They live in such a cultural cocoon, that Berger will now report that I am a "self-described right wing extremist."
Based on a t-shirt that lampoons their very cluelessness and lack of humor or irony.
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.
Well played, right down to the AMF. You were far more polite than I would have been. People like this alleged ‘journ-o-lister’ disgust me betond words.
Religions are fair game, except for the religion of headchoppers and throatslitters. Then, the brave cultural Marxists are not so brave. That's just the normal dose of poison they offer up every day, nothing unusual at all.
But you only got half of the meme: The other half is that no one else is racist (just the 'crackers'), something which has been handily refuted by the furor over the Martin shooting case.
Don’t see how. My first novel was publishied in 2003.
Bernard Goldberg has brought up the subject and I will here too. Is there a liberal bias in the media?
The "liberal bias" of the media is the greatest achievement of conservative politics. It's a lie so successful that the media has begun censoring itself in order to "refute" it. This leads to situations like the New York Times allowing itself to be manipulated into propagating outright lies about Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction which politically favor a conservative president's agenda, while a Democratic president can be dragged into impeachment for sexual misdemeanors with an intern. If there is any bias in the media, it's a conservative bias because cowardly journalists now feel the need to constantly re-examine and revisit simple facts when those facts displease conservatives. Liberals get no such consideration.
'Nuff said, I think.
Read more: http://blogcritics.org/politics/article/an-interview-with-journalist-jm-berger/page-2/#ixzz1rxswAp14
I like the way that you slowly and carefully sniffed him out. It was a good trap, and made for a fun read. Have a great weekend!
LOL
Give’em hell, Matt !
They live in such a cultural cocoon, that Berger will now report that I am a "self-described right wing extremist."
Based on a t-shirt that lampoons their very cluelessness and lack of humor or irony.
“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?”
Well, then...there ya go.
Nice job on the counter, T.M.
LMAO! and good for you. I have read the Turner Diaries and threw it in the garbage can after I read it. I paid a couple of bucks for it, used, and read it out of curiosity. I have all of your books and have read them. They are nothing like the Turner Diaries. Mr. Berger is a moron.
Where do I sign up for “the Patriot movement”?
I’d be happy to take Mr. Berger on a tour of Memphis.
” They are nothing like the Turner Diaries. Mr. Berger is a moron.”
I prefer lying SOB, but to each, his own : )
I’ve had a couple of similar episodes of people contacting me about my dragon’s Fury Series and its clear conservative, constitutional bent and trying to walk me into an interview where they could do all sorts of comparisons....I refuse them every time.
Good on ya, Matt! If people at this level are taking interest and seeking to put it down, it means you are having good success and they are feeling compelled to try sensor it...which of course will not work in any case...probably lead to all the more sales, hehehe.
God’s speed and BZ.
I don’t suppose this fool has taken the time to study the instances of cannibalism under totalitarian regimes and wartime/crisis situations. It was very common in the “worker’s paradise” of the USSR in the Ukraine during the collectivization famine, although it also persisted throughout WWII in that area. The Japanese Army devoured POWs as a matter or course during the last few years of WWII. It was used as a political tool of terror (and a way to show contempt for class enemies) during the Cultural Revolution in China. It was present during the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya (I wonder if O’s Daddy was partial to long pig?). Of course the Tshombe and the Simba’s in Katanga province of the Congo were avid practitioners. In more recent times, a SOF correspondent in Sierra Linne in the late 90’s was killed and a former Delta operator informed me that he was eaten.
If Berger doesn’t think that folks like the the NBPP would not condone or promote cannibalism, at least on a symbolic basis to tie their adherents to them by blood, especially in a crisis situation, he’s a fool.
Journalist, it’s what’s for dinner.
“Adieu, mon frère.”
Any chance of getting the email address for Mr. Berger?
Would be fun to shoot him a note : “Heard you’re doing a story on Bracken. Can’t wait to check it out.”
Well done Matt.
do you remember the FReepmail i sent you a couple years ago saying the trilogy would prolly one day be compared to the TTD?well, here we go...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.