A look at one of the pre-Internet most-noted conspiracy theory targets, after-the-jump ...
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Although conspiracy theories have existed since time immemorial (if for no other reason, than to explain-and-or-blame a group), there is one that I first became acquainted with in my mis-spent youth. They had antecedents, and have been supplanted by others since then … yet I never knew anything about the actual workings of the Trilateral Commission until years later (was probably beyond my comprehension, then). This will not be comprehensive, nor will get into the merits … just an overview from my vantage point.
The oldest groups cited are the Freemasons (beginning circa 1717) and the Illuminati— which seems to have existed only from 1776-1785 — yet you’d never know it from how often it is referenced in conspiracy theory circles. Quite often, the theories center around One World Government— cited by both the Left and Right. In more recent times (especially after the fall of the Soviet Union) the term New World Order became the preferred term. In his 1991 book of the same name, the recently deceased Pat Robertson blamed much of the world’s woes on European bankers (who happened to be Jewish).
Some of the other groups in this category include the Bilderberg Group (which began in 1954) that features elite North American and European politicians, business leaders, financiers and academics holding an annual meeting (rotating between different cities) yet did not attract much attention until years later. The World Economic Forum— which is better known as the Davos Conference (at a fixed place in Switzerland each January) that began in 1971 — now receives more coverage each year than any other such confab. Glenn Beck, Elon Musk and Alex Jones have been its most recent critics, especially Glenn Beck’s Great Reset book (based upon a Davos pre and post-Covid paper).
The annual Munich Security Conference is dubbed the Davos of Defense, attracting heads of state, generals, intelligence chiefs and top diplomats from around the world — enough to garner charges of imperialism.
And, of course, the Open Society Foundations gatherings fall into this category due to its founder … George Soros. Long vilified by the US right-wing, the 93 year-old Holocaust survivor has curtailed activities in his native Europe, due to the rise of fascism there. I always joke about sending in expense reports, seeking to receive the $orosMoney the right-wingers insist is there for the taking (to no avail) … yet I do so knowing that some extended family members actually believe in it.
In response, there is annual meeting of the World Social Forum, where “social movements, networks, NGOs and other civil society organizations opposed to neo-liberalism and a world dominated by capital or by any form of imperialism” began in 2001. And while it does not generate the conspiracy theories associated with the wealthy groups (in part as they try to be as transparent as possible) the WSF does get its own share of internal criticism and in particular for replacing popular movements of the poor with NGOs (non-governmental organizations)
By contrast, the Trilateral Commission was the conspiracy theory of the 70’s-80’s … with the name referring to the membership of not only North America and Europe (as the Bilderbergs are) but also Japan. Founded by David Rockefeller in 1973 (and headquartered in Paris) it has had membership from an enormous number of figures whose names you would recognize, and states that it is seeking closer cooperation between Europe, North America and Asia. It’s had critics from Noam Chomsky to Barry Goldwater, and even was an issue in the 1980 GOP presidential primary, as George H.W. Bush was a member (along with Jimmy Carter). Just not much attention has been paid to it in years.
It’s a complicated subject; certainly some valid criticisms of these groups without conspiracies. I’ll just leave you with a Tweet that was deleted … yet summed-up the topic.
Just after 45 took office, your-friend-and-mine Sean Hannity speculated that airport protests against Trump’s immigration ban were bankrolled by “shadowy forces” — which led the feisty owner of the Dallas Mavericks pro basketball team (and Shark Tank panelist) Mark Cuban to confess to it. (I believe “Stewie” refers to a Family Guy animated cartoon character Cuban liked?):
"It's me, Sean. I had the Trilateral Commission pitch in, then I went to the Illuminati. They were really cheap, so Stewie covered the rest."
Now, on to Top Comments:
Nothing from the field this evening … we’d love your submitted posts!
And from Ed Tracey, your faithful correspondent this evening ........
In the diary by Merlin196360 about a guy who assaulted an MSNBC reporter (merely covering the weather) now going to prison— it was noted by Dave in Columbus that the circle-of-political-activity is fairly wide for right-wingers.
Next - enjoy jotter's wonderful (and now eternal) *PictureQuilt™* below. Just click on the picture and it will magically take you to the comment featuring that photo.
TOP PHOTOS
August 16th, 2023
(NOTE: Any missing images in the Quilt were removed because (a) they were from an unapproved source that somehow snuck through in the comments, or (b) it was an image from the DailyKos Image Library which didn't have permissions set to allow others to use it.)
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And lastly: yesterday's Top Mojo - mega-mojo to the intrepid mik ...... who rescued this feature from oblivion:
3) Unindicted co-conspirator says what? by troffelmasse +1696) sordid abuse of power by police.. by akmk +1489) Withdrawn? Sorry about your mom? … by tampaedski +12211) Tweet from another VP at the Cato Institute — by AKALib +11828) [embed] by OwossoHarpist +86