Censored 2012 (6 page)

The authors and journalists of
Censored 2012
(especially here in
chapter one
) exemplify the kind of future we need in a free press. We hope these people and their reports embolden others in the news media and the citizenry at large to at long last lift the veil, see the truth of our times, and act in a democratic spirit to create a better world.

1
. For more on these tactics, see political scientist and former Project Censored judge, Michael Parenti, “Monopoly Media Manipulation,” May 2001, online at
http://www.michaelparenti.org/MonopolyMedia.html
; for a more detailed analysis on the phenomenon of “spin,” see Stuart Ewen,
PR!: A Social History of Spin
(New York: Basic Books, 1996).

2
. Thomas Jefferson, in his first inaugural address in 1801, said, “If there be any among us who would wish to dissolve this Union, or to change its republican form,
let them stand undisturbed as monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated, where reason is left free to combat it.” This sentiment clearly favors free expression and debate over censorship. It encourages factual transparency and the creation of public consensus in maintenance of democratic self-governance. The free press plays a crucial role in this free expression.

For further reading on issues surrounding conspiracy labeling and research, and in particular concerning potential State Crimes Against Democracy and the censorship of other controversial issues that have great impact on our society, please see Paul Craig Roberts, “9/11 and the Orwellian Redefinition of ‘Conspiracy Theory,’ ” Global Research, June 20, 2011,
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?
context=viewArticle&code=ROB20110620&articleId=25339
; Dr. Robert Abele on “Conspiracy Theory,” (in two parts),
The Daily Censored
, written for the
Project Censored Show
on Pacifica Radio, May 18 and 21, 2011, available online at
http://dailycensored.com/2011/05/18/conspiracy-theory/
and
http://dailycensored.com/2011/05/21/conspiracy-theory-ii/
, and especially note Dr. Abele’s “Further Reading” list at the links.

Dr. Mark Crispin Miller talks about the genesis of the label “conspiracy theory” coming from the CIA after the JFK assassination, and the term has been used ever since as a term to discredit anyone that investigates unpopular subjects. Miller discusses this at the “How the World Changed After 9/11: A Critical Thinking Symposium” panel discussion and the “Distrust Your Government: How Conspiracy Theorists Become Conspiracy Realists” conference hosted by
INN World Report
in New York City, September 11–12, 2010,
http://www.howtheworld-changed.org/
. For more on Miller’s remarks, see
http://tangibleinfo.blogspot.com/2011/02/word-conspiracy-theory-was-invented-by.html
, and especially for audio of the panel from 5:25 to 26:33, online at
http://www.radio4all.net/files/[email protected]/4212-1-911WUC_20110217_Miller.mp3
. Miller quotes James Madison: “The fetters (the chains) on liberty at home have ever been forged out of the weapons used in defense against real, pretended, or imaginary enemies from abroad.” The term “conspiracy theory” acts as a cudgel to curtail and censor open and honest debate (a fetter on liberty). Similarly, scholar Peter Dale Scott has written and spoken a great deal about conspiracy research in what he calls “Deep Politics,” which he expands upon in many of his books, but for an introduction, see
http://www.maryferrell.org/wiki/index.php/The_War_Conspiracy
.

Further reading includes Peter Phillips and Mickey Huff, “Response to Chip Berlet’s ‘Toxic to Democracy: Conspiracy Theories, Demonization, and Scapegoating,’ ” Project Censored, July 29, 2010,
http://www.projectcensored.org/top-stories/articles/a-response-to-chip-berlet’s-”toxic-to-democracy”/
; Dr. Peter Phillips, “Conspiracies, Plots and Other Anti-democratic Notions” Global Research, Nov 10, 2002,
http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/PHI211A.html
; Dr. Michael Parenti, “Conspiracy and Class Power,” lecture in Berkeley, CA, 1993, recorded by Maria Gilardin of TUC Radio,
http://www.tucradio.org/081015_Conspira-cyONE.mp3
and
http://www.tucradio.org/081022_ConspiracyTWO.mp3
.

Sources:

Student Researcher:
Bay Ewald (San Francisco State University)

Faculty Evaluator:
Kenn Burrows (San Francisco State University)

Sources:

Student Researchers:
John M. Curtin, Molliann Zahm, Maria Rose, Vincent Caruso, and George Antzoulis (Niagara University); Jason Corbett (Sonoma State University)

Faculty Evaluators:
Brian Martin Murphy (Niagara University); Cynthia Boaz (Sonoma State University); Mickey Huff (Diablo Valley College)

For more information on the case, including fact sheets and legal papers, visit
www.aclu.org/targetedkillings
and
www.ccrjustice.org/targetedkillings
.

Sources:

Student Researcher:
Rene Arellano (San Francisco State University)

Faculty Evaluator:
Kenn Burrows (San Francisco State University)

Sources:

Student Researchers:
Nathasha Terry-Ulett (Florida Atlantic University); Rosa Caldera (Sonoma State University)

Faculty Evaluators:
James Tracy (Florida Atlantic University); Elaine Wellin (Sonoma State University)