# What are exceptionally weird left wing conspiracy theories you've seen? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 23, 2021, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268 "2021-01-23T07:50:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2021, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/81 "2021-01-28T04:13:48Z")
Not if the term “conspiracy theory” is to have any useful meaning. A conspiracy theory is one that involves an organised secret activity or plan. An allegation that people in a particular service have certain personal characteristics (“police are racist/bastards”) is not a conspiracy. Nor is an alleged fact (“its dangerous to be black in America”) a conspiracy. An allegation that there was a secret policy to recruit only bastards to the police force would be a conspiracy theory. An allegation that the government has a secret plan to make American dangerous for blacks would be a conspiracy theory. ---
**Author:** ![Smudge777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@Smudge777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smudge777)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2021, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/82 "2021-01-28T04:32:14Z")
Is that not the inherent allegation? Either that the police recruitment process is designed so as to ensure maximal bastardness and/or racism in the police force, or that there is a conspiracy to train police recruits to be racist bastards. How could it be that 100% of police officers have these attributes if not for a conspiracy in recruitment or training? ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2021, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/83 "2021-01-28T05:02:37Z")
The actual conspiracy I’ve is that all local police departments are so infiltrated by white supremacists that basically they control all police forces and deliberately train them to kill minorities with racist training. It’s a fact white supremacists have infiltrated some police departments but the conspiracy is ALL of them have and they’re actively coordinating to the point they were suppose to take part in the Capitol Takeover but chickened out at the last minute. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2021, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/84 "2021-01-28T06:03:47Z")
No it isn’t an inherent allegation. That is one possible allegation but it isn’t inherent in the simple statements you made. It could well be that being an LEO attracts certain personality types. Or that being an LEO tends to lead to certain attitudes. Or that they tend to have a certain culture, but not intentionally. None of these things involve a conspiracy. ---
**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:** [January 28, 2021, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/85 "2021-01-28T13:39:00Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > > [@Jackmannii](#): > > > > As for it not being weird to suspect corporations of doing Evil things, that may be true up to a certain point. A lot of people riffing on this subject don’t use their brains to see how dumb their conspiracies are. For instance, why would Big Pharma conspire to hide evidence of vaccination harms? Exposing them and causing a ban on vaccines would ensure greatly increased drug company profits, since millions of new cases of vaccine-preventable diseases every year in the U.S. alone would mean many billions in additional sales of antibiotics and other drugs to treat the sick. > > It’s not weird at all (although it’s certainly incorrect) to imagine that the assistant head director of the vaccine branch office would cover up a study that was unflattering to her department, even if it’d make more money for the corporation overall, since revealing that research might get her fired by the head director of the vaccine branch office. Even if there were a few incompetent pharma hirelings madly scuttling about to conceal a handful of unfavorable vaccine studies, there are dozens of antivax loons madly hyping such reports (despite their coming almost entirely from “researchers” in low repute among their peers\*, and who often have suspended or revoked medical icenses). We’ve already had the so-called CDC whistleblower\*\*, whose leaks to led to a (since retracted) antivax paper amplifying his claims, as well considerable analysis by reputable scientists\*\*\* who concluded that (in the words of the immortal Orac) it was a big nothingburger. This stuff falls down in the face of the reality that massive conspiracies necessarily involving large numbers of people could never be successfully concealed for any length of time. \*gotta have been paid off. \*\*strangely, the “whistleblower” is still working at the CDC. They musta paid him huge $$$ to shut him up. \*\*pharma-bought too, undoubtedly. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2021, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/86 "2021-01-28T17:57:25Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Even if there were a few incompetent pharma hirelings madly scuttling about to conceal a handful of unfavorable vaccine studies, there are dozens of antivax loons madly hyping such reports (despite their coming almost entirely from “researchers” in low repute among their peers\*, and who often have suspended or revoked medical icenses). I’m trying to draw a distinction between “wrong conspiracy theories that are plausible and kinda like other real historical conspiracies” and “wrong conspiracy theories about cannibal pedophile abductor lizard-people.” Both are wrong, but only one category is “exceptionally weird.” ---
**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:** [January 28, 2021, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/87 "2021-01-28T22:29:32Z")
It sounds like the “distinction” you’re trying to draw is between imbecilic and destructive conspiracy theories identified with the far right (i.e. QAnon) and imbecilic and destructive conspiracy theories that have substantial left-wing as well as right-wing adherents (i.e. vaccines causing autism and a host of chronic ailments). A core tactic of the latter group of conspiracy theorists is to point to an instance of a drug company behaving badly (the example typically given involves Vioxx) as evidence of a massive conspiracy involving an entire industry and thousands of workers, executives, researchers and others who allegedly are covering up vaccine harms while somehow managing to keep this enormous, unwieldy plot secret. Saying that such a scheme is “plausible” but well, wrong when it comes to vaccination or other matters pertaining to containment of the Covid-19 pandemic just plays into these peoples’ hands. ---
**Author:** ![ZosterSandstorm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e0b2c6/32.png) [@ZosterSandstorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZosterSandstorm)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/88 "2021-01-29T00:36:21Z")
Popular left wing conspiracy theories since 2019: US police officers travel to Israel to learn how to kill black people The White Helmets in Syria aren’t actually providing medical aid but are secretly terrorists Chemical warfare by the Syrian government is a false flag All groups opposing the Syrian government are “ISIS” The OAS intervention in Bolivia was motivated by something to do with giving lithium to Elon Musk The Democratic primaries were “rigged” against Bernie Sanders ---
**Author:** ![pirviii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pirviii/32/3233_2.png) [@pirviii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pirviii)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/89 "2021-01-29T03:50:03Z")
> [@ZosterSandstorm](#): > > The Democratic primaries were “rigged” against Bernie Sanders This is the only one of those I’ve heard ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/90 "2021-01-29T05:10:41Z")
Are CTs about contrails (government mind control, secret climate effects, etc.) considered left wing? That’s the only one I hear with any regularity. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/91 "2021-01-29T05:13:03Z")
That’s nonpartisan idiocy, from all I’ve seen. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/92 "2021-01-29T20:03:22Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > It sounds like the “distinction” you’re trying to draw is between imbecilic and destructive conspiracy theories identified with the far right (i.e. QAnon) and imbecilic and destructive conspiracy theories that have substantial left-wing as well as right-wing adherents (i.e. vaccines causing autism and a host of chronic ailments). That’s incorrect. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/93 "2021-01-29T20:04:13Z")
> [@ZosterSandstorm](#): > > Popular left wing conspiracy theories since 2019: I’m curious what people are actually saying, rather than your paraphrases, which may – _just may!_ – not be 100% accurate. ---
**Author:** ![Manwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Manwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manwich)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/94 "2021-01-30T10:48:44Z")
Some lefties go full not good brain and say it’s the Jew’s doing the economic bad stuff. Bad lefties! Jews are our big time allies like everyone else is, fuck those conspiracy people. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/95 "2021-01-30T14:53:43Z")
That is ridiculous. There are good and bad Jews, just like with any other ethnic group. Hard-line Zionists tend to be assholes who think Palestinian non-Jews should be treated like shit. Those people are not our allies. ---
**Author:** ![Manwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Manwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manwich)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2021, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/96 "2021-02-05T10:18:33Z")
It’s a big siege mentality of a country that Israel. Like Biden said, “If there were not an Israel, we would have to invent one to make sure our interests were preserved,” Hard to be normal living in the manifestation of somewhere that exists by necessity of US foreign policy. I think they are normal underneath everything, like good humans. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2021, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/97 "2021-02-05T16:15:23Z")
A bizarre transformation that’s occurred in recent years, jet-fueled by the Covid-19 pandemic, is the convergence of traditionally left-wing “wellness” and spirituality-focused adherents and virulent right-wing conspiracy theorists, yielding the conspirituality movement. “…one community in particular has found itself prey (to QAnon-style beliefs),” wrote WNYC’s _On the Media_ . “The yoga, wellness, and spirituality world, where skepticism about vaccines has intersected with the rapid spread of disinformation online to create a toxic stew known as ‘conspirituality.'” > **[‘Conspirituality’ Explains Why the Wellness World Fell for QAnon](https://www.vice.com/en/article/93wq73/conspirituality-explains-why-the-wellness-world-fell-for-qanon)** > > The philosopher Jules Evans tells us who and what are prone to both conspiracy theories and alternative beliefs, while advocating for “critical spirituality.” ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2021, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/98 "2021-02-05T20:46:21Z")
Oh yeah, that sounds just like some of my friends. One who used the term “pseudoscience” to describe her beliefs, **without having any awareness that the term had a negative connotation**. It was freaking hysterical, it was like she heard the word somewhere and thought, yeah that’s me…then she started earnestly telling people she believed in “pseudoscience”. And she expects people to believe she’s literally channeling the wisdom of the Universe (which apparently has an Italian accent) because “how else could she be so damn smart and inspiring?” I still maintain my very narrow objection to calling these people “left-wing”, because though they may be hippies, or otherwise look and dress like liberals, it’s a superficial resemblance and most of them do not identify as Democrats or subscribe to any core Democratic / liberal philosophy. If anything, they are libertarian…although most of them claim to be “outside of politics”. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/99 "2021-02-08T16:10:25Z")
> [@ZosterSandstorm](#): > > The White Helmets in Syria aren’t actually providing medical aid but are secretly terrorists It was back in 2010 that the CIA organized a fake hepatitis B vaccine program to attempt to track down Osama Bin Laden through DNA analysis, so that one doesn’t strike me as exceptionally weird. It strikes me as more or less business as usual. ---
**Author:** ![ZosterSandstorm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e0b2c6/32.png) [@ZosterSandstorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZosterSandstorm)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268/100 "2021-02-08T20:18:51Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > It was back in 2010 that the CIA organized a fake hepatitis B vaccine program to attempt to track down Osama Bin Laden through DNA analysis, so that one doesn’t strike me as exceptionally weird. It strikes me as more or less business as usual. Your conspiracy theory about the White Helmets is a despicable, lunatic raving designed to justify the Syrian gangster regime targeting medical assistance. Pakistan and Syria are two different countries separated by 1200+ miles and the CIA has nothing to do with the White Helmets, nor would any hypothetical affiliation with the U.S. automatically make them “ISIS terrorists” as the Corbynite left likes to accuse them of being. If you are seriously arguing that because finding and killing Bin Laden used a vaccination program as a cover in a different country at a different time, _ALL_ instances of the practice of medicine worldwide are therefore fake, CIA-controlled, and “terrorists,” then I’ll ask you to state it outright so everyone can consider the value of such a statement. It is, however, quite interesting to see “no one believes this, you’re making it up” and “it’s obvious that we should all believe this” being deployed simultaneously regarding a left-wing conspiracy theory in this thread - that’s pretty SOP. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-exceptionally-weird-left-wing-conspiracy-theories-youve-seen/931268.md?page=6)