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Virgin's 9/11 farce

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By Tim Blair

May 05, 2007 12:00am

VIRGIN, the global self-promotion company with various side interests in transport, telephony, media and banking, usually performs relatively harmless publicity stunts.

The last time Virgin boss Richard Branson was in Australia, for example, he pushed pneumatic model Bessie Bardot into Sydney Harbour, providing jolly images for photographers and Bessie's first virgin experience in decades.

That's at the upper level of naughtiness for a Virgin media promo. Branson doesn't aim for publicity at any cost; being so closely identified with his brands, it's crucial that Virgin's publicity be of the right type.

Such as the global-saviour coverage Branson won last year when he announced that Virgin would invest $US3 billion over 10 years to combat climate change.

It'd probably be cheaper and more effective if he closed his airlines but, hey, it's his money. If Branson wants to blow a few billion buying green affection, let him. As the tusk-gobbed Brit told The Independent, he would "love to have Virgin recognised as the most respected brand in the world".

That dream was put on hold this week.

On Tuesday Virgin Atlantic revealed it would present among its onboard viewing options Loose Change 2, a revolting conspiracy fantasy – its makers prefer the description "documentary" – which claims to present evidence that September 11 was an inside job pulled off by the wicked government of George W. Bush.

The first version of the film (made by a trio of young student types) was assembled for only two grand, which is about, oh, $2000 more than it's worth. It found an audience on the internet, however, presumably among the same people who bought French conspiracy monger Thierry Meyssan's 2002 paperback Horrifying Fraud.

Meyssan didn't even bother visiting the US during his investigation but nevertheless was able to conclude: "This (Pentagon) bombing was not done with a plane but a missile. As far as we are concerned the plane was destroyed in Ohio."

In other words, 9/11 is the greatest con since France tricked everyone into believing it was a nation of intellectuals. Loose Change 2 – the second version contains extra portions of stupidity – makes similar claims, all of them ridiculous, and easily demolished by the non-idiotic.

US magazine Popular Mechanics presented a useful takedown of 9/11 conspiracy theories a couple of years ago; seek it out online. Debra Burlingame, sister of the American Airlines pilot whose hijacked jet was smashed into the Pentagon, summarised the Loose Change view: "The only thing they seem to have gotten right about the September 11 attacks is the date when they occurred."

Historical accuracy was of no concern to Rebecca Smith, Virgin Atlantic's manager of acquisitions and publishing, who seems more interested in the buzz generated by paranoid morons. The film, she told British media, was an "internet phenomenon". So were forbidden images of the prophet Mohammad after Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published cartoons of old Mo in 2005.

Will Virgin Atlantic be running those images in its in-flight magazine? No? Why not? After all, the cartoons qualify for publication, at least according to Smith's criteria for screening Loose Change 2: "It continues to provoke debate and for that reason we feel it's something our passengers will want to watch, so that they can draw their own conclusions."

They'll more likely be drawing their own conclusions about Virgin Atlantic and withdrawing their bookings on that airline. Or maybe not, following developments mentioned below.

Either way, it doesn't stop these anti-Bush conspiracists being an absolute gift to us vile right-wingers.

American leftoid Matt Taibbi complained in Rolling Stone that the "truthers", as they're known, give "supporters of Bush an excuse to dismiss critics of this administration. I have no doubt that every time one of those Loose Change d . . .wads opens his mouth, a Republican somewhere picks up five votes."

Excellent; Loose Change 2 could be to the 2008 US election as Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 was to the election in 2004 – a guaranteed vote-loser for Democrats.

YOU know this film is aiming at sub-mammal intellects when even British lefty George Monbiot, who believes almost anything about the menace of global warming, also rejects it.

"There is a virus sweeping the world," Monbiot wrote in February. "It infects opponents of the Bush Government, sucks their brains out through their eyes and turns them into gibbering idiots. Scarcely a day now passes without someone possessed by this sickness, eyes rolling, lips flecked with foam, trying to infect me.

"The disease is called Loose Change."

The disease's airborne mutation excited 9/11 profiteers.

"We applaud Virgin's decision to show the film onboard," said Tim Sparke, managing director of Loose Change 2's UK licensee. "To give passengers the opportunity to view the film speaks volumes about Virgin's wish to connect directly with its passengers."

Oh, it speaks volumes, all right. Following two days of online fury directed at Branson and Virgin Atlantic by various bloggers, the company issued this statement early yesterday: "We will not be showing Loose Change 2 on our aircraft. We don't show movies or documentaries that cause mass offence and there is a danger with this movie that viewers, although they have the choice over what to watch and when on our flights, may be offended."

Looks like it's back to pushing hot blondes into the Harbour for Richard. Some of his employees might be getting the shove as well. Perhaps they'll blame George Bush.

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Latest Comments:

Wow... <i>" Even the owner admitted to giving the orders to pull the building."</i> Wrong (<a href="http://www.911myths.com/html/wtc7_pulled.html">Link to a debunking of Silverstien supposedly "admitting" WTC 7 was intentionally demolished</a> <i>"Never in the history of steel structures has a building collapsed from fire yet 3 did on 9/11; WTC tower 1,2 & 7. all three buildings came down at free fall speed with no resistance, tower 7 was never hit by an airplane yet came down symetrically in seven seconds? Additionally odd, tower 2 fell before tower 1 although tower 1 was hit first and tower 2 was hit with a glancing blow. 2) There is no large plane wreckage in front of the Pentagon from the 757 that hit it..." ad absurdum...</i> Free fall, no airplane for WTC 7, no wreckage found... and this from the so-called truth movement that tries to claim to be independent thinkers. Independent thinkers who cannot even come up with their own terminology, but resort to parroting verbatim the arguments they found on Google. I repeat what Debunking 911 listed: <a href="http://www.debunking911.com/">http://www.debunking911.com/</a> <a href="http://www.911myths.com/">http://www.911myths.com/</a> ... and add to it: James Randi Educational Foundation's <a href="http://forums.randi.org/forumdisplay.php?f=64">Conspiracy Theories discussion board</a> ... and <a href="http://screwloosechange.blogspot.com/">Screw Loose Change's permanent top post</a>, linking the major lies in Loose Change (<a href="http://screwloosechange.blogspot.com/2006/05/top-lies-and-deceptions-of-loose.html">1st page</a>, <a href="http://screwloosechange.blogspot.com/2006/05/top-lies-and-deceptions-of-loose_15.html">2nd</a>, <a href="http://screwloosechange.blogspot.com/2006/05/top-lies-and-deceptions-in-loose.html>3rd</a>, and <a href="http://screwloosechange.blogspot.com/2006/05/top-lies-and-deceptions-in-loose_17.html">4th</a>), the <a href="http://www.loosechangeguide.com/LooseChangeGuide.html">Viewer's Guide to Loose Change</a>, and other useful links. It's easy to swallow someone else's arguments in place of making your own, but a person that says that shouldn't try to claim status as an independent thinker. And no aspect of the so-called truth movement's canons of free fall, molten steel, thermite, etc. stands up to reason, critical thought, or even reality.
Posted by: E.M.H of 4:40pm May 12, 2007

Another delightful smackdown of the nitwits! Is it just me or does anyone else find Richard Branson seriously creepy?
Posted by: Michael Messina of Aptos Ca. 12:12am May 12, 2007

Fahrenheit 911 - evidently the temperature at which tinfoil hats spontaneously combust, turning their wearers' brains to blancmange.
Posted by: Angus McIonnach of Edinburgh, Scotland 11:10pm May 11, 2007

Everything's a conspiracy. In fact, right now, we're all actually on a giant spaceship headed for the jaws of the giant, evil intergalactic spacemonkey.
Posted by: James of 9:54pm May 11, 2007

Fantastic article, Tim. Although I'm quite surprised to read many of the comments so far. Actually, I find it very offensive that so many people continue on this 911 conspiracy track. And to consider showing such a video on a [i]plane?[/i] Conspicary theories are funny little things aren't they? This is in the sense that governments, which leak information like sivs, can somehow get all these people together, conspire something and then keep it completely secret. Hogwash.
Posted by: James of 9:41pm May 11, 2007

Fantastic article, Tim. But gee you've had a lot of d...wads comment here about it.
Posted by: James of 8:01pm May 11, 2007

"Mr Blair, I and many other 'Truthers' are very, very offended by this article." I, and all thinking people, are deeply offended by your refusal to accept reality you don't like. How to Be a Truther 1. Demand proof. 2. When proof is presented ignore it and demand more proof. 3. When further proof is presented, dismiss it. In the minds of the simpletons we want to attract, that simple act negates the evidentiary value of the proof. Note that it may be necessary to smear the source of the proof, which distracts idiots from the proof itself. 4. Offer your own "proof" in the form of silly sketches and drawings of what you think _should_ have happened. Conjure up "facts" that don't really exist, such as "puddles of molten metal," "no wreckage was found," "the second plane impact was only a 'glancing blow'", "cell phones couldn't be used at that altitude in 2001," and so on. 5. If anybody questions your "evidence" or "facts", imply -- or, better yet, state clearly -- that they are "willing dupes" and "neo-conservative Zionist drones". 6. Repeat as loudly and as often as necessary. This will attract the kinds of idiots we need to help us spread the word. As a Truther, the single most important thing to remember is this: DO NOT ENGAGE in rational discussion with people who have bothered to investigate the events of 9/11 honestly, as you will only look foolish. If you encounter such a person, yell, scream, impugn their motives...whatever you have to do to prevent them from being heard can be justified in the name of TRUTH! Carry on!
Posted by: Darrell Goodman of Toronto 3:27am May 11, 2007

It's upsetting to know there are Australians who buy into these theories. I had the impression of a more down to earth, practical type. The twists and turns of logic by the conspiracy supporters are giving me a headache.
Posted by: Paul Bird of Baltimore, USA 1:05am May 11, 2007

Three reasons why you're barking up the wrong tree: 1. It wasn't necessary for the towers to collapse. Why bother going to such incredible effort - and how on earth could they employ that many people and then cover it up? Just dumb to believe it. 2. A dirty bomb or chemical attack would've been far simpler for the Gov to instigate, and less traceable. 3. Do you really think an insider wouldn't have blown the whistle by now, considering how many have come out of the CIA over the WMDs? 4. Etc. Etc. Truthers please distance yourself from the Democrats, because if your conspiracy is true, then it would've had to be been put into place during, and with the consent of, the Clinton admin. We don't want another Michael Moore effect.
Posted by: Richard Conrad of 5:30pm May 09, 2007

Mr Blair: Please refrain from writing further passages of ignorant drivel for the sake of your fellow Australians. You're making us look like uneducated fools fueled by a mind-numbing paranoia. What are you afraid of? Have you done something wrong? Please open your eyes to reality or write about something you understand; I suggest something you aren't afraid of!
Posted by: Paul of Perth 12:18am May 09, 2007

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