Talking about lone wolves: My interview with Anderson Cooper
By David Neiwert Saturday Jun 13, 2009 4:30amYou can view this video right here by getting the latest version of Flash Player!
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I was interviewed Thursday by Anderson Cooper about "lone wolf" domestic terrorism like the Holocaust Museum shooting on Wednesday.
We bounced a little off my new book, The Eliminationists: How Hate Talk Radicalized the American Right, but mostly discussed much of the same material I covered in my post on "lone wolves yesterday.
Hope you all enjoy the clip. Let me know how I did. I'm still pretty new at this teevee stuff. (As I'm fond of saying, I have a face made for radio, and a voice made for newspapers.)
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You were great, dave. And you knew a lot, and did not over-reach where you did NOT have an answer. i.e., as regards a potential "tipping point." Anderson did pretty well, too. It was also great to meet your face! Howdy, dave!
Glad you wer able to contextualize the "Lone Wolf" idea. Drives me crazy as it's the appearance of disconnectedness that keeps obvious collaborators at an artificial distance. At present no one is about to arrest Joe Scarbrough as Scott Roeder's collaborator. I have no doubt whatsoever that Tiller's murder delighted him down to his little socks.
This is only a preview of coming attractions.
http://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/2009/04/righ...
Be afraid America. Be very afraid.
I have a face made for radio, and a voice made for newspapers.)
well at least you dont have Howie K's ego.
Good job on the interview.
LOL!!!!!!
Humility is an underrated virtue. Good job Dave. I think you made a pleasant and educated appearance on TV.
explanation of why "lone wolve's" are more likely than not, white supremacists.
Great Job on TeeVee Mr. Neiwert!
I just wish you'd had more time to point out how these so-called lone wolves are influenced by hate-talk on the airwaves and from various websites that are not their own.
Sooner or later, America is going to HAVE to deal with publically-broadcast hate-talk while protecting freedom of speech. I think the key is whether it induces or encourages violence and murder regardless of the "motive" of the hate-speech. People involved in spewing hate-speech rarely admit to a bad motive, though that line is becoming fuzzier and fuzzier as the hatred increases.
the lunatic right wing MSM is akin to yelling, "FIRE!!!" in a crowded theater.
It is tip-toeing around the First Amendment to tell people to "watch what they say", but when that speech potentially MAY lead to MURDER (which is the ultimate infringement on a person's human rights), then a line must be drawn in the sand.
It's a slippery and dangerous slope, but something must be done. I can't think of any "left-wingers" who are advocating violence against right wing wacko's on the MSM. We just think they should shut-up when it comes to "hate speech" that is potentially provocatively life-threatening on another group/person.
And it's ironic that the other day Rush said, "No one is going to shut me up!"
Yeah, I was heading in that direction and they pretty vigorously veered it off at that point.
Next book... what's beneath the labels? ♥
In my own opinion...
Thu, 06/04/2009 - 05:43 — Truth_Critic
One simply needs to look at all the facts... and after setting aside all the mitigating factors... deduce with absolute impartiality, the common denominator...
"By Susie Madrak Wednesday Jun 03, 2009 5:32pm"
"Eek, A Muslim!"
[ http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/eek-mu... ]
..........when the world was born, there was no religion. Males/dominating males invented their 'God' as a punative, jealous, woman-hating, nature-hating, self-hating, 'GOD'. Their 'devil' was a woman. Any organized 'religion' is by it's very nature corrupt because it needs power, followers, passionate 'members' to enforce the male-dominating world view and to shore-up 'approval' amoung their ranks. RELIGION is always 'political' and manipulates it's population accordingly.
"Man created God in his image: intolerant, sexist, homophobic and violent" ;)
OMG that is sooooo good!
May I borrow it? Credits given, of course.
Your respect is admirable and by all means... cut-N-paste away. :-P
The same holds true with regards to your previous inquiry. ♥ Thanks for asking... it means a lot to some!
You looked like a banker.
You performance was adequate.
actual 'leaders' usually provide positive and constructive comments, as opposed to banal criticism.
I am pissed at Neiwert so THAT was a COMPLIMENT!
these many years, I thought the interview should have been longer. Not to take away from CNN, but I would like to see you on Countdown or Rachel Maddow on this subject myself. I dont know why I always thought you had a goatee and glasses for some reason.
You did well. I thought you seemed a little nervous and try not to lick your lips but overall, very good. You came across as very knowledgeable and reasonable, stating facts and no overblown rhetoric. I'm glad it wasn't a matchup with a rightwinger. Congrats! I hope they ask you back.
and a voice made for newspapers? Heck I would rather see you on the major tee vee news shows than Hannity, Rush, Bill'O etc. We want news that provide us with facts. Good job for a 1st timer. Do it more and it gets easier.
I was a little worried about you in the beginning, but you seemed to find your groove as the interview went on and finished strong.
Your answers/comments were balanced and thoughtful- as I've enjoyed you so around here. I have no problem with your physicality 'du tout'. If there were some evident 'stage fright' on your part, that will disappear quickly by force of just doing these things. Have so enjoyed your keen participation in this blog, and I ignore 'Leadership's cheap comeback above. Keep on, Mr. Neiwart!
Well Done David,
You were a little nervous getting started (As I totally would have been. Very understanding. It's Anderson Cooper!)
But as you got going, you got on a roll.
One thing we, as progressives need to do better, is focus on the message. We tend to be the smarter folks (in my opinion) on the air, but we aren't able to package the message as easily for people to understand.
The problem with that of course is there's usually no pat and simplistic answers to things, but if we have more opportunities to be able to find ways to tell our stories clearly and succinctly, and bring up good examples, we'll go a whole lot farther in countering the paranoid and racist swill that often comes up from the other side.
Keep at it! Great thoughts!
J
Exactly. That's what I was thinking when I watched BillO and Joan Walsh (a rarity for me, to watch Fox at all). We see all the shades between black and white, and understand the indivdual: they use the herd mentality and it's right or wrong, but life isn't like that.
Abortion is a TOUGHIE, but we can look at each woman's circumstance. They just say KILLING, BAD. (Except of course, for non-Americans, then drop the fucking bombs.)
So you are David Neiwert? I enjoy your posts, keep doing a great job.
It's pretty easy to connect this guy, I did a little googling. Search stormfront.org, you will see several posts prior to this incident praising this guy, specially from a poster named Helen Kirsch. She also has other websites on the internet where she praises him. Now, search the word liberals on this website, also search for O'Reilly, Hannity, Glenn Beck, Limbaugh, etc. Despite some mild sporadic criticism, these are the guys they love.
Pleasant voice and delivery that complements an underlying 'reasonableness' as well.
"Whatever name you want to give them, they all fit the description of genuine American proto-fascists."
-David Neiwert...Recalling an early time in Idaho
Is the Modern USA a Proto-Fascist State?
Fascist Warning Signs
#1: Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism.
#2: Disdain for the importance of human rights.
#3: Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause.
#4: The supremacy of the military/avid militarism.
#5: Rampant sexism.
#6: A controlled mass media.
#7: Obsession with national security.
#8: Religion and ruling elite tied together.
#9: Power of corporations protected.
#10: Power of labor suppressed or eliminated.
#11: Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts.
#12: Obsession with crime and punishment.
#13: Rampant cronyism and corruption.
#14: Fraudulent elections.
[ http://teresacentric.com/2007/08/is-the-moder... ]
Seems so.
Racism aside, one could EASILY associate the characteristics of these pigs with that of our former president GWB. Seriously, it sounded as if they were describing the characteristics of both bush and cheney (and those who supported them).
David, you looked just fine on my computer screen. Don't be so rough on yourself, you don't deserve it.
What an honor to be asked on tv to speak about a subject you know so well. Made me smile with pride while watching that video because I kind of know that guy who is speaking with authority on a very important topic.
You did good kid! :)
cool, calm & collected. that's how it's done. excellent.
congratulations also on being moved up to managing editor. it's gonna be a heckuva ride.
also, i just posted a couple links on the open thread just below that actually relate to this thread -check 'em out.
Great interview. Concise, informative, and comprehensive. I was actually impressed by Cooper as well, whom I normally consider a lightweight.
to actually hear someone speaking knowledgeably about an important issue without all of the usual political/ideological point of view.
It would be nice if so-called "news stations" would provide a little more in-depth educational reporting, such as you provided, on current topics. The public needs to get their education somewhere!
You came across as sane and credible. I hope CNN brings you back for frequent commentary. Also really good to have a face and voice behind your posts. Thanks for all your hard work!
You looked great and sounded very knowledgable David. It's easy to compare your insides with other people's outsides. Great job! You were nimble in your responses. And, you obviously had Anderson's interest in your ideas as one question built into the next. I'll email CNN and suggest that they ask you back.
My pet theory of right wing nut insanity attempts to make some Bio-Psycho-Evolutionary sense of their thinking and behavior. Almost wrote an op-ed 7 years ago called 'If I Were A Sperm Cell I'd Have To Vote For George Bush.' Our species has been organized in tribal or klan groups for perhaps millions of years, with the last 10,000 years including the metro or urban social fabric.
As a therapist, I thought... "How does it make sense that the right wing nut jobs legitimately feel threatened?" You know, coddling the terrorists. Upon reflection, I determined it was that their tribal thinking DNA was guiding them to protect the species.
In a tribe, homosexuality if spead among enough members, actually does threaten the existence of the tribe.
In a tribe, abortion if accepted as a norm, actually does threaten the numbers, which means there are fewer workers or warriors.
And, talk about gun control! You'll have every strand of genetic material in these rural/tribal/klan beings trying to influence it's environment in a way that allows for it, and it's host's, pervasive access to means with which to kill potential threats. This task being delegated to the military and police in urban social environments.
At the very beginning of my counseling career, I saw a schizophrenic man who held extremely rigid views of the 'purity of the white race.' He always began each session with "I was walking and I saw a white woman with a mulatto baby and it drove me crazy!" The man's wife also shared these beliefs. The man was the only client of mine who committed suicide. That was 25 years ago but it sparked my thinking about the impulse to protect the purity of the species. Xenophobia is a well documented tribal method of protection of the purity of the tribal gene pool. I think it's the Aborigines that have a custom that when two strangers meet they each go down a list of relatives and klan people. If they fail to find a common person they will fight each other.
But, back to the thread David, I'm curious if your research on the motives of the right wing loonery ever had you running across this genetic reflexive protective response theory? It's just that seeing how incredibly driven these folks are, it just doesn't make sense why they would be so rabid. So, I assumed that maybe they don't know why either. I don't imagine if you asked any of them why... that they'd say, "I'm protecting the tribal gene pool."
You did great!
I really think you need to get invited back to various other programs to spread your message.
It also was cool seeing on a national cable show someone that you somehow personally "know" (through C&L).
Keep up the good work!
I like that Anderson actually interviewed you and asked your perspective than set up the fake "debate" so many of these shows regularly use now.
You hit the nail on the head with (to paraphrase) these nutjobs weren't necessarily conservatives and supported the Bush years. But I'll take it a step further and say they were emboldened by the Bush years' embracing of the religious right.
And is that Steve Benen's bookcase backdrop in the background?
Great job, you have a good voice man, don't worry about it. Keep it up.
Pretty awesome David. You look different from what I expected, you look a bit like Dennis Kucinich, lol. I think you look good. I detected a shaky voice, maybe a couple Jack-n-cokes just before the interview next time would clear that up. :P
Good job, dude. Keep pushing the right wing hate caused by the media, and please lay off the 9-11 truth movement.
Good job David. You seemed a little nervous at first but you came through as intelligent and on point. Keep up the good work.
You were fine, Mr. Neiwert!
The only thing that surprised me was that, for some reason, I'd always presumed that your name would be pronounced NEWert!
You have a nice, open face that I find easy to look at. There's nothing on it to distract me from what you're saying - like creepy eyebrows or cross-eyes - and you have nice ears, too! I'm being serious. Your voice is credible sounding and not at all annoying so your "package" comes across well.
The cool thing about being on radio or TV is that, the first couple of times, most of us are terrified and it can be silently excruciating - but, after that, you start looking forward to it and it gets easier and easier to the point of being pleasurable!
You have important contributions to make to our National discourse so I hope we'll be seeing more of you in the future! Maddow and Olbermann would do well to invite you onboard. You would be a positive and welcome addition to their shows.
Good job - and good luck in your future!
this is an informative interview. i found the system strategy of leaderless resistance "lone wolf" interesting. the right leaning media uses the "lone wolf" explaination to dilute/separate themselves
from any possible ideology connection. very effective framing and easily believed by many.
You did fine!
Now we need to get you on Oprah (for book sales!)
W/(Holocaust museum) reference around the (02:48)min. mark.
Key ingredient(s)... Religious nut job(s)
→ → →[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPY_xWci9AA ]
The radical(s)~destroying humanity. THEY WILL FAIL!
The "leaderless cells" of the Right Wing Extremists sound EXACTLY like the Al Qaeda cells that train suicide bombers.
In fact, the only difference between the Right Wing Lone Wolves and the Al Qaeda Suicide Bombers is their choice of weapons.
Most of these Lone Wolves expect, in fact WANT to go out in a blaze of gunfire - aka "suicide by cop" except that this isn't just a "simple" suicide, it's an act of deliberate martyrdom .. EXACTLY like the Al Qaeda Suicide Bomber.
It makes you look like one of them.
Good work Dave. Possibly you could punch up your pronunciation here and there, it seemed to trail off a bit. Announcers are taught to hit the first and last words of a sentence to make them pop. It works. But don't do it too much or you'll sound like William Shatner!
you did great, anyone who has the balls to go on national TV and hold their own has nothing to worry about.
What I don't like is the passive way that this is trying to be swept in with "nut case" happening's. Yes this guy was old, but as we have been reading preachers have been giving services justifying our presidents death. The fact that some of these guys doing the talking are involved heavily in politics also give credit.
It would be irresponsible to dismiss these groups and label them as "loan wolfs"
1. Identity of the "loan Wolf" is wide spread and more will come
2. There is no such thing as a single wolf
3. Groups are going to start idolizing this man all over
4. Watch more will follow
I agree in the 80's this movement started to gain momentum and peek and just like the stock market take a dive hear and there, but where I live you would shit a brick.
I was at my daughters high school graduation and driving away trucks of high school students were filled with confederate flags flying. The parents of these kids couldn't glow brighter.
I watched the show last night and was pleased that CNN was calling this stuff terrorism, finally! I rewatched your segment and I learned a lot from it. Keep up the great work, I will buy your book now. You are one of the people that we should be seeing all over the TV about this subject. You should be a guest on all of the radio programs too. People really need to be educated about the dangers that are bubbling up in our society now. Thank you very much for your work.
As for where you should be interviewed, I'd like to see you on Bill Moyer's Journal, Book TV, PBS's NOW, Democracy Now!. Those would be able to give you the time the topic deserves. Have you sent promotional materials to them?
I'm reading the book now, and very grateful you wrote it.
Rather than the normal talking over each other and strawman arguements, it was nice to hear a quiet reasoned approach. Contrast Cooper/Neiwert clip with the O'rielly clip and it's obvious as to why people are not watching cable news.
Props to you Dave.
As others have stated above, hopefully your appearance on CNN will lead to better venues where you are allowed expand the discussion.
I do wish that a better phrase could be submitted to describe these people, however. The wolf is a top-tier predator that may or may not hunt solo. It kills only to provide sustenance for itself and/or its progeny; it doesn't waste energy killing for sport or a "cause".
Sadly, man is unique in the animal kingdom with these capabilities and desires.
...and pleased that he's a member of the C& L team. Mr. Neiwert happens to be one of the nation's most respected authorities on right-wing extremism. It is a subject he has been covering, in depth, for many years. Attempts at substantive contribution in the cable/news format is nearly impossible, but David did just fine. I hope the country gets a chance to se more of him.
and I'm glad I did. Very impressive!
C&L is lucky to have you on board.
I could tell you were nervous, but you presented a lot of info that Anderson's viewers need to know about. It's about time they started booking you for news programs. For Rachel Maddow's entire coverage of the Tiller assasination I've been wondering why they didn't interview you, because they should! :)
You should do it more often!
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