Thoughts on the eight anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001

It is hard to believe that it has been eight years since the 9/11 attacks. September 11, 2001 was a day of horror and sadness but also a day of unity in this country. Unfortunately, the Bush administration quickly squandered that unity in favor of short-term political gain. But today is not the day to examine that fact.

I am not one of those who think that 9/11 was inside job. Maybe Bush should have known but I do not think he did. Peter Dales Scott, for whom I have a great deal of respect, has described Dick Cheney as a "suspect" but I read his book and was not convinced. It may be that Professor Scott is simply smarter than I am (actually that's a given) but that does not make him right. I am even more skeptical of claims of controlled demolition.

Still, there are many unanswered and officially unexamined questions and allegations regarding the 9/11 attacks; about the possible role of Pakistan's ISI; about reported warnings from foreign intelligence services; about the activies of Mohamed Atta in Venice, Florida; and many more. It is time for a new investigation into 9/11.

As there is no doubt that there are unanswered questions, as there is no doubt that there are conspirators still at large, and as there is no statute of limitations on murder, one would hope that the Obama administration is continuing to investigate what happened on that day. But one might be wrong. There is not likely to be a new investigation without political pressure for it. That will have to come from average citizens because it will not come from the politicians, with a few honorable exceptions.

We should learn from our past experience of the Kennedy assassination. The Kennedy administration was followed by an administration that had no interest in learning the truth about the assassination of the President; indeed Lyndon Johnson had an interest in covering up the truth. This is not the case with the administration of Barack Obama.

The last thing Obama needs right now is to be labeled a "truther". The 9/11 truth movement is widely ridiculed as being a motley collection of cranks and crackpots, and with considerable justification. But President Obama can quietly pressure the FBI to continue an active and renewed investigation. We have to see to that he does.

Beyond that there are the possibilites of a new Congressional Investigation or a Special Prosecutor. Congress can and should investigate but they will not solve the crime. A Special Prosecutor might be the best approach but will not happen without political pressure.

Truth be told, I am doubtful that there will be a new investigation. Neither political party is calling for it. Independent researchers can and will play a part, as they have in the Kennedy homicide, but I would simply point out that almost 50 years after the JFK assassination it is still being debated on the internet. That is probably what will happen with 9/11 but it does not have to. INVESTIGATE THE 9/11 ATTACKS!