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Boyd Cathey

The “Smirk,” and the Death of America

1/24/2019

8 Comments

 
Picture



Watching NBC’s TODAY program on Tuesday, January 23, 2019, there was anchor Savannah Guthrie demanding to know if Covington, Kentucky, Catholic High School student, Nick Sandmann, wished to “apologize” for his “actions” in front of the Lincoln Memorial when confronted by Indian activist, Nathan Phillips, on January 19. The scarcely-concealed bias that characterized Guthrie’s question and the continuing media narrative—proven to be built on a lie but still perpetrated by the Progressivist Left, was compounded by her next question: was Sandman’s now famous smile in reality a disrespectful “smirk,” a kind of “racist dog-whistle,” a symbol of “white privilege”?

Something had snapped: this small, what probably should have been insignificant event, brought everything, all that is occurring in our sick society, into stark perspective as little else had.

Is America finished? Is the fragile “experiment in republicanism” begun in Philadelphia in 1787 finally over, or at the very least experiencing its noisy death throes?

Certainly, since the defeat of the American constitutional system in 1865 there has been a pernicious and seriously destructive trajectory in our history which, now reaching unimagined and unparalleled frenzy, seems to indicate so.

Are we not living in a geographical entity officially called the United States of America where verifiably there are TWO Americas, TWO conceptions of what is real and what is not real, TWO ideas of what is moral and what is not, TWO views about Truth and Error, TWO visions about using whatever means is available to reach a desired and posited end (which for one of these groups is the creation of a brutal, vicious and soulless “utopia” that would make Joe Stalin’s Communism seem like Disneyland in comparison)?

Words—“devil terms”—now pop up with amazing regularity and frequency: “racism,” “white privilege,” “sexism,” “toxic masculinity,” “equality,” “democracy,” and so on. And these terms have been weaponized and are now employed by those on the Left—but also by many elitist movement conservatives (“conservatism inc.”)—to disauthorize, condemn, and damn anyone who would actually oppose the rapid Leftward spiral of what remains of this nation.

Not just the wide-eyed unhinged talking heads on CNN and MSNBC and on Twitter, but such “respectable” conservative voices as Bill Kristol, Hew Hewitt, and National Review and various Republican types, have joined in with the baying mob. Their hardly-concealed hatred for “middle America,” for that lumpenproletariat of hard-working, gun-­owning, church-going, underpaid folks who still try to raise a family morally on a shrinking salary, knows no bounds.
Perhaps as many as one half of our citizens, those who over the decades have become the identifiable elites and financial, political and cultural “upper crust,” look upon the rest of us as mere rubes, a servile class who are not supposed to have a voice—this, you see, is now “American democracy.”

Those folks—our folks—were not supposed to get restive, not supposed to get off the “reservation” assigned to us. But in 2016 we did, we did because instinctively we knew that the old promises of this nation had fallen by the wayside, that an unelected managerial class—an elite more connected globally and more loyal to its own class and more concerned about conserving its power and authority—guided our destiny and did not give a damn about us, despite the constant stream of vomited campaign promises and solemn avowals we hear every election season.

Many of us were stunned at the unleashed and vile hatred directed at us. All we had done was ask—in the normal way at the voting booth—that the long-forgotten promises of the Framers be fulfilled. All we had done was ask that our elected leaders in Congress and in government (and those elites) finally acknowledge our just requests.

But those elites—the media, the entertainment industry, almost the entirety of academia, and not just the Progressivist Democrat Left, but also those supposed defenders of our interests, “conservatism inc.”—responded not only with undisguised and unrestrained anger, but with disdain, contempt and condescension…and with a steady diet of what, charitably, can only be described as lies, fabrications, assaults on our character, attempts to suppress our guaranteed rights to speech and expression, shaming us, and efforts (many successful) to destroy our livelihoods or get us fired from our jobs or dismissed from our schools.

What happened to those Catholic high school students from Kentucky who had been to the March for Life, who wore those MAGA hats, is only the latest—and perhaps the most scandalous and searing—example of this climate of venom and unconcealed hatred. And it is not a hatred that emits from our folks, not from the “deplorables,” but from that “other America” that feels threatened by the “natives”—threatened by those of us on the giant fly-over plantation between the million dollar mansions surrounded by walls in Silicon Valley and the paneled million dollar board rooms on Wall Street where the international globalists gather to plot the future of the world: a world enmeshed in slogans about “the fruits of democracy” and “equal rights,” where “racism” and “sexism” will finally be banished….but where, in fact, the very contrary will exist, where democracy will have become a totalitarian dystopia a thousand times worse than what George Orwell envisioned in his phantasmagoric novel Nineteen Eighty Four.

Even if these two Americas still use the same language they are increasingly incapable of communicating with each other, as almost weekly words and terms are redefined beyond comprehension. The new “devil terms” are fierce and nearly unstoppable weapons used to destroy and humiliate; they are the modern version of hydrogen bombs deployed by the Progressivists. They illustrate what political theorist Paul Gottfried calls a “post-Marxist” praxis that has actually moved beyond the assaults of cultural Marxism towards a new imposed narrative and what German philosophers might call a “gestalt.”

You cannot dissent from it, you cannot deny it. If it demands you call black, white; then you must comply, or suffer the consequences. If your eyes tell you one thing, but the collective media and elites tells you something else, “who you gonna believe, them or your lying eyes”?

Thus, the egregiously false and unspeakably evil reportage concerning those Catholic students in Washington this past weekend, the foul, even satanic attacks upon them…and upon that “smirk” that so provoked Susannah Guthrie. It was just a relatively small incident in the overall scheme of things, yet it became on nearly every news channel, on Twitter, on Facebook, everywhere, an archetypal case of “racism,” “sexism,” “white privilege,” “toxic masculinity.” Those boys were white, Christian, wearing those MAGA hats, and from a Southern state—obviously, they were guilty, no need to examine the facts.

The incident rapidly became a major cudgel not just for the Progressivists but also for the mainline conservative movement types, who are little more than eager foot soldiers doing the bidding of their bedfellows on the farther Left, and who see such opportunities as a chance to eagerly “virtue-signal” to their Progressivist buddies that, “hey, look, we aren’t like those bad uncouth right wing racists—we actually share your essential premises about America!” Hello Ben Shapiro, Jonah Goldberg, National Review, Bill Kristol, and company.

The immediate condemnations of those students came quickly and in the thousands via social media—death threats, demands to publish names and addresses, appeals to have them expelled from their school, encouragement to kill them, and worse…And all based on a totally and blatantly fake narrative, and the openly false statement of a Native American activist and revolutionary. No matter—it served the template, it served the created “gestalt,” it projected the vision and the thinking of that one half of America that is living in a counter-reality, lunatics who have turned much of this country into their own private asylum. But where the rest of us are now seen as the crazies. Is this not G. K. Chesterton’s definition of lunacy in all its aching misery, of being truly outside the realm of reality itself?

Back in 2015 ago I published an essay at Communities Digital News [“Pat Buchanan and the End of America,” in which I suggested, echoing on from writer Patrick Buchanan’s warning from the 1990s, that America—the American nation—was on the brink of fracturing irredeemably, broken apart on the then-still-not-clearly-seen rocks of political correctness,  extreme multiculturalism, and the Hydra-headed monsters from Hell, accusations of racism (AKA, “white supremacy”) and sexism (AKA, “toxic masculinity”).

At the time I had a couple of friends whom I would call “regular” or establishment conservatives who approached me and informed me that I was simply exaggerating, that Buchanan was the extremist and fear monger. Later, when I began to write favorably of Donald Trump’s presidential run, and its potentially profound meaning for American (and international) politics and culture, some of these same friends again just shook their collective heads and, with deep concern, wondered how I could “deviate” from what they termed “conservative orthodoxy.”

I was not exaggerating; indeed, what I wrote back then was far too timid, far too mild.

In fact, I have come to the conclusion, fitfully and uncomfortably, and after witnessing the far, far greater meaning revealed by what occurred with those Kentucky pro-life students, that America in 2019 faces three choices for its future:

(1) Either there must be some large mass conversion of one side or the other (a “Road to Damascus” conversion?), probably occasioned by some immense and earth-shaking event, war, depression, disaster; (2) the secession of large portions of what is presently geographically the United States, including possibly enclaves within some states that would basically exit those jurisdictions—this secession could be peaceable, although increasingly I think it would not be; or lastly, and worst, (3) the devolution of this country into open and vicious civil and guerrilla war.

I am not at all comforted by this vision, but, frankly, given the present state of this nation, is there any other possibility? After all, despite the pious pinning of the Neoconservative publicists that America is the world’s “exceptional” nation, the new Utopia, God did not grant us national eternity, did not guarantee our future. And our leaders and many of our citizens have done their damnedest to undo and undermine all those original hopes and promises.

​At present the last scenario looks like the one that is coming, and it will not most likely be what any of us expect. Our enemies, the Progressivists and their allies it is true, are growing in number and have demographics on their side. But we do have one advantage: they believe in gun control. We don’t.

This piece was originally published on My Corner on January 22, 2019.
8 Comments
Anthony Powell
1/25/2019 07:55:41 am

Mr. Cathey, what an excellent essay you have written. The boys, particular young Mr. Sandmann, were in a no-win situation. He would have been equally criticized had he looked at Mr. Phillips with a sullen scowl. Your last paragraph is right on point. Molon Labe!

Reply
Robert M. Peters
1/25/2019 01:25:24 pm

A smile, a MAGA hat, a Confederate Battle Flag have the same effect on "these people" as a Cross or a Crucifix does one vampires and demons. There are those among the triggered who are unbalanced in the mind; but most of them are feigning "outrage" so that they can make the aforementioned symbols "outlaw" and intimidate those who might cherish or delight in them. In essence, these people are zombies intent on sucking not the brains but the souls out of the rest of us. The attack is not only on against fundamental expressions of humanity - smiles - and hats and symbols; those animated by the Zeitgeist arealso sponsoring a demographic invasion, murdering the children of the womb by the millions, usurping the law and using it as a weapon against us Deplorables, Hobbits and Old Narnias with the goal of having us cower not just in the privacy of our homes but in our own craniums. The evil day is upon us. One can smell the sulfur. Mr. Cathey has outlined the options. I close with these lines from the Battle of Maldon as my Christian Saxon ancestors faced the pagan Vikings:" Hige sceal þe heardra heorte þe cenre / mod sceal þe mare þe ure mægen lytlað " (Will shall be the sterner, heart the bolder, spirit the greater as
our strength lessens - Tolkien's translation)

Reply
Dissident Mama
1/25/2019 03:30:38 pm

As always Dr. Cathey lays out truth unapologetically and concisely. The war is upon us. It is time to pick a side.

Reply
Jonathan Varnell
1/31/2019 04:37:52 pm

"Certainly, since the defeat of the American constitutional system in 1865 there has been a pernicious and seriously destructive trajectory in our history," ....this is correct We lost "America," in 1865 and the results have finally worked their way to the surface. Now, what next?

Reply
Cal
2/2/2019 10:55:52 am

"....this is correct We lost "America,""

Here is where you are incorrect. I am an American, and I (regardless of what you do) live in a Constitutional Republic. The primary role of our government is NOT national security, it is as mandated by the US Constitution, Liberty, Security, as in to “Preserve the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.” So why did the people of the states form a union? The answer to this question is also inwriting, it was to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. HOw do we know this, besides that it is written? Madison dispensed with their arguments in the Report of 1800: “They will waste but little time on the attempt to cover the act by the preamble to the constitution; it being contrary to every acknowledged rule of construction, to set up this part of an instrument, in opposition to the plain meaning, expressed in the body of the instrument. A preamble usually contains the general motives or reasons, for the particular regulations or measures which follow it; and is always understood to be explained and limited by them. In the present instance, a contrary interpretation would have the inadmissable effect, of rendering nugatory or improper, every part of the constitution which succeeds the preamble.”

I do call out those who serve within our governments for their unAmerican actions that were NOT delegated to the position in which they serve. You might not be aware, but all governmental power was DELEGATED to the three branches and to named Offices within a branch, NOT to the person who serves within that branch/office - elected, hired, contracted, etc. Instead they are ALLOWED to use the power/authority of the branch or office for as long as they take and KEEP the Oath, do the duties as assigned in writing.

Consider this, HOW can anyone who runs for office and do not believe in our constitutional rpublic actually take and keep the required Oath, or/and do the duties as assigned? Were you aware that the US Constitution, each states Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, etc are all LAWS? How can we the Americna people not require that they be charged with the crimes they commit each and every time they break with the Oath and contract, felonies, Perjuries, *terrorism (domestic), even **treason.

That beyond being the IS Constiution being the definer of our type of government, the assigner of the delegated powers/authority, the compact between the states, it is also the supreme LAW of our nation, and the supreme CONTRACT for ALL who serve within our governments - state and federal that all are required to be Oath bound to.

That within the US Constitution are listed those duties that belong to no branch or named office within the general (fed) government, but are our duties, the duties of the American people. What are some of those duties besides holding accountable those who serve within our governments?

Each state's Militia is made up of “We the People” protecting our own interests, homes, states, nation, and enforcing our governments. The Militia has as its constitutionally assigned duties to:
• Enforce the US Constitution and each state's Constitution,
• Enforce and keep the “Laws of the Union” (which are constitutional laws ONLY),
• Protect the country against all enemies both domestic and foreign, and
• “to suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions”.

*28 C.F.R. Section 0.85 Terrorism is defined as “the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives”.

**Treason - Article III, Section 3 of the Constitution of the United States provides:
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
Three requirements are necessary for an offense to constitute treason:
-- An obligation of allegiance to the legal order,
-- Intent to go against the legal order, and then
-- Action to violate that obligation.

Federal Crop Ins. Corp v. Merrill, 332 U. S. 380, 384 (1947): "Whatever the form in which the Government functions, anyone entering into an arrangement with the Government takes the risk of having accurately ascertained that he who purports to act for the Government stays within the bounds of his authority. The scope of this authority may be e

Reply
Jonathan Varnell
2/2/2019 03:35:21 pm

Troll.....

Cal
2/2/2019 04:43:24 pm

?? Really? You have no facts such as I posted to back up what you say so you call names? Lol, it is obvious you are either ignorant of facts, or had no real comment to make regarding this matter. Either is sad!

Please, educate yourself so that we can actually have a discourse of facts and make life much more interesting. Try Hillsdale College (.edu) for free constitutional online courses, Dr. Vieira, Jr is another great modern source, then there are the framers writings, the US Constitution itself, which is one source I used, etc.

Please, I am so sick of name calling and no one who can actually "talk" so that we could learn from each other.. Plus our government needs INFORMED people.

Reply
Roderick Mills
5/9/2019 12:26:04 pm

Thanks.

Reply



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    Author

    Boyd D. Cathey holds a doctorate in European history from the Catholic University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain, where he was a Richard Weaver Fellow, and an MA in intellectual history from the University of Virginia (as a Jefferson Fellow). He was assistant to conservative author and philosopher the late Russell Kirk. In more recent years he served as State Registrar of the North Carolina Division of Archives and History. He has published in French, Spanish, and English, on historical subjects as well as classical music and opera. He is active in the Sons of Confederate Veterans and various historical, archival, and genealogical organizations.

    Read more by Boyd Cathey at his blog My Corner.

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