Posted on 04/13/2012 3:36:38 PM PDT by Travis McGee
On Wed, Apr 11, 2012 at 9:58 AM, J.M. Berger wrote:
Dear Mr. Bracken,
My name is J.M. Berger. I’m a journalist working on a story about the EFAD trilogy for the Daily Beast. I was wondering if you’d have a few minutes to discuss the book between Thursday and Sunday via phone or email. (My deadline is Monday and I am out of the office most of today.)
I can be reached at this address or at 202-656-XXXX any time starting tomorrow morning.
Best,
J.M.
— On Thu, 4/12/12, Matt Bracken wrote:
From: Matt Bracken
Subject: Re: Media query, #EFAD
To: “J.M. Berger”
Date: Thursday, April 12, 2012, 8:10 AM
Sure, I can do that. It’s now 8am Thursday and I’ll be off the grid until later this afternoon, but we can set up a call for anytime after that.
Matt
On Thu, Apr 12, 2012 at 8:13 AM, J.M. Berger wrote:
Any time this afternoon or after is fine with me. Just let me know, or just call when it’s convenient.
Thanks very much,
JM
— On Thu, 4/12/12, Matt Bracken wrote:
From: Matt Bracken Subject: Re: Media query, #EFADTo: “J.M. Berger”
Date: Thursday, April 12, 2012, 8:48 AM
If you would prefer, we can use written Q&A format. Or, you could shoot me some questions that I could consider prior to a phone interview. In any case, I’ll be out of range until later this afternoon.
Matt
On Thu, Apr 12, 2012 at 8:58 AM, J.M. Berger wrote:
I’m mainly interested in understanding the role you see the book playing for the Patriot movement (entertainment or educational or inspirational, etc.), and how the book reflects (or doesn’t) your own political views.
I’d also like to talk about the inevitable comparison to “The Turner Diaries.” I didn’t think the comparison was inevitable after Book One, but it’s difficult to avoid by the end of Book Three. I’m interested in what you think of Turner, whether you set out intentionally to modify or improve on what it represents, and what role you think racial politics play in the modern Patriot movement.
JM
— On Thu, 4/12/12, Matt Bracken wrote:
From: Matt Bracken Subject: Re: Media query, #EFADTo: “J.M. Berger”
Date: Thursday, April 12, 2012, 9:20 AM
Did you actually read all three novels? Every page? I’m probably going to punt on this interview if your point is to compare my work to the racist screed the Turner Diaries.
Assuming you will say that you did read all three novels, I’m guessing you are comparing FEAT to TTD based on bad actions by black characters in and around Memphis. Do you honestly think that after major earthquakes cut off W. TN (no water, no power etc), folks will all join across racial lines to sing kumbaya? There would be no racial element? Such a plot would be laughably unrealistic and PC. And do you find the murderously evil white vigilantes in FEAT to be portrayed sympathetically? Another “Turner Diaries?” Really? And did you miss the catharsis in racial feelings by Jenny?
I mean, seriously, did you read the damn novel, or skim it, or possibly just read the excerpts on my website?
If you have not read, (I mean, really read), all three novels, then forget it. Get back to me when you have.
And in any case, forget a phone interview. I can see already how that would go, when your “notes” become written words in your essay. Been there, done that, still got the scars, pal. Submit written Q&A only is how this will go, if it goes at all. My trust-o-meter is pegging the redline. My trust in “journalists” after a few decades dealing with them is below used car salesmen and hookers. I’ve given interviews, and seen my words turned via the magical process of “notes” into damnable lies. Fool me once, etc.
Matt
On Thu, Apr 12, 2012 at 9:45 AM, J.M. Berger wrote:
I read all three novels. These are the reasons I think it’s valid to compare and contrast:
1) Both books are predicated around revolution/resistance tied to the seizure of guns,
2) The Memphis section of the third book clearly echoes the content of the Turner Diaries. My opinion about the credibility of anything you described is entirely irrelevant to that point unless you’re arguing from a belief that black cannibalism is a realistically inevitable outcome of the breakdown of society or an unavoidable literary imperative of some kind.
3) Nevertheless, you seem to be approaching racial content in a markedly different way than Pierce. This is also a valid point for comparison and contrast, which is not the same as saying the two books are equal or equivalent.
4) Since you asked, my view is that the breakthrough that Jenny experiences is an awfully weak counterweight against the Memphis stuff. I plan on acknowledging its presence, and the other factors you included as counterweights, but I think it’s appropriate to discuss it in context. The balance in Book 3 is clearly much different from Book 1.
I can understand your wanting to clearly distinguish your book from Turner, but I frankly don’t understand your outrage over the comparison. I think it’s pretty obvious and valid why one would discuss these two books together. To acknowledge the commonalities is not to equate the books on the basis of racial politics, writing or anything else.
So for some actual questions. I’ll start with these, and if you’re still willing to continue, I will send more.
1) Did you set out to do a political book in the form of a novel, or did you set out to write a novel that simply has political elements?
2) Did you consciously set out to write something that would be a non-racist or at least less racial alternative to The Turner Diaries as a text for the Patriot movement?
3) Would you describe yourself as part of the Patriot movement or as part of some other political wave?
4) Do you feel that the Patriot movement has historically had a racist component? Do you think it needs to change in this respect? If so, why?
Thanks for considering this request.
JM
From: Matt Bracken
To: J.M. Berger
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 9:57 PM
Subject: Re: Media query, #EFAD
Mr Berger,
Let me take your approach for just a moment.
When did you stop beating your wife and children in drunken rages? Since we know that most journalists are drunken louts who beat their wives and kids, right?
Truthfully, most of the self-described “journalists” I have dealt with personally have been smarmy, lying SOBs, and I see you are typical of the breed.
AMF.
Bill Ayers is probably his hero, for ghost-writing Obama’s Dreams.
Finished up my time in the Navy in Millington. Used to love going down to Beale street, used to hate parking two blocks off Beale.
That is a picture that says “this person wants you to think he has a fivehead.”
Just damn.
Oh, he “consults on homegrown terrorism and online extremism,” does he?
Can we see the 1099s? Since it is tax time and all, this is topical.
I bet my latest gig that started a month or so ago will result in bigger 1099s.
Cool. After doing a little searching I don't think I'll have problems converting from kindle to epub. Sounds like a plan. Thanks!
His book might be interesting, just to see who got in what organization where...
He’s just trying to get his “domestic terrorism expert” creds upgraded (at my expense), so that he can get his “all-platform journalism” mug on the LSM talking-head shows.
I wish him luck, and great success at promoting the Enemies Trilogy.
Here is his Twitter picture, chosen by him. Note the URL is:
https://twimg0-a.akamaihd.net/profile_images/2051394792/av-prisoner1_reasonably_small.jpg
So it seems that the head of Intelwire has promoted himself from Prisoner #6 to #1.
What a creepy little insight into the snakes crawling around inside of his brain housing unit.
Good catch on that, you’ve nailed it. I should have recognized that, I watched that show when it was a first run when I was a little kid.
I knew I recognized that little Twit pic, and at first I thought, “well, without a beard, he sure does look like Patric McGoohan.” I was a little surprised to find it IS a picture of PM!
It’s worth noting that Patrick McGoohan was also the protagonist in the spy series Danger Man, aka Secret Agent here in the U.S.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danger_Man
This was the show that used Johnny Rivers’ rendition of Secret Agent Man as the theme song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iaR3WO71j4
The thought occurs to me that you could probably get their heads to explode if you were to make the following two points, the first of which they’d probably agree to fairly easily:
1. When The Bent One lied about sex, he was just trying to pretend it didn’t happen, to obscure the fact, to cover it up.
2. As we learned from Nixon and Watergate, “It’s not the crime, it’s the cover-up”.
You’ve now drawn a correlation between their most-loved president and their most-hated president.
Flawless take down.
Oh,my..I’m so sorry to hear this, but I guess it was inevitable. I think it’s too late, Travis. The ‘Good’ men of this country will do nothing. And this is what happens to those of us who try. We are demonized.
“” They are nothing like the Turner Diaries. Mr. Berger is a moron.”
I prefer lying SOB, but to each, his own : )”
Sounds like most people here have never read the Turner Diary. I haven’t. Funny how ya get tied to something ya never even read! So, now Patriot is a dirty word along with Mother, Conservative...control the language and media and you control the debate. We are outnumbered.
Great response!
AMF indeed.
Having perused the thread, I could not help but notice the many references to 007, Patrick McGoohan, and other secret agent types.
Frankly, Berger strikes me as more of a Maxwell Smart personna.
I wonder if he uses a shoe phone...
Childish ego. Adults are proud of who they are and don’t try to make up imaginary figures to associate themselves. Type of kid that still has imaginary friends.
I recognized McGoohan right away LOL!
Oh, that was a great show too!
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