What if a “shadow group comprised of big government, industry, military and money” wanted to “destroy our constitutional democracy?” It’s already happening, one reader writes… Worse yet, it’s “succeeding.”
Agent of Disinformation
A secret or shadow group comprised of big government, industry, military and money is indisputably attempting to destroy our constitutional democracy. Unfortunately, it is succeeding. The overall thrust of Foster and Kimberly Gamble’s film, Thrive, is the unveiling in broad strokes of this shadow group (often referred to as The Powers That Be or TPTB). It is a daunting task and one that cannot easily be accomplished in a two-hour movie, but we feel that Thrive is an admirable beginning.
There are parts of this monumental and shocking story of corruption that easily lend themselves to criticism. Enter Eric Johnson. We wonder about his motivation. Although in his previous article (“Blinded by The Right,” Currents, March 14.html), he promotes himself as a defender of “progressives,” a group with which we feel much agreement, we do not think that his extreme critique of Thrive is truly serving this group. Whether or not it is his intention, he is acting as an agent of disinformation to draw attention away from the positive overall intent of the film.
His misguided labeling of Thrive as “pseudo-science, Utopian fantasy and veiled right-wing conspiracy theory” utilizes name-calling in a disrespectful way, classic in dis-information techniques. By such writing, he is actually harming the progressive agenda, which needs to educate citizens about the secret or shadow government and likewise needs to forge alliances with citizens holding other worldviews.
We are not saying that we are buying the whole “Thrive” story or agenda, but we are supportive of its overall intent to look closely at the workings of the secret government and then focus on doing something positive about it. Eric looks for the worst aspects of what some of the presenters have said and then, not following good rules of logic, suggests that this negates the basic premise of the film. We suspect that Mr. Johnson has a few silly quotes that could be brought up from his past too. We know that we would not want to be judged by some of what we have written previously.
Although we tend to hold all of them in high regard, all the folks who signed the statement distancing themselves from Thrive (“Progressive Leaders Denounce ‘Thrive,’” Currents, April 11.html) have definitely disappointed us. It strikes us that these folks are jumping ship at the first sign of danger by distancing themselves from the challenges that accompany courageous action.
Thank you for continuing to explore this vitally important issue.
Rico and Claire Baker
Santa Cruz
From The Web
Bike Safety Classes, Please
[RE: “Learning Cycles,” Currents, April 25.html]: It would be helpful if the organizers offered several bike safety classes, now that Bike Week has become Bike Month. This would show that, besides advocating bike riding for whatever reason, that they are concerned for the safety of these same riders and those who motor and walk alongside in sharing the road. It would also be beneficial if they also offered venues on registering your bike, liability insurance, and other responsibilities incurred when one chooses to ride. There should be no excuse if this is not done, now that Bike Week has become Bike Month.
Don Honda
