I was standing in a parking lot in Florida. I was talking to a CIA CS operative. The second plane had just hit the WTC. On that day and at that time my friend knew more about what was happening that most people do today. Interesting, frightening, and more than a little sad, that.

What do we know about 9/11? And what have we done about it over the past decade and a half? The substantive answer to both is, “nothing”. I’ve recently mentioned that, here and here.

In reality 9/11 and the ensuing federal response have done three things: it’s given state-worshipers another day to wave flags and talk tough in most delusional fashion; it’s allowed the government unprecedented power, and; it has enriched the special elite via spending of astronomical proportions.

That’s about all. From those root effects we have received: constant (and pointless) wars; loss of civil liberties; acceptance of a police state; debts which can never be repaid; inflation and loss of income opportunity (at a time when the opportunity is most needed); a loss of credibility and even likability around the world, and; more terrorism – here, not “over there”.

The terrorists keep coming. Last week ISIS grossly underestimated its own capability and man-power in Europe. Last night I read that Germany admitted as much, for their part.

BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s interior minister has warned that the country is home to more than 500 Islamic militants who could be capable of carrying out assaults on their own or as members of “hit teams.”

Speaking in an interview with Bild newspaper, Thomas de Maiziere said there were currently at least 520 “potential attackers” in the country, which has been on edge since two Islamic State-inspired attacks in July.

He said another 360 “relevant” people were known to police because of their close proximity to the potential attackers.

Many Germans fear that fighters belonging to the Islamic State jihadist group could have slipped into Germany with the roughly one million of refugees from Syria, North Africa and Asia who arrived last year.

Notice how the number, just within the beginning of this story, grew immediately from “more than 500”, to 520, and the to 880? It nearly doubled in three short paragraphs. The fourth paragraph has the dangerous number – “roughly one million”. One million is “more than 500”. And, those numbers are active – bombing, shooting, hacking, slashing, trucking, robbing, rioting, and raping.

They’re in America too. Geography and the police state might mean their numbers are a little lower here and their course of action a little slower. They also know they’re up against 150 Million gun owners too. Still, it’s a problem and one that we didn’t have before.

Just remember that the terrorism is a byproduct of the three roots, maybe the most visible. We need to stamp it out but we also need to get to the bottom of the underlying issues. Hell, we need to get started on those. For all the talk about “never forget” it’s interesting that we never knew to begin with.

In fifteen years we have destroyed a handful of countries that had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks. God only knows how many people are dead, injured, and displaced. (He’s watching, if you recall). We’ve spent at least $20 Trillion we didn’t have. We have stupidly embraced the new and meaningless Amerika.

I want the old America back.

Lower Manhattan from NY Harbor, circa 1990. Perrin Lovett.

We need a real investigation, an independent investigation. The Saudis, the Israelis, and the Pakistanis (and some in Europe even) deserve special consideration. An even closer examination is in order for a small sect of the Washington-New York power elite.

I’m not sure my sentiment is shared. I don’t know if Americans could handle the truth or if they even want it. What if some of our “allies” and our own “leaders” were implicated? I, of course, would favor rope. I suspect the masses would favor more entertainment and less truth. The extent to which the criminal class has gone to prevent an investigation and to obscure the facts speaks volumes. Volumes most will never read.

It might as well be 1,500 years.