Myth #4: Conspiracy theorists believe in UFOs / Aliens / Apollo Moon / Holocaust denial
This is a straw man and an ad hominem fallacy. Not all conspiracy theorists believe in the same things, nor does believing in aliens invalidate their arguments on other theories. The only thing linking these things is that they are all perceived to be conspiracy theories. Each should be evaluated on its own merits. However, if a theorist bases their beliefs on poor argumentation, then other conspiracy theorists may want to distance themselves from him/her or question that theorist's ability to support their own ideas. Many such people are accused of being deliberately planted to discredit other theories, a technique called the 'poisoned well'. The media then proceeds to discredit an entire investigative movement based on a few silly theories - a strawman attack. When the media lumps anybody who doesn't trust the government version of 9-11 into the category of flat earthers and holocaust deniers, any real conspiracy there might have been is given the ultimate defense. Namely, a pre-emptive, universal ad hominem on anyone who would dare talk about it publicly, the archetypal 'tin foil hatter'.
How CIA Invented the Term “Conspiracy Theory” to Discredit You
The term conspiracy theory brings to mind all kinds of connotations that range from outlandish to crazy. These associations with the phrase were intentional and exactly what the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) intended.
According to Zero Hedge, the term Conspiracy Theory was created by the CIA in 1967 as a way to discredit anyone who dared to challenge their official version of the truth (1).
How It All Started
It seems that the Conspiracy Theory CIA brainchild was first revealed in a 1976 dispatch.
This communication was marked “Psych” and “CS”. The psych abbreviation referred to psychological operations or what is better known in the modern world as disinformation. The CS was the abbreviation used for their Clandestine Services unit.
Why was a dispatch sent out? According to Zero Hedge, it was generated in “response to a Freedom of Information Act request by the New York Times in 1976.”
The dispatch first discussed how concerning this trend of requests was to the organization as well as the US government. The missive went on to explain the purpose of the dispatch, which was to “provide material countering and discrediting the claims of the conspiracy theorists, so as to inhibit the circulation of such claims in other countries.”
This was followed by an explanation that the background information could be found in the classified section as well as unclassified documents attached to the dispatch.
If there wasn’t any discussion already taking place, then the question of it being a conspiracy wasn’t to be brought up. Only where a discussion was underway was the conspiracy question to be inserted and used to create doubt.
How to Insert Conspiracy Theories
The first directive was to discuss how this was a publicity problem with “friendly elite contacts (especially politicians and editors).”
This directive was aimed at gaining the support needed to change the narrative into one of conspiracy.
Instructions included:
Point out a thorough investigation [official investigation of the relevant event] was conducted “as humanly possible.”
Critics’ allegations are without “serious foundation”.
To continue “speculative discussion” only helps “the opposition”.
“Point out also that parts of the conspiracy talk appear to be deliberately generated by … propagandists.”
“Urge them to use their influence to discourage unfounded and irresponsible speculation.”
Critic Attack Strategy
The next step was to “employ propaganda assets“. The sole purpose of these “assets” was to refute anything the critics had to say. Some of the disturbing tactics included:
“Book reviews and feature articles are particularly appropriate for this purpose.”
Whenever applicable, the asset was to discredit by claiming the critic was “wedded to theories adopted before the evidence was in.”
Critics were to be attacked as having political interests for their viewpoints.
Another tactic was to claim the critic had a financial interest.
One way to discredit a critic was to claim they were “hasty and inaccurate in their research”.
And the icing on the discrediting cake was to claim that the critic was “infatuated with their own theories”.
Attacks on the Media
The dispatch also covered how to assault any writer or publication that disagreed with the official narrative.
“No significant new evidence has emerged which the Commission did not consider.”
“Critics usually overvalue particular items and ignore others.”
Critics value and emphasize “recollections of individual witnesses”. The dispatch explains how this can be used to elaborate that witness testimony is “less reliable and more divergent”.
Talking point that a conspiracy “on the large scale often suggested” is impossible to hide with so many people involved and too expensive to pay informants to remain silent.
Point out that the “intellectual pride” of some critics entices them to connect with a theory. This fuels them to “scoff at the Commission because it did not always answer every question with a flat decision one way or the other.”
Deflate charges of a Commission rush job on the report by stating it came out three months after the original deadline. Blame Commission speeding up report on “pressure of irresponsible speculation” as well as the same critics refusing to admit error and voicing new criticisms.
Vague accusations “can always be explained in some natural way.”
Making It Law
Perhaps the most troubling aspect of the conspiracy theory initiative is how ingrained it became into US law.
Zero Hedge examined this in depth, discovering that judges are “trained to look at conspiracy allegations as just another legal claim to be disproven or proven based on the specific evidence.”
“Federal and all 50 states” have codes that include statutes and punishments for anyone committing a conspiracy.
Law schools teach conspiracy law as a “fundamental legal concept”.
Accuse Conspiracy and Escape Detection
The creation of conspiracy theory has been so well-executed with the indoctrination of the average American.
Anything tagged conspiracy theory is automatically discredited. A conspiracy theorist is considered unhinged or at the very least, delusional and misguided.
When this stereotype is backed up with conspiracy theory law, it allows real conspiracies to remain hidden. This one phrase taints and discredits whistleblowers and anyone else seeking to expose the truth.
TOP PATHOLOGIST CLAIMS CORONAVIRUS IS “THE GREATEST HOAX EVER PERPETRATED ON AN UNSUSPECTING PUBLIC”
Presenting your favored side of a widely, hotly, debated scientific issue and presenting it as the be all end all truth isn't based in critical thinking, logic, or anything of the sort. It is, however, the epitome of nightmarish, orwellian authoritarianism. The fact of the matter is, there is more evidence to the contrary, especially in the decades before this became a political issue, casting more doubt on any recent studies than anything in the past.
I am a sceptic's sceptic. A debunker buster. Debunker of pseudoseptic duh-bunk-turds. You will not intimidate me or win in a debate via disinformation, when you are demonstrably incorrect. Your hubris and overreach will be your downfall. #DebateMeGetBodied
DEBUNKED CLAIM: Republicans caught conspiring to commit mass election fraud in Pennsylvania - Trump Haters and Hyper-Partisan Dems Are The Ones Being Willfully Ignorant
While this Alabama based AL.com poll is technically not scientific, with the better part of 200,000 responses at the early the next morning post debate time of this post, consisting of large numbers for each candidate, is certainly nothing to sneeze at.
Newly-resurfaced video from decades ago lends support to allegations against Joe Biden; insight from journalist Rich McHugh. - The Legacy Media Is Taking a Pounding Over its Coverup of Tara Reade Allegations Against Joe Biden - Joe Biden accuser Tara Reade speaks out
Newly-resurfaced video from decades ago lends support to allegations against Joe Biden; insight from journalist Rich McHugh. - The Legacy Media Is Taking a Pounding Over its Coverup of Tara Reade Allegations Against Joe Biden - Joe Biden accuser Tara Reade speaks out http://trumpisright.blogspot.com/2020/04/newly-resurfaced-video-from-decades-ago.html
The transparent cover-up by Biden and the Dems regarding all this just adds a further nail in the coffin of the entire Russian narrative, which really amounts to another seditious coup attempt. This fact alone should be a catalyst for a 2020 red wave that washes away the corruption that has become a metastasizing cancer on the so-called Party of the People.
FACTCHECK using two left wing sources! Biden denying the super predator comment in relation to blacks and the crime bill is disingenuous and playing semantics.
Dr. Big Tech Knows Better: Twitter Removes COVID Task Force Member Scott Atlas' Tweet on Masks NOT WORKING https://youtu.be/MtjCpJudhew
Only spoonfed and isolated from society ostriches could have missed all this! Do that many really not understand that the much publicized censorship of these individuals and related research on its face contradicts the scientific consensus narrative. Is it not clear in the land of the free, that stifling of these expert voices and research proves not that they or it are literally dangerous, but rather considered intellectually dangerous to their narrative to debate by the merchants of fear? You know, those ilk who say the 5G connection is bunk, but many experts are not so clear. Non-experts who censor are surely the real thing to fear.
The authoritarians don't allow talk of the number one therapeutic treatment, because Trump dared mention it and TDS dictates that orange man bad and wrong always. Think I'm wrong. Don't be so sure of it. I'd wager my life the science shows it's they who are full of shit. HCQ works ya jerks! The blood is on your hands, c'mon man! Surely not, NEVER Biden, who clearly lies about it all even in the face of video which allows one to watch him debate himself on such issues as banning fracking?Biden invited folks like me to demonstrate he lied about flip flopping back and forth on fracking. Much obliged, sir!
Are we collectively more victims of disinformation/and or dumb, than we are hip and wise to this old stinking political games bullshit? I hope, wish, pray, and logically deduce that this simply cannot be.
But I digress. Trump won the debate. Please my fellow Americans, let's KEEP AMERICA GREAT!!!!!!!
Debunking SmartAirFilters.com and Joe Biden On Facemask Efficiency Against COVID-19 https://trumpisright.blogspot.com/2020/08/documentary-anti-maskers-vs-maskholes.html