Government Conspiracy: Wherein the Author Disparages a Number of Notable Conspiracy Theories

I have nothing against conspiracy theories or those who promote them, in spirit. There are things about the attitude I rather admire-the questioning of the obvious, the determination to peer behind the curtain and see what's really going on. My admiration is tempered somewhat by the fact that nearly every conspiracy theory is poorly conceived, misguided and spectacularly wrong, but I still can't blame the theorists for trying.

If you'll allow me a minor revision, there is something fundamental to conspiracy theories that I have an issue with: the word "theory." In science, a theory is a logical explanation for something, formulated from evidence and objective observation. By that reckoning, I think a better term for what men like Alex Jones, David Icke and Aaron Russo peddle is "conspiracy delusion."

Conspiracy delusions cover a wide range of topics and originate from all along the political and ideological spectrum. No matter where your personal beliefs fall-liberal, conservative, somewhere in the middle-there is a conspiracy delusion to suit your needs. Are you a radical right-wing anti-government type? If so, you might be interested to know that George W. Bush knew of the 9/11 attacks far in advance and allowed them to happen for his own political purposes. In fact, he not only knew about them-his administration planned them and carried them out! The planes that hit the towers were remote controlled, and the passengers that were supposedly onboard were either removed to a secret location and killed, or fabrications to help sell the story, depending on who you ask. And of course we all know that 7 World Trade Center was deliberately demolished via explosive charges planted in advance, don't we? So were the Twin Towers, incidentally. How else do you explain all that melted steel? Or that the building fell at freefall speed? Seems obvious to me.