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My opinion is that despite the obvious fact that they are used for disinformation and manipulation, they can still be a positive force. Lots of information like that contained in this thread would find a far smaller audience without them. Surely that is a good thing.
Originally posted by Klassified
Well said Pimander. There are people on both sides of the fence on this issue. My own stance is why wouldn't "they" pay attention to a forum like ATS? Considering it is one of the largest conspiracy sites in the world. We are ripe for cointelpro tactics without a doubt.
Originally posted by seagull
Who is this "they" that everyone goes on about? Every single one of us who posts an opinion, wrong or otherwise, is attempting manipulation. Every single one of us...
Originally posted by Pimander
When I mention COINTELPRO in this thread I am referring to the continuing use of the tactics employed in the original FBI program. I also refer to new operations - in particular employed in cyberspace - that are currently in use by the FBI, CIA, NSA and other arms of the state.
In 1979, government operatives played key roles in the massacre of communist labor organizers during a multi-racial anti-Klan march in Greensboro, North Carolina. Heading the KKK/Nazi death squad was Ed Dawson, a long-time paid FBI/police informer in the Klan. Leading the local American Nazi Party branch into Dawson's "United Racist Front" was U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms undercover agent Bemard Butkovich. Though their controlling agencies were fully warned of the Front's murderous plans, they did nothing to protect the demonstrators. Instead, the police gave Dawson a copy of the march route and withdrew as his caravan moved in for the kill. Dawson's sharpshooters carefully picked off key cadre of the Communist Workers Party (CWP), including the president and president-elect of two Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union locals, an organizer at a third local mill, and a leader of AFSCME's organizing drive at a nearby medical center. In the aftermath, the FBI attempted to cover up the government's role and to put the blame on the CWP.
Originally posted by Jadette
Cointelpro doesn't have to do anything here. Honestly, the UFO/Conspiracy community is its own worst enemy. There's simply enough noise to data ratio here that the later is lost in the former. This is why these subjects get ridiculed by the mainstream, all they see is the noise.
I have a growing dissatisfaction with the site, as it seems that noise is encouraged, since it drives traffic. Oh, there's always been noise, but there's less and less here to see, to discuss and explore than there was.
Originally posted by johncarter
This site is too valuable to be closed. Its vast membership serves a purpose to both NSA and DHS Clandestine Service as one of many great intel gathering sites on the world wide web.
This site is too valuable to be closed. Its vast membership serves a purpose to both NSA and DHS Clandestine Service as one of many great intel gathering sites on the world wide web.
Originally posted by Pimander
Originally posted by johncarter
This site is too valuable to be closed. Its vast membership serves a purpose to both NSA and DHS Clandestine Service as one of many great intel gathering sites on the world wide web.
Indeed. The NSA must have though it was Christmas when ATS came along. Imagine how useful it is for data mining. It staggers me when so many members are still naive enough to think intelligence agencies are not interested.
Originally posted by seagull
reply to post by johncarter
This site is too valuable to be closed. Its vast membership serves a purpose to both NSA and DHS Clandestine Service as one of many great intel gathering sites on the world wide web.
OK, you hooked me with this one... Care to elucidate further? These purposes are?