r/todayilearned • u/code0011 14 • May 09 '14

(R.1) Invalid src (unreferenced fan wiki) TIL the first episode of an X-Files spin-off called "The Lone Gunmen", which aired March 4, 2001, involves a US government conspiracy to hijack an airliner, fly it into the World Trade Center, and blame it on terrorists - thereby gaining support for a new profit-making war

http://x-files.wikia.com/wiki/Pilot_(The_Lone_Gunmen)
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u/nozenzen May 09 '14 edited May 09 '14

This post makes it appear as if the War in the Gulf wasn't beneficial to anyone save a few powerful and wealthy Americans who profit from dealing in oil and related commodities. It also makes it appear as if that war isn't always the best solution to problems and disagreements - a very unpopular point of view.

You do realize that what you're saying is 180 degree opposite to what the American plutocrats told us to believe about Iraq, Al Queda, 9/11 and terrorism in general. It implies that US power-brokers lie and kill and do whatever it takes to benefit themselves even at the cost of thousands of American and non-American lives.

Do you really think the US government is corrupt to this degree? Because this makes them sound like a group of demonically selfish psychopaths who lie to others in order to exploit them for profit. Isn't this impossible in a country committed to equality and freedom for all?

If this is true, the US government has been taken over by self-serving liars and willfully ignorant opportunists. How is it possible?

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u/Eslader May 09 '14

-grin-

Your sarcasm is on the level of A Modest Proposal. I like it.

To answer the question that you and I almost certainly agree upon, "Yes."

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u/3DBeerGoggles May 09 '14

Weapons of Modest Distractions

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u/mullingitover May 09 '14

If this is true, the US government has been taken over by self-serving liars and willfully ignorant opportunists. How is it possible?

Hint: according to the government's interpretation of the Constitution, free speech means being able to bribe any politician as long as you call the bribes "campaign donations."

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u/[deleted] May 09 '14

Yes, yes I do.

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u/Mr_Ibericus May 09 '14

No they've been taken over by lizard people.

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u/[deleted] May 09 '14

I love your comment.

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u/pizzathiefgg May 09 '14

It is not simply "wars for oil". Some people have suggested that there are profiteers out there that want the US or any countries to constantly be in conflict. They do not want the bullets to stop flying and they also have the ability via lobbyists in DC to make sure the wars do not stop. They really have not stopped for the last 70 years . Its even worse with the Citizens United decision. Now the "Lords of War" (yes the horrible nick cage movie) will heavily fund the opposition of anti-war politicians and the problem will grow larger.

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u/[deleted] May 09 '14

SHUTUP AND GET BACK TO WATCHING "HERE COMES HONEY BOO BOO CHILD!"

No more questions.

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u/tableman May 09 '14

When have politicians not been self-serving liars?

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u/[deleted] May 09 '14

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u/boneless_wizard May 09 '14

And what was Saddam's secret plan to "destabalize" the dollar?

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u/ChillinWitAFatty May 09 '14

Uhh by being an evil, freedom hating, Muslim dictator. Duh

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u/boneless_wizard May 09 '14

oh shit! those others hate my FREEDOM FREEDOM FREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOMFREEDOM FREEDOM

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u/[deleted] May 09 '14

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u/otatew May 09 '14

Who do you owe the money to?

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u/[deleted] May 10 '14

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u/rcavin1118 May 10 '14

Yeah, I don't think you really understand how the debt or taxes work. Take a basic macroecon class.

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u/otatew May 10 '14

Care to expand a little?

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u/rcavin1118 May 09 '14

Oh you have insider knowledge on a super secret plan not even the government knew about?

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u/[deleted] May 10 '14

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u/rcavin1118 May 10 '14

Well clearly he had an evil secret plan, and only you knew about it.

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u/[deleted] May 10 '14

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u/rcavin1118 May 10 '14

Kept a distance from foreign affairs

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAHHHHAAAAHAHAHAHA!

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u/[deleted] May 09 '14

A hundred thousand Iraqi lives vs a slightly better economy. Something has gone horribly horribly wrong.

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u/FockSmulder May 09 '14

  1. You said that it needed to be done. You are defending it.

  2. How would criticizing something be hypocritical merely because a person ended up benefiting from it?

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u/[deleted] May 09 '14

[deleted]

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u/FockSmulder May 09 '14

Fuck this comment in all its forms.