Opinion split over 9/11 report

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05/28/2006

Opinion split over 9/11 report

By: KEITH PHUCAS , Times Herald Staff

 

 

NORRISTOWN - More than 40 percent of Americans believe that the 9/11

Commission Report that investigated the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist

attacks is a cover-up, according to a recent poll. And nearly half

surveyed said the attacks should be reinvestigated.

 

In May, a Zogby International poll of adults found that 42 percent of

adults polled believe the U.S. government and the 9/11 Commission

" concealed or refused to investigate critical evidence " that

contradicts the official explanation of the attacks.

 

However, 48 percent polled believe there is no reason the 9/11

Commission would want to cover up information surrounding the

terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 at the World Trade Center

towers, Pentagon and in Somerset County, Pa.

 

The Zogby poll was sponsored by a leading activist group, 911

Truth.org, which is highly skeptical of the official report published

in July 2004. About one in ten respondents were " not sure " about the

report's veracity.

 

Zogby chose a random sample of 1,200 adults nationwide for the Sept.

11 poll. The survey asked about 81 questions.

While 45 percent surveyed want a new probe into the devastating

attacks, 47 percent were satisfied the Sept. 11 terrorism was

thoroughly investigated.

 

Those in the 911 Truth Movement believe the poll findings bear out

their suspicions that government officials conspired to cover up what

really happened on Sept. 11.

 

" With half the country believing as we do, (the poll) is some form of

vindication, " said Jonathan Gold, a former member of 911 Truth's

steering committee.

 

Gold, who lives in Plymouth Meeting, complained that major media has

ignored the truth movement.

 

" The media is not covering that fact that 45 percent of voting

Americans believe we should have another investigation, " he said. " It

deserves attention. "

 

Though family members of victims of the attacks submitted about 400

questions to the 9/11 Commission, Gold said, only about a dozen were

answered by the inquiry.

 

Poll respondents were equally divided - 44 percent - over whether the

Bush administration exploited the Sept. 11 attacks as a pretext for

invading Iraq or used the terrorism to legitimately justify war.

 

According to Zogby International, the polling company does not

interpret survey results or advocate a particular point of view on

behalf of its clients.

 

Keith Phucas can be reached at kphucas or

610-272-2500, ext. 211.