QotD: What Is and Is Not a Conspiracy Theory

 

To count as a conspiracy, a plan involving two or more parties must be covert. Not even Alex Jones would talk of a Democratic Party conspiracy to field a candidate who can beat Trump. The term “conspiracy theory” is to be used and understood accordingly. Had Lee Harvey Oswald spoken just before his death of a second gunman on the grassy knoll, one would not be a conspiracy theorist for taking him seriously. The information could still be wrong, but someone disagreeing with it would have to engage in actual refutation. The same goes for all who seek to dismiss talk of the ROK government’s confederation drive as a conspiracy theory.—Brian Reynolds Myers

B. R. Myers was speaking of conspiracy theories in responding to another writer and in relation to perceptions of the South Korean President. Yet his point is more widely applicable. It’s not a conspiracy theory if the people involved are coming right out and saying, “Yes, we did this, and here is why.” As a perfect example of this, we have several people testifying before Congress while admitting to crimes because Orange Man Bad. Those crimes need to be prosecuted.

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  1. Barfly Member
    Barfly
    @Barfly

    BastiatJunior (View Comment):

    Gary McVey (View Comment):

    When I have to evaluate one, here are some of the questions I have:

    Is this source credible? Do we even know who the source is?

    Is it even physically possible?

    Is it suspiciously convenient, tying something we hate into someone we hate? That doesn’t automatically make it wrong, but it should give some pause before automatically assuming it’s right.

    None of those guideline eliminate you being the one who shot JFK.

    The Secret Service shot JFK.

    [But Oswald shot him first.]

    • #61
  2. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    Misthiocracy grudgingly (View Comment):
    A coup d’etat is an illegal or unconstitutional seizure of power. People working together to use the constitutionally-defined process for removing a President from office does not qualify. One needs to prove that the people involved knowingly co-ordinated illegal means to do so.

    There is plenty of proof of that.

    • #62
  3. GLDIII Temporarily Essential Reagan
    GLDIII Temporarily Essential
    @GLDIII

    Judge Mental (View Comment):

    The funniest part of Rosie’s theory was that about three weeks later a gasoline tanker crashed on a freeway overpass and caught fire, and the bridge collapsed from the heat.

    It doesn’t have to melt. She doesn’t understand tempered steel, or pre-stressed concrete, or anything else about how fire affects anything.

    FIFY

    • #63
  4. GLDIII Temporarily Essential Reagan
    GLDIII Temporarily Essential
    @GLDIII

    Arahant (View Comment):

    Judge Mental (View Comment):

    Arahant (View Comment):

    Judge Mental (View Comment):
    …about three weeks later a gasoline tanker crashed on a freeway overpass and caught fire, and the bridge collapsed from the heat.

    Was that the one in Detroit?

    Dunno.

    Detroit was apparently in 2009. That was very close to my veterinarian’s office.

    Bologna, Italy had one last year. Taiwan had one this year. Apparently it happens more often than one would hope.

    I recall this one, which made my commute on I 95 to the GE/(Martin/Northrup Grumman) plant in Valley Forge a nightmare for over a year to repair.

     

    • #64
  5. Barfly Member
    Barfly
    @Barfly

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Barfly (View Comment):

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Clavius (View Comment):

    The conspiracy is the effort to remove a duly elected president.

    If I’m understanding the quote correctly that’s not a conspiracy because it’s not covert.

    What, Hillary going thru two levels of cutout to buy fake Russian oppo, then Brennan and Comey turning it into a secret intel investigation, and McCain and Reid hiding in there somewhere – this isn’t covert?

    I was thinking more of the Democrats and media (but I repeat myself) saying that he is: illegitimately elected, a Russian agent, mentally incompetent, and so forth. I guess there’s no reason there can’t be covert operations taking place along the overt ones.

    At this point there’s not much use in denying there were and are multiple conspiracies against President Donald J. Trump, the American people, and our form of government. It remains to be seen whether there was one single such conspiracy, but it’s looking more likely. If I were Barack Obama, I’d be trying to maximize my revenue stream now while the gettin’ is still good.

    • #65
  6. Judge Mental Member
    Judge Mental
    @JudgeMental

    Barfly (View Comment):

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Barfly (View Comment):

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Clavius (View Comment):

    The conspiracy is the effort to remove a duly elected president.

    If I’m understanding the quote correctly that’s not a conspiracy because it’s not covert.

    What, Hillary going thru two levels of cutout to buy fake Russian oppo, then Brennan and Comey turning it into a secret intel investigation, and McCain and Reid hiding in there somewhere – this isn’t covert?

    I was thinking more of the Democrats and media (but I repeat myself) saying that he is: illegitimately elected, a Russian agent, mentally incompetent, and so forth. I guess there’s no reason there can’t be covert operations taking place along the overt ones.

    At this point there’s not much use in denying there were and are multiple conspiracies against President Donald J. Trump, the American people, and our form of government. It remains to be seen whether there was one single such conspiracy, but it’s looking more likely. If I were Barack Obama, I’d be trying to maximize my revenue stream now while the gettin’ is still good.

    I’m starting to think maybe unindicted co-conspirator.

    • #66
  7. Phil Turmel Inactive
    Phil Turmel
    @PhilTurmel

    I doesn’t even have to be vehicle fire, as shown by Atlanta in 2017:

    • #67
  8. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Misthiocracy grudgingly (View Comment):
    One needs to prove that the people involved knowingly co-ordinated illegal means to do so.

    I think that is implied when talking about the effort to remove Trump.

    • #68
  9. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Gary McVey (View Comment):
    I recall when 9/11 “truther” Rosie O’ Donnell claimed “Fire can’t melt steel”, someone–probably Greg Gutfeld–made a grimly hilarious montage of speeded-up stock newsreel shots of bright, glowing liquid metal being poured and formed. 

    The “fire can’t melt steel” crowd are my favorites.

    “Look, Ma! No jet fuel!”

    • #69
  10. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Clavius (View Comment):

    The conspiracy is the effort to remove a duly elected president.

    Trump is a duly elected president, and impeachment is a portion of the constitution designed to place a check on the President.  We have a government of checks and balances.

    A President does not have absolute powers, see for instance Secretary of Defense John Tower, HHS Secretary Tom Daschle, Justice Harriet Myers, and Justice Merrick Garland.  

    • #70
  11. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    TBA (View Comment):

    Vectorman (View Comment):

    Arahant (View Comment):
    Calling something a “conspiracy theory” implies that it is a fringe idea with no proof

    Is you example here “Gary McVey shot Kennedy”? LOL!


    The Quote of the Day series is the easiest way to start a fun conversation on Ricochet. There are many days available on the December Signup Sheet. We even include tips for finding great quotes, so choose your favorite quote and sign up today!

    Your lack of video evidence showing McVey not shooting Kennedy is pretty damning.

    The burden is on Ted Cruz to prove that his father didn’t kill Kennedy.

    • #71
  12. Gary McVey Contributor
    Gary McVey
    @GaryMcVey

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    TBA (View Comment):

    Vectorman (View Comment):

    Arahant (View Comment):
    Calling something a “conspiracy theory” implies that it is a fringe idea with no proof

    Is you example here “Gary McVey shot Kennedy”? LOL!


    The Quote of the Day series is the easiest way to start a fun conversation on Ricochet. There are many days available on the December Signup Sheet. We even include tips for finding great quotes, so choose your favorite quote and sign up today!

    Your lack of video evidence showing McVey not shooting Kennedy is pretty damning.

    The burden is on Ted Cruz to prove that his father didn’t kill Kennedy.

    Looks like I’d better hire a lawyer:

    “Right Winger Accused of JFK Assassination Denies All, Hires $600 an hour Arizona Attorney”

    At a press event outside of the state’s men’s prison facility, Cactus County Caballeros Carcel, McVey’s lawyer, local attorney Gary Robbins, declared “My client will be out real soon!” Pressed for details by the press, Robbins extended his remarks. “I meant he’ll be out of money, real soon”. ;-)

    • #72
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