Seeing so much I predicted (old lurker, older activist)

Finally stepping out of the shadows again, by stopping lurking. I have been accused of being a "conspiracy theorist" since the 1970s, and I periodically would check here but not register or post. Taking a vacation, away from where people notice me. Nowadays, it's possible to get lost in the chatter, which can be a good thing. It was a lot more hazardous in the days when the net was flat. I've always been an activist, and of an investigative nature. I pull chains. I've been getting death threats since I was 15. I've helped with and started investigations more than a few times. And some went scary places. Some were inspiring. Some confirmed suspicions. It's a messed up world out there. Anyway, R&R is over.

People can't figure me. They ask what my politics are. Sometimes I'll say I'm a right-wing liberal. Sometimes I'll say I'm an anti-authoritarian. Sometimes I'll say I'm a small-l libertarian crossed with a environmentalist, which is generally how I vote on issues. I'm really big on the Constitution. I'm also big on the 2nd amendment, but because of some upleasant personal experiences, I prefer a lot of weapons not be in the hands of people of marginal sanity---though it's debatable how to accomplish that. I think the whole concept of "race" is a crock that was mostly invented by various governments as a means of controling people. I believe that following the money will explain most motivations. ("It's nothing personal, it's just business.") I believe most people are made uncomfortable by what they cannot control, and that leads to creating a stereotyped "enemy" to give the illusion that defeating them will make everything okay. I think the fictional movie about the proto-CIA, "The Good Shepherd," is a great movie, showing how the road to hell (in the form of government control) is paved with good intentions. And yes, I do believe there are forces operating in the shadows, or out in the open, for that matter (because if your disinformation is good, you can simply misdirect).

I believe in Capitalism, but not too free a free market that turns the entire enterprise ito a shark-eat-shark coral reef and buyer beware. I don't believe corporations are people. I'm a big fan of Teddy Rooseveldt.

And I keep seeing things I predicted, and people poo-poohed, become part of our reality. It's wonderful to see how this place has evolved, where one can actually have a civil discourse. Because ultimately, I believe we're all in this together, and we need to recognize our common humanity if we're going to make it through the next century without turning into some dystopian nightmare. Slim, I know, but hey, I'm an eternal optimist.

a reply to: Jilara

"You're a good man, Charlie Brown"

I've written a dozen replies to a dozen topics, and never posted one.

The closest I came was the day I was so PO'd by the thread that I decided to make an account and break my silence.

That, however, gave way to the second time... Something that made me so angry I couldn't come up with words for it- the requirement of having a social media account to create an ATS account.

Real smart. Let's openly talk about subjects the world powers are clearly trying to suppress, while linked to an account of which the entire purpose is to link your thoughts to your identification.

Welcome to the board. Your tempered distrust will serve you well here, there are many who cannot be trusted- and even a few topics that are openly censored.
Listen more than you speak, and listen to your gut. Don't trust anyone who hasn't proved their salt to you, personally. It's a wild ride around here.

a reply to: an325nt

Yes, I was quite dismayed to see the social links required. (Who in hell would link an account here to their LinkedIn profile??!!) I'm pretty sure the Powers That Be can link things without us giving them so much help, but... And the half life of the net is almost nuclear in lifespan. However, no way are they getting "Real Names Only" Facebook, either. A friend had several identities there, outing of some of which could have put him at risk (he's in security-type things), and ended up having to delete everything.

There are topics I won't even search online any more, even with a theoretically anonymous web browser. What's fascinating is that I looked up on Wikipedia some 1980s/90's stuff that was risky to even talk about then, and a few of them are now in the realm of "Yeah, we did that. So?"

A century? Let’s see about the next decade first. Anyway welcomea reply to: Jilara

a reply to: Jilara

bang a gong, lurk on.

its what it always is. your history matters now. in 50 years, depending your current birth time,, it absolutely will not. So if you are a breeder, try, try to program your babies to have good intentions and so on.

less murder, less politics. etc.

a reply to: Jilara

You don't have to link anything. It's not required. Find a fav. start page like NEW, log in once, bookmark it or put it on your desktop...yo don't have to log in or link to soc. media. Thousands of members don't...

And using DESKTOP VERSION even on mobile works better. Also search google slash(/)your question or thread slash(/)ATS.... and anything here will show up

Welcome to ATS. It looks like you will be a good contributor.

Perhaps you may want to start a thread about some of your more interesting investigations and where you ended up as you followed the "rabbit hole."


-dex