Randy Chandler
Did someone say cheese pizza? is a phrase that has been used in various contexts, from video game discussions to political controversies. In video game communities, the phrase may be associated with certain in-game controversies or issues with bots and spam. Separately, the phrase cheese pizza has been interpreted by some online conspiracy theorists as code for something else, as seen in the controversy surrounding John Podesta's leaked emails. In this context, cheese pizza was assumed by some to be code for child pornography. However, others have dismissed these interpretations as reaching for hidden meanings in otherwise banal content.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Context | Refers to a controversy involving Valve, a company that develops video games |
| Involves the company's game chat feature being used to spam links and ads | |
| Refers to a conspiracy theory about John Podesta's leaked emails | |
| Mentions Comet Ping Pong, a Washington, D.C. pizzeria | |
| Implies a connection between "cheese pizza" and "child pornography" | |
| Usage | Refers to a plain pizza with only crust, sauce, and cheese |
| Considered redundant or childish by some | |
| Deviating from the term "cheese pizza" when ordering a pizza with no toppings may lead to confusion |
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What You'll Learn
The Cheese Pizza controversy
The phrase "cheese pizza" has been at the centre of a controversy that has been brewing online for several years now. The controversy revolves around the belief that the phrase is code for something much more sinister – child pornography. This belief gained traction in the wake of the 2016 US presidential election, when emails from John Podesta, a member of Hillary Clinton's campaign team, were hacked and leaked by Russian operatives via WikiLeaks. In one of the leaked emails, Podesta used the phrase "cheese pizza". This seemingly innocuous phrase took on a new and disturbing meaning for some people, who claimed that it was code for "child pornography". The letters "C" and "P" were seen as a secret connection, with "C" standing for "cheese" and "P" for "pizza", thus creating an acronym for "child pornography". This interpretation of the phrase "cheese pizza" spread across various Internet forums and became fuel for conspiracy theorists.
The controversy surrounding "cheese pizza" came to a head in 2016 when an armed man entered Comet Ping Pong, a pizzeria in Washington, D.C. The man was reportedly inspired by the conspiracy theories surrounding Podesta's emails and believed that he would discover a secret group of paedophiles operating out of the restaurant's basement. This incident brought the "cheese pizza" controversy into the mainstream and sparked further discussions about the impact of fake news and conspiracy theories on public safety.
While the majority of people might hear the phrase "cheese pizza" and think of nothing more than a simple dish, to some, it has a much darker meaning. This controversy has led to confusion and debate, with some people arguing that the phrase is being misinterpreted or taken out of context. It has also raised questions about the role of companies and platforms in moderating and addressing potentially harmful content.
The "Cheese Pizza controversy" has sparked a range of reactions and discussions online, with some people expressing concern, outrage, or confusion. Some people have taken to social media and online forums to voice their concerns, while others have made official reports to authorities, such as the FBI. The controversy has also led to discussions about the potential misuse of codes or phrases by certain groups and the importance of context in interpreting such codes or phrases.
Overall, the "Cheese Pizza controversy" highlights the power of language and the potential for seemingly innocuous phrases to take on darker connotations in certain contexts. It also serves as a reminder of the impact that conspiracy theories and misinformation can have on public safety and the importance of addressing and resolving such issues in a timely and effective manner.
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Child pornography accusations
In recent years, the phrase "cheese pizza" has taken on a new and disturbing connotation, being used as code for "child pornography". This interpretation first gained prominence in the wake of the 2016 US presidential election, when leaked emails from John Podesta, a member of Hillary Clinton's campaign team, made cryptic references to "cheese pizza".
The leaked emails, reportedly hacked by Russian operatives and released by WikiLeaks, contained nothing of significant interest beyond the mundane discussions typical of political campaigns. However, the public's expectation of explosive revelations, coupled with the banal reality of the emails, drove some individuals to search for hidden meanings and secret codes.
In this context, the phrase "cheese pizza" took on a new and sinister interpretation. On certain Internet forums, particularly those frequented by conspiracy theorists, "cheese pizza" was assumed to be code for "child pornography". The letters "C" and "P" were seen as a secret connection, leading to accusations and speculation. This interpretation was further reinforced by the mention of "cheese pizza" in an email related to Comet Ping Pong, a Washington, D.C. pizzeria, which became the target of conspiracy theories involving an alleged secret group of pedophiles.
The interpretation of "cheese pizza" as code for child pornography has had real-world consequences. In online gaming communities, particularly in game chat and on Twitter links, individuals have been accused of using the phrase to refer to child pornography, leading to official tips being submitted to the FBI. These accusations have also brought scrutiny to the companies involved, with criticism levied against their inaction and the presence of such content on their platforms.
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John Podesta's leaked emails
In 2016, WikiLeaks published thousands of emails allegedly from John Podesta's Gmail account. Podesta is a long-term associate of the Clintons and was President Bill Clinton's Chief of Staff from 1998 to 2001. He also owns the Podesta Group, a major lobbying firm, and is the Chair of the Center for American Progress (CAP), a Washington DC-based think tank.
The leak revealed emails exchanged between Podesta and Barack Obama in 2008, as well as transcripts of three Clinton speeches to Goldman Sachs. Some emails revealed insights about the internal conflicts of the Clinton Foundation, possible campaign themes and slogans, and politically-motivated payments to the Clinton Foundation. One email released on October 12, 2016, included Podesta's iCloud password, leading to his Twitter account being briefly compromised.
The leak also revealed an email sent by John Halpin, a senior fellow at CAP, in which he wrote about creating groups like "Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good" and "Catholics United" to push for a more progressive approach to the Catholic faith. This sparked a discussion about the creation of organizations to change the core beliefs of the church for political gain.
The release of Podesta's emails, along with other leaks, created a cycle of media coverage that distracted from Hillary Clinton's campaign and made it more difficult for her to break through with her vision for the country. Conspiracy theories and fake news surrounding the leaks even led to an incident where an individual showed up at a Washington, D.C. pizzeria with a loaded weapon, believing there was a secret group of paedophiles in its basement. The individual was arrested after firing their weapon.
While some believed the emails contained hidden meanings or secret codes, others found them to be banal and uninteresting. Podesta and the Clinton campaign declined to authenticate the emails, and while no evident forgeries were found, it is possible that some emails were doctored or fabricated.
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The Washington DC pizzeria incident
Proponents of the theory also claimed that Comet Ping Pong, a pizzeria in Washington, DC, was a meeting ground for Satanic ritual abuse and that several high-ranking Democratic Party officials and US restaurants were connected to an alleged human trafficking and child sex ring. The story was posted on fake news websites and spread by pro-Trump websites, which added further claims, such as the NYPD raiding Hillary Clinton's properties. The Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia characterised the matter as "fictitious", and the theory has been extensively discredited by a wide range of organisations, including the Washington, DC police.
Despite this, on December 4, 2016, Edgar Maddison Welch of Salisbury, North Carolina, entered the Comet Ping Pong restaurant armed with an AR-15 assault rifle and a revolver. He had travelled to Washington, DC, to investigate the Pizzagate conspiracy theory and intended to rescue children he believed were being held as sex slaves by prominent Democrats. Upon entering the restaurant, Welch fired his weapon multiple times, including at a locked storage closet he believed was a hidden room where children were being held. Fortunately, no one was injured, and Welch surrendered to police after finding no evidence of sex trafficking or hidden rooms.
In June 2017, Welch was sentenced to four years in prison, above the 1.5 years his attorney had asked for. In a letter to the judge, Welch apologised for his actions, saying he realised how ""foolish and reckless" he had been and that he was "truly sorry for endangering the safety of any and all bystanders". Welch's attorney argued that he had acted with the intent of defending children and had surrendered peacefully, but prosecutors maintained that a significant sentence was necessary to deter other would-be vigilantes.
In January 2019, Comet Ping Pong suffered an arson attack when a fire was started in one of its back rooms. The perpetrator was arrested a few days later and was found to have posted a video referencing QAnon prior to the arson.
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Plain pizza vs Cheese pizza
There is a lot of debate surrounding the terms "plain pizza" and "cheese pizza". Some people argue that ""plain" refers to a pizza with no toppings, while "cheese" refers to a pizza with cheese as the only topping. Others say that "plain" can also mean a pizza with just cheese and sauce, and no other toppings. The term "regular" is also used to refer to a pizza with just cheese, or cheese and sauce.
The usage of these terms also seems to vary by region. For example, in New York, "pie" is commonly used to refer to a whole pizza, while in other places, people use the full word "pizza". In California, asking for a "plain" pizza may prompt the question "you mean cheese?", indicating that "plain" is not commonly used there. In Chicago, tavern-style pizza joints often offer "cheese" or "sausage" as base options, so a pizza with just cheese would be called a "cheese pizza".
The term "plain" can also be used to refer to a slice of pizza with no toppings, while a whole pizza with no toppings may be called a "plain pie". However, some people argue that "plain" is not the best term to use for a pizza with just cheese, as it may imply that the pizza is incomplete without toppings.
Ultimately, there is no definitive answer to the "plain pizza vs cheese pizza" debate, and usage may vary depending on region and personal preference.
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Frequently asked questions
The phrase "did someone say cheese pizza" is a playful way of asking if anyone wants pizza. It is a generic term for a pizza with crust, sauce, and cheese, with no additional toppings.
In 2016, the phrase "cheese pizza" was assumed to be code for "child pornography" on certain Internet forums. This was in reference to John Podesta's leaked emails, which mentioned pizza, and the letters "C" and "P" were linked to a conspiracy theory about a Washington, D.C. pizzeria.
This is a subjective matter. Some people believe that "cheese pizza" is redundant and that "plain pizza" is a more accurate term for a pizza with only cheese, crust, and sauce. However, others argue that "plain pizza" can be confusing as it is open to interpretation and that "cheese pizza" is the standard terminology to avoid deviations from the normal pizza order.
