The Council for National Policy. Hmmm, that seems like a bland enough name. What do they do?

[Bucky]

Let's ask our friend Mr. Wiki:

The Council for National Policy (CNP), is an umbrella organization and networking group for conservative activists in the United States. The New York Times has described it as a "little-known group of a few hundred of the most powerful conservatives in the country," who meet three times yearly behind closed doors at undisclosed locations for a confidential conference. It was founded 25 years ago by the Rev. Tim LaHaye as a forum for conservative Christians to strategize about turning the country to the right.

The CNP describes itself as "an educational foundation organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We do not lobby Congress, support candidates, or issue public policy statements on controversial issues. Our over 600 members include many of our nation's leaders from the fields of government, business, the media, religion, and the professions. Our members are united in their belief in a free enterprise system, a strong national defense, and support for traditional western values. They meet to share the best information available on national and world problems, know one another on a personal basis, and collaborate in achieving their shared goals."

As of February 2007, the organization was planning involvement in the 2008 presidential election campaign, and actively looking for a candidate to represent their views. U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney spoke at a four day conference they held in Salt Lake City, Utah during the last week of September 2007.

Got members?

Membership is by invitation only. The membership list, previously made public, is now "strictly confidential." Guests may attend "only with the unanimous approval of the executive committee." Members are instructed not to refer to the organization by name, to protect against leaks...

While those involved are almost entirely from the United States, their organizations and influence cover the globe, both religiously and politically. Members include corporate executives, television evangelists, legislators, former military or high ranking government officers, leaders of 'think tanks' dedicated to molding society and those whom many view as "Christian" leadership.

Who came up with this shit?

CNP was founded in 1981 by Tim LaHaye, author of the Left Behind series of books. Other early participants included Paul Weyrich, Phyllis Schlafly, Robert Grant, Howard Phillips, a former Republican affiliated with the Constitution Party, Richard Viguerie, the direct-mail specialist, and Morton Blackwell, a Louisiana and Virginia activist who is considered a specialist on the rules of the Republican Party.

The council employs about eight people. Its first executive director was Woody Jenkins; later, Morton Blackwell served in this role, which is currently held by Steve Baldwin. Presidents have included Nelson Bunker Hunt of Dallas, Amway co-founder Richard DeVos of Michigan, Pat Robertson of Virginia Beach, Paul Pressler of Houston, and former Reagan Cabinet secretaries Ed Meese and Donald Hodel, as well as current president Kenneth Cribb.

A veritable who's who. You got a problem with any of this?

The Center for Religion, Ethics and Social Policy at Cornell University considers the Council for National Policy a leading force in the Dominionist movement. TheocracyWatch, a CRESP project, describes it as "an umbrella organization of right-wing leaders who gather regularly to plot strategy, share ideas and fund causes and candidates to advance the theocratic agenda." Southeastern Louisiana University philosophy professor Barbara Forrest says of the Council for National Policy "The CNP membership also includes a sizeable segment of Christian Reconstructionists: "Reconstructionists espouse a radical theology that calls for trashing the U.S. Constitution and replacing it with the harsh legal code of the Old Testament. They advocate the death penalty for adulterers, blasphemers, incorrigible teen-agers, gay people, 'witches' and those who worship 'false gods'."

[MrCoffee]

1. are they all 33rd degree freemasons, too?

[Bucky]

2. Shit, you'd think.

I always assumed it was collusion, not conspiracy. Looks like I owe the tinnies an apology on this one.

[nebenaube]

3. Domestic Terror Organization

and probable source of THE ANTRHAX letters...

[Bucky]

4. Well, if not that, at least the vortex of evil in America

But let's not exaggerate.