Citizens for 9/11 Truth founder Steve Campbell has kicked up a storm in Glenwood Springs and the rest of the Roaring Fork Valley with his views about Israel and the roots of 9/11. Herewith some responses to his assertions.

Letter to the Editor Friday 09/15/2006

Editor: Many individuals in the Roaring Fork Valley have observed Steve Campbell’s behavior for a number of years. In fact, calling attention to his thought processes and ideas is something I heretofore chose to avoid because I believe his bizarre ideas stem from his need to attract attention at any cost. Mr. Masters’ accepting and seemingly proud attitude at GrassRoots willingness to air Campbell’s outlandish and extreme videos, is, in my mind, a disturbing development. Our media must exercise responsibility, integrity and selectivity in its decisions of what is in the best interests of the public.

This is not to say that censorship should prevail. But it is absolutely to say that good judgment and prudent diligence must be employed in determining what ideas and speculative notions deserve to be presented to the mostly fair minded individuals in our community. When Mr. Masters’ proudly proclaims, “You’re not going to see this anywhere else but on GrassRoots,” I would respectfully suggest that he consider his own words.

We are inundated today with negative media and politically motivated perspectives depending on which station you choose to view. To be sure, our western way of life is under attack by a virulently hostile enemy who has no regard for the sanctity of life — theirs or ours — and exhibits a frightening unappeasable hostility that has no end. If given the chance, they intend to eliminate our way of life. Imagine grappling with these realities when our congress in mired in a nasty political divide that impedes goal consensus and focus on urgent issues. Campbell has been pedaling his disturbing videos in Glenwood Springs for a number of years. It’s no surprise that few people showed up at the Glenwood Springs Library to view his videos. So Campbell turned to GrassRoots, and they acquiesced and determined that these videos had some redeeming value and our community is better off for seeing them.

Sorry, but I have enough ideas swimming in my head. I recently saw the movies, “Obsession” and “Who killed the Electric Cars.” These are both good movies containing thought provoking and distressing observations about the far-reaching problems we face. Then there are the disturbing concerns over 9/11 and why our country was not able to avoid this horrendous terrorist attack when the CIA and FBI had plenty of information but were unable to exercise their powers because these were greatly diminished at the time of the attacks. Government conspiracy? Am I to understand that it is in my best interest to view contrived smut promulgated on the notion that our government conspired to take down our World Trade Towers, the Pentagon and the brave passengers on Flight 93? I think not. The victims of these dastardly deeds surely deserve better than this. Rising global anti-Semitism is a disturbing phenomenon. Campbell’s anti-Zionist notions have resulted in the legitimate complaints you have received from individuals in our community. Is this something to which you choose to contribute? Is this a worthwhile message to send to our community? Can you sincerely justify this behavior? I know our congress is corrupt, and I know that special interests/lobbyists rule the day, so much so, that we are still dependent on Middle Eastern oil that supports and emboldens regimes supportive of terrorism. We support terrorism and then send our courageous U.S. troops in to fight them.

These kinds of pressing concerns are issues we need to be thinking about and acting upon. Steve Campbell’s deluded ideas are not. With the respect you are due and must continue to earn, I urge GrassRoots TV to reconsider their decision.

Elaine Sandler

Aspen

Letter to the Editor Friday 9/15/2006

Editor: The one good thing I can say about Steve Campbell’s latest nonsense (“Five Years Later, 9/11Doubters Linger” Sept. 12 Aspen Daily News) is that he is not afraid to say what he thinks. It takes guts — or stupidity, or arrogance — to make the inflammatory remarks he made. Those remarks include, but are not limited to, “Our government is largely controlled by the Zionists and the oil interests, and those two elements are pivotal in the carrying out of 9/11.”

Steve Campbell is encouraging an “us versus them” mentality rather than one in which “We’re all in this together.” As a member of the Roaring Fork Peace Coalition, he is one of the most “unpeaceful” people I know, and a major reason why I prefer to practice peace in ways other than attending the Peace Coalition’s meetings.

Joan Isenberg

Glenwood Springs