Actually, they're not in any way controversial. Merely "inconvenient" facts.
For the first, it's just a matter of fact. On September 11th, 2012, support calls were turned down. The General in charge of the operation ordered troops in for support, and within moments was arrested as the 2IC took over and things returned to "normal". No controversy there. Just matters of fact.
The second is even less controversial. It's just an avatar of Che Guevera wearing a Guy Fawkes mask.
For the third, well, again. Just matters of fact. Al Quaida is an invention of the CIA. This is broadly known, and in no way controversial. It's just a matter of fact.
Like I said -- Orwellian --
http://gutenberg.net...ebooks01/0100021.txt'There is a Party slogan dealing with the control of the past,' he said. 'Repeat it, if you please.'
'"Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past,"' repeated Winston obediently.
THIS is EXACTLY the Orwellian nightmare.
Another short 1984 snippet - from immediately after the above
'"Who controls the present controls the past,"' said O'Brien, nodding his
head with slow approval. 'Is it your opinion, Winston, that the past has
real existence?'
Again the feeling of helplessness descended upon Winston. His eyes flitted
towards the dial. He not only did not know whether 'yes' or 'no' was the
answer that would save him from pain; he did not even know which answer he
believed to be the true one.
O'Brien smiled faintly. 'You are no metaphysician, Winston,' he said.
'Until this moment you had never considered what is meant by existence. I
will put it more precisely. Does the past exist concretely, in space? Is
there somewhere or other a place, a world of solid objects, where the past
is still happening?'
'No.'
'Then where does the past exist, if at all?'
'In records. It is written down.'
'In records. And----?'
'In the mind. In human memories.'
'In memory. Very well, then. We, the Party, control all records, and we
control all memories. Then we control the past, do we not?'
'But how can you stop people remembering things?' cried Winston again
momentarily forgetting the dial. 'It is involuntary. It is outside oneself.
How can you control memory? You have not controlled mine!'
O'Brien's manner grew stern again. He laid his hand on the dial.
For those links - yes - I've already read them.
(I'll stay in that thread for that travesty.)
