Despite the supposed divide between "red states" and "blue states" and the so-called "culture war," Americans scattered across the political spectrum share many core beliefs and sensible opinions.
Near the top of the list is a genuine suspicion or skepticism toward government and political leaders. We do not trust that they place our interests at the forefront. We do not trust them to properly spend our money. And, of course, we do not expect them to tell us the truth.
Challenging authority is one of the great American values, stretching back to the very founding of our nation.
It was with these thoughts in mind that I watched the mainstream media tar and feather actor Charlie Sheen.
On March 20, Sheen made an appearance on the radio show of Alex Jones, one of the country's premier conspiracy theorists. During his 40 minutes on the program, Sheen raised several unanswered questions and discussed suspicious facts involving the Sept. 11 attacks.
The media reaction was as predictable as one of Sheen's sitcoms: insults and cheap shots no cleverer than the one I just made. In the New York Post, Richard Johnson wrote that Sheen "has joined the 9/11 gone-bonkers brigade."
On Fox News, pundit Fred Barnes said, "No wonder Denise Richards, his wife, dumped him. I mean, he seems to pay as much attention to facts and the truth as he did to his marriage vows." Ouch. A bit below the belt there, Barnes.
I've been a fan of conspiracy theory for some time now. Much of it is just fun, entertaining stuff. My personal favorite is the British author David Icke. In such books as "The Biggest Secret: The Book that Will Change the World," Icke lays out a grand worldwide conspiracy involving lizards from the fifth dimension that interbred with humans in the ancient world. Those of this bloodline have worked for centuries toward creating a global fascist slave state. According to Icke, the British royalty, the Clintons, the Bushes, Billy Graham, Bill O'Reilly, Henry Kissinger and Kris Kristofferson are just a few of the people who are actually child-sacrificing, blood-drinking reptiles. Like I said, fun stuff.
The key to navigating through the conspiracy culture is this: resist the urge to connect the dots and make conclusions. When there's a gap in knowledge, realize and respect it. That's something most conspiracy theorists don't do, and that's the reason conspiracy theory is met with such ridicule and dismissal.
Sheen knows it's true: "I'm not on your show to say who did it or why because I don't have those answers," he said.
Who is the greater fool - the person who questions the government or the one who swallows the spoon-fed story? Always, the person who keeps his mind open to new facts and possibilities is smarter than the one who has stopped thinking.
It's so easy to let others do our thinking for us. And it's comforting to have an answer that resolves a painful question and provides direction for how to proceed.
I'm not a Sept. 11 conspiracy theorist. However, it is possible - quite probable, even - that there are many things we are not being told.
Independence and individuality are two more of the vital American values. One conspiracy we can know certainly exists is that of the cowardly, the lazy and the ignorant conspiring to silence those who would practice the American values that made this country what it is today.
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Sources:
- "Charlie Sheen questions 9/11 story"
- "40 minute Charlie Sheen radio clip"
- "Fox News, Fred Barnes on Sheen"
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"NY Post on Sheen"
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