Unfortunately, even this kind of conspiracy exists on a small scale; but, more importantly, there is such a thing as a tacit conspiracy. This is de-centralized and often sub-concious, existing largely within the specific values and affinity networks of certain subcultures.
The institutional media culture, the "MSM," is the glue that holds it all together. The noted leftist Thomas Frank gave away the store a few years ago with his remarkable cultural history, The Conquest of Cool.
This documents exactly how, when, and why the media culture developed its slavish affinity for perceived radicalism. Media apologists will ask why the leaders of the institutional media, the most competitive and capitalistic industry in the world, would sit around plotting to destroy capitalism. The answer, as Frank reveals, is that they wouldn't but they might as well be, since it suits their short term goals to do so.
The bottom line: To the media cult, the world is a movie and the terrorists have the James Dean role. Back in the '80s, you probably recognized that gay rights would be a big issue because the media were giving some hints in that direction. The youth counter-culture had faded and they were looking for a new high-profile movement to cast in the role of rebel. Today, Islam has the starring role, with a 40 year accumulation of media sponsored co-stars in supporting roles.
I guess we were an odd pair but we became friends and in fact established an informal shooting club among grad students.
His Father was a well liked professor at the college where I got my undergraduate degree and a couple of other students told me his brother was a genuine anarchist.
One day we were discussing the possibility of leftwing conspiracies and he shocked me by agreeing. He then said they are basically "unorganized conspiracies", which sounds like a contradiction but I knew what he meant.
Me, I am beginning to think there really may be a real group sort of like a real "stonecutters" organization.