9-11 and the Iraq invasion: Conspiracy theories?

[Q]

When someone tells you that something is just a 'conspiracy theory...they're probably right. But do they even know what a conspiracy theory is?

conspiracy

n 1: a secret agreement between two or more people to perform an unlawful act. 2: a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act (especially a political plot). 3: a group of conspirators banded together to achieve some harmful or illegal purpose.

theory

n 1: a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena; "theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses".

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A 'conspiracy' doesn't have to involve more than two people conspiring to 'perform a harmful or illegal act'. The fact that it's a 'secret agreement' makes it difficult to expose to the light of day.

A conspiracy theory is nothing more than a theory about a conspiracy. If someone refers to questions about their actions as a conspiracy theory, it basically shows they have something to hide.

When politicians label Moore's F911 as nothing more than a conspiracy theory...it demonstrates that they're trying to cut off all further discussion about it instead of simply answering direct questions.

We've been programmed to automatically dismiss anything labeled as a conspiracy theory. Bush said something very unusual immediately after 9-11 when he pleaded with Americans not to believe all the conspiracy theories floating around that somehow his government 'allowed' it to happen. That put an end to most speculation because no one wants to be associated with those 'nuts' who ask questions the media won't ask.

It is true that some theories are out of touch with reality...like those espousing that a nuclear explosion caused the eventual destruction in Asia. But that's not a conspiracy theory as much as it is ignorance looking for an audience.

You can always discern between a conspiracy theory and ignorance because a conspiracy theory will always contain a certain number of facts looking for relationships. For instance: it's a FACT that the Bush government did nothing as America was warned of impending terrorism and hijackers rammed airliners into the the WTC and Pentagon. But it's a theory as to WHY they did nothing.

That's why the Bush government refers to questions about 9-11 as conspiracy theories. They want YOU to concentrate on the terrorist event without questioning why they did nothing to try to stop it.

So please don't automatically dismiss conspiracy theories because they can't be proven to your satisfaction right now. Remember the definition of a conspiracy and realize that its very nature is one of secrecy. It's not paranoia to wonder why so many questions remained unanswered in a supposedly open society. You can expect to be called a conspiracy nut if you ask questions about 9-11 and the reasons for the Iraq invasion. But don't let that discourage you wanting to know the whole truth.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

1. Iran-Contra was a conspiracy at the highest levels, and the theory

was that the highest levels knew nothing about it. Then again, the theory was so strong, and had so much credibility that congressional hearings were held on it. Sooooo, I guess a theory can have a basis in reality, if enough patriotic people lose their fear and do what is right for their country. One of those people was John Kerry.

Tell me... is it a conspiracy that shrub has appointed so many criminals to positions in his little organization?? I think not.

http://www.oldamericancentury.org/bushco/bushcontra.htm
George Bush Jr. has appointed numerous felons and others from the Iran Contra scandal to prominent positions in his current administration. He has suspiciously appointed Iran-contra insider, Lee Hamilton, to head the 9-11 investigation after a failed attempt to appoint wanted war criminal Henry Kissinger. His advisors in Latin American affairs are none other than Otto reich and Roger Noriega. Both implicated in Iran-contra and behind the recent coup in Haiti. Some people may not really be all that clued in on what happened during the Iran-Contra scandal. So I decided to put together this timely graphic in effort to explain what happened and why his dealings with these people, at a time when government honesty is so crucial, should be held under close scrutiny.

Iran Contra Cover up Video Clips for those of you who are too young to remember what all the flap was about.
http://www.oldamericancentury.org/Cover%20Up%20-%20The%20Iran%20Contra%20Affair%20-%201.wmv

http://www.oldamericancentury.org/cover%20up%202.wmv

[Q]

2. Amazing...isn't it?

I can't decide if it's that Americans have a short memory span or that the American media intentionally keeps these stories out of the headlines for the sake of the politicians.

But one thing is for sure: with today's 24 hour news and short news cycles...it's very easy to turn America's attention away from one scandal and lead them to another.

It seems that most of Bush's staff is recycled from the Reagan and Bush I administrations. Many of them have are indeed felons and have a history of working behind the scenes to do the bidding of the Bush Family and others.

It's also strange that one of the worst liars and criminals to come out of Iraq/Contra is Ollie North...who has become a millionaire and icon of the Republican party.

By the way: I love the name of your linked site - Project for an Old American Century.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. Ollie North is quite a piece

of work.... to be sure.

From Freeperville.... found on a google search... shocking... I guess a few of them can think for themselves.

http://209.157.64.200/focus/f-news/916418/posts
To: WhiskeyPapa
He's a bum, and no one should be fooled by him.

I could never understand why Fox would employ a man with such a questionable past. Of well, most of the other felons from that blemish on our character have landed in rather important, and secretive, positions of power.
6 posted on 05/23/2003 6:50:05 AM PDT by steve50

To: cgk
"I was provided with additional input that was radically different from the truth. I assisted in furthering that version." -Colonel Oliver North, from his Iran-Contra testimony
7 posted on 05/23/2003 6:53:30 AM PDT by sakic

To: cricket
Getting off on a technicality is not exactly the standard the Marine Corps wants its officers to maintain. North did divert money to his personal use, he did do all the other things.

It doesn't say much for anyone who would defend him on the basis that his conviction was overturned on appeal.

It wouldn't seem very supportive of traditional conservative values, either.

Walt

[mattclearing]

4. I always thought that mention of conspiracy theory was kind of telling.

At the time (this was his joint session speech only days later), I thought to myself, "Who said anything about conspiracy?"

[bobthedrummer]

5. Does anyone believe that the sole assassin of John Fitzgerald Kennedy

was Lee Harvey Oswald? That was a coup of sorts imho-just like 9/11 was LIHOP at a minimum--LIHOP.