Documentary Questions Response To 9/11
Documentary questions response to 9/11
http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_5517913
By Angela Woodall, STAFF WRITER
Article Last Updated: 03/25/2007 02:31:38 AM PDT
NEWARK — It would have been too dark to see any finger-pointing.
But it was impossible to miss the snickering, groans and gasps that filled the room Saturday as an audience of about 60 people reacted angrily to the political documentary "9/11 Press for the Truth."
The provocative film, shown at the Fremont main library as part of the Tri-City Independent Documentary Series, raises questions about government explanations of the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.
It highlights the story of four World Trade Center widows, known as the Jersey Girls, who sought full disclosure of what the government and intelligence agencies knew before the attacks.
The film "raises questions that are unanswered. A lot of things that are very strange," one woman said after seeing it.
The audience's deepest scorn was reserved for footage of President Bush and then-National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, who appeared to evade pointed questions from the media.
White House officials have maintained they had no specific information about 9/11 before it happened and could not have predicted the attacks — a claim disputed in the film.
"How the hell did we let it happen, and why do those responsible like Rice still have their jobs?" Fremont resident Mohinder Singh asked. "It's not like (Osama) Bin Laden was going to announce his plans in The New York Times," he said with outrage in his voice.
In response, one woman shouted indignantly, "She even got promoted," referring to Rice's current position as secretary of state.
The discussion that followed veered toward a focus on Pakistan's role in supporting al-Qaida, whether with scant training the hijackers could have handled the airplanes they flew into the twin towers, and why the bin Laden family was flown out of the United States shortly after the attacks.
Comments from the mostly gray-haired audience reflected an attitude that if the Bush administration was not complicit in the attacks, officials were grossly incompetent.
One couple wore T-shirts that said "Impeach Bush and Cheney."
"The absolute failure (of officials) to address important issues is so apparent," said Brian Good, who was on hand to help promote the film. "They seem to be covering up."
Paul Rea, author of the upcoming book "Still Seeking the Truth About 9/11," fielded questions with a liberal dose of his own perspective. He predicted the tide would turn in favor of the public's putting greater pressure on lawmakers to hold the administration accountable.
"Things are really bubbling up in a lot of places," Rea said.
"They're not going to keep a lid on this."
Staff writer Angela Woodall covers Newark, Ohlone College and Washington Hospital. She can be reached at (510) 353-7004 or awoodall@angnewspapers.com.
