A third of U.S. public believes 9/11 conspiracy theory

Knoxville News ^ | August 1 2006 | THOMAS HARGROVE and GUIDO H. STEMPEL III

[jmc1969]

More than a third of the American public suspects that federal officials assisted in the 9/11 terrorist attacks or took no action to stop them so the United States could go to war in the Middle East, according to a new Scripps Howard/Ohio University poll.

The national survey of 1,010 adults also found that anger against the federal government is at record levels, with 54 percent saying they "personally are more angry" at the government than they used to be.

Suspicions that the 9/11 attacks were "an inside job" - the common phrase used by conspiracy theorists on the Internet - quickly have become nearly as popular as decades-old conspiracy theories that the federal government was responsible for President John F. Kennedy's assassination and that it has covered up proof of space aliens.

Thirty-six percent of respondents overall said it is "very likely" or "somewhat likely" that federal officials either participated in the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon or took no action to stop them "because they wanted the United States to go to war in the Middle East."

"One out of three sounds high, but that may very well be right," said Lee Hamilton, former vice chairman of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (also called the 9/11 commission.)

"A lot of people I've encountered believe the U.S. government was involved," Hamilton said. "Many say the government planned the whole thing.

The poll found that a majority of young adults give at least some credence to a 9/11 conspiracy compared to less than a fourth of people 65 or older. Members of racial and ethnic minorities, people with only a high school education and Democrats were especially likely to suspect federal involvement in 9/11.

[No Blue States]

If true im surprised one third are that stupid.

Then again, Kerry got nearly 50% of the vote.

[b4its2late]

We have way too many liberals in this country that fall for this crap.

[Sax]

Idiots abound.

[The Blitherer]

Heck yeah, I think it was a conspiracy. I think it was a conspiracy among a group of Arab Muslims and American Muslims, with the support of terrorist organizations as well as several terrorist sponsoring states in the ME.

[txrangerette]

Somebody let all the inmates loose from the asylums?

[BenLurkin]

I don't believe it.

[Personal Responsibility]

This is the moonbat leftist 30% that has a massive case of BDS. They will believe anything that puts Bush in a bad light.

[jdm]

"Aw Geez, Not This Moonbat Conspiracy Sh!t Again!"

[Sprite518]

B.S. I do not know one person that believes this...

[Kenton]

I don't believe it. I'd say maybe 2%.

[auboy]

One third space aliens…sounds about right.

[wolfcreek]

DU wet dreams.

[AngryJawa]

A third of U.S. public believes 9/11 conspiracy theory

Ladies and gentlemen: the Democratic party base.

[Kenton]

Members of racial and ethnic minorities, people with only a high school education and Democrats were especially likely to suspect federal involvement in 9/11.

Stupid is as stupid does, Forrest...

[Tracy V.]

Ditto. I don't buy this, not for one freakin second.

[SeaBiscuit]

Unbelievable.. But If true then a 1/3 of this country are paranoid and in need of psychiatric treatment.

[Cyclopean Squid]

I know several.

[Dryman]

As a moonbat from way back....

They used to marginalize us by indicating how few there were to believe Bubba was a crook.

[JennysCool]

Unfortunately, if you add up the radical Left, the conspiracy freaks, the mentally ill, and the simply ignorant, 30 percent -- or more -- is probably about right.