Zeitgeist Creator Speaks Out Against ABC News for Shooting Report

This is a public statement from Peter Joseph regarding the Tucson shooting
.

PUBLIC STATEMENT FROM THE CREATOR OF THE “ZEITGEIST FILM SERIES”, PETER JOSEPH: RE: THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA ASSOCIATION CREATED BETWEEN “ZEITGEIST” AND THE TUCSON MURDERS.

It has come to my attention that various mainstream news organizations are beginning to run an association between my 2007 performance piece/film, “Zeitgeist: The Movie” and the tragic murders conducted by an extremely troubled young man in Tucson, Arizona. They are also slowly beginning to bleed the obvious line between my 2007 documentary work, my film series as a whole and The Zeitgeist Movement, which I am the founder. Frankly, I find this isolating, growing association tremendously irresponsible on the part of ABC, NBC and their affiliates - further reflecting the disingenuous nature of the America Media Establishment today.

It appears to have begun with a comment on NBC news referencing my film along with other “influential” films as well, such as Richard Kelly's film “Donnie Darko” and then spreading to ABC News where it singled out "Zeitgeist: The Movie" and the Series itself, stating: “Osler pointed to an online documentary series called "Zeitgeist" as a possible influence on the man. The series rails on currency-based economics. "I really think that this 'Zeitgeist' documentary had a profound impact on Jared's mindset and how he viewed that world that he lives in," Osler said.” abcnews.go.com/US/tucson-shooting-friend...ed/story?id=12597092

When we reflect on the history of seemingly random violence or other forms of highly offensive, irrational, aberrant behavior, we see a common pattern of reaction from the public and media in their attempt to explain such extreme acts. Rather than deeply examining the Bio-Psycho-Social nature of human social development and the vast spectrum of influences that create and morph each of us in unique and sometimes detrimental ways, they take the easy way out. The first thing they do is simply ignore all modern scientific, social understandings of what generates human motivation in both positive and negative regard, for to do so can only call into question the social system itself and hence the “zeitgeist” (meaning: spirit/intellectual climate of the time/culture) at large. Generally speaking, it is historically accurate to say that the Mainstream Media simply isn't in the business of challenging the Status Quo. The limits of debate are firmly set. Virtually all ideas, persons or groups who have succeeded in changing the world for the better, later to be hailed as heros in the public mind, started out being condemned by those in the Mainstream Media who latch on to the dominant world view of the time. Even Martin Luther King Jr., a peaceful, loving, wonder of a man who contributed more to our social progress than likely any humanitarian in the US history, was followed by the CIA and publicly humiliated as a “Communist” which he even had to defend in front of a Congressional Committee. In fact, you can rest assured that if King were alive in the current paradigm today and seeking an equal form of justice - he would be given the name: “Terrorist”.


So, again, rather than taking the scientific view, the Mainstream Media often seeks out or implies one point of blame and runs with it. After all, it is much easier, presentable and more simplistic for the public to think that the troubling reality of seemingly random acts of mass murder is the result of a “singular influence” and hence the logic goes that if that one influence is removed, then the world will be back in balance. This gives the public a false resolve and position of focus in an otherwise ambiguous, complex world of social and biological influences. And as far as the scapegoat itself, very often any group, media or dataset that is counter-culture or even hints at wishing to challenge the status quo, is a magnet for such blame. For example, musical groups of a counter-culture nature have been a favorite scapegoat for acts of murder/violence historically. In 1990, the rock band Judas Priest was actually taken to court for their “role” in the self-inflicted gunshot wounds in 1985 of 20-year old James Vance and 18-year old Raymond Belknap in Reno, Nevada. In 2008, the band Slipknot was publicly tied/blamed to a high-school murder in South Africa. Even the Beatles song “Helter-skelter” was associated to the murders incited by Charles Manson. It goes on and on... and, frankly, it's simply pathetic - avoiding the true nature of the problem - which is the Socio-Economic Environment itself. Make no mistake: The Social System is to blame for the rampage of Jared Loughner – not some famous online documentary which is known as the most viewed documentary of all time in internet history. Are the other 200 million people who have seen the film also preparing for murder sprees? I think not. In my new film: "Zeitgeist: Moving Forward", I feature a prominent Harvard Criminal Psychologist by the name of Dr. James Gilligan who headed the Centre for the Study of Violence at Harvard Medical School for many years. In his life work of personally engaging the most dangerous, violent offenders the US system produces, he found some basic trends. The most common is the social issue of “shame”. Our socio-economic system inherently breeds social division and there is a natural demeaning of others generated as a result. It is a scientific fact that mass murderers and those who many just dismiss as “evil” today, are the product of years of being shamed, humiliated and demeaned.

Their acts of violence is a reaction from these highly oppressive feelings and the real resolve to such acts can only come from removing the real source of such emotional hurt. You will notice that most other countries don't come close to the level of violence we see in the United States. The US is the capital of violence with 30-300 times more acts of violence than any other country. We have produced more serial killers in America than all other countries combined. Why? You will notice the Mainstream never asks this question.

If anyone would like to understand why more and more people in the modern world end up like Jared Loughner and why these patterns are only going to get worse as time goes on in this system, I suggest the book “Violence” by Harvard Criminal Psychologist Dr. Gilligan. In conclusion, let it be stated that the Zeitgeist Film Series is about critical thought regarding various social issues which challenge many erroneous notions held as fact in the modern culture. It also explicitly promotes non-violence, human unity and prosperous human development based on truth and science. Anyone who wishes to really understand the works can view them for free online at zeitgeistmovie.com and my new film, which will detail how a new, humane social system can work, will be in 315 theaters in 60 countries and in 30 languages starting Jan 15th 2011.

www.zeitgeistmovingforward.com I am also in contact with my legal team and considering legal action against ABC. -Peter Joseph

Whether you agree with the Zeitgeist movement or not, he has a point. I also find it interesting that he’s “considering legal action” against ABC News. This in my opinion is tremendously important. Hopefully he and his attorneys will be successful and we can begin to hold the media to a higher standard. Something we haven’t had the luxury of in recent years.

I really hope that Peter slams the MSM pigs for what they are. Good on him, and good on his well-thought out statement regarding these events. I would give him a S&F if I could, but instead, I will give them to you.

Thank you for the thread.



Peace be with you.

-truthseeker

The media is more interested in being the first to report something, not on being the most accurate it seems. I think the media owes a lot of people apologies, most of all the families of the victims for turning a horrible event into a political circus.

I think its great, alot of people who wouldn't normally watch his film will watch it now.

hmm... starts off rubishing Jesus Christ then changes tangent..suspicious (the Zeitgeist movie) dubious agenda me thinks

Originally posted by maxinsurrey
hmm... starts off rubishing Jesus Christ then changes tangent..suspicious (the Zeitgeist movie) dubious agenda me thinks

I don't believe this thread is about reviewing the movie??

but, I will give you dis-info points...........

reply to post by TheDarkHorse


nice catch, Darkhorse.

this could turn out to be very interesting..........it would be just rewards to see big media have to defend itself...

I've wondered, what has become of slander and libel in the recent years???

reply to post by TKDRL


I hope he sues the HECK out of them and wins. The media is way out of line as usual.

The media is more interested in being the first to report something, not on being the most accurate it seems. I think the media owes a lot of people apologies....

Never forget the media is the propaganda arm of the Banksters. The goal is not to report the truth but to get more laws past that shepherd in a world government controlled by the banker elite. To do this they must finish completely destroying the USA and remove our guns. NEVER NEVER lose sight of what the true goal is, because once you understand it everything, such as the economic crisis and the utter stupidity of Congress in handling the mess suddenly becomes clear.

Congress does not work for us. Congress does not strive to implement what is best for the USA. Congress is bought and paid for by the bankers and only loyal to them. The media's role is to whitewash and candy coat events so the ignorant masses do not catch on to the fact they are being robbed of their wealth, freedom and country.

U.S. Congressional Record February 9, 1917: J.P. Morgan interests bought 25 of America's leading newspapers, and inserted their own editors, in order to control the media. www.mindfully.org...

JP Morgan: Our next big media player? (April 13, 2010) JP Morgan controls 54 U.S. daily newspapers,and owns 31 television stations. www.newsandtech.com...

Sept. 14, 1994 David Rockefeller, speaking at the UN Business Council,.
"This present window of opportunity, during which a truly peaceful and interdependent world order might be built, will not be open for too long - We are on the verge of a global transformation. All we need is the right major crisis and the nations will accept the New World Order."

2002 Autobiography by David Rockefeller “Memoirs” [page 405] " Mr. Rockefeller writes: “For more than a century ideological extremists at either end of the political spectrum have seized upon well-publicized incidents... to attack the Rockefeller family for the inordinate influence they claim we wield over American political and economic institutions. Some even believe we are part of a secret cabal working against the best interests of the United States, characterizing my family and me as “internationalists and of conspiring with others around the world ... If that's the charge, I stand guilty, and I am proud of it.”

David Rockefeller praised the major media for their complicity in helping to facilitate the globalist agenda by saying, "We are grateful to the Washington Post, The New York Times, Time Magazine and other great publications whose directors have attended our meetings and respected their promises of discretion for almost forty years. . . . It would have been impossible for us to develop our plan for the world if we had been subjected to the lights of publicity during those years. But, the world is now more sophisticated and prepared to march towards a world government. The supranational sovereignty of an intellectual elite and world bankers is surely preferable to the national auto-determination practiced in past centuries." www.newswithviews.com...

I’ve purposely tried not to state my opinion about the media but as the OP I feel an obligation to try to keep this tread alive. It’s tremendously important in my mind to do so. I’m optimistic that Mr. Joseph and his attorneys will attempt to sue, but I’m realistic of the outcome. The realization that the media have been corporate shills for the better part of a half century, and have long since thrown objectivism out the window, have me feeling that not much will get done.

I know absolutely nothing about law, but I do know the media is protected under the first amendment of the constitution specifically freedom of the press and freedom of speech, However, after reading Mr. Joseph’s statement I believe that he may feel that the piece was defamatory. There is a clause in the first amendment excluding protection in cases of defamation.


Source

A while back, I added a documentary to my instant queue in Netflix called 'War Made Easy'. Truthfully, I sort of had to force myself to watch it because Sean Penn narrates, and I’m not a fan. I actually think he’s a bit of a tool.

That being said, I had to pause it a moment ago because at 20 minuets in; they’re basically outlining exactly what I’m trying to convey about the media. In that, the media is essentially used as a weapon (or to a lesser degree, a tool) to manipulate the American public into getting behind whatever it is that they want us behind or in favor of.

The film highlights the examples of using an “echo effect” (based on the principals of repetitive learning, and the intentional unwanted programming of the subconscious mind). You see many of the same principals employed in advertising.


It’s actually fairly unsettling. So, for those who may be like-minded and even those who may not be, I suggest checking it out. I’ll hop back on here after the film if anything else gabs my attention.

I found it available at Google Video and provided a link in case you're interested. Just click on the title above.







“Actually, war becomes perpetual when it’s used as a rational for peace” -Norman Solomon

I received this newsletter from the Zeitgeist Movement as well, and I'm glad someone posted it on ATS, there have been far too many nay-sayers in regards to these films. Whether or not someone agrees with the world in which it paints could be possible, I don't know how they can just dismiss it as "NWO Propaganda" so often.

Sometimes it seems to me when someone really hits the nail on the head and comes up with a logical (and popular) alternative to the way things are, some folks just can't handle it. They always talk about how TPTB "create" an enemy image to get the masses to rally against, but then do not see the irony in that TPTB are in fact THEIR enemy image to rally against. I honestly do not think they could live without it, but I for one am more than ready to live without it.

Anyway, Kudos for the post!

reply to post by maxinsurrey


missing the point man... the Zeitgeist movement started after the second movie... The first one was just his thoughts and ideas and what he believed to have had discovered.... I find it hard to believe someone on a website like this would have a problem with that... comeon now... just because it was a movie and not a post? Whatever so dont believe in the first movie.... belief is in and of itself stupid... people BELIEVED the Earth was flat at one point.. but HOW DARE YOU QUESTION THEIR BELIEFS!? Fact of the matter is you dont have to believe in things that exist.... you can believe all you want you can walk up a wall like spiderman but the fact remains when you try and do it you fall on your ass...

And I am saying this 100% not knowing what you 'believe'... however what you believe may not be true... isnt this what this website is all about?

reply to post by ideasarebulletproof


People seem to have a huge problem in even understanding that our way of life in this society is effed up.... as George Carlin would say 'And what do your average people think about this? Well they think ITS JUST F%CKING DANDY!" people just accept the way things are and dont question everything as they should... question banker bailouts... question 1% of the worlds population controls 50% of the wealth? You would think that considering that statistic some people JUST MIGHT think that the monetary economics (or whats simplified as 'capitalism') doesnt care about you... they dont care about your rights... they could give less than a sh*t [by the way to any moderators reading this far its an insult in a free society to have to put an asterisk in the word s*it.... like a 4 year old that knows how to spell is going to make that their favorite word or something... used appropriately the word is just fine]

ok well let me restart... these people give less than a shi* about you and your rights and what a free society is and what fairness is because they control everything... and so long as these simple people keep going along with whatever that is told to them they will continue to be victims to this system... Sorry this *hit is so self-evident and in front of peoples faces it makes me wonder if any American really cares about freedom at all.. George Carlin again talked about the 'Freedom of Choice' in America... 2 Political parties to choose from... 5 oil companies to chose from... National media companies was at 11 now its down to 4... but when you go to Baskin Robbins you have 32 different flavors... there is your freedom of choice as an American....