GITMO detainees claim responsibility for 9/11

Statement authored by five Guantánamo Bay detainees takes responsibility for the 9/11 attacks. Document states that fighting Americans is a “great legitimate duty in our religion.”

Source: The Guardian

Obama's comments on 9/11

Obama’s comments from a September 19, 2001 article in the Hyde Park Herald (link needed)

“Certain immediate lessons are clear, and we must act upon those lessons decisively. We need to step up security at our airports. We must re-examine the effectiveness of our intelligence networks and we must be resolute in identifying the perpetrators of these heinous acts and dismantling their organizations of destruction.

“We must also engage, however, in the more difficult task of understanding the sources of such madness. The essence of this tragedy, it seems to me, derives from a fundamental absence of empathy on the part of the attackers: an inability to imagine, or connect with, the humanity or suffering of others. Such a failure of empathy, such numbness to the pain of a child or the desperation of a parent is not innate; nor, history tells us, is it unique to a particular culture, religion or ethnicity. It may find expression in a particular brand of violence, it may be channeled by particular demagogues or fanatics.

“Most often, though, it grows out a climate of poverty and ignorance, helplessness and despair.

“We will have to make sure, despite our rage, that any U.S. military action takes into account the lives of innocent civilians abroad. We will have to be unwavering in opposing bigotry or discrimination directed against neighbors and friends of Middle-Eastern descent. Finally, we will have to devote far more attention to the monumental task of raising the hopes and prospects of embittered children across the globe – children not just in the Middle East, but also in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and within our own shores.”

Look at the terrorists. They come from all walks of life. Al Qaeda’s #2, Ayman al-Zawahiri is a doctor. Many are wealthy. It is not about being poor. Obama is way off the mark on this one.

9/11 Commission's findings on Iran's al Qaeda connections

While the State Department’s Patterns of Global Terrorism—2003 report labeled Iran “the most active state sponsor of terrorism in 2003,” the Bush administration has yet to agree on a national security presidential directive to define U.S. policy toward the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, Tehran continues to edge closer to nuclear capability.

The following are excerpts from the 9/11 Commission Report, an unclassified version of which was released to the public on July 22, 2004. The commission interviewed more than 1,000 people in ten countries and conducted an unprecedented review of U.S. intelligence. Among its findings, excerpted below, was evidence of a significant and continuing relationship between al-Qaeda and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Read the article here: http://www.meforum.org/article/670

Saudi Prince buys 5% of Fox News

From Israel National News back in Sept. 2005, but the link has been removed

Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal has purchased 5.46 percent of the Fox corporation, according to Gulf Daily News, raising concern that the conservative Fox News may soften its anti-terror stance due to the views of the new shareholder.

Al-Waleed blamed US foreign policy and support of Israel for the 9/11 attacks.

New York Times leaks terrorist finance tracking program

Seriously hampered US’ ability to track terrorist financiers. Leak makes terrorist attacks on our homeland easier.

Source: New York Times

Report Links Saudi Government to 9/11 Hijackers

Classified 9/11 report details Saudi Arabian government has direct ties to 9/11 hijackers. US official describes “very direct, very specific” links between Saudi officials, two of the San Diego-based hijackers and other potential co-conspirators “that cannot be passed off as rogue, isolated or coincidental.”

http://articles.latimes.com/2003/aug/02/nation/na-saudi2

See also: Saudi Ambassador has Ties to 9/11 Hijackers

Saudi Ambassador has Ties to 9/11 Hijackers

Wife of Saudi Arabia’s US ambassador financially linked to two of the 9/11 hijackers.

http://weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/001/972rtfeu.asp?pg=1

See also: Report Links Saudi Government to 9/11 Hijackers