Reply #19: No, I most certainly did not intend to imply that...

[salvorhardin]

...all of 9-11 skepticism is bigoted. In fact, I thought I went to great lengths to say so, repeatedly. Obviously I failed.

And if you think this is me trying to save face, if you search you will find myself asking on DU at an earlier time many of the same questions the frequent posters in the 9-11 forum ask. I came to different conclusions, but I understand the need to ask these questions and I don't think anyone with half a brain takes the 9-11 Commission report 100% at face value.

What has, quite frankly, repulsed me is when I started to look to the origins of many (notice I did not say all) 9-11 conspiracy theories. And I think if one is honest with themselves they will come to the same conclusion that I did. Restating my post above, there are many despicable characters that are using the 9-11 Truth movement as a vehicle to propagate antisemitism and that to some degree these antisemitic conspircy theories are gaining acceptance in the larger liberal/progressive community. To be sure, I do not think this is a huge problem -- yet. But we all need to be critical of and speak against bigotry, even when it is among our own.

To be clear, not everyone spreading these bigoted ideas is antisemitic, not everyone is a bigot. In fact, as the author of the article referenced in the OP notes, it can be hard to tell at first. This is precisely because the bigots have a habit of soft-peddling, and cloaking their bigotry by deliberately using words that have multiple meanings such as Zionist. There is also the dynamic I stated in my post above that the Israeli government and some pro-Israeli groups like AIPAC have attempted to cast all criticism of Israeli policy and actions as antisemitic. That is unfortunate because it also leaves room for the bigots to further manipulate the conversation.

In any case, I do not mean to restate my whole thesis here. My point being that I do not consider all people who question the events of that Autumn day as bigots. I do however think everyone needs to be as equally skeptical of their sources as they do of 9-11.

FWIW: I agree 100% with everything Lithos has said.