New Revelations Raise Serious Questions

Are Illegal Drugs, Money Laundering, Cruise Ships, and 9/11 Terrorists Connected?

And if so, does the connection involve a shady Republican money-man?

Share article:

Guest bloged by Joesph Cannon

A little bird has chirped in my ear, telling me to look closer at the possible connection between shady Republican money-man Jack Abramoff and the 9/11 terrorists. Uncharacteristically cryptic, the bird said no more.

I knew about the Associated Press story (referenced here) which reported that Atta and company had hopped aboard a SunCruz casino ship on September 5, 2001. Abramoff owned SunCruz. He acquired the company under circumstances many consider strange — so strange as to have resulted in his recent indictment. So strange as to involve the murder of the former owner, Konstantinos “Gus” Boulis.

The feds had long suspected that SunCruz ships have been used for money laundering, and perhaps even drug importation. The ships are beyond all regulation — nothing stops criminals from operating them.

Al Qaida operatives have made many a strange visit to casinos — visits that most investigators feel had more to do with criminal activity than with gambling.

So what further information was the little bird chirping about?

I suspect the answer has much to do with courageous FBI whistleblower Sibel Edmonds, who is legally restricted from revealing in public all that she found out during her stint as a translator.

Here is a snip from an Edmonds interview conducted last January:

You get to a point where it gets very complex, where you have money laundering activities, drug related activities, and terrorist support activities converging at certain points and becoming one. In certain points – and they (the intelligence community) are separating those portions from just the terrorist activities. And, as I said, they are citing “foreign relations” which is not the case, because we are not talking about only governmental levels. And I keep underlining semi-legit organizations and following the money. When you do that the picture gets grim. It gets really ugly…. I can tell that once, and if, and when this issue gets to be, under real terms, investigated, you will be seeing certain people that we know from this country standing trial; and they will be prosecuted criminally.

Elsewhere she has hinted that the true tale of the terrorists related to intelligence-gathering activities by semi-legitimate organizations. “When you have activities involving a lot of money, you have people from different nations involved…. It can be categorized under organized crime, but in a very large scale.”

“You have [a] network of people who obtain certain information and they take it out and sell it to… whomever would be the highest bidder. Then you have people who would be bringing into the country narcotics from the East, and their connections. [It] is only then that you really see the big picture.”

“And you see certain semi-legitimate organizations that may very well have a legit front, but with very criminal illegitimate activities –who start coming at you from these investigations.”

Of course, we have Sibel Edmond’s open letter to Thomas Kean, Chairman of the National Committee on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States: (Emphasis added.)

To this date the public has not been told of intentional blocking of intelligence, and has not been told that certain information, despite its direct links, impacts and ties to terrorist related activities, is not given to or shared with Counterterrorism units, their investigations, and countering terrorism related activities. This was the case prior to 9/11, and remains in effect after 9/11. If Counterintelligence receives information that contains money laundering, illegal arms sale, and illegal drug activities, directly linked to terrorist activities; and if that information involves certain nations, certain semi-legit organizations, and ties to certain lucrative or political relations in this country, then, that information is not shared with Counterterrorism, regardless of the possible severe consequences. In certain cases, frustrated FBI agents cited ‘direct pressure by the State Department,’ and in other cases ‘sensitive diplomatic relations’ is cited.

All of which brings us to the questions:

Was Mohammed Atta involved in drugs or money laundering? Al Qaida did make its home in a country whose only real exportable crop was the poppy flower.

Was SunCruz involved in drugs or money laundering? Federal investigators have looked into that very possibility. Gus Boulis cannot testify — but we can be certain that Abramoff and Kidan wanted his ships very badly. For some reason.

Why have investigators gone to such lengths to hide the fact that Mohammed Atta entered this country before June 2000? Why was the DIA team which had uncovered his activities, and had placed his picture on an Al Qaida flow chart, told by higher-ups to ignore him, and even to cover his image with tape?

Share article:

Reader Comments on

New Revelations Raise Serious Questions

27 Comments

(Comments are now closed.)


27 Responses

  1. 1)
    Jeff said on 8/15/2005 @ 10:08pm PT: [Permalink]

    All of this is very, very interesting indeed. It’s all coming out years, if not decades, sooner than I would have expected. With all the other things of this nature, we end up hearing about it when it becomes declassified, sometimes long after all involved parties are dead and/or otherwise immune to prosecution. But with this being out so soon, I would guess that there is currently a mad rush on the part of people whose faces we are not unused to seeing on television [with varying frequency] to try and cover tracks and breadcrumb trails leading out of forests and directly up to their front doors.
    My prediction is that this will end up bigger than Watergate and much, much uglier, considering the American blood that turns out to have been on American hands all this time (regardless of whatever degree of specific knowledge these American hands may have had prior to, and during the build up to 9/11.
    I’ve been devoting a bit of thought to this type of situation for a few months now. There are several websites out there with a panoply of theories and background stories on 9/11. Of course, some of them are very well thought out, researched, and offer much soundness in the way of explanation, while others are obviously the product of a mind previously clouded by paranoia, and therefor a bit sensationalist for my tastes (although: who am I to say they’re wrong?). I’ve picked through plenty of them and formulated in my mind a list of facts, plausabilities, and bits that don’t hold much water at all, by way of explanation. Check some of them out, and one thing will become very clear very quickly:the government’s story simply does not add up in any way. It would seem that they have lied and gone out of their way to hide even miniscule pieces of information that wouldn’t seem to have any real meaning to anyone…but I’m of the opinion that it ALL is secret for a reason. I’m not some conspiracy theorist, nor am I even inferring anything specific. But (and I believe they even ran a Nightline or 20/20 or one of those shows I don’t watch about this very thing…), there are a lot of parties involved directly in our system of government (and a few stand out a little/lot more than the rest) who have profitted very greatly and "legitimately" as a direct result of A)the war on terror (which began only as a "result" of 9/11), and B)other peripheral interests and endeavors associated or tied, with varying strength, to the war on terror (including IRAQ, for one glaring example).
    I submit no theories, both because I have none specific, and because I’m only saying this to put it out there…bring it to the attention of those who would care to hear/are be able to use such information and may not have known. I will say this:The constitution states very specifically that the ONLY purpose of government is the protection of the liberty of the people. Who did you vote for? In what ways are they PROTECTING your civil liberties for you (and are they stomping all over someone else’s liberty in order to provide you such protection)? In what ways do [easily] 90% [probably more like 99%] of the laws passed in the last century do ANYTHING (anything at all) besides take away a bit more of your freedom and put a little more in the hands of those you elect? How free are you really (once you look past how free you’re being TOLD you are)? And finally, Why the hell are you voting for republicans and democrats, when it is so openly known that they both engage in numerous scandals, clandestine operations, etc. aimed at furthering THEIR OWN goals, both personally and, more openly those of their affiliated party as a whole, and have demonstrated more than ample willingness to use, abuse, trample, and periodically dance a merry jig on, thosethat elected them and are supposedly their "bosses"? WHY?

  2. 3)
    Doug Eldritch said on 8/15/2005 @ 12:32am PT: [Permalink]

    In addition to this Full Sibel Edmonds interview

    You may want to look up someone named Michael Rubin. He is a chief State Department official for Israel (AIPAC, a policy sect of PNAC) and has been involved in all kinds of things…..

    So has his friend Michael Ledeen, but then beyond that in each Embassy there is some character just like Rubin. Just look around the State Department list of official lobbyists and you’ll find them everywhere….

    These guys are just as crooked as Abramoff, are from outside the country and all serve some common goal. A really bad agenda that everyone has been blind to because the State Department blocks investigations.

    Doug E.

  3. 4)
    Joan said on 8/15/2005 @ 3:22am PT: [Permalink]

    Thank you, Mr. Cannon & thank you, Calipendence, for that link to the Sibel Edmonds interview.
    This is all so SO disturbing. And it’s also disturbing that none of it comes as any surprise.
    I only wonder if our government has always been THIS rotten & corrupt—and it’s only more visible now due to the internet—or if indeed, as has been said before, this bunch has sunk deeper, lower & darker than ever before.
    But how is it that Sibel Edmonds can give interviews if she is under a gag order?

  4. 5)
    Phil said on 8/15/2005 @ 4:21am PT: [Permalink]

    I think that our government has always been much, much more corrupt than we would like to think. But as we are currently (though perhaps not for long) the richest and most powerful country in the world, it might not be surprising that the corruption has possibly taken over completely (reference qiescent Democrats). Power and money attract corruption like poop attracts flies.

  5. 6)
    Don said on 8/15/2005 @ 4:24am PT: [Permalink]

    It’s good to see you are continuing on this issue.
    Sadly, Daniel Hopsicker has been one of the few people in the last 4 years to connect the dots in the drug running down in Florida.
    I am sure there is more to come from him on this…but back in June he covered the Suncruz ties to Atta.
    Joe- you can go here for more on this…
    http://www.madcowprod.com/06202005.html

    or read his book Welcome to Terrorland

  6. 7)
    Dan said on 8/15/2005 @ 5:04am PT: [Permalink]

    Jeff:

    We need proportional representation-a total revamping of how we are represented. So people don’t feel like they are throwing their votes away when they vote for the third party.

    dan

  7. 9)
    MarkH said on 8/15/2005 @ 7:01am PT: [Permalink]

    I’ve decided to ask a few questions about how vote counting is done in West Virginia. I e-mailed a friend this morning to ask a few factual questions. I’m not sure how this will go forward, but if anything curious comes up I’ll keep all 6 or 7 of you updated.

  8. 10)
    Dr. Alan H. Levinson said on 8/15/2005 @ 7:16am PT: [Permalink]

    Speaking of corruption in government, I had a few questions regarding oil prices. In terms of the current issues regarding oil, there is something I don’t understand.

    Oil is nearly $70 barrell.

    1. Why?
    2. How many gallons are in reserve?
    3. If oil was supposed to pay for this war, is it?
    4. Is there any investigationm into the price-gouging of Americans?
    5. Do oil Co’s raise prices based on fear of shortage alone when there actually is none?
    6. Didn’t OPEC recently raise production?
    7. Doesn’t Bush realize he will kill his party just for short-term profit?
    8. Who’s the watchdog?

    Thanks,

    Alan

  9. 11)
    EighthVeil said on 8/15/2005 @ 7:43am PT: [Permalink]

    Good questions Alan.

    Not easy to give a quick response to a conspiracy that has been intergenerational in execution. Rockefellars Standard Oil company and the financing of his oil empire through the city of London money master Rothschild would be a good history. But for a quick read on why we now endure ridiculous energy prices at the pump today I lead you to google Lindsey Williams book "The Energy Non Crisis". It is a quick read and will give you quick answers.

    Good questions–we all want answers. Its a crime that our government isn’t serving the people’s interests anymore.

  10. 12)
    MrBlueSky said on 8/15/2005 @ 8:30am PT: [Permalink]

    Jeez people. The magnitude and scope of this problem is enormous. Do you all understand the implications of Ms. Edwards’ testimony?

    The could expose the whole government…. Republicans, Democrats, even a few Independents and Third Party governmental leaders; non partisans, military and civilian alike.

    Are we sure we are able to handle this? The magnitude of this scares me.

    I would prefer to correct the problems, burn out the bad elements (i.e. the people we see on TV news each day) and move forward with good Democrats and Republicans.

    I hope to God there will still be some left, after this…

  11. 13)
    jIMcIRILE said on 8/15/2005 @ 8:47am PT: [Permalink]

    I’ve e-mailed or faxed excerpts of this to Randi Roades, Mike Malloy, Greg Palast, liberaloasis, Buzzflash, Rep. John Conyers, and Senators Feingold, Feinstein, Boxer, Reid, Kerry and Kennedy.

    I invite you all to do the same. I used this grabber of a subject line:

    What Was 9-11 Hijacker Atta Doing on Abramoff’s Boat on 9-5???

  12. 14)
    Arry said on 8/15/2005 @ 9:42am PT: [Permalink]

    #13 – We already have to be thinking, though, how to reach the point where we can say, "Never again."

    It’s scary because we are on the knife edge, but exciting because people are talking seriously about and analyzing representative democracy as they haven’t in many years — and developing the heart to defend it.

    In my opinion, we will never return to the way it was. We have to participate in probably the greatest readjustment of our nation’s political and cultural structure since the Civil War because the pervasive gangsterism we see is in the logic of the replacement of civil government by nihilistic market mentality – which has been almost completed in our country and is represented politically by the leadership (not the rank-and-file) of the Republican and Democratic Parties.

    I’m scared, too, but I think all we can do is take some deep breaths and work together as well as we can – the party structure will evolve if we give all political parties a chance. The times they are a-changin’ – really.

    (BTW, I’m also distributing this story everywhere I can.)

  13. 15)
    jIM cIRILE said on 8/15/2005 @ 9:52am PT: [Permalink]

    Holy crap!!!! Nice work, Mr. Cannon! This is pure dynamite! A logical jump to conclusions: it seems quite obvious that the Neocons were financing the 9-11 terrorists… and following the money could at last expose them and bring them down in a massive flaming pile of rubble.

    BUT… even if we somehow unearth *hard evidence* implicating the Neocons in 9-11, will it even matter? The administration shrugged off the Downing Street Minutes and our so-called press couldn’t care less. There are still a few mainstream publications that still print the truth, such as Harper’s and Vanity Fair. And worst of all, will the DEMOCRATS even say anything or just pussy out like always in silent complicity?

  14. 16)
    MarkH said on 8/15/2005 @ 11:07am PT: [Permalink]

    Over at WashingtonMonthly Political Animal Kevin Drum, formerly Calpundit, has blogged about Abramoff and Atta. He quotes someone else as referring to the Able Danger unit tracking Atta (and perhaps other ‘terrorists’) before 9/11 AND afterward.

    There’s a whole heap of questions and not enough answers yet.

    Can you handle the Truth?
    I think 6 or 7 of us can.

  15. 18)
    gordonh said on 8/15/2005 @ 12:19pm PT: [Permalink]

    Come on folks! This is just too staggering, and yet, entirely believable. The most disturbing part about it is that there are just "6 or 7" that seem to be dogging this, and this is some of the most explosive stuff to hit the fan all along.

    I’m actually waiting for someone to tie the theoretical revolution that is starting to take life around Cindy Sheehan together with all of this. Already they seem to be tying the Downing Street Memos into her mega-publicity. Somehow it’s time to hook all of this together and string it across the road to GW’s ranch, and maybe then the MSM will finally start asking the questions themselves.

    So, rock on people! Anyone with any ties to Cindy’s campaign, start putting up the bulletins and placards, and getting it all into those interviews. Onward – before it’s too late!!
    Gh

  16. 19)
    Doug Eldritch said on 8/15/2005 @ 1:43pm PT: [Permalink]

    Good idea!!

    And also- Go on every radio station and start ushering the word "IMPEACHMENT!" Rile up the entire american border, to get everyone into the streets.

    And declare that the war must end, was based on lies in every single radio station people can hop onto!

    Doug E.

  17. 20)
    Kira said on 8/15/2005 @ 2:28pm PT: [Permalink]

    MarkH — Can I handle the truth? I found more than I wanted to know last year when the sinking realization about 9/11 hit hard and all the dots got connected. The dizziness after the lightning bolt effects (which makes you buzz) goes away after a few days and then you’re left with a remarkable clarity and determination to demand answers and truth from our governmental leaders. (Should the emphasis be on the "mental" part of the word "governmental?")

    Actually — please research everything you can about the group called "the Crazies" (Dick Cheney, Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Perle, Donald Rumsfeld — THE PNAC PLAYERS!) from the years of bu$h Sr. onward. This will open your eyes! Ray McGovern has written several articles & spoken during numerous interviews about these loonies. The word was that no one (who was making important decisions) should pay them any mind. They were not thrown out (back in the ’80s) by the Republican Party for fear of losing part of their constituent base. (The Fundies, perhaps?)

    I’m currently studying up on "the Crazies." I think all Republicans should start HEARING about the "Crazies!" Make sure you keep this subject afloat!

  18. 21)
    Kira said on 8/15/2005 @ 6:39pm PT: [Permalink]

    I’ve followed the abramoff/scanlon/kiden story since last year — they are the dirtiest of crooks! I found a current article that details the abramoff/scanlon fleecing of the Iroquois Indians. I hope they end up in prison for several life terms each (along with ALL the other corrupt & criminal politicians) — scum of the earth.

    Tribe flounders after state shutters casino

  19. 23)
    Kira said on 8/16/2005 @ 10:22pm PT: [Permalink]

    Acckk! I can’t believe I wrote Iroquois — I meant Coushatta. Don’t ask me … what was I thinking? (re: #21)

  20. 24)
    lukery said on 8/16/2005 @ 2:24am PT: [Permalink]

    I was looking into the suncruz thing and i noticed something weird. that AP article you mention is dated Sep 27, but ashcroft didnt release the pix of the purported hijackers till that same day (altho the names of the hijackers were released on sep14). so we have to assume that when the article says the men were ‘recognized’, do we assume that someone just noticed their names?

    that seems kind of odd – the ships have a capacity of 1200 people, and the employees there had no reason to ever think these people were ever on the boats – so its not like they were looking for them or anything.

    i have the details here

  21. 25)
    Jeff said on 8/16/2005 @ 5:40am PT: [Permalink]

    In re: MrBlueSky Comment #13

    I think that sweeping as much as possible under the rug, crossing our fingers, praying to deities which may or may not even exist, hoping for the best, and continuing on with the same two(powerful, unchecked)-party system that brought us here to begin with is a great idea. And then perhaps we can use medical technology to awaken our dear friends Stalin and Hitler and have them run as the heads of the two parties. Or Cheech and Chong, for that matter (minus the techish part, of course). Hell, it doesn’t matter as long as we put on a happy face, love, hope for the best, and lie to the mirror every day, right? Isn’t that (and BIG MONEY from superfluous lawsuits!) what America is all about? "Who cares how–just make it go away and for God’s sake—don’t you hurt my poor innocent Republicans and Democrats!" That sort of complacence should build a nice strong, morally unshakable America that’s just oozing with integrity and accountability.

    This surface has yet to be scratched at all. You only THINK you’re scared now…

(Comments are now closed.)


Please help The BRAD BLOG, BradCast and Green News Report remain independent and 100% reader and listener supported in our 23rd YEAR!!!

ONE TIME
any amount...

MONTHLY
any amount...

OR VIA SNAIL MAIL
Make check out to...
Brad Friedman/
BRAD BLOG
7095 Hollywood Blvd., #594
Los Angeles, CA 90028

RECENT POSTS

But Here’s Another Post That Comes AFTER the Stay-on-Top Test!

But is it really under the sticky post?

Trying Out Stay-on-Top Functionality

How does it work?

You tell me!

‘Dangerous Times’: Climate Scientist Warns Trump ‘Censorship’ Endangering National Security: ‘BradCast’ 3/6/2026

Guest: Dr. Peter Gleick; Also: Admin deported at least 50 legal Venezuelan migrants; Judge says South Sudan deportations violated court order

This is the Sub Sub title line. Have added it so that we can see how the spacing works everywhere with both sub headers...

TEST

Guest: Election expert Marilyn Marks on GA 2018 Lt. Gov. election contest as state moves to unverifiable barcoded ballots; Also: FL 2020 GOP power-grab update; IA Repubs vote to NOT count absentee ballots...

Investigators reportedly examining federal judge's long history of alleged domestic abuse, while Congressional impeachment looms...

The Attempted 2018 Voter Suppression Begins: ‘BradCast’ 8/20/2018

And other news, both good and bad, around the country and world, 78 days out from the midterm elections...

A New Test Post for Linux61

This is one of those famous sub-titles you've heard so much about, that have been so vexing

And this, believe it or not, is a sub-sub-title!...

Sunday ‘Cutting Corners’ Toons

THIS WEEK: Big Barbaric Bill ... Conman's Clowns ... Anti-Semitism ... In Memoriam ...

‘A World of Tyrants, Bribes, and Influence’: ‘BradCast’ 5/22/2025

Guests: Heather Digby Parton of Salon, 'Driftglass' of 'Pro Left Podcast'...

‘Green News Report’ – May 22, 2025

With Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen...

And Then They Came for Members of Congress…: ‘BradCast’ 5/20/2025

Guest: Attorney Keith Barber; Also: Noem doesn't know what Habeas Corpus means; Paramount owner wants CBS News to roll over to Trump...

‘Green News Report’ – May 20, 2025

With Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen...

Appeals Court Blocks Last Route for Voters to Challenge Violations of the Voting Rights Act: ‘BradCast’ 5/19/2025

Guest: Justin Levitt, former Dep. Asst. A.G. at DOJ; Also: Springsteen sounds alarm; Far-right loses in Romania; SCOTUS blocks Trump again...

Sunday ‘Now Hoarding’ Toons

THIS WEEK: From the Middle East ... to Capitol Hill ... and Across the MAGAVerse ...

Mad World: ‘BradCast’ 5/15/2025

Birthright citizenship and nationwide injunctions at SCOTUS; GOP tax and health care cuts in the House; Eliminating FEMA, dismantling NWS before hurricane season; Noem's surreal tattoo testimony; Souter's warning...

‘Green News Report’ – May 15, 2025

With Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen...

About Brad Friedman...

Brad is an independent investigative journalist, blogger and broadcaster.
Full Bio & Testimonials…
Media Appearance Archive…
Articles & Editorials Elsewhere…
Contact…
He has contributed chapters to these books…
…And is featured in these documentary films…

BRAD BLOG ON THE AIR!

THE BRADCAST on KPFK/Pacifica Radio Network (90.7FM Los Angeles, 98.7FM Santa Barbara, 93.7FM N. San Diego and nationally on many other affiliate stations! ALSO VIA PODCAST: RSS/XML feed | Pandora | TuneInApple Podcasts/iTunesiHeartAmazon Music

GREEN NEWS REPORT, nationally syndicated, with new episodes on Tuesday and Thursday. ALSO VIA PODCAST: RSS/XML feed | Pandora | TuneInApple Podcasts/iTunesiHeartAmazon Music

Media Appearance Archives…

AD
CONTENT

ADDITIONAL STUFF

Brad Friedman/
The BRAD BLOG Named...

Buzz Flash's 'Wings of Justice' Honoree
Project Censored 2010 Award Recipient
The 2008 Weblog Awards