Conspiracy theories are, as the name implies, generally regarded as mere theories...an alternate reality one should dismiss as necessarily fringe.
But they are only theories until proven...then they become facts. Let's look at some of these facts.
1898-1913 Western Water Rights: Los Angeles vs. Owens Valley
A conspiracy in which a syndicate developed an aquaduct for the City of Los Angeles, but used it to irrigate the San Fernando Valley, where the syndicate members had invested heavily.
Conspiracy Theory Status: Proven.
1941-1945 - Death Camps in Poland
Generally regarded as a conspiracy theory by most Allied military and government leaders that was put forth by Jewish groups seeking to increase emigration or hatred for Nazi Germany, until they were overrun (in the case of Majdanek and Auschwitz/Birkenau) or related to authorities by survivors/witnesses (Belzec, Sobibor, Treblinka).
Conspiracy Theory Status: Proven.
1932 to 1972 Tuskegee Syphilis Study
US withholds diagnoses from nearly 400 black men, who subsequently infect their loved ones.
Conspiracy Theory Status: Proven.
1950 Project MKULTRA
A CIA mind-control program in which informed consent of the subjects was waived or ignored. Brought to public attention by the US Congress (Church Committee).
Conspiracy Theory Status: Proven.
1956 COINTELPRO
A program aimed at increasing factionalism by disrupting certain left-wing groups, including the Black Panthers, Socialist Workers Party, AIM, SNCC and others. Perhaps best known for coordinating the assassination of Black Panther Fred Hampton by the Chicago Police Dept.
Conspiracy Theory Status: Proven.
A Very Short List of Some Other CTs, All Now Proven:
1962 Operation Northwoods
1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident
1972 to 1974 Watergate scandal
1981 to 1986 Iran-Contra
Are there others? Undoubtedly. A conspiracy theory is only a conspiracy theory until it becomes part of the historical lexicon. Five years ago, the media bought into the "WMD" frenzy. Thank God there were lone voices out there willing to shout from the rooftops, until finally the media came around and began asking questions (when Bush's poll numbers fell, and it became 'safe' to challenge the administration).
BTW, some of those voices were heard here.
Thank God they weren't banned.
But - I mean - can you imagine?
A government trying to gin up evidence to take us to war?
What kind of crazy CT shit is that?
Next we'll be saying that people were tortured to obtain that evidence. But I would never say such a thing. I'm proud of my reasonably low UID#.
Disclaimer: I don't subscribe to any of the 9/11 CTs. While I'm among those kossacks who are unhappy at the recent banishings, it is Kos' site. His playground...his rules.