Selling Books, Selling Wars

(Above: David Ray Griffin lecture from earlier this year on the 9/11 Commission Report.)


I recently had the good pleasure of attending a lecture by Dr. David Ray Griffin at a University of California classroom. His patient, evidence-based debunking of what he terms the official conspiracy theory (i.e., that Muslims conspired to attack us on 9/11) was a model of logic and clear analysis—and his point about the linguistic manipulation of the term “conspiracy theory” is superb. Naturally those like Dr. Griffin who propose an alternate theory, or question the government-media sanctioned version of events, are written off as “conspiracy kooks;” promoting a whole conspiracy story involving Muslims isn’t allowed to be questioned as a conspiracy theory at all. Such is the successful manipulation of the Group Mind by the Cryptocracy, although Dr. Griffin’s lecture was well attended, and his recent book has been noted by Publisher’s Weekly—a possible indication of a crack in the trance state.

One disrupter or plant in the audience behind me kept his cell phone ringing throughout the lecture, then stood at the end and mumbled something about a Chevy Corsica filled with Korans. His presence and point were more pitiable than profound, and he soon left.

A second man rose to state that he was “not convinced,” and that Dr. Griffin seemed to be saying that “everything has been faked.” Dr. Griffin responded that each point which the government and/or media has reported simply needs to be evaluated for evidence. The other man kept shaking his head, but stayed.

Unfortunately, I had to leave before I could speak with Dr. Griffin afterwards, but I hope to meet him at a later time. Over the weekend, however, I spent some time with relatives, one of whom told me that she also does not “believe in conspiracy theories.” When I asked her if she believed that Muslims conspired to attack us on 9/11, and pointed out that by definition such a story is a conspiracy theory, she was disturbed and tried to change the subject. Later she stated that the “people” who propose [alternate] conspiracy theories are simply “selling books.”

I replied that her side is using their conspiracy theories to sell wars. She has not responded to that point, and I doubt that she will.

I believe in looking at evidence, and following it wherever it leads, even if it means completely disrupting one’s psychological comfort structure. I would apply this approach to anyone on any subject, including history, religion, science, theism, atheism, or one’s own life. It is a monumental task, a constant process, and it can make a person unpopular. And yes, if an author uses the approach well, it can sell books—or lead to a boycott, depending on the topic.

On the other hand, the current government-media approach is to bury evidence, distort, lie, repeat lies, use technology and prestigious titles to sell the lies, and hypnotize the populace into blindly believing the lie of choice. There are plenty of books abounding which swim in this current, and note: they sell. In fact such books are far easier to sell, for people look for confirmation of the comfortable.

But in addition to selling books, this sold-out side sells something else: war. If nothing else leads someone to question official, media-sanctioned conspiracy theories, I would leave this one point for meditation, as a type of koan: why trust those who promote war? Do we need to remind ourselves of the actuality of war by looking at pictures of shredded mothers, fathers, children, and babies, some dead, some living an amputated nightmare existence? Shouldn’t we call into question everything which promotes such an outrage?

If such thoughts don’t crack the trance, then we are dealing with a zombie, and the only remaining course of action is to wipe the dust from one’s sandals and move on. Zombies will likely buy someone’s book, but the prostitutes promoting war via print are far worse than any hooker down the block. Those who sell war through their books have had their day. It won’t last; whores and wars have a life span.

Time permitting, I’ll continue to write, and use my pen to fight the sword of the war whores. If I sell a few books, I won’t apologize.