Editing 1274: Open Letter
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | This comic is a reference to the {{w|United States federal government shutdown of 2013|US government shutdown in 2013}} that | + | {{incomplete}} |
+ | This comic is a reference to the {{w|United States federal government shutdown of 2013|US government shutdown in 2013}}, that has been ongoing for a week and is still current as of the time of this comic. Under some circumstances, the United States Federal Government {{w|Government shutdown in the United States|can temporarily shut down}} pending budget legislation being passed by the United States Congress. These shutdowns are typically due to political disagreements between the President, the House of Representatives, and the Senate. Due to the shutdown, numerous govenment services and facilities are shut down, often resulting in many logistical issues for the public. | ||
− | Over the years, various conspiracy theories have been proposed claiming that the United States Government is not controlled by publicly-elected officials, but rather by one or more organizations that secretly control the actions of the government (sometimes termed a {{w|Shadow government (conspiracy)|"shadow government"}}). In this strip, [[Randall]] writes a letter to the shadow government, telling them that the situation (having the country's | + | Over the years, various conspiracy theories have been proposed claiming that the United States Government is not controlled by publicly-elected officials, but rather by one or more organizations that secretly control the actions of the government (sometimes termed a {{w|Shadow government (conspiracy)|"shadow government"}}). In this strip, [[Randall]] writes a letter to the shadow government, telling them that the situation (having the country's govenment shut down) is embarrassing and asking them to fix the problem. |
− | This comic also implicitly argues against the plausibility of the aforementioned conspiracy theories if one assumes that a shadow-controlled government would be more likely to operate with a singular purpose and therefore be less susceptible to paralyzing political disagreements. Randall previously alluded to this in the title text to [[1081|comic 1081]]: "Really, the comforting side in most conspiracy theory arguments is the one claiming that anyone who's in power has any plan at all." This is one of several comics in which Randall expresses dismay at how many intelligent people can fall for absurd conspiracy theories; see comics [[258 | + | This comic also implicitly argues against the plausibility of the aforementioned conspiracy theories if one assumes that a shadow-controlled government would be more likely to operate with a singular purpose and therefore be less susceptible to paralyzing political disagreements. Randall previously alluded to this in the title text to [[1081|comic 1081]]: "Really, the comforting side in most conspiracy theory arguments is the one claiming that anyone who's in power has any plan at all." This is one of several comics in which Randall expresses dismay at how many intelligent people can fall for absurd conspiracy theories; see comics [[258]] and [[690]], among others. |
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{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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! Addressee !! Brief Description | ! Addressee !! Brief Description | ||
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− | | {{w|Freemasonry|The Freemasons}}|| Fraternity claiming the legacy of medieval stonemasons | + | | {{w|Freemasonry|The Freemasons }}|| Fraternity claiming the legacy of medieval stonemasons. Organised in local groups, the so called ''Lodges''. |
|- | |- | ||
| {{w|Illuminati}} || Secret society formed in Bavaria to further the ideas of {{w|enlightenment}}. Although officially banned in 1785, many conspiracy theorists believe the organisation might have survived and is still secretly exerting influence. | | {{w|Illuminati}} || Secret society formed in Bavaria to further the ideas of {{w|enlightenment}}. Although officially banned in 1785, many conspiracy theorists believe the organisation might have survived and is still secretly exerting influence. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{w|Scientology}} || A church founded by science-fiction writer {{w|L. Ron Hubbard}}. Often criticised for alleged {{w|brainwashing}} of its members and accused of hiding commercial interests behind religious claims. | + | | {{w|Church of Scientology|Scientology}} || A church founded by science-fiction writer {{w|L. Ron Hubbard}}. Often criticised for alleged {{w|brainwashing}} of its members and accused of hiding commercial interests behind religious claims. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{w|FEMA}} || Agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, that has been granted extensive authorisations in cases of emergency and is therefore believed to act as an entity independent of governmental control | + | | {{w|Federal Emergency Management Agency|FEMA}} || Agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, that has been granted extensive authorisations in cases of emergency and is therefore believed to act as an entity independent of governmental control. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{w| | + | | {{w|New World Order (conspiracy theory)|The New World Order}} || Not a secret organisation itself, but rather the concept of establishing a totalitarian system controlled by any elitist group in this list. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{w| | + | | {{w|Federal Reserve System|The Federal Reserve}} || Central state bank system of the United States, therefore to some degree able to control the monetary circulation of the {{w|US Dollar}}. |
|- | |- | ||
| {{w|Citigroup}} || One of the four biggest American financial service corporations. Considered by the {{w|Financial Stability Board}} to be a {{w|Too big to fail|"systemically important financial institution"}}. | | {{w|Citigroup}} || One of the four biggest American financial service corporations. Considered by the {{w|Financial Stability Board}} to be a {{w|Too big to fail|"systemically important financial institution"}}. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{w|Halliburton}} || International corporation offering technical services, especially in the field of oil and gas production. Also a major supplier for the {{w|US military}}. Halliburton was in the headlines for unethical business | + | | {{w|Halliburton}} || International corporation offering technical services, especially in the field of oil and gas production. Also a major supplier for the {{w|US military}}. Halliburton was in the headlines for unethical business practise and connections to the former US Vice President {{w|Dick Cheney}}. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{w|Google}} || Corporation offering Internet services, most notably the | + | | {{w|Google}} || Corporation offering Internet services, most notably the Google search engine. Known for collecting massive amounts of data about its users in order to sell personalised advertisement. The idea of secret plans of Google has been mentioned in comic [[792]]. |
|- | |- | ||
| {{w|Holy See|The Vatican}} || Central government of the {{w|Catholic Church}} and residence of the {{w|pope}}. Historically important not only as a religious authority, but also as a {{w|Papal States|secular political power}}. | | {{w|Holy See|The Vatican}} || Central government of the {{w|Catholic Church}} and residence of the {{w|pope}}. Historically important not only as a religious authority, but also as a {{w|Papal States|secular political power}}. | ||
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| {{w|Walmart}} || American retail corporation, best known for the eponymous chain of warehouse stores. As of January 2013, Walmart is the world's largest public corporation by revenue. | | {{w|Walmart}} || American retail corporation, best known for the eponymous chain of warehouse stores. As of January 2013, Walmart is the world's largest public corporation by revenue. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{w|Rothschild_family|The Rothschilds}} || Family of Jewish financiers that was later elevated into European nobility. Believed to exercise influence through considerable wealth | + | | {{w|Rothschild_family|The Rothschilds}} || Family of Jewish financiers that was later elevated into European nobility. Believed to exercise influence through considerable wealth. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{w|Knights Templar}} || Originally a medieval Christian military order of considerable influence, the Knights Templar were inspiration for many successive (secret) organisations that are sometimes believed to undermine governmental authorities. There is also an {{w|Knights Templar (Freemasonry)|eponymous order}} affiliated with Freemasonry | + | | {{w|Knights Templar}} || Originally a medieval Christian military order of considerable influence, the Knights Templar were inspiration for many successive (secret) organisations that are sometimes believed to undermine governmental authorities. There is also an {{w|Knights Templar (Freemasonry)|eponymous order}} affiliated with Freemasonry. |
|- | |- | ||
| {{w|High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program#Conspiracy theories|HAARP}} || Ionospheric research project of the US military. Believed by some conspiracy theorists to conceal attempts to control the weather and trigger catastrophes. | | {{w|High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program#Conspiracy theories|HAARP}} || Ionospheric research project of the US military. Believed by some conspiracy theorists to conceal attempts to control the weather and trigger catastrophes. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{w|United Nations|The UN}} || Large intergovernmental organization; most countries | + | | {{w|United Nations|The UN}} || Large intergovernmental organization; most countries in the world are members. It has little direct power unless its member states choose to cooperate (except for its invisible {{w|black helicopter}} squadrons). |
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{w|Skull and Bones|Skull & Bones}} || A secret society at the {{w|Yale University}} that has many influential American politicians amongst its members, including former Presidents {{w|George H. W. Bush}} and {{w|George W. Bush}}, as well as | + | | {{w|Skull and Bones|Skull & Bones}} || A secret society at the {{w|Yale University}} that has many influential American politicians amongst its members, including former Presidents {{w|George H. W. Bush}} and {{w|George W. Bush}}, as well as current Secretary of State {{w|John Kerry}}. |
|- | |- | ||
| {{w|Bohemian Grove}} || Campground of the private {{w|Bohemian Club}} in San Francisco, known for hosting an annual encampment of club members and selected guests who are among the most powerful men in the world. | | {{w|Bohemian Grove}} || Campground of the private {{w|Bohemian Club}} in San Francisco, known for hosting an annual encampment of club members and selected guests who are among the most powerful men in the world. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{w|Political activities of the Koch brothers|The Koch Brothers}} || | + | | {{w|Political activities of the Koch brothers|The Koch Brothers}} || The owners of the second-largest private company in the United States and advocates of {{w|free market}} ideals. Known for contributions to libertarian and conservative political campaigns. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{w | + | | {{w|George Soros}} || Business magnate and investor, who is well-known for supporting liberal political causes. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{w|The | + | | {{w|Sovereign Military Order of Malta|The Knights of Malta}} || |
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{w| | + | | {{w|Council on Foreign Relations|The CFR}} || |
|- | |- | ||
− | + | | {{w|ExxonMobil|Exxon Mobil}} || | |
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− | | {{w|ExxonMobil|Exxon Mobil}} || | ||
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| {{w|Zionism|The Zionists}} || Political movement favouring the creation of a Jewish homeland, a goal achieved with the creation of the state of {{w|Israel}}. In a conspiracy-theory context, it references the belief that wealthy and powerful Jews (such as the above-referenced Rothschilds) control political and social institutions, as presented e.g. in the (fake) {{w|Protocols of Zion}}. | | {{w|Zionism|The Zionists}} || Political movement favouring the creation of a Jewish homeland, a goal achieved with the creation of the state of {{w|Israel}}. In a conspiracy-theory context, it references the belief that wealthy and powerful Jews (such as the above-referenced Rothschilds) control political and social institutions, as presented e.g. in the (fake) {{w|Protocols of Zion}}. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{w|Vril#Vril society|The Vril Society}} || | + | | {{w|Vril#Vril society|The Vril Society}} || |
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{w| | + | | {{w|Reptilians|The Lizard People}} || Secret snake-men, similar to the aliens from {{w|V (TV series)}}. This is probably a reference to the conspiracy theories of {{w|David Icke}}, which include the idea that an ancient race of god-like, shapeshifting Lizards have interbred with humans, and that these half-bloods now secretly control the world. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | and everyone else who secretly controls the {{w|Federal government of the United States|US Government}} || | + | | and everyone else who secretly controls the {{w|Federal government of the United States|US Government}} || |
|} | |} | ||
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+ | The "Sincerely, A Concerned Citizen" signature is a reference to {{w|Half-Life 2}}, in which Dr. Breen reads a letter criticizing the Combine (alien) control of the government signed "A Concerned Citizen." | ||
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
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[[Category:Politics]] | [[Category:Politics]] | ||
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