Blog Post #11 - EOTO 2 Reax

During the EOTO Presentations Group, one presentation caught my eye the most, specifically the "False Flag" presentation, by Ellie Hammer. 

A false flag refers to events, often crises or attacks, that conspiracy theorists believe are ostracized by governments or other entities to further political or social agendas. 

Historically, false flag operations involve acts intended to appear as if carried out by opponents, often serving as a justification for military action.

The strategic purpose behind a false flag operation includes shifting blame to an adversary, creating a narrative that absolves the instigator of wrongdoing, and manipulating perception to weaken the opposition. 

False flag operations can deeply affect society. They erode public trust in government and breed skepticism, leading to national division and unrest. 

A prime example is back about 90 years ago, in 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. Before the invasion, seven German soldiers went undercover as Poles and attacked the Gleiwitz radio tower and then falsely claimed that it was a Polish attack against Germany. 

Additionally, the undercover Germans left behind dead bodies of concentration camp victims dressed as Polish soldiers to further their claim. 

This act allowed Hitler to claim Germany as a victim so that he, in turn, could attack Polish "with reason". 

Another significant instance is the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964. The U.S. claimed it was attacked by North Vietnamese boats, prompting a retaliatory strike that escalated U.S. military involvement in Vietnam. 

Eventually, it was revealed that the supposed attack may not have occurred, marking it as a false flag that justified the war.

A modern example is the 2003 invasion of Iraq, where the U.S. sought to dismantle supposed weapons of mass destruction linked to Saddam Hussein. 

After the invasion, the Bush administration admitted that its claims about these weapons were erroneous. This misrepresentation led to significant loss of life and highlighted the dangers of misinformation in justifying military actions.

These three historical events are prime "false flag" examples that have dismantled trust among citizens which has caused long-term societal repercussions.