truthaction.org

[Jon Gold]

Jon Gold
9/12/2009

To my knowledge, Nick Levis is the individual that coined the phrase "9/11 Truth." If I am wrong about that, I apologize to the individual responsible for its creation. I always considered that a great phrase because it's kind of hard to spin the word "Truth."

Years ago, back in late 2004, several people in the 9/11 Truth Movement were posting on Howard Stern's Bulletin Board (HSBB) because Howard posted a 9/11 movie on his site, and because there were over 300,000 members.

Former moderator of 911blogger.com, somebigguy, and I met on the HSBB. He followed my postings, and started to do his own. One time, he sent me a private message talking about how he was tired of being ridiculed by the people on the site. I tried to tell him something "inspirational." I don't remember exactly what I said, but it was something like, "you're a 9/11 Truther, don't let them get to you, you're doing the right thing." In the back of my mind, I thought of the term "Quaker." I do live in Pennsylvania after all. As far as I know, that was the first time the phrase "9/11 Truther" was ever used. I liked it, so it stuck. That is the reason the 9/11 Truth forum on my site is called the "9/11 Truther Forum."

So, what is a "9/11 Truther?" As I said, it's kind of hard to spin the word "Truth," but the "debunkers" and "media" have jumped on the word "truther." To me, that's an inaccurate phrase because the real term is 9/11 Truther.

In my mind, a "9/11 Truther" is someone who fights alongside the family members seeking truth and accountability for the 9/11 attacks. In my mind, a "9/11 Truther" is someone who fights for the sick and dying 9/11 First Responders who need health care desperately. In my mind, a "9/11 Truther" is someone who does not like how the day of 9/11 is being used to inflict pain and suffering around the world, and is trying to stop it. Stop it by using the truth. Something we have been denied by our Government regarding the 9/11 attacks.

I am sorry that people have used the phrase as they have. All I know is that the definition of "9/11 Truther", to me, does not equal what those who are against this cause say it does.

I am proud to be a "9/11 Truther."

[YT]

I've been really hating that word "truther" recently (mostly just because of how it's used in the corporate media) and I remembered you saying that you coined the term and I thought GRRR why the hell did he do that? But reading this, I don't hate it so much and I like how you point out the distinction between "truther" and "9/11 truther". I like "9/11 truth activist" or "9/11 truth advocate" but there is no shame in any of these terms, the shame is in those who would call names in an effort to obscure the truth and delay justice.

[Jon Gold]

[Jon Gold]

This was written, by the way, because of this comment from Rob Kall, the owner/operator of opednews.com. He posted this on facebook...

"Working on pulling together the article which weaves together the great response to my letter to others who signed the 911 truth statement. I asked them to stand with Van Jones as people who signed the document who were NOT 911 Truthers, but rather, people wanting further investigations. Getting a strong response."

I posted it on his site, and there is a comment by him in it...

http://www.opednews.com/populum/diarypage.php?did=14291

I don't hold it against Rob. From the outside looking in, based on how the media portrays us, we don't look so good.

[truthmover]

http://www.openleft.com/diary/15044/van-jones-controversy-no-there-there

The link above is to an mainstream left article in which the author makes a shallow attempt to address the merits of the movement in a balanced way. Of course that is completely undermined by the fact that he says he knows little about the issue but claims to be entirely convinced by our debunkers with very minimal exposure. His bias is clear.

However, his summary makes a couple points that we should not ignore as they are very common views among the mainstream left.

[Diane]

Jon, thanks very much for the history lesson.

This thread reminds me of the many people who have said things like "I'm not a feminist, but I support equal rights for women."

Back in the late 1960's and early 1970's, the feminist movement had to face lots of ridicule in the press, e.g. they were often called "bra burners."

Luckily, the feminist movement did not respond by dropping the term "feminist," despite widespread dispagement of that term. Plenty of feminist activists today still call themselves "feminists." And the feminist movement did manage to accomplish one hell of a lot over the years, although it has not managed to accomplish everything it wants to accomplish.

No matter WHAT term a controversial activist movement calls itself, opponents in the press will find a way to ridicule it. In response to this, activists may be tempted to try to distance themselves from the term, in the hope of re-branding themselves. But the same thing will happen again with the new term, whatever it is.

In my opinion, it may sometimes be helpful to de-emphasize old and controversial terms such as "9/11 truther." But disowning those terms is another matter. When those words are brought up, the appropriate response, in my opinion, is to reclaim them proudly and explain what they actually mean. Denying that those terms apply to us, on the other hand, would just make us look weak, cowardly, and dishonest.
_________________
Diane

New York City Activist

[victronix01]

It seems like whatever term there is, they will just find a way to denigrate us with it. I have a lot of problems with "Truther" or "9/11 Truther". I will continue to avoid using the term and will correct anyone who applies it. I use the terms 9/11 researcher, 9/11 activist, etc.

The San Diego group had a heavily branded website "Truther.org", but now it appears to be gone and there is only a meet-up. I feel relieved. Although well intentioned, it was so commercial-feeling that I had a hard time with it, the brand, "Truther".

If we didn't have an easy name to trash -- coming from within apparently -- they would only make one up, like "Believers" or "Deniers", which is what they often use in hit-piece articles.

I'm a feminist, but I'm not a truther.

[Arcterus]