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The Spectacle Blog
Glenn Greenwald on his blog today makes a troubling observation about the academic writings of Cass Sunstein, Obama’s head of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. In 2008, Sunstein published a paper that, if it is reflective of his regulatory style now that he’s in office, should give you pause. It is, Greenwald explains,
a truly pernicious paper proposing that the U.S. Government employ teams of covert agents and pseudo-“independent” advocates to “cognitively infiltrate” online groups and websites — as well as other activist groups — which advocate views that Sunstein deems “false conspiracy theories” about the Government. This would be designed to increase citizens’ faith in government officials and undermine the credibility of conspiracists.
Greenwald delves into the concerns raised when the man in charge of monitoring the government’s policies relating to privacy and information quality has openly advocated such methods. Greenwald concludes:
It is this history of government deceit and wrongdoing that renders Sunstein’s desire to use covert propaganda to “undermine” anti-government speech so repugnant. The reason conspiracy theories resonate so much is precisely that people have learned — rationally — to distrust government actions and statements. Sunstein’s proposed covert propaganda scheme is a perfect illustration of why that is. In other words, people don’t trust the Government and “conspiracy theories” are so pervasive precisely because government is typically filled with people like Cass Sunstein, who think that systematic deceit and government-sponsored manipulation are justified by their own Goodness and Superior Wisdom.
In other words, conspiracy theories exist because there are conspiracies.
Apart from the many constitutional and ethical questions a policy of “cognitive infiltration” would raise, it also seems guaranteed to exacerbate the one problem it is intended to solve. If you stop to think about it, conspiring to stamp out conspiracy theories is just a horrible idea. If you have a group of people worried about the government taking away freedom of speech or forcing some political order on them, the worst way to respond is to take control of their forums by stealthy means or planning to infiltrate their numbers to ease the workings of the government.
In fact the flaws in Sunstein’s thinking that Greenwald highlights brings to mind one instance where the Obama administration already has validated conspiracy theorists worst fears while trying to address them — the April DHS report warning of the rise of “right-wing extremism” from anti-abortion activists and veterans. Prior to that report, there was no concrete reason for anti-abortion advocates or war veterans to believe that the government was surveilling them. But after that report they could certainly be forgiven for an elevated mistrust of the government.
But should those people — or really anyone else who might entertain a conspiracy theory — comprehend the views of the OIRA chief on conspiracy theorists, they will definitely become even more resolute in their suspicion of government officials and in their opposition to exactly the kinds of policies that Sunstein is trying to make more popular.
UPDATE:
Reading through the paper, I can’t tell if Sunstein and Adrian Vermeule, the co-author, are serious. The paper could be a joke. I don’t know; I probably don’t get legal humor at all. But it’s interesting that in the conclusion the authors briefly acknowledge my point in this blog post:
Some conspiracy theories create serious risks. They do not merely undermine democratic debate; in extreme cases, they create or fuel violence. If government can dispel such theories, it should do so. One problem is that its efforts might be counterproductive, because efforts to rebut conspiracy theories also legitimate them.
View all comments (44) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Joseph Lawler
http://spectator.org/blog/2010/01/15/staving-off-conspiracy-theorie
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Dixie Pixie| 1.15.10 @ 5:46PM
Why am I not surprised at the Liberals use of political infiltrators.
OK, Which thread Troll wants to confess they are working for the Obama White House and the Democrats. Does anyone care to name names or make suggestions.
S.L. Toddard| 1.15.10 @ 8:28PM
If you read the piece Mr. Lawler links to, you will find it is not only "Liberals" who use these tactics:
...note how similar Sunstein's proposal is to multiple, controversial stealth efforts by the Bush administration to secretly influence and shape our political debates. The Bush Pentagon employed teams of former Generals to pose as "independent analysts" in the media while secretly coordinating their talking points and messaging about wars and detention policies with the Pentagon. Bush officials secretly paid supposedly "independent" voices, such as Armstrong Williams and Maggie Gallagher, to advocate pro-Bush policies while failing to disclose their contracts. In Iraq, the Bush Pentagon hired a company, Lincoln Park, which paid newspapers to plant pro-U.S. articles while pretending it came from Iraqi citizens. In response to all of this, Democrats typically accused the Bush administration of engaging in government-sponsored propaganda -- and when it was done domestically, suggested this was illegal propaganda. Indeed, there is a very strong case to make that what Sunstein is advocating is itself illegal under long-standing statutes prohibiting government "propaganda" within the U.S., aimed at American citizens:
"As explained in a March 21, 2005 report by the Congressional Research Service, "publicity or propaganda" is defined by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to mean either (1) self-aggrandizement by public officials, (2) purely partisan activity, or (3) "covert propaganda." By covert propaganda, GAO means information which originates from the government but is unattributed and made to appear as though it came from a third party."
Covert government propaganda is exactly what Sunstein craves. His mentality is indistinguishable from the Bush mindset that led to these abuses, and he hardly tries to claim otherwise. Indeed, he favorably cites both the covert Lincoln Park program as well as Paul Bremer's closing of Iraqi newspapers which published stories the U.S. Government disliked, and justifies them as arguably necessary to combat "false conspiracy theories" in Iraq -- the same goal Sunstein has for the U.S.
Flee| 1.16.10 @ 12:54AM
By those definitions Obama is a master of propoganda. Self aggrandizement and purely partisan activities? Thy name is Obama and his crew.
S.L. Toddard| 1.16.10 @ 8:53AM
"By those definitions Obama is a master of propoganda"
Yes - he has taken a page out of the Bush dirty-tricks handbook. If you object to that sort of propaganda, then you must condemn both Obama and Bush. Or you can condemn only one of them, and reveal yourself as a hypocrite.
Jeremiah| 1.16.10 @ 12:38PM
Flaming Turd Turddard.
Buzz off, troll, who made you thread master? Go back under your slimy Axelrod rock.
S.L. Toddard| 1.16.10 @ 3:51PM
Uh-oh! Looks like I have a new #1 Fan!
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to the new President of the S.L. Toddard Fan Club - "Jeremiah". I am formally announcing my acceptance of him as a Super-Fan at Level: Stalker. Now watch how good he is at following every comment I write, how he obsesses over me and follows me from thread to thread like a lovesick puppy-dog, completely unable to stop himself from talking about me.
Let's give him a hand - my #1 fan Jeremiah!
Jeremiah| 1.16.10 @ 5:55PM
Thank you, Flaming Turd Turddard; since you're so appreciative of my attention, I'll make sure I keep it up.
S.L. Toddard| 1.16.10 @ 6:46PM
That took over TWO HOURS. You're going to have to be more proactive with your hero-worship. I'm not going to deign to notice you again if you keep slacking like this.
Jeremiah| 1.16.10 @ 7:32PM
Just checkin' in, Flaming Turd Turddard.
S.L. Toddard| 1.17.10 @ 11:21AM
Much better.
Jeremiah| 1.17.10 @ 11:31PM
Thank you, Sir Flaming Turd Turddard.
Alan Brooks| 1.15.10 @ 11:09PM
"OK, Which thread Troll wants to confess they are working for the Obama White House and the Democrats."
I'm working for the ghost of David Ferrie and the Fluoride Corrupters Of Our Purity Of Essence (POE).
We are funded by the Illuminati and NAMBLA.
We used black helicopters to send mkULTRA agents to provide Tim McVeigh with fertilizer and racing fuel in '95.
Dixie Pixie| 1.16.10 @ 2:12PM
That was pretty good Alan.
Try this one on for size.
The Mind Spiders on the Arachnid Nebula have invaded the minds of Al Gore and the Global Warming Intellectualoids. Their plan is to conquer the planet by causing a new ice age by stealing our precious CO2.
ECM| 1.15.10 @ 5:49PM
I don't really see this as news, per se: after all, David Axelrod pretty much perfect the art of astro turfing and this is just the next, logical, step.
Janice| 1.15.10 @ 6:20PM
Liberal Reader, Bob, SL Toddard, Lynn Rockets--any others come to mind?
S.L. Toddard| 1.15.10 @ 6:31PM
The gist of this piece is that conspiracy theories exist because there are *real* sinister government conspiracies that deserve deep and serious consideration.
There is nothing by definition "crazy" about theories *about real government conspiracies*. If there are real government conspiracies - and history shows us that there are and always will be - it is a healthy citizenry that thinks deeply - or "theorizes" - about them. Now that's not to say that I think that Truthers or Birthers are correct - it is a matter of record that they are not. It's not even in serious dispute, they are simply wrong. But still, I think it's healthy that these citizens don't trust Big Government as far as they can throw it. There should be *more* mistrust in a healthy republic - not less. Politicians are as a general rule men of low quality - liars, poltroons and power-hungry miscreants. Government is not to be trusted. Big Government is to be feared.
S.L. Toddard@gmail.com| 1.15.10 @ 6:22PM
"the April DHS report warning of the rise of "right-wing extremism" from anti-abortion activists and veterans."
With the precedence set by the Bush administration, the Obama administration can merely decide - with no approval from the people, court or Congress, and no warrant - to "circumvent" (break) the law and monitor the communications of these people as long as the Obama admin professes to believe they are "terrorists". Tap the phones of citizens with no warrants - like the KGB.
Is that a power conservatives should trust Big Government with?
Jabot| 1.15.10 @ 9:04PM
Waaaah, waaah--it's the evil BOOOSH'S fault!
Same old song, same old story. Yawn.
S.L. Toddard| 1.16.10 @ 8:56AM
Is there something factually incorrect in what I wrote, or are you literally objecting to the truth?
Jeremiah| 1.16.10 @ 12:40PM
I'm objecting to you, Flaming Turd Turddard--the MOBY toll.
S.L. Toddard| 1.17.10 @ 11:22AM
OK - so nothing I wrote there is false, correct?
Jeremiah| 1.17.10 @ 11:33PM
It's your knee-jerk BDS that's amusing--and, uh, pretending you're a Conservative, troll.
Ken (Old Texican)| 1.15.10 @ 7:22PM
Dixie,
Surely Obama and crew can find smarter, sneakier people than these idiots to do their "covert" manipulation...heh.
These guys are just idiots, and the only time I read their words...is when I need a chuckle.
When I don't need a chuckle, I simply use my scroll button....as do most others here.
Nah, I think we will soon see some truly sneaky crafty trolls here...chipping away very quietly.
What is ironic is that mainstream Americans have already gotten the idea: Obama and team= communists, (pardon the shorthand), and Democrat congress critters and the MSM are merely the "useful idiot tools" ..... their step-children. heh
Smitty| 1.15.10 @ 9:01PM
The sneaky ones are 'concern trolls'. Several of the morons who troll here fit the bill.
Franklin| 1.15.10 @ 10:54PM
I was thinking the same thing.
And, yes, I do use my scroll button when I see certain names. And should they try to change their names to throw us off, I only have to read a line or two to know who they are.
Scroll, scroll...
Dixie Pixie| 1.16.10 @ 10:05PM
Greetings Ken
Here are some random thoughts for you.
The really sad part of Liberalism is they have lived so long in a political world hard wired to their fantasies, they don't know what a free and open debate looks like.
Any guesses as to how much S.L. Toddard is paid for his posts. Is it by character, word or turbid thought. Who would pay him anyway????
What happened to “Daphne” anyway.
She was really funny if she could be set off on a socialist rant.
Jeremiah| 1.17.10 @ 11:42PM
Oh, geeez, that's a blast from the past! Don't bring up the freak, Daphne; she might come back.
What a piece of work. I called her a dolt once and she went crazy--didn't know what the word meant. Made me laugh.
I think her endless anti-Semitic diatribes got her banned. Just breaks my heart. /sarc
Yosemeti Sam| 1.16.10 @ 1:03AM
" Staving Off Conspiracy Theories With... Conspiracies ... a truly pernicious paper proposing that the U.S. Government employ teams of covert agents and pseudo-"independent" advocates to "cognitively infiltrate" online groups and websites -- as well as other activist groups -- which advocate views that Sunstein deems "false conspiracy theories"
about the Government...."
Ah - the art of political intrigue: Do unto others before they do unto you what is 'suspected' they would do unto you.
Sorry bunch - these intellectualoids.
They've cognitively infiltrated the LMSM to the degree where they may be spoon-fed routinely?
Not enough?
Quite - think of LMSM as now anachronistic,
given the Internet etc.
Yet, consider this ignominious success:
The 'conspiracy of LMSMs' drumbeat silence - vis a vis BHOs' kleptocratic agenda - as to 500 Billion cold-hearted cuts from Medicare covered dependent seniors; boosting health care deforms'
place in the infamy category of history.
Most of the LMSM BTW - should be in clinics weaving baskets. But, I digress.
BHO hardcore conspiratorial socialism afoot - under the watchful 20-20 cyclopic eye of the LMSM!
Holmes - where are you?
Voting, working, people of reasonable intellect - do catch on.
Democrats will catch hell - come November.
Would that the LMSM were also on the ballots.
You betcha - as former governor of Alaska would observe.
Footnote to webmaster: expand this tiny comment box to twice its' horizontal size.
WYSIWYG does not apply when on-the-fly
edits are performed; the auto expansion/re-arrangement of syntactical text, after posting,
sometimes distorts.
See?
Bob| 1.16.10 @ 1:16AM
I appreciate your comments, Mr. Toddard, but wonder about an effective strategy to reintroduce Constitutional principles. Certainly you have to admit that during the Revolution, an effective general was better than an ideologically pure but ineffective general. To win you must develop allies and strategies. I think many contributors on these pages are not purely Republican but seek conservative values and principles. They might become YOUR allies during dark times. I think your message about corporate and right-wing statism would resonate better with a less combative approach. Seek out a brother before becoming a teacher. You are being tuned out.
Jeremiah| 1.16.10 @ 1:25AM
Is this Bob the old fart from Harvard? Regardless, Flaming Turd Turddard is a long-winded Concern Troll whom we studiously avoid.
He lies: He claimed he's been blogging here for two years--AmSpec Blog is about 15 months old.
He's a jackass who is most certainly not a friend.
S.L. Toddard| 1.16.10 @ 6:48PM
Yes, Bob - scroll up and down in this thread, or in the 'Scott Brown is Winning Nicely' thread, to see how Jeremiah "studiously avoids" me.
S.L. Toddard| 1.16.10 @ 8:56AM
"I think your message about corporate and right-wing statism would resonate better with a less combative approach"
You are certainly right about that, Bob. I simply don't have the patience of Red Phillips, and if you take a look at any thread in which I post, it is almost invariably the "conservatives" here who hurl the first insults and nasty attacks.
You are right though. I should be more patient.
Jerermiah| 1.16.10 @ 7:34PM
Yes, you should, Flaming Turd Turddard.
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Bob| 1.16.10 @ 1:47PM
As the authors stated in their blog, you legitimize a conspiracy by addressing it. Birthers, truthers, grandma will die, Obama is a communist, Republicans are fascists, Republicans want the poor to die, etc., only serve to make their proponents look dumb -- no matter which side they are on.
Smitty| 1.16.10 @ 5:58PM
Obama is a communist--that's the truth. His parents, mentors and friends are/were die-hard Marxists. Sorry.
Pkane| 1.16.10 @ 6:27PM
For more brilliant ideas Sunstein can consult the pundits over at The Onion News Network:
In The Know: Is The Government Spying On Schizophrenics Enough?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzoXQKumgCw
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FzoXQKumgCw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FzoXQKumgCw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
The Javelineer | 1.17.10 @ 12:52AM
Both conservatives and liberals are in denial. There really have been conspiracies in the government to kill citizens. There’s nothing crazy about thinking it could happen again.
All conservatives should be very skeptical of government power, especially the power invested in a standing army, standing intelligence agencies, and federalized police forces. This view is well-backed by the Founder’s, the Constitution, by long American custom, and by prudence itself.
If you ever doubted it, just read Sunstein’s documents. He’s in government now. If he attempts to enact the things he wrote in that report, it’ll be treason.
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Richard Baker| 1.17.10 @ 8:46AM
Well, when you treat the citizenry as rabble and serfs, I guess even paranoids have enemies. The Founding Fathers distrusted government. Read the Declaration and the Constitution and you discover that they had many doubts about governance and put safeguards, read limitations, into the Constitution, as a result. Tyrants have a reason to fear the populace. Sunstein is about raw power and he thinks that we, the people, can't be trusted. Sic Semper Tyrannis.
Lisa Pease | 1.17.10 @ 11:38AM
See what I wrote one of this paper's authors here:
http://realhistoryarchives.blo.....iracy.html
I'll also publish any response in the same location.