-Caveat Lector- Again, Mr. Berelet treats us to more intelectual tripe. Mr. Berlet, I have studied "conspiracy theories" as much as you and your conclusions are wrong. You only go so far in your study and analysis. One wonder what you do with your multi-thousands year budget, when individual researchers on shoe-string budgets are able to surpass your depth of scholarship and are able to reach understandings based upon historical facts rather than using emotive ploys as underpinnings of their writings.
You state; "I do believe that the articles on Mr. Ruppert's website are rooted in longstanding right-wing conspiracist theories about secret elites." Can you please show where Mr. Ruppert refers to any "longstanding right-wing conspiracist theories" in his writings? Or what of his writings you believe are rooted in any "longstanding right-wing conspiracist theories?" And how come you never answer any of my questions about The Order of Skull and Bones? And do you believe that the 911-and conspiracy researchers are a conspiracy? Are we all just deluded? Are we just ignorant? We haven't done our homework? We do this for the money? And if we so stupid, how come you are so smart? Peace, Om Kris Millegan For our Constitution and our kids http://www.publiceye.org/Updates/Ruppert.html ----- A Clarification regarding Michael C. Ruppert Michael C. Ruppert has objected to being described as a right-wing conspiracist on the PRA website. The original text was modified based on his objection. It read as follows: The Sucker Punch of Right/Left Coalitions: Right-wing conspiracists such as Jim Marrs, and self-described "truth-seeking" conspiracists such as Michael C. Ruppert, are being featured on "progressive" news programs and Internet lists. What's going on? Why is this a problem? How can progressives be susceptible to recruitment to right-wing groups through conspiracism? Ruppert continued to complain, threatening to file a lawsuit, and the text was removed pending further study by the staff of Political Research Associates. Political Research Associates did not mean to suggest that Mr. Ruppert was part of the Extreme Right or an antisemitic White supremacist movement in the U.S. Nowhere on the website has there ever been any claim that Mr. Ruppert is part of any "right-wing hate group." Nowhere on the website has there ever been any claim that Mr. Ruppert is a "racist, supremacist or separatist." Mr. Ruppert says these are somehow implicit in the context of the original text. We disagree. As the author of the original text, I certainly apologize if anyone read the original wording to mean that. I do believe that the articles on Mr. Ruppert's website are rooted in longstanding right-wing conspiracist theories about secret elites. In a e-mail responding to his complaint, I wrote the following: The increase in right-wing conspiracy theories circulating on the political left is one reason I co-wrote Right-Wing Populism in America (New York: Guilford, 2000). This book is designed to show that the conspiracism of crude anti-elite populist rhetoric may sound leftist, but is actually rooted in old right-wing theories about conspiracies by the Illuminati/Freemasons and the antisemitic Protocols of the Elders of Zion. There is an extensive explanation of my arguments about the right-wing roots of pseudo-radical anti-elite conspiracism on the web page you cite, http://www.publiceye.org. One of the themes of this theory is that right-wing populist conspiracy theories are used by political and social movements throughout U.S. history to repress and oppress people of color, immigrants, and others. A further argument is that all pseudo-radical conspiracist theories, whether "left" or "right," create a political climate where oppressive and repressive social and political movements can flourish. I make a distinction between people, like yourself, who seem to promote the generic version of the conspiracist worldview; and people such as David Duke who promotes the antisemitic version of the conspiracist worldview. Nowhere have I ever suggested that you are a bigot. Longer discussions of the issue are at "The Sucker Punch of Right/Left Coalitions: The Repressive Side of Right Wing Populism and Anti-Elite Conspiracism." http://www.publiceye.org/Sucker_Punch/clues.html and the Basic Conspiracism page -Chip Berlet 4/9/02 likns updated 6/15/02 ===== ----- Aloha, He'Ping, Om, Shalom, Salaam. Em Hotep, Peace Be, All My Relations. Omnia Bona Bonis, Adieu, Adios, Aloha. Amen. Roads End <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
