By Tracy Turner

Project Paperclip, a significant and secretive program initiated by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and later taken over by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) following World War II, is crucial in history. The objective was to recruit German scientists with military and technological research expertise to assist the United States' post-war efforts. Many of these scientists were former members of the Nazi Party and orchestrated unethical and illegal research, including experiments on human subjects.

The implications of Project Paperclip extend beyond its original purpose, as it laid the foundation for future black ops projects. The CIA's collaboration with these scientists contributed to the development of advanced surveillance techniques, mind control programs, and psychological warfare methods.

The Darker Side of Surveillance: MKUltra

MKUltra, a CIA mind control program that emerged from the same environment that produced Project Paperclip, was a stark example of unethical conduct. The project aimed to manipulate human behavior using drugs, hypnosis, and psychological torture. MKUltra remains classified; it is common knowledge that the project involved unethical experimentation on civilian and military populations without consent or knowledge.

MKUltra's legacy can be felt in the ongoing debate around privacy, consent, and government overreach in surveillance practices. The lessons learned from MKUltra have informed contemporary discussions about the ethics of surveillance programs conducted by intelligence agencies like the NSA.

Mercenary Armies: From Bush to Biden

Private military companies (PMCs) rise can be traced back to the 1990s when entities like Blackwater USA (now known as Academi) began providing security services to governments and corporations worldwide. PMCs have used military force under the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), a United States Congress resolution passed in response to the September 11 attacks, in various capacities, from guarding diplomats and embassies to participating in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their involvement has blurred traditional lines between military operations and private enterprise.

Under President George W. Bush, Blackwater became synonymous with allegations of unaccountability, unchecked power, and human rights abuses during its involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. Despite these controversies, PMCs continued to thrive under President Obama's administration, reflecting a broader shift towards privatizing military functions once considered solely within the purview of government agencies. This trend has continued under President Trump and now President Biden's administrations, with PMCs playing increasingly significant roles in various aspects of national security.

Entering the Digital Age: Dark Web Operations and Surveillance Role Players

The rise of digital technologies has expanded the scope of black ops projects and surveillance activities. Covert operations now extend into cyberspace through various means such as hacking, disinformation campaigns, and exploitation of vulnerabilities within digital systems. Anonymous networks like Tor facilitate access to hidden services on the dark web, where illicit activities take place beyond the reach of traditional law enforcement agencies. Sites indexed by search engines like Ahmia provide a glimpse into this hidden corner of the internet where black ops projects continue to evolve under a veil of secrecy.

The Illegality and Unethical Nature of Surveillance Role Players (SRPs)

Due to the nature of their activities, Surveillance Role Players (SRPs) are illegal and unethical. These individuals act as a private army, engaging in actions that could infringe upon the rights and privacy of lawful citizens. While their primary purpose may be to test cybersecurity measures, their methods raise significant concerns about entrapment, invasion of privacy, and ethical boundaries.

Violation of Privacy Rights

One critical reason why SRPs can be deemed illegal and unethical is their potential violation of privacy rights. By assuming fake personas or stolen identities online, these individuals engage in deceptive practices that could expose innocent individuals to unwarranted surveillance. This intrusion into the private lives of citizens without proper authorization or oversight raises serious ethical concerns.

Risk of Entrapment

Another issue with SRPs is the risk of entrapment that their activities pose. By creating scenarios that lure individuals into potentially compromising situations online, SRPs may cross legal boundaries by actively seeking to incriminate individuals rather than simply testing cybersecurity defenses. This blurring of lines between legitimate testing and entrapment tactics further underscores the questionable legality and ethics surrounding SRPs.

Lack of Accountability

Furthermore, the secretive nature of SRP operations raises questions about accountability. As a private army operating within intelligence agencies, SRPs may not be subject to the same level of oversight and regulation as law enforcement agencies. Societal lack of transparency and accountability can lead to power abuses and civil liberties violations without proper checks and balances.

Surveillance Role Players (SRPs) are illegal and unethical due to their potential infringement on privacy rights, risk of entrapment, and lack of accountability. While cybersecurity measures are essential for national security, they must be implemented lawfully and ethically that respect the rights and freedoms of all individuals.

The End of Freedom? Democratic Erosion Through Expanded Surveillance Capabilities

As black ops projects expand into cyberspace and surveillance capabilities become more sophisticated, the potential threat to democracy becomes increasingly apparent. With each ​revelation regarding mass surveillance programs operated by intelligence agencies like the NSA (such as those exposed by Edward Snowden), public trust erodes further. At the same time, questions about privacy violations persist unabatedly. The implications for democracy are severe: an informed citizenry is vital for maintaining checks on government power; however, pervasive monitoring risks chilling free speech necessary for healthy democratic discourse, leading ultimately towards self-censorship—a subtle but potent form of oppression insidiously undermining democratic institutions from within their borders without resorting to overt violence or coercion typically associated with authoritarian regimes elsewhere globally.

The Free Mockingbird Press: CIA's Control Over Major News Networks

The CIA's Operation Mockingbird was a covert program that aimed to influence media organizations for propaganda purposes. Through this program, the CIA sought to control the narrative presented by major news networks, shaping public opinion in favor of government agendas.

CNN: The Voice of the Establishment

CNN, one of the largest news networks globally, has often been criticized for its close ties to the US government. Critics argue that CNN frequently promotes narratives that align with the interests of those in power rather than providing unbiased reporting.

Fox News: A Megaphone for Government Messaging

Fox News, known for its conservative slant, has also faced scrutiny for its role in advancing government narratives. Critics accuse Fox News of being a mouthpiece for the administration in power, amplifying their messaging while neglecting critical journalism.

MSNBC: Partisan Reporting and Government Influence

MSNBC is another major news network accused of being part of the "Free" Mockingbird Press.Critics claim that MSNBC's coverage often reflects partisan biases and serves to further political agendas rather than presenting objective news.

ABC News: Allegations of Complicity with Government Agendas

ABC News, a prominent player in the media landscape, has faced allegations of collaboration with government agendas. Critics argue that ABC News has sometimes prioritized access to government sources over holding those sources accountable, compromising journalistic integrity.

In conclusion, the concept of a "Free" Mockingbird Press highlights concerns about the extent of government influence over significant news networks like CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and ABC News. These networks are known for prioritizing government narratives over independent journalism, raising questions about media independence and accountability. The Big 4-5 Networks should change their names to "TASS West News Agency." TASS and the "America" networks enjoy and employ the same Soul-numbing tedium and minutia.

The Paperclip Nazi’s morphing into today’s much touted, under-delivered “freedom” and “democracy” has all the trimmings to failed empire: dictators, way too much flag-bunting, secret police and secret armies. More people disappear in the Americas, year after year, than from any place in the world.

Sources:

1. Bower, Tom (2009). The Paperclip Conspiracy: The Hunt for Nazi Scientists. Penguin Books Ltd., UK
2. Marks, John (1979). The Search for the 'Manchurian Candidate': The CIA And Mind Control . Times Books - Henry Holt & Co., USA 3 2020-07-16T23:48:55Z
3. Wikileaks - Secrets and Lies - A Documentary Tracing Julian Assange and WikiLeaks Exposes Unprecedented Levels of Espionage and Corruption Within Government
4. The Intercept
5. ProPublica
6. Freedom of the Press Foundation
7. Jeremy Scahill (2007) Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army

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By Tracy Turner