Physicist bolsters 9/11 conspiracy views

BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A Utah physics professor has become a hero to those who believe the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, were somehow orchestrated by the United States.

Steven Jones, who has been on leave from Brigham University since he published a paper that suggests explosives must have helped bring down New York's World Trade Center, was one of three speakers on a panel at the University of Colorado, the Denver Post reported Monday.

Jones believes the collapse of the twin towers resembles what happens in a controlled demolition. He said that World Trade Center 7, which collapsed hours after the towers, came down in 6.5 seconds -- only slightly longer than a steel ball bearing dropped from the top of the building would have taken to reach the ground.

On the other side, experts point out planting large quantities of explosives would have been an enormous operation and that explosives would have started detonating soon after the planes hit. The twin towers stood for about an hour.

Jones acknowledges that his scenario would require government involvement.

"It's a thought that I admit has made me lose some sleep," Jones said.