# Old conspiracy theories **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 11, 2015, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834 "2015-07-11T03:24:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cumberdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@Cumberdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumberdale)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/1 "2015-07-11T03:24:24Z")
I’m sitting here on a bit of a nostalgia kick thinking about old conspiracy theory radio shows. I recall laying in bed with the covers pulled up listening to various talk show that rode the airways in the 80s to the 00s before the right wing politico’s took over. I would mostly listen to Jeff Rense, Art Bell and local Dallas host Kevin McCarthy who occasionally devoted his show to such topics. I really enjoyed thinking that I was learning stuff that the “common” person had no clue about. While I did question a lot of what they covered, there were always a few topics that just made too much sense. Some of my favorite topics included: ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/2 "2015-07-11T03:32:19Z")
…alien thread abduction? ---
**Author:** ![Cumberdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@Cumberdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumberdale)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/3 "2015-07-11T03:33:07Z")
> [@Cumberdale](#): > > I’m sitting here on a bit of a nostalgia kick thinking about old conspiracy theory radio shows. I recall laying in bed with the covers pulled up listening to various talk show that rode the airways in the 80s to the 00s before the right wing politico’s took over. > > I would mostly listen to Jeff Rense, Art Bell and local Dallas host Kevin McCarthy who occasionally devoted his show to such topics. I really enjoyed thinking that I was learning stuff that the “common” person had no clue about. While I did question a lot of what they covered, there were always a few topics that just made too much sense. > > Some of my favorite topics included: OOPS Hit the wrong button and didn’t finish within the five minutes: I’m sitting here on a bit of a nostalgia kick thinking about old conspiracy theory radio shows. I recall laying in bed with the covers pulled up listening to various talk show that rode the airways in the 80s to the 00s before the right wing politico’s took over. I would mostly listen to Jeff Rense, Art Bell and local Dallas host Kevin McCarthy who occasionally devoted his show to such topics. I really enjoyed thinking that I was learning stuff that the “common” person had no clue about. While I did question a lot of what they covered, there were always a few topics that just made too much sense. Some of my favorite topics included: Valient Thor-the alien who visited the Pentagon in 1967-68. First of all, that is an awesome name. However, I wonder if he has ever returned? I believe he had some great secrets to share with humanity. Ronald Wilson Reagan was definitely the Anti-Christ because there are 6 letters in each of his names. Of course, after he left office you never heard about that again. George H. W. Bush was a clone who had a life span of approximately a week. You could tell because one day he would be fairly tan and healthy looking, the next, he’d be pale with more exposed freckles on his face. I don’t know if the current G. H. W. Bush is a clone or not and so far, I have been unable to find anything on Google to tell me one way or another. There are plenty more but for some reason these are the stories that stuck with me. I’m curious what happens to the proponents of these types of theories after the people involved leave the spotlight or shed their mortal coil. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/4 "2015-07-11T03:58:15Z")
I used to listen to Art Bell as I was going to sleep nearly every night. Generated some interesting dreams on some nights. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/5 "2015-07-11T04:22:54Z")
> [@Cumberdale](#): > > Valient Thor-the alien who visited the Pentagon in 1967-68. First of all, that is an awesome name. However, I wonder if he has ever returned? Oh, he returned alright. [In heavy metal form.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDvYdQNEgmw) ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/6 "2015-07-11T08:19:50Z")
> [@Cumberdale](#): > > I’m sitting here on a bit of a nostalgia kick thinking about old conspiracy theory radio shows. I recall laying in bed with the covers pulled up listening to various talk show that rode the airways in the 80s to the 00s before the right wing politico’s took over. > > I would mostly listen to Jeff Rense, Art Bell and local Dallas host Kevin McCarthy who occasionally devoted his show to such topics. I really enjoyed thinking that I was learning stuff that the “common” person had no clue about. While I did question a lot of what they covered, there were always a few topics that just made too much sense. > > Some of my favorite topics included: > [@Cumberdale](#): > > OOPS > > Hit the wrong button and didn’t finish within the five minutes: > > … Yeah yeah… we are not falling for that! Who are you and what have you done with Cumberdale! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/7 "2015-07-11T09:02:01Z")
Here in Aus, there’s been the ongoing ‘conspiracy theory’ that the CIA and/or aliens were involved in the disappearance of our (then) Prime Minister, Harold Holt. [Harold Holt](http://www.harold-holt.net/) Yes, we have loonies downunder as well…you guys don’t have a monopoly on them. :D:D ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/8 "2015-07-11T18:18:16Z")
> [@Accidental\_Martyr](#): > > I used to listen to Art Bell as I was going to sleep nearly every night. Generated some interesting dreams on some nights. :eek: I used to go to sleep listening to Art Bell too, but the trucking company said I had to stop doing that when driving. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/9 "2015-07-12T16:17:59Z")
> [@Ale](#): > > Yeah yeah… we are not falling for that! > Who are you and what have you done with Cumberdale! > > 😛 [xkcd: Voice](http://xkcd.com/1541/) **Cumberdale**! **Cumberdale**! Are you iiinnnn theeeeerrrrre??? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![HeXen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@HeXen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeXen)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/10 "2015-07-12T16:47:10Z")
It’s as bad as the junk they put up on [Paranormal.com](http://Paranormal.com) or Unsolved [Mysteries.com](http://Mysteries.com). I think people want there to be conspiracies so bad that they’ll make two and two out of anything. Of course, it makes sense, only in America will UFO’s crash…etc. Every govt in the world must all be joined in on the same conspiracies so they can keep hiding it all from us. lol I seriously can’t believe how many people will believe in all that crap. BTW, Art Bell has returned this year. [http://artbell.com](http://artbell.com) ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2015, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/11 "2015-07-13T15:17:53Z")
Freemasonry is a perennial target for conspiracy theorists. In the early 19th century, we even had an [Anti-Masonic Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Masonic_Party) that elected some congressmen, and ran candidates for president. Every time a Yale alumnus runs for president, people check to see whether he was a member of Skull and Bones. > **[List of Skull and Bones members](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Skull_and_Bones_members)** > > Skull and Bones, a secret society at Yale University, was founded in 1832. Until 1971, the organization published annual membership rosters, which were kept at Yale's library. In this list of notable Bonesmen, the number in parentheses represents the cohort year of Skull and Bones, as well as their graduation year. > There are no official rosters published after 1982 and membership for later years is speculative. Some news organizations refer to them as a power elite. In 2004, both Bush and Kerry were Bonesmen. John Kennedy, being a Catholic, was going to be a puppet of the pope. The Republican party would never nominate Mitt Romney, because he was Mormon. Because Romney was Mormon, was proof that he would be an extreme right-winger. (I’m not sure how those people explain Harry Reid.) ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2015, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/12 "2015-07-13T18:12:34Z")
I used to listen to Chuck Harder back in the day. He was big on building some kind of perpetual motion type generator that produced more energy than it used. > **[Chuck Harder](https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Chuck_Harder)** > > Chuck Harder (We have no idea whether this is intended to sound like "Chugg harder!", the real name is Charles Edward Harder) was born in Elgin, Illinois and got his start with radio in Chicago in the early 1960's. After a divorce, he was homeless... ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2015, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/13 "2015-07-13T18:13:54Z")
Saturday night I was driving late (1 AM),so I was surfing for a radio show-I found Art Bell lurking on a local FM station. The most entertaining thing s not Bell himself, it is the weird calls he gets (one guy was arguing that Houston TX police arrests are not valid because the patrol cars say “Space City” on them). But, sure enough, he brought on some guy who wants to re-investigate the Kennedy assassination. That is old stuff. ---
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2015, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/14 "2015-07-13T19:05:13Z")
Not exactly related to this, but sometimes I idly wonder about what might have been the ancient world’s equivalent of our popular conspiracy theories… (“Julius Caesar did not die next to the statue of Pompeius! The person there was a double and Caesar escaped!”) I imagine that all the stories of kings and prices who “are not dead, but hiding and will some day come back” could be put into this category (Prince Dimitri -there were no less than three “Dimitris” who pretended the throne of Russia announcing that they were the “supposedly dead” prince-… Dom Sebastião of Portugal… There are many of those). ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2015, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/15 "2015-07-13T22:35:16Z")
Eisenhower was a Communist Truman was a Communist Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren was a Communist The British Royal family, especially Queen Elizabeth personally, controls the international cocaine trade Roosevelt was in cahoots with the International Jewish Banking Conspiracy and ordered the attack on Pearl Harbor Teamsters Union boss Jimmy Hoffa was killed by (fill in the blank) Roman Catholics kidnapped babies and baptized them ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/16 "2015-07-14T00:46:06Z")
The Tea Party has brought it back a little but decades ago Fluoride in the water was a huge bugaboo for the John Birch Society and other Conservative groups. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/17 "2015-07-14T01:44:19Z")
I remember as a kid (70s/80s) being scared to death by an old radio short segment (“The Source”?) that talked about cattle mutilations and aliens. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/18 "2015-07-14T09:35:35Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > I used to listen to Chuck Harder back in the day. > He was big on building some kind of perpetual motion type generator that produced more energy than it used. > > [Chuck Harder - RationalWiki](http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Chuck_Harder) I thought that Chuck was totally awesome. IIRC, his line of thinking was right along with mine, government/conspiracy/etc…-wise. At least, that is, till the late 90s. After that, I never heard from/of him. In re: Art Bell, I thought that he was totally cool, until he started in with Shadow People, and Remote viewing, and time traveling. He wouldn’t fucking shut up about them, and I got burned out. One night, though, I was listening to his program about ghosts, or ghost stories; that one scared the pants off of me. Glad he’s back. ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/19 "2015-07-14T10:53:32Z")
> [@JoseB](#): > > Not exactly related to this, but sometimes I idly wonder about what might have been the ancient world’s equivalent of our popular conspiracy theories… (“Julius Caesar did not die next to the statue of Pompeius! The person there was a double and Caesar escaped!”) > > I imagine that all the stories of kings and prices who “are not dead, but hiding and will some day come back” could be put into this category (Prince Dimitri -there were no less than three “Dimitris” who pretended the throne of Russia announcing that they were the “supposedly dead” prince-… Dom Sebastião of Portugal… There are many of those). You may want to pick up a couple books by Umberto Eco, The Prague Cemetery and Foucault’s Pendulum, both intertwine old “real” conspiracies from the time of the crusades up to the 19th century into a fictional narrative. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834/20 "2015-07-14T12:46:20Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > The British Royal family, especially Queen Elizabeth personally, controls the international cocaine trade Are you saying her hair is actually a wig made of cocaine? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-conspiracy-theories/724834.md?page=2)