Where is the rational line between the infinite number of deaths claimed by conspiracy theorists (and some “conspiracy theories” are right) and a rational approach that is devoid of cognitive biases, fallacies, and formal errors, yet acknowledges the existence of governments’ extrajudicial killings? These killings are evident in countries like Russia, China, and, yes, the United States. Let’s take a closer look at the suspicious deaths within this so-called democracy.
Suspicious deaths: Who is the aim?
Journalists, whistleblowers, activists, espionage figures, and leakers often face significant risks when their actions or revelations challenge powerful interests. Governments, particularly those with significant global influence, frequently justify actions against these individuals by citing national security concerns.
Whistleblowers and leakers are framed as threats to intelligence operations or public safety due to their exposure of covert activities. Similarly, activists who target corporations with strong ties to government structures may encounter severe retaliation, ostensibly to protect economic stability. Therefore, the convergence of these risks highlights the precarious balance between transparency, security, and the preservation of established power dynamics.
Some say the US is good? Is it really repulsed to kill someone?
The United States of America, the unparalleled beacon of perfection, stands as the flawless paragon of virtue in a world riddled with imperfection. Overall, its history is an unblemished tapestry of justice, equality, and unyielding moral fortitude. No war waged was ever unjust, no law passed ever flawed, and no leader ever erred in judgment. Because its interventions in foreign lands are purely altruistic, driven by an unwavering commitment to spreading democracy and never by economic or geopolitical interests. Its institutions operate with such transparency and fairness that corruption is but a myth, and its society is so harmonious that inequality and discrimination are relics of a bygone era. Truly, the U.S. is the gold standard of human civilization, without even a hint of hypocrisy, oversight, or imperfection to its illustrious name.
US: The sole superpower is evil
Now let’s get back to reality. It has its super-powerful bankers, super-rich families, multinational lobbyists, military-industrial complex, corporations, secret services. They have thousands of inconvenient people, perhaps me.
The United States has engaged in numerous actions widely criticized as crimes or morally indefensible. Its involvement in torture and human rights violations is particularly evident in Latin America, where the U.S. supported oppressive regimes during the Cold War. Programs like Operation Condor involved training and funding from the CIA, enabling regimes to establish secret detention centers where dissidents were tortured and executed. These actions were often justified as efforts to combat communism but resulted in systematic atrocities.
Economically driven wars have further cemented the U.S.’s global reputation for prioritizing economic interests over human lives. The invasion of Iraq in 2003, ostensibly to eliminate weapons of mass destruction, destabilized an entire region while ensuring access to vital oil reserves. Thus, this pattern of intervention for economic gain extends to other conflicts masked as efforts to spread democracy.
The criminal War on Drugs
The failed War on Drugs exemplifies how U.S. policies have exacerbated global and domestic harm. While these efforts claimed to target drug production and trafficking, they were deeply entangled with financial motives. Consequently, cartels, whose operations were often tied to money laundering through global financial systems, became the focus. Yet, the militarized strategies deployed in countries like Colombia and Mexico fueled violence and instability rather than curbing drug flows. Domestically, these policies disproportionately targeted minority communities, driving mass incarceration and systemic inequality.
Also, the historical treatment of Native Americans underscores long-standing patterns of oppression, with forced relocations, cultural erasure through boarding schools, and systemic disenfranchisement amounting to cultural genocide. This legacy is paralleled by U.S. support for authoritarian regimes worldwide. In Latin America, Africa, and Asia, the U.S. frequently backed dictatorships to protect its economic and geopolitical interests, as seen with Pinochet in Chile, the Shah in Iran, and Somoza in Nicaragua.
Drone warfare, another contentious issue, has killed countless civilians in countries like Yemen, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, often violating international laws and destabilizing regions for years. These strikes are emblematic of a broader pattern of military aggression that lacks accountability. Environmental harm follows similar trends, with U.S.-led industrial practices offshoring pollution and resource extraction, leaving vulnerable populations to face the consequences.
The greatest democracy and torture chambers
Torture chambers in Latin America further exemplify U.S. complicity in systemic abuses. Institutions like the School of the Americas trained military forces in techniques later used to repress and eliminate political dissidents. This reflects a willingness to endorse atrocities when aligned with broader strategic goals.
Economic sanctions, often presented as non-violent measures, have devastating effects on civilian populations. Sanctions on countries like Cuba, Venezuela, and Iran have led to widespread humanitarian crises, disproportionately harming the most vulnerable while failing to achieve significant political change. Meanwhile, programs like PRISM revealed widespread surveillance practices, violating the privacy of millions both domestically and internationally.
From its role in torture chambers to its entanglement in cartel-driven financial networks under the guise of drug control, the U.S.’s actions are part of a broader pattern of prioritizing economic and strategic interests at the expense of human rights, stability, and accountability. These actions reflect systemic abuses that continue to shape global perceptions of the United States.
Suspicious deaths: There are a lot of killers. You think our country’s so innocent?
A disgraced TV host Bill O’Reilly: “He’s a killer though. Putin’s a killer.” Donald Trump: “There are a lot of killers. You think our country’s so innocent?” Kind of scary.
To be clear, this list of suspicious deaths is incomplete. Hopefully, I won’t be among them in the future.
1. Seth Rich (2016)
Seth Rich, a DNC staffer, was fatally shot in Washington, D.C., during what authorities described as a botched robbery. Suspicious circumstances surrounding his death certainly continue to draw attention.
2. Jeffrey Epstein (2019)
Jeffrey Epstein, a financier accused of running an extensive sex trafficking ring, was found dead in his jail cell. Officially ruled a suicide, his death raised many questions due to inadequate prison oversight and connections to powerful individuals.
3. Danny Casolaro (1991)
Danny Casolaro, an investigative journalist, was found dead in a hotel bathtub with multiple cuts to his wrists. Officially ruled a suicide, the unusual details surrounding his death remain unresolved.
4. John P. Wheeler III (2010)
John P. Wheeler III, a Pentagon consultant, was discovered in a landfill. The circumstances of his death remain unexplained, raising suspicions due to his involvement in sensitive military projects.
5. Michael Hastings (2013)
Michael Hastings, an investigative journalist, died in a fiery car crash in Los Angeles. The unusual nature of the crash and his critical reporting on high-profile figures continue to spark questions.
6. Gary Webb (2004)
Gary Webb, a journalist known for his exposé on the CIA’s involvement in drug trafficking, was found dead with two gunshot wounds to the head. Officially ruled a suicide, the circumstances remain contentious.
7. David Kelly (2003)
David Kelly, a British weapons inspector, allegedly committed suicide after being implicated in the controversy over the Iraq War’s justification. Questions persist regarding the full circumstances of his death.
8. Frank Olson (1953)
Frank Olson, a bioweapons researcher, allegedly fell to his death from a hotel window. It was later revealed he had been unwittingly dosed with LSD as part of the CIA’s MKUltra program. Many details surrounding his death remain suspicious.
9. Karen Silkwood (1974)
Karen Silkwood, a nuclear safety whistleblower, died in a car crash on her way to meet a journalist. Suspicious details suggest her car may have been tampered with.
10. Aaron Swartz (2013)
Aaron Swartz, an internet activist and co-creator of Reddit, was found hanged in his apartment. Facing severe federal charges for downloading academic articles, his death raised significant concerns about the pressures he faced.
11. Franklin Scudder (1948)
Franklin Scudder, a bioweapons researcher, died under mysterious circumstances. Officially deemed a suicide, suspicions persist regarding the nature of his death and his involvement in sensitive programs.
12. Gareth Williams (2010)
Gareth Williams, a British intelligence agent, was found dead inside a padlocked duffel bag. Official accounts attribute his death to a bizarre accident, but the circumstances remain unresolved.
13. John McAfee (2021)
John McAfee, the antivirus software pioneer, was found dead in a Spanish prison cell while awaiting extradition to the U.S. Officially ruled a suicide, McAfee’s previous statements and the nature of his death continue to raise questions.
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