An Open Bet
I’ve been a reader of LGF for awhile, and it many ways it inspired me to start my own blog a couple months ago. I’ve seen many a ridiculous conspiracy pop up on the internet, many of them berated here. But lately, it seems that the wingnuts have been a bit out-of-control, and are strategically deploying crazy myths to get political leverage. Freedom of speech is one thing; outright lying is completely different. In short, I don’t think people who create these theories are genuine, nor are they innocent to the consequences. So I’ve created a little bet on my blog:
I bet $100 that every one of these conspiracies turns out to be false.
Yes, I will pay if I lose. No, I will not gain if I win (any money I get goes to charity). And that’s $100 for each person, for each theory. This could really start to add up. The biggest reason I’m doing this? Accountability:
I know that people who pimp these theories don’t believe them. These are cowardly, paranoid, and greedy people who intend to get rich by promoting stupidity. However, intentionally lying to people in dangerous. Right-wing violence is growing – stabbing Muslim cab drivers, flying planes into IRS buildings, getting in shootouts with police – it’s all weak-minded idiots getting conned by hucksters. No, there’s not going to be any kind of “patriot revolution.” Those posting ridiculous conspiracy theories seem to forget about it once their theory is proven wrong. They think they can walk away without admitting they were wrong, move on to the next theory, and everything is OK. But innocent people are getting hurt and killed.
So that’s the deal. Put your money where your mouth is, or shut up.