Posted on 08/30/2006 12:57:41 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The government is taking the unusual step of responding to conspiracy theories about the destruction of the World Trade Center.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, Gaithersberg, Md.), which investigated the causes of the collapse of the twin towers, said Wednesday (Aug. 30) that it has posted a "fact sheet" addressing alternatve theories about the fires and collapse. Several academics have put forth a "controlled demolition" and missile attack hypotheses for the destruction of the towers.
NIST concluded after a three-year building and fire safety investigation that the towers collapsed after being hit by separate, fuel-laden aircraft flown by terrorists. The impacts severed and damaged support columns, dislodging fireproofing insulation and dispersing jet fuel over multiple floors of each tower.
The resulting fire, which reached temperatures as high as 1,000 degrees C, weakened floors and columns, causing upper floors to collapse after sagging and pulling inward on perimeter columns. "This led to the inward bowing of the perimeter columns and failure of the south face of WTC 1 and the east face of WTC 2, initiating the collapse of each of the towers," NIST concluded.
NIST's probe rejected claims that upper floors "pancaked" on top of lower floors, causing the collapses. Other investigations pointed to huge amounts of office supplies, especially paper, as a source of fuel that significantly raised the temperature of tower fires beyond those that jet fuel would normally burn outside of an aircraft engine combustion chamber.
"Both photographic and video evidence—as well as accounts from the New York Police Department aviation unit during a half-hour period prior to collapse—support this sequence for each tower." NIST concluded.
Far more controversial are theories about explosions inside the towers. Conspiracy theorists postulate that puffs of smoke seen at the time of each collapse are evidence of a controlled demolition. Critics of the official probe also cited seismic data they claim showed evidence of explosions just before each tower collapsed. Other theories alleged missiles were fired at the doomed towers.
While both NIST and the 9/11 Commission have dismissed these theories, U.S. officials have been compelled to address allegations widely disseminated on the Internet.
"NIST respects the opinions of others who do not agree with the findings in its report on the [World Trade Center] collapses," the agency said in a statement. "However, the WTC Investigation Team stands solidly behind the collapse mechanisms for each tower and the sequences of events (from aircraft impact to collapse) as described in the report."
O'Lunney's is right. That was post 9/11? Hmmm.
Time is flying!
SP, your comment is ignorant and out of line.
Yes, it was Silly's idea to get together, after there was so much trouble tracking down the NY/NJ/CT folks after 9/11. Put faces to names and exchange phone numbers, and all that.
It was fun. That was the night I found out that Silly was a guy and Black Agnes was a little redheaded gal.
Don't worry about it. Just hope sauropod doesn't drop in on the thread. :D
We should be glad these conspiracy theorists are here. Nice to know the kids they abuse are getting a break. Note I have as much proof they molest kids as they have of their claims.
ABSOLUTELY NONE!
If they were able to read I'd suggest the Popular Mechanics Book "Debunking 9/11 Myths" which has actual scientists going over every theory.
I personally think Mark McGwire did the whole thing to keep Barry Bonds from breaking his record. That makes as much sense as any other conspiracy theory. (I really don't believe this even if Mac is a complete and total butthat he is too stupid)
Since the conspiracy theoriests can't read maybe OBL can read the book to them while they share a night together.
One question for them I use aluminmum foil quite a bit in my cooking as I make fish a lot. Can you recommend a brand the one you use for your hat?
Actually, there are two places on the Earth where the sun never rises in the east.
North and South Poles, where the Sun rises in the south and north, respectively.
Yep!
I was talking about blowing compressed air into a fireplace....
I know . . . < wink > I was just thinking of all those ponies in the living room . . .
I actually know a man who kept his horse indoors! ;)
Well, all my Highland Scot ancestors used to keep the livestock in the house . . . humans on one side of the fireplace, cows &c. on the other . . . it saved heating costs, but sanitation was problematic . . .
Concrete slats required...
By the way, american spirit, say hi to Alex Jones for me. I often wonder if he ever issued a retraction/explanation for all the errors in his "9/11: A Road to Tyranny". Probably not; he seems to just make these "documentaries" at a breathless pace, and if there are some errors in one, no big deal, just move onto the next one.
It's not like any of his fans ever check his facts; I mean, why bother, Alex Jones is never wrong, right?
If it were MY stable, I would alter the clay floor under the mats and add drain channels with gravel . . . but it's not my stable. And I do like the mats, it takes next to no time to muck out.
Sounds like a good idea!
Yup - we know that from IRA threads! :P
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