Conspiracy theories

And the truth will set you free

The Oxford English Dictionary defines “conspiracy theory” as “a belief that some secret but influential organization is responsible for an event or phenomenon.” With all due respect to this esteemed reference work, I propose an updated definition: A conspiracy theory is any explanation for an event or phenomenon that contradicts the establishment’s point of view.

Consider rule number five, from Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals: 5. “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions.

The notion of “conspiracy theory” as a pejorative term was introduced after the assassination of JFK in November, 1963. Not long after his murder, all sorts of theories were proffered that ran contrary to the official line of the Feds and the Warren Commission (published in September, 1964).

This extent of public doubt over the Government’s version of events was unprecedented. Moreover, theories which cast blame on the CIA, right-wing forces, the Mafia, and other groups not only stood to undermine faith in the Government, they also worked—to a lesser extent—in shattering the ridiculous mythology of the “Camelot” JFK administration.

In fact, contrary to the fawning media coverage, John F. Kennedy had plenty of enemies—that were created for a host of reasons. Some resented his heavily air-brushed personal history, the voter fraud that secured his election, and his shameless philandering. Others resented his opposition to the awful school prayer court decisions, which he rightly condemned as leading the nation down the wrong path.

Far better for him to be mourned, dead, buried, and not so slowly forgotten. Still, a bigger issue than the Kennedy assassination was the inescapable fact that too many people were simply not drinking the Kool-Aid dispensed by official sources.

Which brings us to the oft-expressed notion that the CIA at least popularized the term, and assuredly pushed its use as a pejorative. One need only consult this CIA memo, entitled “CIA Document 1035-960 Concerning Criticism of the Warren Report.” There is little doubt that the agency was pushing hard to condemn and mock any and all criticism of the Report.

Not surprisingly, it was suggested that the CIA itself invented the term “conspiracy theory,” but cynics would note that this notion could very likely have been propaganda issued by the agency, as an easy target to criticize. Thus, the very meta proposition that linking the term “conspiracy theory” to the CIA is in fact…a conspiracy theory!

It will be helpful to introduce two more concepts. Occam’s Razor states, in essence, that the simplest compatible explanation is the most probable. Inductive reasoning is a method of drawing conclusions by going from the specific to the general. Contrast that with deductive reasoning, which goes from general information to specific conclusions.

Note that inductive reasoning often makes people uncomfortable, since repugnant conclusions might be drawn.

Given the George Floyd death inspired riots, which caused some fatalities, as well as billions of dollars in property damage, and the fact that much of this destruction was let to occur unabated by official forces, an inescapable conclusion is that the Government encouraged the violence.

One will observe that no definitive information has ever appeared on any mass shooting, and that there are inevitably unexplained issues that go unresolved. Yet, the most important precept always is that more gun control is necessary. And, that precept is proclaimed loudly and rapidly, before nearly anything else.

In the recent Texas school shooting, it is most troubling that local law enforcement did nothing for well over an hour, and is now refusing to cooperate with an investigation into their performance. How did the unemployed perp acquire thousands of dollars worth of weapons and ammo? The perp was well-known as troubled, but nothing was done about it—or something WAS going to be done…next week.

Given that the performance of official bodies during these shootings is forever the same, not to mention the alacrity with which these bodies jump on the gun control/gun confiscation narrative, is it not a reasonable conclusion that the Government is encouraging mass shootings, to achieve its own ends of gun confiscation?

Given the overbearing, if not overtly fascist methods used to combat COVID-19, which are only now being harshly criticized, along with rampant inflation and baby formula shortages, can one conclude that there is a sinister motive afoot?

But, that would be a conspiracy theory.