US must look to itself for cause of terrorSeptember 12, 2007

AFTER 9/11, a number of conspiracy theories were floated that are understandable, since it is well known the US Government is not above killing its own. But the biggest flaw in the theories is they ignore the anger built up in the rest of the world — anger as a direct result of US actions. The attacks were not acceptable but were clear and predictable — an application of the law of cause and effect. Who caused 9/11? Maybe it really was the US Government. Nineteen men allegedly hijacked the planes, but the ultimate cause was US policies. And with the same policies continuing to this day in the form of threats to Iran, doesn't this seem logical when there is always a concerted and deliberate attempt to incite a violent reaction.

Safiya Sameena, Vijayawada, India

Conspiracy theories understandableWHY is it that as otherwise rational and intelligent people, one of the greatest lessons we have learnt is never to believe everything we read or see on television ? Why do we doubt the veracity of official explanations? Could it be that we have been conned before, had to swallow the sanitised version, were given a one-sided view? Do we live in a world of misinformation, is the five-second sound bite all we require, are we lied to by omission? If you answered yes to any of the above, you can consider yourself a conspiracy theorist. The plethora of unexplained "coincidences" surrounding 9/11 ensure that Christopher Scanlon (Age, 10/9) can bet information is being withheld, and until satisfactory "truths" are divulged, many rational, intelligent people will consider 9/11 the biggest con-job since Hitler set fire to the Reichstag.

Peter Neilson, Heathcote

Moving closer to Orwell's visionWITH the anniversary of 9/11, I feel sad for the victims' families and friends. The mightiest nation ever is right to feel humbled at this time but should not desire so enthusiastically for vengeance. Terrorists pose no greater threat to us than road rage, but as O'Brien patiently explained to Winston Smith in George Orwell's novel 1984, the three countries of the entire globe in that book: Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia must continually be perceived at war. I wonder if he, who shares a name with our PM, while sipping gin at the Chestnut Tree is still watching.
Graham Barnett, Eagle Point

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