Why are conspiracy theories so prevalent among the extreme right?

SPC Rory J. Mattheisen — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 20:12:44 -0400

I have had many great debates with members of the GOP, this is not an attack on the party. The extreme right seems to be afraid of any/everything and ready to blame it on the CIA Federal Government or the President if he is a Democrat. WHY?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 8:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 20:13:56 -0400

Why do liberals have such poor grammar? It's just one of those mysteries of the world we live in.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 8:15 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 20:15:46 -0400

LOL A presidential candidate calls everything negative a GOP plot against her and you asked this question?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 8:22 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 20:22:05 -0400

That's an interesting assumption, however I haven't seen any evidence to support it. I consider myself to be Progressive and I'm sure that some of my "concerns" could be labeled conspiracy theories.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jun 1 at 2016 8:22 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 20:22:24 -0400

Right wing conspiracy theories show a lack of trust of government. Left wing conspiracy theories show a lack of trust in private companies. The latter tend to believe that "big business" is out to take advantage of people. Perhaps if you are left wing, you only see right wing theories as being conspiracy theories?

http://laissez-fairerepublic.com/paranoias.htm

Right-Wing and Left-Wing Paranoia

This essay deals with right-wing and left-wing paranoia in contrasting aspects of socialism, liberalism, monopoly power, choice, and consumer alternatives.

Response by LTC David Brown made Jun 1 at 2016 8:25 PM

LTC David Brown — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 20:25:13 -0400

I don't think it is just Right wing. Hands up don't shoot. Crack cocaine was a CIA plot. AIDS was a CIA plot. 9-11 Truthers are on both sides. I could go on. I think a feeling of powerlessness and deterioration of the economy fuels nutty things on both sides.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jun 1 at 2016 8:26 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 20:26:22 -0400

Target rich environment?

Response by LTC David Brown made Jun 1 at 2016 8:29 PM

LTC David Brown — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 20:29:51 -0400

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crack_epidemic Note that Kerry investigated this for 2 years.

Crack epidemic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The American crack epidemic was a surge of crack cocaine use in major cities across the United States between 1984 and the early 1990s.[1]

Response by LTC David Brown made Jun 1 at 2016 8:30 PM

LTC David Brown — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 20:30:58 -0400

http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1860871_1860876_1861031,00.html Ok, AIDS was CIA or result of bad medical experiments.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 8:38 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 20:38:02 -0400

basically if you're on the left everything is the ultra-elites fault, if you're on the right everything is Obama's fault and Trump is our lord and savior.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 8:45 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 20:45:58 -0400

Just my anecdotal experience, but the only people I've ever met who believe in the 9-11 conspiracy and lizard people garbage are big-time liberals... I don't know what you're basing your premise on because it seems obviously false.

Response by SSgt Charles Freeman made Jun 1 at 2016 8:50 PM

SSgt Charles Freeman — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 20:50:13 -0400

I'm relatively far right but I can't recall a conspiracy theory that I actually believe. Well maybe the Kennedy Assassination but I wasn't born then so all my info is second hand.

Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Jun 1 at 2016 8:50 PM

SSgt Christopher Brose — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 20:50:22 -0400

You can't be serious! Either you are deliberately trolling, our you're too biased to realize you're biased, or you're too stupid to realize you're stupid. Let me turn your OP around to illustrate.

WHY IS MENTAL ILLNESS SO PREVALENT AMONG THE EXTREME LEFT?

I have had many great debates with members of the Dems, this is not an attack on the party. The extreme left seems to hate any/everything and ready to blame it on the "vast right wing conspiracy" or the church or the President if he's a Republican. WHY?

Response by SPC Corbin Sayi made Jun 1 at 2016 8:54 PM

SPC Corbin Sayi — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 20:54:24 -0400

This topic is just clickbait. It has no value.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Jun 1 at 2016 8:57 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 20:57:07 -0400

It's funny you say this comes from the right....I have heard the same crap from those on the LEFT...the far left...one works in my office and drives me insane with his conspiracy theories. He actually thinks the CIA is behind 911...and thinks the CIA brought Heroin into this country and wanted people to be addicted to it on purpose...Listening to him makes me want to jump off of the nearest cliff...He is insane, along with all of the other NUTS who think these thoughts.

Response by SGT Joshua Strup made Jun 1 at 2016 9:02 PM

SGT Joshua Strup — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 21:02:46 -0400

Could you elaborate as to what you consider to be a conspiracy theory?

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Jun 1 at 2016 9:09 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 21:09:16 -0400

I used to team up with a guy in a message board where we would make the 0911 truthers look pretty dumb. Then I ran into him a year later on another site and was surprised that he was a far far far left liberal.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 9:11 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 21:11:13 -0400

Umm, because they are what the GOP used to call the crazy tent. Sadly, the door is open and the loonies have left the asylum.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Jun 1 at 2016 9:12 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 21:12:30 -0400

Or like one of my favorites, the conspiracy theory that the First Lady Michelle LaVaughn Obama was originally born a man Michael LaVaughn Robinson, who played football for Oregon State in 1982 before undergoing a sex change operation in 1983 at Johns Hopkins. Then left Oregon State and entered Princeton as Michelle LaVaughn Robinson. One incident gave fuel to that, when the President supposedly called the First Lady "Michael" at a JCS ceremony in 2011.

Conspiracy theories are entertaining, if nothing else. Right wing always seems to go after the govt. Left wing seems to go after big business. There is a lot of mistrust out there on both sides.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 1 at 2016 9:13 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 21:13:13 -0400

This reminds me of one of my favorite examples of self-incrimination that we learned in law school: Now tell us, yes or no, have you stopped beating your wife? The question assumes an incriminating answer.

Now, rather than answer this silly question, let me ask you one: When will the Left (extreme or otherwise) stop attacking constitution constraints on government? Actually, this question isn't as silly as yours inasmuch as the Left is, by definition, dedicated to the growth of a powerful Executive branch of government.

Response by Sgt Nick Marshall made Jun 1 at 2016 9:29 PM

Sgt Nick Marshall — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 21:29:51 -0400

The far right doesn't see them as conspiracy theories, like many Arab countries view 9/11 as an Israeli plot to disrupiate the Muslim world.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 9:46 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 21:46:17 -0400

On every question the far right has a position and the far left has a position and they are probably both very wrong.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 9:47 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 21:47:53 -0400

Of interest is that no one has every blamed Bush for anything.

Response by LTC David Brown made Jun 1 at 2016 10:00 PM

LTC David Brown — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 22:00:04 -0400

Hillary claimed all of Bill and Hillay's troubles were due to a "vast right wing conspiracy "! As I sad, it is on both siad.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 10:12 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 22:12:37 -0400

There are plenty to go around on both sides of the aisle. I find the ones that cross over the most interesting ... WTC Conspiracy, Area 51 ... Nothing like crackpot idea to bring the aisles together.
Uh oh ... Let the hate from the "truthers" begin!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 10:19 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 22:19:16 -0400

I think the people who create conspiracy theories just don't want to grasp the reality of what had occurred, so in return they create a theory that would best explain what/how that could happen. Or maybe they just want to see the country/world torn from within. The fact of the matter is what happened, happened and it can't be undone.

Response by SPC Andrew Griffin made Jun 1 at 2016 10:33 PM

SPC Andrew Griffin — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 22:33:31 -0400

Because they APPEAL to the Average American who carry Conspiracy Theories!

Response by Jeffrey Eaton made Jun 1 at 2016 11:20 PM

Jeffrey Eaton — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 23:20:01 -0400

Maybe it is a huge lack of trust in our government, perpetuated by a decline in personal liberties that seem to be coming from a certain side of the aisle. Just food for thought.

Response by Sgt Jared Calabrese made Jun 2 at 2016 12:09 AM

Sgt Jared Calabrese — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 00:09:55 -0400

Because far right people posses a flawed belief that other people think rationally, and want what is best for the general public. that the only way "x" could happen is a conspiracy.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jun 2 at 2016 12:34 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 00:34:48 -0400

It's not just the right. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7naPe7Emos

Hillary Clinton still believes in vast right-wing conspiracy

Democratic presidential candidate blames Republicans for her scandals

Response by SMSgt David Zobel made Jun 2 at 2016 12:59 AM

SMSgt David Zobel — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 00:59:25 -0400

Your prejudiced perspective is what makes them prevalent to you.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jun 2 at 2016 8:22 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 08:22:47 -0400

SPC Rory J. Mattheisen Well there it is... The dumbest post of the day.
Seriously??? Do you actually believe that garbage? As if Liberals don't believe in conspiracy theories and blame everything on Conservatives. Obama's entire presidency has blamed George Bush for everything. Hillary Clinton consistently blames her indiscretions/criminal acts on a GOP conspiracy. Utter and complete Bull Shit.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2016 10:12 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 10:12:08 -0400

That's interesting-I seem to recall that when the "Right" controlled the Administration, the "Left" was constantly providing "conspiracy theories" as well. The truth is that whomever is not in the
"majority" of the moment feels "threatened" when their ideological opponents are in a majority...and yes, in terms of influence and power, "you" are.

Response by SGT John " Mac " McConnell made Jun 2 at 2016 11:08 AM

SGT John " Mac " McConnell — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 11:08:05 -0400

Reminds me of my dog Chasing his tail !

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Jun 2 at 2016 11:54 AM

Maj Mike Sciales — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 11:54:58 -0400

People would much rather believe some convoluted fantasy than accept the facts as they are. The less intelligent information one consumes, the easier it is to sell a conspiracy. Dopey people like dopey stories. My experience is any conspiracy, like UFOs or Princess Di being murdered by the Queen, all involved too many people all required to do specific, yet vague things. Look around, it's hard enough to round troops up for PT, you think you can get thousands to engage in some vast conspiracy? Bwahahahahahaha.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Jun 2 at 2016 12:20 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 12:20:20 -0400

Leave RP alone for a day and all hell breaks loose!!!!

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2016 12:56 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 12:56:42 -0400

http://www.simplypsychology.org/cognitive-dissonance.html

Cognitive Dissonance Theory | Simply Psychology

This produces a feeling of discomfort leading to an alteration in one of the attitudes, beliefs or behaviors to reduce the discomfort and restore balance etc.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Jun 2 at 2016 1:02 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 13:02:10 -0400

When the two people that the major political parties say best represent America are Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, there is cause for alarm. When idiot politicians cannot understand that they are passing laws that infringe upon our constitutional rights, there is cause for alarm. When government ceases to be representative of the people, and becomes representative of who is paying off the politicians, there is cause for alarm. When Supreme Court Justices cannot stay awake for a state of the union address or inauguration, there is cause for alarm. When the government wants to dismiss people who have reason to be alarmed, they call it a conspiracy theory. If I am being totally honest, I do believe that some of the points made are valid. It does seem like the government is trying to take as much control away from the people as they can without push back. I am wearing a tin foil hat? Only on days when the black helicopters are in my neighborhood.

Response by CW3 Stephen Mills made Jun 2 at 2016 1:22 PM

CW3 Stephen Mills — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 13:22:00 -0400

The same reason the extreme left is full of conspiracy theories. The only difference is who they believe is in control of the world. Instead of looking at it like a straight line, look at it like a circle with the moderates at the top. The closer you are to the top of the circle the closer your ideology is. The extreme left and extreme right meet at the bottom of the circle and the same holds true for them as well.

Why do they blame it on the CIA, Feds and Dem Presidents, well because its all true of course. ;-)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2016 1:24 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 13:24:18 -0400

Is the "vast right-wing conspiracy" still with us, after all these years?

Response by SSG James Arlington made Jun 2 at 2016 2:44 PM

SSG James Arlington — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 14:44:28 -0400

"And all the children are insane," Jim Morrison.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2016 5:28 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 17:28:35 -0400

If I am proven right that people are out to get me, does that still make me paranoid?

Response by Maj John Bell made Jun 2 at 2016 7:45 PM

Maj John Bell — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 19:45:14 -0400

Because everyone is entitled to a hobby.

Now who do you work for? and are my answers being put together in a data base that will allow the ancient aliens to scoop me up when they come back? If you deny it, I'll know it is true. ;)

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jun 2 at 2016 8:02 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 20:02:14 -0400

What's funny is that there are conspiracies (i.e. plotting, collusion, intrigue, connivance, machination, collaboration) literally all over the place. When did the mere act of pointing them out automatically make someone a Kook? Guess what? The Republican Party is conspiring against the Democrats and vice versa. The US Government is conspiring against Russia and vice versa. China is plotting to take over the China Sea. In WW2 the Axis and the Allies were conspiring against each other (before, during and in some cases even after the War). Google really is plotting to take over the internet (or at least as much of the money making areas of it they can) and Microsoft as well as hundreds of other companies are plotting against Google and each other. MSNBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, CNN and RT are all plotting to eliminate the other networks (or at least take away their viewership and paying sponsors). Put two out of three siblings together in a room and in short order you will have a conspiracy against the third. I am far more interested in who and why someone (on the right or the left) tries to avoid the facts by tagging someone they disagree with as a "Conspiracy Theorist". FYI: It usually comes just before they start cursing.

http://www.businessinsider.com/true-government-conspiracies-2013-12

9 huge government conspiracies that actually happened

Declassified documents prove them.

Response by 1SG Michael Bonnett made Jun 2 at 2016 9:04 PM

1SG Michael Bonnett — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 21:04:43 -0400

Past experience perhaps.....just kidding.

Looking at what the left extremists believe in cause me not to look badly at those on the right.

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2016 10:17 PM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 22:17:10 -0400

Doesn't answer your question at all... But you got enough good comments.
Just wanted to include my favorite conspiracy theory.
I was with a few friends who were.... Not in a good state of mind. Turns to me and says...
"I think....the jfk assassination.... Had....a third shooter.... UNDER THE CAR... That nobody ever talks about. He's the real one to blame... But the government doesn't want you to know about him"

Gotta love it

Response by SGT Damaso V Santana made Jun 3 at 2016 3:34 PM

SGT Damaso V Santana — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 15:34:08 -0400

Is an offshoot of learning from the left, call it an Action and Reaction=Hillary and all the crooks as an Action, Trump and Single Term as a Reaction, quite simple, really.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2016 5:07 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 17:07:22 -0400

The term "conspiracy theory" was actually coined by the CIA, and has been used by politicians to cover up their own crimes. A number of so-called conspiracy theories ended up being true. For instance:
#1: nuking our own troops in the 1950s to see the effects on live people over years of observation. #2: The government purposely injecting black people with syphilis during the 1920s-1940s
#3: the government saying that they were never spying on the people and Edward Snowden proving they have been for years. the Left called it a conspiracy theory, Snowden shows up with proof and is then deemed a traitor. Gotta love that left wing media
#4: during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Joint Chiefs were planning to attack the American people and make it look like Cuba attacked, throwing us into a war. JFK put a stop to that
#5: The government in the 1940s bringing top German scientists to the US to make them work for the US government aka Operation Paperclip
#6: MK Ultra. Bill Clinton apologized on live television to the people and their families that the CIA forced into the program

I have many more that were ADMITTED publically. These were all deemed 'conspiracy theories' until the government got caught with their pants down and then they made it sound like it wasn't a big deal. And before people start bashing me for being a right winger, I'm not. I'm pretty moderate as well as a Constitutionalist. Every one of the acts I named above go against the Constitution in one fashion or another.

Response by MSgt Wayne Morris made Jun 4 at 2016 8:23 PM

MSgt Wayne Morris — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 20:23:19 -0400

Me thinks Rory wants to be a troll.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2016 12:13 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 12:13:18 -0400

I have reviewed this topic again,albeit lightly. You know I did not go to kindergarten. But now at the tender age of 73 I thank you all for showing me what I missed.

After all he did it too!

Response by SSG Frank Bova made Oct 18 at 2021 11:10 PM

SSG Frank Bova — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 23:10:45 -0400

Simple. Because the left wing media calls them conspiracies and their viewers believe them.

Response by SSgt Mathew Cummings made Apr 8 at 2022 8:29 AM

SSgt Mathew Cummings — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 08:29:45 -0400

I think the severe decline of intelligence is running prevalent. For those that can remember when or were raised in the manner of educating yourself and not believing everything that you were fed, that concept is dwindling. This is people in general, not the right nor left specific. Individuals that have spent there whole life in technology or media drivem social protocols are very smart and extremely stupid at the same time. I can say this from constant public interaction, those that treat opinions or feelings in lieu of facts or knowledge, as arguable grounds are the same individuals that could not see the forest through the trees. I offer the consideration that due to constant separation for social protocols between digital formats and inperson social interactions has since created a bunch "keyboard" narcissistic social justice warriors with spines truly similar to mushy spaghetti. This is an observation on the human condition, not a particular affiliate past those bounds.