you are 99% correct Opinionated

to put in modern terms Politically Correct people [used to be called I'm all right Jack] have their greatest fear that they might be forced to THINK, and God Forbid, DO something about it. They use the derogatory term CT as they invent/use terms such as dole bludgers, dead beat dads, whatever to simply "get with the strength", which as we see by this forum alone is 95% of Australia [and heading for the 98% in USA]

the best example is Nam and Iraq, both "wars" based upon instilling fear that we would get our throats cut at the backyard BBQ.

even though the WMD excuse had less credibility than for Nam, not one lousy Uni Student protested, as opposed to the millions in the streets for Nam

so to take a global on this, I would say PC has all but killed off CT

You obviously weren't in Sydney just before the invasion DD.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/feb/17/politics.uk
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/03/20/1047749872793.html

Most of you don't make much sense, which leads me to believe that you are actually a part of a larger conspiracy. You know, the one that is supposed to be deliberately making us stupid.

Dear Max,

No, I don't think you're imagining things at all.
There have been threads on OLO expounding conspiracy
theories. Subjects have ranged from powerful global
conglomerates such as the International Monetary Fund,
World Bank, to multi-nationals, and the oil companies
that control American politics.

John Pilger even wrote a book entitled, "The New Rulers
of the World." And, its one of many on that
subject.

The more you delve into certain areas, the more
frightening its going to become when you begin to
realise just how little the public is aware of
what goes on around them.

What were Australians told about the testing that
went on in Maralinga - at the time?

What do we really know about what goes on in the
American bases on Australian soil?

What were we told about our involvement in the
war in Iraq?

Make a list, then ask yourself again about
"conspiracy theories?"

Foxy, there I suppose it depends on your own definition of what constitutes a conspiracy. Governments keeping military secrets is a conspiracy of sorts, but it's not really what I was raising.
I think Wobbles has a very good point, the more "dots" we get, the more permutations are possible. I was just wondering why so many enjoy joining the dots to make things like The Illuminati appear, I suppose it makes life a little more exciting for them?
I even liked Op2's effort, lol.
As I said in my initial post, yes, they do actually happen, but only in limited areas, for limited times, at least that's my reading of history anyway. Most of the examples you quote are hardly secret, they are just the same old Gov'/military "need to know" rubbish.
If "the grey men" really had had such power and control for so long, we'd be living in a very different world, wouldn't we?

Only the small secrets need to be hidden.The really big secrets are not because they are repressed by our incredulity.

Posted by Arjay, Tuesday, 24 March 2009 4:54:48 PM:

"Only the small secrets need to be hidden.The really big secrets are not because they are repressed by our incredulity."

Quite the most succinct and penetrative observation I have yet seen on OLO!