Political Conspiracy 101
Ken Hughes
May 26, 2008
I must admit it's been nearly half a century since I attended University. I have a feeling those classes we once referred to as "Conspiracy 101" still exist. The classes where the instructor stands before the class and with his or her slightly left of center approach to the constitution explain how Americas dysfunctional government works. I was one of those marginal students who continually ask why. I had my books in front of me saying one thing and the Professor stood at the head of the class saying something entirely different. Why, seemed to be an appropriate question at the time.
Those tenured faculty members all seemed to have a different understanding of the founding fathers intentions than I had. In those days research was a laborious task, there was no Internet to rely on. While I think about it there were no Florida Spring Breaks either, [I digress.] My point being information in those days was extremely limited, not only by it's availability but by the time one could devote to research. Most of us were working paying our way through University without help from government grants.
In spite of the liberalism, social reforms and political correctness pounded in our heads on a daily bases our generation managed to wade through it all and bring this country to heights never achieved in the history of the mankind. There's very little recognition for the achievements of those who put the country back together after twelve years of depression and four years of war, we seem to be the forgotten generation. Most of the seeds that created these modern marvels were germinated in garages and basements by men and women who didn't buy America as a failed society.
There are some very scary conspiracy theories flowing through cyberspace. As an example; Bush Sr. ended the first Gulf War in exchange for ownership of all Iraqi oil, when Saddam reneged Bush Jr. invaded Iraq. Another I found interesting though highly implausible was Halliburton Employees flew the planes into the World Trade Centers on orders from Dick Cheney. These are only two examples of some of the more ridiculous conspiracy theories flowing around the Internet.
These stories are political in nature, they're started to discredit the current administration. Other unfounded rumors will surface to discredit the next administration. You can bet on it. Cyberspace on the one hand is an aspirin and on the other is an opiate, it's either friend or foe depending on how its being used. Much of what we read on the Internet is merely recycled opinions with some but not always validity. Contributors like myself are hundreds of miles away from our subjects, we rely on information from other souses and apply our own logical conclusions. This doesn't mean we're wrong it simply means we are to be believed with some degree of questionably. I've always applied the following, "Is it more pleasurable than not" then I decide.
Theres only one road to a successful political campaign and that's the low road. Any candidate who says they aren't traveling that road soon finds its the only road. I'm not sure if the voters inspire this type of campaigning or if its the candidates managers who find it the most attractive and least costly way to campaign. There's an old adage among the Medias political reporters, "Good news isn't fit to print." I'm sure that has an impact on how a candidate preforms as well. It would seem logical a candidate would be more attractive if they stuck to their platform and left the negative comments to those who don't have a platform worth mentioning. Obviously that is not to be.
I've never understood the negativity that many people express when discussing any subject of national interest. It seem they're convinced there's something nefarious in everything the government or its people do. I'm sure this comes from the political atmosphere in the country, people are simply emulating the attitudes of their elected officials as well as those of the National Media.
For some unknown reason many people seem to be happier living on the dark side...........I for one prefer the sunshine and all the joys it brings.
Those tenured faculty members all seemed to have a different understanding of the founding fathers intentions than I had. In those days research was a laborious task, there was no Internet to rely on. While I think about it there were no Florida Spring Breaks either, [I digress.] My point being information in those days was extremely limited, not only by it's availability but by the time one could devote to research. Most of us were working paying our way through University without help from government grants.
In spite of the liberalism, social reforms and political correctness pounded in our heads on a daily bases our generation managed to wade through it all and bring this country to heights never achieved in the history of the mankind. There's very little recognition for the achievements of those who put the country back together after twelve years of depression and four years of war, we seem to be the forgotten generation. Most of the seeds that created these modern marvels were germinated in garages and basements by men and women who didn't buy America as a failed society.
There are some very scary conspiracy theories flowing through cyberspace. As an example; Bush Sr. ended the first Gulf War in exchange for ownership of all Iraqi oil, when Saddam reneged Bush Jr. invaded Iraq. Another I found interesting though highly implausible was Halliburton Employees flew the planes into the World Trade Centers on orders from Dick Cheney. These are only two examples of some of the more ridiculous conspiracy theories flowing around the Internet.
These stories are political in nature, they're started to discredit the current administration. Other unfounded rumors will surface to discredit the next administration. You can bet on it. Cyberspace on the one hand is an aspirin and on the other is an opiate, it's either friend or foe depending on how its being used. Much of what we read on the Internet is merely recycled opinions with some but not always validity. Contributors like myself are hundreds of miles away from our subjects, we rely on information from other souses and apply our own logical conclusions. This doesn't mean we're wrong it simply means we are to be believed with some degree of questionably. I've always applied the following, "Is it more pleasurable than not" then I decide.
Theres only one road to a successful political campaign and that's the low road. Any candidate who says they aren't traveling that road soon finds its the only road. I'm not sure if the voters inspire this type of campaigning or if its the candidates managers who find it the most attractive and least costly way to campaign. There's an old adage among the Medias political reporters, "Good news isn't fit to print." I'm sure that has an impact on how a candidate preforms as well. It would seem logical a candidate would be more attractive if they stuck to their platform and left the negative comments to those who don't have a platform worth mentioning. Obviously that is not to be.
I've never understood the negativity that many people express when discussing any subject of national interest. It seem they're convinced there's something nefarious in everything the government or its people do. I'm sure this comes from the political atmosphere in the country, people are simply emulating the attitudes of their elected officials as well as those of the National Media.
For some unknown reason many people seem to be happier living on the dark side...........I for one prefer the sunshine and all the joys it brings.