... "This is why some of these people involved in this need to be seriously questioned about their intentions for this country. This is not merely an economic mistake. This is not a divergent opinion. This is not left economics versus right economics . . . what Obama is doing here, there is nobody that can say, 'This is an honest attempt at really doing what they think is best.' Maybe so, but for them, not you and not us. . . . Obama is purposely destroying the private sector" (Rush Limbaugh, July 3, 2009).
Another conspiracy theorist, former Clinton adviser Dick Morris, is disseminating the insane idea in his book Catastrophe that the president's plan to "spread the wealth around" (I won't call it by the conspiratorial "S" word) is too big to shoehorn into 4 years or even 8 years. Therefore he has a four-part plan for political dominance reaching into the foreseeable future: (1) illegal immigration; (2) "cook the census," with a little help from ACORN census takers and their "survey sampling"; (3) eliminate the secret ballot in union elections (these first three will ultimately generate a larger Democratic base); (4) appoint community boards to advise the FCC on how well the radio stations serve the interest of communities.
The evaluation of conspiracy theories—like the evaluation of any report or lead—must be an intelligent weighing of various kinds of evidence. These would include empirical evidence for the matters alleged (Do they seem to be in fact happening?) as well as evidence regarding the character of the alleger (Has this guy normally been sane and rational?).
Little Lucy was almost written off by siblings Peter and Susan for her strange tales of a land called Narnia, and the two thought they would find an ally in the old Professor. "'Madness, you mean?' said the Professor quite coolly. 'Oh, you can make your minds easy about that. One has only to look at her and talk to her to see that she is not mad'" (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe).
Nice to hear a refreshing acknowledgment like this from the Christian community.
