Is This Video the Smoking Gun of 9/11?

The disappearance of a video that allegedly provided key evidence in the 9/11 conspiracy debate, raises questions about the veracity and reliability of such claims. First posted in 2019, the video is now no longer available. Could this video have been the ‘smoking gun’ that would have overturned decades of investigation and consensus?

Key Timeline and Evidence

The video in question was timestamped at 16:34, corresponding to 4:34 PM, hours after the collapse of WTC 1 and 2, and just a short time before WTC 7 went down. This timeline is crucial for conspiracy theorists who often cite the order of events as supporting their claims.

Photographs within the video depict minor fires raging on the north side of WTC 7. The building was indeed damaged, but without context, it fails to meet the high bar of evidence required to be labeled as a 'smoking gun.'

Interpreting the Evidence

The term 'smoking gun' in conspiracy discourse refers to pieces of evidence so convincing that they clearly implicate a party in wrongdoing. In analyzing the claims made about the video, several key points emerge:

Building Damage and Fire: The video does not provide evidence that the damage occurred before the plane impacts. The fires seen in the video are consistent with debris damage from the collapsing towers and jet fuel. Initial Collapses: WTC 1 collapsed at 10:28:22 AM, about 1 hour and 42 minutes after the impact of the first plane. WTC 2 followed at 9:58:59 AM after the second plane impact at 9:03:02 AM. Debris and Jet Fuel: Debris and jet fuel from the plane impacts would naturally ignite fires, causing extensive damage and collapse.

Photographs and videos from the time show evidence of the building destruction caused by the plane impacts, explanations supported by government and independent investigations.

Assessing Conspiracy Theories

Theories on the 9/11 events often hinge on specific pieces of evidence that proponents claim prove a government cover-up or other nefarious activity. However, without substantial corroborating evidence, these theories remain unproven.

Conspiracy theorists repeatedly struggle to provide clear and direct evidence that incriminates governments or other parties beyond a reasonable doubt. This video, while interesting, does not add to the body of evidence they need.

Engaging with conspiracy theories can often devolve into unproductive tangents, where statements are made without supporting facts. It's important to scrutinize and verify such claims with credible sources.

Conclusion

The disappearance of the video mentioned here is significant for several reasons. It either provides no new evidence or is instead a video that does not support the claims of some conspiracy theorists.

While 9/11 remains a tragic and complex event, the video’s absence underscores the importance of thorough and credible investigations. Any piece of evidence that provides clarity and understanding, rather than confusion and speculation, contributes to our collective memory and understanding of the event.