This week: Conspiracy Theories Edited by: Shannon  
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Welcome to the Short Stories Newsletter. I am Shannon and I'm your editor this week.
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"There is a conspiracy here, and I will shake it out!" ~ Baltus Van Tassel, Sleepy Hollow
I love conspiracy theories. How do they start? Do they contain a core nugget of truth? Are they concocted by paranoid, mentally-unstable people with too much time on their hands? How does a single idea gain traction and spread across the country or around the world?
In Catch-22 Joseph Heller wrote, "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you." So where does the phrase "conspiracy theory" come from and why does the term carry negative connotations?
In the groundswell of public skepticism toward the Warren Commission’s findings on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the CIA sent a detailed directive to all of its bureaus. Titled "Countering Criticism of the Warren Commission Report," the dispatch played a definitive role in making the "conspiracy theory" term a weapon to be wielded against almost any individual or group calling the government’s increasingly clandestine programs and activities into question (1).
What clandestine programs and activities is the article referring to? Here are just a few:
 Operation Mockingbird: "Started in the 1950s amid the backdrop of the Cold War, the Central Intelligence Agency approached leading American journalists in an attempt to influence public opinion and gather intelligence. The program went on for nearly three decades" (2) and some would argue it continues to this day.
Heart Attack Gun: "The CIA developed a secret weapon in the 60’s and 70’s. A small poison dart was shot out that would cause a heart attack. It could penetrate clothing and leave nothing behind except a tiny red dot on the skin, disintegrating on impact. The target would feel as if they’d been bitten by a mosquito. The poison denatures quickly so autopsy would not indicate foul play" (3).
MK-Ultra: "Under MK-Ultra, the CIA gave itself the authority to research how drugs could: promote the intoxicating effects of alcohol; render the induction of hypnosis easier; enhance the ability of individuals to withstand privation, torture, and coercion; produce amnesia, shock and confusion; and much more. MK-Ultra wasn’t one project, as the US Supreme Court wrote in a 1985 decision on a related case. It was 162 different secret projects that were indirectly financed by the CIA, but were 'contracted out to various universities, research foundations, and similar institutions.' In all, at least 80 institutions and 185 researchers participated, but many didn’t know they were dealing with the CIA" (4).
Operation Paperclip: "About 1,600 Nazi scientists were sent to work in the U.S. in 1945 following Germany's defeat in WWII. The program, called Operation Paperclip, was exposed in media outlets, including the New York Times, in 1946. Some of these scientists were involved in Project MK-Ultra. Wernher von Braun was one of the well-known former Nazi participants in this program, and he was put to work as director of the Development Operations Division of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency" (5).
Project Blue Book: "Josef Allen Hynek, typically abbreviated to J. Allen Hynek, was an American astronomer who, beginning in the 1950s, became one of the leading experts on what the United States Air Force had designated 'Unidentified Flying Objects' or UFOBs (later shortened to 'UFOs'). Hynek was instrumental to the military's most famous study of the phenomena, Project Blue Book, now the basis for a History Channel series of the same name" (6).
The Tuskegee Experiment: "The Tuskegee experiment began in 1932, at a time when there was no known treatment for syphilis. After being recruited by the promise of free medical care, 600 men originally were enrolled in the project. The participants were primarily sharecroppers, and many had never before visited a doctor. Doctors from the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS), which was running the study, informed the participants—399 men with latent syphilis and a control group of 201 others who were free of the disease—they were being treated for bad blood, a term commonly used in the area at the time to refer to a variety of ailments. The men were monitored by health workers but only given placebos such as aspirin and mineral supplements, despite the fact penicillin became the recommended treatment for syphilis in 1947. PHS researchers convinced local physicians in Macon County not to treat the participants, and research was done at the Tuskegee Institute" (7).
Wormwood, a 6-part docudrama available on Netflix, highlights the life of Frank Olson, a biological warfare scientist employed by the MK-Ultra program from 1943 to 1953. Several days before his death, Olson was secretly dosed with LSD by the CIA. The CIA led us to believe Olson became depressed and jumped through the plateglass window of his thirteenth-floor hotel room, plummeting to his death in November of 1953, but....
In CIA: A Study of Assassination, written by the CIA and declassified in 1997 under The Freedom of Information Act, page 9 of the document (page numbers are located in the bottom right corner) reads as follows:
TECHNIQUES
2. Accidents.
For secret assassinations, either simple or chase, the contrived accident is the most effective technique. When successfully executed, it causes little excitement and is only casually investigated.
The most efficient accident, in simple assassination, is a fall of 75 feet or more onto a hard surface. Elevator shafts, stair wells, unscreened windows and bridges will serve. Bridge falls into water are not reliable. In simple cases a private meeting with the subject may be arranged at a properly-cased location. The act may be executed by sudden, vigorous [excised] of the ankles, tipping the subject over the edge. If the assassin immediately sets up an outcry, playing the "horrified witness", no alibi or surreptitious withdrawal is necessary. In chase cases it will usually be necessary to stun or drug the subject before dropping him. Care is required to ensure that no wound or condition not attributable to the fall is discernable after death (8).
I often wonder at people's blind trust in their governments. One example I've overheard recently was between two coworkers. One of them said, "I believe vaccines cause autism." The other replied, "That's ridiculous! They've done studies about this. The CDC says there is no link between vaccines and autism."
I wasn't involved in the conversation, but at the time I thought, Well, the government stating something as fact doesn't necessarily mean it's true. They've lied to the American people repeatedly, for decades: MK-Ultra, The Tuskegee Experiment, Operation Mockingbird ... all examples of our government lying to our faces.
*AUTHOR'S NOTE: I am by NO means saying vaccines cause autism. I'm simply stating a fact: the government has lied to the American people on multiple occasions, proof of which is widely available to anyone willing to research.
Have you written a story about mind control? Is your protagonist a government agent or unwitting victim entangled in a secret program? Share your thoughts, comments, and creations by responding to this newsletter and I will share them in my next edition.
Thank you for reading.
"The truth is that the State is a conspiracy designed not only to exploit but above all to corrupt its citizens. Henceforth, I shall never serve any government anywhere."
~ Leo Tolstoy
Sources:
1. The Term “Conspiracy Theory” — an Invention of the CIA
2. 5 Conspiracy Theories That Turned Out to be True
3. Conspiracy Theories That Turned Out to be True
4. What We Know About the CIA's Midcentury Mind-Control Project
5. 25 Conspiracy Theories That Turned Out to be True
6. Project Blue Book True Story: The Reality Behind History Channel's UFO Conspiracy TV Show
7. Tuskegee Experiment: The Infamous Syphilis Study
8. CIA: A Study of Assassination
Further Reading:
The Bitter Secret of Wormwood
P.S. Every registered author who shares their ideas and/or creative endeavors relating to or inspired by this week's topic will receive an exclusive trinket. I will retire this month's limited-edition trinket at 11:59 p.m. WDC time on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, when my next short stories newsletter goes live.
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I hope you enjoy this week's featured selections. I occasionally feature static items by members who are no longer with us; some have passed away while others simply aren't active members. Their absence doesn't render their work any less relevant, and if it fits the week's topic I will include it.
Thank you, and have a great week!
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The key to peace may be in the head of a silent prisoner, and Mora must extract it.
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The following is in response to "For the Love of Writing" :
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Mastiff writes: I see writing as an escape more than a chore. In fact, it's generally irritating to me when other life duties take me away from it. Over the next week and a half, I have to get ready for a big move, and I have a long list of things to do. I do intend to squeeze in some "me" time to get a little writing done, though. It's not going to be easy!
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BIG BAD WOLF Feeling Thankful  writes: Sometimes one has to start typing.
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Quick-Quill  writes: So true, My mother would put a cow's tongue in a shoe box and write on the outside POW, BOMB, BOOM, ZING, etc in yellow sun bursts. Then in her Sunday School class she'd talk about what was in the box while so small has torn families apart, caused death and destruction of people and countries. After that she asked if they wanted to see it? She'd hold the box and lift the lid carefully slipping her hand under the tongue and talking about how terrifying it was. Then she'd drop the box and flip the tongue so it laid across her palm and fell over her fingers. The screams and shouts as the kids backpedaled to their seats, hugging each other then creeping closer to see what it was. The tongue (pen) is a powerful weapon, use it carefully and it can dissect to the quick or cauterize a wound. It's all in the power of the speaker.
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Pumpkin Spice Sox   writes: I gave both of my parents handbound hardback copies of a poetry book I wrote and illustrated. It was my way of telling them both who I am.
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Osirantinous  writes: I teared up reading about your letter to your dad and his reaction. It's so often we can't say such heartfelt things out-loud. For all our vocab skills we just can't seem to get it together. A letter is almost more personal, I think - it takes longer to deliver, it's got our own personal stamp of writing (including the paper and the ink/lead) and it gives and gives and gives. I still have a wee tiny poem my mum wrote to me when I was about 4 or 5. She wrote one for my brother and sister too and apparently composed them as she was walking us to kindergarten/school. Aside from this and a few other newsletter replies (and the QOTD response) I've not written, but your NL has reminded me of 'old' things I've written. Recently I re-read a diary I kept when I was about 9 on our first family trip to Australia (it was all about the food!) and my diary on a trip to the US (when I was 11) which started off when my sister and I were flowergirls at my cousin's wedding. Memories in ink that I wouldn't have as clearly in my head if I didn't have them on paper. I've also got my diary from when I was an exchange student and letters I sent home then too and letters/postcards from various travels. The written word is so powerful at being personal and bringing back memories. I pity those who think any sort of diary/letter writing is a waste.
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dragonwoman writes: I try to write something daily, even if it's only a word list or first sentences that come into my head. Being inspired by great writers means I read as well and sometimes voraciously. But above all, I write. By adding my own verse to cards I make, I feel like they become more unique and personal.
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Princess Megan Snow Rose  Writing should never be a chore unless you are in school and hate writing. As a writer, you love to write. Writing isn't a chore for authors. It identifies us. A good informative newsletter.
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Pumpkin Harvest writes: Words are indeed powerful. Only look at Tweets and texts and e-mails fired off in haste. Words passed too quickly allow us to be bullies and ruffians. And it's easier to write nasty things when you're not looking at that person in the face.
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Lilli 🧿 ☕  writes: I truly love the idea of writing birthday letters to your children and filling those letters with family stories. What a wonderful idea! One I think I'll start for my grandchildren. Thank you! 
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Jeff  writes: Unfortunately, my current family and work commitments are unpredictable and make it impossible to commit to a daily writing practice, as much as I would like one as a matter of personal preference. What I've been doing instead of a daily practice is trying to set aside a few days of the week where I can give writing dedicated chunks of time. I often work from home on Fridays, so I try to use that some of that time I would normally be commuting to get some words down. On the weekends when the family is relaxing and watching a movie, I try to supplement the writing with another small block of time. It's not as much as I would like, but it's better than nothing (which is what I was doing for a very long time)!
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LinnAnn -Book writer  writes: I couldn't figure out how to collect the trinket, but i did love the things you posted. I loved the shoes the best. I never heard of that before. Thanks so much for sharing. We just had a worldwide day of fasting and prayer, this just made it all the more wonderful.
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SB Musing  writes: I write every day with a poem a day and blog entry are my preferred means of writing generally. I love journaling because when I'm not okay I write it all down and it makes me feel lighter, or better, or even just less overwhelmed after I write my thoughts onto a physical form.
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Write_Mikey_Write!  writes: Although I don't "write" write every day ("just lazy enough" probably covers it), it's a rare day that doesn't see me post messages in a forum or on the Newsfeed, so that's something, at least. This is one of my favorite pieces: "Which Dream is Alive?" . It's somewhat autobiographical--I've never been a pastor--and I enjoy reading it from time to time. Thanks for bringing us your perspective.
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sindbad  writes: Hi, Shannon. This is a nice and informative take you have for a passion that inspires great things. Writing indeed refines our thoughts and creates an equilibrium in our mind between the inner and outer world. To make this passion a habit is indeed a creative take l appreciate a lot. Great job..sindbad
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~Brian K Compton~ writes: I was the orator in our family, a broadcast journalist. In 1999, I eulogized at my mother's funeral service. It put things in perspective for me and it unified some lives in the room that day. It especially brought me closer to one of my brothers.
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I got choked up again today, rereading my own words, reminded how fragile we are during this pandemic. Take stock, my friends.
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dragonwoman writes: Writing for me is more than love. It's the air I breathe and the beat of my heart, the blood in my veins and my all, next family and friends.
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eyestar~*  writes: I love how you come up with wonderful quotes! Inspiring. I love writing letters to people too. Thanks for sharing the experiences with yours. Heartwarming. I have been scribbling in my notebook off line...and a couple of contest entries. Reminds me of a quote by Wayne Dyer. "Don't die with your music still in you."
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mykel writes: Dear Shannon,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts in this newsletter. Due to my work schedule, I have mostly been writing on weekends, attempting to make 1000 word journal entries. I am more of a non-fiction/memoir/essay/maybe poetry? writer than fiction. I don't seem to have the imagination for fiction. However, that attitude is always subject to change, I, too, am a hopeless introvert, and I love to write.
With more time to write now, I'll apply your encouragement. Thank you again for sending out the newsletters.
Best Wishes,
Michael
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Short Stories: April 15, 2020 Issue [#10118]
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