Images taken from my terrace - February 13, 2006
Chemtrails over the
Verrazano Bridge
The chemtrail theory is a group of theories regarding possible anomalous aircraft trails. Such trails are usually referred to as contrails and ascribed to condensation of water vapor in the aircraft exhaust. Proponents of the theories maintain that the trails have an appearance and quality different from those of normal water-based contrails, and are not consistent with the known properties of contrails. The general unifying factor is the belief that some kind of chemical or biological agent is being released, or that it is at least possible.
The term "chemtrail" should not be confused with other forms of aerial dumping (e.g. crop dusting, cloud seeding or aerial firefighting), although the principle is much the same. It specifically refers to alleged covert, systematic, high-altitude dumping of unknown substances generally for some illicit purpose, be it that of Governments, terrorists, private corporations, or all of the above.
Among the theories proposed for the purpose of the alleged "chemtrails": atmospheric and weather modification, biological warfare, mind control, occult purposes, or other functions associated with a New World Order.An article entitled The Chemtrail smoking gun by Bruce Conway, suggested that chemtrails represent the implementation of technologies suggested in a 1992 National Academy of Science study, Policy Implications of Greenhouse Warming; specifically, that chemtrails are part of a secret project intended to mitigate global warming.
Overview
Chemtrails are often said to be laid down in patterns, such as grids, X's and crosshatches.The chemtrail theory apparently first achieved prominence in mid-to-late 1990s. Chemtrails have been discussed on radio programs hosted by Art Bell and Jeff Rense, who frequently deal with other paranormal and conspiratorial topics. According to a FAQ posted at the Rense website, "chemtrails (CTs) look like contrails initially, but are much thicker, extend across the sky and are often laid down in varying patterns of Xs, tick-tack-toe grids, cross-hatched and parallel lines. Instead of quickly dissipating, chemtrails expand and drip feathers and mares' tails. In 30 minutes or less, they open into wispy formations which join together, forming a thin white veil or a 'fake cirrus-type cloud' that persists for hours."
Lacking proper scientific equipment, most chemtrail theorists can only speculate. However, one chemtrail-theory advocate, Clifford E. Carnicom, operator of a website entitled "Aerosol Crimes and Cover-ups," claims to have analyzed ground-level air samples following chemtrail events. It is not clear what his experience or expertise in chemical analysis is, but he carefully detailed the methods and procedures he used. He claims to have found airborne aluminum, barium, calcium, magnesium and titanium, and "microscopic fibers" in areas supposedly exposed to chemtrails.
"Chemtrails" are mentioned in House Bill HR 2977, the Space Preservation Act of 2001, introduced by Congressman Dennis Kucinich, where it appears as one of a list of "exotic weapons system" to be banned under the bill. Proponents of the reality of chemtrails point to this as official acknowledgment of the possibility, at least, of such weapons system. The reference to Chemtrails was omitted from the version of the bill re-introduced by Kucinich in 2002 as HR 3616 or in 2003 as HR 3657.
Skeptical responseSkeptical groups, including the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, assert that contrails normally exhibit a wide variation in appearance and that the descriptions and photographs of "chemtrails" are perfectly consistent with those of ordinary contrails. They also voice various objections to the idea of chemtrails:
- Some skeptics claim it would require a massive cover-up operation involving hundreds of thousands of aviation employees, service businesses, airlines and/or military personnel, atmospheric scientists, and meteorologists all over the world.
- Depending on what the alleged purpose of the chemtrail spraying would be, spray released above 30,000 feet is likely to be highly unpredictably dispersed due to high-altitude winds.
- Assuming drugging the population is the purpose, some ask "why not just drug the water supply for a fraction of the cost"? Drugging the public via chemtrails would surely be extremely expensive and inefficient.
- How do aircraft accused of depositing "chemtrails" manage to pass inspection without the deception being discovered?
- Official and governmental bodies have consistently denied the existence of such spraying - although if such a conspiracy existed, such denials would be expected.
Similar phenomena
Airplanes occasionally jettison fuel during flight, and sometimes even jettison toilet waste. There has been little outcry about these occurrences, however.
Often during airshows, colored smoke trails can be seen. These trails are generated by colour dye in a cartridge at the exhaust of the engine. Fertilizers and pesticides are sprayed over large fields from low flying aircraft. In the Vietnam War, the defoliant Agent Orange was sprayed in order to remove the leaves from the trees.