Architects Shy From Truther 9/11 Conspiracy TheoryIt wasn't the first time Gage was in DC pimping his theories. Group associate Adam Syed posted at the main 9/11 conspiracy tin foil outlet in 2009 a blog advertizing Gage's previous visit:
Posted on: July 19, 2012
Architects didn't show up for a 9/11-architecture-conspiracy documentary screening—and the AIA doesn't want its name associated with Trutherism.
The accusations of Gage’s organization are the typical hodgepodge of pseudo-scientific claims. Along with other esoteric and debunked technical arguments, he says that melted steel was visible at the Ground Zero site proving that the fires burned too hot to have been caused by jet fuel; that because the buildings collapsed at “near free fall speed” there must have been a controlled demolition; and that traces of a thermite reaction found in the World Trade Center debris proves that explosives were used.
All of Gage’s so-called evidence has been rebutted in peer-reviewed papers, by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, by the National Institute for Standards and Technology, by the American Society of Civil Engineers, by the 9/11 Commission Report, and, perhaps most memorably, by the 110-year-old engineering journal Popular Mechanics.
What is more interesting than these bizarre and debunked conspiracy theories is the way that Gage places his AIA membership front and center in his presentations. He seems to be attempting to cloak his organization in the officialdom of the venerable 155-year-old professional institution, even as AIA wants nothing to do with his organization. At the start of his latest film, he explains that he is “a licensed architect of over 20 years and member of the American Institute of Architects.”
Gage often seems to wield his AIA status in promoting his conspiracy theories. In making his case, he also regularly cites that more than 100 AIA members and at least six AIA Fellows have signed his petition calling for a new investigation. In total, Gage says that more than 1,700 of the petition’s roughly 16,000 signatures are from architects and engineers.
During the screening, Gage was at the very least intimating that his organization had been invited to AIA officially.
“I can’t tell you how grateful we were to have been accepted to be here in the boardroom at the national headquarters,” Gage said. “We hope this is the beginning of a very productive relationship.”
Aside from Gage, though, there was not a single other architect in the room, much less an official from AIA, or even another member. The 80-strong crowd was made up largely of members of the local 9/11 Truth movement and other political activists.
Gage was once warned by AIA not to spread the misimpression that there is a relationship between the two organizations, after he wrote a letter to Congress stating that more than 100 members of AIA who signed his petition were demanding a new investigation into 9/11.
“It is somewhat troubling that he sort of portrays the notion that we have a relationship when we certainly do not,” Frank said.
After writing that letter to Congress, Gage was told, according to Frank, that “membership in AIA alone does not give any individuals the right to speak on behalf of the institute or represent the institute’s views.”
When I spoke with him after the event, Gage played up the importance of the venue.
“[AIA] can’t ignore the evidence of what we’re saying,” he said. “They can’t just say ‘it’s those guys out there.’ Now ‘they’re’ in ‘our’ house.”
When I asked him directly, Gage acknowledged that this was not an official AIA event but a rented space open to all members of the public, adding that he feels he hasn’t been given his proper due by the organization in the past.
But he is hopeful that one day he will be invited to officially address this boardroom.
“We need to be here with the board members of the American Institute of Architects so that they cannot ignore this evidence any longer,” Gage said.
He also hopes to be invited to speak at future AIA conventions and be given the chance to host free “educational” booths or seminars—a request that the AIA has denied. Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth has exhibited at national and local AIA conventions in the past, but only after paying for booth space.
Gage should not expect those invitations any time soon, according to Frank: “There is absolutely zero relationship … [between our groups], nor will there ever be in the future.”
I don't think we've been treated to a YouTube version of this interview and event, so here it is; let's make this as viral as the Good Morning Fresno appearance.Syed's commitment to spamming a scam wasn't quite matched by the uploader who has since removed the video. But it can be seen here.
This recent event was on June 21st, advertised at that Conspiracy Costco, 9/11 blogger:
Richard Gage AIA In Washington, D.C. Thursday June 21st
Submitted by Mike Marino on Wed, 06/20/2012 - 6:30am
6/21/12 | 6:30 PM Showtime | American Institute of Architects, Washington DC Chapter | 1735 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006
Michael Marino
"What is more interesting than these bizarre and debunked conspiracy theories is the way that Gage places his AIA membership front and center in his presentations. He seems to be attempting to cloak his organization in the officialdom of the venerable 155-year-old professional institution, even as AIA wants nothing to do with his organization."
