Goons and other sort of Eve-swarms get mentioned now and then over here in Elite-land, but I doubt they are anywhere as influential as they would have us think. Sure, there is a negative CC system being prepped for ALD... but its also being very over-prepped. That strikes me a sign of lazy/not-smart players as opposed to a conspiracy.
But I will confess I don't understand the motives of these alleged Goon types. To me it would make more sense to find a small power and take it over - and make it succeed. Or even work to bring up some minor factions into a power. Show their true evil genius with a successful Goonswarmia. Why not do something like that? It seems far more sensible than just randomly trying to sabotage other powers. But, perhaps have answered my own question with the word 'sensible.'