Posted on 08/04/2009 2:13:40 PM PDT by pissant
Political conspiracy theories – like the so-called “birther” allegation that Obama is not a legitimate US citizen – are as old as the nation.
In the late 1700s, it was rumored that the Freemasons were actually a Satanic cult and George Washington was a member who was elevated to the presidency so they could control the country. Such views were generally held by a few fringe groups and were viewed by the mainstream culture as a bit nutty.
But in the past few decades, conspiracy theories have tended to become a part of mainstream political culture, say political analysts. They point to Lou Dobbs’s promotion of the “birther” controversy on CNN, and to the Research 2000 survey that found 28 percent of Republicans think Obama was not born in the US and another 30 percent “aren’t sure,” despite overwhelming evidence that he was born in Hawaii.
The rising popularity of political conspiracy theories can be tied to a variety of factors, say analysts, from the growing distrust in government since Watergate and Vietnam to the expansion of the national security apparatus to the rise of the infotainment cable news culture.
Conspiracy theories are also thriving on the Internet, where people can choose what to read and what to ignore.
“The Internet perpetuates these things because of the ease with which you can look up all of this so-called ‘evidence’ on the web - no matter how far flung the idea is - and build whatever worldview you want while ignoring other evidence,” says James LaPlant, who teaches a class on political conspiracy theories at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Ga.
(Excerpt) Read more at features.csmonitor.com ...
The SRM is in a panic.
the establishment hive is positively buzzing.
My favorite saying..overwhelming evidence, overwhelming evidence...overwhelming evidence!
Ohhhhh BOY!!!
The Healthers are claiming that Obama quotes are being forged with regards to taped comments on Obamacare.
we have consensus.
Hey Professor Smartguy, how come we can’t get a birth certificate off this internet that you’re so fond of blaming?
Gee.all this dribble over a lousy BC that O has caused.I don’t get it?His grandmother said he was born in Kenya and I believe her way before I would believe her communist grandson.
The conspiracy (if there really is any) is the effort of those covering for Obama to not release all pertinent documents.
Liberals and faux-cons make this a conspiracy...when it is a simple matter
In the late 1700s, it was rumored that the Freemasons were actually a Satanic cult and George Washington was a member who was elevated to the presidency so they could control the country.
......................
You know the level of stupidity in the msm is absolutely endless. Anyone that does even the cursory investigation of geneology research knows this was British Propaganda.
Washington with his group of Anti-Monarchist were a tight knit group. Freemasons were not the issue.
But the media is using the same smear tactics in an attempt to stop the revolution.
They are on the wrong side and they know it.
That’s how they are trying to frame it. with the aid and comfort of the conservative afterbirthers.
I want the data on the cash for clunkers program too. Am I a crazy conspiracy theorist for asking?
Yes.
Hmmmm... interesting correlation... Freemasons and Birth-Gate
Anyone want to take a stab at why conspiracy theories develop to begin with???
Any chance “secrecy” has anything to do with it?
Right off the bat, they get it wrong. The question is not "is he a citizen", but rather is a "natural born citizen". That is the requirement for eligibility to the office President set down in the Constitution.
Certainly if he is not a legal citizen, he can't possibly be a natural born one. But he could be a citizen and not be a natural born one.
He's hiding something. Maybe lots of somethings, but is one of them his lack of eligibility?
But Washington was indeed a Mason, as were Ben Franklin and John Hancock and other signers of the Declaration of Independence and/or the Constitution. Franklin was Grand Master of Pennsylvania, and is often termed "the First American".
Where there is smoke there is also fire. It gets hotter and hotter for every day!!!
For instance, their use of the word "conspiracy": in this case, we are asking Obama to simply produce documentation. However, to conspire means to act together, usually for an illegal purpose; it comes from two Latin roots literally meaning to "breathe" and "together." To label our request as an emanation of a "conspiracy" theorist is absurd.
We are saying "please produce your documentation" --- do these critics shout "conspiracy theory" when a passport control officer calmly asks to see their passports? Or when a school administrator asks for a copy of a child's birth certificate?
Then why are they shouting "kook!" and "conspiracy theorist!" when we ask the same exact question? It is not an unreasonable request to have him demonstrate this eligibility in full and comprehensive manner, considering the far more serious implications of the great responsibilities of the office he occupies.
it is interesting how these morons use buzz words such as
‘anti-monarchist’ or occultists, or satanic cults to influence uneducated morons who dont now crap about freemasonry.....last time i went to a meeting i recall that we did not discuss Obama, or the take over the country....infact the freemasons are a supporter and friend to the constitution of the United States.....not to Obama
Oh good grief.
And they think we’re nuts?
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