The Truth is Out There
“Secrecy is the keystone of all tyranny.”[1]
Entertaining the idea of a “power elite” is enough to be labeled a “conspiracy theorist,” words expertly chosen to marginalize independent thought. However, the story does not end here; labels do not hinder an honest inquiry for truth. True power does not lie in the hands of nations, we have established this much, but where does it lie? Who is making the decisions? Why is so much of our government shrouded in secrecy? The military, the FBI, the CIA, the NSA, even defense contractors require secret clearance just to work on government projects. And for what, national security? What are “black budget” projects anyway? Isn’t this our money? Where IS our money going?
[1] Robert A. Heinlein, Revolt in 2100 (New York: Baen Publishing Enterprises, 1999), 68.
[I've told both these stories but I'll tell 'em again.]
I was interviewed for a friend’s Q clearance once. The last question I was asked was a generic, “Can you think of any reason ________ might be considered an unloyal commie?” Or words to that effect.
I said, “Besides knowing me I can’t think of a single bad thing about ________.”
She did not find me amusing at all. Perhaps she was in the circle at the CIA in which another friend of mine passed around an essay of mine praising the (original) Kennedy assassination and implicitly favoring more such political action. Somehow, ________ managed to get the clearance anyway.