Conspiracy Theory

Kevin Barret, a UW - Madison professor is offering a course in Fall 06 on Islam. He is also the founder of the Muslim Jewish Christian Alliance for 9/11 Truth. According him, the 9/11 plot did not happen as the government says it did. This, he says, he concluded after three years of research and evidence from the rubble of the collapsed building. When any one reads this or perhaps have heard about this on TV or elsewhere would wonder what kind of a "nut case" is this man. I probably did too. A theory like this would face outright rejection because people will wonder why would the government come up with a plot like this at the expense of innocent lives.

Yesterday, British intelligence agencies announced that they have foiled an attempt by terrorists, who might have links to al-Qaeda, to blow up nine airplanes midair killing all those aboard. The airlines chosen were American, United and Continental all of them leaving for different destinations in the United States from the UK. This, if carried out, would have caused mass destruction of life of innocent civilians. The suicide bombers had intended to carry liquid explosives on board and detonate them using electronic devices like cell phones or MP3 players.

This, obviously, has resulted in heightened security arrangements at all airports causing delays and cancellation of several flights all over the world. Several passengers got stranded at different airports and there was utter chaos and confusion. It is a great achievement in the fight against terrorism. This has lead to the prevention of loss of innocent lives and other economic impacts on the world. This has also lead to a situation where the world, rather the western world, might look down up on Islam and Muslims.

What makes me wonder is if this is a conspiracy theory as well. GWB and TB are not the most popular leaders of the world any more. I don't know if they ever were but yes, their popularity has declined at home and abroad. Why not come up with a theory about such a break through and look good. One might ask, why would governments commit such preposterous actions causing pain and suffering to the people all over the world. If you think about it, if the conspiracy theory on 9/11 according to people like Mr. Barret is true, there is no reason why one should not suspect another conspiracy theory. The American stand on the Israel - Lebanon conflict has not received wide acceptance in the international front, Bush's popularity rating at home is at an all time low, November elections are around the corner; give me more reasons why one should not think about such an idea to divert people's attention.

Well, I hope this is not true but given the circumstances that we are living in, I could not help but wonder.