Michael Collins Piper
Encyclopedia
Michael Collins Piper is a political writer, conspiracy theorist, and talk radio host living in Washington D.C. He is a regular contributor to the American Free Press
, a newspaper backed by Willis Carto
.
Piper was described on his website as a political "progressive in the LaFollette
-Wheeler
tradition." He is the author of books such as The High Priests of War, in which he criticizes the neoconservative
s in the Bush administration
, and Final Judgment where he claims that the Israel
i Mossad
was responsible for the assassination
of U.S. President
John F. Kennedy
.
. Piper once said that his late brother "never completely recovered from the physical and psychological impact of the war."
Piper has been an associate of Willis Carto
for many years. He spent more than two decades writing for the Carto-backed newspaper, The Spotlight
. Piper also published a book-length defense of Carto called Best Witness in 1994. He also promoted a conspiratorial view of the Oklahoma City bombing
and attacked the Federal Reserve.
David Ben Gurion was the prime mover in his assassination. It was due to disputes with Palestine
and Egypt
, plus Kennedy's attempts to halt Israeli atomic research.
This theory also seeks to tie in other John F. Kennedy assassination conspiracy theories
, primarily involving Jewish mobster Meyer Lansky
's organizing the hit, and future president Lyndon B. Johnson
staging the event from inside the administration. Piper also alleged that the Jewish organization Anti-Defamation League
also was linked to the murder. The ADL responded with harsh criticisms, called the claims ridiculous, and denounced Final Judgment as anti-Semitic.
Additionally, Piper has written articles in American Free Press
that claim that the Mossad
and the FBI conspired to set up the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Piper claims this was motivated by fear of King's anti-Israel statements combined with his massive grassroots power. He says they believed would eventually lead to a popular uprising, thus forcing them to limit their amount of power and influence over the American people.
at the International Islamic Fair in Malaysia, at which 9/11 Truth movement
personages William Rodriguez
and Jimmy Walter also appeared. That same year, his book The New Jerusalem: Zionist Power in America, was on sale at an Iranian conference for debating Holocaust denial. Piper argues that the War On Terror
is a war against Islam.
Piper posits that the American media is controlled by groups that are planning to destroy the Islamic world. He says this global network of tightly-knit families and financial interests people also worked in support of the Bush administration, whose policy is controlled by Jews. Further, he argues that "Jewish and Christian extremists" have seized power in the U.S., to the injury of Islam and the benefit of arms manufacturers.
Piper also claims that the story of the September 11 attacks, as reported in the U.S. media, is untrue, although those who suffered and died in the tragedies deserve honor. He says the collapse of the World Trade Center towers was part of a planned, controlled demolition. Further, Piper claims the Mossad knew of the attacks and allowed them to happen. He is listed as an author of the book Debunking 911, published by American Free Press
in 2005. Other authors listed include Victor Thorn, William Rodriguez
, Christopher Bollyn, Greg Szymanski, and Ellen Mariani.
), former candidate for Texas state legislature Barbara Samuelson and then AFP writer, Christopher Bollyn (who occasionally filled in for Piper).
Piper has commented about the war on Lebanon
, the Mel Gibson affair (in which he lightly derided him for driving under the influence and apologizing for his statements which Piper supported and criticized for being too weak http://mp3.rbnlive.com/Piper/0608/20060801_Tue_Piper.mp3), and the battle between Connecticut
senator Joe Lieberman
and Ned Lamont
(for which he showed much enthusiasm following August 8th; Lamont defeated Lieberman in the Democratic primary, but lost to him in the general election). He also defends alternative medicine
, animal rights
and the past activities of Liberty Lobby
and Willis Carto
. He has been featured as a guest on James Edwards' radio show, The Political Cesspool
, which has also been accused of promoting anti-Semitism.
(ADL) has repeatedly challenged statements made by Piper. It calls him a promoter of antisemitic conspiracy theories
, a Holocaust denier
, and a defender of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. The group also says Piper traveled to the United Arab Emirates in 2003 to lecture on anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic themes.http://www.adl.org/main_International_Affairs/iran_holocaust_conference.htm?Multi_page_sections=sHeading_5
In one instance, the ADL stated that Piper had suggested that Israel was working on an "ethnic bomb" targeting only Arabs.http://www.adl.org/Anti_semitism/zayed_center.asp In response, Piper said he was referring to an article by a Jewish writer, writing in the The Times (London)
which Piper says mentioned the weapon.
Piper responded to increasing ADL criticism through his 2006 book The Judas Goat. It accuses the ADL of using unethical infiltration and information gathering techniques, such as the use of 'Agents provocateurs'. He claims that he began a series of events that ultimately lead to the ADL Files Controversy some years later.
Writing in the Asia Times
, researcher and journalist Keith Bettinger says that Piper's views are "characteristic of an effort by anti-Semites and white supremacists to repackage themselves as 'alternative media voices' claiming to tackle stories the mainstream media in the US won't touch."
American Free Press
The American Free Press is a weekly newspaper published in the United States.According to one former correspondent, the newspaper's direct ancestor was the publication The Spotlight, which ceased publication in 2001 when its parent company, Liberty Lobby, was forced into bankruptcy...
, a newspaper backed by Willis Carto
Willis Carto
Willis Allison Carto is a longtime figure on the American far right. He describes himself as Jeffersonian and populist, but is primarily known for his promotion of antisemitic conspiracy theories and Holocaust denial.-Influences on Carto:...
.
Piper was described on his website as a political "progressive in the LaFollette
La Follette family
The La Follette family is a family of politicians from the United States. Below is a list of members:*Robert M. La Follette, Sr. , District Attorney of Dane County, Wisconsin 1880-1884; U.S. Representative from Wisconsin 1885-1891; delegate to the Republican National Convention 1896, 1904; Governor...
-Wheeler
Burton K. Wheeler
Burton Kendall Wheeler was an American politician of the Democratic Party and a United States Senator from 1923 until 1947.-Early life:...
tradition." He is the author of books such as The High Priests of War, in which he criticizes the neoconservative
Neoconservatism
Neoconservatism in the United States is a branch of American conservatism. Since 2001, neoconservatism has been associated with democracy promotion, that is with assisting movements for democracy, in some cases by economic sanctions or military action....
s in the Bush administration
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
, and Final Judgment where he claims that the Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i Mossad
Mossad
The Mossad , short for HaMossad leModi'in uleTafkidim Meyuchadim , is the national intelligence agency of Israel....
was responsible for the assassination
John F. Kennedy assassination
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the thirty-fifth President of the United States, was assassinated at 12:30 p.m. Central Standard Time on Friday, November 22, 1963, in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas...
of U.S. President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
.
Early life
Piper was baptized as Michael Bernard Piper. Although one side of his family are devoutly Roman Catholic, he claims he was raised without religion. He says his political engagement was inspired by his older brother's experience in the Vietnam WarVietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. Piper once said that his late brother "never completely recovered from the physical and psychological impact of the war."
Piper has been an associate of Willis Carto
Willis Carto
Willis Allison Carto is a longtime figure on the American far right. He describes himself as Jeffersonian and populist, but is primarily known for his promotion of antisemitic conspiracy theories and Holocaust denial.-Influences on Carto:...
for many years. He spent more than two decades writing for the Carto-backed newspaper, The Spotlight
The Spotlight
The Spotlight was a weekly newspaper in the United States, published in Washington, D.C. from September 1975 to July 2001 by the now-defunct Liberty Lobby...
. Piper also published a book-length defense of Carto called Best Witness in 1994. He also promoted a conspiratorial view of the Oklahoma City bombing
Oklahoma City bombing
The Oklahoma City bombing was a terrorist bomb attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. It was the most destructive act of terrorism on American soil until the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Oklahoma blast claimed 168 lives, including 19...
and attacked the Federal Reserve.
Kennedy and King assassination theories
Piper claims John F. Kennedy's assassination "was a joint enterprise conducted on the highest levels of the CIA, in collaboration with organized crime and ... the Israeli intelligence service Mossad." In his underground best-seller Final Judgment, he posits that Israeli prime-ministerPrime Minister of Israel
The Prime Minister of Israel is the head of the Israeli government and the most powerful political figure in Israel . The prime minister is the country's chief executive. The official residence of the prime minister, Beit Rosh Hamemshala is in Jerusalem...
David Ben Gurion was the prime mover in his assassination. It was due to disputes with Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
and Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, plus Kennedy's attempts to halt Israeli atomic research.
This theory also seeks to tie in other John F. Kennedy assassination conspiracy theories
John F. Kennedy assassination conspiracy theories
There has long been suspicion of a government cover-up of information about the assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. There are also numerous conspiracy theories regarding the assassination that arose soon after his death and continue to be promoted today...
, primarily involving Jewish mobster Meyer Lansky
Meyer Lansky
Meyer Lansky , known as the "Mob's Accountant", was a Polish-born American organized crime figure who, along with his associate Charles "Lucky" Luciano, was instrumental in the development of the "National Crime Syndicate" in the United States...
's organizing the hit, and future president Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
staging the event from inside the administration. Piper also alleged that the Jewish organization Anti-Defamation League
Anti-Defamation League
The Anti-Defamation League is an international non-governmental organization based in the United States. Describing itself as "the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency", the ADL states that it "fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects...
also was linked to the murder. The ADL responded with harsh criticisms, called the claims ridiculous, and denounced Final Judgment as anti-Semitic.
Additionally, Piper has written articles in American Free Press
American Free Press
The American Free Press is a weekly newspaper published in the United States.According to one former correspondent, the newspaper's direct ancestor was the publication The Spotlight, which ceased publication in 2001 when its parent company, Liberty Lobby, was forced into bankruptcy...
that claim that the Mossad
Mossad
The Mossad , short for HaMossad leModi'in uleTafkidim Meyuchadim , is the national intelligence agency of Israel....
and the FBI conspired to set up the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
Piper claims this was motivated by fear of King's anti-Israel statements combined with his massive grassroots power. He says they believed would eventually lead to a popular uprising, thus forcing them to limit their amount of power and influence over the American people.
Islam and Israel
In 2006, he spoke on 9/11 conspiracy theories9/11 conspiracy theories
9/11 conspiracy theories are theories that disagree with the widely accepted account that the September 11 attacks were perpetrated solely by al-Qaeda. These theories arose because of what proponents of the conspiracy theories believe to be inconsistencies in the official conclusions or some...
at the International Islamic Fair in Malaysia, at which 9/11 Truth movement
9/11 Truth Movement
9/11 Truth movement is a collective name for loosely affiliated organizations and individuals who question the accepted account of the September 11, 2001, attacks....
personages William Rodriguez
William Rodriguez
William Rodríguez was a janitor at the North Tower of the World Trade Center during the September 11, 2001 attacks and was in the basement of the North Tower when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the building. After the attacks he received several awards for heroism for helping in the...
and Jimmy Walter also appeared. That same year, his book The New Jerusalem: Zionist Power in America, was on sale at an Iranian conference for debating Holocaust denial. Piper argues that the War On Terror
War on Terror
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
is a war against Islam.
Piper posits that the American media is controlled by groups that are planning to destroy the Islamic world. He says this global network of tightly-knit families and financial interests people also worked in support of the Bush administration, whose policy is controlled by Jews. Further, he argues that "Jewish and Christian extremists" have seized power in the U.S., to the injury of Islam and the benefit of arms manufacturers.
Piper also claims that the story of the September 11 attacks, as reported in the U.S. media, is untrue, although those who suffered and died in the tragedies deserve honor. He says the collapse of the World Trade Center towers was part of a planned, controlled demolition. Further, Piper claims the Mossad knew of the attacks and allowed them to happen. He is listed as an author of the book Debunking 911, published by American Free Press
American Free Press
The American Free Press is a weekly newspaper published in the United States.According to one former correspondent, the newspaper's direct ancestor was the publication The Spotlight, which ceased publication in 2001 when its parent company, Liberty Lobby, was forced into bankruptcy...
in 2005. Other authors listed include Victor Thorn, William Rodriguez
William Rodriguez
William Rodríguez was a janitor at the North Tower of the World Trade Center during the September 11, 2001 attacks and was in the basement of the North Tower when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the building. After the attacks he received several awards for heroism for helping in the...
, Christopher Bollyn, Greg Szymanski, and Ellen Mariani.
Radio Show
In February 2006, he started a radio show called The Piper Report that can be heard on the Republic Broadcasting Network or downloaded from the Network's Radio Archive. Regular guests have included Mark Glenn (leader of Crescent and Cross and a critic of JudaismJudaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
), former candidate for Texas state legislature Barbara Samuelson and then AFP writer, Christopher Bollyn (who occasionally filled in for Piper).
Piper has commented about the war on Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, the Mel Gibson affair (in which he lightly derided him for driving under the influence and apologizing for his statements which Piper supported and criticized for being too weak http://mp3.rbnlive.com/Piper/0608/20060801_Tue_Piper.mp3), and the battle between Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
senator Joe Lieberman
Joe Lieberman
Joseph Isadore "Joe" Lieberman is the senior United States Senator from Connecticut. A former member of the Democratic Party, he was the party's nominee for Vice President in the 2000 election. Currently an independent, he remains closely affiliated with the party.Born in Stamford, Connecticut,...
and Ned Lamont
Ned Lamont
Edward Miner "Ned" Lamont, Jr. is a businessman and heir and most recently an unsuccessful candidate for the 2010 Democratic nomination for Governor of Connecticut. On May 22, 2010, Lamont received more than fifteen percent of the vote at the state Democratic convention, and appeared on the...
(for which he showed much enthusiasm following August 8th; Lamont defeated Lieberman in the Democratic primary, but lost to him in the general election). He also defends alternative medicine
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
, animal rights
Animal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
and the past activities of Liberty Lobby
Liberty Lobby
Liberty Lobby was an American political advocacy organization founded in 1958 that went bankrupt in 2001. It was founded by Willis Carto. In their own words,-Antisemitic world-view:...
and Willis Carto
Willis Carto
Willis Allison Carto is a longtime figure on the American far right. He describes himself as Jeffersonian and populist, but is primarily known for his promotion of antisemitic conspiracy theories and Holocaust denial.-Influences on Carto:...
. He has been featured as a guest on James Edwards' radio show, The Political Cesspool
The Political Cesspool
The Political Cesspool is a weekly talk radio show founded by James Edwards, and syndicated by Liberty News Radio Network and Accent Radio Network in the United States...
, which has also been accused of promoting anti-Semitism.
Controversy
The Anti-Defamation LeagueAnti-Defamation League
The Anti-Defamation League is an international non-governmental organization based in the United States. Describing itself as "the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency", the ADL states that it "fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects...
(ADL) has repeatedly challenged statements made by Piper. It calls him a promoter of antisemitic conspiracy theories
Antisemitic canard
An antisemitic canard is a false story inciting antisemitism. Despite being thoroughly disproved, antisemitic canards are often part of broader theories of Jewish conspiracies. According to Kenneth S. Stern,Historically, Jews have not fared well around conspiracy theories. Such ideas fuel...
, a Holocaust denier
Holocaust denial
Holocaust denial is the act of denying the genocide of Jews in World War II, usually referred to as the Holocaust. The key claims of Holocaust denial are: the German Nazi government had no official policy or intention of exterminating Jews, Nazi authorities did not use extermination camps and gas...
, and a defender of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. The group also says Piper traveled to the United Arab Emirates in 2003 to lecture on anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic themes.http://www.adl.org/main_International_Affairs/iran_holocaust_conference.htm?Multi_page_sections=sHeading_5
In one instance, the ADL stated that Piper had suggested that Israel was working on an "ethnic bomb" targeting only Arabs.http://www.adl.org/Anti_semitism/zayed_center.asp In response, Piper said he was referring to an article by a Jewish writer, writing in the The Times (London)
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
which Piper says mentioned the weapon.
Piper responded to increasing ADL criticism through his 2006 book The Judas Goat. It accuses the ADL of using unethical infiltration and information gathering techniques, such as the use of 'Agents provocateurs'. He claims that he began a series of events that ultimately lead to the ADL Files Controversy some years later.
Writing in the Asia Times
Asia Times
Asia Times was a newspaper launched in Thailand by Thai tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul in 1995. The newspaper hired talent from around the world to produce a regional English-language newspaper....
, researcher and journalist Keith Bettinger says that Piper's views are "characteristic of an effort by anti-Semites and white supremacists to repackage themselves as 'alternative media voices' claiming to tackle stories the mainstream media in the US won't touch."