I think it unfortunate that this thread was hijacked

John - [addressing John Bursill whose made the first comment, confronting Carol Brouillet]

I understand the importance of issues you raise, but really think it would have been better to raise them in a separate blog post as this blog really has nothing to do with KB, etc.

By bringing up the issues regarding KB in the very first comment, you have completely skewed the comment thread in that direction, which is most unfortunate, imo.

FTR - I have known cosmos for years, have traveled with him and have no doubt about his character or intentions. The movement could use more people like him (and yes, I know his "real name" too). It has always been clear to me that cosmos' "uncle" was a close family friend and cosmos is not the only person I know who has family friends who are referred to as uncle, aunt, grandpa or even mother, so this is a rather ridiculous and artificial argument, imo. [c455 says: The fact is, the vast majority of people in the truth movement do NOT know his name. Hearing from additional people who do know his name doesn't address that, not to mention the fact that "cosmos" is really not the most dignified nom d'obfuscation I can imagine, especially for someone who has manufactured a prominent role in the public eye for himself. And I welcome reactions from others here, but I don't know anyone who uses aunt/uncle to refer to someone who is not a family member by "blood" or marriage. I can imagine doing it as a term of affectionate address ("Auntie May, could you pass the gravy?") but even so I find the idea that you would refer to this person as such to a third party, especially a distant or public third party, seems bizarre to me from my own cultural point of view. ("My auntie May died at the Pentagon. She was an accountant.") Finally, this is an issue as a direct result of the tawdry manipulation of the whole "family member" concept and the privileging of the so-called "family members" as moral compasses and guiding lights for the movement."]

I spoke with Kevin Barrett in person on his last trip through the SF bay area and asked him to take the high road, which sadly, he has not done. I really think this says much more about Mr. Barrett than it does about anyone else or the movement, in general.

The 9/11 truth movement is based on critical thinking, transparency and accountability. Thus, we are charged with evaluating actions and statements, putting them in context, and acting or speaking in response, as required.

While it is true that no one person or thing can make or break the growing international 9/11 truth movement, as members of a social movement we are charged with maintaining certain standards of behavior that do not bring discredit to the movement or impede its progress.

It becomes more clear to me every day that there are certain individuals who go out of their way to energize divisive issues and create factions within the movement, thus either consciously or unwittingly aiding those who would like to see the global 9/11 truth movement divide and then defeat itself. All of us need to question anything which seems to create divisions within the movement in a thorough, but civil manner. As one of the stickers on the back of my van says " Ask Questions, Demand Answers". This applies to all of us as well as the events of 9/11/01. Let us always work to refine our critical thinking skills as we also try to be as compassionate and empathetic, as possible. As human beings, we need to always remember that we are inherently irrational creatures who may always be seeking some form of spiritual perfection, and always falling short in some way or another.

In any case, as Gandhi said, let us always strive "to be the change we want to see in the world".

We are all brothers and sisters in this all-too-often dysfunctional family we call humankind.

BTW - The name on my birth certificate/CDL/ passport says John William Wright and I live in San Anselmo, CA.

The truth shall set us free. Love is the only way forward.
Submitted by LeftWright on Sat, 09/18/2010 - 11:56am.