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Carolina Contrarian

The Devil's Marionettes

8/4/2019

1 Comment

 
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​"All the world's a stage."
​William Shakespeare


The Hollywood Show

Our entertainment and political elites comprise the cast of the least enjoyable show ever.
 
The movies are fake. That's fine. They're supposed to be. But how much of what happens off-screen is fake?
 
"Pop Star A throws shade at Pop Star B" reads the headline. The next day: "Pop Star B claps back!" These headlines serve a purpose, beyond just entertaining silly people and annoying serious ones. They provide clicks for websites and attention for celebrities. Does it seem plausible, even likely, that "feuds" like this are not based on real events, but simply cooked up by publicists on a conference call with entertainment reporters? When fashion magazines helpfully "track down" where you can buy the adorable shoes some random celebrity was wearing while walking her dog, are they really sleuthing, or participating in a clever and indirect form of advertising? One wonders how many celebrity romances are the creation of agents to in order to generate headlines and develop crossover fans.
 
In many ways, the headlines are part of the show. If the deception only affected celebrity image management and advertising, it would be of little concern. But the Hollywood Show is used for much more serious, and sometimes sinister purposes, and its impact is both broad and high-reaching.
 
When I was younger, there were rumors of mysterious messages that could be heard when cassette tapes of certain artists were played backwards if the stereo settings were just right. A few boys who always wore black and stayed in trouble at school liked music by artists who shocked audiences with their offensive lyrics and antics. Dark and disturbing performers existed, but they were always on the fringes. That is no longer the case. Most people are aware that pop culture and music have been steadily degrading. However, most people of decency have disengaged from pop culture long ago, and they do not appreciate that flagrant and pervasive evil has become mainstream. Even worse, the evil puppets are shaking hands with people at the highest levels of government power.

Please be forewarned: Some of the subject matter and images contained in this piece are graphic and disturbing.  Unfortunately, written descriptions cannot adequately convey the impact of the material.

Good Girls become Wicked Women

We have seen it play out countless times. A young, seemingly wholesome actress or singer secures millions of fans, then her character steadily changes for the worse. This could be partially dismissed as growing up, or reacting to the influence of the Hollywood environment. But that doesn't fully explain it. The behemoth of cooperative companies that create and sustain each celebrity's persona could easily brush indiscretions under the rug, and transition the young ladies' reputation from wholesome teen to wholesome adult if they so chose. They do not. This predictable arc, in my opinion, is a purposefully managed transition.

Taylor Swift was introduced to the public as a wholesome-as-can-be, acoustic-guitar playing teen. A decade later, she appeared in a video as a dominatrix, and a satanic priestess surrounded by live snakes. This year, Disney's "Hannah Montana," Miley Cyrus, sang "I'm nasty, I'm evil" while wearing a red vinyl bodysuit with teeth at the crotch. These are only a few examples.


​And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians 5:11

Marina Abromovic

In 2016, a large amount of emails from the account of Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman John Podesta was published by Wikileaks. Among the trove of data was a curious personal email from one Marina Abromovic, stating "I am so looking forward to the Spirit Cooking Dinner at my place." Amateur researchers quickly uncovered information about "performance artist" Abromovic, and this alarming and sickening practice.

Below are some photos of a Spirit Cooking event. In video of the event, which may be viewed here, Abromovic explains that the bowl of liquid she is holding is a mixture of blood, urine, breast milk, and semen. She proceeds to splash the contents onto an effigy of a child.

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Here are some more examples of Marina Abromovic's "art."

Though not herself known to the general public until recently, Abromovic keeps company with many, many people who are household names. Some of the photos below were taken at a Met Gala event in 2012 that she hosted which featured simulated cannibalism.

Performance Artist Collaboration: Lady Gaga

One megastar who has often been seen with Abromovic is Lady Gaga. Known for her headline-catching, outrageous outfits and antics (remember the dress made of meat she wore to the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards?), Gaga is a household name. She considers Abromovic a mentor. "I'm obsessed with her! She's incredible!" Gaga gushed in an interview. The affection is mutual. Abromovic has called Lady Gaga "my best student." 

Below are photos from an art event (again, featuring simulated cannibalism), and stills from a video Lady Gaga released in support of the "Abromovic Method" teaching offered by the Marina Abromovic Institute.

Lady Gaga


Lady Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, has sold tens of millions of albums and won nine grammy awards. In 2011, she met with Valerie Jarrett at the White House to discuss an anti-bullying campaign. She has performed for Presidents, including an Inaugural event for President Obama's staff in 2013, and she stumped for Hillary Clinton in 2016. "Mother Monster" is idolized by her fans, her "Little Monsters."

She often uses religious themes in her lyrics and imagery. For example, in the song "Judas," she sings "In the most Biblical sense, I am beyond repentance... Jesus is my virtue and Judas is the demon I cling to..." In "Bloody Mary," she sings "When Pontius comes to kill the king upon his throne / I'm ready for their stones."

In the rousing LGBT-pride anthem "Born This Way." she sings "I'm beautiful in my way / 'Cause God makes no mistakes / I'm on the right track, baby / I was born this way." 
What religion does she practice, you may wonder? Why she's Christian of course, according to the Washington Post. In fact, she's practically a modern day Jesus, certainly more so than those uptight, church-y types.
“Born This Way” is the hymn for LGBT Christians that is sorely missing from your average church hymnal….Her prayer is the same as countless progressive Christians who recoil at the hypocritical judgment of fundamentalism yet still seek to follow Jesus…he not only advances progressive Christian values through her music but also has been the de facto pastor to her Little Monsters…The Little Monsters who flock to her concerts resemble the group of outcasts and misfits who flocked to Jesus….Little Monsters who have been systematically targeted for discrimination by the nice church folk gathered under the local church steeple.

​In this fallen age, many people have no trouble viewing Gaga as a Christian, and I have personally encountered fans who insist she is a nice Catholic girl and I am being too judgmental. Earlier this year, "Pastor" Joel Osteen attended a Pride-themed Gaga concert. Oddly, I don't often hear Christians use the phrase, "I swear to Lucifer."

Beyonce and Jay Z

Beyonce and her husband Jay Z were frequent guests of the Obama White House, and the close friendship between the two fabulous couples was celebrated by the press. Michelle Obama even called Beyonce "a role model for us all."

It is hard to overstate the worshipful enthusiasm of Beyonce fans. The "Beyhive" is known for viciously swarming anyone who slights their queen. But it's not just devotion, it's more like deification. When she failed to attend the 2018 Met Gala, the "Holy Ghost" meme began trending on social media, when fans claimed to feel the presence of her spirit. More disturbingly, when an on-stage mishap caused Beyonce's ear to bleed during a performance, "Cut for Beyonce" began trending, with fans posting photos of their cut wrists with comments like "If the queen bleeds the hive must unify and leak our blood to restore her spirits." Are some of these posts tongue-in-cheek? Probably. But even so, the joke would not work if the obsessive nature of her fans was not widely understood.

Even other celebrities seem awestruck by Queen Bey. Singer Adele said,
"Beyoncé is the most inspiring person I've ever had the pleasure of worshiping," and she is only one among many.

Do you think that "worship" is not meant literally? For some people, it is. In 2018, a church in San Francisco began offering a "Beyonce Mass," described as "a womanist worship service that uses the music and personal life of Beyoncé as a tool to foster an empowering conversation about Black women." Based on the scholarship of Reverend Yolanda Norton, the service is about "how black women find their voice, represent the image of God, and create spaces for liberation."

Frequently performing in goddess-like attire, Beyonce does not seem to mind being viewed as an idol. It is well-known that she attributes her live performances to an alter-ego named "Sasha Fierce." In one interview she speaks about the first time "I felt something else come into me," prior to a performance, and explains that "Sasha" can do things that she cannot do.

In the spoken introduction to her video for Hold Up, she speaks "I saw the Devil/I grew thickened skin on my feet/I bathed in bleach/and plugged my menses with pages from the Holy Book." Yes, you read that right. She said that she used pages of the Bible as a tampon.

This year Jay Z became the first rapper to be a billionaire. He is sometimes referred to as "Hova," short for Jayhova. He has been pictured wearing a shirt reading "Do What Thou Wilt," the saying of the late British Satanist Aleister Crowley.

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian, the then-unknown daughter of OJ Simpson attorney Rob Kardashian, burst onto the national stage in 2003 when a sex tape with a rapper was released. She managed to parlay this ignominious introduction to stratospheric levels of fame and fortune for herself and her family despite the fact that all of them lack any discernible talents or charm. The marriage of Kardashian to rap superstar Kanye West further cemented both of their places on the international stage.

Inexplicably, the duo are treated with reverence and awe by millions of people worldwide. In 2015, an artist released "The Book of Yeezus," replacing every mention of God in the book of Genesis with Kanye's name. ("Yeezus" is a nickname for Kanye and the name of an album he released in 2013.) The creators describe the volume as "the story of Genesis for the new age." Another person has established a "Church of Yeezianity" in 2014. Its website states "We are a forward-minded group who believes that the one who calls himself Yeezus is the highest living human being and he will help to usher in a New Age of humanity." I assume this is facetious, but the fact that it even exists is noteworthy. As for Kanye himself, his religious inclinations are unclear - sometimes seems to worship God, and others he seems to believe he himself is a god.

In 2018, a Brooklyn artist, who said she is "strangely fascinated" with Kim Kardashian, exhibited art portraying the celebrity as Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and a Satanic priestess.


Like Lady Gaga, the Kardashians are touted as a devout Christian family, and Kim has described herself as "really religious."


Katy Perry

The daughter of Christian ministers, Katy Perry released a gospel album as a teen. When her career as a gospel singer didn't pan out, she explained, "I sold my soul to the Devil." Perhaps she meant that metaphorically, but the trajectory of her career seems to indicate that she meant it literally. Her first big hit in 2008 was "I Kissed a Girl (and I liked it)." Her performance of the song "Dark Horse" at the 2014 Grammys prompted even mainstream publications to wonder whether she had performed a satanic ritual onstage. One Christian singer even walked out of the event.

A number of her songs and videos promote disturbing themes. In the video for "Bon Apetit," a nude Perry is surrounded by chefs with knives who serve her up as a meal. The song and video for "ET" seem to promote transhumanism and beastiality. Perry sings, "You're so hypnotizing. Could you be the devil? Could you be an angel?...Futuristic lover, Different DNA...Infect me with your loving. Fill me with your poison." At the end of the video, Perry is shown standing on animal legs.

Rihanna

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In 2014, singer Rihanna, who is a protege of the aforementioned Jay Z, made an impromptu visit to the Obama White House, calling at the gate to say, "Cyrus, let me in." In the above photo, she poses as Press Secretary.

Similar to the others, she has a penchant for goddess and anti-christian imagery. 

​
​The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 1 Timothy 4:1

The Abominable Showman

The above still photos do not fully convey the full impact of this form of entertainment. Some of the videos I viewed for this article were extremely mesmerizing. Most were stunningly beautiful, and at the same time viscerally unsettling. It is as if each one was a masterfully rendered artistic horror film. One can only imagine its affect on rootless young people who have been immersed in this kind of material their whole lives.

The celebrity of these performers is created and maintained by massive corporate machinery. Choreographers, writers, musicians, costume and set designers, promoters, merchandisers, publicists, artists, dancers, producers...the list goes on and on. A few of them are talented, but most are unremarkable, and would not be international superstars without this support. One wonders who chose to thrust these particular individuals into stratospheric levels of wealth and fame, and why.

The guileful forces of evil have had great success in the entertainment industry. Celebrities are conflated with deities. Christian symbolism and ideas are conflated with satanic ones. Every possible abomination has been normalized or even glorified. And worse, it is embraced by people at the highest levels of political power in the world.


​For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12

The Good News

How can any of this be good news?  It is good because we know that every bit of this was fully predicted in the Word of God. It is good because evidence that evil is real is also evidence that its antithesis is real. It is good because every step Satan takes towards power is also a step taken towards his eternal demise. It is good because it is further reassurance that the Bible is true, and for those with faith in the one true Savior, it has a happy ending.

​See that ye not be troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
 Matthew 24:6
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Beyond the Black Pill

6/4/2019

7 Comments

 
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The tone of MAGA supporters has changed. I've seen it on social media and the message boards. The exhilaration that was evident after the upset election of Trump, providing real and unexpected hope that the country would be saved from invasion, has been steadily dampening for the past two years. Some observers have noted that MAGA supporters have been going through the stages of grief: Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and, finally, acceptance. 

Americans are in different stages of the grieving process. For example, some are in denial, spinning wild theories about the elaborate, behind-the-scenes plans that are in place which will bring our lawless overlords to justice any day now. Some are in the bargaining stage. "If only Trump had appointed better people," or "Maybe we can still salvage the country through the courts." In my observation, there seems now to be an increasing sense of resignation. As the demise of the United States continues, evidence of anger and depression, and a sense of doom (the "black pill") are evident. Lately, I frequently see comments like "The US had a good run," or "Well, we're toast."

Some say that when a loved one dies after a long illness, grief is mingled with a sense of relief. A stage of the struggle has ended, and one may now turn to focus fully on the challenges ahead. The acceptance stage of grief is marked by an honest assessment of one's situation, acclimation to the new normal, and taking responsibility for making a way forward. I believe more people are moving towards the acceptance stage. One YouTuber I enjoy was asked how she manages to stay calm and chirpy while presenting her detailed research peeling back layers of corruption among the elites who are causing our civilizational rot. She explained simply, that with regards to the loss of Western Civilization, "I've already grieved."

As we face the loss of a functional government and society, what does it mean to make a new way forward? What is important, and within our control? How do we build outside of our collapsing institutions?

One simple first step is to cut the cable cord. For many people, television viewing is a comfortable habit, and while it is true that a few worthwhile shows do exist amidst the manure, is it really a good idea to spend hundreds of dollars a month for the privilege of allowing people who hate you to pump toxic sludge into your living room? Cutting the cord will not only save you money, but it will take away the crutch of spending time in a semi-vegetative state on the sofa, focused on superficial and sordid content created by some of the worst people on the planet. This frees you to pursue more edifying activities like spending time with your loved ones, reading, listening to music, pursuing hobbies or creative endeavors, improving physical fitness, or learning life skills. You will save money, and turn your attention to activities that better nurture mind and soul. What's the downside?

You can also "starve the beast" in other ways. Every week there is another company pushing an aggressively radical left-wing product or ad campaign. You could boycott the offenders, but even if you could keep track of every company deserving a boycott, their competitors are likely just as dedicated to the "globohomo" agenda. Instead, just get into the habit of buying less. Spend money only what you really need. When you do need to shop, try to buy second-hand, or from a co-op or locally owned business. You can enjoy simpler living, become more resourceful in meeting the needs of daily life, and revel in the fact that you are depriving the government of sales tax!

In a world where we cannot rely on institutions, it is helpful to depend as much as possible on oneself, one's family, and a community of trusted individuals of like mind. Focus on building and nurturing relationships. Learn from your elders and teach your children. Seek fellowship with like-minded community members, with the goal of building trust and support networks. Rekindle tribal bonds, the absence of which have left many of us without a sense of place or belonging. Doing these things will make you more fulfilled in the present, and more prepared to face an uncertain future.

Build, preserve, and maintain what you value. Most of us need to relearn independent life skills that the modern world has caused to become obsolete. Growing and storing food and raising animals. Building and maintaining shelter. Share what you know, and learn what you do not. Preserve your family history. Buy hard copies of literature and history books which the cultural police might wish to revise or blacklist as the revolution marches forward. We can all be flame keepers of our own little bits of knowledge, tradition and culture.

Most importantly, being Christian means that you are never, in any circumstance, without hope and a sense of purpose. Our world celebrates the superficial, fanciful, and ephemeral. Even if some do not realize it, people are in desperate need of those who will tell abiding truth, and offer hope, clarity, and wisdom. Sometimes it is necessary to speak boldly, but if you cannot do that, asking a thoughtful question or making a gentle observation is often enough to plant a seed of thought that will bloom at a later time. 

The fall of the empire will inevitably create distress and daunting challenges, but we do not need to wallow in despair. In the words of Wife With A Purpose, Ayla Stewart, there is a simple way to defy the forces of darkness and perversity that lurk all around: "Just be happy and normal!"

It may be true that the United States that we have known is "toast." We, its people, are not. 
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Georgia versus Hollywood

4/3/2019

2 Comments

 
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Ashley Bratcher, Alyssa Milano


​The cultural divide in the US came into focus again this week with the release of the new film "Unplanned." The film is based on the true story of Abby Johnson, a former abortion-rights advocate and clinic worker who became an outspoken pro-lifer after viewing an ultrasound-guided abortion. This past weekend, the movie made 6 million dollars in its first week, which is about equivalent to its production costs, and even performed better than Captain Marvel by some metrics. The impressive showing happened despite the fact that the film was denied ad purchases on many networks and had its Twitter account temporarily suspended the week of the movie release.

The debut of "Unplanned" happened to occur right after the Georgia legislature received national attention for passing the "Heartbeat Bill" making abortion illegal after fetal heartbeats are detectable. This measure is virtually a complete abortion ban, since the heartbeat is detectable by the time most women learn they are pregnant. Outraged by this draconian infringement on women's rights, over 100 celebrity culture warriors, led by B-list actress and "resistance" leader Alyssa Milano, signed a pledge to "stop feeding the GA economy" through the hundreds of film projects that bring the state several billion dollars a year.

Ashley Bratcher, the leading actress in Unplanned, is a Georgia native. She responded to Milano in a bold open letter. "I'm incredibly proud of my home state for taking a stand in the fight for life" she wrote. "Let me make something very clear to you. In Georgia, we care just as much about being pro-life as being pro-film. We don't believe in putting  a price tag on the value of a human life... You want a working environment that is safe, respectful, tolerant, and full of love? I know a place like that and I call it home... Georgia has its own identity and it won't be bowing down to Hollywood any time soon."

Consumed with indignant rage, Milano had the gall to storm into the Georgia state capital while legislature was in session. (You may view the entire incident here, but be forewarned that viewing this imperious tirade may result in the overwhelming urge to throw your computer out the window). When asked by a representative what Georgia district she voted in, she stated that she did not vote in Georgia but worked in the state in an industry that employs Georgia voters. (I suppose we are to presume she speaks for them). She sneered as she gestured towards "the MEN that are voting on what goes on inside my uterus."

After exiting to the foyer of the capital building, she read the text of a letter she had delivered to Governor Brian Kemp, then handed the microphone to a woman she described as a Georgia voter. Introducing herself as the owner of a movie prop-rental business, she spoke with a decidedly non-Southern accent as she reminded the gathered crowd that North Carolina had suffered loss of entertainment industry businesses when they "infringed on people's liberties," by passing the "bathroom bill" affecting transgender people. Milano spoke again, declaring that it was "evil" for Kemp to sign a bill that would drive billions of dollars from the state. Responding to a question, she stated that Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey have offered tax incentives to move film projects there.

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Actress Alyssa Milano speaks at the Georgia state capital about the "Heartbeat Bill."

Typical Southern responses to huffy pronouncements that our betters will take their ball and leave usually range from indifferent shrugs to "Good riddance!" or "I wish they would boycott my state!" Because of their staggering arrogance, these elites cannot conceive that the unwashed masses might actually prefer NOT to be graced with their presence or enlightened with their wisdom.

But what about their money? Milano tweeted her complaint about the Heartbeat Bill with the hashtag "#HB481IsBadForBusiness." That may be true, but as Bratcher said, "We don't believe in putting  a price tag on the value of a human life." It is unfathomable to our soulless ruling class, but there are quite a few things Southerners value more than money. Freedom, peace, community, traditional culture, and self-determination, to name a few. I have often heard members of the intelligentsia smugly say that Southerners "vote against their own interests." What they mean is that we vote for small government, when our relative poverty would make our states the beneficiaries of government programs. They don't understand that what we see as "our own interests" are not benefit checks, but the ability to live independently, free from government interference, and in a fiscally responsible manner that does not leave unnecessary debt to our children. They think that since we're turning down "free money," that either we do not understand, or that we are motivated more by racist hatred than self-preservation.

Thankfully, Georgia has a real governor, despite the best efforts of Milano, who had stumped vigorously for Kemp's opponent Stacy Abrams in the gubernatorial election. "I can't govern because of what someone in Hollywood thinks of me." Governor Brian Kemp spoke in response to the controversy. If more people like Bratcher and Kemp speaking up for Southern values, maybe we can get the Golden Swamp creatures to write us off for good!
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Lying Statisticians are the Real Terrorists

3/21/2019

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White males commit more terrorism than any other group. Everybody knows this, right? If you try to debate terrorism on social media, the Smug Leftist will play his trump card: "ACKSHUALLY, statistics prove that WHITE MALES commit the most terrorism!"

This may not seem right to you, despite the fact that there are indeed headlines proclaiming that "fact." But you may be at a loss for how to argue the point, since numbers don't lie, right? Well, I'm here to help.

I spent several years of my life in government agencies' data analysis departments. I will tell you there is often political pressure on analysts to "prove" a certain point with data, and there are plenty of ways to manipulate or creatively interpret data to make it seem to point one way or another. Dishonest (or possibly dumb) journalists will happily tout a headline that a "study says..." something that they want to be true. Most people will simply absorb the headline, assume there is some truth to it, and move on. 

I'll try to give a quick summary of some of the common ways that numbers can lie:

1. GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT - This is a common phrase in  the world of statistical analysis. It means that if the data collection is no good, then the resulting data analysis will be no good. You must ask how the data was collected and by whom. Was it collected by trained, conscientious, and non-biased workers? Often the answer is no. It is wise to be skeptical of information collected by workers who have inconsistent training, a disinterest in data collection, or a motivation to skew data to secure agency funding or cover their own failures. Also, if you see the phrase "THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF X" , you may want to ask whether there is no evidence because the data was never collected!

Self-reported data is also notoriously unreliable. People can have highly inaccurate self-perceptions. They may make errors when responding to surveys, or they may choose to fudge or even outright lie in order to achieve the result they prefer or avoid embarrassment. Compared to carefully conducted scientific analysis, such information can be considered "garbage."

2. TOTAL NUMBER VS PER CAPITA. This is an especially useful one with regards to the "White people are the worst" arguments. Because Whites are a majority of the United States population, we are likely to have "more" of any given problem if you simply count the numbers. The "Whites are the worst" argument often falls apart when you look at the numbers as a percentage of the group population. This may seem obvious, but it is easy to slip past most casual readers of mainstream media, especially if it confirms what they wish to believe.

3. APPLES TO ORANGES. A few years ago some media ran reports that children raised by gay couples are happier than those raised by conventional families. This is an example of the "apples to oranges" deception. The conclusion was based on a comparison from two separate studies: a long-term, scientific study of children in conventional homes versus a simple survey completed by gay parents who volunteered to be questioned. The data was collected from two separate sources, one with a much more reliable methodology than the other. They are simply not comparable, at least not if you're trying to be honest and accurate.

4. FUDGING DEFINITIONS AND CATEGORIES: A tremendous amount of mischief can be caused by this one.

Most people know that unemployment statistics have been manipulated by fudging definitions. When a person has been unemployed so long that they have fallen into despair and given up the search, they are no longer technically a job-seeker, and therefore not "unemployed" for statistical purposes. So, excluding the long-term unemployed from calculations may make employment statistics appear to improve, even though no positive change has occurred.

This kind of fudging is critical for the "real terrorists" ruse. Most of us think of mass-casualty shootings or explosions when we hear the word "terrorist." But does the study cited count other things as terrorism? Arson, vandalism, unarmed one-on-one scuffles? Most mainstream articles don't provide that level of detail, and most people don't think to ask. If a guy who happens to be in an all-white biker club beats someone in a bar fight, would that be counted as "white supremacist violence?" If a member of an Aryan prison gang knifes another inmate, would that count? These are examples of criminal behaviour, of course, but not what one normally thinks of as terrorism.

Also, what is counted as an extremist group? If you are reading this site, you probably know that the SPLC definitions are extremely biased, and elastic to the point of being useless. They may include completely peaceful advocacy groups and orthodox religious sects. When an article cites a growth in "extremism" it may sound alarming, but it could just mean that more people are supporting the Family Research Center or other organizations that the study's sponsor doesn't like. It could even simply mean that they have expanded the list of "hate groups" to include new things. 

You may even want to question the definition of White, as some studies include hispanics or people of middle-eastern descent in the "White" category.

5. IN WHAT UNIVERSE? One of the most important parts of any study is choosing the sample population. Who are you asking? Is the study based on a representative sample of the relevant population? For example, if the findings are based solely on the study of elderly Scandanavian vegetarian nuns, it may not be applicable to other groups. More realistically, If the sample is self-selected (for example, if it is conducted with people answering an ad asking them to participate in the study), the sample is not random, therefore introducing bias into the results. 

Leading up to the 2016 presidential election, many polls of "likely voters" showed that Hillary Clinton was consistently ahead. The trick was in the sample selection. Manipulating the proportion of Republican, Democrat, and Independent voters in the sample affected final results, and in a way that casual observers did not catch.

6. MISUSE OF OUTLIERS: A outlier is an extreme example that lies outside of the normal range of something. Including the "outlier" information in an average can be very misleading. For example, averaging the seven-figure salary of a CEO with the salaries of the regular employees would create a misleadingly high impression of the typical company salary. 

This tactic should be kept in mind when people spout statistics about gun crime. The national gun crime rate is high compared to many other countries, but if you take out the outliers, that is, the top 10 or so most gang-infested cities, the overall rate goes down substantially. Including the numbers from the outliers, in this case the dysfunctional urban areas, makes the overall national rate much higher. This misleading impression is helpful to those who would like to imply that a high rate of gun crime is nationwide problem.

7: PUSH POLLS: "Would you support a mandate that millions of illegal immigrants be ground into hamburger and fed to alligators, or would you prefer allowing those who meet certain reasonable requirements to stay in the United States?" SHOCK POLL! 99% of Americans support undocumented migrants becoming citizens!

This is an exaggeration, but you get the idea. Don't accept "survey says" pronouncements at face value. If you think the results are suspicious, dig deeper to find out exactly what questions were asked and to whom. 

There are many, many more tricks that can be employed by those who want to influence the public with biased "facts." It's never easy to discern the truth in our information-overloaded world, but hopefully this article can give you an idea of some questions to ask when the facts seem fishy.
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From the Trump Train to the Yang Gang

3/14/2019

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The latest bit of evidence that reality is stranger than fiction is the emergence of the Yang Gang phenomenon that has been sweeping through the dissident right. Andrew Yang, a long-shot Democratic candidate from New York, has acquired a band of enthusiastic supporters among the internet meme lords and underground influencers that provided much fuel to the Trump candidacy leading up to his unlikely 2016 election victory. 

The reasons for the loss of enthusiasm for Trump on the right are clear. There has been little if any significant improvement with regards to his signature issue, immigration. Trump has also chosen a path of inaction regarding the wave of internet censorship that has banished many of his supporters to the far corners of the internet where they have faint hope of influencing mainstream discourse. Trump's failure to "drain the swamp" came into sharp focus for many at the most recent annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Most speakers were establishment GOP supporters who delivered boilerplate rhetoric about how socialism is bad and support for Israel is good. The convention was sponsored by Google, and invitees included representatives of leftist media outlets and Soros-funded organizations. Meanwhile, immigration patriots and independent journalists who support a nationalist, America First agenda were all but excluded. (One notable exception was Michelle Malkin, who brought the house down by fearlessly calling out the neocons who chose to exclude discussion of immigration from the conference entirely. I will be surprised if she is invited back to CPAC.) The business-as-usual CPAC was orchestrated by White House official Mercedes Schlapp, who was also reportedly responsible for preventing the "Angel Moms" from meeting with President Trump before the signing of his recent disastrous spending bill which put another nail in the coffin of the Wall promise. Some of Trump's high-profile former supporters, like Ann Coulter and Lou Dobbs, have declared that MAGA is a failure.

Trump does maintain some support among, for example, followers of the Q-Anon phenomenon. Q-Anon is an internet trend which follows the posts of a supposed government insider who provides clues regarding the behind-the-scenes efforts to bring bad actors to justice. Q-Anon enthusiasts insist that Trump's seeming failures and betrayals are all part of his "4-D chess" method. "Trust the plan," they advise. From a psychological point of view, the mental gymnastics required to maintain this faith are fascinating.

To most observers, however, failure to deliver is failure to deliver. Whether Trump was running a con all along, or has simply been ineffectual, may be debated, but more and more people are starting to conclude that the Trump Train has badly derailed.

Enter Andrew Yang. Yang first came to the attention of the dissident right when he spoke about how White Americans faced a declining population and plague of drug abuse. The fact that he mentioned issues affecting the People Who Must Not Be Named was extremely validating to shunned members of the dissident right who want the interests and needs of White America to be addressed. Nobody else is doing so. Trump constantly touts employment statistics for every sub-group of American people by name, except Whites. Recently Steve King of Iowa was censured, supposedly for his support of "White Supremacy," when he was really guilty only of allowing the New York Times to misrepresent his praise of Western Civilization. Just last week, the Democrats responded, nonsensically, to Muslim Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's criticism of Israel by condemning "hate" against a hodgepodge of victim groups that included virtually everyone EXCEPT White Christians. Only the Chinese-American Democrat dared mention Whites as a group in a sympathetic manner, thus putting him on the radar of the right.

Another Yang idea that was, surprisingly, met with enthusiasm by the dissident right was his proposal to grant $1000 a month to all Americans as part of his Universal Basic Income plan. This is certainly not a conservative proposal, but I think it is wrong to accuse the right-wingers who support this of "selling out." The support of Yang's UBI propsal is not so much a result of "selling out" as simply giving up. In despair that the Hail Mary chance to save the Republic, which Trump represented, has failed, they have concluded that America is dead, and therefore they may as well join the other vultures in picking over the carcass. The joyful memes depicted alt-right emblem Pepe the Frog being showered with money by a smiling Andrew Yang are, in my opinion, a form of gallows humor, of dancing while the ship goes down.

Yang has plenty of deal-breaking beliefs for most right-wingers, notably his opposition to gun rights, and he has been frantically distancing himself from the unexpected surge of support from the underground right. In any case, support for him is mostly facetious, and is not likely to amount to much in practical terms. The important point is that the semi-serious support of Yang by disaffected Trumpers is indicative of a vacuum of leadership on the right. The time is ripe for another leader to emerge who gives a voice to the Americans first forgotten by the GOP, then by Trump. As no obvious figure is on the horizon, some have latched on to the unlikely choice of Yang. Perhaps he may be thought of as the "rebound fling" by a lover who has been jilted by the one they once believed was "Mr. Right." Hopefully an actual "Mr. Right" will come along, but as of now, we're still looking.

GALLERY: Internet users are leaving the Trump Train, joining the Yang Gang.

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Saddle up, Truth Tellers!

3/2/2019

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​Were you on the internet in the early days? If so, you may remember that it felt free and undeveloped - something like the Wild West. It was exciting. There was an unconstrained, uncharted world to explore, with few boundaries and limitless possibilities.

For those of us who revel in the unfettered exchange of ideas, it was thrilling. However, the internet today feels more like Alcatraz than the Wild West. There are a relatively small number of information gatekeepers who keep a short leash on the users of their sites. Big Media and Big Social like to control what is known and how it is presented. The crackdown has been ratcheted up to an even greater level since the upset election of Donald Trump in 2016, which was possible in large part to the ability of independent reporters and everyday internet users to bypass the controlled communications of the legacy media. Our rulers were caught off guard once, and they do not intend to let that happen again.

The tactics for keeping troublemakers from influencing the rest of the population are many. They include banning or shadow-banning disfavored users, deeming content ineligible for advertising dollars, and putting a thumb on the scale for common search terms so they will return items meant to point users to the "right" opinion. Additionally, many sites have removed content sections from underneath their articles, citing "troll" problems. In other words, there were too many people expressing disagreement, pointing out bias, or enlightening other readers about omitted facts. 

Of course there are still some ways to express dissenting opinions, for example, you may develop and maintain a blog and manage to build a following while staying under the radar of the gatekeepers. However, this would be too much trouble for most people who just want to make occasional comments, and it's also an inefficient way to address topical or urgent issues.

Thankfully, the free-speech defenders of social media site Gab have come up with a "why didn't I think of that?" game-changing idea: They introduced their Dissenter platform, which provides users a new way to comment, without censorship, on ANY page on the internet. You can create an account at Dissenter.com, or log in with your Gab ID if you already have one, then enter the URL for the page on which you wish to comment. You can start a conversation, or join in if a discussion is already ongoing for the selected page. Dissenter also has extensions that can be added to a number of different browsers for easier use.
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On the left is an internet article, on the right is the Dissenter page for commenting on that article.

There are many possibilities for using Dissenter beyond commenting on news articles. For example, the commonly used resource Wikipedia is known as a bastion of leftist ideology. Pages about controversial issues are often closely watched, and any efforts to put information supporting disfavored viewpoints are quickly thwarted. The new comment function could be extremely useful for Southerners vexed by one-sided, distorted accounts of our history. Today I ran quick check of some controversial issues in Southern history, and did not find any comments yet. Hopefully knowledgeable people can provide omitted evidence and correct misinformation. Of course, it will only be viewable to other Dissenter users, but anyone who is curious about alternative viewpoints can choose to look there.

So far the right people are getting angry, which is always a good sign. (I particularly enjoyed this indignant rant from Ana Valens in the Daily Dot.)

For the rest of us, those who aren't afraid of words and ideas, this new site provides a small return to the feeling of the Wild West. Yippee ki-yay!
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Rebel Yell, A Hero for Southerners

2/17/2019

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​In this piece, Carolina Contrarian interviews a young Southerner, known online as “Electric Dinosaur” (old ideas, new technology) about his new graphic novel series entitled “Rebel Yell” featuring a Confederate superhero. 
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C: Can you give us some background on who you are and tell us a little about yourself?
 
ED: Sure. I’m from the rural Deep South. I enjoy the countryside, drawing, and telling stories. I’m in my twenties. I think that storytelling is a craft which is often underappreciated, and is generally something at which Southerners excel.
 
CC: How did you become interested in Southern history and identity?
           
ED: It was definitely my rearing. At an early age, I recognised there was something different about the South, even if the particulars weren’t worked out until later. Of course, family is the greatest influence, and my parents and grandparents helped form me. Like any proper culture, you’re in it before you realise just exactly what it is, it being so natural.
 
In later years, I was a member of the SCV along with my father and grandfather. There was a website called Southern Nationalist Network which was also really good (I remember Lewis Liberman did some graphics for it), but then it fell off the map, sadly. Then I found the Abbeville Institute and, more recently, Reckonin’, both of which are greatly needed. We need fellowship of like-minded people.
 
CC: What gave you the idea to create a graphic novel?
 
ED: Ideas are always floating around, but this one didn’t come concretely until 2015, after the terrible Charleston Church shooting. I was so disaffected by the various State governments’ spinelessness that I wanted to do something. Most Southerners, it seems, weren’t standing up for their flag, so I wanted to show in a simple way that it is a symbol for good. Superheros seemed an accessible way of telling stories, especially given their popularity both at that time and presently.
 
CC: I assume you're a fan of the genre. Are there other characters or series that you especially like?
 
ED: I was raised reading comics - all manner, mind you, not just superheros. But the superhero comics we did read were really good. Primarily, these were from the Silver Age (c. 1955-1970), during the heyday of the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Batman, Green Lantern, etc.  Even then, especially during the late 60s, comics began to get kinda depressing. DC especially turned to more mature themes, like the drug problem. One Green Lantern/Green Arrow special in 1971 even had Green Arrow’s kid-sidekick do drugs (a vice which he ultimately kicks, but the inclusion was just strange). And then of course politics took a heavy hand in many. So when Obama makes an appearance in Spiderman, it doesn't really surprise me.
 
One enjoyable character was Cannonball, a Southerner from Kentucky who appeared in The New Mutants (an X-men spin off). Speaking with a drawl, he at one point remarks that he’s used to outnumbered fights, as his ancestor had served in the Confederate army (which I believe may be where his particular moniker came from - he could turn himself into a human cannonball). The early issues especially were well-written and with a good cast of characters.
 
Some contemporary superhero comics which are pretty good are those published by Arkhaven Comics. One of their characters is called Rebel, a girl from Alabama with superpowers. They’re really taking the initiative in trying to offer some alternatives to the mainstream comic book industry. I have a soft spot for them because they’ve been publishing the works of PG Wodehouse as comics - a really stellar job.
 
Of course, there’s a great site in the Digital Comic Museum, where you can read slews of old comics that are now in the public domain. There’s some really good stuff out there, often overlooked or ignored because it isn’t Batman.
 
CC: There are several other contributors named in the first book. How did you find artists and others to partner with for the finished product?
 
ED: There’s an online artist forum called DeviantArt where people can exchange ideas, post their own work, or hire others to help them. It’s all very freelance and flexible. Overall, the site is surprisingly Southern-tolerant, so far as symbols go (no purge yet). I had seen one artist advertising way back in 2014, I believe, and reached out to him the following year. I would have drawn the first few issues myself, but other duties impeded. Finding the colourist was much the same. I really wish we could found a forum of Southern artists, though there are online groups. 
 
CC: How long did the development process take?
 
ED: The first issue, because I wasn’t tackling it seriously and sat on it for so long, actually went from 2015-2018. When the thought finally struck me to crowdfund the printing, everything was done but lettering and editing. The actual development process (say for issue 3) takes maybe two or three months, from writing the script, turning in the pages of the script and references, and waiting around for the page roughs. Colouring is a quick return.  Formatting can be tricky and causes the most headache. But, with the experience gained from issues 1-3, the time span keeps getting less and less. I’d say three months tops for new work.
 
CC: I like how you name the dystopian setting "Vandal City." It really illustrates the destructiveness of the enemies of the Rebel. How do you plan to flesh out the "villains" of the series?
 
ED: Thank you, the name was fun to create. I was surprised no one had taken it yet.

Superheroes themselves are neat (and obviously the main attraction), but the good guys have good standards. They have to act in a way that, while maybe not predictable, is probable. They have to be good, and the reader should like them.
 
Villains, on the other hand, have a destructive freedom. They can be bad guys who are hated or bad guys who are loved. You can make them off-puttingly bizarre or as commonplace as you want. Not only this, but they serve as illustrations of ailments facing modern man, whether it be greed, ambition, or other errors. Take the diabolical distortions of tech-guru “Synicon" from a future issue:

Synicon: "People used to love God, because God knew all things. He even knew you - everything about you. You could speak to him whenever you wished and were perfectly understood by him even when you didn't understand yourself.  A necessary role for the well-being of man. Now, however, that function has been supplanted by our own methods. Knowledge of yourself - the most intimate personal details, relationships, biological urgings and genetic makeup - can be transmitted seamlessly  to millions across the planet. The universal quest for God was nothing more than a  quest to make oneself known and loved by all. But we need not a god to make known one's individuality. We now have methods for finding it even when you yourself don’t know."
 
Other:  "This is all superficial understanding. A man can't be known by others in ---"

Synicon: "But they think they can, and who can tell them they are wrong? Who has the authority to deny them their reality? The mind - and the notions therein - is all that matters. We shape the world - all matter is malleable."

Of course, at the end of the day, bad guys are bad no matter how much we enjoy writing them, and the writing itself should reflect that. If there are shades of gray, these should be rare.
 
CC: The nods to 1980s pop songs were a neat touch, that I, as a Gen-Xer, particularly appreciate. What gave you the idea for that?
 
ED: Glad they pleased! I’m a millennial myself, though I do enjoy earlier music. The whole first issue - especially the villain - was a little observance on culture. We have some outlandish punk-pop baddie attempting to take revenge on his former girl, who herself can’t find her place. The whole city is sort of a throw-away culture, cheap and artificial (like superhero comics generally, really). The Rebel enters in opposition to the noise with his own voice.

As for the name “Rebel Yell,” both it and the first villain, Gunther Glitz, were inspired by a particular artist, so it only seemed fitting to fill the pages with song references from that era.
 
CC: What do you hope readers get from Rebel Yell?
 
ED: I foremostly want them to enjoy it. Then I hope they can see our symbols as something good. Let them know they have a voice and are themselves something unique.
 
CC: I see that the second issue is in development. Can you give us any hints about what to expect in this next installment?
 
ED: The second issue was actually supposed to be launched after four or five other issues, but I decided to step up the date because of the continued destruction of our monuments. The issue centres on such vandalism. It’s not as heavy on story as the other issues, but rather spotlights a big brawl between our hero  and some modern urban redecorators. Expect some high energy.  
 
CC: What are your long-term plans for the series?
 
ED: I have a dozen issues of Rebel Yell scripted, three or four of which I hope to launch a year (all total, over a hundred pages annually). I hope to get enough of a base that we can expand into some other minor areas as well. I have a pop-culture magazine, reminiscent of the old gem Nintendo Power, that I’ve been working on. It’s about halfway through. I don’t know if there’d be much interest in that, but it’s fun nonetheless. ​

You can find out more about Electric Dinosaur and purchase Rebel Yell on his website here. You can help fund the next issue here.
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Northam's Dishonorable Deflection

2/11/2019

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By now everyone has heard about the discovery of VA Gov Ralph Northam's medical school yearbook page which includes a picture of two men, one in a KKK robe and one in blackface, one of which may or may not be Northam himself. (The timing of the release of the decades-old photo, almost instantly after Northam found himself in the center of a media firestorm for comments seeming to endorse infanticide, is curious, but that is another matter). 

Despite many calls for his resignation, from members of the public, leaders in his own party, various talking heads and celebrities, Northam has so far refused to step down. However, he has apologized for the errors of his past, and has acquiesced to doing penance in order to redeem himself. Northam's advisers have given him reading assignments, such as Roots, and “The Case for Reparations,” by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Among other things, Northam has also pledged to take a harder line on the removal of Confederate monuments, stating “if there are statues, if there are monuments out there that provoke this type of hatred and bigotry, they need to be in museums.”

This pledge is contemptible for many reasons. First, Northam readily concedes the Confederate monuments are symbols of "hate." Though Southerners are used to being accused of "hate" for celebrating their honorable ancestors and heroes, seeing an unprincipled and gutless fellow Southerner concede the point without dispute, for the sake of naked self-interest, is repugnant.

Second, what on earth do the monuments have to do with Northam's classless behaviour in his school years? Is he claiming that the supposed sins of his forefathers compelled him to wear unseemly costumes in college? Are the statues of great Confederate generals the proximate cause of his poor judgement? Furthermore, why should those who cherish and wish to preserve these monuments be expected to sacrifice to atone for the personal behaviour of Northam?

Of course, the assumption of the political class is that Virginia has yet to be cleansed of its historic sins. There is more work to do to fully eradicate the legacy of slavery and the poison of racism from the state. Purging reminders of its shameful past is an important step. The priestly class has so proclaimed, and to save his career, Northam is gladly genuflecting before them.

The the connection between Northam and the Confederacy is assumed by many to exist, however, those who honor the likes of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson bear no claim to Northam. If not for its growing population of Northerners and spillover from the DC swamp, the Democratic party would be irrelevant in the once lovely state. And I shudder to think how our devoutly religious forefathers would have dealt with anyone arguing the merits of late-term abortion. It is unfair to attribute the Northam fiasco to Southern history and culture, but it is being done nonetheless.
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To Stand

1/29/2019

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The photo of Nick Sandmann of Covington Catholic School standing face to face with a leftist activist near the Lincoln Memorial was on every news and social media site last week. The pictures from the incident reminded me of another viral photo from not long ago - that of Allen Armentrout standing by the Charlottesville statue of General Lee with a hostile protester making an obscene gesture in his face. (Contributor Dissident Mama's three-part series based on her interview with Armentrout begins here).
PictureAllen Armentrout
The Sandmann and Armentrout situations aren't exactly the same. Armentrout chose to walk into what he knew could be a volatile situation because he felt compelled to take a stand for something in which he believed. Sandmann did not think of himself as an activist making a statement, and wound up in a volatile situation unexpectedly. Armentrout had gained experience dealing with hostile protesters during the course of his pro-South activism, whereas the young Sandmann was inexperienced in dealing with such situations.

Still, there are parallels to be drawn between the two situations. Both young men were behaving in a peaceful manner when accosted. In the case of Armentrout, his Confederate flag and uniform were perceived as threatening and offensive by observers who attributed their own meanings to those symbols - racism, hate, slavery, treason. The fact that the bearer of the symbols did not mean anything of the kind was irrelevant. Likewise, Sandmann was defined by his "MAGA" hat as privileged, racist, and a white supremacist. I don't know anything about Sandmann's political beliefs, but I think it is much likelier that he simply wore the hat to show support for his country and President rather than because of a belief in some nefarious ideology. Whatever the real reason, it was irrelevant to his many attackers. THEY interpreted the MAGA hat as a symbol of something evil, and reacted accordingly.

Another similarity is that both young men relied on their Christian faith in the midst of the tension. Armentrout stated that "restraint from the Holy Spirit" helped him remain composed when confronted by the vulgar, hostile crowd. Sandmann said that he silently prayed, when confronted by drum-banging Native American Nathan Phillips, that the situation would not escalate further.

Both young men also experienced tribulation at the hands of the national mainstream media. After his Charlottesville confrontation, Armentrout was subjected to a series of predictably nasty and biased hit pieces from "reporters" who had no interest in understanding or sharing his side of the story. Sandmann was similarly defamed by national media outlets and personalities, though his ordeal was even more cruel because of his youth, the fact that he did nothing that he expected would invite attention, and that many of the accusations against him were blatant lies. 

Shortly after the now-famous confrontation, Sandmann agreed to a nationally televised interview with Savannah Guthrie, in which she implied that he had invited the hostility that was directed towards him. ("Do you think if you weren’t wearing that hat, this might not have happened?") She also said "...there’s something aggressive about standing there, standing your ground..." 

Sandmann replied, "I would say Mr. Phillips had his right to come up to me. I had my right to stay there." This is an obviously true statement, but it is still remarkable that he said it. Sandmann is a high-schooler who one week before had been an unknown private citizen, when he was thrust into a spotlight as the MSM villian du jour, subjected to heinous threats, insulted by public figures, and thrown under the bus by cowardly adults who should have defended him, like those of his diocese. This young man displayed more bravery and strength of character than the many far more powerful and seasoned public figures who obediently self-flagellate at the slightest criticism from the left. 

"I had my right to stay there." 

Armentrout said that when he stood still amidst the jeering crowd, attempting to emulate Christ by refusing to retaliate against those attempting to provoke him, it "made those people yelling at me even madder." 

The young men both became the objects of hate mobs even though there was nothing blameworthy in their behaviour. Because of the fact that they did nothing wrong, we know that they were the objects of acrimony only because of who they were, or maybe more precisely who they were perceived to be. This is instructive for observers who may not have fully appreciated the amount of hatred that is directed towards young, White, Christian, Southern men, even when they are guilty of nothing, simply because of WHO THEY ARE.

Armentrout and Sandmann were both "triggering" and dangerous to the psyche of the leftist media because they chose not to bow, run away, or apologize, but to STAND, in effect to say, "This is who I am, and I have a right to be here." That is all it took to cause alarm. This simple, silent statement, made by otherwise unimposing young men, was all it took to shake leftists across the nation.

How powerful would it be if we were all to stand?

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Calling Out the Captains

12/25/2018

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Book Rewiews

​Militant Normals: How Regular Americans are Rebelling Against the Elite to Reclaim our Democracy
by Kurt Schlicter, 2018 Hachette Book Group Inc.

Ship of Fools: How a Selfish Ruling Class is Bringing America to the Brink of Revolution by Tucker Carlson, 2018 Simon & Schuster

I first became familiar with lawyer and former Army Colonel Kurt Schlicter through his Twitter feed, which he uses to cheerfully humiliate gun-grabbers, neocons, and other nuisances, and through his pull-no-punches and often hilarious TownHall column. Occasional Fox News guest Schlicter is a prolific author of both fiction and non-fiction. The book Militant Normals falls (mostly) in the second category.

Schlicter begins by describing his experience of the 2016 campaign season during which he gradually changed from a Trump skeptic to a Trump supporter. He also explains the process by which "Normals," defined as regular, patriotic Americans who would prefer not to think about politics too much, were pushed to supporting Trump by the failures and malfeasance of the elite class as those elites have become more and more openly antagonistic towards everyone else. 

Normals, Schlicter explains, are willing to let the elites have the perks of being the elites, as long as they hold up their end of the bargain by honoring their nobless oblige and allowing Normals to have a modicum of safety, opportunity, and respect. As elites have become increasingly disconnected from the rest of the country, they have ceased making even symbolic shows of respect towards the values and contributions of the Normals. Instead, they have begun to display open contempt and to expose their desire to completely dominate their supposed inferiors.

One point that Schlicter makes is that "elite" does not necessarily indicate wealth or high class. Many powerless and unaccomplished people can instantly be, or at least feel, "elite" by adopting the preferred views and pet issues of the powerful. Conversely, wealthy and powerful individuals such as Donald Trump, who champion the values and causes of the common man, may be considered Normals.

In one chapter, a fictional vignette takes you through the life of a "Normal" from a small town who serves in the military after leaving high school, then returns to the United States to find job opportunities gone and his hometown less safe because of illegal immigration. The frustration of this Normal who just wanted to live his life in peace grows as his country inexplicably changes around him. Another fictional vignette helps the reader understand the mindset of the elite in a parallel story told through the eyes of a young man from a wealthy Los Angeles suburb.

Schlicter expounds on the many channels which the elite have used to do injury to Normals: unaccountable "experts," the judiciary, the military, and Hollywood, among others. He reserves a particularly thorough and vicious routing for the pompous shills of "Conservative Inc," which alone is worth the price of the book. The phenomenal and unlikely Trump campaign of 2016 is recounted, quite enjoyably, and explained as the comeuppance of the elites from the once complacent, but now militant, Normals.

Relatable and humorous, Schlicter's book is best suited for an audience of Normals. It would be most enjoyable and informative for moderates and mainstream conservatives who are not usually immersed in politics, but would like to better understand the changes in the country over the past few years that led to the ascendancy of Trump and MAGA.

Tucker Carlson's Ship of Fools takes a different tack on a similar theme. Most people are familiar with Carlson from his highly-rated Fox News show which he uses to dole out as much truth as is allowed on network television - so much truth that he has been the target of left-wing boycott campaigns and even an Antifa mob attack on his home. The book touches on many themes he addresses in his show, but with more breadth and depth than would be allowed in that format.

Carlson grew up surrounded by hippies in California, and though he didn't like them, he explains how today's leftists are much worse. In decades past, their ideas may have been wrong, but they at least cared about others. Now more wealthy and powerful, and with an exaggerated sense of their own virtue and abilities, they lack empathy with the middle class. Chelsea Clinton, for example, is showered with money, praise, and attention despite being wholly unremarkable other than her pedigree.  Big businesses, once the nemesis of liberals, now nod to liberal causes in ways that cost them nothing of significance while raking in profits at the expense of exploited workers. 

A frequent topic on Carlson's show, immigration, is also discussed in depth. While old-school Democrats might have taken the side of American workers against cheap labor-seeking big business, today their never-ending quest for more "diversity" causes them to ally with big business against the American public in their desire to import a serf class of immigrants. For the insulated wealthy, there is no downside. In fact, because of the moral framing of the issue, the elites even get to pat themselves on the back for being enlightened and compassionate. The once peace-loving hippies abandoned their anti-war stance when they realized force could be used for the "good" of social engineering. Carlson gives a good drubbing to the pundit class who is constantly agitating for others' blood to be spilled in their overseas wars. Liberal institutions like Berkeley and the ACLU that once lauded the principle of free speech have begun to oppose "hate speech," and many leftists now feel justified in using violence to suppress it. Journalists that were meant to hold those in power accountable have now become the gatekeepers of information that protect the ruling class.

Unlike Schlicter, Carlson tackles the issues of race and diversity. He points out that a ruling class that cared about the welfare of the country would work to de-emphasize racial conflicts. Our elite institutions are instead emphasizing them to the point where they are the center of our public conversation. A tsunami of anti-white activism and press has been the result, with the ascension of white identity politics as the predictable response. Elites gain power from identity politics, while the public endures the resulting tensions and conflict. Numerous other examples of the elites' failures and hypocrisy are examined by Carlson.

Both books could serve as a word of caution to the ruling class. As long as you continue to disregard the needs of the population, expect revolt.
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    The Carolina Contrarian, Anne Wilson Smith, is the author of Charlottesville Untold: Inside Unite the Right. She is a soft-spoken Southern belle by day, opinionated writer by night. She loves Jesus, her family, and her hometown. She enjoys floral dresses and acoustic guitar music. You may contact Carolina Contrarian at CarolinaContrarian@protonmail.com.

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