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Real Enemies: Conspiracy Theories and American Democracy, World War I to 9/11

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This book analyzes conspiracy theories from World War One to the present and is to a degree an extension of Richard Hofstadter's book on the same topic.As Ms.Olmsted writes, she does not try to psychoanalyze the various theorists and determine which elements in American culture and history led them to become paranoic.
Over the past two hundred years, Americans blamed Catholics, Masons, Mormons and Jews as groups responsible for undermining American democracy and the American people's security, and, in addition, the Americans have been obsessed with this paranoic fear of seeing conspiracies almost everywhere. Ever since the nation's founding, the Americans "have worried that the great instrument of the people's will would be turned against them". In other words, the ones to be blamed were not only minorities but the govenment itself and its components. This last element is the one which characterizes the transformation of conspiracy theories in the twentieth century. Secretive bureaucracies and the institutionalized secrecy of modern US government inspired a new type of conspiracy theories and these, in turn, argued that governent officials lied to citizens, "dragged the peaceable American people into foolish wars, and then spied on and oppressed the opponents of war".
The book contains seven chapters which start with WW1 and the author regards this event as the turning point for the different conspiracy theories. She analyzes in depth the Pearl Harbour attack and the fate of those who were regarded to be conspirators of this infamous acts, and adds new materials on the Cold War period. This era was one of the highlights of American paranoia, because government officials and private citizens saw Reds everywhere, real of imagined, inspired to a great extent by the Joe McCarthy's crudades against real or unreal enemies and subversive forces. One exmple given is that of Linus Pauling, the famous scientist, who was considered a Communist and was denied free movement ouside the US until the time when President Kennedy changed this.
The great master of American security was Edgar J. Hoover, who suspected immense conpiracies everywhere. His fears were augmented by Elizabeth Bentley's revelations about Communist spies who infiltrated the American establishment. The assassination of President Kennedy gave an additional boost to the conspiracy theories which argued that the American goverment was lying to its people because it did not reveal the truth about Kennedy's assassination. This event itself let millions of Americans to search in vain for another truth about the killed President and a whole industry on this-which is still developing-has followed, whereby citizens and researchers, historians, reporters, movie makers and directors took part in the quest to find the real killers or their motivations.
Another chapter has to do with the presidency of Nixon. It was this president who would make conspiracies and their theories central to the American system of governance. Writes Olmsted:
" The Nixon administration tried to restore Americans' fate in the goverment and the "infallibility" of the presidency by proving the fallibility and dishonesty of previous presidents".
By the 1980s,Americans no longer simply suspected that the government was undermining democracy. They were certain that it was guilty of much worse. The revelation of CIA mind control experiments intensified these fears and paranoia and the American public learned of official plots to control behaviour of randomly chosen, ordinary Americans. The MKULTRA programs and the hearing of the Church committeee only fueled these fears, followed by new kinds of conspiracies that included this time alies and UFOs. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, "The X-files" series became a great success showing the one cannot know the exact truth about anything, since the truth is out there".
The last chapter is about conspiracy theories in respect to the 9/11 tragedy.
This book shows to what extent large segments of American society are easily fooled by illusions and paranoic fears which have no real basis. On the other hand, it also questions many facets of American policy regarding the secrecy culture which might be responsible for this kind of style in American history.This book is indispensable reading for those who want to learn to what extent the human mind can be persuaded to believe in almost any fiction made real in the mind of those believers.

This is a great book if the idea of reviewing past histories of "conspiracy theories" are of interest to you, from WWI to 9/11. The book is just packed full of information and documents to back up the concepts of the author. It reads like a PhD thesis----packed full of information and is not a book that will put you to sleep. It took concentration from me, even though it was well written. And It will take me at least a couple of reads to really get a handle on most of the topics. It is just very interesting look at conspiracy theories of all types with explanations of how they got started including extensive documentation and bibliography at the end. It would be a good research book and you could expand on any of the topics that may interest you by use of its excellent and extensive bibliography.

REAL ENEMIES is a quick summary of the "facts" related to conspiracies alleged to have occurred over the past century. The author Olmsted finds that with the increase in government power and the democratization of information, conspiracy theories have been increasing. Of course such theories are speculation based on available information. Proof of criminal conspiracy requires facts showing that at least two people willingly agreed to commit a crime and took some action toward that end. Attempting to prove conspiracy involving government officials is difficult because the criminal "defendants" can control the release of the "facts" and the investigative system.

Some "conspiracy" theories: Did President Wilson deceive the public leading to the American participation in World War I? Did Roosevelt know about Pearl Harbor but allow it to happen so the USA would be forced to enter World War II? Did Lyndon Johnson and others warp the "facts" to hide the truth about the JFK assassination? Did Nixon create a criminal snoop machine and then attempt to hide the truth? Did the Reagan government conspire to use illegal means to fund rogue military operations? Did "W" Bush create or take advantage of the events of 911 go to war in Iraq and Afghanistan?

The answers to all of these questions as presented in this historical summary could be: "yes", "maybe" "sort of", "possibly", "it depends of your point of view", and so on. Justifications for the possible illegal actions of officials are often cited: Wilson and Roosevelt needed to deceive the public in order to pull America into necessary wars and Lyndon Johnson and Hoover packaged an official JFK "lone nut" story to avoid igniting a nuclear war. The cover-up conspiracies that inevitably follow such disasters as Pearl Harbor or 911 could just be products of human nature. Bureaucrats and politicians need to put a pretty (or ignorant) face on their incompetence. But, as the author relates, no conspirator ever "takes the fall"-- no one goes to prison -- rarely is anyone even fired. Life goes on. Conspiracies continue.

There is a tone in the book that many of the conspiracy theories are set forth by the "little people" who do not have the facts and often jump to erroneous conclusions. It is suggested that shoe clerks and housewives find excitement in the conspiratorial chase otherwise not found in their mundane lives. And that often the government conspirators are "good guys" who cannot expose the logical motives behind their actions for reasons of national security. But then again even that could also just be a smoke screen.

Ultimately, the book shows that governmental and political criminal conspiracies and cover-ups are a real and continuing phenomena, obscured by the power of those who commit the crimes to create "official" stories, to manipulate public opinion, to delay or eliminate the release of facts, and to pardon those who happen to get caught.

After taking great pains in the book to appear neutral on the subject, the author identifies the book title perpetrators and summarizes the problem: "it is the secret actions of the government that are the real enemies of democracy."

I would add that it is the excessive power and often the criminality and incompetence of those in government that permits them to easily conceal the real motives, the crimes, the mistakes, the bribers, manipulators and "ego-driven crazies" involved in the conspiracies. Powerful politicians and bureaucrats like Johnson, Hoover and Helms working within the governmental/corporate/bureaucratic power structure are the magicians of mud who constantly dirty the waters of truth to conceal their crimes from a gullible and weary public.

"Real Enemies" aspires to explanations of the idea of 'conspiracy' in American history from WWI to the present that the material doesn't rise to support, but is still a nonetheless engaging survey and poses interesting issues.

A central insight is that throughout American history, many Americans feared that the government would fall prey to a conspiracy *against* it, it was beginning with the WWI period that the government itself became a *source* of conspiracy, with debilitating impacts on democracy. It is these 'debilitating impacts' which is controversial and unproved, and there the book grasps to achieve too much. WWI marked probably the largest expansion in federal power, and the budget ballooned from $1 billion to $13 billion dollars in the period.

As the government grew, it gained the power to conspire against its citizens, and in fact did use that power, e.g. Tuskegee, MKULTRA, CIA testing of LSD on unsuspecting Americans, Reagan's arms-for-hostages, Watergate. Government also developed 'official' conspiracies--e.g. Wilson's German sympathizers, the communists of the Cold War, George Bush's 'Iraq/Al Quaeda connection'. Simultaneously, government will suppress dissent against official conspiracies. Americans in turn develop their own conspiracy theories about government action, often in competition with the 'official' narrative. For example, as discussed in this book, the '9/11 truthers.'

Government also grew to have the power to spy on and harrass dissenters. Woodrow Wilson had scores of Americans charged with 'sedition' during WWI; FDR expanded the FBI to spy on any Americans suspected of the very broadly worded 'subversive activities', allowing J Edgar Hoover basically carte blanche to amass files on Americans from WWII until he died in the '70s--initially he was concerned with German spies, then communists, JFK, and finally figures in the civil rights movement like MLK. The FBI also developed COINTELPRO, to infilitrate and neutralize all of the aforementioned dissident groups. Again, entire books could be written about any of these aforementioned topics.

One effect of Americans who develop their own conspiracy theories is that they will make a "leap from the undeniable to the unbelieveable." Here another entire book could be written about the 'epistemology of conspiracy.' For example, it is undeniable that the Joint Chiefs of Staff developed a plan ("Operation Northwood") to conduct terrorist attacks on US citizens, to set off bombs in major US cities, to shoot down an airliner, sink American ships, and foment riots. Fortunately JFK vetoed the plan. But it is unbelievable that George Bush would have actually rubber stamped a conspiracy with Saudi lackeys to bring down the World Trade Center. That is, just because the government developed outrageous plans in the past doesn't mean that they developed this particular outrageous plan. Still, what counts as 'historical fact' can be deeply controversial, especially since people will have different standards of credibility and 'rules of evidence' concerning these issues.

I do wonder what true, but unknown, conspiracies are lingering out there!

Conspiracy theories also become more democratic throughout the 20th Century. Initially these theories are the province of governmental, media, or policymaking elites. The spread of easier communication and access to information, interesting and ironically through the aid of government e.g. the Freedom of Information Act, and the advent of the internet, made conspiracy speculation available to all. This is another weakness of the book in that it tries to do too much--an entire book could be written on this idea alone.

The 'ills' which conspiracies foster in democracy are also conclusory and speculative, e.g. people spending time on abstruse irrelevant facts rather than on positive policy change, as is the 'remedy' of 'more democracy' or transparency.

Another criticism of the book is the concentration on national crisis or tragedy in conspiracy, a question of emphasis if you will. conspiracy is when two or more people collude to break the law. Yet, on this definition of conspiracy, many many smaller instances exist which probably have just as imporant a cumulative impact concerning the evils the author describes. In Detroit, for example, the ex-Mayor colluded with his chief of staff to give false testimony in court, used public funds for personal purposes, and obstruction of justice. Multiply that by all the other smaller officials cutting deals with real estate developers, selling public land to friends at a discount, delivering votes of dead people, cops shaking down citizens and covering it up, etc.--that seems to be as or more damaging to democracy than the occasional, distant, national tragedy.

Although "Real Enemies" tries to prove much more than its summary of largely secondary source material will permit, it is nevertheless thought-provoking and a worthwhile survey of the history of conspiracy beginning in the 20th Century.

Trust government and give more power? That's how every communist, totalitarian government were born in history. Suppress the opposition?That's how human rights were destroyed under communist. You are talking ideal theory only! Plus, these conspirator theory-are like chasing a smoke. Though some arguments and evidence are provoking, still the evidence seem a bit aloof especially many enemies of this nation( Islam extremest cultural invasion, socialism, communism, totalitariansism , one world governmentism. terroism. 9-11 truths...etc). I am so much overwhelmed, feel like almost losing my mind in these oceans of conspiracies, and most lies out there.( especially now I have to fight the government for our freedom) But I still have a hopes and prayers for this great nation, and believe the good works that this nation did in history. Such as; there are many nations wont be here on the globe any more if America didn't help Europe, Asia during WWII. WWI. Whenever there were communist,Tyrants, genocides, wars, terrorism, America has been the nation who cared, in good side. now, the future looks somewhat grim. What really bothers me are especially these communism, socialism, totalitarianism movement in America now, and I am concerned.
1989, Tinamen square, a million chines college students marched to protest against their communist government of oppression: it was broadcasted all over the world, they were asking communist government to give them ;freedom for speech, media, business, religion, true-democracy( not like few communist party people controlling) by election. Sooner the communist government sent them tanks and guns and indiscriminately shoot them and ran over with tank. Whole world watched through television broadcast. There is no "equal Justice" like the communist ideologist deceives people. Only "Elite Party Comrades" have the privileges of special health care, food market for themselves only, supply stores for them only, but the rest of the citizens live in dirt poor situation deprived from basic human rights. It's just a power shift from have to have not. Maybe somebody to arrange some "exchange living tourism" between these communist countries and America, Send those "Deceived communism lovers, or America haters" to live in those communist countries or middle eastern countries where human rights were evaporated long by brutal Islam for a year or two years by themselves without any privileges as American, but just as like their citizen, then maybe all these communism, socialism, totalitarian movement in American will learn the true lessons of the reality, and waken up. Also, reading the books by real defects form those communist countries, or brutal islam countries where human lives were treated like flies, will get some ideas, instead of dreamy lying ideology (theory) books out there.
Now some ignorant Americans already forgot about this just 20 years ago's brutality that we watched with our own eyes, want to change this great nation into communist?
Please study the real history. I mean the "real history" not just that stupid "ideology of communist". In a word, if you study the true history, communist repeatedly failed last 150 years.
and it's the most evil regime in the history. Why?: Stalin communist government killed 90 millions including the vicinity nations that were turn into communism, Macho-tong communist killed 100 millions, 2 millions by North Korea, by Cambodia each, 2 millions in Africa, 200,000 latin America..so on . But most of all they all became terribly poor after communist regime,oppressing the free capitalism, except China, because they started to adapt the partial capitalism from 10 years ago after they realized the harsh economic state. Now history tells also other evil regime; Hitler killed 6 million jew with other 4 million of Europeans; Japan' imperialism killed 20 million Asians during WWII, Arminian Genocide by Islam in Turkey ..so on.
When communism and socialism oppress people's creative and force them to work for "common Good", the productivity drops automatically. Why? men were not made to work for Common good. Maybe some aliens from different planet or maybe Jesus will do for common good. But not men's nature. That's why communism make every one poorer and poorer. When men get prosperous by working hard, with their creativity, they help others if they are normal. because normal people appreciate God's wisdom of love and peace.But if the much power goes to God-haters, but seeking totalitarianistic government, you will see the corruption everywhere. Because they basically don't know, or appreciate God's wisdom of love and peace for all, they will fully manifest their selfishness and brutality.

Men can't govern themselves.They are very selfish, greedy and evil by nature. If any political party, government have too much power, they will certainly hurt others unless they truly know jesus who always teach love and peace. That's why our America's constitution is truly great, because it was written by the God's fairness and wisdom protecting basic human rights that is originally from God . I realized only those who hate God fall into "deny the constitution, or change it because it's old ideas". Too old constitution? Then why the whole world always look upon America when it comes, most well practiced freedom and human right? Please have reasons.
If USA turned into communism, the power will shift to only those who hate the existing American system. They secretly controlling medias ( I already see it happened ) and brainwashing the youth by distorted facts in textbooks last 20 years. They keep change their names, their activity, and theory. Why? if they openly speak up their schemes, they know they will fail because any normal mind people will see the deception and its perversion. Look at these behind scenes of the head members. They are not normal mind, full of hatred, and causing always divisions, manipulations w lies. Sadly this government & Geroge Soro' socialic, communistic union party people hired many "paid bloggers from 4 years ago intensively promoting hatreds & division. Real sad thing is most American publics are so ignorant, not knowing the behind scenes, get brain washed step by step through facebook, twitters, googles' net traffic, youtube...so on.
Many good people's web site had been already blocked from public access from 2010. Do u know who r the major donors to all the ivy league schools in America? Middle Eastern Islamic terrorists sponsoring extremists. We pour our oil money into these middle eastern countries, these islamic extremists trains terrorists w our oil money, sending back to USA to brain wash college kids, funding mosques, also from 1960' pouring into American textbook committees to distort our history, fanning the Anti-america propaganda w socialists, communism together to destroy this great nation. But Americans are sleeping. While these trillion's forein oil money are eating up our nation, last prolong Democratic congress, present government prohibit our own oil production saying "environmental protection". No wonder our debt is no more controllable. To this nation to be strong, we have to have our own provision of power sources. Get it? Can't go on with debts like this, Though we fully develop all forms of green energy, it is still less than 40% of our total energy sources. Before polar bears or dolphins' eyes, we are getting total broke, can't even protect them from international slaughters. Please think people & wake up from those hired bloggers & medias who were own by few extreme liberal bosses.
So out of many conspiracy, out of so many "isms", I would say: Collect the real historic facts, separate from the author's propaganda. Lineup the real facts, then you will see the history more accurately. Always develop the "reasoning power" of your own this way, not swayed by many false propagandas in most books out there. If you don't have your own reasoning power, you will be always vulnerable and get deceived.
Interestingly always angry, poor people become the front line deceived victims of these evil ideology. So instead, ask God to enlighten your heart to live with love and peace with others and ask your personal blessing instead of trying to destroy others who seems have.
If you believe somebody or some classes hurt your people, look at this. Bible says: forgive your enemy, don't live with your past: Don't covet your neighbors: work diligently on your own hands so you don't steal, become a burden to others. And lastly, love your neighbors as yourself. Then you will live in the true blessing of God, the creator. Those citizens of chines and all the other communist countries, including north korean, who are brutally oppressed in the middle Eastern Islam tyrannies still wants their human freedom with the destruction of the oppressing totalitarianistic regime still today. So why move to backward of mistakes people?