Porkins Policy Review
Pearse Redmond returns to the show to help us all take a look around at the strange place we find ourselves in now. QAnon has come a long way since the days that Pearse and Robbie Martin would talk about it on a weekly basis. American foreign policy has taken a political backseat as Trumpism focuses in on all things domestic.
Chuck Ochelli joins me to discuss the aftermath of the violence in Charlottesville and the rise of right wing racist groups. We begin by breaking down the initial protest over the taking down of a statue Robert E Lee. Chuck and I offer up our thoughts not only on America’s new found love of statues from the 1950’s but the make up of this crowd of alt-right protesters. Next Chuck and I explore the racist and racialist history of America and its deep roots in our society. Chuck explains the difference and how racialism has infected most of the population. We talk about the casual racism that persists in America and how it has morphed into the extreme forms that we are seeing at the moment.
In the second hour we discuss self proclaimed white nationalist Chris Cantwell and his bizarre saga which ended with him crying on YouTube. I talk about his strange trajectory from sweaty, unfunny libertarian “stand-up”, to neo-nazi skinhead “activist”. Chuck and I explore how a man as insignificant as Cantwell gravitates to a racist ideology. We then touch on how the alt-media has slowly been infiltrated and co-opted by these right-wing fascist groups. We also look back historically to the 1990’s when the FBI and other groups began infiltrating and radicalizing the Patriot and Militia movements. Chuck and I debate whether the government may be preparing us for another major act of right-wing domestic terrorism by looking at the bizarre case of Jerry Drake Varnell in Oklahoma City. I also touch on Johnny Bangerter, his history as a spokesperson for the White Power Movement, and the efforts by the government to involve him in the OKC Bombing. Chuck and I try to end on a positive note by offering up our own thoughts on how to combat this problem and grow as a nation.
Show Notes:
FBI Criminal Complaint against Jerry Drake Varnell
Neo-Nazi Christopher Cantwell Cries After Learning He’s Wanted For Arrest. “I’m Terrified”
Warrants out for arrest of white nationalist in Vice documentary
Right-Winger Jack Posobiec, Retweeted by Trump, Is Navy Intel Officer
Porkins Policy Review 