So much about the weird, inexplicable personalities of 911 "conspiracy theorists" and nothing about explaining why the buildings went down as in a perfect demolition, why the testimonies of explosions, why building 7 went down at all, and why all the newscasters saying it didn't look like a plane went down, where was it, in Pennsylvania? Why Doug, are you so afraid of the possibility that there was culpability here, when history shows so many examples of such - our own history even. What is the explanation for the explosive dust in the wreckage of the buildings, that wouldn't be there unless it was a demolition. Have you looked into it? Can you explain these things? Why weren't these planes intercepted when in the past errant jetliners were intercepted in minutes? Too many coincidences Doug. Yes, you'd think that someone would have spilt the beans by now, but still there are these other facts that haven't been explained. Something is fishy.

Henwood you are decent on economics most of the time. Everyone is entitled to an opinion of course, but to be credible on subjects outside your field you need to actually read the research of professionals in those fields. It is simple due diligence and the minimum expected of someone with the privilege of a radio show on KPFA. It is not easy to do on such an emotional issue but try to keep your emotions, and what you want to believe, out of it. Read the research yourself. I think you are capable of it, give it a go.

I despise conspiracy theorists who sabotage real investigation and facts, and are easily manipulated by those in power to keep the status quo. Many inside the government planted all kinds of rumors about UFOs so people would get distracted by these issues, while ignoring secret research and testing going on inside the military. Intuition is very important in investigation - in research as well, but intuition that does not get clarified or confirmed by verifiable facts loses trust and power of influence (especially among thoughtful intelligent people).

How did something so logical as the passports of 9/11 attackers, that was linked to SA and PK, get overlooked and receive little attention? Did this oversight, deliberate or not, lead to conspiracy theories...as there were so many gaps in what people were being told and given?

But, what your good speaker forgot to mention is the kind of conspiracy theories about Muslims that is also circulated among some in the Far Right, Zionists and Israelis. You can see this often in so many webpages, even official ones, that make up stories about Muslims or people who might look Muslim (or assumed to be).

Your speaker also seemed to be narrow in his understanding of what goes on even in the new Canada - which is a conservative political Canada now. There is bizarre combination of "pro American foreign policy but an anti American politics" that is growing in Canada. Strange indeed! I was also amazed at the huge gap between the big cities of Canada - which are beautiful and attractive (at least for immigrants, minorities and liberals), but outside these cities Canada is conservative and contradictory. But their respect for their indigenous people is very impressive...at least what I have seen of it (more than just its artifacts in museums).

Using terms like looney left and and looney right is not very balanced or scientific. Explain this. You Doug might be accused of these things...as your show itself is becoming stranger by the minute. Is there a Left in America today? :)) Democrats are accused by some as "Communists" even on many so-called liberal radio. So what is Left in the US today? Is there a balanced Right in America? Really? Or just not on you show? I am amused.

I'd be curious to know how many conspiracy theories did come out to be true or close to truth - twenty or fifty years later. Did any conspiracy theories come out true? Thanks for mentioning the Iran Contra affair...any more?

I didn't bother listening to this show, because I've heard such non-sense before on this show. I'm sure when looking at "what is the attraction to conspiracy theories" you didn't look at what is the attraction to the worst conspiracy theory, the official conspiracy theory of the US 9/11 Commision), the one that you foolishing believe in, without bothering to examine on your show the facts about why that conspiracy theory is so falacious. Everyone knows 9/11 was a conspiracy. So it's meaningless to discount some conspiracy theories, while also not examining the one you believe in.

Bring on some experts and examine the evidence objectively.

That was a disgusting show, it sounded like right wing radio, Ugh! You are ignorant Doug, and your guests were stupid and disrespectful. I'm through with you and your show.

Tom, you bring a calm and rational element to the conspiracy theory debate. Would that I were so rational. A government that lies to its people to engage in war opens itself wide to conspiracy theorists. It's not just Iraq and WMD, it's things right here at home, how about voter fraud? It's easily debunked yet there are few in the GOP who would say otherwise. Birthers? Few in the GOP tried to set it straight. The US corporate tax rate is punitive (CBS 60 Minutes even suggests as much) yet we now know that many corporations pay their CEOs more than they pay the US government.

It's rotten and pervasive and the ill will it creates encourages conspiracy theories. Noam Chomsky correctly points out that time and effort is better spent anywhere than on conspiracy theories. Yet, steel doesn't melt before 2700 degrees, there were recorded plumes of white ash thought to be phosphor, WT7 came down like a pancake stack, Footage shows alternatives to jet airliners and firemen heard multiple explosions, NORAD took a 1.5 hr. long break and there were multiple training exercise scheduled for that day that overlapped with the methods of this catastrophe. Should these be dismissed as extraneous because they smack of "conspiracy?"

While your guests are learned professionals, their message was clear: conspiracy theories are for the fringe, now let's get back to work on the real issues.

Fine, except If there is no trust with the government then there will be conspiracy theories.

Everything comes into play. The war crimes that were never prosecuted; torture that was sanctioned (as enhanced interrogation techniques) the bankers implicated in the mortgage backed securities fiasco are going to get off with a slap on the writs. With this level of mistrust, how can anyone be condemned for considering conspiracy?

Go easy on those guys in the tin foil hats, they may be onto something.

Re: Devolution of the GOP. It is not just the GOP the whole system is broken. We are all web savvy now so there is no excuse not to Google the Democratic National Committee website. Show me an idea there, show me a dialectic, show me a white paper there. I am a registered Democrat so don't get all partisan on me. I would say most KPFA listeners are college grads use your damn empirical thinking. You will see that American politics is all "Truman Show." There is no there, there.

Your bias is obvious, Doug. Why not do a show that actually looks at some of the evidence.

09.10.11
When I first heard Doug Henwood on KPFA I was impressed
though I do not remember why. I assume it was an impression that
he was a conveyor of accurate information and sensible insightful
commentary.
That impression has been gradually degraded, but today it is kaput.
I am completely appalled at his disinformation show today. Amidst
some doublespeak his determination to assert that the "Official" truth
is always right and alternative views are "conspiracy theories" and
always wrong albeit speckled with "factoids" [to use a term of his guest
J. Kay] that are true. And with "official" truth comes it seems
inevitably the disparagement of contrary views not only as "conspiracy
theories" but also as inherently "anti-Semitic". As if there is an underlying
assumption by Henwood and guest Kay that "official" truth is
Semitic . Hmmm
I am including an email I sent to Uprising Radio some months ago
about his guest Jon Kay who was a guest on that program talking
about his book; and the show before it is the Henwood program
which was new to me then.
As an aside, I will mention another man who wrote a book debunking
conspiracy theories. Daniel Pipes in 1997 or thereabouts published
such a book and there is a long interview with him on CSPAN website
from 1997 discussing his book. I mention it, though I forget the title,
because I was intrigued by some of the "conspiracies" he mentioned
which I was unaware of so his book could interest those interested
in ammunition for a debunking agenda as well as those searching
for hidden truths in history. I believe he also sees "official" truth as
Semitic and contrary views as "conspiracy theories" and innately
anti-Semitic.
The branding of persons etc. as anti-Semitic is a powerful weapon to
wield and is used with great wantonness routinely. It is, in it's affect less like
a Scarlet Letter sewn on the clothes than like a fiery hot brand
that putative, [organized] Semites wield with gleeful abandon on
any critic of their interests or activities. And normally with disregard for truth
and without bothering to provide their functional definition of "anti-Semite".
----------below is the earlier email comment I wrote about propagandist guest J. Kay ---------------
06.18.11
In listening to Uprising Radio I am surprised at
the distinct contrast between it and the
show that precedes it on KPFA; like day and night.
Today's Uprising highlighted Tel Aviv's ongoing concern with
so-called "conspiracy theories" being believed by ever
increasing amounts of people in America,- [the chief financial backer
of the Israel thing], -and the world. This concern was
strongly noted by the ADL back in 2003.
Jonathan Kay says the purpose of his book is to inoculate
people against such theories.
In a quick internet search for info about this author I saw he
was "moderator" recently for a new Orwellian named group,
ACL, [Advocates for Civil Liberties] kicked off in Canada with
bigwigs flying in from Israel for the occasion; the ACL's purpose
is to suppress criticism of Israel on College Campuses- [and
stop the boycott of Israel movement.]
Presumably, "inoculating" people against "conspiracy theories"
would serve this ACL-ADL Israeli agenda.