Tags for This Article:

Peace (1151)  Peace (1084)  Other (672)  Issues (312)  Television (284)  Neo-cons (72)  NIST (33)  Fiction (28) 

Populum Tag Cloud
       Control Panel
Fine tune your search to access content
Articles
Diaries Products
All
All time
Last 6 mos
Last month
Last week
Last 24 hrs
From:
Month  Day   Year

To:
Month  Day   Year
Alphabet
Popularity
Count ON
Count OFF
This Level
Sub-levels

 

 

 

Tag(s): ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Add to My Group
December 31, 2007 at 10:18:34

Why Would REAL 9/11 Truth Activists Advocate a Work of FICTION?

by Bill Douglas     Page 1 of 2 page(s)

http://www.opednews.com

Tell A Friend

As a mass 9/11 truth coalition effort forms around a New York Times best selling novelist's upcoming action novel, a question forms as well.  Why would REAL activists, researchers, and a whistleblower advocate an action fiction novel?  Yes, "The Shell Game," by Steve Alten, is a novel with much to say about anti-war and 9/11 truth issues.  But, how could "fiction" serve a movement pushing a hard reality? 

Serious people interested in serious facts are among this coalition.  People like David Ray Griffin (famed theological and more recently 9/11 truth author), Kevin Ryan (former UL chemistry laboratory manager & NIST report whistle blower), and vast international organizations such as 911Truth.org, and Pilots for 9/11 Truth, are included in this growing mass 9/11 truth coalition. 


The answer to "why are real 9/11 truth activists (myself included), researchers, and a NIST whistleblower encouraging readership of a work of "fiction"?" lies partly in the clever construction of the unique work itself, but also partly in the history of social thought.

"The Shell Game," is brilliant in many ways, and garnering such support for several reasons.  It weaves a spell binding action fiction narrative about important issues like the lies that lead people into war, and false flag terrorism.  But, it also cleverly weaves REAL quotes from real 9/11 researchers in as chapter introductions.  The end result is the reader is lead to a knowing that 9/11 is NOT what they were told it is (see reviews at the end of this essay).

For example, two excerpts from the book, which serve as chapter heads, are:

“Where was the military? General Richard Myers [Acting Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff] and Mike Snyder [NORAD spokesperson] both said no military jets were sent up until after the strike on the Pentagon [9:38]. Yet American Airlines Flight 11 had shown two of the standard signs of hijacking at 8:15. This means that procedures that usually result in interception within ten or so minutes had not been carried out in eighty minutes. That enormous delay suggested that a stand-down order, canceling standard procedures, must have been given.”

– Professor David Ray Griffin,
The 9/11 Commission’s Incredible Tales

“Over the course of two years [independent journalist Daniel] Hopsicker not only added information to what was known about [the 9/11 hijackers] military training, he established that some of the hijackers associated with wealthy Floridians had both intelligence and Bush family connections. Hopsicker also confirmed that within hours after the attacks, Florida Governor Jeb Bush had a military C-130 Hercules transport fly into the Venice [Florida] airport where a hastily loaded rental truck, filled with the records of Huffman Aviation – where Atta, Alshehri, and others had trained – was driven directly into the plane. The C-130 immediately took off for parts unknown.”

– Michael C. Ruppert, from Crossing the Rubicon: The Decline of the American Empire at the End of the Age of Oil

Another intelligent and meaningful tack of this novel, is that it begins in the minds of those buying the neo-con perspective, and then takes the reader on a journey that dis-assembles that "reality" along the way, exposing the reader to the ugly truth that many of us have known for years.

Fiction offers the average American "a safer way" to approach these bone crushing realities that 9/11 truth seekers have woken up to, enabling a massive action fiction fan base to be exposed to truths too big for them to handle by picking up a leaflet or documentary.  Yet, once the door of their mind is jimmied open with action fiction, then the light offered by such leaflets and documentaries will find space to enter.

Throughout history fiction and cautionary tales have had profound impacts on people's thinking.  Orwell's "1984" woke many of us up to the dangers of a totalitarian state.  It helped many of us see through the lovely names the neo-cons gave to horrible programs.  The film "V for Vendetta," has obviously affected many, as evidenced by 9/11 truth videos made using clips from that film, and also the Ron Paul campaign was given a gift of over $5 million in one day of fundraising on the "5th of November," the so-called "Guy Faulks Day," which was prominent in that film.

So, we see that fiction can be powerful.  The growing interest in expanding readership of "The Shell Game," indicates that this very well may be one of those important works of fiction.

. . . .

Excerpt of Coalition Statement:
We, the undersigned, urge everyone seeking truth, peace and justice, to not only purchase this new novel, "The Shell Game," but also to email out this appeal to all you know who seek truth, peace and justice in the form of 9/11 truth coming out.  In turn, please urge them to do the same with all their contacts and urge them to do the same.  We can break 9/11 truth open if we work together and focus on this project for the next 30 days.
 
Yours in 9/11 truth, peace and justice,
 
Bill Douglas, 911 Visibility Project
Co-Signatories:
Janice Matthews - 911Truth.org Executive Director
David Ray Griffin - 9/11 Researcher and Author
Kevin Ryan -former UL chemistry laboratory manager & NIST report whistle blower
Dr. Robert Bowman - Rtd. Colonel US Air Force, 9/11 truth leader; thepatriots.us/
Rob Balsamo – Pilots for 9/11 Truth
Carol Brouillet - Organizer of 1st National 9/11 Truth Conference in San Francisco
Mike Berger - "Improbable Collapse" Documentary Producer - 911Truth Spokesman
David Kubiak - 911Truth.org Board member
Kevin Barrett – Muslim/Christian/Jewish Alliance for 9/11 Truth

ENTIRE COALITION STATEMENT:
URGENT 9/11 Truth Action:  New York Times Best Selling Author's 9/11 Truth Novel
 
 
Dear 9/11 Truth Seekers Demanding a New 9/11 Investigation,
 
 
Today we have an amazing opportunity, if we work together, to launch 9/11 truth into a new mainstream American paradigm.
 
In the formation of the global 9/11 truth movement there have been landmark moments that catapulted this truth movement forward: 
 
* Mike Ruppert's early work with copvcia.com and his crucial early research (which got me in this)
* The first national truth conference, formed by Carol Brouillet/Ken Jenkins in San Francisco
* The formation of 911Truth.org after that conference
* The dissemination of the "Stop the 9/11 Cover Up" signs to groups nationwide (911visibility)
* David Ray Griffin's earth shaking work
* Professor Steven Jones physics research
* Kevin Ryan’s blowing the whistle on inaccuracies of UL’s report to NIST
* The release of Loose Change, which exploded the movement
* The "Eleventh Day of Every Month" TruthAction.org Campaign
* The release of PatriotsQuestion911.org
* We Are Change’s national television exposure on 9/11 truth issues
* The release of Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth, ae911truth.org
 
Today, we have an opportunity to explode 9/11 truth issues into the mainstream mind, in the form of a soon to be released popular action fiction novel by New York Times Best Selling Novelist, Steve Alten (stevealten.com).  If we can get 30,000 copies of this profound novel purchased in the first month of its release, we can drive it to #1 on the New York Times best seller list.  The 9/11 truth movement can do this, if we ALL push for it to happen. 
 
Why is this such an incredible opportunity?
 
1) It is written by a New York Times Best Selling novelist - He's established an "adopt-a-writer" program, that has connected him with hundreds of english departments/teachers in high schools all across America and donated many copies of his book to US troops overseas, with a huge audience there.
 
2) Americans love action fiction (which "The Shell Game" definitely is)
 
3) The publisher has already purchased prime display space in the front of Barnes & Noble and Borders stores for its release
 
4) The author's webmaster is now creating a website for the book's release that will include major 9/11 truth websites, youtube video links, and recommended non-fiction reading on 9/11 (DRG, Ruppert, etc.)
 
We, the undersigned, urge everyone seeking truth, peace and justice, to not only purchase this new novel, "The Shell Game," but also to email out this appeal to all you know who seek truth, peace and justice in the form of 9/11 truth coming out.  In turn, please urge them to do the same with all their contacts and urge them to do the same.  We can break 9/11 truth open if we work together and focus on this project for the next 30 days.
 
Yours in 9/11 truth, peace and justice,
 
Bill Douglas, 911 Visibility Project
Co-Signatories:
Janice Matthews - 911Truth.org Executive Director
David Ray Griffin - 9/11 Researcher and Author
Kevin Ryan -former UL chemistry laboratory manager & NIST report whistle blower
Dr. Robert Bowman - Rtd. Colonel US Air Force, 9/11 truth leader; thepatriots.us/
Rob Balsamo – Pilots for 9/11 Truth
Carol Brouillet - Organizer of 1st National 9/11 Truth Conference in San Francisco
Mike Berger - "Improbable Collapse" Documentary Producer - 911Truth Spokesman
David Kubiak - 911Truth.org Board member
Kevin Barrett – Muslim/Christian/Jewish Alliance for 9/11 Truth
==============================
Below is a review of "The Shell Game" by Janice Matthews, 911Truth.org Executive Director:
"Let me assure you, my friends, this is an incredible page-turner... a fantastic story that pulls you into the personal lives and deaths of the characters, while at the same time incorporating 9/11 truth and world history, especially relating to oil and Saudi Arabia, that most mainstream fiction readers just won't get from any other books. No wonder Steve is a #1 best-selling author--I was not be able to put this novel down -- it definitely kept me up late into the night!"

==============================

 1  |  2

 

By William E. Douglas, Jr., who is author of "The Amateur Parent – A Book on Life, Death, War & Peace, and Everything Else in the Universe." Bill has been a guest columnist for the Kansas City Star, The Business Journal, and other media worldwide. His past essays include, "Exposing the 9/11 Conspiracy Wingnuts," "The Explosion of the 9-11 Truth Movement -- US Media's Dirty Little Secret," "Good Night, and Good Luck - WMD, NIST, Popular Mechanics, 9/11 and Media Crimes" and also "Why the Jewish Community Should Demand 9/11 Truth."

Contact Author

Contact Editor

View Other Articles by Author

 

Bookmark this page: (what's this?)

NETSCAPE      DIGG THIS      NEWSVINE      DEl.ICIO.US      Looksmart Furl      My Web      Spurl      Tag!RawSugar      Shadows Tag!      Blink List     (More...)
Comments: Expand   Shrink   Hide  
11 comments

Dr. Kevin Barrett, coordinator of the Muslim-Christian-Jewish Alliance for 9/11 Truth, has taught English, French, Arabic, American Civilization, Humanities, African Literature, Folklore, and Islam at colleges and universities in the San Francisco Bay area, Paris, and Madison, Wisconsin. He grew up in a family of lapsed Unitarians (which is about as lapsed as it gets) and reverted to Islam in 1993, a move that gradually impressed upon him the gravity of the moral choices we make in this life. Ba...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Kevin BarrettDr. Kevin Barrett, coordinator of the Muslim-Christian-Jewish Alliance for 9/11 Truth, has taught English, French, Arabic, American Civilization, Humanities, African Literature, Folklore, and Islam at colleges and universities in the San Francisco Bay area, Paris, and Madison, Wisconsin. He grew up in a family of lapsed Unitarians (which is about as lapsed as it gets) and reverted to Islam in 1993, a move that gradually impressed upon him the gravity of the moral choices we make in this life. Ba...

to see more of bio, click on member name

The Shell Game puts 9/11 truth front and center

And it's a potential bestseller! 

Can't argue with Bill -- this is an extremely important project, and we should be doing everything we can to help it succeed.
Request its purchase by libraries, suggest it to reading groups, talk it up on talk radio call-ins, email your lists, and generally spread the word.

by Kevin Barrett (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 17 comments) on Monday, December 31, 2007 at 1:21:55 PM
 


I am an individual who is interested in exposing the true events of the 9/11 attacks.
CB BrooklynI am an individual who is interested in exposing the true events of the 9/11 attacks.

Be Cautious...

One must separate the propaganda from the real evidence. See my highly sourced article for full information on how the "truth movement" has been a 9/11 perp run operation since day one:

9/11 Directed Energy Weapon / TV-Fakery Suppression Timeline

by CB Brooklyn (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 354 comments) on Monday, December 31, 2007 at 7:43:31 PM
 


Just a person that knows he matters and placing more on acceptance than expectation... And while this explanation is viewed apparently by some as limited, here's some more personal information that those same some believe I "need" to testify that I can post here at OpEdNews.com:
I have an undergraduate degree (BA even - not a foppish BS) in biology/environmental science with an emphasis on environmental/ecological systems (they are, like, um, so complex), a master's degree in public he...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Tom MurphyJust a person that knows he matters and placing more on acceptance than expectation... And while this explanation is viewed apparently by some as limited, here's some more personal information that those same some believe I "need" to testify that I can post here at OpEdNews.com:
I have an undergraduate degree (BA even - not a foppish BS) in biology/environmental science with an emphasis on environmental/ecological systems (they are, like, um, so complex), a master's degree in public he...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Why indeed! When fiction becomes reality

"Why Would REAL 9/11 Truth Activists Advocate a Work of FICTION?"

The answer is simple; eventually the fiction will become the reality by an intense referencing campaign by 911Truthers to "The Shell Game" as "proof" that Americans were lied to and another, more transparent investigation into the events of 9/11 is needed. And yet, it's still a work of fiction and not non-fiction, but that does not matter to a Truther as Mr. Douglas so eloquently showed us in his article.

Truth can be manipulated where a cause is present.

"If we can get 30,000 copies of this profound novel purchased in the first month of its release, we can drive it to #1 on the New York Times best seller list. The 9/11 truth movement can do this, if we ALL push for it to happen."

Another benefit is that Mr. Douglas' article is a work of advertising wonder. Posting such articles are revenue neutral and doesn't require additional advertising fees. If the publisher and author sell 30,000 copies (period) at $26.95 USD, they demonstrate how the capitalist system works while serving as an excellent example of hypocrisy - http://www.amazon.com/Shell-Game-Steve-Alten/dp/1599550946 . And the neat thing to this hypocrisy is that they're going to get you – other 911Truthers – to buy into this charade because Mr. Alten possesses the "knowledge" that only a Truther can accept via revelation.

Yeah... right.

by Tom Murphy (2 articles, 2 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 1190 comments) on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 6:55:45 AM
 


By William E. Douglas, Jr., who is author of "The Amateur Parent – A Book on Life, Death, War & Peace, and Everything Else in the Universe." Bill has been a guest columnist for the Kansas City Star, The Business Journal, and other media worldwide. His past essays include, "Exposing the 9/11 Conspiracy Wingnuts," "The Explosion of the 9-11 Truth Movement -- US Media's Dirty Little Secret," "Good Night, and Good Luck - WMD, NIST, Popular Mechanics, ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Bill DouglasBy William E. Douglas, Jr., who is author of "The Amateur Parent – A Book on Life, Death, War & Peace, and Everything Else in the Universe." Bill has been a guest columnist for the Kansas City Star, The Business Journal, and other media worldwide. His past essays include, "Exposing the 9/11 Conspiracy Wingnuts," "The Explosion of the 9-11 Truth Movement -- US Media's Dirty Little Secret," "Good Night, and Good Luck - WMD, NIST, Popular Mechanics, ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

I've been a 9/11 truth activist for 7 years now. Anyone pai

I've been a 9/11 truth activist for 7 years now.  Anyone paid me?  NO.

Has anyone heard of "Orwellian thought"?   The above poster, doesn't seem to care about 9/11 truth coming out, but only a fear that a book may be successful.  Maybe a frustrated writer, who knows.

 BUT, the reason we all know what "orwellian" means is because A FICTION WRITER, WRITING A BOOK OF "FICTION," CALLED "1984" . . . OPENED OUR MINDS TO HOW GOVERNMENTS LIE AND MANIPULATE.

. . . Yes, like "The Shell Game" does.

BACK TO THE BIZARRE POST ABOVE . . . HOW MUCH AM I GETTING PAID TO ADVOCATE "THE SHELL GAME"? 

I'm getting paid the same salary I got for working on 9/11 truth full time for years.   NOTHING, ZERO, ZILCH.

Why do I do it?  Because our democracy and world peace is threatened in a disturbing and global way because of the false flag terror that was 9/11.

Now the above poster may feel smug and above it all criticizing you, me, and the moon for our sins . . . but he isn't doing much that I can see to bring out truth of the 9/11 lies.

IN FACT, he's spent his precious time, attacking those who are.

You be the judge.  Judge by the fruit of their acts, someone once said.

Steve Alten, a New York Times best selling author, has LAID IT ALL ON THE LINE, to head off the next 9/11 and illegal war with Iran.

If you think that wasn't a sacrifice, then tomorrow go into your corporate job, stand on a desk, and yell at the top of your lungs over and over, "9/11 WAS AN INSIDE JOB!"

See how that feels when all your co-workers stare at you, and the ones that don't like you attack you behind your back.

THEN, you'll have a small taste of what this author's put himself into.  His courage should be honored, not attacked like the above poster did safe in front of his computer.

by Bill Douglas (68 articles, 2 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 434 comments) on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 6:03:31 PM
 


Just a person that knows he matters and placing more on acceptance than expectation... And while this explanation is viewed apparently by some as limited, here's some more personal information that those same some believe I "need" to testify that I can post here at OpEdNews.com:
I have an undergraduate degree (BA even - not a foppish BS) in biology/environmental science with an emphasis on environmental/ecological systems (they are, like, um, so complex), a master's degree in public he...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Tom MurphyJust a person that knows he matters and placing more on acceptance than expectation... And while this explanation is viewed apparently by some as limited, here's some more personal information that those same some believe I "need" to testify that I can post here at OpEdNews.com:
I have an undergraduate degree (BA even - not a foppish BS) in biology/environmental science with an emphasis on environmental/ecological systems (they are, like, um, so complex), a master's degree in public he...

to see more of bio, click on member name

I'm a 22-year Army Reserves veteran; so, what?

"I've been a 9/11 truth activist for 7 years now."

Where 9/11 occurred on September 11, 2001 and today is January 1, 2008, the difference is six years and four months (give or take a few days). So, you were a 911Truther - before 9/11? I must admit that THIS is impressive. Were you ever contacted by the 9/11 Commission given that you had advance knowledge of the events?

"I'm getting paid the same salary I got for working on 9/11 truth full time for years. NOTHING, ZERO, ZILCH."

As I recall, I stated that the publisher and the author, Mr. Alten, would be making the money; not you, Mr. Douglas. I also recalled that I said the reason for using fiction was because it eventually will become the truth. The implication is that you Mr. Douglas will be the beneficiary of this result.

Your promoting of the book is an example of a symbiotic relationship. They benefit from the free advertising; you benefit because it has the potential of furthering your cause. The fact that the publisher and the author are practicing Capitalism 101 is tolerated by you because you seem to accept that the end justifies the means here. So long as a the truth is told to more via a parable of sorts, the vehicle by which it is conveyed is overlooked.

Personally, I see nothing wrong with making money off your intellectual labor, but to condemn the process by which you earn that money (as you make it) seems a wee bit hypocritical to me.

"Steve Alten, a New York Times best selling author, has LAID IT ALL ON THE LINE, to head off the next 9/11 and illegal war with Iran... His courage should be honored, not attacked like the above poster did safe in front of his computer."

Did he really lay it all on the line? If Mr. Alten had written non-fiction, then perhaps this assertion would be more correct. But by packaging the story as a work of fiction that includes quotes of real world people, his reputation as a "New York Times best selling author" isn't even scratched.

The protecting of your "assets" (i.e., Mr. Alten) by issuing a novel of fiction is a Marketing 101 maneuver for the publisher. To drape this in something noble and claim that Mr. Alten is a possible martyr for "truth" is truly silly.

And while it is true that I am "safe" in front of my computer, that was not always the case. Courage has many forms. Exemplifying courage via your workplace parable is silly, but if this is what you think courage is, so be it.  If true, then I'm understanding the Truther Movement better with each article and comment read.

by Tom Murphy (2 articles, 2 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 1190 comments) on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 10:48:19 PM
 


I am a meteorologist that loves his country, but is angered by the way the people have less and less say with governing it. I sometimes feel that working to wake the sheeple up is more than a full time job, but somebody's got to do it. When I'm relaxing, I love to camp and fish.
wxman2001I am a meteorologist that loves his country, but is angered by the way the people have less and less say with governing it. I sometimes feel that working to wake the sheeple up is more than a full time job, but somebody's got to do it. When I'm relaxing, I love to camp and fish.

Shell Game

Already pre-ordered mine through Powells Books, which is the largest bookstore in North America, in my hometown of Portland Oregon. They also are a great source of hard to find titles like "Fleshing out Skull and Bones" and rare old books.

Definitely need to step up the pressure to expose the lies of 9-11, as I've said many times before: "All roads lead to 9-11". The recent David Frost interview with Bhutto where she claims Bin Laden had been murdered years ago and she knows who did it just furthers the premise that the GWOT is a sham, with a long dead boogeyman as the frontman for the elite fear mongers determined to continue this deception to gain (more) control of resources and our lives through repression and police state tactics.

by wxman2001 (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 95 comments) on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 9:40:35 AM
 


AMERICAN INSURGENT
don tarterAMERICAN INSURGENT

complications

       the thing fiction does is sketch reality..the only feasible attempt in words. read Hal Sisson's book 'Modus Operandi'...actually paid for it, capitalist slave i am, and all introduced to me is that the initial STATE tale is fiction itself; so, by introducing inclemate words into mix nothing is lost or perhaps gained...this is an intuitive process Mr. Murphy is sadly lacking. to dismiss that is to dismiss all. an acurate compilation of history details quite specifically what Power does. Murph, are you aware of Operation Northwoods? have you come across the "truth" that Roosevelt knew ( the GUV) that the Japaneese would attack because of provacation, so many years after the fact? you lack knowledge in power structures and intent of State. 911 is evidentary due to all that followed, planned in advance...the "New Pearl Harbor", as it were. in their own words they are convicted, but by slight of media hand and Doublespeak we are engaged in obfuscation . Murph...life is a religion.

by don tarter (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 6 comments) on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 2:19:59 PM
 

 

11 comments

 

Tell A Friend

 


Copyright © OpEdNews, 2002-2008