Comments on: The Trouble with Conspiracy Theories… http://pjmedia.com/blog/the_trouble_with_conspiracy_th/ Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:11:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Dietrich http://pjmedia.com/blog/the_trouble_with_conspiracy_th/#comment-21375 Dietrich Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:32:56 +0000 http://dev.pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-trouble-with-conspiracy-theories/#comment-21375 In order to believe the official conspiracy theory, you must believe that hijacked jet airliners can take leisurely hour-long tours of the northeast air corridor. Deceased golfer Payne Stewart's plane suffered rapid depressurization on takeoff. It was merely a Gulfstream IV, but was joined by fighter jets inside of 20 minutes. To not cast an eye of suspicion towards the official 9/11 tale takes much effort. One has to ignore the fact that it is literally admitted that the US Gov't lied us into Vietnam with the Tonkin incident. Vietnam saw over 58,000 US soldiers killed, so why blanche at an incident that killed under 3,000? Supere Aude: "Dare to know." In the age of the internet, it's more like, "Choose to know," since the information is all there, from scholarly sources: <a href="http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=408" rel="nofollow">http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=408</a> In order to believe the official conspiracy theory, you must believe that hijacked jet airliners can take leisurely hour-long tours of the northeast air corridor.

Deceased golfer Payne Stewart’s plane suffered rapid depressurization on takeoff. It was merely a Gulfstream IV, but was joined by fighter jets inside of 20 minutes.

To not cast an eye of suspicion towards the official 9/11 tale takes much effort. One has to ignore the fact that it is literally admitted that the US Gov’t lied us into Vietnam with the Tonkin incident. Vietnam saw over 58,000 US soldiers killed, so why blanche at an incident that killed under 3,000?

Supere Aude: “Dare to know.” In the age of the internet, it’s more like, “Choose to know,” since the information is all there, from scholarly sources:

http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=408

]]> By: pajamasmediafreeofcorporatecontrol http://pjmedia.com/blog/the_trouble_with_conspiracy_th/#comment-21374 pajamasmediafreeofcorporatecontrol Sun, 03 Feb 2008 03:51:10 +0000 http://dev.pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-trouble-with-conspiracy-theories/#comment-21374 nice blockbuster and spidey ads. nice blockbuster and spidey ads.

]]> By: Terrence Brown http://pjmedia.com/blog/the_trouble_with_conspiracy_th/#comment-21373 Terrence Brown Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:21:13 +0000 http://dev.pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-trouble-with-conspiracy-theories/#comment-21373 See also www.counterknowledge.com. There seems to be something of a movement against conspiracy loving fruitcakes. See also http://www.counterknowledge.com. There seems to be something of a movement against conspiracy loving fruitcakes.

]]> By: Curly Smith http://pjmedia.com/blog/the_trouble_with_conspiracy_th/#comment-21372 Curly Smith Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:46:29 +0000 http://dev.pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-trouble-with-conspiracy-theories/#comment-21372 I think a lot of the desire to believe in conspiracy theories is a defense mechanism. In two of them, the JFK assassination and the 9/11 attack, we simply don't want to believe that the actions of one or a few indidividuals can so dramatically impact our society. We don't want to believe that Oswald acted alone, that he and he alone, was able to assassinate our President and possibly change the course of the country. We don't want to believe that 19 hijackers of civilian airplanes could kill 3000 people and came very close to kill a whole bunch more (how many would have died if the towers had collapsed on impact?). We want to believe that the results stem from the actions of a very large, well funded, intimately connected cabal. Or, we have to realize that a few people in the right place, whether from luck or planning, can kill a lot of people. We have to realize that government is generally fairly ineffective before the fact but can respond effectively after the fact. We have to realize that our safety is our responsibility... and that's a bit scary for a bunch of folks. I think a lot of the desire to believe in conspiracy theories is a defense mechanism. In two of them, the JFK assassination and the 9/11 attack, we simply don’t want to believe that the actions of one or a few indidividuals can so dramatically impact our society. We don’t want to believe that Oswald acted alone, that he and he alone, was able to assassinate our President and possibly change the course of the country. We don’t want to believe that 19 hijackers of civilian airplanes could kill 3000 people and came very close to kill a whole bunch more (how many would have died if the towers had collapsed on impact?). We want to believe that the results stem from the actions of a very large, well funded, intimately connected cabal. Or, we have to realize that a few people in the right place, whether from luck or planning, can kill a lot of people. We have to realize that government is generally fairly ineffective before the fact but can respond effectively after the fact. We have to realize that our safety is our responsibility… and that’s a bit scary for a bunch of folks.

]]> By: Brian H http://pjmedia.com/blog/the_trouble_with_conspiracy_th/#comment-21371 Brian H Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:11:48 +0000 http://dev.pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-trouble-with-conspiracy-theories/#comment-21371 Hoo, boy. You really got an answer to your call for the 911 nutters, didn't you? The 911 conspiracy is at the very least a case of wallowing in complex stupidity, but may be more malign than that. But at least it serves as a catchbasin for emotional and intellectual cripples. Hoo, boy. You really got an answer to your call for the 911 nutters, didn’t you?

The 911 conspiracy is at the very least a case of wallowing in complex stupidity, but may be more malign than that. But at least it serves as a catchbasin for emotional and intellectual cripples.

]]> By: Jebediah Reed http://pjmedia.com/blog/the_trouble_with_conspiracy_th/#comment-21370 Jebediah Reed Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:41:53 +0000 http://dev.pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-trouble-with-conspiracy-theories/#comment-21370 > Those are just the "comfortable" ones. There was the Business Plot in the '30s -- a coup planned by a group of right-wing moneyed folks who didn't care for FDR and were perfectly happy to sweep aside our Constitution. And, as I pointed out in the article, there's a very strong case to made that the series of apartment bombings in Moscow in 1999 that brought Putin into power and led him to relaunch the war in Chechnya were planned and perpetrated by the FSB. (David Satter, former Moscow bureau chief for the FT wrote a very persuasive book on the matter called Darkness at Dawn (Yale Press).) The trick is both to be intellectually honest enough to recognize the uncomfortable ones and intellectually sober enough not to start seeing them where they don't exist... >

Those are just the “comfortable” ones. There was the Business Plot in the ’30s — a coup planned by a group of right-wing moneyed folks who didn’t care for FDR and were perfectly happy to sweep aside our Constitution. And, as I pointed out in the article, there’s a very strong case to made that the series of apartment bombings in Moscow in 1999 that brought Putin into power and led him to relaunch the war in Chechnya were planned and perpetrated by the FSB. (David Satter, former Moscow bureau chief for the FT wrote a very persuasive book on the matter called Darkness at Dawn (Yale Press).)

The trick is both to be intellectually honest enough to recognize the uncomfortable ones and intellectually sober enough not to start seeing them where they don’t exist…

]]> By: lrey http://pjmedia.com/blog/the_trouble_with_conspiracy_th/#comment-21369 lrey Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:15:30 +0000 http://dev.pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-trouble-with-conspiracy-theories/#comment-21369 Why must a person seeking credible answers for obvious questions be considered a "nut". An obvious conspiracy occurred on 911 and there are many accusations but little evidence that supports the official version of events. The destruction of the Towers is not adequately,or I think, correctly explained by the 911 Commission. Building 7 is ignored altogether. The fact that Boston, New York (arguably the most important city in the world), Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburg, Washington D.C., nuclear power plants, dams, bridges, Norfolk Naval Base etc. were conveniently left unprotected by Norad whose primary duty is to protect our airspace on the day the terrorist chose to act, deserves questioning. Whole surveillance systems failed to surveil anything, and the laws of physics were held in abeyance on that particular day. We have video of alleged perpetrators getting lap dances but none of the Pentagon incident. The police and investigative forces of the country almost immediately traced the responsibility to ObL while not providing one iota of forensic evidence adequate for a court trial. It amazes me that there are some who ridicule those who only request answers to basic questions. Why is it nutty to question the official version? Why are academics and scientists respected in fields of study relevant to the phenomena of 911 so discounted? They advance peer reviewed research and facts, but merely being contrary to the official story makes them lunatics. When my questions are answered I will return to the sanity you think I have abandoned. Why must a person seeking credible answers for obvious questions be considered a “nut”. An obvious conspiracy occurred on 911 and there are many accusations but little evidence that supports the official version of events. The destruction of the Towers is not adequately,or I think, correctly explained by the 911 Commission. Building 7 is ignored altogether. The fact that Boston, New York (arguably the most important city in the world), Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburg, Washington D.C., nuclear power plants, dams, bridges, Norfolk Naval Base etc. were conveniently left unprotected by Norad whose primary duty is to protect our airspace on the day the terrorist chose to act, deserves questioning. Whole surveillance systems failed to surveil anything, and the laws of physics were held in abeyance on that particular day. We have video of alleged perpetrators getting lap dances but none of the Pentagon incident. The police and investigative forces of the country almost immediately traced the responsibility to ObL while not providing one iota of forensic evidence adequate for a court trial. It amazes me that there are some who ridicule those who only request answers to basic questions. Why is it nutty to question the official version? Why are academics and scientists respected in fields of study relevant to the phenomena of 911 so discounted? They advance peer reviewed research and facts, but merely being contrary to the official story makes them lunatics. When my questions are answered I will return to the sanity you think I have abandoned.

]]> By: Dom http://pjmedia.com/blog/the_trouble_with_conspiracy_th/#comment-21368 Dom Thu, 31 Jan 2008 05:02:27 +0000 http://dev.pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-trouble-with-conspiracy-theories/#comment-21368 Curly Smith points out another wonderful aspect of conspiracy theories: The conspirators are assumed to possess magical powers in general and in particular a supreme ability to coordinate their misdeeds with a precision beyond the reach of the rest of us. Oh Boy, I wish a was a conspirator! Curly Smith points out another wonderful aspect of conspiracy theories: The conspirators are assumed to possess magical powers in general and in particular a supreme ability to coordinate their misdeeds with a precision beyond the reach of the rest of us. Oh Boy, I wish a was a conspirator!

]]> By: Curly Smith http://pjmedia.com/blog/the_trouble_with_conspiracy_th/#comment-21367 Curly Smith Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:29:02 +0000 http://dev.pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-trouble-with-conspiracy-theories/#comment-21367 I've always thought that the best conspiracy theory involved the Middle East. It's been a constant amazement that the benevolent leaders of the various countries would have established democracy, freedom, liberty, and prosperity beyond all measure except, at the very last minute, one of the zero Jews in their country stepped in and thwarted the government's plan. The nonexistent Jew with absolutely zero power thwarted the mighty Arab empire. You don't have to be John Lennon to Imagine. It's a tough call if you're an Arab. Is the poverty, degradation, and outright misery the result of corrupt leaders or is it the SuperJew? A full investigation says it's the SuperJew. Unfortunately for the Arabs, every Jew is a SuperJew and they're everywhere and nowhere. When they're not there they have the most power, except for those times where they're there. Maybe it's just me but I'm thinking that blaming the Jews and the United States for all your troubles isn't the best plan... I’ve always thought that the best conspiracy theory involved the Middle East. It’s been a constant amazement that the benevolent leaders of the various countries would have established democracy, freedom, liberty, and prosperity beyond all measure except, at the very last minute, one of the zero Jews in their country stepped in and thwarted the government’s plan. The nonexistent Jew with absolutely zero power thwarted the mighty Arab empire. You don’t have to be John Lennon to Imagine.

It’s a tough call if you’re an Arab. Is the poverty, degradation, and outright misery the result of corrupt leaders or is it the SuperJew? A full investigation says it’s the SuperJew. Unfortunately for the Arabs, every Jew is a SuperJew and they’re everywhere and nowhere. When they’re not there they have the most power, except for those times where they’re there. Maybe it’s just me but I’m thinking that blaming the Jews and the United States for all your troubles isn’t the best plan…

]]> By: SourDove http://pjmedia.com/blog/the_trouble_with_conspiracy_th/#comment-21366 SourDove Thu, 31 Jan 2008 03:34:35 +0000 http://dev.pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-trouble-with-conspiracy-theories/#comment-21366 I heard some people believe that Osama conspired with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to plan and finance the attacks. Is that a conspiracy theory? Do good writers care what words mean? I heard some people believe that Osama conspired with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to plan and finance the attacks. Is that a conspiracy theory? Do good writers care what words mean?

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