"Journalist" attempst to compare my books to the Turner Diaries

Western Rifle Shooters Association ^ | April 13, 2012 | Matt Bracken

[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.

[Travis McGee]

I have never read TTD either. But it doesn't matter in Libland. They read our minds, I guess. That's how Berger comes up with his “Patriot movement.” Totally from his fevered mind.

Seriously, 1,700 pages about defending the Constitution from jerks like him, and he zeroes in on about ten pages with no context, to make the trilogy the next TD.

But I'm good with it. I have always wanted my books to break out of the conservative awareness zone into middle America. I want everybody to hear about EFAD, then read it, and make up their own minds.

I may send Berger a free case of books, or some other gift. More publicity than I can afford to buy.

BTW, his own crummy book “Jihad Joe” even had glowing reviews by the NYT, and it still only sold about a thousand books in its entire first year, very roughly guesstimating based on his #350,000 Amazon ranking, and only 8 reviews. In a year after the NYT plugged it in a review! Can you say, “stinker?” And his next book project is going to be about those heroic infiltrators of the deadly dastardly dreaded “right wing racist militias.”

I kid you not.

[Travis McGee]

Maxwell Smart for sure, or “Double Naught Spy” Jethro Bodine.

He never spent a day in the military or LE, so I’m guessing he was not in the CIA either, so he’s just a nobody wannabee gumshoe freelance writer for hire. With a cool website named “Intelwire!” Whoah!

[Travis McGee]

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.

That's perfect for Twitter, where Bergman/McGoohan meets his imaginary Twitter friends.

I wonder if any of them know who McGoohan was, or even had the fleeting thought that it was not Mr. Intelwire himself, JM Berger?

I just hope they don't axe the Daily Beast bit. That will be worth more than my annual ad budget. And if it helps to sell his new book on the eeevvvilllll white racist gun nut militias, (and the heroic feds who infiltrate them), that's also fine with me. We'll boost each others sales; his up to possibly measurable, mine a bit higher.

[Billthedrill]

Berger is available to work as a writer, editor, researcher, ghostwriter or producer.

Yeah, right. And I'm available to work as a ballerina or an NFL defensive lineman.

McGee BTT. I find the thing a little creepy, to be honest. "Patriot Movement"? Turner Diaries? Somebody is doing some serious fantasizing here and it ain't healthy. And no, I don't think he's read the books.

You should have told him about the coded messages you put in the paragraph headings. Could have kept him busy for months. ;-)

[Travis McGee]

Yeah, I forgot to mention all of the secret “go-codes” buried in the text of the trilogy. The entire secret nerve center of the “Patriot movement” is deep in a bunker under my house. That will be in the next Intelwire, featuring the reincarnation of The Prisoner/Danger Man/Secret Agent.

[editor-surveyor]

Does this ‘Journolist’ know anything about you?
.

[editor-surveyor]

>> “’Nuff said, I think.” <<

Absolutely.

This clown is a would-be David Brock.
.

[Travis McGee]

I guess I’m a secret leader of the White Racist Gun Nut Militias lurking behind The Patriot Movement.

Or something. Skip ahead to the 150s and check out his McGoohan impression. I think it’s arrested development, as suggested by codetoad.

[editor-surveyor]

>> “Type of kid that still has imaginary friends” <<

.
Best replacement there is for no friends at all. What happens when his imaginary friends see through him?
.

[CodeToad]

My imaginary friend’s dad can beat up his imaginary freind’s dad! neener-neener. phhhhttttt!

[editor-surveyor]

Well, this is it!

Reviewing Travis McGee’s books is his shot at the big time; can he handle it? He might need some help fron the southern impoverished law center.

[CodeToad]

Matt’s been bucking the streets for some time now with his novels, so he deserves some serious success from it. Berger, however, who’s he?

You know you are climbing the latter of success when the klingons start attaching themselves to you.

[editor-surveyor]

>> “Berger, however, who’s he?” <<

.
Someone who recognizes that there are enough hot buttons in Matt’s books to get him some attention for reviewing them.

I hope he goes for it; Matt deserves all the attention he can get. Any leftie is likely to blow a gasket on them, and that is free notoriety.

[little jeremiah]

I finally read this!!! Amazing.

What a slimy little skunkweasel he is. How can he face himself in the mirror. Leftists aren’t (just) stupid, they’re evil.

[Mad Dawgg]

"What a slimy little skunkweasel he is."

IIRC slimy little skunkweasel is the "Latin Term" for Liberal journalist.

(Further, Skunkweasel is an excellent name for a punk rock band...[/Dave Barry])

[Travis McGee]

Yep, he’s trying to become a one-man SPLC with Intelwire.

[Travis McGee]

I’ll be happy to boost his book sales, if it boosts mine more.

I’ve googled all over, and there is no link I can find between Berger and Daily Beast. At all. I think he was lying about the DB, and just wanted some nice pull quotes for his upcoming nonfiction snoozer about the brave Feds who infiltrate the evil Right Wing Racist Gun Nut Militias.

[samtheman]

If he knows you are on FR, maybe this thread will make it into the article. Suitably edited to make FR look bad, of course.

That's what I was thinking while reading this thread.

[Little Ray]

I read it back when I was trying to understand what evil people think and believe.
You’re not missing anything.
And nowadays, I don’t bother trying to understand them.

[samtheman]

I have noticed the Islamicization of the 'Civil Rights movement' pretty much coincided with the New Left (Communist) takeover of the Democrat Party. Both have been incremental conquests, and they have worked hand-in-hand, to the point that the Congressional Black Caucus is heavily packed with avowed Socialists.

Both have relied heavily on accusing detractors of "Racism", both play identity politics games while pushing their agendae.

Tying the (old) Black Panthers in with AlQaida, even as Rap Brown has aged and 'converted' to Islam is interesting. Most Black politics involved an allegedly Christian pulpit, not a Mosque, but that has changed and seems to be increasingly changing.

That Obama's alleged daddy is Muslim just connects the two further, imho, especially since his mother was a Communist, his influences were Marxist, and his upbringing included heavy Islamic elements, provided we can believe any of the fable we have been handed as to his origins. For all we know, he may be the product of a Potemin Villiage somewhere.

Excellent short summary of the evolution of the alliance between the commies and the muzzies.