Debunking 9/11 Myths

The magazine/website Popular Mechanics, has investigated 15 of the top World Trade Center Conspiracies with a group of over 100 researchers and reporters. They were apparently able to "debunk" every single theory with "hard evidence and a healthy dose of common sense." One of the most talked about theories the site talks about is how North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) did not intercept the off-route planes before they struck their targets. Over the years NORAD has intercepted hundreds of planes and have successfully investigated their purpose or problem. The Air Traffic Control monitors the radar signals of all passenger flights in Northern America. They are the transponders of information to NORAD. Yet on this day, no planes were even within hundreds of miles of all three hijacked planes. Conspiracists believe that the government had ordered NORAD to stand down, assuming that the government had an involvement in the attacks. Popular mechanics said, "Why couldn't ATC find the hijacked flights? When the hijackers turned off the planes' transponders, which broadcast identifying signals, ATC had to search 4500 identical radar blips crisscrossing some of the country's busiest air corridors." Now this may make sense, but with common sense in mind, why would an airline company install a switch to turn off a transponder. Absurd in my opinion. Second of all, is their any proof that the transponder was actually de-activated? There are loopholes in all stories stated. My point is that no-one can quote to have "solved the issue" or "cracked the case". Anyone can find a loophole in anyone's story.