Case Closed and Paranoia

[P. Rhaenda]

RICHARD ROMEO wrote:
> 
> Just curious.  Has anyone else read _Case Closed_ by Gerald Posner?  The
> refutation of many conspiracy theories and pundits (Garrison, Lifton,
> Lane, et. al) in the murder of JFK and his claim that Oswald did it
> alone.  Have to admit his arguments are pretty compelling.  What can we
> say about something we all share in some way, here, when folks like Jim
> Garrison get into the act?  Is there "good paranoia" and "bad paranoia"?
> Or if you like:  what is the state of paranoia in this country now that
> it's such a hot item:  X-files and spinoffs, hollywood celebrities
> studying the Kabbalah, Timothy McVeigh-types, e.g.  And what could They
> possibly gain by exploiting those who began their fights, fighting Them?
> 

I think that paranoia has displaced conventional religious doctrinal
elements.  Instead of the Trinity or the Law or Submission or the 4-Fold
Path, we have Those Who Really Run Things.  The practices of religion
have been replaced by television viewing. A deep and detailed conspiracy
provides an explanation for the horrifying events which television and
other media display.  Now we also have the internet serving as the
gossip fence of the global village.  Without conspiracies, we would have
to face a world where self-aggrandizing misfits like Oswald can change
history by a single violent act.  A world without conspiracy is a world
without masterminds, without people in charge, without grownups; it is a
world where everyone just muddles through.  Pretty bleak place dontcha
think?  No, we need Them whether They are powerful institutions or
traditions or the nameless dread lurking on a mailing list somewhere. 
Better them than the void.

			PR