Physical evidence of 9/11 stands on its merit

As we commemorate the anniversary of the horrible events of eight years ago, it is our patriotic duty to those who died that day and since to ensure that justice was properly directed.

Like nearly everyone, I never suspected physical evidence problems at the time. Not having training as a materials engineer, it did not occur to me that steel and concrete buildings could not unravel at near freefall speed and disappear into dust. Every picture of Ground Zero proves that most of the building debris could not be accounted for in the only places possible: surrounding the complex, above or below ground.

How have our lives changed since that day eight years ago? Today, we look over our shoulders, suspicious of folks of Arab or Middle Eastern descent, consider discriminatory emotions toward anything Muslim as rational and have to deal with unprecedented encroachments on our privacy in nearly every aspect of our daily lives.

We are fighting two wars seeking retribution for the perpetrators of this crime. Thousands have died on both sides. To dismiss looking back after we have acted in response, that our understanding is ingrained in our minds, does not affect the facts nor does it excuse us from evaluating the physical evidence once we learn of its existence, no matter how distasteful.

On this day of mourning, resolve to ensure that our country lives up to its reputation for being constantly vigilant, correcting its mistakes in the pursuit of truth.

For information on the 9/11 evidence, I invite you to visit http://physicalevidenceof911.home.mchsi.com.

Russ Gerst

Cedar Rapids