William Buckley, the real story

Some years ago I went through all the issues of National Review from 1955 to 1964. (Or did they start in 1956?) William Buckley & National Review were opponents of the Civil Rights movement. There was no need for a Southern Partisan magazine then, because you had the National Review pushing what was called southern conservatism, or racism wrapped up with fine sounding rhetoric.

There is some effort to portray him as some gentleman conservative.

Here are some articles about him that see him clearly.

This article is about William Buckley white washing the reputation of a nasty racist reactionary Westbrook Pegler in the New Yorker.

http://www.slate.com/id/2096673/

This is an article by the racist American Renaissance from the Internet archive about when the National Review held their views.

http://web.archive.org/web/20001018141517/http:/www.amren.com/natlreview.htm

A lot is said about William F. Buckley later rejecting racism, but I don't think he would want to be brought down and the National Review brought down by a losing cause. Certainly he new what happened to American Mercury magazine.

Buckley's white washing of Westbrook Pegler I think shows where his heart was in 2004 and that he would promote racists if he thought no one would be the wiser.

Southern Avenger misrepresents my blog on Southern Avenger.

I think I have a classic example of a major tactic of neo-Confederate argumentation.

I recently blogged on Southern Avenger, a neo-Confederate blogger and writer for the "Charleston City Paper." It is the alternative weekly paper for that city, much like the "Dallas Observer" is for Dallas. This is the link to the blog.

http://newtknight.blogspot.com/2008/02/neo-confederate-ranter-columnist-for.html

This is the link to his blog. http://southernavenger.ccpblogs.com/

In my previous blog I was somewhat perplexed as to why the Charleston City Paper had him on their staff. Then it occurred to me that they might had him for amusement of their readers as some colorful character. This has been done by other papers, such as Joe Bob Briggs for the Dallas Observer. The other question is whether Southern Avenger understands this or not, and if he understands it, is he playing to his audience. That is consciously choosing topics and themes and writing his column to play to that audience. I blogged on Southern Avenger Feb. 19, 2008, and yesterday, Feb. 26, 2008, I get an email which just a heading, "Thanks for the Plug" and this link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgwWhPFsz5I

It is a You Tube video, which after describing me, goes on to take umbrage at this sentence in my blog, in fact Southern Avenger has it on screen in his video.

"Southern Avenger recently has had a couple columns on professional wrestling as if it is a serious topic. Perhaps Southern Avenger is trying to be the professionally colorful southerner."

I didn't actually say anything about my opinion about professional wrestling. I am discussing how Southern Avenger portrays it. Obviously saying "as if it is a serious topic" implies that others might write about professional wrestling differently. I want to make it clear how Southern Avenger writes on professional wrestling.

However, for the Southern Avenger, this means I am elitist for an opinion which I didn't express. This is a key tactic used by neo-Confederates.

You argue position A.

The neo-Confederate argues position anti-B, which implies you argued position B, when you did no such thing. Position B usually is some position which is indefensible and if you can lose the argument if you don't realize that the neo-Confederate has misrepresented your position or really fall for it and start defending position B. The best reply is simply to say to his argument, "What does that have to do with the question at hand?"

The other tactic here is to take one sentence and focus all attention on it to exclude attention from the major questions of the blog.

1. Why is the Charleston City Paper having him on the staff. Is it for amusement of its readers?

2. If the Southern Avenger is on the staff of the Charleston City Paper for their readers amusement is Southern Avenger aware of this, and even playing to it?

Inquiring minds want to know, however, I don't think I will get an answer to this. Some other issue will be pulled out of thin air on some rational and SA will go on and on.

There are other minor items. Southern Avenger claims I am angry, which I am not. Perhaps the SA's telepathy is on the blink. Also, claims I am a leftist, which is a surprise to me. Of course, when Thomas Fleming, editor of Chronicles has an issue, with the cover title, "Turn Left at the Renaissance," your realize that you are probably a leftist to someone. I like the Italian Renaissance.

At least the Southern Avenger isn't denying that he is a neo-Confederate like some others.

"The New Republic" article. I am mentioned in it.

The article is here about the white supremacist reponse to Obama.

http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=907272c4-54db-4fba-9149-e95b7293d6a0



I still haven't gotten the Bill Clinton story about his letters to the UDC in the news.The whole story is at this blog:http://newtknight.blogspot.com/2008/02/will-hillary-clinton-honor-jefferson.html

Another news story about neo-Confederates coming up, this blogger mentioned.

I will be posting when the news story is published. I am mentioned in it.

2/22/08 Update: The story is published here:

http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=907272c4-54db-4fba-9149-e95b7293d6a0

I still haven't gotten the Bill Clinton story about his letters to the UDC in the news.

The whole story is at this blog:

http://newtknight.blogspot.com/2008/02/will-hillary-clinton-honor-jefferson.html

Neo-Confederate Ranter a Columnist for the "Charleston City Paper"

Surprisingly enough, the Charleston City Paper has a neo-Confederate columnist who titles his column "Southern Avenger." Though it is a column title that might remind you of a character in a comic book, and even perhaps a title of a comic book, the picture of the columnist doesn't show someone in tights and sporting a cap.

In this column "Southern Avenger" is ranting and making Stalin and Lincoln comparisons. Kosovo independence is setting him off.

http://southernavenger.ccpblogs.com/2008/02/18/sa-radio-lincoln-and-secession/ (click on this link for column).

Perhaps the Charleston City Paper has him as a columnist to amuse their readers. Perhaps Southern Avenger knows this. Southern Avenger recently has had a couple columns on professional wrestling as if it is a serious topic. Perhaps Southern Avenger is trying to be the professionally colorful southerner.

http://southernavenger.ccpblogs.com/2008/02/15/the-post-couriers-mike-mooneyham-on-the-passing-of-johnny-weaver/

http://southernavenger.ccpblogs.com/2008/02/15/carolina-wrestling-legend-johnny-weaver-1935-2008-rip/

Or perhaps Southern Avenger isn't doing anything self-consciously, but the editors find it a classic stereotype southerner to add amusement to their paper. Who knows.

This isn't a good sign that Southern Avenger is published. He is mainstreaming neo-Confederacy. He might have a column because the editors are sympathetic to his view points.

The Dallas Observer used to have a guy like Southern Avenger called Joe Bob Briggs for the public's amusement. Then there is the whole Greater Tuna comedy that has proven to be popular, http://greatertuna.com/. Perhaps Southern Avenger is published by the Charleston City Paper for similar amusement.

Vermont Secession Reports Vermont Secession movement going nowhere.

A good blog to be kept abreast of the Vermont Secession movement is Vermont Secession. However, the writer of this blog isn't advocating secession, just reporting on it and the antics and bogus claims of the Vermont Secession movement.

I recommend this latest blog:

http://vermontsecession.blogspot.com/2008/02/finally-poll-on-secession-in-vermont.html

The blog reports that the Vermont Secession movement failed to get a single townhall vote for secession.

There are comical elements in tracking the Vermont Secessionists, in that they are engaged in various dubious representations of themselves and the strength of their movement.

"American Idol" Or "Confederate Idol" creepy video by Kristy Lee Cook

http://www.rendleman.net/dvd.htm

One of the American Idol contestants is a country western singer and stars in a video with the Confederate flag. Sort of creepy video with fairly heavy handed symbolism.

The video does take time to load and the web page asks you to be patient, you will have to be.

Yes, I have decided to include popular elements in this blog.

Incidently, if you know of some interesting item to blog about, let me know. I can't promise to undertake each one, but I would like to have a choice to consider items.

Update: I am beginning to pin point why this video is strange or creepy. First thing, it opens with the singer singing into a sleeping man's face. I can see a visual in which a man is sleeping in the background and the singer singing in the foreground. However, singing right in the face reminds me of when you are in a deep sleep and some idiot wakes you with noise.

Secondly, I think singing how devoted your are is conceited. Others may think you are devoted, but I think a person doesn't brag how devoted they are. It would be like a singer going on and on how modest they were or how good they were.

Thirdly, why is she so devoted? Is her love object kind, tender, thoughtful? The song could have him giving her flowers or some such. However, the theme is that he is a military hunk with his shirt off who picks her up and throws her into the lake where she can then have a brief wet shirt scene.

"Bizarre," Claremont Institute calls Gutzman's "Politically Incorrect Guide to the Constitution"

The excellent review of the book is here:

http://www.claremont.org/publications/crb/id.1513/article_detail.asp

Not every conservative sees Confederate and conservative as synonymous.

The Claremont Institute takes on the neo-Confederates and the neo-Confederates criticize them.

On violent so-called anti-racists; For the Record

I don't support violence against racism. It is wrong in so many ways. It underminds criticism of racist violence. Racists use it to legitimize their own violence. Violence always has the potential to spiral out of control. I don't think violence is effective against racism. It can give racists public sympathy and make public opinion negative towards anti-racism. Almost everyone has had an unpopular opinion at some point and can imagine themselves being the target of violence.

If you want to be violent in your so-called anti-racism please keep away from me and don't contact me. I also don't want to associate with those who associate with violent people.

I think some people that are all fired up at using violence against racism, are really people who just want a justification to engage in violence.

Also, I think it is because real activism against racism takes hard work. You have to do reading, wrestle with difficult questions, do research, and think through complex questions and issues. So much easier for people to just show up and have a hollar at an anti-KKK ralley and feel self-righteous.

So, as I said, if you think anti-racism is some form of violence and vandalism, I don't want to have anything to do with you.

The world is too full of people who think violence is the method to deal with those they really dislike.

Also, I think there is no need for violence. Ultimately it is a conflict of ideas, and if you don't have a mind and just a fist, you are worthless in fighting racism.

Unfortunately, when I first got on the net, I just contacted various anti-racist groups without much understanding of who was who. So I have had contact with some groups, that I regret, but I have rejected them as I have come to understand what they were up to.

Will Hillary Clinton honor Jefferson Davis' birthday like Bill Clinton did?

Bill Clinton did send a wreath to the Confederate Memorial at Arlington Cemetery.

Bill Clinton did write three congratulatory letters to the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Will Hillary Clinton write letters of congratulations to the United Daughters of the Confederacy or other neo-Confederate groups?

I have Bill Clinton's letters to the United Daughters of the Confederacy online at http://www.templeofdemocracy.com/presidentialcandidates2008.htm

Just go down to Hillary Clinton's entry.

I am unable to get this item out to the press. Perhaps the blogosphere can get the word out.