A few informed opinions and quotes

"The real truth of the matter is that a financial element in the large centers has owned the US government since the days of Andrew Jackson," ~ Theodore Roosevelt, 1933

"It is well that the people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning." ~ Henry Ford

"In the next century, nations as we know it will be obsolete; all States will recognize a single, global authority. National sovereignty wasn't such a great idea after all." ~ Strobe Talbott, Clinton's deputy secretary of state, as quoted in Time magazine, July 20th, 1992.

"We shall have world government whether or not you like it, by conquest or consent. " ~  Statement by Council on Foreign Relations member James Warburg to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on February 17th 1950

"The real rulers in Washington are invisible, and exercise power from behind the scenes." ~ Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter, 1952

"Today the path of total dictatorship in the United States can be laid by strictly legal means, unseen and unheard by the Congress, the president, or the people. Outwardly we have a constitutional government. We have operating within our government and political system, another body representing another form of government - a bureaucratic elite." ~ Senator William Jenner, 1954

"Some even believe we are part of a secret cabal working against the best interests of the United States, characterizing my family and me as 'internationalists' and of conspiring with others around the world to build a more integrated global political and economic structure - one world, if you will. If that is the charge, I stand guilty, and I am proud of it." ~ David Rockefeller (CFR founder), page 405 of his 2002 book 'Memoirs'.

"We are grateful to the Washinton Post, the New York Times, Time magazine, and other publications, whose directors have attended our meetings and respected their promises of discretion for almost forty years. It would have been impossible for us to develope our plan for the world if we had been subject to the bright lights of publicity. But the world is now more sophisticated and is prepared to march toward a world government..." ~ David Rockefeller, 1991

A history of media disinformation, propoganda, manipulation and "advocacy journalism":

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bbnxsPgcsH0

by Michael McCoy (5 articles, 1 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 342 comments) on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 3:36:59 AM
 

Dead link

The link died, I have no idea why.  Several alternatives:

Noam Chomsky on Media Control click here

Noam Chomsky on US un-democracy click here

by Michael McCoy (5 articles, 1 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 342 comments) on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 3:59:01 AM
 

The link is good - the placement was bad

The link died because you placed it at the end of the sentence and the close paragraph tag </p> became attached to it.  This is an HTML issue and not a Big Brother issue.

by Tom Murphy (3 articles, 4 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 1767 comments) on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 3:07:28 PM
 

Correct

No mention of 'big brother' - regarding the link.

by Michael McCoy (5 articles, 1 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 342 comments) on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 3:11:02 PM
 

The two dead links resurected:

A compelling, current expose' of US media stategies in the US.  Bill Moyers reports:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQbXXSOQWNY

A very informative overview of the influences on the US media by government agencies in the pursuit of "advocacy journalism", through sworn expert testimony in a court of law:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bbnxsPgcsH0

by Michael McCoy (5 articles, 1 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 342 comments) on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 4:19:25 AM
 

Opting Out

Yes, but more and more people are awakening.  I think (I hope) we will see, over the next few years, more and more people opting out of consumerism, opting out of health care and the traditional medical model, opting out of economy, opting out of the educational system, and these people will form small pockets and networks which will start building small alternative  communities.  I think this is the only way.

by Sasha Viasasha (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 2 comments) on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 9:21:29 AM
 

I agree with both Sasha and Michael

The democrat V.S. republican shell game is as Michael so eleqently stated just an illusion to give the voters the perception of choice. If that were'nt bad enough the elections are rigged. The power-elite (The central bankers) are the puppet masters who control the world economy with this fiat currency and start wars to supply the military-industrial complex. The only way out is to demolish the Federal Reserve!

by ronheri (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 190 comments) on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 9:32:52 AM
 

the election illusion

Well put Michael.  It's sickening to watch everyone caught up in the left/right paradigm when it's so obvious they are being manipulated by the powers that be and their minions in the msm.  Once you wake up to the fact that you have no real choice, that your vote isn't counted and that yes, there is a man behind the curtain making sure things run according to the elites plan, you can see it all so clearly.  It's just so hard to convince others to give up the arguing over which candidate is best and realize they are both one and the same.

by jersey girl (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 100 comments) on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 9:40:25 AM
 

Thanks for your kind words...

Jersey Girl. It does seem very real, that more and more people are recognizing the hidden mechanisms that dictate virtually every aspect of our lives.

The concept of a representative government here in America is, indeed, a grand farce with immense and far reaching consequences.

And the infection is deeply intertwined within the political, banking/monetary, military and media systems - the true levers of power. This is no accident. In these matters, there are no accidents, ever.

Speak of these matters often to others - the myriad, carefully manufactured illusions that surround us as citizens. Growth of public awareness seems to be the reasonable, responsible course. And with the breadth, scope and determination of the infection, a quick fix is not likely.

Let me leave you with a quote that is memorable, remarkably telling and goes to the heart of the matter, whether you hold the speaker in esteem or not:

"... the United States Senate is Israeli occupied territory..."  ~  Pat Buchannon, Fox News Political Analyist.

by Michael McCoy (5 articles, 1 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 342 comments) on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 4:06:36 AM
 

Our manufactured view of the world.

The best way to control people is not with a gun and prison, thought that is always held in reserve, it is getting them to believe the way you look at the world and agree with their interpretation of it and how they respond to that point of view. What Chomsky calls manufactured consent. It could only happen if enough people have the information they are given by the power structure in order to come to the same conclusions expected from the data as given. A closed loop of information, a tautology created to come to a preordained consensus.

It takes an extraordinary need for more information, a discerning mind, questioning constantly and analyzing the data to come to our own conclusions, not the one expected. So far we tend to be in the minority of those even interested in the world around us much less being skeptical of the corporate status quo.

by nightgaunt (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 251 comments) on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 12:10:49 PM
 

Dwelling in the problem and not the solution

I'm curious.  Mr. McCoy et al. have no problem condemning the current election system.  In fact, the election has already been stolen and is essentially over.  So, you have no faith in what exists today.  Great!

Other than complaining about it here at OpEdNews.com and perhaps elsewhere, have any of you actually ran for and/or held a public office - local, state, or Federal - that had the ability to deal with this issue directly?  It's all well and fine that you want to point out the errors, but what have you done to promote a legitimate and workable solution?  If voting isn't enough, then I presume you've acted in other ways?

Personally, I think the article highlights the dilemma of many progressives today.  Progressive are most comfortable pointing out the "wrongs" because such action places blame elsewhere and away from them.  But when it comes to a worakable... reasonable... most likely solution, progressives insist that only their proposals will work with equanimity.  And yet, this is the very antithesis of compromise.  If the Democrats have it wrong, and the Republicans have it wrong, then who can claim that the Progressives have it right?

If you insist on dwelling in the problem and not the solution, don't expect happiness to come to you too readily.

by Tom Murphy (3 articles, 4 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 1767 comments) on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 3:23:27 PM
 

General Murphy

General Murphy as usual brings his negative slant to those who sttempt to express their views. I have been supporting Ron Paul with hundreds of dollars and hours of time with a local meetup group. I have been a member of a 911 truth group; spreading the word of 911 being an inside job...what has the troll  Murphy done?

by ronheri (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 190 comments) on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 4:25:01 PM
 

Silly, rabbit, Trix are for kids...

"General Murphy as usual brings his negative slant to those who sttempt (sic) to express their views."

There is nothing negative about the comment. It's a personal observation – an opinion, if you like. You (like I), ronheri, are more than welcome to express your views on any article, link, diary entry, poll, etc...

"I have been supporting Ron Paul with hundreds of dollars and hours of time with a local meetup group. I have been a member of a 911 truth group; spreading the word of 911 being an inside job..."

Ah... so you have let others speak for you – not unlike your state and Federal representatives? How very kind of you, but if you want the change you seem to desire, I recommend YOU get in the trenches and represent the masses. You'll find that your idealism will need to be sacrificed on the altar of compromise and workable solutions.

"...[W]hat has the troll Murphy done?"

Come now, ronheri. This is such a child-like response, "I double dog dare you!" I'm not alleging that the machine is broken – dented perhaps but not broken.

by Tom Murphy (3 articles, 4 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 1767 comments) on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 10:11:25 AM
 

You make a variety of assumptions, indeed.

Interesting, in your opening paragraph, that you're curious, yet pose no question - and go on to seemingly answer it. And my "lack of faith of what exists today" is anything but great - yet is on solid footing.

Faith in immense, corrupted ruses of mass manipulation just doesn't make much sense.

Pigeonholing me as a progressive, simply because of my realistic assessment of the insidiousness of the staus quo is, well, simplistic and presumptuous. If labeling me is important, I'd likely be more accurately decsribed as 'none of the above'. I think of myself as a taxpaying American citizen and co-owner of this country - and I obviously disdain a system of mass control through deceit and treachery cleverly disguised as elections.

As far as placing the blame away from myself, I can, with utter certainty, say that I have not been involved in any conspiracy to hoodwink others through eleborate, cyclical subversions of due process in order to gain their obedience, ever. The cabals of which I repeatedly refer, act far from my perview - or yours. Power certainly corrupts, but likely maore accurate - and more relevant, is that power attracts the corruptable.

I have involved myself in numerous local and State level campaigns, where the tenticles of corruption are less pronounced, yet the power of such special interest groups as AIPAC for instance, makes it's appearance, eventually. Support of a candidate that doesn't demonstrate clear allegiance to Israeli policys, agendas and actions is absurd. Try it sometime, Mr Murphy.

Attempt any deviation from the pre-determined game-plan that has been formulated by the masters. Buck the staus quo. Be a maverick.

Please point out a single US Representative or Senator that will speak out against the privately owned, self-serving central banking system scourge that was hoaxed upon the American people in 1913. (You can't possibly believe that the current US financial disaster was either an accident or unforeseen), can you?

Quote a single US president or politician, while in office, that spoke against the shadow government, the CIA's actions for fifty years on the world stage and domestically, the co conspirators throughout the media or the commanding presence of the US military industry.

Our self-appointed masters have not left the levers of genuine power unattended, Mr Murphy.

I don't claim to know who "has it right". But I do know when an immense, perverted, Alice in Wonderland hoax has been carefully engrained into American mythology - a system of control methodically designed by those with ulterior motives. Motives and agendas that are outside the concerns and benefit, and often to the very detriment of the rightful owners of this country - We, the People - through which government osensibly derives it's legitimacy. Pretty words, eh?

I dwell on few things and my happiness quotient is quite good, thank you - and not by accident. I recognize my abilities and contribute in ways I deem most realistic - even if it is just "complaining about it here on OpEdNews or perhaps elsewhere".

On such fundamental matters of breadth and scope, awareness is the reasonable, realistic and workable avenue of my choice. Freedom isn't free, it requires work. Might I assume that you are pleased with the fairy tale in which you live? What have you been doing Mr Murphy?

by Michael McCoy (5 articles, 1 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 342 comments) on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 5:39:18 PM
 

And your assumptions are many also

"Interesting, in your opening paragraph, that you're curious, yet pose no question - and go on to seemingly answer it. And my 'lack of faith of what exists today' is anything but great - yet is on solid footing."

Curiosity does not require (a) question(s) but usually involves a process of thought. No great faith and yet what you do have rests on solid footing. Spoken like someone in denial. But okay, let's accept your claim here.

"Faith in immense, corrupted ruses of mass manipulation just doesn't make much sense."

You have presumed this as a priori and have not presented a compelling argument that such exists. No doubt, you have your beliefs that result in this opinion, but if anything, this sounds as though you have faith that there is(are) nefarious entity(ies) stripping you of your liberty and rights as we type. I'm not willing to accept this based upon your faith alone, and I have not seen any compelling evidence that has swayed me to adopt similar beliefs to yours.

"Pigeonholing me as a progressive, simply because of my realistic assessment of the insidiousness of the staus (sic) quo is, well, simplistic and presumptuous. If labeling me is important, I'd likely be more accurately decsribed (sic) as 'none of the above'. I think of myself as a taxpaying American citizen and co-owner of this country - and I obviously disdain a system of mass control through deceit and treachery cleverly disguised as elections."

In other words – a Progressive with, perhaps, a dash of Libertarian. And it's more than a label; it's a supporting belief structure that aids your thought process that results in conclusions (or opinions) – not unlike those in the article.

"As far as placing the blame away from myself, I can, with utter certainty, say that I have not been involved in any conspiracy to hoodwink others through elaborate (sic), cyclical subversions of due process in order to gain their obedience, ever."

You are an American citizen. You are responsible for your voting decisions (including your decisions not to vote) just as those you voted for are accountable for their actions.  And for your decisions YOU are responsible. Conveniently blaming (or crediting) others for this or that is a direct abdicating of that responsibility. If you don't believe this axiom, I suggest you read up on the American citizenship - http://www.apsanet.org/imgtest/AmericanCitizenship.pdf . Your assertion here, then, is immaterial, although and admittedly it might make you "feel" better about yourself.

"I have involved myself in numerous local and State level campaigns, where the tenticles (sic) of corruption are less pronounced... Attempt any deviation from the pre-determined game-plan that has been formulated by the masters. Buck the staus (sic) quo. Be a maverick."

Have you ever personally run for or held a public office? That's where you're being a "maverick" would have the most impact, no? And yet, it seems as though you have been content to point out the wrongs, find someone who kinda, sorta thinks like you (who I'm certain is on the left end of the political spectrum), and then support them. Well, there's a neat solution to your concern of election hijacking... not.

"Please point out a single US Representative or Senator that will speak out against the privately owned, self-serving central banking system scourge that was hoaxed upon the American people in 1913."

Once again, the infamous Federal Reserve Act is used as the smoking gun. Whether a senator or representative agrees with the Act or not is immaterial. The Act was voted on, passed, and signed into law quite some time ago. Get over it and stop pointing to "it" as the demise of America. It's been almost 100 years since its inception and we're still here. If anything – and were I to accept your claims, that cabal works very, very, very slow. So slow that I'm a bit lost as to what the first GENERATIONS (not weeks, months or years) of the cabal gained from its creation.

If you recall, the First Bank of the United States was established as a private company and resembled the existing Federal Reserve Bank in many ways - click here . Aside from a part ownership interest in the First Bank, the institution was very much not a part of the government, with good reason. I suppose, though, that you could assert that the cabal has existed since Alexander Hamilton and George Washington circa 1791, huh?

The Fed is an independent agency – similar to other agencies (e.g., EPA, GSA, NASA, NTSB, and USPS) - click here . As such, the Fed is authorized by Congress to do what it does - click here .

"(You can't possibly believe that the current US financial disaster was either an accident or unforeseen), can you?"

I believe this was foreseen but certainly not with the currently observed magnitude, which is based largely on people's perceptions – negative people, negative results... positive people,... A number of variables came together to create this result (e.g., rising energy costs, falling dollar value, adjustable rate increases, real estate devaluation, etc...). Separately, the variables could be absorbed by the markets and financial system, but together... we witness the see-saw going on today, along with the taxpayer bailout (which I have disagreed with from the start).

But... do I think the crisis was manufactured? No. Greed appears to be the biggest cause here with lending institutions enjoying double digit profit for mortgage selling/repackaging/investing over multiple and consecutive years running - until the bubble burst. Well, because of the avarice of the larger investment banks, all banks will be regulated more so, which means efficiency impacts, lending restrictions, credit crunches, and additional fees for services to cover the bailout's cost. But his too shall pass... given time.

"Quote a single US president or politician, while in office, that spoke against the shadow government, the CIA's actions for fifty years on the world stage and domestically, the co conspirators throughout the media or the commanding presence of the US military industry. "

Right... not a single public official has spoken out against the CIA tactics and methods... not one:

1. click here .
2. http://hnn.us/articles/380.html .
3. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/02/politics/02intel.html .
4. click here .
5. click here .

Where have you been for the past several decades... under a rock?

"I don't claim to know who 'has it right'. But I do know when an immense, perverted, Alice in Wonderland hoax has been carefully engrained into American mythology - a system of control methodically designed by those with ulterior motives."

Great, nice speech, put it to patriot music and you have a killer campaign ad, and yet HOW do you know?

"I dwell on few things and my happiness quotient is quite good, thank you - and not by accident. I recognize my abilities and contribute in ways I deem most realistic - even if it is just 'complaining about it here on OpEdNews or perhaps elsewhere'."

Where you complain... often – http://www.opednews.com/author/author11293.html , I find it difficult to believe that your "happiness quotient" (whatever THAT is) can be good. Research has shown that negative people (e.g., complainers) are unhappy people – click here and click here . I suggest you take the Happiness Quiz to verify your happiness quotient - http://www.elainesden.org/subpage4.html .

"Might I assume that you are pleased with the fairy tale in which you live? What have you been doing Mr Murphy?"

"Pleased" is such a vague word. Of course, some things could be better but a whole lot of things could be much worse. As to what I've been doing... I'm not the one alleging the wagon is broken beyond repair – you folks are.

by Tom Murphy (3 articles, 4 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 1767 comments) on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 10:23:26 AM
 

The truth is out there - really

First, Mr Murphy, as much as it seems necessary for you to do so, referring to me as a "you folks" is truly inaccurate. I hold a membership to no clubs here on OpEdNews. I speak for myself and no others, no groups, no parties, no think tanks. I have no advertisers to accomodate and no homogenized, group philosophy to kneel before.

Now, regarding the "Happiness Quotient", according to Stacey Colino of BNET: "What elements do make a difference? Surprisingly simple, internal factors such as having healthy self-esteem, a sense of optimism and hope, gratifying relationships and meaning and purpose in your life have the most influence, according to recent studies on what researchers call "subjective well-being.""

The Happiness Quotient:

http://hqhqblog.com/

That having been said, while I no longer frolic in the lillies as in my youth, I have discovered my particular variety of niches along my life's journey, and am quite content and fulfilled - thank you. While the spontaneous laughter of a child remains a genuine joy to my spirit, I freely admit that digging out a scoundrel and exposing him to the bright light is, indeed, a rewarding experience.

I'm just that kind of fellow.

We are of different mindsets, indeed, Mr Murphy. In my variety of interests, even passions, I value above all things, simple truth, regardless of it's smell. Truth that requires no legal protections - no offical secrecy statutes - those special truths hidden by obfuscations. You know, the really big, smelly truths. The ones that infect through manipulation and subversion. I want to talk to those with the secrets. Therein, the why becomes self evident. I enjoy the occasional, fanciful myth as much as the next guy, but when genuinely secretive, self-serving, treacherous cabals seek control and manipulation of immense populations, I tend to pay attention.

I plead guilty to being caught in the seemingly old fashioned notion that the true will of the people - the electorial college notwithstading - should be accurately assessed, determined and carried out. It's a due process thing, pardon me for being such a stickler.

You seem inordinately determined to disprove my assertions, and that's a bit curious in itself, considering your seeming disdain for someone opining within the OPEdNews venue. You know, those generally non-professional writers that engage in wide varieties of discourse, sometimes meaningful.

Now, regarding my priori and the nefarious entities of which you reference - I must assume you have a working knowledge of the vote manipulation, illegitimate disqualifications and disenfranchisement that took place on an immense scale in Florida in 2000.

Sidestepping this critical example or muddying the practical results will get us nowhere, very quickly. This is but one, yet prime example that speaks directly to the substance of my article.

I must further assume that you supported Bush, the 'victor/selectee' in the Florida fiasco, (possibly still do), for had the situation been reversed, (i.e. Gore and minions been the organization that more effectively perverted the vote, and/or had the US Supreme Court been staffed by one less republican), would you remain as seemingly oblivious to, (or in denial of), a conspiracy and fraud to blatantly subvert the process by which the person that occupies and executes the duties of the most powerful government postion in the land, and on the planet, is decided?

Then, would you surmise that the continued, well planned and re-documented perversion of the system when it repeated in Ohio in 2004, count as the same conspiracy - or is it separate? And if this isn't a conspiracy in the classic sense through your reasoning, what - pray tell - would be?

To be clear, if large, well organized groups of people with a common agenda to commit a clearly illegal act in concert isn't a conspiracy and the epitome of corruption, what would be, in your opinion? When this elaborate ruse is verified yet suppressed by mainstream media in the months and years that follow, is that to be described as 'old news' or an additional element of the conspiracy?

When solid proof of both is established, and key officials within the judiciary simply do not act, thereby demonstrating clear dereliction of duty, could it be blamed on a law enforcement system with "higher priorities", or with more "pressing matters" at hand?

These are stakes of the highest order - regarding the highest, most powerful office on the planet - dictating events on the world stage, in addition to the agendas/priorities on the domestic front that directly affect the lives of 300 million American citizens.

You remember. The body of persons from whom the institutions of government ostensibly derive their legitimacy?

Now, for a parallel of significance. Considering the plethra of evidence on countless fronts proving the intricate manufacture and subversion of 'evidence' to support the cause for the invasion of Iraq, just what would a collection of underhanded, top-level neocons need to do to shake your seemingly undying faith in your government institutions? Remarkable that you can seemingly dismiss the travesty of industrialized murder of six years of US military occupation of Iraq as a 'mistake' in a system that might need a few tweaks.

With 4,178 US military lives lost, it seems that those with a military background would be the most sensitive to the unwashed reality of the impetus. And undoubtedly, 100,000 Iraqi civilian deaths sure does sound better than the widely accepted 600,000 number. But, of course, these are just humans with dark skin, speaking a strange language and none were our aunts, our sons or our sisters.

"Our government has kept us in a perpetual state of fear - kept us in a continuous stampede of patriotic fervour - with the cry of grave national emergency. Always, there has been some terrible evil at home, or some monstrous foreign power that was going to gobble us up if we did not blindly rally behind it." ~ General Douglas MacArthur

Is it possible that you are actually unaware of the criminal/underhanded Zionist/Masonic manifest destiny that is at the heart of the United States institutional/political hierarchy? Or is that yet another kook conspiracy?

Once again, sidestepping yet another key element of the forces that shape our everyday lives would be tantamount to a discussion of remarkable banality - and just plain silly.

How do I know? My goodness, Mr Murphy. How is it that you could not know? Regarding the respective rocks under which we lurk, are you digging around, at least sometimes, or are you enjoying the darkness - the silence - and the bliss? I am absolutely certain that you have a good working knowledge of the written word and equally sure that you have access to the internet. It requires connecting the dots, a meaningful search for empirical evidence, cross referencing and validating information, equating events to motives and motives to individu