly throughout the country and then fly off to Saudi. Since when are Saudis more important in this country than US citizens. Little Georgie and his Dad showed who they were interested in protecting and it was not citizens of the USA. Who was allowed to escape without being held responsible for adding and abetting terrorists?
11
President Bush surpressed and classified this information linking the Saudis funding the 9/11 terrorist attack for one reason...the Bush family do business with, and are friends with, the Saudi royal family. So Bush put his family's financial interests ahead of his duty and obligations as President to the American people. This report should be released, and we should go after Bush for treason charges. ...And now Jeb Bish has the audacity to want to be President???!!! The whole Bush family is dangerous, and toxic to the United States.
19
The bush dynasty are nothing but enabling puppets for oppressors and dictators, they aren't smart enough to lead the dictatorship just facilitate it.
2
No one should be surprised that 'fabulously' wealthy Saudi Arabian officials have been accused of financial complicity in past and present terrorism. Equally, nor that they deny it. In this case, even some Western experts contend that it is illogical for some of Saudi's high-level officials to support Qaeda when the its stated aim was to also bring down that form of rulership. But should we take Al Qaeda's word concerning such an intention? Given al the intrigues and "The enemy of my enemy..." stuff, was such stated aims meant purely for public consumption? For it creates an effective smokescreen of plausible deniability for Saudi officials, one which could allow them to funnel such support to Qaeda while pretending to fight against it. Mid-East political intrigues have always been difficult to unravel.
6
There should be no kept secrets in investigating what really happened before and after 9/11. Let's not forget that the Bush family had strong ties to the ruling Saudi family. If I remember correctly right after 9/11, when planes were grounded, a plane flew a large number of Saudi's out of this country. Perhaps this report will shed more light on the reason for the lies by Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld etc. that led to the destruction of iraq and the flood of unrest that is now present in the Middle East.
and perhaps those perpetrators will be prosecuted.
and perhaps those perpetrators will be prosecuted.
12
Philip Zelikow may have been executive director of the 9/11 Commission, but there are some big reasons why his stated opinions on the significance of the 28 pages may be self-serving and deserving of readers' doubt:
http://28pages.org/2015/02/05/in-new-york-times-story-on-the-28-pages-91...
http://28pages.org/2015/02/05/in-new-york-times-story-on-the-28-pages-91...
2
Here's the concluding sentence of that link: “To the contrary, significant questions remain unanswered concerning the possible involvement of Saudi government institutions and actors in the financing and sponsorship of al Qaeda, and evidence relating to the plausible involvement of possible Saudi government agents in the September 11th attacks has never been fully pursued.“
2
The decisions regarding classification/declassification of information have for decades been made in nefarious ways. As I understand it, some of the information surrounding JFK's death is still classified, and that occurred in 1962.
In my opinion it is often simple elitism behind a decision such as this. It appears to me to be an example of the very tendencies about which our founding fathers warned us.
In my opinion it is often simple elitism behind a decision such as this. It appears to me to be an example of the very tendencies about which our founding fathers warned us.
4
Good point, but just for the record, the assassination of John F. Kennedy was in 1963...November 22 to be exact.
2
Those in charge are quite happy to keep their criminal buddies out of the limelight. Since those in charge cooperated and helped saudi's leave after the attack only a monkey can't follow the money trail.
6
"But there seemed to be little appetite for declassification among the Republican leaders of the intelligence panels."
Not surprising. President Obama is extending a courtesy to his predecessor.
Also he may want something in his back pocket in case the Republicans, who, although they have little appetite with regard to this issue, have a large appetite for suing him over his handling of the ACA and immigration.
Not surprising. President Obama is extending a courtesy to his predecessor.
Also he may want something in his back pocket in case the Republicans, who, although they have little appetite with regard to this issue, have a large appetite for suing him over his handling of the ACA and immigration.
2
No matter what, my faith in my government is gone. Bush would not speak to the 9/11 commission under oath, even though the man leading the commission Philip Zelikow had very close ties to the Bush administration.
The only difference between "conspiracy theory" and fact, is how much time has past.
The only difference between "conspiracy theory" and fact, is how much time has past.
8
Forbidden Truth: U.S.-Taliban Secret Oil Diplomacy and the Failed Hunt for Bin Laden
Book by Jean-Charles Brisard
This book connects the Saudi royalty to banks that financed Osama bin Laden.
Book by Jean-Charles Brisard
This book connects the Saudi royalty to banks that financed Osama bin Laden.
2
But there seemed to be little appetite for declassification among the Republican leaders of the intelligence panels. Senator Richard M. Burr, the North Carolina Republican who heads the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he was skeptical of the value of releasing the pages, calling them more of a historical document in a fight against terrorism that has shifted substantially since 2002.
“There may have been a level of participation by some Muslim country that is not commensurate with today,” he said.
The tables are turned here. This appears to be the Republican version of ".. at this point, what difference does it make?".
“There may have been a level of participation by some Muslim country that is not commensurate with today,” he said.
The tables are turned here. This appears to be the Republican version of ".. at this point, what difference does it make?".
3
...and the plot thickens...to the point of total MUD. Obviously some "dirty laundry" being hidden in the classified section of the report....perhaps on both sides. Not much different from other global events. Many pieces missing from many puzzles.
2
As Nietzsche said, the barbarians role is to keep a check on overextending civilizations. Presidents Bush & Clinton + UAE, Saudi, Qatari, Kuwaiti, Bahraini lap dogs are a disgrace to the human race, where $$$ and power are more important than our poor human lives in Afghanistan, and elsewhere. People are getting fed up with this projection of authorities by the small group of rich trying to squeeze the world's poor mass into some sick feudalistic submission. No wonder ISIS and other extremist groups are emerging as an enragement to the backdoor deals of the rich and fabulous devil dogs. Think about it. Unbridled capitalism is not good for this planet's people. Seems feudalism is making a comeback in the U.S., and humanistic values are being suppressed by the rich.
4
The USA got together with the Saudis when the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, to fund resistance. Bin Laden was part of that resistance, which eventually produced the blowback of 911 and its aftermath. In hindsight, it wasn't a good idea, though it helped destabilize the Soviet Union. If we knew then what we know now. Do we want to pull at all those threads? I think the Saudis are awful, but it could be worse, and foreign policy, however much I often disagree with it, is based on perceived mutual interests, not friendship, when there are often no good options.
1
Saudis?? Everyone knows those terrorists were from Iraq -- and we kicked their butts! GWB said so, and so did Fox News.
On a more serious note, since GWB ordered the information classified, perhaps we should prosecute him for aiding terrorists?
On a more serious note, since GWB ordered the information classified, perhaps we should prosecute him for aiding terrorists?
8
Fighting the "war" on terrorism while being allied to Saudi Arabia is like fighting the war on drugs while being allied to the Cali cartel. It is a funny thing about definitions. When I read that x country is allied to the US, then I assume that X country does not contain a ruling clique that makes occasional contributions to organizations that launch major attacks on the US. But the way the establishment in the US defines things is differently. Because they've decided that Saudi arabia is our ally, they've decided that they just will turn a blind eye to what the Saudis do, whether it is financing ISIS or al qaeda. Rarely is it so clear that the interlocking interests of corporations and a foreign country trump any considerations of the interests of the American people or the freedoms for which the government supposedly stands. Rather, oil company execs and their allies in defense industries that make a killing selling weapons to the Saudis get the final word.
And things keep going wrong in the Middle East. I wonder why?
And things keep going wrong in the Middle East. I wonder why?
11
The Bush family are patrons of the Saudi Royal family. Senior Bush was paid millions for visits and speeches post Iraq war one. Bush two was so close to the Saudi's he used to take comfort under Abdullah's robes. What is the definition of high treason ! How about conspiring with an enemy who financed an attack on America and then blaming that country's enemy for it. Iraq war two was Bush's favor to Abdullah. Now another Bush wants to be president. How sick of republicans to even consider it.
16
People, if the media won't keep this story alive, then we must.
Talk about it at the water coolr, make bumper stickers, t-shirts, satirical cartoons, create a TV sitcom, what ever it takes.
This could be the best way to trim the next bush from coming any closer to the white house.
Talk about it at the water coolr, make bumper stickers, t-shirts, satirical cartoons, create a TV sitcom, what ever it takes.
This could be the best way to trim the next bush from coming any closer to the white house.
4
We survived the smoking gun leading to President Nixon's resignation. Both he and the country survived the trauma admirably. How could this be any worse? The Truth is supposed to set us free.
8
This is worse. Much worse. Nixon was involved with "dirty tricks" in an election. I would say 9/11 was a more substantial event. Until what we know about 9/11 equals what we know about Watergate, this country will be
morally suspicious.
morally suspicious.
4
So the ties are to Saudi charities funded by the Royal House of Saudi...isn't that like the mafia where the don's fingerprints are never on the gun, but we all know who ordered the murder?
6
There was a reason that President Bush hustled all relatives and friends of Osama bin Laden and other Saudi Arabians out of the country on a plane within 24 hours of 9/11 without any questioning when Americans couldn't fly. Also Republicans who are so quick to investigate normal activities as "scandals" didn't want to investigate this terror on American soil until they were forced to do so by the relatives of 9/11. ANd it was done with very little enthusiasm
12
You know it, bikemom. All U.S. flights were grounded on 9/11 except for the single military flight Bush ordered to circle the country to pick up all Saudis elites. The Bush family has never denied it, and aviation records show this to be true. Of course the Repubs have been loath to investigate it. They know that GWB and Cheney were up to their eyeballs in the 9/11 attack. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were Saudi Nationals---not Iraqis--and yet, as Richard Clarke documents, the enmeshment between the Royal Saudis and the Bush family was so long and close that 9/11 was no doubt wrought from that relationship. "Bush bin Laden," as Bush Sr. was often called by the Royal Family, laid the groundwork for oil intervention into Saudi and then Bush the Lesser followed the plan. Once 9/11 was over and done, play Bait & Switch in convincing the American public that Saddam Hussein was involved in 9/11. No wonder the Republicans quake at the thought of having to investigate 9/11 or to reveal classified documents.
3
I believe before leaving office our President will choose to release the now sequestered part of the commission's report.
I would rather see a release, in my lifetime, and I'm 71, of all sequestered infromation surrounding the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Based on President Obama's Stat of The Union address and comments regarding Cuba the time has come to clear the air on the possible involvement of Cuba in the assassination. Nuff said?
I would rather see a release, in my lifetime, and I'm 71, of all sequestered infromation surrounding the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Based on President Obama's Stat of The Union address and comments regarding Cuba the time has come to clear the air on the possible involvement of Cuba in the assassination. Nuff said?
4
The "air" has already been cleared involving Cuba with the Kennedy assassination. Castro had nothing to do with it, nor did the Cuban military or DGI. However, there were Cuban Nationals who did play a pivotal role. That does not mean the country of Cuba had an involvement.
1
The implications are larger...and President Obama needs a lot of guts to deal with this. Shouldn't the former President Bush (and all the other officials who read the classified the material), be put on trail for starting the war on Iraq for imaginary links with 9/11, instead of dealing with the financiers from Saudi Arabia who fueled Al Queda, and even protecting their crimes from American public scrutiny??
12
@Novelist....doesn't seem you're 'reading' the sub-text. We, the USA, are very much in bed with the Saudi's. To go after them is to go after us. We can't do that, now can we?
2
Who is this we, the USA exactly? The American congress? Personally I am not in bed with the Saudis, and I am also a part of USA :), and so are the majority of American people.
2
Going after "them" is not as impossible as you think. When a shadow government existed in our own government, the "we" became cloaked and obscured. We had political actors engaging in illegal agreements and activities that the American public had no knowledge of.
"WE" did not engage with the Saudis. The Bush family and Bush's oil cronies did insinuated itself into Saudi culture for decades, much to the horror, dismay, and contempt of the more hardline members of the Royal Saudi family. "WE" as Americans did violate their Holy Lands nor syphon off their resources at dirt prices. "WE" has nothing to do with me or almost all Americans but rather with the cynical politicians who sucked Saudi dry.
Saudi anger at the U.S. has to do with the decades-long Bush family interference with Saudi culture, violations of which finally reached a boiling point. So, you are incorrect. The "WE" of Americans, shielded from the cabal of our shadow government, can rightfully and justly pursue the U.S. political actors who created as much turmoil as collusion with the Saudis. We can pursue them and bring them to trial. Releasing documents that prove the link between Bush's shadow government and Saudi interests--and naming our own expedient, dishonest leaders-- would go a long way in restoring confidence to our nation.
"WE" did not engage with the Saudis. The Bush family and Bush's oil cronies did insinuated itself into Saudi culture for decades, much to the horror, dismay, and contempt of the more hardline members of the Royal Saudi family. "WE" as Americans did violate their Holy Lands nor syphon off their resources at dirt prices. "WE" has nothing to do with me or almost all Americans but rather with the cynical politicians who sucked Saudi dry.
Saudi anger at the U.S. has to do with the decades-long Bush family interference with Saudi culture, violations of which finally reached a boiling point. So, you are incorrect. The "WE" of Americans, shielded from the cabal of our shadow government, can rightfully and justly pursue the U.S. political actors who created as much turmoil as collusion with the Saudis. We can pursue them and bring them to trial. Releasing documents that prove the link between Bush's shadow government and Saudi interests--and naming our own expedient, dishonest leaders-- would go a long way in restoring confidence to our nation.
A highly litigious society versus the wealthiest oligarchy on earth. Sounds like a marriage made in heaven.
1
Last year a petition to release those 28 pages on the White House's "We The People" site garnered less than 2000 signatures. HR 428, a bill encouraging Obama to release the 28 pages, died in Mike Rogers' (R-CNN) committee.
Want Obama to release those 28 pages? Make him! Start a new petition. Call CNN and ask why Rogers blocked the bill.
Want Obama to release those 28 pages? Make him! Start a new petition. Call CNN and ask why Rogers blocked the bill.
18
Release the pages! The Democratic lawmakers were howling when Bush wouldn't release them. Why isn't the cry as loud now that Obama won't release them?
What are we hiding? We already know Saudi Arabia is complicit.
Makes one wonder if Obama isn't just keeping a Presidential courtesy to keep Bush era things under wraps.
What are we hiding? We already know Saudi Arabia is complicit.
Makes one wonder if Obama isn't just keeping a Presidential courtesy to keep Bush era things under wraps.
20
Oh please tell me this is not true. Dick Cheney promised us all that it was Saddam and Iraq behind 911. What a disappointment it will be if we find out that Cheney, Bush, et. al. lied to us. Oh the tragedy of learning our leaders sometimes shade the truth.
5
They shaded the truth to protect their friends.
2
Wake up brady. They never blamed 9/11 on Iraq. Take another look.
1
Check back on the web, the saudi's gave Cheney a medal.... it wasn't for bravery under fire :-) .... it was for being a loyal subject.
1
In his book "Intelligence Matters" Senator Bob Graham wrote: "On September 11, America was not attacked by a nation-state, but we had just discovered that the attackers were actively supported by one, and that state was our supposed friend and ally Saudi Arabia."
If the U.S. can begin to deal, however tentatively, with the red herring of 9/11, al-Qaeda, will we now begin to reexamine objectively the actual events of that infamous day?
If the U.S. can begin to deal, however tentatively, with the red herring of 9/11, al-Qaeda, will we now begin to reexamine objectively the actual events of that infamous day?
13
No doubt about the whole conjured up Bush/ Cheney / Don Rumsfeld / Condi Rice/ George Tenant etc complicity and culpability where the Saudi's , of which bin Laden one was one of the Royal's . The US so called national security is about the biggest ever harbinger and in its name this Government of ours lie to the people with impunity.
8
Who is funding ISIS? If you say oil, that could be cut off. I suggest Wahhabi Sunnis, who are centered in Saudi Arabia. Follow the money.
11
Saudi's funding the old Iraqi republican guard... the last gasp of the sunnis.
Now we know why Obama bowed to the Saudi King and why Bush kisses them on the cheek.
12
It also explains why the Saudi's gave Cheney a medal.... For support and loyalty.
3
The circle is closed:
Saudi Arabia - Terrorism Export - Military Industrial complex neocon proteges - Ludicrous defense budget
This circle was looped may times since 9/11 and caused many wars, innocent casualties, and also exhausted American middle class whose taxes financed DC plutocrats and recent neocon's war crimes spree in Iraq, Syria,Libya, Syria, and Ukraine.
Saudi Arabia may be a weakest link in this chain and breaking a link between corrupted US politicians and Saudi Arabia Kingdom family may be an important step towards regaining - our currently highjacked democracy - back to Americans.
After breaking the ties and regime change in Saudi Arabia our next step should be prosecution of the DC neocons for the treason.
Saudi Arabia - Terrorism Export - Military Industrial complex neocon proteges - Ludicrous defense budget
This circle was looped may times since 9/11 and caused many wars, innocent casualties, and also exhausted American middle class whose taxes financed DC plutocrats and recent neocon's war crimes spree in Iraq, Syria,Libya, Syria, and Ukraine.
Saudi Arabia may be a weakest link in this chain and breaking a link between corrupted US politicians and Saudi Arabia Kingdom family may be an important step towards regaining - our currently highjacked democracy - back to Americans.
After breaking the ties and regime change in Saudi Arabia our next step should be prosecution of the DC neocons for the treason.
24
Unfortunately for better or worse, US diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia ARE matters of vital national security. It seems unlikely that this portion of the report will be declassified.
5
Vital for corrupted DC neocon plutocrats to avoid life term sentences...
4
Prince Bandar the longest lasting ambassador to US was the only ambassador that had access to Crawford Ranch. I always kept wondering what was so special about this guy to have that kind of privilege.
8
When you bought the ranch... you get to come and go as you please.
The bush dynasty has always been to enable the dictators success.
The bush dynasty has always been to enable the dictators success.
3
This whole thing will explain why George Bush started to fight Saddam Hussein in Iraq rather than bin Laden in Afghanistan/Pakistan. He created a smoke screen for the Saudis to hide behind (bin Laden is the son of the bin Laden still doing multi billion dollar engineering and construction work all over Saudi Arabia with full support of the ruling king there). It also explains why George Bush was not present at the memorial service at the new World Trade Center last year and it also explains why George is keeping such a low profile these past 6 years. He knew.
13
Before you give Saudi Arabia the finger, insure a source of oil from a true friend. Approve the Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta, Canada.
1
saudi oil is a drop in the proverbial bucket, they are excess to requirements.
They should be held accountable for their long history of abuse and crimes against humanity.
They should be held accountable for their long history of abuse and crimes against humanity.
2
The bitumen would run through the pipeline through Cushing and eventually make its way to the Gulf Coast refineries. The refined products would be sold on the world market - not the American market. China May buy up the lion's share, as far as we know.
3
NO.
Canadian Keystone XL Oil is for EXPORT to CHINA ONLY.
Canadian Keystone XL Oil is for EXPORT to CHINA ONLY.
4
The complete report needs to be released. If the Saudi government did not provide direct support that should be known. If they did, that also should be known. As it stands now suspicion falls on the Saudis. There is a high probability of financial support from elements within Saudi Arabia. The USA has had groups give support abroad and it was not government policy. The IRA is an example of that. Could it be that there were folks that should have known what was going on that were "asleep at the wheel" so to speak and would not want it made public. All to often making information "classified" is a method of sweeping things under the rug. Those that resist declassification may belong to an organization with something to hide, at least that is how it is perceived. Senator Burr if it is nothing more than an historical document, release it. Why are you trying to keep a lid on it?
12
"Can't someone with access to these redacted pages just leak them?" Where is Deep Throat when we need him?
10
It is all about transparency President Obama, something you campaigned on. Please release the report and the follow up commissions findings. We have a right to know who our friends and our enemies are.
10
Re: Obama's promises to family members of 9/11 victims to declassify:
Yeah the Pres said he was closing Guantanemo too. Promises, promises.
Yeah the Pres said he was closing Guantanemo too. Promises, promises.
3
Not just the US but the world should put pressure on the Saudis to stop funding terrorism. AND the information showing their involvement should be watched and disclosed to the world often. Also how about seizing bank accounts of the ones who are funding terrorism.
Our government and the governments of the world are morally and legally responsible for stopping the money source. This is outrageous.
Our government and the governments of the world are morally and legally responsible for stopping the money source. This is outrageous.
4
I think the Republicans should keep this classified and do another investigation on Bengazi.
6
they will!!!
1
We don't need to Saudis for oil production. We can and should be independent of them. They do though control it for other countries. And, where in any sense of morality is it okay to murder nearly 3,000 people and get away with it because you sell a product? The 28 pages won't "tarnish" them, it will show their participation in financing the 9/11 attacks and open the eyes to the world that they continue to finance terrorist organizations like ISIS, Boco Haram and countless others. They are following their doctrine of spreading wahhabism - a radical form of Islam that tolerates no-one and is a sworn enemy to America.
2
So two wars later, the real truth is starting to emerge. It is only happening because 9/11 families have bravely continued to fight for the truth. The least they deserve is to declassify the documents now and what they should get is a full government investigation. We need to know when government officials knew and did they choose to go to war with Iraq and Afghanistan despite believing that Saudi Arabia was the main sponsor of 9/11 ?
15
what could possibly be in this report, that would make what happened any worse?? release it.
9
Fifteen of nineteen men who perpetrated the 9/11 attacks were from Saudi Arabia, so clearly Iraq is the culprit.
9
There is a strange, double-standard on information from perpetrators who sing.
On one hand, skeptics argue "How can we trust this person? They are a criminal! They are anti-social, and possibly insane. As such, they have no credibility and will say anything to save their necks."
This goes for those who discount Moussaoui's testimony. This goes for the juries in mob trials, or even the Roger Clemens trial.
But if information is obtained from the same people by torture, according to the government, it is valuable and correct.
(btw, I do not advocate torture. I am very much against it. I just think this is a curious point)
On one hand, skeptics argue "How can we trust this person? They are a criminal! They are anti-social, and possibly insane. As such, they have no credibility and will say anything to save their necks."
This goes for those who discount Moussaoui's testimony. This goes for the juries in mob trials, or even the Roger Clemens trial.
But if information is obtained from the same people by torture, according to the government, it is valuable and correct.
(btw, I do not advocate torture. I am very much against it. I just think this is a curious point)
7
Been liking those low oil prices? Well, US oil producers don't. Not at all.
"The Saudis want to "break the backs" of U.S. oil producers, and possibly those in Iran and Russia, as well, Kilduff said. The decision to keep oil production steady is largely seen as a bid by Saudi Arabia to protect its market share." ( http://www.cnbc.com/id/102362872#.)
(Just in case you're wondering why the magical cloak of invisibility around Saudi Arabia is slipping away in the US so suddenly these days. When the oil barons start spatting, all kinds of muck gets thrown around.)
"The Saudis want to "break the backs" of U.S. oil producers, and possibly those in Iran and Russia, as well, Kilduff said. The decision to keep oil production steady is largely seen as a bid by Saudi Arabia to protect its market share." ( http://www.cnbc.com/id/102362872#.)
(Just in case you're wondering why the magical cloak of invisibility around Saudi Arabia is slipping away in the US so suddenly these days. When the oil barons start spatting, all kinds of muck gets thrown around.)
6
It's all about that oil, bout that oil, bout that oil, bout that oil, no trouble.
5
And that whole squishy-sounding story about the Bushes hurrying the Saudis onto a plane soon after 9/11 to get them out of the USA? Any update on that?
12
That urban legend was settled long ago. You can find information on it at Snopes and many other sites.
Let's review -- OBL was a Saudi, the hijackers were Saudis, Saudi A. is Wahabbi central, the Saudis fund thousands of madrassas that produce many radicalized fighters... Am I missing something here? Oh yeah, oil.
14
Years ago, the New Yorker magazine published a complete exposé of this exact subject (the saudi's direct support of terrorism) in a very lengthy article which named names and all details. The information in the redacted report is probably no different. No one cared then; I can only hope they get angry about it now, years after the fact and cover-ups by the US government to suppress this information because we needed their oil.
Furthermore, the muslim centers being built around the world by the saudi's in all major capitals were also exposed as hotbeds of this movement.
It astounds me that the politicians of the world consistently refuse to see what is in front of them.
Furthermore, the muslim centers being built around the world by the saudi's in all major capitals were also exposed as hotbeds of this movement.
It astounds me that the politicians of the world consistently refuse to see what is in front of them.
19
The report was not "redacted" in the conventional sense. The 28 pages were removed in their entirety. There is no reading between the lines. I agree with your statements otherwise and would go a little further to observe that there did not exist a climate for criticism of the then administration which placed itself above the fray in the name of patriotism and those who opposed it were at risk,simply un-American, like those who objected to the Patriot Act. (Lest we forget the "freedom fries" as we attempt to bully our western neighbors into submitting to our dangerous hubris.)
6
I started to write a detailed comment then stopped. The point of these comments is to give disenfranchised Americans a place to speak. But the fellows in the white hats don't care, and know one listens. This page is just more of the fog machine. Remember the Fog machine, Ken Kesey, chief Bromden and the Cuckoos Nest?
We Are All Dupes.
And War Is Hell
And There is Much
Your Legislators
Will Never Tell.
A lot more than just Saudi complicity. There was a reason Obama did not pursue Bush, or our Nation's rush to war. It would have exposed way, way, way too much.
We Are All Dupes.
And War Is Hell
And There is Much
Your Legislators
Will Never Tell.
A lot more than just Saudi complicity. There was a reason Obama did not pursue Bush, or our Nation's rush to war. It would have exposed way, way, way too much.
7
September 11 attacks were orchestrated as a pretext for the US to launch wars against Iraq and Afghanistan. It was also an excuse to tarnish the image of Islam and the Muslim community.
Bombing of Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan , Syria and Palestine only created more enemies as none of these countries attacked or harmed the USA. And, most of all the 9/11 attackers were Saudi. Why not bomb them?
In an interview with the Russian weekly Argumenti I Fakti, Nikolai Starikov the bestselling Russian author said: “The US and israel was behind all the crises and wars of the past century and was certain that 9/11 was a US/israel conspiracy.
We can go on but the facts are just the facts.
Bombing of Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan , Syria and Palestine only created more enemies as none of these countries attacked or harmed the USA. And, most of all the 9/11 attackers were Saudi. Why not bomb them?
In an interview with the Russian weekly Argumenti I Fakti, Nikolai Starikov the bestselling Russian author said: “The US and israel was behind all the crises and wars of the past century and was certain that 9/11 was a US/israel conspiracy.
We can go on but the facts are just the facts.
3
Well I would put no faith in the musings of Nikolai Starikov. Why would he have any special knowledge? He is a writer of historical and political crime fiction and a conspiraologist
Maybe offer some facts. You're theory is the hijackers weren't muslim extemists, they were actors under the direction of the US and Israeli governments just to "tarnish Islam"?
George H.W. Bush's client on behalf of the military arms private equity company, Carlyle Group, was the Bin Laden family. http://www.historycommons.org/entity.jsp?entity=carlyle_group
28 more pages would add one more brief, redacted chapter to a long history of Bush - Bin Laden collaboration. The attack on Iraq was simply an attempt to distract. So far a pretty successful, multi-trillion dollar diversion.
28 more pages would add one more brief, redacted chapter to a long history of Bush - Bin Laden collaboration. The attack on Iraq was simply an attempt to distract. So far a pretty successful, multi-trillion dollar diversion.
15
Coincidentally, Edward Snowden worked for Booz Allen, a subsidiary of the Carlyle Group. Not the NSA.
1
where is Edward Snowden now that we need him?
5
Snowden doesn't speak of any number of things that
need to be "leaked". why?
need to be "leaked". why?
2
The Intrigues are Mind Boggling ! Which comes first The Money or The lack of Cents ? pun
2
Although I support President Obama on most issues, his comment to look forward and not look back is a mistake. We now know that
the Vietnam war was built on fraud, ie national archives evidence naval commanders and White House, result 58,200 Americans dead, millions of Asians dead, for what?
Full disclosure regarding the justification for invading Iraq, including all the distortions lies, disgusting fear mongering and pressure on many fronts.
Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, et al under oath to testify and expose the duplicity of their decisions. If we do not look back we will repeat more mistakes that will result in the deaths of more innocents, will we ever learn and become truly civilized? WAKE UP
the Vietnam war was built on fraud, ie national archives evidence naval commanders and White House, result 58,200 Americans dead, millions of Asians dead, for what?
Full disclosure regarding the justification for invading Iraq, including all the distortions lies, disgusting fear mongering and pressure on many fronts.
Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, et al under oath to testify and expose the duplicity of their decisions. If we do not look back we will repeat more mistakes that will result in the deaths of more innocents, will we ever learn and become truly civilized? WAKE UP
17
What strikes me about these revelations is not the fact that Saudis are involved in funding Al Qaeda. This is very old news. And not even the timing of releasing this information. What amazes me how our government and media change their position and assert as true what they have ignored for a long time; especially the media since its role is to inform us and the information about the Saudi connection has been known for quite some time. Now it is suddenly kosher to publish something like this. I wonder how many lives could have been saved if the reporting of available information were timely as it is supposed to be.
6
This is a fundamental attack on the principles on which this nation was founded. If the people who vote do not have critical information, democracy itself is meaningless. This covered up meddling in the Middle East, said to be so important for American foreign policy is, not surprisingly, a charade and anyone who obscures that fact should be considered a traitor to the Constitution. It finally explains why the only airplane in the skys over the United States after 9-11 was a Saudi aircraft - even Bush's father was grounded in the mid-West. If the cover-up continues, the entire political establishment of the US is guilty.
8
In addition to releasing that report, the government should depose high officials of the Bush Administration, including President Bush himself, on why they authorized the flight of high Saudi officials and royal family members back to Saudi Arabia on 9/12/2001. All other civilian flights were grounded in the United States.
15
That legend was debunked years ago.
Our government on both sides of the aisles is full of miserable cowards and corrupt scoundrels. They care more about protecting their Saudi friends than about justice for the families of the victims of 9-11 or protecting the lives of American servicemen and women.
7
The truth will set you free. When will we wake up and demand a real democracy? The masters of the universe are so pleased you have your head buried in your iPhone. One day, Americans will actually solve their underlying problems, instead of just "moving on." Well, maybe the first day after our total collapse.
5
“There may have been a level of participation by some Muslim country that is not commensurate with today,” he said.
I wasn't aware there is a statute of limitations on accountability.
I wasn't aware there is a statute of limitations on accountability.
5
The Saudis have a lot of money. Money talks and buys a lot (of people).
3
The Saudi branch of Islam is so xenophobic and self righteous and is in perfect alignment with Bin Laden's crew of vicious murderers. There was complicity with all of the Arabian gov'ts, including Kuwait and the 9/11 conspiracy. Add to this the Pakistani involvement with Al Qaeda, there protection of Bin Laden, and one is left very puzzled with Bush's response to 9/11. Particularly with the Bush families close family ties with the rulers of Saudi Arabia and other extremely wealthy Saudis, including the Bin Ladens.
18
For what it's worth, I'm more willing to believe Zacarias Moussaoui than Philip Zelikow. Release those classified 28 pages--it was the late Daniel Moynihan who warned about the excesses of government secrecy. If he were still alive today, I'm sure Moynihan would urge Zelikow--his fellow Tufts University Ph.D.--to publicly call for the declassification of those 28 pages. Let's see them.
19
Zelikow is part of the cover up. He knows it. What a scoundrel.
2
I'm a big Obama fan, but I gotta say he does have a way of making promises, then failing to follow through.
14
It's about bloody time.
17
Nearly three thousand innocents killed, murdered, on 9/11, huge sums spent on memorializing them, the loss of their lives and horror of that day spurred a revival of patriotism in America. Despite the reverence for 9/11, members of our government, including Mr. Obama, refuse to release information, known to be redacted, that would enlarge our understanding of this national trauma. It is a cynical decision that disrespects those who perished and their families and all Americans who choose to honor them.
21
Not only that but President Bush and Republicans didn't even want to investigate in the first place when usually every thing is a scandal for them. How could there not be an investigation on this? But there wasn't until the families of 9/11 insisted and it was done with little enthusiasm. There was great speed (less than 24 hours) put into hustling Saudi Arabians including members of OBL's family out of the country without a single question
4
Let's not forget the 4500 US Service men and women killed in Iraq for no reason.
1
Let's look at the prime suspects for 9-11.
1. One of the poorest, most backwards countries in the world.
2. A corrupt, evil dictator (is there any other kind?) who was un-repentingly anti-US.
3. A group of ultra-wealthy oilmen who were nominally US allies and who were personal friends of the Bushes.
Who is thought to have been involved? 1 and 3.
Whom did we attack? 1 and 2.
A cycnical person might suspect that Bush's retaliation was dictated by convenience.
1. One of the poorest, most backwards countries in the world.
2. A corrupt, evil dictator (is there any other kind?) who was un-repentingly anti-US.
3. A group of ultra-wealthy oilmen who were nominally US allies and who were personal friends of the Bushes.
Who is thought to have been involved? 1 and 3.
Whom did we attack? 1 and 2.
A cycnical person might suspect that Bush's retaliation was dictated by convenience.
21
How fast did President Bush hustle Saudi Arabians including relatives of OBL out of the country without a single question? less than 24 hours.
4
This whole business is idiotic. There has never been any question that Saudis were -- and still are -- deeply involved with al Qaeda. Bin Laden was a Saudi, as were most of the 9/11 hijackers. In bin Laden's "Arab-Afghan" battalions fighting for the Taliban as of 2001, hundreds were Saudis (and Yemenis). And we have long known in extensive detail that most of al Qaeda's funding then came from wealthy Saudis (and not incidentally rich citizens of other Gulf kingdoms).
But it is always true that the Saudi government drove bin Laden and his cohorts out of the Kingdom and banned the group long before 9/11. It is also true that in 2002-03 -- barely reported by US media or noticed by Americans distracted by our own war -- al Qaeda staged an uprising in Saudi Arabia, which the government suppressed ruthlessly; many AQ fighters were shot, hundreds jailed, and the rest driven out (that's why they've been in Yemen since). And it is true that the Saudi government has been an indispensable ally to the US in the global battle against AQ since (and a critucally important one now vs ISIS).
But it is always true that the Saudi government drove bin Laden and his cohorts out of the Kingdom and banned the group long before 9/11. It is also true that in 2002-03 -- barely reported by US media or noticed by Americans distracted by our own war -- al Qaeda staged an uprising in Saudi Arabia, which the government suppressed ruthlessly; many AQ fighters were shot, hundreds jailed, and the rest driven out (that's why they've been in Yemen since). And it is true that the Saudi government has been an indispensable ally to the US in the global battle against AQ since (and a critucally important one now vs ISIS).
31
The Saudis had to deal with al Qaeda the US must start to deal with the CIA. The actions of rogue elements in a nation's hierarchy must concern the entire population.
1
If it was true that the Saudis were involved in 9/11, didn't the US government invade Saudi Arabia instead of Iraq & Afghanistan? Therefore it is not true. The Saudi Arabia is the "best friend" we have in the Arabia peninsula, just like Israel is our "best friend" in the Middle East. The glaring facts of our "friendships" with these two tyrannical governments is about money. They funnel millions of dollars to buy our "friendship" in the halls of Congress to make sure their tyrannical rule stays intact.
2
Oh please Saudi Arabia sets up schools throughout the Muslim world that teach there extremist intolerant brand of Islam, which creates the next generation of terrorists. Women in Saudi Arabia are not allowed out of the house without a male relative escort or to drive. How can a country that gives women no rights be our friend.
1
It's about time the mainstream media reported on this!
Why the shift? Did you all agree to wait till the old King to died?
It certainly isn't due to Moussaoui's claims - they aren't anything new.
Why the shift? Did you all agree to wait till the old King to died?
It certainly isn't due to Moussaoui's claims - they aren't anything new.
13
President Obama must release the entire chapter on Saudi financing of 911 as he promised to do during his 2008 campaign. No more excuses. Of course, there are some Republicans abetting the stonewall, it was the Bush administration that protected their allies and business partners amongst the Saudi Royal family in the aftermath of 911, diverting attention to Iraq.. Terrorism cannot be fought simply on the battlefield, as the Saudis can always find another group to finance, it has to be taken down from the top. No more delays. Pass the bipartisan resolution. Kudos to Congressmen Lynch and Jones and Senator Graham for their persistence.
8
I am actually not so sure the report ought to be declassified. It may be the proverbial Pandora's Box, which, when opened will lead to unforeseen consequences, to put it mildly. Our relationship with Saudi Arabia is important on many levels, and we would be wise to think carefully before doing something that could destroy it. I don't like the Saudis, and the techno-medieval system that is their state is a spit in the face of liberal notions of liberty; but while our strategic interests in that region are still so important, it may be better to be prudent.
It sounds as if no individual Saudis directly funded 9/11; instead, the money came from Islamic charities. In that case, it is best to keep our efforts against such funding clandestine.
It sounds as if no individual Saudis directly funded 9/11; instead, the money came from Islamic charities. In that case, it is best to keep our efforts against such funding clandestine.
10
Sunshine is the best antiseptic.
4
Maybe a full investigation would have helped. The 9/11 investigation was done after much kicking and screaming only after the families insisted. ANyone should have thought it necessary. Why did President Bush put Saudis including relatives of OBL on a plane out of the country without a single question less than 24 hours after 9/11? They could have been kept "safe" right here while answering questions
1
Islamic charities are funded by the Saudis.
Basically telling the truth is a good thing.
Sending the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia an invoice for all the horror and suffering during 9/11, and having the truth revealed in a court of law is a much better thing.
Sending the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia an invoice for all the horror and suffering during 9/11, and having the truth revealed in a court of law is a much better thing.
8
“There may have been a level of participation by some Muslim country that is not commensurate with today,”
Yeah, that's one way to put it. Sounds like a teenager beginning to tell the truth.
I don't know what's in those 28 pages, but I sure bet Bush and the Republicans don't want the American people to know that the Bushes are good friends with some of the Saudi's who financed 9/11. That wouldn't look so good would it.
Our relationship with Saudi Arabia is similar to our relationship with Pakistan. "Officially" both countries are against terrorism. And they'll even catch a terrorist every now and then, to keep up appearances. But the reality is very different.
Yeah, that's one way to put it. Sounds like a teenager beginning to tell the truth.
I don't know what's in those 28 pages, but I sure bet Bush and the Republicans don't want the American people to know that the Bushes are good friends with some of the Saudi's who financed 9/11. That wouldn't look so good would it.
Our relationship with Saudi Arabia is similar to our relationship with Pakistan. "Officially" both countries are against terrorism. And they'll even catch a terrorist every now and then, to keep up appearances. But the reality is very different.
7
The lack of transparency in the commission's report is certainly by design. There is undoubtedly a lot of pressure on Mr.Obama to not only be seen as playing politics with unsavory information about the Bush's dealings with the Saudi royals, but to protect the powers and legacy of his office. It is not out of Mr.Obama's character to do what he thinks is noble and politically correct, but not aligned with the ideals of his base.
3
Did the NYTimes not report that donations were solicited across the airwaves for donations for Al Qaeda last year? If the evidence that Moussaoui provides is valid, don't you think a new foreign policy is required? No, it won't happen. We haven't had an American president since Reagan.
Correction;Since Jimmy Carter.
If Ronald Reagan were alive today, he'd be rejected by the Republican party as being far too liberal and "not conservative enough."
2
You mean the President when 241 military died in their sleep blown up 6 months after the American Embassy was blown up right down the street and killed 17 Americans and 63 other staff? Now THAT was a Benghazi. ANd he left with a few shots from the ship evacuating the rest? Many said that was the beginning of Middle Eastern terrorists thinking that they could do as they pleased. Or the Iran COntra affair? Or "palling around" with an actual terrorist Saddam Hussein when the entire world knew that he was gassing his own people the Kurds and Iranians? He sent Rumsfeld to shake his hand and give him military intelligence and materials that helped. So much for that line America never crosses about gas and negotiating with terrorists. We don't want that kind of President again
We're finessing quite a few sensitive issues this morning at the Times, are we not? Hope the CIA got a chance to vet these pieces.
Still, as American CITIZENS, we might want to ask how it's possible that we could be sitting here tiptoeing around the question of the Saudis' backing for Al Qaeda when we backed them ourselves--when they were still using 'materiel' we supplied them to kill us in Afghanistan and elsewhere. And why Democrats and Republicans alike have been kissing these people's rings for decades when they don't let women drive, more or less openly support terrorism, and whip people who ask for freedom of speech in the public square.
It's called corruption. Some of us hoped for better under Obama.
Still, as American CITIZENS, we might want to ask how it's possible that we could be sitting here tiptoeing around the question of the Saudis' backing for Al Qaeda when we backed them ourselves--when they were still using 'materiel' we supplied them to kill us in Afghanistan and elsewhere. And why Democrats and Republicans alike have been kissing these people's rings for decades when they don't let women drive, more or less openly support terrorism, and whip people who ask for freedom of speech in the public square.
It's called corruption. Some of us hoped for better under Obama.
6
Recent moves on Mr. Obama's part might (might) indicate that he'll do something at least resembling 'the right thing' and live up to some of our hopes. ALL of our hopes? That probably was never realistic...
2
My advise to the Americans is to add this case to the long list of the so named 'conspiracy theories' and to go back to sleep. It is true that the constitution gave the citizen the right to say anything he likes, but he forget to give him the tooth to reveal and fix things when they go wrong. Clinton was removed because of a love case, and Bushes cannot even be asked about the biggest military, financial and moral mess America have experienced in all of its history .
7
CLinton was not removed
1
The Bush family network with Saudis goes as far back as the 1930s. This is not news. Unlike GWB's haste to shred all documents implicating his father to Iran ContraGate, GWB (read Cheney) was unable to shred the 9/11 documents since they were a record of a publicly held governmental investigation. Don't for a minute think that the evil Cheney would not have shredded anything that implicated him and the Bush warriors of Oil to 9/11.
Get off the oil addiction and the Saudis are history. It's that simple.
Get off the oil addiction and the Saudis are history. It's that simple.
9
There are many, many "issues" surrounding Saudi Arabia that we are fully aware of from the funding of radical Madrassas in Pakistan to serious human rights violations that routinely occur in the kingdom.
The 28 pages should be made public but not so we can chase old ghosts (as important as that may be) but so that we can understand the new regime that has replaced the old in Saudi Arabia and how our country, government and citizens interact with Saudi Arabia going forward..
The 28 pages should be made public but not so we can chase old ghosts (as important as that may be) but so that we can understand the new regime that has replaced the old in Saudi Arabia and how our country, government and citizens interact with Saudi Arabia going forward..
1
I have always been suspect of Saudi Arabia. They act like they are our allies, but all they really want is our money for oil.
2
The Saudi's are not a friends that are to be trusted, nor are they foes! The majority of the 9/11 hijackers were Saudi's. But considering the Middle East is crumbling and militant Islam on the rise, the US needs an ally albeit an unreliable one. It is well known fact that the Saudi's have provided funding to terrorist organizations but its funding is to maintain peace and stability at home; in essence a bribe to keep terrorist attacks outside its borders. The US must be truthful and honest in its dealings with the Saudi’s. To alienate them is to invite more instability of the region; to ally with them too closely might inspire and give rise to more anti-American sentiment in the area.
1
The truth shall set us free.
Senate Intel Chair says war has moved on from speculating about Saudi's money to scraping every detail of American lives into the dustbin of history...Proceed...
No wonder in india they fund madarssa, Bollywood and mosques to carry out anti national sentiments and try to spread hate and terrorism against other religion peoples and country as well, they have been doing this on the behest of USA for long time, for example obama recently visited newly crowned prince to talk to him that where to bomb next time and he said Russia so Obama felt so happy that he stayed there for one more day
1
For certain release the documents. But not on the word of Zacarias Moussaoui. I think individual Saudis have financed Al Qaeda and other groups. But I don't think Moussaoui's word is credible.
It's not so simple. Saudis are divided. Some (Wahhabis) contribute to terrorist groups, many do not. Bush and Obama want to protect the innocent while encouraging action against the guilty. There's a "new" law prohibiting Saudi citizens from making such contributions. I have no idea if it is enforced or just a ruse to placate US. US needs Saudi support to balance against Iran.
9
Maybe you can explain that to the people they are about to behead.
It's the oil, stupid!
6
What the al-Qaeda guy reports is EXACTLY why the report remains redacted and hidden.
2
There is no question that the Saudis were given a big pass on 9/11 responsibility in part because of their very close personal and business relations ships with the Bush family. We punished Afganistan for the sins of Saudi Arabis. It was a big mistake! One for which Oresident Bush and his administration have never had to answer.
I still remember the family of Ben Laden being tested like royalty after the attack. While no one was allowed to fly they left the country in style with no questions asked. It was a travesty.
I am glad this law suit has again put the spot light on this issue. It is time for President Obama to do the right thing.
I still remember the family of Ben Laden being tested like royalty after the attack. While no one was allowed to fly they left the country in style with no questions asked. It was a travesty.
I am glad this law suit has again put the spot light on this issue. It is time for President Obama to do the right thing.
10
Lets give our good friends the Saudis 14 maybe 15 years to destroy evidence. Come on... whatever it is the richest and most powerful people on the planet didn't want us to know then.... surely they aren't going to just hand over now unadulterated.
3
It is funny how initial reports always turn out to be true. How the truth is impossible to hide and is often lying in plain sight and simply covered up with distractions. What leader does not know this tactic like the back of their hand?
1
We know that the Saudis who govern their country sold their souls to the Wahabis well before 9-11, so this disclosure doesn't surprise me. We also went to war in 1991 because we were fearful of Sadam moving into Saudi territory. Interestingly and devastating to what this later led our country into. The effects will be felt for the entirety of this century.
2
Releasing the report section will most probably tarnish the Saudis and the GW Bush administration. The truth is important but is it worth a potential spiteful decision on the Saudi's part to reverse their position on maintaining full oil production? That decision has painted the Russians into an economic corner and has resulted in their potentially backing away from their support for Assad in Syria. Tough decisions abound for the administration. We are in a dance with multiple devils.
3
Money talks and the rest of us feed worms.
1
Wow. Once again, it seems like there are rules for most of us, but not for the wealthy and powerful. It is just disgusting that to protect them, their complicity in terrorism and murder was hidden by Bush.
9
So what if we actually invaded the wrong country?
4
We invaded two countries. The question should be whether we actually invaded two wrong countries.
1
I am pretty sure at least some Syrians would now say we have invaded them as well, since their country totters on the edge of chaos as we carpet bomb whatever targets we feel like hitting.
The truth is never as easy as the facts & theories.
Saudis are probably the single largest investors in the American economy. Their influence is far more than most are willing or capable of realizing. For all we know, 911 does contain Saudi guidance and might be for any reason at all, not merely political/terrorist in nature. There are never easy answers and the challenge is to always find where the truth lies, or rather, where the politicians lie...
Saudis are probably the single largest investors in the American economy. Their influence is far more than most are willing or capable of realizing. For all we know, 911 does contain Saudi guidance and might be for any reason at all, not merely political/terrorist in nature. There are never easy answers and the challenge is to always find where the truth lies, or rather, where the politicians lie...
Are you referring to the level of Saudi ownership of Fox News?
1
US GDP $16,768,100,000
Saudi Arabia GDP $748,450,000
Some serious wagging of dog by tail going on there.
Saudi Arabia GDP $748,450,000
Some serious wagging of dog by tail going on there.
Sheesh. Why? No need to declassify it. We only lost about 3000 that day, and thousands afterwards. No, keep it classified, because heaven help us if we actually learn something.
Truly - the cover-ups in this case is so immeasurably worse than the crime.
Truly - the cover-ups in this case is so immeasurably worse than the crime.
6
“Saudi Arabia has long been considered the primary source of Al Qaeda funding, but we have found no evidence that the Saudi government as an institution or senior Saudi officials individually funded the organization,”
Of course the Saudi government is not directly responsible for supporting terrorist activities. Nor are most muslims directly responsible for terrorist activities. but ALL muslims believe that terrorist activity to further the goal of Islam is the will of Allah according to the Quran.
Until I see the Saudi Arabia government use their vast stores of money and power to match our fight against terrorism alongside the rest of the world inch for inch, a bullet for bullet a bomb for bomb I will believe that they implicitly endorse terrorist acts.
And until I see ALL muslims congregate en masse in the streets of the public to protest, loudly and clearly and vehemently the acts of terrorism I will believe that ALL Muslims endorse and admire the activities of terrorism that furthers their goal of worldwide domination for the law of Sharia.
Of course the Saudi government is not directly responsible for supporting terrorist activities. Nor are most muslims directly responsible for terrorist activities. but ALL muslims believe that terrorist activity to further the goal of Islam is the will of Allah according to the Quran.
Until I see the Saudi Arabia government use their vast stores of money and power to match our fight against terrorism alongside the rest of the world inch for inch, a bullet for bullet a bomb for bomb I will believe that they implicitly endorse terrorist acts.
And until I see ALL muslims congregate en masse in the streets of the public to protest, loudly and clearly and vehemently the acts of terrorism I will believe that ALL Muslims endorse and admire the activities of terrorism that furthers their goal of worldwide domination for the law of Sharia.
There is insurmountable amount of evidence supporting Saudi Arabia, individuals, Saudi officials etc. knowingly gave money to al Qaeda and specifically for the 9/11 attacks.
It's about time...
1
This is quite a quandary for the US government. Saudi Arabia is a strong ally. One has to wonder what geopolitical and geo-economic objectives would have prompted them to do such a thing. One would also have to consider the possibility that they could not have done so without the US and Israel knowing. This is like knowing you have mice because you are hearing scratches in the wall; sometimes, you find mice droppings, but you never see the mice.
Even if the commission's report were to be declassified and disclosed, the US will not take action against Saudi Arabia because the latter has the former by its oily barrels. Besides, even if the rest of the Muslim world despises the Saudis (and they do), any military action against Islam's holy sites will trigger a global hybrid symmetric/asymmetric war that would have deep economic ramifications.
Even if the commission's report were to be declassified and disclosed, the US will not take action against Saudi Arabia because the latter has the former by its oily barrels. Besides, even if the rest of the Muslim world despises the Saudis (and they do), any military action against Islam's holy sites will trigger a global hybrid symmetric/asymmetric war that would have deep economic ramifications.
12
Have you ever considered that America props up the Saudi Royal family to keep access and control of Saudi oil: while, at the same time, America props up the opposition to Saudi Royal family rule to keep the royal family beholden to American support? After several seasons watching "Homeland" and "Scandal" there is very little that Americans should accept at face value.
Amen
Pakistan, were Bin laden was harbored, was another "strong US ally."
1
This is nothing new at all. The Saudis funding terrorism against the US? What a shock.
1
No one should be surprised by the claims of Zacarias Moussaoui that members of the Saudi royal family functioned as al-Qaida donors. While the population of Saudi Arabia has grown substantially since 1950, the Saudi royal family is immensely wealthy meanwhile the country has one of the worst disparities of income in the world. As an aside, there are many articles of large numbers of the Saudi royal family flying to visit the casinos in Europe and in their hypocrisy they changed to western clothes in the aircraft on their way to Europe and did the reverse on their return flights.
One of the consequences of this deeply religious Sunni Wahhabism fundamentalist based Islamic country is that many members of the idle rich Saudi royal family would naturally support other Sunni based fundamentalist religious groups.
Although Saudi Arabia is an important “ally” to the U.S., many members of the idle rich Saudi royal family have been playing games with the U.S. Just as when many members of the Saudi royal family fly to visit the casinos in Europe and change to western clothes on their way there, many numbers of members of the Saudi royal family are secretly funding terrorist organizations. There is no surprise here.
It is disgraceful that a large section of the investigation by congressional intelligence committees into the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks is still classified and withheld from the public.
This proves that Congress is playing games with the public. This is the surprise.
One of the consequences of this deeply religious Sunni Wahhabism fundamentalist based Islamic country is that many members of the idle rich Saudi royal family would naturally support other Sunni based fundamentalist religious groups.
Although Saudi Arabia is an important “ally” to the U.S., many members of the idle rich Saudi royal family have been playing games with the U.S. Just as when many members of the Saudi royal family fly to visit the casinos in Europe and change to western clothes on their way there, many numbers of members of the Saudi royal family are secretly funding terrorist organizations. There is no surprise here.
It is disgraceful that a large section of the investigation by congressional intelligence committees into the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks is still classified and withheld from the public.
This proves that Congress is playing games with the public. This is the surprise.
6
What a complete failure by the American media that this has not gotten more attention since the first leaking began, over a decade ago. We all know the complicity of this paper in selling the President's narrative, and now perhaps they can begin to make amends by relentlessly pursuing this lead. I want a Times behaving more like Pro Publica.
11
Come on, Obama. Declassify the records. Let's see if there is a Saudi connection to 9/11. Or are you afraid it will confirm common knowledge that Islamic extremism really does exist, even among our so called Saudi allies?
9
Thank you previous writers for your thoughts. I often get more insight from you than from the article. When Bush and Cheney refused to testify why didn't we impeach them? Especially in light of the fact that the Ben Laden family got free passage back to Saudi when no one else could. Now we have a President who is deciding wether to let us see this section. Who the heck is serving whom.
The entire document was declassified except this section four. Why did we let this go on for so long?
The entire document was declassified except this section four. Why did we let this go on for so long?
10
Given that Moussaoui's claims were no doubt extracted via the CIA's well-documented "enhanced interrogation" techniques, how credible can his testimony really be? Does anyone watch Game of Thrones, did you see what "enhanced interrogation" did to Theon Greyjoy?
1
yes
its time to release those 28 pages
its time to release those 28 pages
4
I'll say it again; we didn't see FDR holding hands with Hirohito after Pearl Harbor! There's something not quite right with this picture. I just can't put my finger on it.
6
"Fear of alienating" them (the Saudis)????? I don't believe for one second that is the reason this report is being withheld. More like fear that the members of the Bush administration will be exposed for what they really are and what they really knew.
18
Relieved to see the double standard still applies: former Senator Graham can disclose the contents of the classified section of the report without the arrest and trial that are reserved for the little folks. Of course some expect that the information bearing on the Saudis is classified more to avoid embarrassment than because of any security concern, but that is the usual case too.
4
I'm of the mind that just about anything that W personally ordered to be classified should be opened up to the public.
11
Bin Laden indeed was member of the Saudi Royal Family. Only thing is that he and his cohorts wanted to overthrow the the those who ruled. He and his gang were despised by those who ruled the Kingdom. Like all Royal Arabs in the Middle East all kind of indifference existed within such family circles and bin Laden had his own millions. He became Reagan's favorite freedom fighter and along with the Mujahadeen fought the Soviets in that other US proxy war in Afghanistan. In return Reagan and his cohorts made promises to help overthrow the existing Saudi Royals who ruled the Saudi so called Kingdom. But after the Soviet withdrew, and the dust settled. Reagan and his cohorts reneged all promises and bin Laden became enemy # ONE.
2
No excuses for not releasing the 28 pages. If they don't, then we will forever be wondering what they have to hide, what they are so afraid of coming to light that it must be covered up and kept from the American people and the world.
I have a good idea what it says......."The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia, through many high level members of the ruling elite, are accessories, before, during and after the fact, to the premeditated murder of three thousand American citizens, an act of war under any definition." No wonder it's still being covered up.
This isn't going away. The 28 pages must be released, and The Saudis must answer for their crimes. What would, say, America circa 1940, have done?
I have a good idea what it says......."The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia, through many high level members of the ruling elite, are accessories, before, during and after the fact, to the premeditated murder of three thousand American citizens, an act of war under any definition." No wonder it's still being covered up.
This isn't going away. The 28 pages must be released, and The Saudis must answer for their crimes. What would, say, America circa 1940, have done?
5
It was an act of terrorism. Not an act of war.
If it was state sponsored...it was war.
1
It's hard to know where to start.
But let's start at the common sense place, just for fun.
1) EVERYONE knows that the Saudi Arabians have financed terrorists for decades. They give money to those "schools," - can we call them brainwash, terrorist training palaces? - where kids chant, "Down With America!" and learn how to become terrorists when they're older.
2) They're the money behind much of the missiles, the uzis, the violence.
3) 16 out of 19 hijackers on 9/11 were Saudi Arabian. Gee whiz, how did that happen?
4) The Bush family and House of Saud were dangerously close.
5) Saudi Arabia is a country that throws black tents over women, beheads people regularly, has no freedom of speech, religion, press, etc. They're a totalitarian, controlling dictatorship. Currently they're going to flog a journalist every week until he's been hit 1000 times. How medieval is that?
6) VERY ALARMING Prince Alaweed has a lot of stock in Apple, Twitter, Citigroup, etc. These AMERICAN companies are partially owned by a Saudi Arabian who has been accused of being a financier of 9/11 and other terrorist activities? Are you kidding? Why is this legal?
7) We never should have invaded Iraq. We should have invaded Saudi Arabian for aiding, abetting, encouraging, and financing terrorist activities against Americans.
8) We have cowtowed to them because of oil. This must stop immediately. Saudi Arabia must join the modern world and quit funding terrorists.
But let's start at the common sense place, just for fun.
1) EVERYONE knows that the Saudi Arabians have financed terrorists for decades. They give money to those "schools," - can we call them brainwash, terrorist training palaces? - where kids chant, "Down With America!" and learn how to become terrorists when they're older.
2) They're the money behind much of the missiles, the uzis, the violence.
3) 16 out of 19 hijackers on 9/11 were Saudi Arabian. Gee whiz, how did that happen?
4) The Bush family and House of Saud were dangerously close.
5) Saudi Arabia is a country that throws black tents over women, beheads people regularly, has no freedom of speech, religion, press, etc. They're a totalitarian, controlling dictatorship. Currently they're going to flog a journalist every week until he's been hit 1000 times. How medieval is that?
6) VERY ALARMING Prince Alaweed has a lot of stock in Apple, Twitter, Citigroup, etc. These AMERICAN companies are partially owned by a Saudi Arabian who has been accused of being a financier of 9/11 and other terrorist activities? Are you kidding? Why is this legal?
7) We never should have invaded Iraq. We should have invaded Saudi Arabian for aiding, abetting, encouraging, and financing terrorist activities against Americans.
8) We have cowtowed to them because of oil. This must stop immediately. Saudi Arabia must join the modern world and quit funding terrorists.
14
I don't believe that 9/11 report will be very revealing. I think that there has been a conspiracy involving the executive, Congress, spy agencies, oil companies, military industrial complex, and MSM to hide the truth about the Saudis funding Al Qaeda. The Saudis give donations to politicians and they have a long standing alliance with the Bushes and military industrial complex. They also have investments in banks and other private corporations. All of this gives them power and influence so they can effectively silence their critics and stop investigations of their ongoing financial support for global terrorism.
4
What does it take for someone to be tried for treason in the United States? Wouldn't a willful action to protect those that helped orchestrate 9/11 be enough? Classifying those report sections served no purpose other than to protect the Bush's family oil partners.
7
What does it take to be tried for treason in the US? How about leaking tree 28 classified pages?
The people have a right to know.
3
"Bandar Bush" won't appreciate releasing the classified part.
9
The US can't send a high level figure to France for the photo-opp moment of solidarity with the French after terrorist attacks there, but President Obama can cut his trip to India (you know that country with over a billion people and a huge immigrant population in the US, many of whom are exceptional employees and entrepreneurs in our tech and financial sectors) to pay respects to Saudi King Abdullah after he dies, something seems out of place there and points to seemingly illogical favoring of the Kingdom, maybe we love the amount of people they behead, or how the bid for the Olympics but want women to compete in another country because they are such an open and plural example for the region?
4
American Saudi policy has been to give traction to the snake's belly.
3
Sleeping with the enemy 101
9
We need a truth and reconciliation commission.
35
I still think we need to water board Dick Cheney and find out what he knew about this, and when he knew it. Why did "W" ignore the clear and persistent warnings?
Looking back over the intervening years it's obvious that the changes in everything related to defense, security and government spying sure seem to be a stunning execution of many of the plans and goals of the rightwing and despotic leadership and have resulted in a Big Brother oligarchy.
Is it all according to a script, drawn-up after the failures of Iran-Contra?
Looking back over the intervening years it's obvious that the changes in everything related to defense, security and government spying sure seem to be a stunning execution of many of the plans and goals of the rightwing and despotic leadership and have resulted in a Big Brother oligarchy.
Is it all according to a script, drawn-up after the failures of Iran-Contra?
8
Why would anyone believe Moussaoui.
2
It's not because of Moussaoi.
Some members of congress already know what's in it. They had to swear not to discuss it with anyone in order to get permission to read it.
Learn the details at 28pages.org
Some members of congress already know what's in it. They had to swear not to discuss it with anyone in order to get permission to read it.
Learn the details at 28pages.org
Because he has nothing to lose. Of course, we might speculate that Moussaoui thinks such an admission would help him remain "relevant" in a twisted kind of way, but it still has the ring of an insider's confirmation of something we already knew. If you're worried about your legacy, Mr. President, do something really bold and significant: Release those pages and let some fresh air into our stagnating, duplicitous Executive Branch!
Let's assume for argument's sake that Saudis at the top were deeply involved in the 9/11 attacks. What would we do? Would we stop buying their oil?
Not on your life. Exxon/Mobile, and the rest of the oil international oil oligarchs would never let that happen.
Q. So what is the difference between murdering nearly 4,000 Americans on US soil and destroying the planet?
A. Nothing, other than levels of degree.
Not on your life. Exxon/Mobile, and the rest of the oil international oil oligarchs would never let that happen.
Q. So what is the difference between murdering nearly 4,000 Americans on US soil and destroying the planet?
A. Nothing, other than levels of degree.
3
Maybe it is time to think the unthinkable. Bush and Cheney enabled 9/11 by promising Prince Bandar there would be no reprisals against the Kingdom for acts of terror in the USA by Osama and Al Queda. Crazy? Look at the facts! Consider the individuals. Remember that Saddam was a threat to the Saudis, not us. The repeated lying of the Bush Administration as to why we went to war with Saddam. The removal of Bin Laden as a target. Hand-holding and kow-towing to King Abdullah. Was 9/11 simply the result of Bush Administration incompetence or, as the facts demonstrate, something far more sinister and carefully planned?
9
Publish the documents. Now. Bush flew out the Saudis soon after
the attack. Why?
the attack. Why?
10
What about National Security Advisor Condi Rice post 9/11 claim that nobody had imagined the hijacking of airplanes and flying them into buildings -- this despite the following.
Tom Clancy widely-read book "Debt of Honor' (1994) that included the flying of a 747 into the US capitol.
Air France Flight 8969, Air France flight hijacked on 24 December 1994 by the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) at Algiers, with the intention to blow up the plane over the Eiffel Tower in Paris. ( Thwarted in Marseille, where the French National Gendarmerie, stormed the plane and killed all four hijackers.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_France_Flight_8969
The Bojinka plot (1995) that would have hijacked multiple commercial airplanes over the Pacific and would have flown one of them into CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bojinka_plot
The final report of the Hart-Rudman commission on terrorism handed to Bush-Cheney-Rice in January 2001.
The deployment of antiaircraft batteries at the Group of 8 The WTO meeting in Genoa Italy, July 2001 (attended by Bush) to cope with threats of air attack on the meeting.
Tom Clancy widely-read book "Debt of Honor' (1994) that included the flying of a 747 into the US capitol.
Air France Flight 8969, Air France flight hijacked on 24 December 1994 by the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) at Algiers, with the intention to blow up the plane over the Eiffel Tower in Paris. ( Thwarted in Marseille, where the French National Gendarmerie, stormed the plane and killed all four hijackers.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_France_Flight_8969
The Bojinka plot (1995) that would have hijacked multiple commercial airplanes over the Pacific and would have flown one of them into CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bojinka_plot
The final report of the Hart-Rudman commission on terrorism handed to Bush-Cheney-Rice in January 2001.
The deployment of antiaircraft batteries at the Group of 8 The WTO meeting in Genoa Italy, July 2001 (attended by Bush) to cope with threats of air attack on the meeting.
There is another way to look at this, at least for those who are conspiracy minded. Namely, the Obama administration is deliberately using leaks to the press to build up "pressure" for them to release information about the Saudi role pre 9/11 in regard to funding Al Qaeda. Why? To get the Saudi's to behave and stop being so obstructionist in regard to Obama's contemplated nuclear deal with Iran. Leaks to the NY Times on the redacted secret reports that discuss Saudis past behavior is a very good way to bare the administration's teeth on this matter (this newspaper has been a consistently strong supporter of Obama and his policies, particularly in regard to the Iran negotiations). Thus, we get the press report that the Obama administration is now "considering" exposing Saudi's role in 9/11 to satisfy the public "demand" for such information as well as repeated demands by Republicans like Lindsay Graham in this regard (now that is one clever twist!) Having put the Israelis in their place for opposing his prospective deal with Iran, knocked off Senate Democrats (i.e. Menendez) who oppose his actions, accused House Republicans of being almost unpatriotic in inviting Netanyahu to speak before them, Obama is now setting his sites on the Saudi opposition to clear the way for his and Kerry's plan to forge a disastrous deal with Iran. And two years from now, when the proverbial s... hits the fan, Obama will be out of office enjoying a Pina Colada in Hawaii.
Of course Obama has multiple motives, or those pages would have come out years ago. So what? Those pages should still be released.
Maybe so. But the Obama administration has had six years to release this information; why suddenly now? Think maybe other things are going on in the world that is motivating them?
Sunshine is the best disinfectant.
9
The Saudis want it opened; our government doesn't. 'Sounds like they believe they know what's in it. Why do they get to know and we don't?
4
The entire 9/11 report should be re-investigated and rewritten, as the current report is bunk. Not only does it hide the Saudis' financing of the attack, but apparently their ongoing financing of terrorism. We no longer need their oil, and have a large base there which will allow us to simply take the oil if we do need it. After all, it doesn't exactly look like the Saudis are our friends.
The investigative team for the report was headed by a neocon, who also withheld evidence that the hole in the Pentagon clearly came from a missile, not a jet. There were no wing marks on the Pentagon wall. The report does not address that falling debris only damaged a building with CIA files. The report fails to address why standard air defense systems were not activated. For example, at the time, if ANY flying object got within a certain distance from the Pentagon, it was AUTOMATICALLY shot down. This system could only be dismantled by a VERY high US official. WORST of all, security cameras at a gas station and hotel which would have shown the Pentagon attack in viewable form (not the mere blur we were shown) were immediately consficated and have never been released.
Thirty-six percent of Americans at the time believed the US executive branch had something to do with the attack. Their concerns stated above have never been addressed. The question then arises: why did EVERY member of the executive and legislative branches not only accepted the report, but complimented it?
The investigative team for the report was headed by a neocon, who also withheld evidence that the hole in the Pentagon clearly came from a missile, not a jet. There were no wing marks on the Pentagon wall. The report does not address that falling debris only damaged a building with CIA files. The report fails to address why standard air defense systems were not activated. For example, at the time, if ANY flying object got within a certain distance from the Pentagon, it was AUTOMATICALLY shot down. This system could only be dismantled by a VERY high US official. WORST of all, security cameras at a gas station and hotel which would have shown the Pentagon attack in viewable form (not the mere blur we were shown) were immediately consficated and have never been released.
Thirty-six percent of Americans at the time believed the US executive branch had something to do with the attack. Their concerns stated above have never been addressed. The question then arises: why did EVERY member of the executive and legislative branches not only accepted the report, but complimented it?
4
"Others familiar with that section of the report say that while it might implicate Saudi Arabia, the suspicions, investigatory leads and other findings it contains did not withstand deeper scrutiny. "
I wonder how it compares srutiny-wise to the quality of information and decision-making that got us to invade Afghanistan and Iraq. I also question the claim that Saudi Arabia is an important economic and military ally; they seem to give us the finger fairly often.
I wonder how it compares srutiny-wise to the quality of information and decision-making that got us to invade Afghanistan and Iraq. I also question the claim that Saudi Arabia is an important economic and military ally; they seem to give us the finger fairly often.
9
Self-sabotage cover up may shed some light into the partners who had renter TT 2 months before for 200 million dollars, and claimed 'Two separate incidents' of 3.5 billion each at the attempted insurance fraud. But look further, and some DC LLPs with ties to W et al may surface, naive bobolongos'
1
Nearly 80 years ago, this country made a deal with the devil. The problem is that today, with the Saudi's as a flimsy first line of defense against Al-Qaeda in the middle east, the devil we know is better than the devil we don't.
1
Restore American credibility - reveal all, and then arrest and convict Bush and Cheney. Nothing less.
14
Let the Sunni Muslims and Shiite Muslims drink their own oil, fight each other in their own wars, forever! The struggle in the Middle East is between Sunni Muslims and Shiite Muslims, the terrorism is just the way the wars being carried out: The Sunnis will defeat the Shiite government (Assad) in Syria, Syria will invade Iraq, and then the Sunnis will invade Shiite Iran, then Shiite Iran will use her nuclear bomb against all.
The Shiite Iran developing nuclear bombs most and foremost against Sunni countries, and Israel and Western countries - the Sunni extremists from Saudi Arabia that attacked America on 9/11, killed thousands of American soldiers in Iraq, and now Sunni extremists, ISIS, are committing barbaric evil unspeakable acts of violence against Shiites, Christians, Kurds, Zaidies, etc.
The Western governments that spend several trillions of dollars funding wars between Sunni Muslims countries and Shiite Muslims countries, we should invest the trillion dollars in energy research and technology, which moved Western civilization away from its cancer - dependency on oil and gas as the main power-drivers of our economies and life, all of this would go away and America and European countries could reassert themselves as the world leaders they claim to be.
The Shiite Iran developing nuclear bombs most and foremost against Sunni countries, and Israel and Western countries - the Sunni extremists from Saudi Arabia that attacked America on 9/11, killed thousands of American soldiers in Iraq, and now Sunni extremists, ISIS, are committing barbaric evil unspeakable acts of violence against Shiites, Christians, Kurds, Zaidies, etc.
The Western governments that spend several trillions of dollars funding wars between Sunni Muslims countries and Shiite Muslims countries, we should invest the trillion dollars in energy research and technology, which moved Western civilization away from its cancer - dependency on oil and gas as the main power-drivers of our economies and life, all of this would go away and America and European countries could reassert themselves as the world leaders they claim to be.
8
We lose all credibility when we say we support freedom and democracy as long as we continue to give Saudi Arabia military and diplomatic support. We can't fight ISIS when we back the country that gave it support.
52
Exactly!
Real change, Democratic change, will not truly come to the region while the Saudis' are in Power.
Real change, Democratic change, will not truly come to the region while the Saudis' are in Power.
At least 4 million Saudis are Salafis. They are literally required to assist other Salafis. The al Qa'ida movement is a Salafist jihadi network that believes killing all non-believers, including women and children, is their religious duty. The Islamic State, now operating and recruiting in Syria, Iraq and Europe, follow the same beliefs. It is important to point out that initially U.S leaders did not want to openly name foreign supporters of Germany's National Socialist German Workers Party either. That organization also condoned mass murder of civilians. Watch Klimer's movie, Come and See, if you dare to see how such groups truly operate.
4
Most reasonably intelligent and moderately informed people are aware that the Saudi's were/are involved at some level...the only questions are:
how much did the Saudi's know in advance? and
how embarrassing is it for the Bush family?
how much did the Saudi's know in advance? and
how embarrassing is it for the Bush family?
12
The Saudi leaders want the U.S. to remove Syria's al-Assad, thereby further destabilizing the region and opening up Syria for a Sunni-led bloodbath of all non-Sunni inhabitants (around 30% of the population). This would leave Iran as the sole player in the checks-and-balances system that Muslims have had in play since the breakup of the Ottoman Empire. It's no surprise that the Saudis are spending billions trying to get the U.S.A. to go to war with Iran and Syria...that would leave them--and their oil--as THE Mideast juggernaut with complete control over the region and all Muslims marching in lockstep with the Saudi agenda (ladies, don your burkhas!) How can warmongering American Congressmen like John McCain and Lindsey Graham be so gullible? Have they, in their excitement to please the Saudis and access oil money for themselves, forgotten what and who they are supposed to represent?
9
Bush-Cheney coverup of their complicity in the 9/11 investigations overlooking of the obvious Saudi involvement in the terror attack will sink Jeb Bush efforts to get the Republican nomination. Who in their right mind would vote for another Bush presidency ?
10
Why would it surprise anyone that Saudi Arabia was involved, when 17 of the 19 perpetrators were Saudi?
15
The Grassy Knoll crowd is out in force today in the comment section of the NYT. People who believe that the 1000's of Washington bureaucrats and politicians who have read the 28 pages are all keeping their mouths shut to protect the Bush's are nuts. Further, the idea that President Obama is protecting anybody by continuing to keep the 28 pages secret is equally nuts.
4
A statistically significant number of the 'Grassy Knoll' crowd died violent deaths within a short period of Kennedy's assassination…easy to be blasé & dismiss with a broad stroke, but there is plenty we do not know. They're playing for keeps. We're still dozing.
If I'm correct, these "28 pages" are classified at the TS//SCI//ORCON//NOFORN//EYES ONLY// level. Therefore I DOUBT that "1000's of Washington bureaucrats and politicians" have read it. The paperwork involved in just HANDLING these document AT THAT LEVEL is time consuming and I SHOULD know, having dealt with these type of documents while in the military. These (written) documents are on a "need to know" basis and EVERY TIME that the documents are released to someone, they have to sign for it, keeping a clear "chain of custody" record, thus having a "written record" of what individual has "seen/read" the documents. THIS ensures that IF a "leak" occurs, the releasing authority has a "chain of custody" record of WHO/WHEN/WHERE the document has been "seen/read".
That the missing part of the report is only 28 pages tells me that it cannot be definitive. First, it is very difficult to separate the government from the house is Saud. There are hundreds of princelings on the payroll, and trying to figure out the cast of players is hard. The old king could never quite get his mind around the fact the hijackers were mostly Saudi Yeminis. But everyone knows about the Saudis bankroll the Wahabbist movement. The thing that strikes me is the absolutely unwholesome relationship between the Bush family and the kingdom. George Bush sr went to Ryadh. twice during his sons's first election campaign, and on the morning of 9/11 was at the annual general meeting of the Carlyle Group in Washington, with the Bin Laden family in attendance . And we all know about Bandar Bush, with his English pub installed in his Aspen ski lodge. As the Saudi in charge of foreign affairs, his Machiavellian efforts around Syria and Iraq have been disastrous. The bottom line is that the US has aligned itself with the two most loathed countries in the region, and one of them is corrupt and despotic.
7
Here's a simple solution: release the 28 pages, but wherever it refers to "Saudi Arabia" or "investment in Bush oil company," just redact it. Problem solved.
1
Gee...I wonder if this has anything to do with Jeb deciding to run or not? Hmmmm....ya think?
1
To not disclose information, to not investigate further, and to not seek punishment, fails the victims of 9/11, the American justice system, and everyone in the world community who has suffered from the after-effects which persist today.
6
The Saudi's are not a friends that are to be trusted, nor are they foes! The majority of the 9/11 hijackers were Saudi's. But considering the Middle East is crumbling and militant Islam on the rise, the US needs an ally albeit an unreliable one. It is well known fact that the Saudi's have provided funding to terrorist organizations but its funding is to maintain peace and stability at home; in essence a bribe to keep terrorist attacks outside its borders. The US must be truthful and honest in its dealings with the Saudi’s. To alienate them is to invite more instability of the region; to ally with them too closely might inspire and give rise to more anti-American sentiment in the area.
"It is well known fact that the Saudi's have provided funding to terrorist organizations but its funding is to maintain peace and stability at home."
Sounds like the same philosophy as the USA funding South American despots to keep Communism out of America.
Sounds like the same philosophy as the USA funding South American despots to keep Communism out of America.
1
If the citizens of the USA want the information revealed, they should be harassing their representatives in the Congress and Senate as well as the White House to do so. If there's no vocal demand on the part of the public, then why would the White House jeopardize a cosy relationship with the Saudis?
This is supposed to be a government 'of the people, for the people'. Let the degree of of outcry from the USA citizens be the barometer to assess as to whether the information should or should be declassified.
This is supposed to be a government 'of the people, for the people'. Let the degree of of outcry from the USA citizens be the barometer to assess as to whether the information should or should be declassified.
3
The fabric of the official 9/11 narrative is starting to unravel. Let's hope once the American people are allowed to see this 28 page report their quest for the truth does not end there. There are so many holes, so many inconsistencies with the official "story" it is amazing it has taken this long to get this small piece into the mainstream media's reporting .
Perhaps this has been allowed to come forward to quell the interest of the public. The actors involved may believe if we are given this information we will stop asking so many questions. Those who financed 9/11 are but a single part of it. Listen to Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta's testimony regarding Dick Cheney's actions in the bunker. Listen to what architects, engineers, physicists, pilots, firefighters, FAA traffic controllers, ex CIA, and ex NSA officials have to say regarding 9/11.
We have a choice to make. We can be appeased with this 28 pages regarding who financed this horrific event or we can use it as a springboard. Let's not waste this opportunity. Ask yourself how you feel about the generation who bought the notion JFK was killed by a lone gunman. Is that the way you want future generations to think of you? If we allow our government to hide secrets from us, no matter who the finger points to, we cease to exist as the nation we advertise ourselves to be.
Re-open the investigation.
Perhaps this has been allowed to come forward to quell the interest of the public. The actors involved may believe if we are given this information we will stop asking so many questions. Those who financed 9/11 are but a single part of it. Listen to Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta's testimony regarding Dick Cheney's actions in the bunker. Listen to what architects, engineers, physicists, pilots, firefighters, FAA traffic controllers, ex CIA, and ex NSA officials have to say regarding 9/11.
We have a choice to make. We can be appeased with this 28 pages regarding who financed this horrific event or we can use it as a springboard. Let's not waste this opportunity. Ask yourself how you feel about the generation who bought the notion JFK was killed by a lone gunman. Is that the way you want future generations to think of you? If we allow our government to hide secrets from us, no matter who the finger points to, we cease to exist as the nation we advertise ourselves to be.
Re-open the investigation.
2
For decades Saudis have financed Jihad all around the globe and encouraged fanatics to fight until death against depraved western countries. They are now in big trouble with ISIS and Al Qaeda who finance and encourage their own fanatics to fight until death against depraved Saudis and gain control on Medina and Mecca.
Saudis who were expecting nothing but end of our way of life, are now asking for our support to fight against ISIS, in order to maintain their medieval way of life where camels are more valuable than women.
Saudis who were expecting nothing but end of our way of life, are now asking for our support to fight against ISIS, in order to maintain their medieval way of life where camels are more valuable than women.
Imagine that an end to Islamic terrorism was negotiated and announced tonight, complete with photo ops of al Qaeda and ISIS higher ups locked hands with smiling western leaders.
What would happen to the stocks of Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, General Dynamics etc tomorrow morning?
Terrorist threats have proven quite lucrative to certain powerful sectors of private industry with close ties to the Pentagon and Washington generally.
Questions need to be asked about decisions being made in our name, but unfortunately, our mainstream media has not shown any inclination to delve beneath a very shallow surface and examine a military-industrial complex whose bottom line is at odds with world peace - a powerful complex that we were warned about ten presidents ago.
What would happen to the stocks of Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, General Dynamics etc tomorrow morning?
Terrorist threats have proven quite lucrative to certain powerful sectors of private industry with close ties to the Pentagon and Washington generally.
Questions need to be asked about decisions being made in our name, but unfortunately, our mainstream media has not shown any inclination to delve beneath a very shallow surface and examine a military-industrial complex whose bottom line is at odds with world peace - a powerful complex that we were warned about ten presidents ago.
2
I'm really bothered by this report -- and its implications. I sure hope the price of gas doesn't increase!
1
“Saudi Arabia has long been considered the primary source of Al Qaeda funding, but we have found no evidence that the Saudi government as an institution or senior Saudi officials individually funded the organization,” .....aaaannnnnd we don't want to!!
2
From the 9/11 Commission Report: "Ultimately the question of the
origin of the funds is of little practical significance."
With all due respect Mr. Zelikow... Bollux.
This wound has never properly healed. It has festered and twisted under the cover of a patch-- your report. Time does not heal all things.
Dead or alive, Bin Laden wins if we are scarred forever by these attacks. Time to clean out the wound and let it see the light of day, painful as it might be.
origin of the funds is of little practical significance."
With all due respect Mr. Zelikow... Bollux.
This wound has never properly healed. It has festered and twisted under the cover of a patch-- your report. Time does not heal all things.
Dead or alive, Bin Laden wins if we are scarred forever by these attacks. Time to clean out the wound and let it see the light of day, painful as it might be.
1
These pages should be declassified, I agree. But I don't think the controversy will end there, I think these pages will raise more questions than they will answer.
3
Ms. Zxy--I agree-bring on the questions and hold our representatives feet to the fire--Hold them accountable for this.
1
The funding of terrorism has been hidden from the public because of the political imperatives in place, not only abroad but also close to home. The public needs to understand who is responsible:
Have wealthy Saudis been funding Al Qaeda and ISIL with American petro-dollars?
Did wealthy Irish Americans fund the IRA?
Are American taxpayers indirectly funding state terrorism in the Middle East?
Have wealthy Saudis been funding Al Qaeda and ISIL with American petro-dollars?
Did wealthy Irish Americans fund the IRA?
Are American taxpayers indirectly funding state terrorism in the Middle East?
1
Perhaps we now have a solid answer as to why Osama was assassinated rather than captured and brought to trial where all this would have come out?
1
The credit Obama is taking for lower gas prices based on Saudi Arabia opening its floodgates on its oil production.
Lower gas prices has had the single biggest impact on our improving economy, so why would Obama jeopardize that?
Lower gas prices has had the single biggest impact on our improving economy, so why would Obama jeopardize that?
1
The hypocrisy and obsequious in how the west deals with Saudi Arabia is breathtaking, had it been any other country without vital resources they would be classified a rogue state. They'd also have been first on the list of the axis of evil.
Well, when all the rest of us were grounded on September 11 and in the days following, President Bush made sure that his Saudi friends were flown out of the United States.
You have to wonder.
The next year, when Bush was trumping up charges against Saddam Hussein, even my Republican mother said, "He's lying. He wants to get us into a war."
I guess he would have found it difficult to bomb Saudi Arabia.
You have to wonder.
The next year, when Bush was trumping up charges against Saddam Hussein, even my Republican mother said, "He's lying. He wants to get us into a war."
I guess he would have found it difficult to bomb Saudi Arabia.
4
the house of saud connections to al qaeda go back to it's inception - in the 60's. this is not new, or news.
who do people think started started this jihad group and where do they think the all the money came from?
who do people think started started this jihad group and where do they think the all the money came from?
2
Bush knew and he did nothing about it. The worst President in American history.
6
Hide the truth. Lie to the public. Present our enemies as our friends.
These are the principles our leaders hold highest.
These are the principles our leaders hold highest.
2
It is so disheartening to realize that President Obama (who I voted for twice) is just as complicit with obfuscation and hidden "secrets" as any other president, if not more so. His record on national "security" and public disclosure is abysmal.
23
If you think that this material will be released, here's a 45 year old anecdote for you. Richard Nixon asked the CIA for all the secret files on the JFK assassination and Richard Helms told him that he couldn't have them because of national security issues. Yes, they told the President that he couldn't know the truth. Now, do you really think that this secret material about 9/11 will ever be relased? Think again.
1
Release the 28 pages, President Obama. Otherwise, everyone reading this article around the world, seeing how this is the NYT, will think that you are protecting a group that may have had some connection to 9/11.
Release the 28 pages, un-redacted.
Release the 28 pages, un-redacted.
3
Historically the Bush family has been on very friendly or shall we say on familial terms with more than one dastardly family since the days of Prescott Bush. Time for America to wise up about this self aggrandizing family.
1
One thing is clear: Republicans do not want the release of this information because it will make Jeb, their best hope for 2016, unelectable.
3
If you want to know what really happened, follow the money. On September 12, 2001, there were multiple civilian private jets which flew from several parts of the USA, despite public airspace supposedly being closed. Find out who was on those flights, or who paid for them, and you'll see some interesting political connections.
2
This is no big surprise--what is truly astonishing is that nothing is done about it and perhaps nothing will be.
And yet another Bush wants to be president. Jeb Bush's sister, Dorothy, is married to one of the Koch brothers.
Explain again how continued "alliances" with the Saudis are a good thing.
And yet another Bush wants to be president. Jeb Bush's sister, Dorothy, is married to one of the Koch brothers.
Explain again how continued "alliances" with the Saudis are a good thing.
2
How crazy for the United States government to allow a country which hates us to supply a commodity like oil and then congress, at the urging of oil lobbyists, to do everything possible to kill alternative sources of energy. Release the report. Let's see who the real enemies are, especially in this country.
4
Saudi Arabia is an extreme theocracy where freedom of thought, speech and especially religion. This regime extravagantly funds Islamic causes and the building of mosques worldwide. However, some carries a Bible into the Kingdom is likely to be charged and punished harshly. Their laws on blasphemy and apostasy were barbaric in medieval times. No one should be surprised then if Saudi money ends up in the hands of Al Qaeda or host of violent radical groups in the US, UK, France and elsewhere. But these are our "friends" - only because we need each other. Once the Saudis don't need the West, expect a well placed (and funded) knife in the back.
4
In the photograph accompanying this article Mrs. Laura Bush is shown center backgrojnd with her head uncovered. Interestingly, at the time, I don't remember any outrage over this fact or even that it was worthy of notice. But just last week when Mrs. Obama was photographed bare headed in Saudi it seems the GOP hate mill gets ginned up to to instant indignation to this presumed slight but which, in fact, is correct diplomatic protocol observed by two different with two wholly different responses.
4
Chairman Burr's lack of interest in what is outrageously trivialized as just an "historical document" (take not historians!) that may add immeasurably to our understanding of the enablers of the mass murder of 3,000 Americans beggars the imagination. In fact, it calls into question his moral and psychological fitness to hold his position. His "that was then and this is now" attitude is both stupid and ethically obtuse. He appears indifferent to finding out the whole truth about the death of 3,000 of his fellow Americans, undoubtedly for fear of ruffling the feathers of the Islamic fundamentalist barbarian millionaires that run Saudi Arabia. Americans couldn't care less.
Tell the truth about this heinous crime even if the heavens fall and give justice to those murdered and their loved ones.
Tell the truth about this heinous crime even if the heavens fall and give justice to those murdered and their loved ones.
3
Zacarias Moussaoui bears a startling resemblance to the role of the Jinn ('Genie') in the bottle in "The Thief of Bagdad.'
The 28 pages and the clear implication that a cover up ensued to obscure the funding behind 9/11 will likely prove to be the real 'Genie in the bottle' that cannot be stuffed back or fooled back in by the Cheney-Bush interests so closely allied to the Saudi Royals.
It may turn out to be a lot of 'smoke' but - after going to all that trouble to conceal the smoke with the mirrors of redaction it will prove hard to impossible to stuff it back in and stick in a cork.
The 28 pages and the clear implication that a cover up ensued to obscure the funding behind 9/11 will likely prove to be the real 'Genie in the bottle' that cannot be stuffed back or fooled back in by the Cheney-Bush interests so closely allied to the Saudi Royals.
It may turn out to be a lot of 'smoke' but - after going to all that trouble to conceal the smoke with the mirrors of redaction it will prove hard to impossible to stuff it back in and stick in a cork.
32
I loved Thief of Baghdad! Sabu and Flynn. One of my favorites. But, I never wanted it as our national policy.
5
The Saudi Royal family have been using the Bushes to take out the trash for years, since bailing out daddy George in his failed oil enterprise. They just didn't figure that their brat Binny there would team up with Atta and get lucky while our government sat anesthetized during the first nine months of Bush Lite. Then bye-bye My Pet Goat and Hello Global Jihad. They did let the genie out of the bottle. But, we never got any free wishes.
6
Saudi Arabia is our favorite "frenemy". It is appalling that a 100 years' worth of oil reserves will guarantee immunity for a atrocities underwritten here and around the world.
5
Sometimes "the enemy of my enemy" is still your enemy. That certainly is the case of Saudi Arabia and its radical Sunni Islam state religion of Wahhabism. This was the home of Osama bin laden and many of the 9/11 terrorists, and the birthplace of Al Qaeda which has now morphed into ISIS. It has been known for years that Saudi money has flowed or been "laundered" through charities to support radical Islam by funding madrasas in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and to fund terrorist groups. Specifically, the Saudis are currently engaged in a regional power dispute with Shiite Iran and have been actively supporting terrorist groups to overthrow Bashar al-Assad that has led to the civil war in Syria. They have been openly critical of President Obama for not joining them in that goal. In addition, the Saudis are currently dumping cheap oil on the world market to destabilize both Iran and the Shiite Iraq as well as to undercut the U.S. shale oil industry that is on the verge of freeing us from dependence on their oil. Until we confront Saudi Arabia there will be no peace in the region and we will be mired in an endless proxy war on terror to appease them. As they say, "With friends like that who needs enemies."
8
I remember hearing that when all other flights were still grounded one flight was allowed - back to Saudi Arabia.
Is this Urban Legend? I would like to know more about this; in fact, I would like to know everything about this!
Is this Urban Legend? I would like to know more about this; in fact, I would like to know everything about this!
3
How ridiculous. We encouraged the Saudis, to finance the Mujaheedin, who fought the Soviets in Afghanistan and when they were done turned those guns on us. Now we look at each other at the absurdity of this scenario! How stupid can we be?
1
W. had the report classified. Hand in hand with the Saudis (no pun intended!), protection was given so as to not offend them. Time to tell the truth.
3
It's doubtful that the U.S. government will release the missing pages of the report. After all, the intelligence community and the Saudis are probably already angry enough with President Obama for killing bin Laden. Bin Laden was a good religious-fanatic asset to have against Russia (as he was against Soviet Russia back in the 1980s). His death is most likely viewed as sub-optimal.
1
Like anything is really going to change even if we know which rich Saudis helped finance al Qaeda in the 1990s?
Please, the country has huge amounts of oil, and is still the major player in the Middle East for this reason. Nobody ever thought the Saudis loved America, that is, except for those working in the oil import business and a few in the State Department who were trying to provide cover for their continual mollycoddling of these wealthy, intolerant, hypocritical Saudi oil sheiks.
Plus, Zacarias Moussaoui is a paranoid schizophrenic who has repeatedly contradicted his own statements. This troublemaker should not be listened to. Giving him a new media megaphone for legal reasons was a dumb idea. Let him rot in prison.
1
Saudi support of anti-western terror has never stopped. Anyone willing to spend 2 minutes will easily turn up information that has been publicly available for years.
The last 3 GOP Whites Houses were run in part by saudi royals. Bandar bush knew the invasion of Iraq before our own Secretary of State. Of course, the invasion itself was in service to Wahabii Islam
The last 3 GOP Whites Houses were run in part by saudi royals. Bandar bush knew the invasion of Iraq before our own Secretary of State. Of course, the invasion itself was in service to Wahabii Islam
the readers ask "why" - think OIL
President George W. Bush, "We won't reveal sources and methods that will compromise our efforts to suceed" in fighting terrorism. Translation: we're not going to disclose anything that might cast a bad light upon our friends in the Saudi royal family.
2
'The Truth' of an event, when steeped in politics, is never to be found in what the media industry records politicians and their governmental minions speaking on what happened...and, politicians steep every event in politics.
1
Isn't alienating an influential economic an military partner the same as a national security interest? While I feel certain the information will come out at some point, we should not hasten more instability. Those who already have the data have done and aee doing what is possible - diplomatically - to defuse the situation.
1
Let's not forget our history, that WE funded Bin Laden for a lot of years when it was to our advantage. What is to say that rogue elements of the Saudi Family didn't do the same, probably hoping to overturn the established Saudi leaders and come to power themselves. This still wouldn't prove direct Saudi involvement in 9/11. That all remains to be proven. However, just because the findings in a section of the report may be misleading or not withstand deeper scrutiny is no reason to suppress them. That is not a National security issue. Barring any danger to any US citizen or interestlet the information into the light of day.
4
I hope that the "secret pages" shed light on just how it happened that several important Saudis were flown out of the US within hours of the 9/11 attack when all flights in the US were supposed to be grounded.
3
I cannot believe this comes as a surprise to anyone.
For years Saudi Arabia has been financing religious schools in other countries which teach conservative/literal interpretations of Islam. (kind of the way fundamentalist christian organizations in the US fund homophobic religious sects in Africa).
The Saudi royals do not care if their interpretation of Islam creates havoc in the world as long as they are appeasing the religious zealots at home and nothing untoward happens on their soil. (And then members of the royal family fly off to Paris or London to drink and carouse)
For years Saudi Arabia has been financing religious schools in other countries which teach conservative/literal interpretations of Islam. (kind of the way fundamentalist christian organizations in the US fund homophobic religious sects in Africa).
The Saudi royals do not care if their interpretation of Islam creates havoc in the world as long as they are appeasing the religious zealots at home and nothing untoward happens on their soil. (And then members of the royal family fly off to Paris or London to drink and carouse)
2
If the Saudis have nothing to hide - why not release the 28 pages? Why keep them a secret? After listening to Bob Graham speak publicly on numerous occasions I think the American people should demand we see what is in them.
2
Why do Americans love conspiracy theories so much?
I, in the minority, was against the Iraq war before it started, and never supported nor liked Bush or Cheney, but after reading other articles, and poring over the facts, especially in the Pre 9/11... Article following this, a lot of the conclusions concerning the collusion of Bush and lack of concern by Obama as evidenced in these comments seems absurd.
The Saudis are not saints, their official religion is despicable, and history will prove that Bush made a colossal blunder in invading Iraq, but can't we first read about history from all sides, study the facts, before coming up with the same conclusions, conspiracy theories, and tired repetitive rhetoric.
I, in the minority, was against the Iraq war before it started, and never supported nor liked Bush or Cheney, but after reading other articles, and poring over the facts, especially in the Pre 9/11... Article following this, a lot of the conclusions concerning the collusion of Bush and lack of concern by Obama as evidenced in these comments seems absurd.
The Saudis are not saints, their official religion is despicable, and history will prove that Bush made a colossal blunder in invading Iraq, but can't we first read about history from all sides, study the facts, before coming up with the same conclusions, conspiracy theories, and tired repetitive rhetoric.
sorry, this is not a theory. period, end of story. There's no reason to say anything more
1
Part 4 needs to be released. Even with the risk that it will be used as a political club by cynical partisans.
There is little doubt that the administration protected Saudi Arabia to protect the Military Industrial complex and the oil lobby .
President Obama please release the full report and let all Americans know who are true friends and enemies are.
For example will this change the dynamics of our relationship with Iran a sworn enemy of Saudi Arabia
One thing is for sure we have to reduce our dependency on Middle East oil
My Solar panels are being installed this month and I am walking to the shops
President Obama please release the full report and let all Americans know who are true friends and enemies are.
For example will this change the dynamics of our relationship with Iran a sworn enemy of Saudi Arabia
One thing is for sure we have to reduce our dependency on Middle East oil
My Solar panels are being installed this month and I am walking to the shops
4
I still remember watching two towers to collapse. Dark smoke from the collapsed No. 1 tower of the World Trade Center instantly tried to cover us while we were fleeing desperately.
It is the disgrace to the dead and the injured, and to those inhaled the dark asbestos smoke that Bush Administration, Congress and 9/11 commission hid Saudis from the nation.
I still remember of the excitement of my former colleagues when President Bush announced the war against Saddam Hussein.
It is scary to know that we were terribly deceived by the President.
It is the disgrace to the dead and the injured, and to those inhaled the dark asbestos smoke that Bush Administration, Congress and 9/11 commission hid Saudis from the nation.
I still remember of the excitement of my former colleagues when President Bush announced the war against Saddam Hussein.
It is scary to know that we were terribly deceived by the President.
6
The Gorilla in the room which no one can acknowledge is Saudi Arabia is at risk of overthrow by very radical elements within their boarders. That piece of trivia explains why the White House has approached Iran, why the Saudis don't (and can't) become more secular, and the "Arab Spring" had no legs.
GWB understood this and invaded Iraq. Go figure.
GWB understood this and invaded Iraq. Go figure.
2
House of Bush House of Saud - read that book, by Craig Unger. I am going to pull it off my shelves and read it again.
6
I thought the whole point of our push for energy independence was to be free of the unsavory relationships that compromise our values. Our production-to-consumption ratio has been cut by more than half since 2001. And yet the truth and transparency that we and the 9/11 families deserve is still being held hostage. If you want me to support fracking and tar sands, show me you can deliver on all its benefits, not just economic. Declassify now.
3
Obama has failed to release the evidence contained in the 28 pages. He has failed to examine the evidence and to prosecute the obviously fraudulent machinations that led from 9/11 to the devastation of Iraq and the current horrific situation in the middle east. Future historians will not condone his willful neglect of recent history. "Looking forward not backward" is a cop out.
3
if you want to look backward what you will see is the bush administration which ignored over 50 warnings that we knew of before the event, classified the report after the event, then went to war at the behest of Saudi Royals.
But youre right Obama should have prosecuted everyone in the former admin and then told us the truth about saudi
But youre right Obama should have prosecuted everyone in the former admin and then told us the truth about saudi
1
If, as the article states, the allegations in the report do not withstand "deeper scrutiny," then what's the harm of releasing it? Unless....
There are two excellent reasons why the report will never be declassified, and both have to do with money. As everyone knows, Saudi Arabia has a close relationship with the US due to oil: US oil companies are allowed to extract large profits there, and Saudi oil is a mainstay in our consumption-based economy. The second reason is that Saudi Arabia is not only the leading purchaser of weapons from the US, its purchases dwarf those of other countries.
Wait, you might say, don't we have a fleet guarding Saudi Arabia's waters, and a large air base guarding its border with Iraq? Did we not send troops to defeat the (non) threat of Saddam Hussien? Why does Saudi Arabia need to spend tens of billions of dollars each year buying American arms?
The answer is that the Saudi royal family is afraid of their own people. Not only Al Qaeda, but ordinary people like some of us who would like to watch the news, or drive our cars, or go shopping unaccompanied. In terms of human rights, the Saudis make the Shah of Iran look like a saint. And we see what happened there...
Wait, you might say, don't we have a fleet guarding Saudi Arabia's waters, and a large air base guarding its border with Iraq? Did we not send troops to defeat the (non) threat of Saddam Hussien? Why does Saudi Arabia need to spend tens of billions of dollars each year buying American arms?
The answer is that the Saudi royal family is afraid of their own people. Not only Al Qaeda, but ordinary people like some of us who would like to watch the news, or drive our cars, or go shopping unaccompanied. In terms of human rights, the Saudis make the Shah of Iran look like a saint. And we see what happened there...
5
"e vital link that they believe connects an important ally of the United States to the deadly attacks. " They are not an ally if they were involved in the attack, as I believe they are. Instead, they are our enemy, which I believe they are. And they should be treated like an enemy. It's part of the shame of President Bush that he preferred the Saudis to Americans. If this is wrong, let him explain it.
3
During the depositions used to produce the 9-11 investigative report some odd requirements were forced upon the commission before being allowed to depose President George W. Bush.
1. Bush and Cheney demanded that they be interviewed together, in the same room, at the same time.
2. No record of the deposition (of any sort including hand-written notes) was allowed.
Why?
1. Bush and Cheney demanded that they be interviewed together, in the same room, at the same time.
2. No record of the deposition (of any sort including hand-written notes) was allowed.
Why?
13
Senator Richard M. Burr (called)...them more of a historical document...
A historical document for who? How can it be history if it remains unknown? Oh, there are two histories. One for victims and their families and one for government officials and their handlers.
A historical document for who? How can it be history if it remains unknown? Oh, there are two histories. One for victims and their families and one for government officials and their handlers.
2
So the U.S. Government is guilty of the same whitewashing and obstruction of justice that Christina Kirschner was attempting in Argentina -- though without the dead prosecutor. Why do I doubt that people in the USA will be as offended about the protection of the perpetrators of the USA's worst terrorist attack, as Argentines are.
This is an embarrassment for the U.S. Government, and also for the U.S. press, which has entirely missed this story. Will Maria Bartiromo ask al-Waleed about this in her next puff-piece interview? Similarly, the most in depth media report I've ever seen about Prince Bandar was a 60 Minutes puff piece about his Aspen Ranch. Where has the press been about these 28 pages? Thank god for the plaintiffs lawyers who have been the only ones motivated enough to do the job of the press and uncover the truth.
This is an embarrassment for the U.S. Government, and also for the U.S. press, which has entirely missed this story. Will Maria Bartiromo ask al-Waleed about this in her next puff-piece interview? Similarly, the most in depth media report I've ever seen about Prince Bandar was a 60 Minutes puff piece about his Aspen Ranch. Where has the press been about these 28 pages? Thank god for the plaintiffs lawyers who have been the only ones motivated enough to do the job of the press and uncover the truth.
9
Anyone willing to spend 2 minutes will easily turn up information that has been publicly available for years. The last 3 GOP Whites Houses were run in part by saudi royals. Bandar bush knew the invasion of Iraq before our own Secretary of State. Of course, the invasion itself was in service to Wahabii Islam
2
Saudi Arabia is no friend of ours. Why do our spineless leaders continue to act as though it is?
2
This would be a great time to get a copy of American Dynasty by Kevin Phillips. This book chronicles the long and deeply intertwined relationship between the Bush family and Saudi Arabia.
It is easy to dismiss that which is too unbearable to accept. Fifteen of the nineteen 9/11 hijackers were Saudi. That was supposed to be an unfortunate coincidence with no substance. Osama bin Laden was a wealthy Saudi, another meaningless coincidence.
We know that money flows out of Saudi Arabia into the coffers of their proxy warriors, which are known terrorist organizations. But those are the good terrorists, so its OK to fund them.
When 9/11 hit and air travel was shut down, a group of wealthy Saudis were flown out the the country. Gosh, what were they worried about?
There is more to this story, a lot more. Perhaps there is and was no "official" funding of Al Qaeda by the Saudi government, but has their government ever done anything to stop their citizens from funding Al Qaeda and other terrorists? Did the royal family turn a blind eye to such funding? That's what needs to be revealed.
It is easy to dismiss that which is too unbearable to accept. Fifteen of the nineteen 9/11 hijackers were Saudi. That was supposed to be an unfortunate coincidence with no substance. Osama bin Laden was a wealthy Saudi, another meaningless coincidence.
We know that money flows out of Saudi Arabia into the coffers of their proxy warriors, which are known terrorist organizations. But those are the good terrorists, so its OK to fund them.
When 9/11 hit and air travel was shut down, a group of wealthy Saudis were flown out the the country. Gosh, what were they worried about?
There is more to this story, a lot more. Perhaps there is and was no "official" funding of Al Qaeda by the Saudi government, but has their government ever done anything to stop their citizens from funding Al Qaeda and other terrorists? Did the royal family turn a blind eye to such funding? That's what needs to be revealed.
10
Who benefits when "classified" reports are repressed and quashed? Usually well-connected and wealthy interests who would be embarrassed by the truth. It is time that biased and discriminatory withholding gets ended. The only people who benefit with that are those with lots to hide to the detriment of the rest of the citizenry. We were told that internal documents on US torture of suspected terrorists was necessary to prevent violence against the US, which was proven to be false in the days following. The ends justifies the means political attitudes are really dangerous, which tends to insulate the privileged oligarchical minorities at the expense of the many.
23
"Proponents of releasing Part 4, titled “Finding, Discussion and Narrative Regarding Certain National Security Matters,” have suggested that the Bush and Obama administrations have held it back for fear of alienating an influential military and economic partner rather than for any national security consideration."
Some "military and economic partner"! Translation: we will tell you we are an ally while we secretly fund those who would destroy you. And we know you will let us because of your lust for, and dependence on, oil.
That the US unwittingly (or wittingly, as some would say) propped up a country that very likely was directly, or indirectly, linked to the first terrorist attack on American soil is something that the US public deserves to know.
I always wondered about that "quick escape" of Saudi diplomats out of the country when national airspace was shut down. Something smelled fishy then, and something smells fishy now.
Yes, times and attitudes have changed regarding terrorism. But for all of us affected by its shadow, or even just those indirectly affected by a long TSA line, total disclosure is warranted. If we are paying for anti-terrorism though our tax dollars, shouldn't we know who all our enemies are?
Some "military and economic partner"! Translation: we will tell you we are an ally while we secretly fund those who would destroy you. And we know you will let us because of your lust for, and dependence on, oil.
That the US unwittingly (or wittingly, as some would say) propped up a country that very likely was directly, or indirectly, linked to the first terrorist attack on American soil is something that the US public deserves to know.
I always wondered about that "quick escape" of Saudi diplomats out of the country when national airspace was shut down. Something smelled fishy then, and something smells fishy now.
Yes, times and attitudes have changed regarding terrorism. But for all of us affected by its shadow, or even just those indirectly affected by a long TSA line, total disclosure is warranted. If we are paying for anti-terrorism though our tax dollars, shouldn't we know who all our enemies are?
9
This being released -- heck, even the discussion about the possibility of this being released -- is the last thing Jeb needs. It's a nice reminder of how absolutely corrupt his brother was and how clearly the last Bush administration committed crimes against this nation.
The only reason why I could see Obama refusing to release it is his fears of deflating the post-Presidential golden parachute he hopes to have with those who make billions off of war and cuddling up with our enemies.
The only reason why I could see Obama refusing to release it is his fears of deflating the post-Presidential golden parachute he hopes to have with those who make billions off of war and cuddling up with our enemies.
11
Hear, hear.
There is one troubling thing that the article and all posters are missing. In the beginning there was the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, and the joint US-Saudi-Pakistani project of creating and sending jihadis to Afghanistan to fight the Russians. Saudi money purchased American arms, the Pakistani military retained some of these and sent some to the jihadis in Afghanistan. With this first war in Afghanistan over we Americans thought that we could simply go back to old business. Except the jihadis, who had defeated one super power, now wanted to defeat the other one.
Thus to claim that only the Saudis colluded with the jihadis is a misrepresentation. It is conceivable that is why the congressional report has not seen the light of day.
Thus to claim that only the Saudis colluded with the jihadis is a misrepresentation. It is conceivable that is why the congressional report has not seen the light of day.
14
Uh, the Afghans did not initiate any actions against the US, which is the super power you seem to be implicating as the victim of Afghan aggression. The Soviets also invaded Afghanistan, not vice versa. The Afghans are just not going to tolerate any invaders of any flavor and maybe the world will finally figure that out.
"Whoever, knowing that an offense against the United States has been committed, receives, relieves, comforts or assists the offender in order to hinder or prevent his apprehension, trial or punishment, is an accessory after the fact." http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/3
By this definition, the US government is an accessory after the fact to the 9/11 terrorism.
By this definition, the US government is an accessory after the fact to the 9/11 terrorism.
89
And that says it all, no ambiguity whatsoever...
Just tell us the whole story, and let us judge for ourselves. These secrets do not "protect" us.
9
They protect Bush-Cheney, et al.
1
Most Americans know Saudis, like Pakistanis, have been fooling us for decades. What is mind boggling is why our successive administrations have been ignorant of it or have tolerated it. There is more to this story than just the oil. Someday we will know, hopefully.
4
Our President will do anything to be "liked" and that includes fawning to make believe royalty! Embarrassing and pedestrian. But the real story that ties into 9/11 may in fact begin to discuss the Saudi duplicity and the "royals" business ties to George Bush #1! The Saudi's have had a free ride for years as they are allowed by the US to do everything to their citizens that we condemn elsewhere. Time to get to the heart of the Middle East body politic!
6
Certainly there is no way to convince the Saudi government to stop underwriting terrorism by keeping the information secret. Why should they stop, if all they have to do is bargain a way around it?
Their jihadist religion drives them to do what they do. Since the US government is too passive to bomb them back to the Stone Age, the least we can do is publicly broadcast the details of their ingrained terrorist beliefs.
Their jihadist religion drives them to do what they do. Since the US government is too passive to bomb them back to the Stone Age, the least we can do is publicly broadcast the details of their ingrained terrorist beliefs.
6
They are already in the so-called Stone Age in many respects.
It is unbelievable that some people try to deflect the blame for this to Obama. Absolutely astounding.
13
"...examine crucial support given the hijackers and that by all accounts implicate prominent Saudis in financing terrorism."
The Saudis are financing terrorism? And who pray tell finances the Saudis? Could it be...
OIL?
America's addiction to oil, lead in no small part by the "just say no" President Ronald Reagan and his efforts to thwart any attempt at getting America off its biggest addicting drug, again OIL!. How ironic, while Nancy and Ronnie were rallying the Country off of drugs, they were tearing the solar panels off the roof of the White House.
Ultimately Americans have no one but ourselves to blame. We have created this monster and now we have to sleep with it in our beds, or should I say drive with it in our SUVs?
All the while we destroy the only planet in the reachable universe that can sustain human life.
Yippie!
The Saudis are financing terrorism? And who pray tell finances the Saudis? Could it be...
OIL?
America's addiction to oil, lead in no small part by the "just say no" President Ronald Reagan and his efforts to thwart any attempt at getting America off its biggest addicting drug, again OIL!. How ironic, while Nancy and Ronnie were rallying the Country off of drugs, they were tearing the solar panels off the roof of the White House.
Ultimately Americans have no one but ourselves to blame. We have created this monster and now we have to sleep with it in our beds, or should I say drive with it in our SUVs?
All the while we destroy the only planet in the reachable universe that can sustain human life.
Yippie!
17
The families had a promise from a politician - Obama - to release the pages.
As with all politicians, Obama most likely had no intention of actually doing it. He was just trying to be liked by promising what the families wanted to hear.
As with all politicians, Obama most likely had no intention of actually doing it. He was just trying to be liked by promising what the families wanted to hear.
7
Is it possible that the evidence contained on those pages is so toxic and involves such high ranking principals in our federal government that knowledge of who they were and why they authorized this breach might mortify both the nation and the world and could be a reason Mr. Obama remains reluctant? Do recall that when the world's airlines were all simultaneously grounded, a lone plane was authorized to return some Saudi families living here home. Whoever authorized that exclusion had to be someone of the highest authority in our federal government. Just the thought of such an unexplained authorization under the circumstances is potentially highly politically explosive. So I remain sympatric and trust Mr. Obama's judgment.
Fifteen of 19 hijackers were Saudis--79%. The Bush family has been courting Sauds and Saudis for three generations.
34
There are some things more important than money. There are some things more important than oil.
The truth, Mr. President. Let's have it.
The truth, Mr. President. Let's have it.
23
What oil can buy...a free pass on 9/11 involvement.
116
All the more reason to find an alternate form of energy ASAP.
Why do you think Saudi officials were whisked out of the US in secret by the US immediately after the 9/11 attacks?
I remember the Hon. Winston S. Churchill (MP and grandson) speaking at the National Press Club 25 years ago, saying the Saudi royal family had a corrupt Faustian bargain with Islamic militant terrorists. The Saudi princes funded the radical Madrases and in turn the militant Islamists did not seek to overturn the Saudi royal family.
Other articles over the years have reported on financial support from the Saudi princes to al Qaeda.
That's why are policy in the Middle East has to be containment and defense at home. When your "best ally" is your secret enemy, you are doomed if you think you can defeat them.
The Emperor has long had no clothes. Perhaps now our eyes will be opened.
I remember the Hon. Winston S. Churchill (MP and grandson) speaking at the National Press Club 25 years ago, saying the Saudi royal family had a corrupt Faustian bargain with Islamic militant terrorists. The Saudi princes funded the radical Madrases and in turn the militant Islamists did not seek to overturn the Saudi royal family.
Other articles over the years have reported on financial support from the Saudi princes to al Qaeda.
That's why are policy in the Middle East has to be containment and defense at home. When your "best ally" is your secret enemy, you are doomed if you think you can defeat them.
The Emperor has long had no clothes. Perhaps now our eyes will be opened.
14
I'm so bone weary of being treated like an idiot by our elected officials.
".. some muslim country.." is code for Saudi Arabia I guess. We need to leave all this unpleasantness to the really wise folks to tease out, and not get worked up over what probably happened. Not to worry - that participation (such a bland word for mass murder) is not commensurate with today and so is water under the bridge. This explains all that ring kissing last week I take it?
".. some muslim country.." is code for Saudi Arabia I guess. We need to leave all this unpleasantness to the really wise folks to tease out, and not get worked up over what probably happened. Not to worry - that participation (such a bland word for mass murder) is not commensurate with today and so is water under the bridge. This explains all that ring kissing last week I take it?
"There may have been a level of participation by some Muslim country that is not commensurate with today,”
Oh, right. Just because somebody was guilty back then doesn't mean they should take responsibility now.
Yeah, that's the ticket.
Oh, right. Just because somebody was guilty back then doesn't mean they should take responsibility now.
Yeah, that's the ticket.
5
I have been wondering what in the name of heaven would cause Jeb Bush to run for office. No, seriously.
His father and brother were presidents---and they are largely responsible for the mess the US made since we invaded Iraq back in 91. Any reasonable, grounded and mature individual would recognize that the country does not need a reminder of these messes. They would have reasonable questions as to whether or not the country would be ready to accept a third Bush in the White House given the history. Such a grounded and mature person might conclude that it's a shame, that perhaps he would have been the best Bush, blah blah blah....but they would have the good sense to funnel their desire "to do good" into other avenues.
So why run for office?
....unless it's to ensure that the Bush family secrets/interests are not further compromised.
I am no conspiracy theorist, at least I haven't been up to this point, but any observer can "call bull&*it" on the optics of the Bush-Saudi relationship. Out of all the Middle Eastern countries, Saudi Arabia is, by far, the closest in ideology to the terrorists wrecking havoc.
New York Times take note: there is another brewing Watergate type scandal for the taking here if you begin to investigate Bush/Saudi tie more closely. Something isn't right.....
His father and brother were presidents---and they are largely responsible for the mess the US made since we invaded Iraq back in 91. Any reasonable, grounded and mature individual would recognize that the country does not need a reminder of these messes. They would have reasonable questions as to whether or not the country would be ready to accept a third Bush in the White House given the history. Such a grounded and mature person might conclude that it's a shame, that perhaps he would have been the best Bush, blah blah blah....but they would have the good sense to funnel their desire "to do good" into other avenues.
So why run for office?
....unless it's to ensure that the Bush family secrets/interests are not further compromised.
I am no conspiracy theorist, at least I haven't been up to this point, but any observer can "call bull&*it" on the optics of the Bush-Saudi relationship. Out of all the Middle Eastern countries, Saudi Arabia is, by far, the closest in ideology to the terrorists wrecking havoc.
New York Times take note: there is another brewing Watergate type scandal for the taking here if you begin to investigate Bush/Saudi tie more closely. Something isn't right.....
15
Good point GWE. How can your "best " ally be your "worst enemy' at the same time...such duplicity is not uncommon in some cultures. I believe the 9/11 "truthers have been waiting for this day.
Lifts an eyebrow when you see so many US polititions flocking to kiss the hand of the new King.
4
Saudi Arabia has looked out for Saudi Arabia and Wahabi Islam since the 1960s. Anyone who doubts should re-read Steve Coll's master wok on the mess in Afghanistan and Pakistan and the extent to which Saudi Arabia is culpable. Why are"we" always so consistently naive?
12
It's time to end our ignominious kowtowing to the house of Saud and time to begin a BDS (Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions ) campaign against Saudi Arabia.
13
They only have one product: oil, which is part of a the dominant OPEC cartel where country of origin is erased. The country is owned by a giant hedge fund/family so they have nothing to divest from, unless we divest from any companies like News Corp who Saudi held a large stake in for a long time, but sold most of their stock recently. They are also already isolated internationally so know one can enter their large sand pit anyway. We can only pressure our government to ban Saudi oil when they open up world markets to Iranian oil.
The publication of this classified report would be a good starting point for a complete reevaluation of our middle-East strategy. For well over a decade, we have been fooled into expended American blood and treasure in support of the Saudis and other hardline Sunni states in their civil war against Shiism, Iran, and Syria. And no one in this administration, or the last one seem to have noticed the irony of allowing the organizers and financers of Al Qaeda and ISIS such a strong influence over our foreign policy. Iran was not behind 9/11 and Al Qaeda, neither were Iraq or Syria for that matter, but we have been fooled into regarding them as our main enemies. This would be a good time to rethink our entire strategy and to finally figure out that it’s our “friends” who have been behind most of the trouble
8
sorry paul, but the nature of this report shows gov-co was not duped, they are complicit. they WANT the crazies running around in M.E., they want to use oil prices as a weapon against russia and the US citizenry.
1
Al Qaeda brought twin towers of WTC in 2001.How is it that the agency could not get this information from the captive .Was he afraid to reveal when the old King was alive.The incident leveled towers to ground.But this news is so volatile that it would set Saudi oil wells to fire.
4
So, where is big-mouth John McCain in all this "debate"?
22
SOME highly placed Saudi Arabians might help fund terror but we must be careful not to demonize all Saudi Arabians. The article says, “Saudi Arabia has long been considered the primary source of Al Qaeda funding, but we have found no evidence that the Saudi government as an institution or senior Saudi officials individually funded the organization,” the commission said in its July 2004 report. It did note, however, the “likelihood that charities with significant Saudi government sponsorship diverted funds to Al Qaeda.” The public learned this last year when the common criminal terrorists calling themselves the islamic state started their campaign of brutal destruction and we learned that one insane cleric is behind the movement. President Obama and the international community must pressure Saudi Arabia and other middle eastern countries to take funding from these radical war mongers. The vast majority of people in the world do not want another major military conflict.
3
It isn't about attacking the Saudi people. It is about asking why we have to keep pretending that billionaire princes who indirectly fund our enemies should be treated with kid gloves.
No one wants an invasion of Saudi Arabia. We want to stop lying to ourselves about who are real friends are. (Israel isn't looking very good in that regard either, frankly. They routinely ignore and insult our leaders while we give them 2 billion dollars a year.)
No one wants an invasion of Saudi Arabia. We want to stop lying to ourselves about who are real friends are. (Israel isn't looking very good in that regard either, frankly. They routinely ignore and insult our leaders while we give them 2 billion dollars a year.)
We've needed to reevaluate our relationship with the Saudis for a very long time. They run their country exactly like ISIS would like to run Syria and Iraq -- Sharia law, beheadings, no rights for women, and so on. Yet somehow they wind up being our good friends.
It's shameful that the FBI assisted prominent Saudis to flee the US after 9/11 without interviewing them, at a time when all other flights in the country were grounded. Yet, the Saudis are responsible for funding the spread of radical Islam, most of the hijackers on 9/11 were Saudis, and, as this article explores, they appear to have helped fund 9/11. Why do I get the feeling that we'd be better off if we'd just let Saddam Hussein roll through Saudi Arabia in the early '90s?
It's shameful that the FBI assisted prominent Saudis to flee the US after 9/11 without interviewing them, at a time when all other flights in the country were grounded. Yet, the Saudis are responsible for funding the spread of radical Islam, most of the hijackers on 9/11 were Saudis, and, as this article explores, they appear to have helped fund 9/11. Why do I get the feeling that we'd be better off if we'd just let Saddam Hussein roll through Saudi Arabia in the early '90s?
108
As much as I am all for total disclosure, this kind of disclosure will never happen, so stop talking about it Yes, Bin Laden family was flown out the evening of 9/11 (from Harvard I think or nearby), not a secret today. Does the CIA have anything to fear? We shall never know.....
1
Pointing Fingers at the Saudis for what they did Pre 9/11 is being a little bit Hypocritical. If we look way back, The Talibans were created with the Help of the CIA under Ronald Reagan Administration. Should the CIA be blamed for 9/11 also?
The problem is what the Saudis have been doing since 9/11. They have not stopped exporting their radical form of Islam. They have not stopped building Madrassas around the World, Rich Saudis are still financing Terrorist groups in Syria...
The problem is what the Saudis have been doing since 9/11. They have not stopped exporting their radical form of Islam. They have not stopped building Madrassas around the World, Rich Saudis are still financing Terrorist groups in Syria...
2
This piece of information may be very important to put out, but Public long know Al Qaeda and Saudi Link.
If it is a surprise, there is same kind of link exist between ISIS and Saudi's too.
Hey, money talks, Who is the deepest pocket in the region.
If it is a surprise, there is same kind of link exist between ISIS and Saudi's too.
Hey, money talks, Who is the deepest pocket in the region.
3
If you consider the censorship of the news media and the idea that the politicians believe that "they know what's best for us," you have a very fragmented report of the "news" to the point that it is impossible to really know the full story. Also to factored in, is innuendo and presumption and 'confidential sources,' and now the truth becomes even more obscured. Remember the circle of ten or fifteen people where someone begins by telling the next person something, with the instructions that this should be passed around the circle exactly as said..... by the time it reaches the end of the circle, it's nowhere near the original thought. .....and you think you know the truth???
2
None too bright, NYT. Who doesn't know by now that the saudis fund terror? The big story is the US gov-co knowingly being complicit in it. They clearly had this info, hid it from the citizenry, and did NOTHING about it. If you knew who committed a crime, then helped them cover it up, it is a crime called at LEAST accessory after the fact. So who's going to be charged? If no one, then any citizen convicted of such a crime must be released.
5
If Saudi Arabia funded some of the 9/11 hijackers, American citizens need to know that. Release the 28 redacted pages.
8
How reliable is the testimony of Zacarias Moussaoui? How high up on the chain of command and intel was he anyway? Just because he was, is an Al Queda tool doesn't necessarily make him reliable or knowledgeable of the machinery behind 9/11 massacre.
How could it be that people for OBL's family were funding him? Didn't they get the memo? Russians, Americans, Israeli's, we are all crusader infidels.
And the Saudi's who were flown out just after 9-11. ? Oh to have a copy of the conversations on that flight.
You know it existed at one time.
And the Saudi's who were flown out just after 9-11. ? Oh to have a copy of the conversations on that flight.
You know it existed at one time.
3
Possibly "W" should have invaded Saudi Arabia, rather than Iraq.
9
I agree with the comments that the 4th Estate, the Media has failed us on 9/11....it's that simple What exactly happened and who caused it? The media of 2001 had the resources to find out but failed to do so....why?
8
Michael Moore knew...his movie was an eye-opener..
Remember one thing-on that terrible day all American flights-OUR flights- were cancelled except for those that transported the whole of the royal Saudi contingent found in America who flew freely, and with consent of Washington, back home.
19
yes, as were many members of the Bin Laden family.
The real story is the identity, motives and goal of those making this play now. Saudi involvement in 9/11 has stunk even before we attacked secular Iraq. Over a decade later it is a multi article front page NYT issue? Yeah yeah sell me that bridge.
2
The Royal Saudi Family is 4-500 strong, and most of them are in fact billionaires. It would be nothing for a few of them to pony up half a billion dollars to support "Arab Freedom Fighters" like Bin Laden. Prince Bandar has been absent. ISIS was funded and he thought controlled by the Saudi's until the big breakout of ISIS in Syria. When that happened, Prince Bandar was sacked. And let's not forget that previously, ISIS was known as Al Qaeda of Iraq, a creation because of America's War on the Arabs.
5
The Oil Nations of the Middle East fund terrorism and Hero of Alexandria discovered steam. Where's the news and, more cogently, what's to be done about it?
6
Didn't our President just bow and kiss the ring of the new Saudi monarch?
6
no he did not he was seen with his head somewhat down but he did not kiss a ring please...it was BUSH who protected those documents
7
According to the article, the Saudi's want the 28 pages released, and Sen. Graham seems to think they're simply "historical documents". So what's the objection to releasing them?
14
This Obama, always thinking he'll will win compliance from adversaries by protecting the: hence he keeps damaging info on saudis classified, took six years to go after the birthers, never let the tea party have it (instead turn coated and said govt should belt tighten during a deep recession).
well obama u can now see where this strategy got u: you are the most powerless second term president in modern political history.
do you think u might learn before u exit the office?
well obama u can now see where this strategy got u: you are the most powerless second term president in modern political history.
do you think u might learn before u exit the office?
4
Releasing the 28 pages are important.
However, keep in mind that certain commission members were compromised. Certain commission members whose sole job it was to protect the Bush regime. The commission report has a lot of cover-ups built-in.
However, keep in mind that certain commission members were compromised. Certain commission members whose sole job it was to protect the Bush regime. The commission report has a lot of cover-ups built-in.
46
Where's the surprise here? The government of Saudi Arabi funds animals, as do individuals in Saudi Arabia! And the violence goes around and around...
12
Obama would be well advised to make this public. Bush should never have suppressed it in the first place and it raises questions about his personal motivations. I've little doubt that elements of the Saudi elite and maybe some rogue agencies in the Saudi government were implicated (rogue agencies aren't unique to the Saudis and it's not necessarily a reflection of where Saudi Arabia is today). If it's not released, the unanswered charge is going to lie on the table, and I've equally little doubt the vast majority of Americans will believe it (and not just the conspiracy nuts although there is no shortage of them).
70
Sunshine is the best antiseptic.
It might also reveal that perhaps we attacked the wrong country, Iraq. Ya think?
A primary objective of Al Qaeda's is to destabilize the Saudi regime. Moussaoui's claims should not be taken too seriously. Even if a royal or a few royal's are sympathizers with Al Qaeda it doesn't make the whole regime complicit.
23
Then release the 28 pages so we can know for sure.
Maybe not; but let's bring the individuals involved to justice.
Fear not Mr. President. The media will be sure you personally do not get tarnished by this story or any others they publish about the possibility that Saudi Arabia funded 911 or other acts of terror against the US. The media will clearly aim this at George Bush. They have already started with the NYT putting up a picture of Bush in Saudi Arabia, in 2008, front page, with the monarchs, next to this story on the front page of the electronic version of the paper this morning.
10
Barack Obama was a professor and community organizer in Chicago on 9/11.
Of course the focus is on George Bush!!!
Of course the focus is on George Bush!!!
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And the focus should be on George Bush and his minions!!! We have more than enough screwups to lay at Obama's feet.
3
Just goes to show the more things change the more they remain the same:new POTUS, same monied old boy net to protect.
the report should be released though it is naive to believe that the report will unequivocally answer any of the salient questions revolving around the Saudis, the Bushes or the myriad miscreants involved with 9/11. like with all tragedies enveloped in contradictions, confusion, obfuscation and powerful interests (read JFK) sadly we may never get to the truth in our lifetime hence those ultimately responsible will go unpunished.
17
Let's punish the Bush family, NOW, by turning our backs on the latest presidential supplicant.
5
Why should ANY part of the 9/11 report be classified unless our government was involved in something it ought not to have been.
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Classifying things is the government's DEFAULT position; when in doubt, make it secret. That's why we have the FOIA.
1
Back in college in 1973, during the oil embargo, I took a course on international oil economics. One point made in a book we read for the course was that during WW2, the Secretary of War recommended to FDR that ARAMCO, the main vehicle for Saudi/US oil production, be nationalized. FDR rejected the idea, stating that he did not want to become the successor to the British Raj in colonizing Muslim countries. It is very clear that a different decision was made at that time -- the special relationship with the Saudis that has lead to these not-surprising "revelations". The problem is that liberal Democrats, including the average NYT reader, while complaining bitterly about the obvious collusion between the US and Saudi governments, will not support the energy policy changes needed to break the relationship. These would include enhanced domestic oil production (i.e. fracking, Keystone XL, etc.), nuclear power, wind farms off the LI and MA coasts, all of these despised endeavors to the left wing, as well as solar energy and enhanced conservation. If we produced 100% of our own energy in the US and Canada, we could have a foreign policy we could be proud of. But we have to be grown ups, for once, in how we get there.
47
Keystone XL has NOTHING to do with enhanced domestic oil production.
It is Canadian oil for EXPORT to China.
It is Canadian oil for EXPORT to China.
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In this argument liberals and "average NYT readers" are in collusion with with the Saudi's as well. The broad brush being used to paint them somehow misses many well considered motivations for energy policy. Certain billionaire energy (oil and coal) industrialists have funded our state governor here in WI where tax incentives for solar energy instillation use have ended. Light rail development was halted and killed. There is a concern of sustainability in a way that does not damage the earth,(see environmental disasters is the Bakken oil fields in Wyoming and Montana where natural gas is drilled destroying thousands of acres of land), fracking is not a harmless way to squeeze oil and gas from the earth either; there are real environmental consequences to these methods of harvesting energy with the mentality that the earth belongs to us, and future generations will pay for our use of it.
2
Einstein's rejoinder displays the truth in Paul's comment for all to see.
It has long been known that some members of the rather extensive (2000 member?) Saudi royal family have been major contributors to Al Qaeda just as some are truly our allies. The Sauds have walked a very narrow tightrope to prevent revolt in their kingdom, financing the Wahhabi extremists, while appeasing other nations, e.g., the US, in order to have backup to suppress any potential revolt. I expect that any material in the suppressed section of the 9/11 report will only disclose these ties in a stark manner, perhaps specifically naming some members of the Saudi royal family who are not well known in the US, thus forcing us to perhaps put their names on a no-fly list, or exposing their US financial connections, embarrassing their American friends. Follow the money.
26
I look forward to the day when it is exposed that George W. Bush and Dick Cheney are also shown to have been complicit and participants in the murders of 3000 Americans in their own efforts to start a war in Iraq ... treason at its worst !
47
It is well known how incompetent Bush was. But destableizing another country in the Mid East would be totally reckless at this time. This report may help win an election, but we could lose the entire id East.
Together with their buddy Bandar Bin Sultan aka Bandar Bush
Bad enough that they are complicit in the deaths of 4500 US soldiers in Iraq.
1
Michael Moore had it right about "Bandi" and his close ties to Bush and Bin Laden. The Bush family orchestrated the exodus of all Bin Laden's family from America immediately after the Towers fell. The Saudis were given preferential treatment by our former President and his family. Why in the world would we consider electing another Bush to any office; especially the Presidency? It almost as bad as electing another Clinton to the Presidency. Let's move forward and find a better President.
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Apparently this administration is also giving Saudi's preferential treatment re section of report still not released.......
1
The Saudi monarchy controls Saudi Arabia pretty tightly, and 15 of the 19 hijackers on 9/11 were Saudi.
But I doubt these 28 pages will reveal much. Saudi officials, schooled in "plausible deniability," also know how to cover their tracks.
But I doubt these 28 pages will reveal much. Saudi officials, schooled in "plausible deniability," also know how to cover their tracks.
14
This is very old news. The 28 redacted pages should have, of course, been release immediately. We have used 9/11 as the excuse for attacking, bombing, slaughtering, kidnapping, and torturing. We've spent all our resources on this "war on terror" that we actually know nothing about.
The 9/11 Commission Report was a joke from the beginning. Bush and Cheney refused to testify under oath or be recorded. I wonder why. We'll never know what happened, but we can be assured that the USA's war-like policies will remain the same, and 9/11 and terror will continue to be given as the reason.
The 9/11 Commission Report was a joke from the beginning. Bush and Cheney refused to testify under oath or be recorded. I wonder why. We'll never know what happened, but we can be assured that the USA's war-like policies will remain the same, and 9/11 and terror will continue to be given as the reason.
31
Finally…the search for the truth about 9/11 is being discussed. This horrific attack was no surprise for the Bush administration. "Complicit" comes to mind.
3
Americans, before you send your sons and daughters to fight wars in the Middle East, you had better know your enemies.
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. . . and your friends!
1
More importantly, lets make ourselves self sufficient by expanding our production of oil and natural gas (until we can run our global economy on solar panels and windmills.) Drill, frack and pipe.
1
Many of the soldiers returning home have figured this out in their lives too late and they're having big trouble living with the reality: I'm reading that there are 22 suicides among this crowd every day?!? We need to reach out to these guys ... they trusted The Establishment... they saw and did a lot of bad things while in that service... things they may not have done, may not have volunteered for, had they known better. Now they know better, and many of them are having big trouble living with these dark realities...
What is the hiccup, Mr. President? Is there any reason to withhold Part 4 of the report? You said you knew about "the pages", and promised "to get them released". The Saudi embassy in Washington has also "favoured making the pages public"!
Richard M. Burr calls them "more of a historical document". So they shouldn't be relevant to national security today!
Richard M. Burr calls them "more of a historical document". So they shouldn't be relevant to national security today!
29
In public, the Saudi embassy has claimed it wanted the report released - so they look clean, but behind back doors they are pushing very hard to keep the doors locked. It's all smoke and mirrors.
My guess the reason the 28 pages are not released is identical to the reason the CIA torture report isn't released in its entirety: John O. Brennan, who used to be the Saudi station chief.
Making the passages public might embarrass the Bush administration, even more, by proving that he attacked and invaded the wrong country, and he knew it at the time. Gotta keep that little secret classified. Wouldn't want to embarrass George W. Bush.
Saudi Arabia in fact was a financial sponsor to the "Taliban" which took over and ruled Afghanistan,instituted Sharia law,and harbored the elite of AL Queda which successfully committed the 9/11 attack. At the time this financing seemed a surprise as it seems duplicitous given our strong commercial trading ties with
Saudi so any surprise should be less so that Saudi's financed AL Queda. Duplicity in the Middle East is somewhat accepted locally and not looked upon as binary as it is here in t he USA. Should the 28 pages contains prominent Saudi names, and if this is true,and these named people have been given a "pass" by the Busch administration this is assuredly a crime.,but should not surprise at all as it is consistent with the leadership and practices of the time under the Busch administration and the Neo Conservatives.. Perhaps we should take our leaders to task ?
Saudi so any surprise should be less so that Saudi's financed AL Queda. Duplicity in the Middle East is somewhat accepted locally and not looked upon as binary as it is here in t he USA. Should the 28 pages contains prominent Saudi names, and if this is true,and these named people have been given a "pass" by the Busch administration this is assuredly a crime.,but should not surprise at all as it is consistent with the leadership and practices of the time under the Busch administration and the Neo Conservatives.. Perhaps we should take our leaders to task ?
56
You may believe this is a "fact". It is a Fox news indisputable fact".
John Z: The "Taliban" and "Al Qaida" was banned in Saudi. How you arrive to that KSA then was "financed" by them is what they say on "Fax News".
However, the US has a vested interest in weak other nations, providing a market for their companies. There are however evidence that US companies and hedge funds participation, and it is prominent US names that the report will expose.
The US does not approve of the ICC, so the US president is free to not fear legal consequences.
John Z: The "Taliban" and "Al Qaida" was banned in Saudi. How you arrive to that KSA then was "financed" by them is what they say on "Fax News".
However, the US has a vested interest in weak other nations, providing a market for their companies. There are however evidence that US companies and hedge funds participation, and it is prominent US names that the report will expose.
The US does not approve of the ICC, so the US president is free to not fear legal consequences.
Agree, both in previous administration and this administration.
America supplied the Taliban during the Russian invasion, as well. We love to arm our enemy's enemies. Whoops.
Sounds like the release will be a perfect "October Surprise" in 2016:)
Perhaps, the release should be delayed until then if Jeb is the nominee. I like it, I like it a lot.
Perhaps, the release should be delayed until then if Jeb is the nominee. I like it, I like it a lot.
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Releasing the 28 redacted pages should not be used as a political tool. This information should have come out with the main report years ago because we're supposed to be a free and democratic society. The fact that the main stream media never pursued who financed the attacks is also despicable.
Oh, sure. So we can have Hillary instead. As though she is not equally complicit.
Yes, the Pubs should be careful what they wish for...if it is, as it seems to be, Bush that they are wishing for.
1
When these suppressed pages of the 9/11 findings report are made public, my thesis shall be proven right. That the opinion and decision makers are on the pay roll of Saudi-Qatari-Kuwaiti Petro Dollars. This has been so since Bush Senior went to bed with the Saudis when he was the CIA director. Clinton-Albright bombed Belgrade for 84 days to give Islam its first ethnically cleansed emirate in Europe after 1489. The Saudis deflected anger over 9/11 to Iraq and away from themselves and their Nulclear-Terrorist sword arm Pakistan using their influence with the Bush Cabal. While Iran is the enemy the US loves to hate because they twitted their stooge Pahlevi, the Saudis wanted the modern, prosperous, secular Baathist States of Iraq and Syria under Sadam Hussein and Assad eradicated as seeing thriving communities of Jews, Christians, Kurds, Yazidis, and others in a modern and culturally free miliue was anathema to Islam anywhere in the world but absolutely unacceptable so close to their borders. This should be extrapolated to see how Putin's open letter in the NY Times and his non sequitor with a threat to bomb the Q'aba if a Beslam was attempted at Sochi when Bandar tried to bribe him in Moscow over Syria actioned the "regime change" plans that had been ready and waiting in the CIA hot baskets with the false flag MH-17 to unite the EU against Russia and resuscitate NATO.
33
Saddam and Assad had "thriving" states at the price of wholesale murder of opponents. Iraq had thriving communities under its Hashemite king. Saddam was a tool of the USA.
There has always been a deep suspicion of the very close ties of the Saudis and the Bushes. There are already too many unanswered questions about why the Saudis were allowed to fly out of the US on 9/12 when no one else could get a plane in the air.
My feeling is that declassifying and releasing the section of the report will not answer these questions but rather cause many more questions to be raised.
Call me old fashioned, but government should be accountable and transparent. There is no reason for this section to remain in the dark.
My feeling is that declassifying and releasing the section of the report will not answer these questions but rather cause many more questions to be raised.
Call me old fashioned, but government should be accountable and transparent. There is no reason for this section to remain in the dark.
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Once you identify Saudi Arabia and its Wahhabi brand of Islam as the true enemy of the United States, it's easy to see who the collaborators are.
We've fought three wars for their benefit, at tremendous cost to our military, our wallets and our democracy.
Right now the Saudis are flooding the world crude market in order to destroy U.S. domestic oil production, keep us addicted, and keep us as their slaves.
Since the 1972 embargo, many American patriots have been working on renewable energy and efficiency in order to transition to the 21st century, and they've been under constant assault by the Saudis and their friends.
We've fought three wars for their benefit, at tremendous cost to our military, our wallets and our democracy.
Right now the Saudis are flooding the world crude market in order to destroy U.S. domestic oil production, keep us addicted, and keep us as their slaves.
Since the 1972 embargo, many American patriots have been working on renewable energy and efficiency in order to transition to the 21st century, and they've been under constant assault by the Saudis and their friends.
118
The other angle is the Saudis are flooding the world market to defeat Iran and russia, and the Latin American oil producers as competitors in the world oil market. Once that happens then they will reduce production. S.A., now, is also acting at the behest of the E.U. and the U.S Treasury and State departments in order to save the E.U. and the US from another depression which would only further exacerbate the downtrodden backlash the extremists around the world prey on. Apparently, S.A. is in charge here and they are trying to maintain that advantage. I am also confident that the US has promised S.A. so much guarantees weapons sales in return. These terrorist financing Wahhabist are afraid of what is on their front lawn, in the same was Israel is about Iran. Although Israel is happy all these islamists are pointing their guns at each other, once one side dominates they will turn those muzzles back to Israel.
I guess the most priceless pictures of the Bush Era are a) Buch landing on the Aircraft carrier with the "Mission Accomplished" sign and b) the picture of hium hand in hand with the King of S.A. at his Texas Ranch!!!
I guess the most priceless pictures of the Bush Era are a) Buch landing on the Aircraft carrier with the "Mission Accomplished" sign and b) the picture of hium hand in hand with the King of S.A. at his Texas Ranch!!!
So, are the fossil fuel interests and all their supporters in Congress, the administration and state governments not patriots? Was Reagan who pushed back against many of the initiatives of Carter to improve energy efficiency not a patriot? Are all the proponents of natural gas as the bridge to the 21st century, which is competing with renewables, not patriots? Are all of our leaders who stand in the way of using this cheap oil now to help propel our move to building efficiency and renewable energy sources not patriots? No, it is not the Saudis who keep us as slaves. It is our own system built on oil. It is our own machines powered by oil. It is our entire infrastructure built and continuing to be grown on oil that keep us addicted. The Saudis just happen to have a very rich source of cheaply produced oil that we should be utilizing in our transition rather than tapping into such disastrous source as the Canada tar sands which just symbolizes how far we have reached to continue to grow this maladaptive beast that oil built.
Timing of these allegations and media hype given to Saudian alleged complicity in 9/11 attacks is quite interesting rather intriguing. I think there are specific objectives behind this move....State department and Pentagon might have a clue!!!!
6
You give them too much credit
This going to be pretty ugly for the Bush and Obama's family,-
I heard Mr Putin also been conducting he's own investigation.
I heard Mr Putin also been conducting he's own investigation.
8
Time to look into what Cheney and Bush knew BEFORE 9/11, and bring these war criminals to justice.
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i'm no fan of Bush, but you and the many other commenters here who claim to know or imply to know things that you could not know (you seem to be advocating a conclusion of guilt before a trial, othersinsist on saudi financing and conspiracies that are purely speculative at this point), just strengthens the governments case for secrecy.
We need to start naming the real heroes of the 9/11 era (in addition to those who sacrificed in service to their country, however wrongheaded our wars were), the people Americans should be celebrating. Just to start a list:
Bradley Manning, Cindy Sheehan, Colleen Rowley, Richard Clarke, John Kyriakou, Russ Feingold, Dennis Kucinich, Edward Snowden, Hans Blitz, the McClatchey News, Dana Priest, Seymour Hersch, Jane Mayer, Doug Haynes, Thomas Drake, Amy Goodman, Glenn Greenwald...who am I forgetting?
The people who, in their respective functions and roles, fought on behalf of the American people to bring the truth to light, many of whom suffered and who are still suffering for doing so.
Bradley Manning, Cindy Sheehan, Colleen Rowley, Richard Clarke, John Kyriakou, Russ Feingold, Dennis Kucinich, Edward Snowden, Hans Blitz, the McClatchey News, Dana Priest, Seymour Hersch, Jane Mayer, Doug Haynes, Thomas Drake, Amy Goodman, Glenn Greenwald...who am I forgetting?
The people who, in their respective functions and roles, fought on behalf of the American people to bring the truth to light, many of whom suffered and who are still suffering for doing so.
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Agreed but you mean Hans Blix. Blitz has other connotations.
3
Bernie Sanders, Chuck Spinney, John O'Neill, Jeffrey Sachs, Jeremy Grantham, Andrew Bacevich, Noam Chomsky, Thom Hartmann, Amy Goodman, Dominique de Villepin, Joshcka Fischer, Mohamad El Baradai
8
Hooray for you Suzanne from Brooklyn!!!! Valerie Plame and Joseph Wilson.
For those of us closely watching events unfold during those years, believing the above mentioned sane, clearheaded voices of reason and restraint, who have been crying into the wind, YES !!!!!!!
In those days it seemed impossible to believe in my government ever again. Then came Obama!! Inaugurated on my birthday, I had a feeling of grace. The grace I still feel for him, the disgust for the republicans has increased exponentially.
For those of us closely watching events unfold during those years, believing the above mentioned sane, clearheaded voices of reason and restraint, who have been crying into the wind, YES !!!!!!!
In those days it seemed impossible to believe in my government ever again. Then came Obama!! Inaugurated on my birthday, I had a feeling of grace. The grace I still feel for him, the disgust for the republicans has increased exponentially.
8
Google "The Carlyle Group". There is a documentary made in 2003 called "Iron Triangle"-- (not a good documentary, one can just listen to it), that documents the connections between the Saudi Royal family and the Bushes, James Baker and some others. This investment group makes money from oil, war and its many products, spying (see Booz Allen) real estate....The composition of The Carlyle Group is why we should not have any more Bushes in the Whites House. This is a powerful, (I think privately held) investment group and one reason we do not want another Bush in the White House.
87
Then there's Craig Unger's page turner, House of Bush, House of Saud.
1
Yes, privately held, invests in only private companies (or takes public companies private). Many former high-level defense officials are partners. Eisenhower warmed us of how pernicious the military-industrial complex would become ...
Saudi money has been behind terrorist activities for decades, and Saudi supported madrasas are hotbeds of Islamic radicalism and anti-western dogma.
With freinds like the Saudis, who need enemies?
With freinds like the Saudis, who need enemies?
70
That 'friend' owns the world's gas station. Another good reason to wean ourselves from oil and develop renewable energy.
1
wow, what a tangled web the empires built and sustained on oil weave
consider the US too supplied arms to Bin Laden to assist with ousting the Russians from Afghanistan
consider too the Saudis are largely responsible for the low gas prices you enjoy in keeping your 4 tires on the hard road of empire
consider the outcomes of dealing with the end of WWII, the competition between the powers of capitalism and communism, our choosing of allies and oil companies against the nascent rise of home grown democracy in the Middle East, and all the rest of the mess that followed including our continued building of the military industrial complex and the fortunes that were made in that brew of oil and might, and you can understand the selections we have on our daily menu
Consider your own role today as you commute in your 6 bangers on your hellaceous trip to freedom. Including the freedom to purchase that big F-150 or Toyota Tundra that is fit for warfare by ISIS. Consider ISIS as a selection by our oil hungry empire.
consider the US too supplied arms to Bin Laden to assist with ousting the Russians from Afghanistan
consider too the Saudis are largely responsible for the low gas prices you enjoy in keeping your 4 tires on the hard road of empire
consider the outcomes of dealing with the end of WWII, the competition between the powers of capitalism and communism, our choosing of allies and oil companies against the nascent rise of home grown democracy in the Middle East, and all the rest of the mess that followed including our continued building of the military industrial complex and the fortunes that were made in that brew of oil and might, and you can understand the selections we have on our daily menu
Consider your own role today as you commute in your 6 bangers on your hellaceous trip to freedom. Including the freedom to purchase that big F-150 or Toyota Tundra that is fit for warfare by ISIS. Consider ISIS as a selection by our oil hungry empire.
19
LR, you should publish.
The negative political implications of all this are going to fall hard on every
Bush with you-know-who now the most vulnerable.
Jeb has his challenges in disassociating himself from his brother's blunders
and the family's coziness with Saudi royals.
The door has just been kicked more open for other GOP contenders.
On the other hand, it might present opportunity for Jeb to try to
crystalize his own identity.
Bush with you-know-who now the most vulnerable.
Jeb has his challenges in disassociating himself from his brother's blunders
and the family's coziness with Saudi royals.
The door has just been kicked more open for other GOP contenders.
On the other hand, it might present opportunity for Jeb to try to
crystalize his own identity.
12
There is NO way Jeb can disassociate himself. He's in the thick of it.
8
When will McCain and Graham start pontificating about Saudi in the same terms they use for Iran?
It's well-known, albeit not officially confirmed, that Saudi Arabia supports terrorism. The mainline media has fallen woefully short in reporting this very important fact.
It's well-known, albeit not officially confirmed, that Saudi Arabia supports terrorism. The mainline media has fallen woefully short in reporting this very important fact.
61
If you consider the NY Tomes "mainline media".
And you were thinking you lived in a democracy. The people rule? When leaders decide they can.
Obviously the theory of democracy practiced by American leaders in Congress and the Presidency is one where leaders give democracy jurisdiction at the leaders prerogative.
This astonishing anti-democratic theory is one of the reasons why the people of the United States cannot dig themselves out of the political hole their government put us in.
End the regime of Republican statism that was implanted since Abu Graib.
Obviously the theory of democracy practiced by American leaders in Congress and the Presidency is one where leaders give democracy jurisdiction at the leaders prerogative.
This astonishing anti-democratic theory is one of the reasons why the people of the United States cannot dig themselves out of the political hole their government put us in.
End the regime of Republican statism that was implanted since Abu Graib.
22
If the Saudi government is urging release of these pages, officials can't claim we're holding them back because it would make an ally look bad.
But this strange statement: "“There may have been a level of participation by some Muslim country that is not commensurate with today,” he said."
That's the center of whatever is going on here.
But this strange statement: "“There may have been a level of participation by some Muslim country that is not commensurate with today,” he said."
That's the center of whatever is going on here.
20
The Saudi government has covered its involvement , but regardless it makes statements claiming they want the report released so they can appear innocent when they have bought Bush and Obama to keep in under wraps.
1
They might as well as release this. It can already be written off as "old news". Just like all of the dead, on both sides, in the Iraq war. You remember them? The country that had nothing to do with 9/11. Yep, those guys.
22
Don't exactly like the idea of another Bush running this country and thai will most likely be Bushes bridgewater but we have biigger problems right now and need Saudi Arabia. Last time I checked they were the only strong contry allied with us. Better to put this off another few years after we get a new president and things get on track in Syria. Besides Bush and the republican are unfortunately not going anywhere with the presidency.
2
You can be sure there are powers desperate to get Jeb into the White House.
If we put this off we will NEVER know the truth.
If we put this off we will NEVER know the truth.
5
Had the report implicated Iraqi operatives as financing 9/11, it would have been released immediately. But because our terrorist funding ally is implicated, it remains secret.
I send a dollar to a "charity" aligned with some unknown terrorist activity and I go to jail. The Saudis funnel billions to "charities" that finance al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations and they are a prime U.S. ally.
Our foreign policy and justice system reek with Hypocrisy.
I send a dollar to a "charity" aligned with some unknown terrorist activity and I go to jail. The Saudis funnel billions to "charities" that finance al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations and they are a prime U.S. ally.
Our foreign policy and justice system reek with Hypocrisy.
61
"Richard M. Burr, the North Carolina Republican who heads the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he was skeptical of the value of releasing the pages, calling them more of a historical document in a fight against terrorism that has shifted substantially since 2002.
“There may have been a level of participation by some Muslim country that is not commensurate with today,” he said.""
Look at how this charlatan tries to manipulate words and continue the charade.
Read the section in quotes - Isn't in saying that Saudi Arabia was complicit, but now is on the straight and narrow.
Any legal system I'm familiar with has no provision that allows mass murders to escape punishment, simply because they are now supposedly nice.
Are we completely out of our collective minds ??
“There may have been a level of participation by some Muslim country that is not commensurate with today,” he said.""
Look at how this charlatan tries to manipulate words and continue the charade.
Read the section in quotes - Isn't in saying that Saudi Arabia was complicit, but now is on the straight and narrow.
Any legal system I'm familiar with has no provision that allows mass murders to escape punishment, simply because they are now supposedly nice.
Are we completely out of our collective minds ??
84
Declassify if there is nothing to hide. It is an easy call and we all know that this will do not harm to national security. In fact, holding those responsible accountable enhances national security.
18
that the "fight against terrorism...has shifted substantially since 2002" as senator burr opines and "the pages...are more of a historical document," argues rather for the release/declassification than the continued suppression/classification of said pages ...in holding out for withholding, even though "there may have been (!!!!) a level of participation by some muslim country" because it "is not commensurate with today" senator burr identifies himself as one of the saudis' cover-up cadre, but his motives may be less to protect the saudis (even thought they favor release) than to protect the bushes whose actions after 9/11 (not to mention their oil business connections with the saudis) warrant further inquiry...part 4 calls to mind the david rabe drama, "page 8" in which a clue to government complicity in illicit war-on-terror activities resides in a single sentence that escapes notice because of bureaucratic complacency, only to elicit an all out attempt to suppress its discovery.
4
Perhaps the Saudi connection leads back to the White House? It wouldn't be the the first time. That would be the only real reason not to release. That the Saudis are strategic partners in the US wars is obvious. You have to create an attack in order to start a war. And what exactly was the CIA's role here? Hmmm.
15
Revenge unnecessary, retribution w/regards to Saudi Arabia would be nice. Then we should find away to pay Iraq back for our slanderous accusations and criminal invasion and occupation of their county. Start by sending a bill to all of the Bush clan, Cheney clan, and the neocon crowd who got us into to the mess. In a sense weren't they shilling for the Saudi's?
27
Just release them already.
Bob Graham's been begging for their release for ages. E.g.: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE1_4tspWXYZ47lnwahK1JJO0zzgs2aCe
Bob Graham's been begging for their release for ages. E.g.: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE1_4tspWXYZ47lnwahK1JJO0zzgs2aCe
2
"You're missing the overall", to quote Deep Throat. This is as much about Iran as about Saudi Arabia. No, I don't mean the Iranians funded the 9/11 attackers; the Saudis did. I don't doubt that President Bush and his advisers had plenty of intelligence supporting Saudi funding, but should Bush have invaded Saudi Arabia rather than Iraq? That, to use a technical term, would have been preposterous. He chose to invade Iraq because there was plenty of intelligence that the Saudis were funneling money to Sunni extremists through a cooperative Sunni dictator - cut off the intermediary, and cut off the flow of funds. Besides, many on Bush's foreign policy team longed for an attack on Iran, and they still do, which gets to my point: the struggle in the middle east is between Sunni Muslims and Shiite Muslims, the terrorism is just the way that war is being carried out. The difficulty for a large segment of American foreign policy community is that they want to attack Shiite Iran - even though Sunni extremists from Saudi Arabia attacked America on 9/11, Sunni insurgents killed and maimed thousands of American solders in Iraq, and Sunni extremists (called ISIS) today are committing unspeakable acts of violence against Shiites, Christians, and Sunni heretics. The narrative goes like this: the Sunnis defeat the Shiite (Alawite) government (Assad) in Syria, Syria invades Iraq and overthrows the Shiite government, and then the climax, Sunnis invade Shiite Iran. That's the overall.
12
If Western goverenments would invest in energy research and technology, which moved Western civilization away from its baffling dependency on oil and gas as the main power-drivers of our economies, all of this would go away, and America and forward-thinking European countries could reassert themselves as the world leaders they claim to be. There would be no reason whatsoever to keep these documents classified, and we would not need to tolerate the caprices of countries and states, which are unstable politically (Russia for example, take your pick across the Middle East) without the West's investment and technological advancements. This is about oil and nothing else.
37
What's so baffling? The Good Old Boys will be exposed with their hands in the oil barrel. Where did the Bush family and crew make their money? We are going to look bad and Saudi Arabia knows that too.
On 9/11 3000 innocent people were killed. Our government of, by, and for the people commissioned a report to find out what happened. If that government thinks that we are not entitled to know then something has gone terribly wrong.
38
No matter what secrets we reveal about the Saudis and their involvement in 9/11, they will still sell us oil. Give us the truth.
14
They will sell us the oil ... or we will invade.
I bet Iran would sell us oil; now wouldn't that little move upset many apple carts in the cartel? We should ban Saudi oil and let Iran back into markets. With the current glut, Venezuela and Mexico would love to sell us oil.
1
With the current instability in the Middle East what good would it do? I will guarantee not prosecute George Bush or Dick Cheney for war crimes nor will it change the attitude of the right wing Hose or Senate of hate.
8
That's right. W & Cheney along with Condaleezza & Rumsfield should be presented with an invoice for the cost of the Iraqi war and the ongoing costs of caring for thousands of Vets. They should also be sentenced to community service in any VA facility of their choosing for the rest of their natural born days.
12
It is a fact that the Saudi royals have supported Al Qaeda in the past and and ISIS in the present. Their longstanding oil-business ties to both Bush and Cheney are why they have gotten away with it for so long.
Years before 9-11, the Bush family referred to longtime family friend and Saudi ambassador to the US, Prince Bandar, as "Bandar Bush". The real question is why the Saudis are still getting away with it now? And why is it that in all the interviews conducted with Dick Cheney, even recently, none of the media sycophants (including Charlie Rose and Bob Schieffer) ever asks him why we didn't invade Saudi Arabia instead of Iraq after we were attacked. After all, 15 out of the 19th hijackers were Saudis. Of the 4 remaining, 2 were from the United Arab Emirates, 1 was from Egypt and 1 was from Lebanon. NONE were from Iraq.
This has all been well documented for years. Michael Moore provides many details about the Saudi connection to 9-11 in his academy award winning documentary FAHRENHEIT 9-11. Many of those details were revealed in October of 2003 when Vanity Fair published a long and well researched piece by Craig Unger titled SAVING THE SAUDIS. Here's the link
http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2003/10/saving-the-saudis-20...
Years before 9-11, the Bush family referred to longtime family friend and Saudi ambassador to the US, Prince Bandar, as "Bandar Bush". The real question is why the Saudis are still getting away with it now? And why is it that in all the interviews conducted with Dick Cheney, even recently, none of the media sycophants (including Charlie Rose and Bob Schieffer) ever asks him why we didn't invade Saudi Arabia instead of Iraq after we were attacked. After all, 15 out of the 19th hijackers were Saudis. Of the 4 remaining, 2 were from the United Arab Emirates, 1 was from Egypt and 1 was from Lebanon. NONE were from Iraq.
This has all been well documented for years. Michael Moore provides many details about the Saudi connection to 9-11 in his academy award winning documentary FAHRENHEIT 9-11. Many of those details were revealed in October of 2003 when Vanity Fair published a long and well researched piece by Craig Unger titled SAVING THE SAUDIS. Here's the link
http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2003/10/saving-the-saudis-20...
38
God bless the mindless folks still trying to make this a partisan thing. Hate to tell you folks, but both parties are on the same page on this matter and always have been. There is a reason why the Obama admin has kept these secrets too.
11
How does the government of the United States hide important information about the single greatest attack on our nation by the citizens of a foreign power, who were in whole, or in part funded by that foreign power.
How does one classify premeditated deliberate acts of mass murder, and expect the people to believe this is anything other than an attempt to hide the complicity of our own government, either in aiding these attackers in some way to accomplish their goals, or assist them in escaping prosecution.
Obama and everyone else who has the power and wherewithal to expose whomever, associated with this atrocity, must do so immediately, no redactions, and no lip service or hollow words about national security or other such baloney.
Simplicity itself; is it not time for our government to understand that they serve "we the people", in fact isn't it way past time for "we the people", to read them the riot act, and demand that they do what we hired them to do.
I know there are millions upon millions of us who are sick and tired of the "dangerous" thing our government now represents to our Liberty and way of life.
How does one classify premeditated deliberate acts of mass murder, and expect the people to believe this is anything other than an attempt to hide the complicity of our own government, either in aiding these attackers in some way to accomplish their goals, or assist them in escaping prosecution.
Obama and everyone else who has the power and wherewithal to expose whomever, associated with this atrocity, must do so immediately, no redactions, and no lip service or hollow words about national security or other such baloney.
Simplicity itself; is it not time for our government to understand that they serve "we the people", in fact isn't it way past time for "we the people", to read them the riot act, and demand that they do what we hired them to do.
I know there are millions upon millions of us who are sick and tired of the "dangerous" thing our government now represents to our Liberty and way of life.
16
"Mr. Doyle said that President Obama personally assured him after the death of Osama bin Laden that he would declassify that section of the report."
Did he also assure him that if he liked his heath care plan, he could keep his health care plan?
Did he also assure him that if he liked his heath care plan, he could keep his health care plan?
3
Prior to 9/11 and to this day, the Bushes and the Saudis have been great friends. Why? After 9/11, the Saudis are let off scot-free but we invade Iraq instead even though the case for WMD;s was totally bogus. Why? At the time, the Democrats including Hillary Clinton completely backed this sham only to claim later they "didn't know." Why? We have been made to give up many of our rights as citizens in the name of fighting terrorism, but the Saudis and others in the region who are known terrorists are treated like the greatest of allies. Why? Obama continues this favored treatment and participates in the cover-up. Why?
28
As usual, issues, that matter to Americans, become a cause for the partisans on either side of the aisle.
If it is in his legal power to do so, the President needs to honor his commitment to the 9/11 families and congress needs to stay out of it and do their job working for the advancement of the American people!
If it is in his legal power to do so, the President needs to honor his commitment to the 9/11 families and congress needs to stay out of it and do their job working for the advancement of the American people!
3
If the Saudi Lobby (aka the Bush family) continues to censor these 28 pages, they could replace Nixon's 18 minutes of taped silence as the standard for cover-ups.
16
The parts of the report on 9/11 that are classified contain information that would reveal crucial sources and methods which, if released, would jeopardize freedom in the US and damage relations between the US and SA. SA is the US's most important and trusted ally in the ME, that relationship must be nurtured and preserved in order to maintain the balance of power in that region of the world. In yesterday's article on the topic, a top SA government official stated that the Moussaoui was mentally deranged, and his words are lies. I believe his worlds are lies and should be taken by one grain of salt. He is just trying to make SA look bad because he did not get to participate in 9/11.
1
As previously posted 14 of the 19 9-11 hijackers were Saudis. They already look bad.
2
The Saudi's have not stopped supporting terrorist groups.
"'Thank God for the Saudis': ISIS, Iraq, and the Lessons of Blowback", an article in The Atlantic (23 June 2014), essentially says that the Saudi's created ISIS; a shocking claim that no one has disputed; but has received almost no coverage in other media outlets. From the article:
"As one senior Qatari official stated, “ISIS has been a Saudi project.”
ISIS, in fact, may have been a major part of Bandar’s (Bandar Bush) covert-ops strategy in Syria."
"'Thank God for the Saudis': ISIS, Iraq, and the Lessons of Blowback", an article in The Atlantic (23 June 2014), essentially says that the Saudi's created ISIS; a shocking claim that no one has disputed; but has received almost no coverage in other media outlets. From the article:
"As one senior Qatari official stated, “ISIS has been a Saudi project.”
ISIS, in fact, may have been a major part of Bandar’s (Bandar Bush) covert-ops strategy in Syria."
11
Why is this news only to the media?
6
Zelikow's comment that his further investigation of links with Saudi funding showed a different interpretation than that found in the Committee's report -- namely that no part of the Saudi government was involved, though charities were, only says that he can't spot plausible deniability when he sees it. No checks were written with the Saudi government's name on it, but surely the money provided and laundered through charities had at least the tacit approval of senior officials.
Having said that, I wonder what is the purpose in declassifying all this? The muddy relations with Saudi Arabia? They are muddy enough thank you. What is the end goal of claiming publicly "they did it"?
Having said that, I wonder what is the purpose in declassifying all this? The muddy relations with Saudi Arabia? They are muddy enough thank you. What is the end goal of claiming publicly "they did it"?
2
The goal? Perhaps to put the brakes on current and future funding of IS. And collaterally, to loosen the grip SA has on our economy with oil after an awakened public becomes more willing to shake off the yoke of fossil fuel dependence and pursue alternatives. Those goals would be significant.
Can we get a comment form Jeb on his family's relationship with the duplicitous, cowardly Saudis?
16
US and Saudi Arabia were partners in Afghanistan war/jihad against Russia, both were complicit in first gulf war against Saddam in Iraq....and recently both payers joined hands ousting Morsi in Egypt. However; in certain conflicts like Syria, they are not on the same page. Daesh has been trained secretly by ‘west’ in Jordan. Interestingly; when French parliament voted for recognizing Palestine; ISIS attacked Charles Hebdo. Japan was going to give Palestine 100 million dollar aid; two of the Japanese were abducted by ISIS and savagely executed. ISIS role in such horrendous acts and killing innocent civilians in Syria and Iraq raises many eyebrows in the civilized world. Moussaoui testimony is least credible based on his dubious track record and his psychological health. Surprisingly; there is lot of media hype against Saudi Arabia in US since the new king has been crowned. Definitely there are specific objectives behind this smear campaign against Saudi Arabia. ‘western’ invasions/incursions, toppling of regimes, in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Somalia have turned the middle east into a burning inferno. 'west' wants Balkanization of 'middle east' on ethnic/sectarian denominations as post second world war map of ME has outlived. By destabilizing ME, 'west' and Israel want to enhance its geopolitical interests. Saudians' are not angels either; Bandar, Waleed, Turki are as wicked as their 'western' counterparts. Its a battle for natural resource management!!
4
What I strongly believe is something happened between George Bush and the Saudi officials in the US right after 9/11. George Bush, as I recall allowed them to leave immediately, not to be questioned. Why did George Bush do this. George Bush needs to be questioned about his actions right after 9/11. We have never fully understood, or at least we have never been given the information about George Bush.
30
Not only right after ... but about George W. and Dick Cheney's participation leading up to the treasonous murder of 3000 Americans ...
3
Osama bin Laden was VERY much the 'black sheep' of his large family...he hadn't lived in Saudi Arabia for years and was a weird radical. I'm no fan of 'Shrub' Bush, but please, if only the American people would get the basic fats straight! Al-Queda fought and terrorized Saudi citizens in an effort to overthrow the government...imagine what the world would be like today if they had succeeded!
The front page article on"Claims Against Saudis Cast New Light on Secret Pages of 9/11 Report" may come as a surprise to the people of the United States, but for people living in the subcontinent, it was always known about the complicity of the Saudi Government in allowing their rich businessmen to funnel funds through charitable organizations for spreading Wahhabi brand of Islam in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. It is a well known fact that Osama bin laden, who came from a rich business family, was being funded by Saudi businessmen to his terrorist outfit Al Qaeda. Countries like the United States, UK, who were aware of the goings on chose to remain silent because of their economic interests in Saudi Arabia.
The question now is what does the US government propose to do with regard to Saudi duplicity after the leakage of the classified information?
The question now is what does the US government propose to do with regard to Saudi duplicity after the leakage of the classified information?
20
What a joke! Instead of a real voice in the running of this country and real power in confronting this county's enemies, inside and out, we get the opportunity to "tell it like it is", to dig up a phrase from my youth, in the NY Times.
2
Such allegations have serious implications for the investigative agencies charged with the responsibility of differentiating between hardliners and the moderates. The notion that the former are mostly from among the oppressed and destitute elements of the community no longer holds.
2
This latest revelation raises the inescapable question about how much our dim bulb W43 knew about al Qaeda and 9/11 and how he decided to connive with his erstwhile Saudi allies to permit the monstrous events to unfold. All with the purpose of perverting the Constitution so he could assume imperial powers, which was then enabled by the passage of the ill-conceived Patriot Act. Our civil liberties also died on 9/11, along with the thousands of hapless victims. And W43 let the dozens of Bin Laden collateral relatives flee the United States, indeed their planes were among the very few allowed to fly on 9/12/2001. We need to explore the sinister but inescapable question further of why Bush who was briefed on this threat was found far away reading "My Pet Goat" upside down...
32
If this is true, and it may well be, is it time to try Bush, Cheney and company for invading Iraq and hiding the truth? Of course they knew the truth of it, despite Bush being too involved with my little goat or whatever he was reading (at this own grade level of course). How long will these war criminals evade punishment. If the president choose to pardon them, at least that is an admission of their guilt in the murder of thousands.
21
Can't someone with access to these redacted pages just leak them? If the Saudis were behind this, the US people deserve to know. If the Bush family was behind protecting the Saudis, the US people deserve to know. If the Saudis are still funding Wahibist hatred of the West and anti western madrassas all over the world, the US people deserve to know. If the Saudis are still funding terrorism, the US people deserve to know.
Any Saudi involvement needs to be addressed, and the consequences of that addressed.
Any Saudi involvement needs to be addressed, and the consequences of that addressed.
29
I am somewhat cynical in believing that just as we have spies so do our enemies and they probably already have this and other information.
However, given that there is a legitimate need to classify some information, leaking should not be done indiscriminately. Those with access to classified information are obligated to keep it secret and to do otherwise would be a dereliction of duty.
There are, of course, rare exceptions, just as there are circumstances in which a solider may violate a direct order.
In this case, we should rely on the members of Congress with access to this information and press our Congressional representatives.
Although I simply do not understand why the Obama administration, continues to hide and defend the worst abuses of the Bush administration.
However, given that there is a legitimate need to classify some information, leaking should not be done indiscriminately. Those with access to classified information are obligated to keep it secret and to do otherwise would be a dereliction of duty.
There are, of course, rare exceptions, just as there are circumstances in which a solider may violate a direct order.
In this case, we should rely on the members of Congress with access to this information and press our Congressional representatives.
Although I simply do not understand why the Obama administration, continues to hide and defend the worst abuses of the Bush administration.
1
The Saudi connection - lots of supraised people here!!
Guess which country or group of countries (still) has/have the lowest denial rate for US visa??? Saudi and all the Emirates!! And all this after majority of the 9/11 attackers were in the country legally with issued and valid visas!!
Guess which country or group of countries (still) has/have the lowest denial rate for US visa??? Saudi and all the Emirates!! And all this after majority of the 9/11 attackers were in the country legally with issued and valid visas!!
8
Saudi Arabia was behind 9/11, the creation of the Taliban, and the Sunni Royals are the chief support for the hollow propaganda construct known as ISIS. The Kingdom is Wahabi Radical by nature, which led seamlessly to the coddling of malignant narcissists like Osama bin Laden.
Everything about the 9/11 story stinks to high heaven from the fact that the scene at the World Trade Center was never secured and investigated as a crime scene, to the kid gloves treatment of the bin Laden's, who as witnesses material to the crime were allowed to fly out of the reach of the FBI the next day.
That the FBI knew that Saudi al Qaeda associates were in the US learning to fly jets at our schools of aviation, and nothing was done to stop them is impossible to explain rationally.
George W Bush then compounded the obvious absurdity of the American lack of response to the actions of Saudi Arabia by rushing to invade Saddam's Secular Iraq Regime. If the United States had any intention of drawing the line on Jihadism the destruction of this secular regime was the last thing which we all needed.
Now the Shia Iraqi political majority has used democracy to develop its natural alliance with Shia Iran, and this has left Sunni Saudi Arabia feeling so threatened that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the Emirates have rallied to support ISIS in order to reverse the decision of democracy in Iraq.
Restraining Saudi Arabia is the key to peace in the ME, and not more boots on the ground, but we refuse to do it.
Everything about the 9/11 story stinks to high heaven from the fact that the scene at the World Trade Center was never secured and investigated as a crime scene, to the kid gloves treatment of the bin Laden's, who as witnesses material to the crime were allowed to fly out of the reach of the FBI the next day.
That the FBI knew that Saudi al Qaeda associates were in the US learning to fly jets at our schools of aviation, and nothing was done to stop them is impossible to explain rationally.
George W Bush then compounded the obvious absurdity of the American lack of response to the actions of Saudi Arabia by rushing to invade Saddam's Secular Iraq Regime. If the United States had any intention of drawing the line on Jihadism the destruction of this secular regime was the last thing which we all needed.
Now the Shia Iraqi political majority has used democracy to develop its natural alliance with Shia Iran, and this has left Sunni Saudi Arabia feeling so threatened that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the Emirates have rallied to support ISIS in order to reverse the decision of democracy in Iraq.
Restraining Saudi Arabia is the key to peace in the ME, and not more boots on the ground, but we refuse to do it.
27
Excellent, concise, analysis. I wish Mr. Johnston were at the State Department.
It seems pretty clear: While the US government knew that Saudis organized 9/11 they invaded Afghanistan and Iraq because that could be sold more easily to the public while they let their murderous "ally" off the hook, still being considered the lesser evil. Those are the moral standards the US choose to live by for itself while demanding much higher ones for others.
14
From the Kennedy assassination up until 9/11 one hidden hand from Texas is ruling unchallenged all over this Country and the next US elections will extend its reach to the entire World.
All that is happening in our days is the prelude to enormous changes but even before discussing in regard of the possible remedy one must be clear about how we came to this point recognizing both physiognomy and origin of the threat.
When Jeb Bush will be president, the next War will be inevitable and also come by surprise.
http://www.wavevolution.org/en/humanwaves.html
All that is happening in our days is the prelude to enormous changes but even before discussing in regard of the possible remedy one must be clear about how we came to this point recognizing both physiognomy and origin of the threat.
When Jeb Bush will be president, the next War will be inevitable and also come by surprise.
http://www.wavevolution.org/en/humanwaves.html
4
I hope when we elect a female president she isn't so staggeringly condescending and paternalistic, deciding what items US citizens are allowed to be informed about, and what items we just aren't quite competent to deal with appropriately, therefore earning our mushroom status. I am sick of these dissembling boys calling the shots to keep our foreign policy a secret amongst The Deciders who seem to screw up everything top to bottom, like JFK's assassination by the mob and CIA, the CIA's torture chambers spread across the globe, and this horror of 9/11 that Shrub's girlfriend carried out, to name three debacles amongst thousands. Shrub, and then Obama, keep trying to manage us by withholding crucial facts, so we are nothing but docile tax payers that can be led around by the nose by all of these stupid men who think they know what's good for us and what we are prepared to handle in manner that meets the Deciders' needs. I guess we are only capable of paying all of the insipid losers' salaries, but they do not want to upset any of their friends, the mass murders in sheets, so they keep their bosses in the dark, omnisciently knowing what is good for us like "Father Knows Best". If that is the case, maybe the boys in charge can make their living strictly from the plutocrats who have them performing tricks like prostitutes.
3
The US spent 14 years, trillions of dollars and thousands of lives fighting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in response to 9/11. These were the wrong wars in the wrong places for the wrong reasons.
There is nothing new about this.
The US also spent almost the same amount time, more lives and money fighting a war in Vietnam supposedly to prevent the spread of Communism to all of South East Asia. This was a lie and the US leaders knew it was a lie.
A free press and freedom of speech does not prevent leaders from lying to the public and the public accepting those lies if they are more palatable than truth.
There is nothing new about this.
The US also spent almost the same amount time, more lives and money fighting a war in Vietnam supposedly to prevent the spread of Communism to all of South East Asia. This was a lie and the US leaders knew it was a lie.
A free press and freedom of speech does not prevent leaders from lying to the public and the public accepting those lies if they are more palatable than truth.
25
Falling men and women, through the air, from the towers, and we live with a government that hides truth for "political" reasons? Politicians in high power in America, and in Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere, are complicit now in a monstrous cover-up, the evil George Bush leading the pack. Obama should undertake the morally right act: Release this "redacted" information--after appropriate diplomatic consultation with the Saudis of course--and then let the chips fall where they may.
52
Obama wont. He is sleeping with the enemy and it is the Legislative Branch and the Judicial Branch of our overseers'.
1
Since when do we consult with foreign governments regarding our political decisions?
1
Bush, Cheney, Rumsfield, Ashcroft, Rice, Powell, Tenet and Mueller failed to detect and prevent the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
And their excuse is that they could not kidnap, torture and indefinitely detain foreigners nor spy on Americans without reasonable suspicion or probable cause nor kill Americans without due process.
That was not Saudi Arabia's fault.
And their excuse is that they could not kidnap, torture and indefinitely detain foreigners nor spy on Americans without reasonable suspicion or probable cause nor kill Americans without due process.
That was not Saudi Arabia's fault.
Whenever a crisis like this unfolds, I wish that there were more men like Edward Snowden who would take the course of action that a good conscious dictates. It never fails to amaze me how many administrators are culpable in concealing the treacherous actions of their superiors.
66
Hear, hear!
We are all individuals, not a nationalistic cabal sworn to uphold lies & fraud to the severe detriment of others.
It is incumbent on each & every individual to act with moral responsibility, and to collectively & individually refuse to partake in depraved activity cloaked in false nationalism, and to actively expose moral & ethical turpitude, especially when the lives of thousands would be sacrificed.
We have each the responsibility to refuse illegal or immoral orders by superiors, military or otherwise, and to expose unscrupulousness, especially at the national level where false propaganda will destroy the lives of thousands.
We are all individuals, not a nationalistic cabal sworn to uphold lies & fraud to the severe detriment of others.
It is incumbent on each & every individual to act with moral responsibility, and to collectively & individually refuse to partake in depraved activity cloaked in false nationalism, and to actively expose moral & ethical turpitude, especially when the lives of thousands would be sacrificed.
We have each the responsibility to refuse illegal or immoral orders by superiors, military or otherwise, and to expose unscrupulousness, especially at the national level where false propaganda will destroy the lives of thousands.
1
While it might be very interesting to learn something, I suspect it will not come from either reports as so much was not learned or uncovered and we'll just be in for more accusations and presumptions. Heck we still have no willingness not to blame what happens in the mideast on whatever works for whichever side is paying the most.
The answers will serve someone and not truth. Follow the money and we won't be back in control until ALL lobbyists are gone and our elections are waged in under 6 months and with only public money and rights to use the air waves free for all running for public office.
Now they who control are not our friends and their gods are money first, last and always.
Time to limit all Federal court terms to a decade and take back our 'freedoms' before the oligarchs or zealots ruin our potential to have freedom from religion and enable pursuit of happiness and truth.
The answers will serve someone and not truth. Follow the money and we won't be back in control until ALL lobbyists are gone and our elections are waged in under 6 months and with only public money and rights to use the air waves free for all running for public office.
Now they who control are not our friends and their gods are money first, last and always.
Time to limit all Federal court terms to a decade and take back our 'freedoms' before the oligarchs or zealots ruin our potential to have freedom from religion and enable pursuit of happiness and truth.
10
US and Saudi Arabia were partners in Afghanistan war/jihad against Russia, both were complicit in first gulf war against Saddam in Iraq....and recently both payers joined hands ousting Morsi in Egypt. However; in certain conflicts like Syria, they are not on the same page. Daesh has been trained secretly by US in Jordan. Interestingly; when French parliament voted for recognizing Palestine; ISIS attacked Charles Hebdo. Japan was going to give Palestine 100 million dollar aid; two of the Japanese were abducted by ISIS and savagely executed. ISIS role in such horrendous acts and killing innocent civilians in Syria and Iraq raises many eyebrows in the civilized world.
Moussaoui testimony is least credible based on his dubious track record and his psychological health. Surprisingly; there is lot of media hype against Saudi Arabia in US since the new king has been crowned. definitely there some objectives behind this smear campaign against Saudi Arabia. US atrocities in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Somalia are atrocious/ludicrous. US treatment of prisoners in Abu Gahraib, Guantanmao , Bagram and use of chemical weapons in Fallougha...and rendition camps across the globe have literally tarnished its image. There are lot of skeletons in US closets however Saudians' are not angels either!!!!
Moussaoui testimony is least credible based on his dubious track record and his psychological health. Surprisingly; there is lot of media hype against Saudi Arabia in US since the new king has been crowned. definitely there some objectives behind this smear campaign against Saudi Arabia. US atrocities in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Somalia are atrocious/ludicrous. US treatment of prisoners in Abu Gahraib, Guantanmao , Bagram and use of chemical weapons in Fallougha...and rendition camps across the globe have literally tarnished its image. There are lot of skeletons in US closets however Saudians' are not angels either!!!!
5
line 12 please read 'Definitely there are some....'. Sorry for inconvenience caused.
Tangential it may be, judging from the comments written about this thus far the former First Lady Barbara Bush is right when she said the Bush family should be done with the presidency for a while. Conspiracy or not, this common knowledge about the deep relationship between the House of Saud and the Bush family. Any high profile move from any of the Bushes like former Florida Governor Jeb Bush wanting to run for the presidency will inevitably invite the uncomfortable glares. And this is not even just partisan. Obviously, the Democrats have a few axes to grind; but Mr Bush's potential intraparty rivals. They may voice support but bet some are jumping with joy about this development. Finally, the American public certainly would try to fill in the blank. So, he may do the Bush family a favor if President Obama opts to declassify that 28 pages and lets the chips fall where they may
35
A statesman would do it now, a politician would make it an October surprise.
1
President Obama should release these classified documents. Not only is it the right thing to do, it will guarantee that no Bush will ever inhabit the WH again.
61
If President Obama agrees that preventing another Bush from entering the WH again then he could have accomplished this on "Day One" as they say on the campaign trail.
5
I don't care to see another Bush in the WH, either. However, if released, how will Obama explain his deep bow to the Saudi King Abdullah? Does one humble oneself before someone who is responsible for one of the worst disasters in U.S. history?
1
Consider the furor which has been made over Obama. They say he is a Muslim and betrays thisd country in not tasking a hard enough line against Muslims. Never mind the suggestton that both Bush and Cheyney may have had prior knowledge of 9-11 which they concealed. They are white, Anglo-Sacon Protestants so it is OK. We may elect another one of them as President. Obama is black and has a foreign name so he is a traitor.
2
Didn't Saudis fly out of the country one day after 9/11 when all planes were grounded, and yet no outcries.
75
outcry or not, it was widely reported. it was not a secret.
2
Set up by our own President Bush, with our money, so they could evade prosecution.
Reads like fiction, but it's 100% truth.
Reads like fiction, but it's 100% truth.
2
There were some public outcries but they were ignored by the press and Congress.
2
A crucial section of the 9/11 Congressional Committee report -- supposedly linking the House of Saud to the worst homeland attack ever made -- could be released to the public. America's foreign policy toward the Middle East is in disarray. Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu is invited by the GOP to address a special session of Congress and berate Obama's diplomatic negotiations with Iran.
US Middle East policy of the last forty years is no longer vigent, in force. The war on terror against islamic militant groups gets more complicated and complex.
As the Obama administration prepares to engage the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, unanswered policy questions loom in the horizon. Who really are America's friends/allies and foes in the Middle East? will Arab allies and Israel put the boots on the ground to defeat the Islamic State? Is the US becoming isolated in the global war against muslim militant groups?
US Middle East policy of the last forty years is no longer vigent, in force. The war on terror against islamic militant groups gets more complicated and complex.
As the Obama administration prepares to engage the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, unanswered policy questions loom in the horizon. Who really are America's friends/allies and foes in the Middle East? will Arab allies and Israel put the boots on the ground to defeat the Islamic State? Is the US becoming isolated in the global war against muslim militant groups?
9
Inherently i believe we are momentarily seeing the true believers in democracy one way or the other awaking to the real threat that these evil doers and their unpatriotic deeds to anything let alone some God of terror to the innocent peoples. Yes I believe more and more are boarding the plans to do their utmost to depress this horrific situation. And "God forbid" that after subliminal funding of the situations of past if the Saudis don't show a formidable role in it's suppression. And change the philosophies of past leadership.
1
The answer that the Sauds are looking for to create peace in the Middle East is slavery. The same things republiCONs have worked for for ALL Americans since slavery was "banned" in the 1860's.
2
Bin Laden is dead. All congressional members acknowledging the disastrous invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan resulting in the killing and wounding of thousands of young Americans and tens of thousands of Iraqis want this material declassified. The lawyers for the plaintiffs in the legal case against the Saudi's want them declassified. AND, the Saudi's themselves want them declassified.
Right wing Republican's both in the Senate and the house are the only ones not on board. As usual. These people are insurrectionists.
Right wing Republican's both in the Senate and the house are the only ones not on board. As usual. These people are insurrectionists.
45
why would anyone in saudi arabia fund terrorists? what does it do for them?
1
Actually, Obama doesn't want them released, either.
2
It's a deal between the royal family and the Wahabbists.
1
Just more smoke and mirrors to further obfuscate the real planners of the 1993 and 2001 ploys against that fiscal albatross called the "Twin Towers": The World 'Trade' Center.
8
Please.
3
Can we please stop talking around the elephant in the room? Our government, both Republicans and Democrats, do not want to release the report and risk damaging our relationship to a country that we depend on for energy supplies (oil). It would be refreshing if our elected leaders would just be straight with us, and say the obvious: we depend on Saudi Arabia for our way of life. We need the Saudis for our jobs, our kids tuition, our family vacations, our electronic gadgets, our military, and the national security that depends on energy. So, yes it's awkward, and uncomfortable, and even dangerous to pursue this inquiry. Both political parties, once in power, seemed to have accepted this fact.
52
the frigging saudis themselves are asking that the documents be released. so why our reluctance? somebody explain that one to me.
Agree with you on most. just to clarify your argument we don't get oil from the Saudi's but the worlds country's who are interwoven into capitalism all depend on the Saudii's.. No need to stir the pot, we need them. We can. Wait. A couple of overhears before we find out who really sunk the UsSS Maine.
The irony is the USA is not dependent on Saudi Arabia for oil. We import only 13% from the Saudis and 20% in total from the Persian Gulf countries. Most of our oil imports come from Canada.
2
I cannot believe it was in the public interest to classify this information… but CAN believe it was in the interest of those who wanted to convince the public that Saddam Hussein was somehow involved in 9-11. At this juncture it would not surprise me to find that a larger percentage of voters believe Iraq was behind 9-11 than believe Saudi Arabia was complicit in the attacks that day. To coin a phrase: Mission Accomplished.
114
I am remembering that in the wake of 9-11 members of the Saudi royal family were quickly flown out of the US while all other flights were grounded. And soon thereafter, the Bush administration began making bizarre claims about Saddam Hussein's involvement in the hijacking plot. The mainstream press failed to challenge these claims, though the scanty evidence presented for them was easily discredited. This makes the whole Iraq fiasco even more Orwellian & grotesque. Until the reasons & the means for our own government's deception on these issues (including the continuing efforts by Republicans to block & discredit the 9/11 report) are thoroughly investigated & exposed, how can any of us have any faith in our government or in our press?
132
Don't forget that Prescott Bush was a senator when Kennedy was assassinated in 1963.
2
A big problem is, I think, that a full investigation of 9-11 might lead even further to places which are unthinkable and unacceptable. Thus, even though any information revealed appears not to be unfavorable to the Democrats, Obama assists in the obfuscation
3
The Republicans benefit from lack of trust in our government.
2
This information, Moussaoui's testimony, is deeply troubling but only in context with the Wahhabi philosophy taught and funded by Saudis, and Kuwaitis, and Qataris around the world today.
Suspicions about the attacks on 9/11 were quelled when Bush/Cheney spirited the Bin Laden family back to Saudi Arabia immediately after the events during a global airline shutdown and then unceremoniously curtailed a criminal investigation of the events and the crime scenes. No one objected. So, as disturbing as Moussaoui's testimony is, our attack on Iraq, based on unsubstantiated information and neglect of Saudi culpability reveals a deliberate and autocratic turn in the Executive Branch that has been glossed over by Congress, the courts, the media and the American people.
Release Part 4 anyone! We want to read it. We want to know if our "friends" in the Gulf not only educated, trained, and funded Al Qaeda attacks in 1993, 2001, but even now, that they continue to educate, train, and fund Wahhabi schools around the world. What is their relationship with ISIS, whose leadership was educated, and trained in Wahhabi schools, whose beheadings have horrified the West, and whose Salafi Caliphate is a fundamental goal of Wahhabi teaching.
The corruption of our own government by our relationship with the oil industry and those definitively primitive kingdoms and autocracies must be revealed before we can "move on".
Suspicions about the attacks on 9/11 were quelled when Bush/Cheney spirited the Bin Laden family back to Saudi Arabia immediately after the events during a global airline shutdown and then unceremoniously curtailed a criminal investigation of the events and the crime scenes. No one objected. So, as disturbing as Moussaoui's testimony is, our attack on Iraq, based on unsubstantiated information and neglect of Saudi culpability reveals a deliberate and autocratic turn in the Executive Branch that has been glossed over by Congress, the courts, the media and the American people.
Release Part 4 anyone! We want to read it. We want to know if our "friends" in the Gulf not only educated, trained, and funded Al Qaeda attacks in 1993, 2001, but even now, that they continue to educate, train, and fund Wahhabi schools around the world. What is their relationship with ISIS, whose leadership was educated, and trained in Wahhabi schools, whose beheadings have horrified the West, and whose Salafi Caliphate is a fundamental goal of Wahhabi teaching.
The corruption of our own government by our relationship with the oil industry and those definitively primitive kingdoms and autocracies must be revealed before we can "move on".
40
The involvement runs deeper than just the Saudis. Much deeper. If this would have Bush look bad and the Saudis look worse the roots of the situation ran much deeper into other countries that would start another major controversy. The situation at hand is the terrorism that now faces us not yesterdays. And releasing it in my opinion would just defray the ongoing concerted effort in suppression of the beast at hand.
The article does not represent the facts, Prince Waleed bin Talal Al Saud's donation of $10 million to the NY Fireman's Fund, was briefly rejected by NY mayor Gulliani, but was later accepted.
The Saudi's have been repeatedly used and abused by the American intelligence services to fund the dirty operations for them. I remember the Saudi's were threatened in 1973 by America to sell oil, when the Saudi's came up with the idea of an oil embargo.
Americans generally don't realize how much the Saudi people actually loved and admired America. How the Saudi people happily and willingly bought American products, but after 9/11, the American government and its puppet media empire started attacking Saudi Arabian people. Sadly the Saudi people saw another side of America, the dirty side, and, this is being exposed more and more, thanks to the internet.
The Saudi's have been repeatedly used and abused by the American intelligence services to fund the dirty operations for them. I remember the Saudi's were threatened in 1973 by America to sell oil, when the Saudi's came up with the idea of an oil embargo.
Americans generally don't realize how much the Saudi people actually loved and admired America. How the Saudi people happily and willingly bought American products, but after 9/11, the American government and its puppet media empire started attacking Saudi Arabian people. Sadly the Saudi people saw another side of America, the dirty side, and, this is being exposed more and more, thanks to the internet.
4
Laughable. Saudi Arabia is a theocracy far far FAR worse than Iran, and that is really saying something. The country has no history of culture, art, or science. It's been a dirt hole full of ignorance and extremism for the whole of human existence, and it will be one again as soon as we can (if we can) ween ourselves from oil.
2
In 2009 Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton stated: "While the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) takes seriously the threat of terrorism within Saudi Arabia, it has been an ongoing challenge to persuade Saudi officials to treat terrorist financing emanating from Saudi Arabia as a strategic priority," Who funds ISIS?
A thorough investigation of 9/11 events should follow the release of section 4 of the 9/11 report. That investigation must include influence of Saudi actors in orchestrating our unsubstantiated rationale for attacking Iraq, the continued funding of Wahhabi schools that educated and trained the leaders of Al Qaeda and ISIS, and the collusion of Saudis and other Gulf states to foment war against Iran a Shia state. Indeed, the persistent portrayal of Iran as a sponsor of terrorism misdirecting the public from the Sunni source of western terrorism must also be investigated.
A thorough investigation of 9/11 events should follow the release of section 4 of the 9/11 report. That investigation must include influence of Saudi actors in orchestrating our unsubstantiated rationale for attacking Iraq, the continued funding of Wahhabi schools that educated and trained the leaders of Al Qaeda and ISIS, and the collusion of Saudis and other Gulf states to foment war against Iran a Shia state. Indeed, the persistent portrayal of Iran as a sponsor of terrorism misdirecting the public from the Sunni source of western terrorism must also be investigated.
16
Since everyone knew from the start that bin Laden was Saudi, what's the big news? Remember? Members of the bin Laden family who were here in the USA were allowed by Bush to leave the country right away after the Twin Towers went down.
This does not mean that every saudi is or was a terrorist. Just that some of them participated in the attack on America.
This does not mean that every saudi is or was a terrorist. Just that some of them participated in the attack on America.
8
To think we are going to have another Bush who wants to be President if the 1% will decide he is their Guy. They can, via the media and political ads, get him elected. We will march to another war, that the 99% pay for via their taxes. That instead of infrastructure, public transportation, public schooling etc. The 1% hide most of their money, have tax lawyers and the Congress (law makers) help with that. I have to pay taxes that is twice as much in % than Apple, Kochs, Romney, and all the 1%. They hide their money overseas, place their companies Headquarters overseas, I could go on and on. It puzzles me why we continue to vote for these lawmakers.
1
All said and done whatever it is that the American Public finds disdainful about the House of Saud rests squarely with decisions made in the White House on behalf of the US citizens. There are many faults to attribute to the House of Saud but could they have become so powerful to the point of being invulnerable without active American support to shield them not just from their own citizens but even other nations that are not happy on the attitude of the Sauds. From Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan the US played second fiddle or simply ignored the sectarian machinations pf the Suds with the resultant scourge every Muslim aces but even the allies of the US from Japan to the European countries. Could it be just the oil,factor and accruing dollars o is there something vital but unsaid?
5
It is the oil, oil, oil. We have always put our economic interest before protecting our citizens. We usually go to wars, not always to replace a leader we don't like; more often because they don't dance to our drums. Look at Nicaragua, El Salvador, Iraq, Grenada, Vietnam. The list goes on and on. (Iraq; many outside of the US knew from the beginning that Iraq was not involved in the 9/11attack). But 80% of US citizens believed what was sold them by the Bush administration, and the media here. The GOP hawks here and in Israel want us to destroy Iran. Why are we not taking a closer look at Saudi Arabia, the real money behind 9/11 and present terrorism funding. We are too gullible and the media is just as gullible, sad to say.
1
We know that Cheney manipulated the intelligence apparati to indicate that Iraq had weapons of mass distraction when they did not (e.g., the Plame affair) . We know that the Bush administration allowed torture and that prisoners in Iraq were not only tortured by treated inhumanely well beyond efforts to gain information (e.g., at the Abu Ghraib prison). We know that Bush, who has family ties to the Saudi royal family, wanted a winnable war to show on TV (it wasn't oil; the oil never flowed and increased supply from Iraqi oil coming online wouldn't have helped the oil industry that supported Bush - at least not enough and not soon enough to motivate going to war). So we know we got manipulated into the wrong war fought the wrong way. Now I guess we're finding that we also got manipulated *out* *of* the right war - the Saudi's supported the 9-11 terrorist (and we know Hussein did not).
29
Hundreds of Americans on YouTube have spelled this out for 13 years, no one has believed them, they are 'conspiracy theorists'. And now one terrorist with a questionable hold on reality is making the mainstream shift. Why his credibility outweighs non-terrorists is a great mystery.
9
Firstly, when regular joe citizens talk about how one group of people (whole groups, not just a handful) were behind and knew about certain things like these attacks, they are crackpots.
Secondly, when regular joe citizens talk about how the US government was behind the September 11, 2001 attacks (plural, as the Pentagon was hit and a third plane went down in Pennsylvania) for -insert reason here- with zero facts and zero logical statements, they are seen as crackpots.
Third, it's YouTube. Of course it's ignored or seen as crackpot conspiracy theory.
Fourth, many scholars have talked about the issues of Saudi money involvement, have demonstrated evidence, and have spoken about the need to declassify the documents. That is *not*crackpot. They have given evidence, as best they have, they have not blamed whole cultures as being implicit, and they don't see how the entire US govt being behind some major plot.
Secondly, when regular joe citizens talk about how the US government was behind the September 11, 2001 attacks (plural, as the Pentagon was hit and a third plane went down in Pennsylvania) for -insert reason here- with zero facts and zero logical statements, they are seen as crackpots.
Third, it's YouTube. Of course it's ignored or seen as crackpot conspiracy theory.
Fourth, many scholars have talked about the issues of Saudi money involvement, have demonstrated evidence, and have spoken about the need to declassify the documents. That is *not*crackpot. They have given evidence, as best they have, they have not blamed whole cultures as being implicit, and they don't see how the entire US govt being behind some major plot.
And Fifthly, good for them.
Caffe Latte, when you write "when regular joe citizens talk about how the US government was behind the September 11, 2001 attacks (plural, as the Pentagon was hit and a third plane went down in Pennsylvania) for -insert reason here- with zero facts and zero logical statements, they are seen as crackpots" you are ignoring the enormous amount of solid facts that support the conclusion that this was a false flag attack, not masterminded by a man in a cave dying of kidney disease, or perpetrated by men who couldn't fly Cessnas, let alone large modern jetliners. To say otherwise is simply ignorant; read any book by David Ray Griffin on the subject; or watch the film "Experts Speak Out." To ignore and avoid the solid evidence is to keep your head in the sand. Sad.
Wasn't Prince Bandar at the White House talking with George W Bush shortly after the 9/11 attack? Before we let the members of Bin-Laden's family flee the country on private jets. I bet that the FBI and other agencies would have liked to ask them a few questions.
15
All 20 of the 9/11 mutts came from SA. SA may not have been directly involved, but they pay off their extremists to not harm them.
That works really well, as Europe is learning.
That works really well, as Europe is learning.
5
We are truly living in George Orwell's "1984" when a good chunk of American's believe that shadowy, unnamed Saudis paid for President Obama's college and law school, but they remain silent on Bush's openly close relationships with easily named Saudis.
"Oceania was at war with Eurasia and in alliance with Eastasia. In no public or private utterance was it ever admitted that the three powers had at any time been grouped along different lines. Actually, as Winston well knew, it was only four years since Oceania had been at war with Eastasia and in alliance with Eurasia. But that was merely a piece of furtive knowledge, which he happened to possess because his memory was not satisfactorily under control. Officially the change of partners had never happened. Oceania was at war with Eurasia: therefore Oceania had always been at war with Eurasia."
Please excuse my memory, I'm working diligently to bring it under control.
"Oceania was at war with Eurasia and in alliance with Eastasia. In no public or private utterance was it ever admitted that the three powers had at any time been grouped along different lines. Actually, as Winston well knew, it was only four years since Oceania had been at war with Eastasia and in alliance with Eurasia. But that was merely a piece of furtive knowledge, which he happened to possess because his memory was not satisfactorily under control. Officially the change of partners had never happened. Oceania was at war with Eurasia: therefore Oceania had always been at war with Eurasia."
Please excuse my memory, I'm working diligently to bring it under control.
12
Our troops have won a glorious victory! Doubleplusgood!
1
when will bush,cheney,powell et el. be placed in front of a court?
22
Rhetorical question, of course.
dont forget this admin because he carried their torch and continued their war crimes against humanity. Obama is Bush's mirror image.
3
The pages should obviously be released, given that the government of Saudi Arabia would not object to it - and furthermore would view it as an opportunity to refute allegedly unsubstantiated charges.
The Saudis will probably point to various 'reforms' that have taken place since 9/11 - and attempt to demonstrate how no one in the highest levels of the government was involved in any of the plotting or funding.
What the Saudis refuse to acknowledge, however, is that Wahhabi ideology needs to be eradicated from the face of the earth - strong words, but also truthful ones - and that by agreeing to give a free hand to clerics in the indoctrination of this murderous, utterly intolerant strain of Islam, in exchange for a right to rule in the Kingdom, the Royal Family have literally made a deal with Satan.
It would be one thing if the Saudi elite were able to keep this Satanic ideology confined to the Arabian peninsula; but they have instead repeatedly allowed it to be exported, in order to save their own hides.
As far as I'm concerned, the propagation of this ideology is nothing less than an invitation to crimes against humanity; and propagation of this invitation must no longer be enabled by the civilized world.
The Saudis will probably point to various 'reforms' that have taken place since 9/11 - and attempt to demonstrate how no one in the highest levels of the government was involved in any of the plotting or funding.
What the Saudis refuse to acknowledge, however, is that Wahhabi ideology needs to be eradicated from the face of the earth - strong words, but also truthful ones - and that by agreeing to give a free hand to clerics in the indoctrination of this murderous, utterly intolerant strain of Islam, in exchange for a right to rule in the Kingdom, the Royal Family have literally made a deal with Satan.
It would be one thing if the Saudi elite were able to keep this Satanic ideology confined to the Arabian peninsula; but they have instead repeatedly allowed it to be exported, in order to save their own hides.
As far as I'm concerned, the propagation of this ideology is nothing less than an invitation to crimes against humanity; and propagation of this invitation must no longer be enabled by the civilized world.
28
The ideology is build to protect this family that took over the country
1
It might be worth remembering when these documents were classified. This all happened post Snowden. So I might assume that one explanation for there secrecy would be the revelation of the information. But that being said, there is still the matter of the Saudis fleeing the country to contend with.
In my honest opinion, and I think it would do a world of good, former president Bush as well as Cheney should at the very least be brought in front of an investigation committee. If not charged with war crimes altogether. And the fact that there is still hesitation in Washington concerning this only tells me that we need to 'shut it down'. There are some major changes needed people.
In my honest opinion, and I think it would do a world of good, former president Bush as well as Cheney should at the very least be brought in front of an investigation committee. If not charged with war crimes altogether. And the fact that there is still hesitation in Washington concerning this only tells me that we need to 'shut it down'. There are some major changes needed people.
6
Right after another investigation of Benghazi, I'm afraid....
1
It has never been a secret that 15 of the 911 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia. There is no mystery about this, only consternation about why George Bush "declared war" on Iraq while to this day he remains friends with Saudi Arabia, a country that does not allow women to drive or go out alone, a country that beheads and maims people by cutting off their limbs as "punishment" and stones people to death.
20
Don't forget the flogging of a Young blogger, daring to ask for more liberal reforms! Fifty lashe a week till a thousand 've been reached!
2
As long as the world rermains addicted to oil, the Saudi's, with their vast resources, will have the means to pursue any policy they see fit. With hardly any spending limit Saudi religious zealots can recruit anyone and collude with any foreign power to pursue their extreme objectives. If Saudi's indeed financed the 9/11 attacks, what did they want to achieve by attacking the USA? Was it to lure them back in a conflict with Saddam's Iraq and in the end with archenemy shia Iran? Like with IS now?
8
A related question is what ties the Pakistani government had to Al Qaeda in Afghanistan before 9/11. Are we really to believe no one in the Pakistani intelligence services had knowledge of the 9/11 plot, given that they ended up sheltering bin Laden for ten years?
10
First of all, the American people have a right to know what actually happened on that horrible day. Why should our government, which is supposed to serve the people, have the right to conceal information about an event that devastated so many lives and change the future course of our nation?
Second, the crime of 9/11 is horrendous, but in some ways the worse crime that our government, both Democrats and Republicans, are still striving to cover up, even though the truth of Saudi financing is now (almost) in the open, is the brazenness of the lie told to the American people that Iraq was responsible for 9/11 (which many of us, millions protesting on the city streets, knew was a lie), which so many believed and which the media supported, leading us into an absolutely illegal war with devastating results we are still paying for.
In my lifetime, this lying and hypocrisy by our government is the wound that I, as an American, will never recover from, unless maybe there is full disclosure and an accounting of the wrong done to both Americans, others who served in the armed forces, and the Iraqi people. I can't even imagine how I would feel if I lost a family member or friend serving in Iraq.
Second, the crime of 9/11 is horrendous, but in some ways the worse crime that our government, both Democrats and Republicans, are still striving to cover up, even though the truth of Saudi financing is now (almost) in the open, is the brazenness of the lie told to the American people that Iraq was responsible for 9/11 (which many of us, millions protesting on the city streets, knew was a lie), which so many believed and which the media supported, leading us into an absolutely illegal war with devastating results we are still paying for.
In my lifetime, this lying and hypocrisy by our government is the wound that I, as an American, will never recover from, unless maybe there is full disclosure and an accounting of the wrong done to both Americans, others who served in the armed forces, and the Iraqi people. I can't even imagine how I would feel if I lost a family member or friend serving in Iraq.
37
Obama's consistent covering up of the crimes of the previous administration has made him complicit in all of them. What I believe he is covering up today (in addition to the Saudi support of Bin Laden) are the facts surrounding Bush's order to spirit the Saudis who were in the U.S. on 9/11 out of the country, secretly and within hours of the attack. They were his oil buddies after all. The whole think stinks as much today as it did then.
Just as the torture policies have come back again and again to damage our country in deadly ways, the hiding of the Saudi role in 9/11 will keep coming back until all of it is revealed and the criminals exposed ... including those of the Bush administration who facilitated their escape from the U.S.
Just as the torture policies have come back again and again to damage our country in deadly ways, the hiding of the Saudi role in 9/11 will keep coming back until all of it is revealed and the criminals exposed ... including those of the Bush administration who facilitated their escape from the U.S.
56
It wasn't just run-of-the-mill Saudis who were helped by the US government to leave the country. It was members of the extremely wealthy Bin Laden family.
5
President Obama has and is understandably and and rightfully focused on the present day functioning and issues of his administration, not the actions or misdeeds of the previous one. As if the Republicans haven't been obstructionist enough, can you imagine their behavior had he done what you suggest? The country would have come to a full stop.
Mr. Zelikow is the poster boy of the typical response to wrongdoing. A clever ruse becomes dismissible if one is clever enough to put enough distance between a source and its target. Saudi royal individuals gave money to "charities" whose funds somehow wound up in the hands of some of the most awful people on earth. It would defy logic that these members of the house of Saud did not know what they were doing. Our ties to Saudi Arabia should be thinned. The government of this Arabic State is oppressive to its people, and, if thought about, has not been a boon to our own country, leading to unnecessary wars and thwarting proper domestic economic growth. Any US politicians who cozied up to the Royal Family, the Bushes and Clintons, for example, should not be given any leadership role in this country. Even President Obama has not been forceful enough in rejecting propping up this dictatorial regime.
4
Lets elect Elizabeth Warren. We need all of our citizens to vote, not only 36%. We need to show more interest in politics, and tolerate less lies from our politicians. Lies that get us involved in wars sold to us by corrupt politicians, influenced by oil, side interests of making money, pressure from other countries (SA who have a terrible human rights record, who pay for and promote terrorism so they themselves are left alone).
1
Nothing new. The Saudi links to Al Qaeda are well known. The report will only make them official and that's something that Dick Cheney wasn't prepared to do and he succeeded with the help of other Republicans (excluding the nominal President Bush, who didn't count much). President Obama should release the report, but his track record in foreign affairs is not as good as his domestic one.
1
As much as I am a supporter of freedom of information, I must take a different viewpoint in this matter at least.
Releasing the information versus keeping it classified are not really the crux of the issue. Let us say for argument sake that the information is incriminating and is released. There will be some outcry, some media frenzy and then it will die down. So what would we have gained. Not much other than some politicians making hay.
The crux of the matter is that whether our government is acting on this information if their is evidence of culpability of Saudi Arabia in the matter of 9/11. What I know from empirical evidence is that there have been no serious attacks on US assets since 9/11. Is it possible that the USA has been working with Saudi Arabia to cut off the funding for terrorists and because of this Al Queda is no longer a threat. Now obviously there are other threats but report is about 9/11 and Al Queda.
There is a reason the term diplomacy was coined. We just can't willy nilly be upsetting every country because there is some evidence of this or that. Governments need to keep the big picture front and center when handling matters of national security, foreign affairs, energy policy etc. This is one of those matters.
Releasing the information versus keeping it classified are not really the crux of the issue. Let us say for argument sake that the information is incriminating and is released. There will be some outcry, some media frenzy and then it will die down. So what would we have gained. Not much other than some politicians making hay.
The crux of the matter is that whether our government is acting on this information if their is evidence of culpability of Saudi Arabia in the matter of 9/11. What I know from empirical evidence is that there have been no serious attacks on US assets since 9/11. Is it possible that the USA has been working with Saudi Arabia to cut off the funding for terrorists and because of this Al Queda is no longer a threat. Now obviously there are other threats but report is about 9/11 and Al Queda.
There is a reason the term diplomacy was coined. We just can't willy nilly be upsetting every country because there is some evidence of this or that. Governments need to keep the big picture front and center when handling matters of national security, foreign affairs, energy policy etc. This is one of those matters.
2
Still seems strange that Bush senior ran the CIA and was friends with Saudis, but his son was clueless about Bin Laden, even after public statements that WTC would be attacked. Incompetence or conspiracy would explain 9/11 as well as unwillingness to release facts. Same with Bin Laden's death, where supposed top team of SEALs couldn't capture him.
12
“This is the most transparent administration in history,” Obama said in 2013. Yeah, right. Just another one of many, many lies told by this administration.
4
This report is a reminder that across two administrations the goal is not to effectively fight terrorism, but to fund the private fortunes of contractors, consultants, and officials who pass through the revolving door from government to business. And to avoid admitting mistakes.
President Obama should erect a big sign on the White House lawn that copies what soldiers put on their vehicles in war zones: "War is our business and business is good."
President Obama should erect a big sign on the White House lawn that copies what soldiers put on their vehicles in war zones: "War is our business and business is good."
18
I believe every word uttered by Moussaoui, and expect nothing but lies from any government report, censored or otherwise. Just as the lives in the World Trade Towers meant nothing, the lives of American citizens are of no value to the NWO. Even today, as our government conspires with the Saudi's to manipulate the oil market, government media lies to America about the motives involved. Who really understood the words of CIA chief Bush when he spoke to America of a New World Order, how could we understand that Americans were expendable to satisfy the goals of the few power elite? Who believes that Jeb Bush won't be president after he has been selected by those same people who print both our news and our dollar.
15
The Saudi Royal Family is the 2nd largest shareholder in News Corp. Parent Comp. of Fox News and owner of Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal.
20
There are two reasons to suppress the 28 pages. Either there are implications that will embarrass someone. Or, more likely, there are sources that would be compromised and we are still using them today. Probably the latter.
3
If it's all these 28 redacted pages are all they're cracked up to be, releasing the redacted information could result in the fall of the Saudi royal family who at least pretend to be our friends. What could be worse than the Saudi royal family? Do we really want to find out?
4
A resounding YES!!!! The Saudis are the most vile regime, besides US TM, in the world. You cannot get worse than hell on earth.
I think it's safe to say everyone in the entire United States - except for those who run the country, i.e., rich people and the puppet politicians they purchase - knows that the Saudis are intricately involved with terrorism, but the fact that they have oil gives them a free pass to get away with whatever.
If nothing else, it speaks volumes about the corruptibility of capitalism, where money (for some) is more important than national security (for all).
If nothing else, it speaks volumes about the corruptibility of capitalism, where money (for some) is more important than national security (for all).
24
The American public is naive. They are discouraged from thinking there is such a thing as a conspiracy. But in fact, it is very plain they exist all of the time. Our news agencies are hand in glove with government (which is owned by multinational interests) to feed the public the proper dose of propoganda. It is a dangerous game that is played out in history over and over. Millions fight for bogus reasons, coerced into it one way or another. It sickens me to think of my grandsons and granddaughter possibly having to go and fight for these nefarious sociopaths that are so willing to sacrifice our children's lives for their selfish gains. The NYTimes must salvage its reputation by courageously illuminating the public with the sincere and in depth reporting of the facts..not just in piecemeal to have a veneer of sincerity while hiding the stinking mass as much as possible.
61
Wait, why is it the NYT's reputation that needs to be "salvaged". What exactly are you accusing?
If every publication is part of a conspiracy why do you trust anything? Why are you even here?
If every publication is part of a conspiracy why do you trust anything? Why are you even here?
2
I am here because I feel responsible as a citizen to speak my peace. Even if I am wrong, there are ideas to be considered for the benefit I hope for all of us. The NYTimes is known to have with held vital information from the public on a number of occasions. Why?
2
Conjecture and accusations are pointless until the release of the documents for the world to see and judge.
Release the documents. "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."
Release the documents. "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."
20
Look at the evidence presented by Dan Briody ("The Iron Triangle") about the Carlyle - and he explains here how your president knew about the planes before the CIA.
You ask for a can of worms to be opened that may implicate a couple of Saudi nationals, but also that some large US companies acted as channels for these and also sided with them after 9/11. Your president now is protecting US interests, not the Saudi nationals.
You ask for a can of worms to be opened that may implicate a couple of Saudi nationals, but also that some large US companies acted as channels for these and also sided with them after 9/11. Your president now is protecting US interests, not the Saudi nationals.
2
Without the "conjecture and accusations" that "Citizen" calls pointless there would be no public demand for the release of the documents. This is what shows the mettle of a free press: the ability to investigate what others call mere rumor until, hopefully the truth is revealed. But none of this would happen without the original suspicions, ,conjectures and accusations.
1
This is not conjecture; it is a fact.
1
American journalism has completely failed the American people about this story.
271
Important for the NYT to stay on this even if it is fifteen years late.
1
Thank the Bush admin for their blatant suppression of American free journalism reporting facts…..they made Nixon look like an amateur.
1
I'm watching how the Medias will develop this story and investigate it too.
So far it seems that all that has been done is to report the point of views of third tier actors debating if the documents should be released or not. I could have wrote the current article myself, because I think I could access most of the information collated by the NYT just sitting in front of my computer. We need in deph and investigative journalism on this because clearly we should not be satisfied with the reporting of a Senator saying
“There may have been a level of participation by some Muslim country that is not commensurate with today,”
We need to know whas there some backing or not by Saudi Arabia?
We need to know at what level, by what muslim country, by who in those muslim countrie and what those countries or individuals are doing today.
So far it seems that all that has been done is to report the point of views of third tier actors debating if the documents should be released or not. I could have wrote the current article myself, because I think I could access most of the information collated by the NYT just sitting in front of my computer. We need in deph and investigative journalism on this because clearly we should not be satisfied with the reporting of a Senator saying
“There may have been a level of participation by some Muslim country that is not commensurate with today,”
We need to know whas there some backing or not by Saudi Arabia?
We need to know at what level, by what muslim country, by who in those muslim countrie and what those countries or individuals are doing today.
This dreadful family - The House of Saud, posing as a country - which sponsors terrorism, manipulates the United States and denies its own populace basic human rights, needs to be exposed for what it is - a dangerous entity - which if it didn't have hundreds of billions in petro-dollars, would by now have been put on the same tier by the civilized world as say, Haiti. Why the American people did not rail up against its cosy relationship with the House of Bush is also beyond comprehension. Now however ITS TIME.
281
The Saudi may be bad, but they acted for some very large US companies / Hedge funds. The US President is protecting these, because the Saudis just acted as proxy. Go ahead, the US needs a major clean-up, in particular related to how American companies are involved in things, and that these can cause "side effects" in the USA.
2
The House of Saud has been our House of Oil for decades. They have funded terrorists and we have enabled them to do so by buying their oil while ignoring the religious extremes and dysfunctional nature of their society.
1
Haiti? I don't see the House of Saud acting like Haiti but more like North Korean.
Obama cut his trip to India short to go and kiss the hand of the new king.
this says it all: bend to the saudis
who is financing ISIS? The Saudis and Quarter. Everyone knows, but they dare not talk about it
this says it all: bend to the saudis
who is financing ISIS? The Saudis and Quarter. Everyone knows, but they dare not talk about it
20
You are pretty alone on your claim, but ISIS has been evicted from Saudi and Qatar so there is no safe shelter there.
The Saudi had very close relations with Syria, and Syrians served in high positions in the kingdom. If you sit in a glass cage, you should not throw stones: The top ISIS leaders have been trained by the US, for the purpose of creating instability. You have achieved that, but not where you intended.
The Saudi had very close relations with Syria, and Syrians served in high positions in the kingdom. If you sit in a glass cage, you should not throw stones: The top ISIS leaders have been trained by the US, for the purpose of creating instability. You have achieved that, but not where you intended.
1
The craven obsequiousness of the American government to the Saudis is especially despicable since it came so soon after our insult to the French.
2
But Obama had no time to go to France and join hands att the Charlie Hebro march.
But the French prime minister came here after 9/11.
But the French prime minister came here after 9/11.
3
Saudis have a role in 9/11?
Who knew?
Who didn´t?
There is already enough public information available to show this for those who care to look.
Who knew?
Who didn´t?
There is already enough public information available to show this for those who care to look.
13
Did you?
Bin Ladin is from Yemen, lived in Jeddah, but his business partners lives in Texas.
So clean out a certain basement in Austin first.
Bin Ladin is from Yemen, lived in Jeddah, but his business partners lives in Texas.
So clean out a certain basement in Austin first.
2
The World Trade Center in New York was attacked by Al Qaeda on February 26, 1993.
I suspect that some of the funding for that attack came from Saudi Arabia.
The attack on September 11, 2001 was a follow-up to the 1993 attack.
The weak American response to the 1993 attack obviously did not deter Saudis from continuing to fund Al Qaeda in the years leading up to 9/11.
The war on terrorism involves too much killing and not enough attacks on the financial assets (including buildings) of those who fund terrorism. We need to punish the financial backers in order to reduce future terrorist attacks.
I suspect that some of the funding for that attack came from Saudi Arabia.
The attack on September 11, 2001 was a follow-up to the 1993 attack.
The weak American response to the 1993 attack obviously did not deter Saudis from continuing to fund Al Qaeda in the years leading up to 9/11.
The war on terrorism involves too much killing and not enough attacks on the financial assets (including buildings) of those who fund terrorism. We need to punish the financial backers in order to reduce future terrorist attacks.
22
Read Dan Briody "The iron Triangle" and see who the financial "backers" are.
Then you will understand your president. Beside that, I totally agree with you, ending the US funding of the IRA in Ireland, ended decades of bombings in Ireland and the UK, so stop those that fund terror.
Then you will understand your president. Beside that, I totally agree with you, ending the US funding of the IRA in Ireland, ended decades of bombings in Ireland and the UK, so stop those that fund terror.
It doesn't take a very smart person to figure out who owns the world. Think of the years the Saudis had a strangle hold on oil. Think of both President Bushes turning puppy dog whenever around a Saudi King.
Think about what we already know about the Saudis & 9-11. Think about all airplanes in North America grounded while relatives of Osama bin Laden were flown out of the US.
Think about all the heads of state who showed up for King Abdullah's funeral & all the Saudi butt-kissing that went on including President Obama.
Nope, doesn't take a very smart person to see the world pecking order & while Fox News might trumpet the idea that America is Number 1 & America is Exceptional......Obviously Saudi Arabia tops us & everyone else on earth. Tis a pity none of us know the game being played here.
Think about what we already know about the Saudis & 9-11. Think about all airplanes in North America grounded while relatives of Osama bin Laden were flown out of the US.
Think about all the heads of state who showed up for King Abdullah's funeral & all the Saudi butt-kissing that went on including President Obama.
Nope, doesn't take a very smart person to see the world pecking order & while Fox News might trumpet the idea that America is Number 1 & America is Exceptional......Obviously Saudi Arabia tops us & everyone else on earth. Tis a pity none of us know the game being played here.
120
It is utterly unacceptable that the Obama Administration refuses to allow publishing of these 28 pages that will tell us much about a national trauma. This, in conjunction with a failure to protect us from NSA snooping (not to mention the failure to prosecute CIA operatives for torture) - signifies one things
Obama has more reverence for oppressive Arab allies - and highhanded security agencies - than he does for transparency and fairness. He is showing a level of high handedness not seen since Richard Nixon
I would love to see Elizabeth Warren call him out on this
Obama has more reverence for oppressive Arab allies - and highhanded security agencies - than he does for transparency and fairness. He is showing a level of high handedness not seen since Richard Nixon
I would love to see Elizabeth Warren call him out on this
19
It's George W. Bush who made the pages classified in the first place and refused to declassify them when forty senators asked him to. It's "Bandar Bush" who was considered a member of the Bush family (a family of oilmen). You can't rewrite history and lay all of this at President Obamas feet, as Fox news tried to do by labeling the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan "Obama's wars."
8
And what do you say about the 28 pages being kept secret in the first place? What do you have to say about THAT administration?
3
What I would like to know is, how on 9/11 when our president,and our government was coping with an enormous crisis was anyone able to call the president and get a plane to take Bin Laden family out of the country.That takes some extraordinary connections.
151
How do you know that it was not your president that flew the Arabs out of the USA? They were together in a meeting discussing business opportunities.
3
The Bushes used to do business with the Bin Ladins. I think there were 68 children in the family. So most weren't rabid terrorists. Osama used to work for the United States as an Afghanistan fighter (terrorist?) against the Russians.
You have to admit the timing of this whole ordeal is very interesting, almost like we're shaking someone down, perhaps the new leadership of Saudi Arabia? Perhaps a warning about people who might be appointed to the new king's court?
16
Or is the timing due to the possibility of a third Bush presidency?
2
Interesting or maybe because the connection to this was from the dead king and now that he is dead there will be no punishment to him or the new king since he wasn't involved.
Twenty-eight pages of clarity must be released NOW. Recent spot lights have come back to haunt this untold tale. It must be unraveled for today and our future.
8
It has been said, "The truth shall set you free." I think it's about time the citizenry of the United States be freed. Not only can we handle it, but our very lives depend on it.
16
John 8:32
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.
Veritas vos liberabit.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.
Veritas vos liberabit.
1
Let's face it, the 28 pages wouldn't be classified if it didn't contain material that is deeply embarrassing to Saudi Arabia and its protectors in the Bush administration, material that implicates the Saudis, official or not, in the World Trade Center attack. What is especially disappointing is that President Obama has accepted, from George Bush and Dick Cheney, the role of protector of the Saudis.
89
True. I'm wondering the same about those who protect Bush and Cheney.
10
What happens if the full report gets released? Does the report, itself, contain the entire truth? Does it identify who really funded and abetted 9-11? Why the Bush Admin quietly allowed all Saudi nationals to fly out of the U.S. when no other planes were flying? And why the U.S. was so eager to wage war against Iraq; the country not involved in 9-11? Who stood to benefit from the Iraqi oil grab? What did Israel gain from the U.S. presence in the Middle East in a protracted war? And of course the Saudi's? After the trillions Americans have paid, lives lost and injured, the tragic destruction of Iraqi, refugees in the millions -- surely have a right to know the whole truth about Sept. 11 and what was hidden from us.
305
There we go again with that incessant back-door Israel bashing, so irresistible to so many. If I recall, Israel was made to endure dozens of Scud missile attacks launched by the flailing and failing Saddam and after the war, pressured by Bush Sr. to once again surrender the heart of ancient Israeli territory which still sadly and unjustifiably in dispute (the "Palestinians" already have a state, its name is Jordan). If it was a good for Israel to see Saddam's army smashed then it was a good shared by the United Sates, the neighborhood and the entire civilized world.
3
We didn't grab any oil from Iraq and Israel didn't benefit.
But by redacting Saudi's involvement in 9/11 we may have stopped a Nuclear Crusade that could have made the original Crusades look like a walk in the park.
But by redacting Saudi's involvement in 9/11 we may have stopped a Nuclear Crusade that could have made the original Crusades look like a walk in the park.
1
If it's true, why did these princes do it? What's their motivation? Do they just hate the USA in general, while having to deal with it in terms of realpolitik? Or is there some other set of reasons? Presumably this is one faction within the extended Saudi Royal family, but what's their position? Not to excuse it, but to understand it. This aspect doesn't seem to have received any discussion? Are they catering to a base of opinion or loyalty in some way, for example?
1
We live in a democracy, allegedly.
Who is being protected by suppressing this investigation of 9/11? Declassify this report, NOW.
Who is being protected by suppressing this investigation of 9/11? Declassify this report, NOW.
175
Mr. or Ms. V.
Someday I hope to be just as brief and to the point as you are. You've summed up all my posts thus far with one sentence. Thank you.
Someday I hope to be just as brief and to the point as you are. You've summed up all my posts thus far with one sentence. Thank you.
3
The Sept. 11 attacks were conceived as an attack on all Americans. Hence, *our* government is obliged to investigate this attack on us all as far as it takes all the way to the full truth --and then *all* findings need to be revealed to all citizens --this is something that our President owes to all Americans.
132
This goes back so many years. Just starting with Iraq-Iran war and moving forward, the Saudis were a critical player in the Middle East for Reagan-Bush "foreign policy" both with Soviets in Afghanistan and Iran-Contra and then America playing mercenary for Saudis and Kuwaitis in the "Gulf War." This is not to mention the wealth and politics of Middle East "kingdoms" floating about American financial institutions and Congress.
You can never trust the release of "classified" reports and data because it is always done to the advantage of those who hold the information. Odds are, if the citizens ever discover what "their" government has been up to in the Middle East since Truman, they would be shocked, but not surprised given current history and go on with daily life as if they had learned Booth didn't break an ankle, after all.
But the times are such that who really cares anymore about the truth of Iran-Contra, the Gulf War, the Twin Towers, Iraq, bin Laden, and now Isis?
Time to move on and change the channel, to turn a "new" phrase, and perhaps send out a "tweet" or two about football air pressure and what's up with current-favorite celebrities--the real news, right?
You can never trust the release of "classified" reports and data because it is always done to the advantage of those who hold the information. Odds are, if the citizens ever discover what "their" government has been up to in the Middle East since Truman, they would be shocked, but not surprised given current history and go on with daily life as if they had learned Booth didn't break an ankle, after all.
But the times are such that who really cares anymore about the truth of Iran-Contra, the Gulf War, the Twin Towers, Iraq, bin Laden, and now Isis?
Time to move on and change the channel, to turn a "new" phrase, and perhaps send out a "tweet" or two about football air pressure and what's up with current-favorite celebrities--the real news, right?
72
@ Alice's Restaurant: We are an Amnesiac Nation.
3
Yeeees. Murdoch has a lot to answer for. But hey, let them eat sport and oh look, a celebrity - and is that a baby bump? Ack.
6
Right on. Anybody remember the Warren Report?
3
If the government is claiming national security as the reason for not releasing the still-classified section of the report, it looks as if the information might embarrass Saudi Arabia and jeopardize our relationship. Otherwise, why would they not declassify and release the disputed sections?
63
I suspect that EVERYTHING still classified from that era, and the disastrous wars that followed it, and the crimes of the CIA and military torture prisons, and the ultimate failures of the entire Bush enterprise remain classified to protect the perps --- many of whom remain in power today --- from embarrassment.
12
From start to finish the 9/11 Commission work was a sham. When the Commission appointed Phillip Zelikow, who co-wrote a book with Condoleezza Rice, as the chief investigator, they knew exactly what kind of report they would get. And they got it. The report exonerated Rice, who had demoted Richard Clarke the head of counter-terrorism. Rice and Bush #2 willfully ignored the terrorist threat and almost 3,000 Americans died on 9/11. Now the Saudis claim the report exonerated them also. I believe that from the start the Commission thought that it would be "bad" for the country to name Bush #2 and Rice as the responsible parties. Unfortunately it is worse for the country when we are not told of the truthful, hard realities about 9/11. Truth and reality are difficult things. No matter how hard we try to obfuscate things, sooner or later, truth and reality will catch up with us. The more we deny truth and reality, the weaker this nation becomes. The work of the 9/11 Commission was a disgrace and it undermines the strength of our country.
328
The Bush number is wrong, and there will be one former chief of staff and a former director of the CIA that the commission has sheltered, well and their business.
They paid to get one of your presidents elected with success.
They paid to get one of your presidents elected with success.
1
As I recall, the report lays out in some detail how Rice did ignore warnings, even quoting the FBI agents who were so worried that they seriously considered quitting as a way to draw public attention to their concerns. Where in the report is Rice exonerated? Is it near the end?
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-911REPORT/content-detail.html
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-911REPORT/content-detail.html
4
Therefore, Bin Laden and the terrorist won.
1
Wait, I thought it was Sadam Hussein and the Iraqis that attacked us on 9 11. Did someone lie to us? Oh who cares, I can fill up my pick up truck for $40. It's all good, who wants an electric car anyway. Thank you house of Saud/Bush. We will get Putin together. The world really is like the game of risk, don't trust anyone for more than a roll of the dice.
107
Let’s take a minute to re-acquaint ourselves with the official explanation, which is not regarded as a conspiracy theory despite the fact that it comprises an amazing conspiracy. The official truth is that a handful of young Muslim Arabs who could not fly airplanes, mainly Saudi Arabians who came neither from Iraq nor from Afghanistan, outwitted not only the CIA and the FBI, but all 16 US intelligence agencies and all intelligence agencies of US allies, including Israel’s Mossad, which is believed to have penetrated every terrorist organization and which carries out assassinations of those whom Mossad marks as terrorists.
In addition to outwitting every intelligence agency of the United States and its allies, the handful of young Saudi Arabians outwitted the National Security Council, the State Department, NORAD, airport security four times in the same hour on the same morning, air traffic control, caused the US Air Force to be unable to launch interceptor aircraft, and caused three well-built steel-structured buildings, including one not hit by an airplane, to fail suddenly in a few seconds as a result of limited structural damage and small, short-lived, low-temperature fires that burned on a few floors.
The Saudi terrorists were even able to confound the laws of physics and cause WTC building seven to collapse at free fall speed for several seconds, a physical impossibility in the absence of explosives used in controlled demolition.
In addition to outwitting every intelligence agency of the United States and its allies, the handful of young Saudi Arabians outwitted the National Security Council, the State Department, NORAD, airport security four times in the same hour on the same morning, air traffic control, caused the US Air Force to be unable to launch interceptor aircraft, and caused three well-built steel-structured buildings, including one not hit by an airplane, to fail suddenly in a few seconds as a result of limited structural damage and small, short-lived, low-temperature fires that burned on a few floors.
The Saudi terrorists were even able to confound the laws of physics and cause WTC building seven to collapse at free fall speed for several seconds, a physical impossibility in the absence of explosives used in controlled demolition.
74
Why did the "young Muslims who couldn't fly" spend so much time in a Florida flight school? Complex conspiracy indeed...
4
Cuckoo for coco-pops. Truth is often stranger than fiction. You're right though, it was the Kochs and Illuminatis along with Adelson, the Tri-Lateral Commission, the Rockefellers, Rothchilds and Rupert Murdoch.
Well said Niko. The more folks are reminded of that information the more motivated they might be to insist on reading what the "official" report says about those events.
7
Not meaning to dig at this old wound that is slowly healing, but it was always apparent that the Saudis were more involved than the Bush Administration disclosed, yet somehow Cheney and the neoconservatives demanded we invade Iraq?
Release the "secret" information and let the chips fall where they will. Enough of this kid-glove treatment for our Saudi political friends. They are big boys, if the intelligence can tie their money and any associations to the 9/11 plane hijacking, then that information must see the light of day.
Release the "secret" information and let the chips fall where they will. Enough of this kid-glove treatment for our Saudi political friends. They are big boys, if the intelligence can tie their money and any associations to the 9/11 plane hijacking, then that information must see the light of day.
379
And ... there's no doubt the House of Saud has enough money to make all the families of of the victims of that day whole.
2
Iraq's time was up. Rather, Saddam's time was up, long overdue. The 9-11 association lies in the fact that our vulnerability was undeniably and tragically exposed. When we play chess, we play against all the opponent's pieces, not just the most proximate. Correlation is not causality. The dots don't always connect in a straight line, they almost never do.
2
How on earth could you say the wound of the Iraq war is slowly healing? The birth and rise of ISIS is a direct consequence of our invasion of Iraq. Baby Bush W went to war on a reckless whim in order to one-up Daddy Bush. Daddy Bush and his pals James Baker and Colin Powell realized in the first gulf war that if we took Saddam Hussein out of power we would be create a Sunni vacuum that someone or something far worse would rise up to fill. That something is ISIS.
9
Based on the clear connections between the Bush family and the Saud family, it is a mistake for Republicans to support Jeb Bush. This thing will come back to haunt him and he will not be able to be elected to anything.
176
Why should any of the current Republican contenders win?
None of them worth!
None of them worth!
6
Please, have more respect for GOP campaign expertise.
1
It could have a MUCH greater effect than Christie's "Bridgegate".
(Not that I'm sorry about it.)
(Not that I'm sorry about it.)
2
Having grown up in Texas, I can say that it is common knowledge there about the close ties between the Bush cartel and the Saudis. This information is not a surprise. What is a surprise is that people are surprised. And we want to consider electing another Bush?
605
SO true! Everyone in Texas knows about this sordid Saudi connection.
While it's unlikely that Jeb will make it out of the gate, if he does chances are he will quickly stumble for innumerable reasons, not just this one. (Remember how Jeb was governor of Florida when his first cousin (working for Fox News) talked every major network out of calling the state for cousin W aka Jeb's big brother, thereby altering the results of a presidential race! It really doesn't get more Banana Republic than that.)
It's fascinating how so many so-called Establishment Republicans who are supposed to be all business, can be so delusional, not just about Jeb, but about Christie as well and Romney before them. Depressing, but fascinating nonetheless.
While it's unlikely that Jeb will make it out of the gate, if he does chances are he will quickly stumble for innumerable reasons, not just this one. (Remember how Jeb was governor of Florida when his first cousin (working for Fox News) talked every major network out of calling the state for cousin W aka Jeb's big brother, thereby altering the results of a presidential race! It really doesn't get more Banana Republic than that.)
It's fascinating how so many so-called Establishment Republicans who are supposed to be all business, can be so delusional, not just about Jeb, but about Christie as well and Romney before them. Depressing, but fascinating nonetheless.
12
and there is that little matter of the company know as Royal Dutch Shell …what does the Bush family have to say about that? Seems like a conflict of interest. Why are we surprised when big oil was running this country w/ Dick "Shooter" Cheney calling the shots (no pun intended), and talk about conflict of interest Chenney lined his pockets many times over on the taxpayer's $.
4
I'd hope we all work toward energy independence by whatever means necessary (exploration, conservation, innovation) to get out from under any obligation to the Saudis.
I also wish we could just ignore the Middle East (including Israel....what kind of ally insults our President and tramples on our political traditions...we give billions in aid to Israel annually and we get this behavior?)
We can't entirely ignore this area, of course, as we share the same planet, but we can do what we can to make ourselves independent.
I also wish we could just ignore the Middle East (including Israel....what kind of ally insults our President and tramples on our political traditions...we give billions in aid to Israel annually and we get this behavior?)
We can't entirely ignore this area, of course, as we share the same planet, but we can do what we can to make ourselves independent.
227
Jack it is not about "our" oil. Americans don't own any of this oil. Private companies do. They spend money to explore, drill and sell the stuff. We send CIA/soldiers so they can. We give them tax breaks and they sell their oil to Americans for cheaper than other places like Europe. We bail out the banks that are part of that whole system of making money on wars for oil. But maybe nationalizing oil is a good idea!
21
What we get from Israel is field tested R&D for our most advanced weapons systems, still in Beta, along with an unsinkable, democratic, battle-ship in the world's most volatile and significant and geo-strategic regions, from the Suez Canal to the Persian Gulf. What Russia gets from Syria and Iran we get from Israel, on steroids. Forget the diplomatic foibles both sides contribute to. It's talk show distraction time. Forget it. The three billion get's a virtually immeasurable ROI. Such a bagain.
2
Carolyn is on to something here. And this is without declassifying the 28 pages. Way to go, Carolyn!
5
I am shocked!!! Prominent Saudis financed Sept. 11??? Who would have thought?? It is inconceivable that our government cannot distinguish our friends from our enemies. But then there's the whole oil equation and the politics that go along with that.
The fact that Sept. 11 happened is something our government can never explain away. Since December 7, 1941, our country had never been attacked on our soil. The 21st century with all of our technology and defense and this still occurred??? Unacceptable and a complete failure on our government.
The fact that Sept. 11 happened is something our government can never explain away. Since December 7, 1941, our country had never been attacked on our soil. The 21st century with all of our technology and defense and this still occurred??? Unacceptable and a complete failure on our government.
64
Nothing has really changed since 2001. Rich Saudis continue to pay off Wahhabi clerics to spew their jihadist bile against the West while maintaining their silence about the depredations of the royal family in Riyadh. By all means let's see those 28 pages and then let's find out how many of our own oil czars have been doing business with the sheiks who are named in that report. If we're helping to fund our own destruction we might as well fess up to it.
571
Plenty has changed.
- We have a new (well, a 6 year old) administration; one that stressed transparency in the beginning.
- We have a last administration that is still not held accountable for invading Iraq under false pretenses.
- We have an ex-VP who keeps butting in on foreign policy decisions
- We also see massive changes in the Middle East, including:
• Two of our dictators there were killed and we facilitated
• One dictator who fought back, and that is why we want him out more than ever even if we use …… to weaken him
• One dictator died of natural causes
• One dictator was replaced by an MB guy
• One ex-military leader threw the MB guys out without asking Washington
• The same Ex-military leader can’t seem to be able to please EVERYone
- We have a new (well, a 6 year old) administration; one that stressed transparency in the beginning.
- We have a last administration that is still not held accountable for invading Iraq under false pretenses.
- We have an ex-VP who keeps butting in on foreign policy decisions
- We also see massive changes in the Middle East, including:
• Two of our dictators there were killed and we facilitated
• One dictator who fought back, and that is why we want him out more than ever even if we use …… to weaken him
• One dictator died of natural causes
• One dictator was replaced by an MB guy
• One ex-military leader threw the MB guys out without asking Washington
• The same Ex-military leader can’t seem to be able to please EVERYone
2
Why would U.S. Oil juggernauts be doing business with the Saudis? We aren't allowed to export oil overseas, and in the past 10 years we've become increasingly dependent on domestic oil (up from 60% to over 80% of what we use) .
The Saudis have always been our oil competitors and enemies, the idea that during campaigns in the middle east we smuggled oil back below OPEC barrel rates doesn't make any sense financially or logistically.
If anything, destabilizing Libya and Iraq was a major win for our home suppliers.
The Saudis have always been our oil competitors and enemies, the idea that during campaigns in the middle east we smuggled oil back below OPEC barrel rates doesn't make any sense financially or logistically.
If anything, destabilizing Libya and Iraq was a major win for our home suppliers.
1
Two of "our own oil czars" are named Bush and Cheney. That much we already know.
18
The 28 pages must contain information that, at the very least, would be both embarrassing and awkward.
I remember that in the televised hearings a couple of American women consular officials who had been working in Saudi Arabia testified, to the effect, that they were "instructed"? encouraged? to freely give visas to Saudi citizens.
Michael Moore's movie "Farenheit 911" has a scene of President Bush talking with Prince Bandar, the Saudi ambassador to the US, on the balcony of the White House on Sept. 12 2001. He was the first visitor to the White House. Bandar was so close to the Bush family he was known as "Bandar Bush."
We know that Coleen Rowley of the FBI and other officials were suspicious of the activities of the 9/11 hijackers earlier in 2001 but never could get their suspicions acknowledged and investigated. What about CIA director George Tenet's visit to President Bush in Texas in early August 2001 in which he presented the president with a memo entitled "Bin Laden determined to strike within US"? As far as we know, the president took no action.
How was it possible that several Saudi citizens enrolled in flight schools to learn how to fly jumbo jets but had no interest in learning about taking off and landing?
How convenient to say that Moussaoui is crazy.
Robert Fisk the British journalist knew bin Laden was dangerous and interviewed him in Sudan and Afghanistan. But we never could "find" him.
Questions, questions, questions.
I remember that in the televised hearings a couple of American women consular officials who had been working in Saudi Arabia testified, to the effect, that they were "instructed"? encouraged? to freely give visas to Saudi citizens.
Michael Moore's movie "Farenheit 911" has a scene of President Bush talking with Prince Bandar, the Saudi ambassador to the US, on the balcony of the White House on Sept. 12 2001. He was the first visitor to the White House. Bandar was so close to the Bush family he was known as "Bandar Bush."
We know that Coleen Rowley of the FBI and other officials were suspicious of the activities of the 9/11 hijackers earlier in 2001 but never could get their suspicions acknowledged and investigated. What about CIA director George Tenet's visit to President Bush in Texas in early August 2001 in which he presented the president with a memo entitled "Bin Laden determined to strike within US"? As far as we know, the president took no action.
How was it possible that several Saudi citizens enrolled in flight schools to learn how to fly jumbo jets but had no interest in learning about taking off and landing?
How convenient to say that Moussaoui is crazy.
Robert Fisk the British journalist knew bin Laden was dangerous and interviewed him in Sudan and Afghanistan. But we never could "find" him.
Questions, questions, questions.
477
Let's also recall that a number of Saudis were quickly flown out of the U.S. at the behest of the Bush administration even as all other planes were grounded in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
569
Stu, I think that may already be in those 28 pages. It could be all that there is in those 28 pagers.
3
Michael Moore showed someone else that your present spoke with, and we have published the evidence. F411 is at a large extent based on Dan Briody´s book: "The Iron Triangle". You could never find OBL, because his company: BTC provides the US forces in the region with "secure" telecommunications. You can study telecommunication acquisitions in the Middle East, and will find that one company has been avoided completely, they have sold one network in the region that is stored in Baku and is of course not deployed. OBL invited me to pray with him, and sent message from his hideout. It was known by many where he was, though not the street address.
3
Of Course the Republicans have little appetite in releasing the report as it will shed light on the Bush administration's close ties with the Saudi's. With Jeb running for president, they wouldn't want uncomfortable questions to be asked or come out. I would like to know how much money was contributed to the US presidential libraries by the Saudi's.
403
Me too.
5
And the Repbulicrats have the gaul to keep on trying to make a stink about Benghazi. Have they no shame? That should be pretty clear by now!
10
I would like to know how much of Jeb Bush's current income is derived from his oil "investments"…seems like a big conflict of interest to me. We need to see those 28 pages now. They should have been published at the time w/ the 9-11 report.
6
Release the 28 pages to clarify whether or not the Saudis are fr enemies...
http://napoleonlive.info/see-the-evidence/never-forget-9-11-essay/
http://napoleonlive.info/see-the-evidence/never-forget-9-11-essay/
23
I am not a conspiracy theorist as to 9/11. However, having read the report and having seen many TV specials on the investigation afterwards, I want to point out that the failing in the 9/11 report is that when it tells the story of the plot chronologically, it's very clear that the report did not examine facts far enough back in time before the start date of the chronology used.
As a footnote, I think some of the most important information about the over-all plot was known by the Port Authority security chief for the Twin Towers, a former FBI agent, who was actually killed in one of the towers during the attacks on 9/11.
As a footnote, I think some of the most important information about the over-all plot was known by the Port Authority security chief for the Twin Towers, a former FBI agent, who was actually killed in one of the towers during the attacks on 9/11.
33
John P. O'Neill was his name.
6
Some one, or some group is financing these Islamic militants, Al Qaeda, the Taliban, Boko Haram.
They are getting arms, ammunition, and even armored vehicles. it takes money to pay their followers. ISIS has expropriated Iraqi armored equipment, but it still takes money to run them.
Is it the Saudis or Russia that is financing these groups. Iran also seems to have a hand in some of these events. The economic support has to shut down. Saudi Arabia is the prime suspect due to their Wahhabi form of Islam. Will declassifying these reports cause more or less instability in the Middle East?
Who stands to gain, who stands to lose?
They are getting arms, ammunition, and even armored vehicles. it takes money to pay their followers. ISIS has expropriated Iraqi armored equipment, but it still takes money to run them.
Is it the Saudis or Russia that is financing these groups. Iran also seems to have a hand in some of these events. The economic support has to shut down. Saudi Arabia is the prime suspect due to their Wahhabi form of Islam. Will declassifying these reports cause more or less instability in the Middle East?
Who stands to gain, who stands to lose?
32
Arms dealers--same people who fund the NRA.
12
Iran is predominantly Shia. All of the groups you mentioned are Sunni of the severe Wahhabi variety practiced in Saudi Arabia, and therein lies the answer to one of your questions. According to Moussaoui's depositions, Saudi princes also finance(d) the slow burning wars in Libya, Syria, Chechnya and Bosnia, to name a few hotspots where Muslim violence has arisen; mostly, it is Sunnis murdering peaceful Shia, but not always as in the early violence in Iraq, before Iran called off their man al-Sadr. Then came the Sunni Uprising until Generalissimo Betrayus eventually paid the Sunni tribes to cease and desist, ergo "winning the war" and bedding the idol worshipping girl reporter in the process. Betrayus was also in charge of the CIA station house in BENGHAZI, BENGHAZI, BENGHAZI!!!, when our ambassador was murdered along with CIA operatives.
3
I think Mr. Underwood hit the jackpot with his questions.
"Is it the Saudis or Russia that is financing these groups."
It could be, but why only these two?
"The economic support has to shut down."
Absolutely. That is how terrorism is kept alive; because someone benefits from it. The suffering of the terrorized is immaterial when compared to the benefit. So, someone did a Cost-Benefit analysis, and decided that the benefit outweighs the cost, but caution must be taken.
"Will declassifying these reports cause more or less instability in the Middle East? "
The Middle East is already destabelized by the so-called "Arab Spring." Who financed the Arab Spring? The young Arab activists and freedom lovers never had the strength to take on a brutal dictator that has been in power for decades. Could that lead us to the same answer?
"Who stands to gain, who stands to lose?"
Here we go again. We must eliminate all other possible suspects. Who did we leave out of the list of suspects? Could that lead us to the truth about both; sept 11, and the current mess in the Middle East?
"Is it the Saudis or Russia that is financing these groups."
It could be, but why only these two?
"The economic support has to shut down."
Absolutely. That is how terrorism is kept alive; because someone benefits from it. The suffering of the terrorized is immaterial when compared to the benefit. So, someone did a Cost-Benefit analysis, and decided that the benefit outweighs the cost, but caution must be taken.
"Will declassifying these reports cause more or less instability in the Middle East? "
The Middle East is already destabelized by the so-called "Arab Spring." Who financed the Arab Spring? The young Arab activists and freedom lovers never had the strength to take on a brutal dictator that has been in power for decades. Could that lead us to the same answer?
"Who stands to gain, who stands to lose?"
Here we go again. We must eliminate all other possible suspects. Who did we leave out of the list of suspects? Could that lead us to the truth about both; sept 11, and the current mess in the Middle East?
6
Why is it always a question whether the American people can handle the truth? Give us the facts - at least!
Have we become so afraid of facts that we can’t handle “inconvenient” truths like global warming?
So many young American men swagger from the gym to the video game, buffed and ready to kill virtual enemy soldiers - but how many would be terrified of actual military service? (That’s why, seeing a citizen-soldier revolt brewing during the Vietnam Era, the powers that be felt it was time to end the Draft and build a military dependent upon paychecks, benefits, promotion and retirement packages. (Our military people are to be celebrated, but too few do them favors or pay them the honor they deserve.)
Americans live by so many shopworn myths and debatable claims, beating their chests about the USA being the “best” (implying in regard to everything) and the “richest” and so on - about Americans being the toughest, the scrappiest, the most resilient.
But government culture has diverged so far from the sensibilities of the common folk that its secrets seem ever darker, ever more antisocial, ever more dismaying. (Torture, internet surveillance....)
If you can’t trust the governed with the truths of your leadership, you’re unfit to lead.
Have we become so afraid of facts that we can’t handle “inconvenient” truths like global warming?
So many young American men swagger from the gym to the video game, buffed and ready to kill virtual enemy soldiers - but how many would be terrified of actual military service? (That’s why, seeing a citizen-soldier revolt brewing during the Vietnam Era, the powers that be felt it was time to end the Draft and build a military dependent upon paychecks, benefits, promotion and retirement packages. (Our military people are to be celebrated, but too few do them favors or pay them the honor they deserve.)
Americans live by so many shopworn myths and debatable claims, beating their chests about the USA being the “best” (implying in regard to everything) and the “richest” and so on - about Americans being the toughest, the scrappiest, the most resilient.
But government culture has diverged so far from the sensibilities of the common folk that its secrets seem ever darker, ever more antisocial, ever more dismaying. (Torture, internet surveillance....)
If you can’t trust the governed with the truths of your leadership, you’re unfit to lead.
158
Hasn't it been obvious that a great portion of the American public does not know facts, does not want to believe facts, rejects facts … is pretty much factless? That's one of the reasons that the foreigner, Murdock, was allowed into the country and to use his money to take over a media company, to create right wing political lies that condone biases and counter facts. It gave those who want to be uneducated their own media outlet, along with boosting the radio liars.
20
Mark;
Hardcore facts. Spot on; couldn't be expressed better!!!
Hardcore facts. Spot on; couldn't be expressed better!!!
5
"Why is it always a question whether the American people can handle the truth? ". Because there is something about winning the prize of high political office in America that infects one with the "Colonel Nathan R. Jessup" virus. That's where you think you know better than anyone else, hold everyone in contempt, and selectively forgive, if not condone and endorse, the misbehavior of "your team". So what if a few measly little laws are broken? It's for the greater good, as you define it. Who cares if a few, or a few thousand people get hurt or killed, this is war and collateral damage is expected, counted as acceptable losses in the perspective of the greater campaign, the holy crusade to protect America, even from Americans.
The plain, simple truth is those pages were classified to protect W., his Midas-mad power hungry cronies, and his Bin Laden family friends, period. In the grand tradition of presidents to cover for previous presidents, Obama has promised to declassify them to the face of victims families, but only out on one side of his mouth. From the other side he has called for a commission to study the potential effects of their release, etc., blah blah blah. I stand by this plain simple truth until the day that the pages are revealed, sans redactions, and I'm proven wrong. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that day.
The plain, simple truth is those pages were classified to protect W., his Midas-mad power hungry cronies, and his Bin Laden family friends, period. In the grand tradition of presidents to cover for previous presidents, Obama has promised to declassify them to the face of victims families, but only out on one side of his mouth. From the other side he has called for a commission to study the potential effects of their release, etc., blah blah blah. I stand by this plain simple truth until the day that the pages are revealed, sans redactions, and I'm proven wrong. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that day.
11
"held it back for fear of alienating an influential military and economic partner rather than for any national security consideration"
Alienating an influential military and economic partner is a national security consideration.
I think we should release this. There has been plenty of time to assauge Saudi fears and for them to prepare. They've agreed, publicly. Therefore, that national security consideration is no longer what it was.
Are we to assume anything secret is "sources and methods" and that those remain sensitive for decades? It's possible, but they must at least assert that in some credible way, such as review by someone trustworthy.
Alienating an influential military and economic partner is a national security consideration.
I think we should release this. There has been plenty of time to assauge Saudi fears and for them to prepare. They've agreed, publicly. Therefore, that national security consideration is no longer what it was.
Are we to assume anything secret is "sources and methods" and that those remain sensitive for decades? It's possible, but they must at least assert that in some credible way, such as review by someone trustworthy.
47
Mark is on fire tonight (figuratively speaking of course)
"Alienating an influential military and economic partner is a national security consideration."
I couldn't agree more, but for how long? You suggested that the fears of the saudis should already be assuaged by now. But is there perhaps more to it than the fears of the Saudis? Mr. Underwood's last question was
"Who stands to gain, who stands to lose?"
We have not exhausted the list of all possible suspects.
"Alienating an influential military and economic partner is a national security consideration."
I couldn't agree more, but for how long? You suggested that the fears of the saudis should already be assuaged by now. But is there perhaps more to it than the fears of the Saudis? Mr. Underwood's last question was
"Who stands to gain, who stands to lose?"
We have not exhausted the list of all possible suspects.
14
I hate to agree with Mr. Thomason but this time I do.
2
The issue is simple: Redacting portions of a strategic report is not consistent with democracy. Or did we forget we are a democracy?
232
I can see where the Saudis might have tried to blackmail the United States by saying they would stand quietly by while we invade Iraq, plus not upset the oil supply. There may have even been undertones of a Sunni Shiite disagreement between Saddam and the Saudi family?
I agree - redacting runs contrary to the democratic principles of We The People needing to know everything instead of a few powerful politicians being allowed to see everything and supposedly "working in America's best interests"…. which can go, and has historically has gone horribly wrong.
I agree - redacting runs contrary to the democratic principles of We The People needing to know everything instead of a few powerful politicians being allowed to see everything and supposedly "working in America's best interests"…. which can go, and has historically has gone horribly wrong.
18
Shhh, the mushrooms are not allowed to talk to one another about things that might be upsetting to our masters in the Middle East....we are to "be moved easily". Now get to work and pay those taxes, as Israel's and Saudi Arabia's weapons stores are running a little low after their genocidal rumpuses in the Middle East over the last few years. They will teach us that we are not allowed to elect anymore non-Bushes, one way or another.
12
All that is needed to release the report is the Koch brothers' approval.
6
Let's see it. Considering the number of Saudis involved in 9/11 and the creepy relationship we have with the country, it's way past time for American citizens to have this information.
Touching (read creepy) that the Saudi government is in favor of making this public. Why should they know what we don't? Let's have it, and whatever else falls off the turnip truck.
Touching (read creepy) that the Saudi government is in favor of making this public. Why should they know what we don't? Let's have it, and whatever else falls off the turnip truck.
191
They want it public because they know how bad it will make America look.
8
It's worth nothing that among the 36+ sons of King Abdulaziz al Saud, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, there were a whole lot of different political, economic and religious factions maneuvering. The al Saud family is not a monolith.
Most of the founding king's sons are dead, but now there are the grandsons and great grandsons to contend with, all maneuvering for religious, economic and political purposes. What's good for one faction of the family is bad for another. If you do some reading on the current King, he's got a whole different viewpoint than his predecessor. And for all we know, the Crown Prince and Deputy Crown Prince may come from different factions and have different views.
Releasing those 28 pages may be good from the point of view of one faction of the family, and bad from the point of view of another faction of the family. It's an Executive Branch decision whether to release the 28 pages or not, and they may decide it's safer to keep them classified because this King could die relatively soon, and the next King who takes over could be embarrassed by those 28 pages.
Like it or not, from the Executive Branch's point of view it's not smart to run the risk of angering any political/religious faction in a country which produces so much oil it can cause world mayhem simply by changing the price or the supply.
Most of the founding king's sons are dead, but now there are the grandsons and great grandsons to contend with, all maneuvering for religious, economic and political purposes. What's good for one faction of the family is bad for another. If you do some reading on the current King, he's got a whole different viewpoint than his predecessor. And for all we know, the Crown Prince and Deputy Crown Prince may come from different factions and have different views.
Releasing those 28 pages may be good from the point of view of one faction of the family, and bad from the point of view of another faction of the family. It's an Executive Branch decision whether to release the 28 pages or not, and they may decide it's safer to keep them classified because this King could die relatively soon, and the next King who takes over could be embarrassed by those 28 pages.
Like it or not, from the Executive Branch's point of view it's not smart to run the risk of angering any political/religious faction in a country which produces so much oil it can cause world mayhem simply by changing the price or the supply.
5
Who in the United States benefits from not releasing this info?
13
"The Saudi government has also said it favored making the 28 pages public etc."
So what's the problem for the White House? A review? No timetable?
Why not? The Saudis have no objections. Let them clear themselves if they can (or perhaps not) and let the rest of the truth be made public.
So what's the problem for the White House? A review? No timetable?
Why not? The Saudis have no objections. Let them clear themselves if they can (or perhaps not) and let the rest of the truth be made public.
34
"The Saudi government has also said it favored making the 28 pages public etc."
Could be a reverse psychology ploy.
Could be a reverse psychology ploy.
6
Easy to say you have no objections when you can rest assured that your friends in high places will keep their mouths shut about the crimes you've committed.
72
Perhaps the concerns are less about the Saudis and more about their ties to American officials.
17