It's claimed by some researchers that the American air defence system was given a "stand down" order on 9/11, in order that the attacks would be successful. If you find it hard to believe a military sworn to protect the nation would abandon that duty, and subsequently cover it up, then you're not alone. But there is, we're told, an explanation. Dick Cheney was in charge of NORAD on 9/11, and he used this opportunity to ensure it could not do its job:
Big claims, but for evidence we have to look a little further back. One early devotee of the "Cheney in charge" theory was Mike Ruppert, whose From The Wilderness site offers more detail on the allegations here:
This seems a little clearer, although it's still not exactly proof. Cheney being given the task of overseeing the "Office of National Preparedness" surely doesn't demonstrate that he was personally involved with everything they did. Still, at least we now have a reference to the mandate that supposedly gave Cheney all this power. Here’s what it says.
Statement by the President
Domestic Preparedness Against Weapons of Mass Destruction
Protecting America's homeland and citizens from the threat of weapons of mass destruction is one of our Nation's important national security challenges. Today, more nations possess chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons than ever before. Still others seek to join them. Most troubling of all, the list of these countries includes some of the world's least-responsible states -- states for whom terror and blackmail are a way of life. Some non-state terrorist groups have also demonstrated an interest in acquiring weapons of mass destruction.
Against this backdrop, it is clear that the threat of chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons being used against the United States -- while not immediate -- is very real. That is why our Nation actively seeks to deny chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons to those seeking to acquire them. That is why, together with our allies, we seek to deter anyone who would contemplate their use. And that is also why we must ensure that our Nation is prepared to defend against the harm they can inflict.
Should our efforts to reduce the threat to our country from weapons of mass destruction be less than fully successful, prudence dictates that the United States be fully prepared to deal effectively with the consequences of such a weapon being used here on our soil.
Today, numerous Federal departments and agencies have programs to deal with the consequences of a potential use of a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapon in the United States. Many of these Federal programs offer training, planning, and assistance to state and local governments. But to maximize their effectiveness, these efforts need to be seamlessly integrated, harmonious, and comprehensive.
Therefore, I have asked Vice President Cheney to oversee the development of a coordinated national effort so that we may do the very best possible job of protecting our people from catastrophic harm. I have also asked Joe Allbaugh, the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to create an Office of National Preparedness. This Office will be responsible for implementing the results of those parts of the national effort overseen by Vice President Cheney that deal with consequence management. Specifically it will coordinate all Federal programs dealing with weapons of mass destruction consequence management within the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, Justice, and Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other federal agencies. The Office of National Preparedness will work closely with state and local governments to ensure their planning, training, and equipment needs are addressed. FEMA will also work closely with the Department of Justice, in its lead role for crisis management, to ensure that all facets of our response to the threat from weapons of mass destruction are coordinated and cohesive. I will periodically chair a meeting of the National Security Council to review these efforts.
No governmental responsibility is more fundamental than protecting the physical safety of our Nation and its citizens. In today's world, this obligation includes protection against the use of weapons of mass destruction. I look forward to working closely with Congress so that together we can meet this challenge.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/05/20010508.html
There's nothing about NORAD here. The order mentions the Department of Defence, yes, but only in connection with “programs dealing with weapons of mass destruction consequence management “. This seems to be more about planning and training for what might happen if a WMD were to be used in a US city. To claim this let Cheney take charge of NORAD exercises on 9/11 is reaching, to put it politely. So how does Ruppert justify it?
This press release was issued May 8, 2001, about a month prior to the change in NORAD’s intercept protocols. While a bit vague in some areas, it does establish certain things. Dick Cheney was charged to oversee the creation of an approach that was “seamlessly integrated and harmonious.” He was also placed in a supervisory management role over the activities of the entire effort, which were operational under FEMA’s supreme command. “Planning and training” were specifically addressed so this would automatically include war game exercises like Tripod II and all the NORAD/Joint Chiefs wargames of 9/11: Vigilant Guardian, Vigilant Warrior, Northern Vigilance, etc.
Page 414, Crossing the Rubicon, Mike Ruppert
Ruppert places great weight on the talk of “planning and training”, but those words occur in this context (from the above link):
Today, numerous Federal departments and agencies have programs to deal with the consequences of a potential use of a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapon in the United States. Many of these Federal programs offer training, planning, and assistance to state and local governments. But to maximize their effectiveness, these efforts need to be seamlessly integrated, harmonious, and comprehensive.
So the mandate is talking about planning and training that relates to “programs to deal with the consequences of a potential use of a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapon in the United States” (our emphasis). It’s disaster planning, not NORAD exercises.
This isn't just our view, either. In April 2002 the House of Representatives held a hearing to discuss the new Office, and here's the background they provided:
Again, this is all about helping first responders. It's consequence management, ensuring that the emergency services and other organisations can respond to such disasters properly. And note that the ONP isn't about somehow taking over and running exercises itself. This is more about coordinating what's already out there, and making sure it's working in the most efficient and economical way. Please don't just believe us, follow the link and read the testimonies from various witnesses for yourself.
And then review the reason this page exists:
Even a cursory inspection of the Office of National Preparedness reveals its creation did not give "direct control of all wargame and drill operations" to anyone. There's no reason whatsoever to believe that Cheney "was solely in charge of the overlapping NORAD drills and wargames on the morning of 9/11", and we'd dispute the claim that they "prevented Standard Operating Procedure from being implemented, and any of the hijacked planes being intercepted", too (though that's another story). The allegations may look significant, but look at the details and it's plain they're based on semantics and assumptions stretched to breaking point: there's no real substance here whatsoever.