The Attack on the USS Liberty is NOT a “Conspiracy Theory”

Far be it for me to present Wikipedia as a source authority.  I hope you forgive me this one transgression.

“A conspiracy theory is an explanation of an event or situation that invokes a conspiracy by sinister and powerful actors, often political in motivation, when other explanations are more probable.  The term has a pejorative connotation, implying that the appeal to a conspiracy is based on prejudice or insufficient evidence.  Conspiracy theories resist falsification and are reinforced by circular reasoning: both evidence against the conspiracy and an absence of evidence for it, are re-interpreted as evidence of its truth, and the conspiracy becomes a matter of faith rather than proof.”  [See Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspiracy_theory]

by Joe Meadors

The only reason someone describes an event as a “conspiracy theory” is to cast aspersions on anyone who brings the subject up for discussion even if that person has undeniable proof of the accuracy of the event in question. The attack on the USS Liberty, the War Crimes committed by the forces attacking the USS Liberty, and the coverup of that attack by the US government is NOT a “conspiracy theory.” The attack happened. They committed war Crimes during that attack. The US government not only participated in those War Crimes but has actively covered them up for over 52 years.

The USS Liberty is back in the news again.  This time to be disparaged by Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-TX02), formerly a respected US Navy SEAL. This comes on the heels of the insults heaped upon USS Liberty survivors and those who ask about the USS Liberty by Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA. I have reached out to both Mr. Kirk and Congressman Crenshaw asking for an apology for their efforts to demean USS Liberty survivors, the sacrifice of our fallen shipmates and the suffering of our families. I have received nothing in response. Like others of their ilk, they don’t have the courage to answer us. Mr. Kirk and Congressman Crenshaw have no problem with an attacking force committing War Crimes during their attack on a virtually unarmed US Navy ship.  Indeed, they condone those actions and condemn anyone who publicly raises them. I know why Mr. Kirk does.  His position is popular in his circles. Congressman Crenshaw is more of a puzzle.  I doubt many in the SEAL community condone the actions during the attack or the coverup by the US government. Unfortunately, his new role as a Member of Congress has come to the fore allows him to not only trivialize the attack on our ship but to insult the survivors and the sacrifice of our fallen shipmates.  Perhaps he always did. Both Mr. Kirk and Congressman Crenshaw should know that the motto of the USS Liberty Veterans Association is taken almost entirely from the SEAL creed: “I will never quit. My nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my shipmates and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.” That is a creed we live by every day. Sadly, Mr. Kirk and Congressman Crenshaw do not.