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> conspiracy theorists The Gulf of Tonkin being used as a lie to manipulate Americans into the Viet Nam War is historical fact, not a "theory".
by ferdo 13y ago
> conspiracy theorists
The Gulf of Tonkin being used as a lie to manipulate Americans into the Viet Nam War is historical fact, not a "theory".
- dmix 13y agoYes I said mentioned by theorists. Used as justification for modern theories such as the one you just posited. I agree with the general sentiment of military industrial complex promoting fear to boost their own budgets. That's a natural self-interest like all power structures financed by public influence. But I doubt it's a direct collusion by agencies to deceive the public. I have a feeling they believe their own bullshit. It's easy for humans to justify incorrect things to themselves, ala confirmation biases. Very similar to why conspiracy theories spread.
- ferdo 13y ago> I have a feeling they believe their own bullshit. Some of them do believe their own bullshit. They're not any less of a threat to us than the ones that don't believe the BS but are down with the program because they're getting paid.
- trevelyan 13y agoSorry, but people who are skeptical of state justifications for militarism are by definition less of a threat to peace than those who support imperialist policies.
- ferdo 13y agoI think one of us is misunderstanding the other's position.
- trevelyan 13y agoI don't understand the equivalence. People who are opposed to violence are less harmful than people who are not, regardless of how "crazy" you consider their beliefs.
- ferdo 13y agoIf one is opposed to violence but still depending on a livelihood from an organization that depends on violence to realize its goals - be it a gang, a government or a military - then one might not be as opposed to violence as is thought.
- trevelyan 13y agoI see. Sorry for misunderstanding.