"Rescue Me" character believes 9/11 was an inside job ... and so does the actor playing him

From LA: Boy, did I open a can of worms today at the press conference for "Rescue Me," the great Denis Leary comedy. It's back (soon) for a fifth season, and in watching the second episode I noticed the show drifting back to the 9/11 memories theme it explored at length in the first season. So I grabbed a microphone and pursued that questioning with the producers, and I asked a couple of the actors to chime in as well.

One person I asked was Daniel Sunjata, who plays Franco on "Rescue Me." I asked him because there is this fascinating, where-did-THIS-come-from scene in the second episode. A French journalist is interviewing firemen who were at Ground Zero on 9/11 for a new 10th-anniversary commemorative coffee table book. First, watch what Sunjata's character says. I would call this high-end conspiracy theory-mongering, the type that many people might say, "Hm. Well, I don't agree, but you raise some very interesting points there."

In part Franco says:

"9/11? Inside job. Plain and simple. And all you gotta do is connect the dots. ... I am talking about a massive neoconservative government effort, been in the works 20 years. Ever heard of PNAC? Project for a New American Century? According to them, the end goal of their effort is American global domination. Full spectrum dominance, they call it. Now, first question that pops into my mind is: How do you pull that off in this day and age?"

Answer: You blow up the Towers -- though in the scene Sunjata states it much more elegantly and forcefully.

So I asked about 9/11, and Sunjata gave a thoughtful reply, but at the very end he set off this little cherry bomb. From the transcript:

DANIEL SUNJATA: I'm really gratified that they allowed that to be focused through my character, because I happen to subscribe to a lot of those theories and beliefs that 9/11 was an inside job.

TVB: You're serious?

DANIEL SUNJATA: Oh, absolutely, 100 percent, yeah.

PETER TOLAN (show co-creator): That's part of the reason why we wrote it, is because Danny actually has -- is actually well-read on -- he's done a lot of research on this and has told us about it. And, you know, look, obviously not all of us buy in. But we went, wow, that's interesting, and he's passionate about it. Let's use that.

DANIEL SUNJATA: I mean, if it weren't for the structural constraint of consicion and speaking in a sound-bite format, you know, there are some very, very well-thought-out ideas and theories that seem to me to make a lot more sense than the ones that are popularly espoused. And anyway, the fact that they've allowed that conversation to be had within the world of RESCUE ME, I think, is admirable and should be applauded.

I wasn't trying to challenge Sunjata. I just was a little gobsmacked and I didn't want to let the moment pass without confirming what I thought my ears had just heard: An actor on a popular cable show had just admitted to belief in one of the most notorious conspiracy myths in our culture.

The story is already popping on the wires.

So, a little googling later and I discover Sunjata has expressed these views before ... and a whole lot more. He is a Lefty with a capital "L." Here is a video I found of him giving a campaign speech this fall in favor of former congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. She was the Green Party candidate for president this year. How many people of color this fall did you hear attacking Barack Obama from the left?

Let me be clear to those who are googling me -- I'm not a fan of "9/11 was an inside job" theories, as I went into in some detail explaining a couple of years ago. But I don't believe that people who believe them are all idiots. I'm actually kinda looking forward to seeing these ideas bandied about on "Rescue Me" because you just don't see that kind of stuff presented so passionately on TV. But you know what? I saw "J.F.K." more than once and, while I found it hugely entertaining, I never bought whatever Jim Garrison was selling about that terrible day in history.

I think if "Rescue Me" does its job, "9/11 was an inside job" will gain just a smidgen more respectability in its campaign to succeed JFK as America's favorite conspiracy theory. I guess I can live with that. My problem with such theories is that they unwittingly reflect the navel-gazing, insular, America-first viewpoint that I thought 9/11 was supposed to move us beyond. It's all about us. Al-Qaeda? Our pawns, somehow. Such a viewpoint can only be defended by turning a deaf ear to the origins of modern terror, which weren't the creation of Paul Wolfowitz's and Richard Perle's vivid imaginations.

As the unparalleled account of Lawrence Wright in The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 makes clear, the story of 9/11 stretches back 50 years to the persecution of radical Muslims by secular governments friendly to Western nations.

Comments

[Menzie]

So.... a couple of questions arise, as I read these comments. Any intelligent answers for me would be appreciated.

1. If the evil and all-knowing (wait, I thought they were all half-educated idiots? Now, suddenly, they're criminal masterminds?) Bush administration caused 9/11 in order to .. (what? Kill Arabs? Take away American freedoms? Views seem to differ), then what's going to happen now that there is a new administration, and anew President? I mean, the Bushies had to know they'd only be in offce 4, max 8 years, right? Or are you saying that Barack Obama is going to be in on thsi conspiracy of yours? Seems to be, if the Dems come into office and somehow find out the neo-cons had anything to do with 9/11, EVERYONE will know it by, about, say, Jan. 25th or so.

2. Um... the govt. can't keep ANYTHING secret. It's run by clerks. People who type, fax, review, seal, archive, mail out, stamp in, copy the documents. Thousands and thousands of people would have to be involved, at least tangentially, in a scam of this magnitude. I lived in DC years ago. I lived next door to bunches of govt. "flunkies". They were folks just like you and me - they hated their jobs, and bitched about them to anyone who would listen. Who's keeping all of them quiet? Threats? Mind control? Not bloody likely. The Nixon Watergate burglary was run by/known to only like, 7 people total. And it only took about 6 months for that to get out.

Have some sense, people. Conspriacies are interesting.. in NOVELS.

[Tyler]

"America's favorite conspiracy theory"

This is not a game. We radicalized the Middle East and gave Osama billions in the 1980's. He WAS a CIA asset. I also suppose physics took a day off on 911. It's time to wake up from the dream and look at facts, not what the repeaters of the lie tell you. It's time to grow up.

[mike]

The legitimate 911 truth movement is huge and strong, seems like its growing exponentially.

Just in time for the next crisis falseflag attack to herd themases

911 was a inside job and the PUBLIC KNOWS IT!!

[mike]

The legitimate 911 truth movement is huge and strong, seems like its growing exponentially.

Just in time for the next crisis falseflag attack to herd themases

911 was a inside job and the PUBLIC KNOWS IT!!

[michaelfury]

Bravo, Mr. Sunjata. Bravely spoken.

As for "belief in one of the most notorious conspiracy myths", perhaps the author would be so kind as to explain this particular "myth" for the restive herd.

http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/the-ghost-in-the-machines-the-mystery-of-the-wtc-hard-drive-recoveries/

[Reality Check]

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military_law/1227842.html

Stop being intellectual dishonest and emotionally biased and face the facts. It was not an inside job. Go talk to members of an FDNY Rescue unit, like Rescue 3. They specialize in structural collapse. The government can't keep anything secret let alone what would have been the biggest secret in history. A dopey actor with an obviously liberal agenda does not help the conspiracy theorist cause.

[Andrew]

Of course it is an inside job, but it goes deeper than the Bush administration. I doubt Bush even knew in advance, but I guarantee Cheney did (because of a lot of reasons including the fact he personally changed the intercept procedure a couple of months in advance and lied about his whereabouts on 9-11). The CIA was neck deep and there were high-ranking elements of the FBI (to block investigations) and Air Force (execute stand down as well as scheduling war games for the same time and day). The Israeli Mossad was also involved (filming the first tower strike among other things). Don't let the mirage of the mainstream media and gatekeepers like Chomsky keep you from investigating the truth for yourselves. Down with collectivism. Restore the Republic!

[Matt]

Does anybody realize that if you look long and hard enough on the internet, you can make ANYTHING true? Get with the program people? By the way, I just saw Elvis chilling with Kurt Cobain and 2Pac the other day! Its true, I saw it on the internet!

[ryukyu]

It's hilarious that with all the leaks from the liberal life-time appointments at the CIA, Pentagon and FBI none have made a peep about this. In EVERY other situation, they think Bush is an idiot. Yet, he can pull of something like this without anyone knowing? Just accept the fact that some things are beyond your control and have no rational reasoning behind them. Those terrorists don't think like you do.

[Omega]

Dear Aaron:

A little research will show you that Al-Qaeda is a CIA creation. The name itself is a farce (see Arabic translation of Al-Qaida).

Read about Zbignew Brzezinski's role in the coordinating of Mujahadeen fighters in the 70's. See the photos with Brezinski and Bin Laden (his CIA call-name was Tim Osman). Read about his adventures in Pakistan. Or just read his book "The Grand Chessboard" for some real insight into the source of state terrorism.

Then read "The Project for A New American Century", written by Cheney and Co.

Then when you still can't bring yourself to believe that governments can and do deceive the rabble as well as perform false-flag state terrorism, read the declassified document "Operation Northwoods".

And if you are relying on Lawrence Wright's novel for your history of events leading to 9/11 then I respectfully suggest the “Wizard of Oz” as your next selection.

[Carl T]

LawHawkSF...you are what people who use logic and reason call a "sheep". You blindly follow what your government and CNN spoon feeds you. You honestly think the NeoCons care about you and your family? No, they care about power and money. What you fail to realize is your country is on the verge of being hijacked completely by a corrupt and evil entity. Daniel Sunjata knows this, along with many other critical thinking Americans. You call Danial a nutcase, yet he is the one who is clear thinking and whose IQ is light years ahead of yours. Take the wool off your eyes for christ's sake.

[Pat Patterson]

It's simply hard to take anyone seriously when they claim that the PNAC called for a new Pearl Harbor, demands that the RAD be read and then reveal that they themselves have not read the study and its recommendations. On page 51, in reference to expected results from their suggestions, the PNAC declares;

"Further, the process of transformation, even if it brings revolutionary change, is like to be a long one, absent some new catastrophic and catalyzing event--like a new Pearl Harbor."

Only the dishonest or spectacularly gullible could find anything in that passage which suggests the authors called for a new Pearl Harbor.

[Liz]

"Daniel Sunjata knows exactly what he is talking about. He isn't afraid."

But that's just the point, O. He knows damn well he's spouting nonsense, or he'd be hiding in fear of his life from these alleged government conspirators who think nothing of offing U.S. civilians.

If you absolutely must believe in idiotic conspiracies, why not go for Elvis Is Alive or Aliens Built The Pyramids? They're so much more fun & interesting.

Sheesh.

[const]

wow, this guy is certifiably nuts. i guess it proves you can convince oneself of anything. but poor franco/sunjata. they're really clueless.

[adam syed]

Kudos to Daniel Sunjata for having the courage to speak out, and very ingenious that he uses his character in the show also.

Check out Richard Gage and Architects/Engineers for 9/11 truth at ae911truth.org. Watch Mr. Gage's excellent lecture "Blueprint for Truth" which painstakingly and scientifically lays out proof of controlled demolition.

Even the FBI itself has acknowledged that Gage's theory is "interesting" and "backed by thorough research and analysis."

[CW]

It's great to see that the Easter Bunny is real. What a bunch of knuckleheads! Actors! Just read the lines that someone else wrote for you and then be quiet! If you had real access, which you don't have a clearence to have, you would know that it wasn't some grand plan cooked up by Bush. Being a structural engineer (with a top secret clearance) I know why and how those buildings came down and it wasn't from pre-planted explosives like you mental patients think. Please take your meds so you can half-way function in society.

[Lizabeth S. Tucker]

Just the fact that he supported Cynthia McKinney in her bid for the presidency tells me more about Sunjata's logical brain functions than I care to know. As a former resident in psycho McKinney's Georgia arena, I found her narrowminded and self-centered. She too exposed radical, "are you kidding me" theories.

Have we got the whole truth about 9/11 and the destruction of the Towers? Maybe not. Do I think it was an inside job? *snort* Sure, we probably worked with the aliens from Area 51 to focus those space lasers on the buildings to melt them.

[DannyM]

Cheez us, another show I can't watch anymore because I found out one of the main actors is an left wing idiot. When I find out things like this, I can no longer take these people seriously and can no longer watch there shows. If they want to keep there ratings up, they should learn to shut up.

[vertue]

You "conspiracy theorists" deserve the empty suit you voted into office, I do not.
The towers did not implode, they pancaked under their own weight. The raging fire from burning jet fuel from nearly full tanked planes did it. How do you think steel is made? Molten metal,( iron is used along with alloys)so that the combination can be molded in to what ever is needed.

[Jeffrey Jena]

An actor thinks 9/11 was an inside job? Well it must be true! After all he studied at the High School for the Perfoming Arts which I believe is second only to the JFK center at Harvard in the number of policy makers in government service!

Maybe he got an advanced degree from the Rosie O'Donnell School of Diplomacy

Please blog about somethibg more important like Lindsey Lohan's thoughts on TARP or Brad Pitt's musings on the Israel/Gaza conflict.

[el polacko]

boy this article sure brought out the dingbats, didn't it ? the worst and corniest episode of the series was their 9/11 tribute.. sad to see the writers going off the deep end with this kind of garbage.
the series went straight downhill after the first two seasons. has dennis leary lost creative control ??

[Kensington]

"I'm not a fan of "9/11 was an inside job" theories...[b]ut I don't believe that people who believe them are all idiots."

After reading these comments, 99% of which appear to have come from idiots, I have to ask: do you still want to go with that?

What good comes from humoring this repulsive foolishness? It's not harmless, except insofar as it keeps loons preoccupied.

[Pam L]

I'm just sorry so many people want to believe the worst about American people. Sure... considering the empirical evidence supports that the attack was planned for years and carried out by fanatical muslims, I guess then logic supports that Clinton was in on it, and passed on the plans on how to implode the WTC to Bush during the exchange of power in 2000. Does anyone besides me remember first WTC attack?

I'm just feel sorry for all of you who are happy to believe the worst of your neighbors, and you can entertain such a theory. If it was such a huge conspiracy generated by our government, then why did the passengers on Flight 93 fight so hard to enter that cockpit? Why were there even PASSENGERS on the plane? Or is this so called shadow government so huge and immoral, they don't care who they kill? And all these engineers who "proved" the building couldn't collapse based on a plane hitting it, were they in on the conspiracy also?

It doesn't make sense. But I'm sure if we are hit again on Obama's watch, that too will be a conspiracy Bush generated. Open your eyes people, and come back to planet earth. You wont have the "right wing fascist republicans" to blame in 5 days. so get all your rants out now, while there is still time.

[FredW]

... and, by the way, what parts of "JFK" don't you buy? If you read Jim Garrison's book (the basis for the film), it seemed pretty tight to me.

[Ed Dravecky]

I have a hard time getting worked up that a character on a TV show believes in a popular conspiracy theory when the other shows I enjoy feature a guy with all of the CIA's secrets in his head, a magical time-travelling island, or an indestructible cheerleader and a group of superheroes trying to save the world. Just ended, I also tuned in every week to watch a pie maker who can bring the dead back to life with a touch, a lawyer who gets visions from God, and a secret team fighting aliens in another galaxy. Now if you'll pardon me, I'll go back to watching the pilot episode of "The Lone Gunmen" on DVD.