New Book!

[Larry Hancock]

Paul, that's a good exposition of your case for Oswald being right wing (anti-Communist) which I suppose could actually be ultra right / Fascist or simply having him mirroring the general anti-Communism of the 50's ...the one thing I'd like to see highlighted or added to focus against this thread's topic is which of these points are either unique to Caufield or supported by new information presented in his book. That would be helpful as well.

[Doug Campbell]

Forum Members,

Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Jeffery Caufield on Guy Banister and his Ultra-Right affiliations is up this morning.

Enjoy.

Peace,

D.

https://22novembernetwork.wordpress.com/2015/10/19/the-dallas-actionpt-75-fear-and-loathing-on-the-hard-right-the-strange-terrible-saga-of-w-guy-banister-pt-2-with-dr-jeffery-caufield/

Edited October 19, 2015 by Doug Campbell

[Ernie Lazar]

Paul, other than the entries in his notebook (which clearly run the gamut of the political spectrum) and a some sort of a relationship with Ferrie (who was staunchly anti-Communist, and avidly Catholic) what is the proof that Oswald was somehow a hard core racist/Facist and a fantastic actor from even during his time in the Marine Corps - good enough to ultimately fool a sophisticated fellow like Demohrenschieldt (sp) into thinking he was a proto hippie? As I read the comments, my impression is that the book is representing that as he left New Orleans for the Marine Corps, Oswald was hard core, ultra right, racist and a bit Fascist in his beliefs.....and reverted to that that true character upon his return to New Orleans, coming under the control of Bannister for whatever projects Bannister had in mind at that point in time. If you could list four or five bullet points supporting that it would be helpful. I saw a couple but a full list would make a good reference before going further.

-- is that the right take or did I over state?

Larry---you should be aware that Caufield describes as "native fascists" Billy James Hargis, Harold Lord Varney, Gen. Charles Willoughby, H.L. Hunt, Hillaire du Berrier, "and others associated with Edwin A. Walker"

I'll leave it up to you to decide if those individuals should properly be described as "fascists".

I should mention that scholars (like Roger Griffin and Stanley Payne and A. James Gregor) have debated how to define/describe fascism since the end of World War II. Significantly, there is no universally agreed-upon single definition.

Consequently, it would be exceptionally helpful if Dr. Caufield would give us HIS operative definition. As often has been pointed out in scholarly debates, "Historians, political scientists and other scholars have long debated the exact nature of fascism. Each form of fascism is distinct, leaving many definitions too wide or too narrow."

In my experience, the use of the term "fascist" by persons with liberal or left-wing convictions is often nothing more than name-calling at its worst -- just as the extreme right uses "communist" against anybody they do not like or whom they perceive as their political opponents.

Edited October 19, 2015 by Ernie Lazar

[Ernie Lazar]

For anybody who has postponed purchasing their own copy of Caufield's new book, the current lowest price is $26.07 (plus $3.99 shipping) from Abe Books:

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=16931284231&clickid=wRWxp8WlJV1AS0LR1Z34yUJyUkXWIDxF2wMEys0&cm_mmc=aff-_-ir-_-73934-_-77797&ref=imprad73934&afn_sr=impact

[Larry Hancock]

Ernie, I agree that the broad use of those terms can be really tricky...and misleading. Taking a single statement in a letter or public expression and converting it into an entire political belief is something to be avoided. There has to be a real pattern before you even begin to characterize. And you can't just posit complete "transference". Certainly Ferrie might have influenced Oswald as he did other young men in CAP activities....but it could have been something as simple as encouraging patriotism and anti-communism.

I'm interested in whether or not Caufield discusses the implications of Oswalds manuscript, written after his return from Russia. His opinions there are very interesting, reflecting strong anti-communism and his anger at the Soviets for using progressive and socialists agendas for their own nationalist purposes. In that writing he clearly separates his Russian interests from any affection for Communism or for the Soviet system in general.

[Ernie Lazar]

Published today:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/3d-model-just-proved-authenticity-controversial-photo-jfks-assassin-180956991/?no-ist

3D Model Showed Controversial Photo of John F. Kennedy’s Assassin Is Not a Fake

[John Dolva]

imo : There are two features of fascism that particularly identifies it.

Nationalism. A Racial State, A view that one's own race is superior and therefore has a fundamental Right to deal with all other Races, ethnicities, cultures without moral or otherwise consioderations one applies to self.

Anti democracy. A violent suppression of dissent that threatens this state. The use of violence to get power. Power Politics with Brutality.

____________


imo Oswald needs to be understood from the position he took in supporting the Minutemen. He suggested attacking the right and left in order to trigger a struggle between them in which a third force would rise to rule.

Very naiive and simplistic, but that is what he wrote.

I suggest he took that to the Minutemen who then saw an opportunity to use him and they pretended to go along while intending to use him as a patsy.

[Larry Hancock]

John, could you give a citation or reference for his support of the Minutemen and his statement of that strategy....its either new to me or I've forgotten it.

We do know from his speech that fall that he was concerned about a coup against the government, in particular a military coup coming from the Marine Corps.

[John Dolva]

It is in the diary he wrote on his way back from the CCCP. I don't have a link to the actual section right now. I'll post later.

edit add : I found this : In Notes for a speech : http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/undeliveredspeechnotes.htm

My memory tells me that there was a simialr idea in his diary. Unfortunately a failing memory is part of growing old, so until I find time to find any other eference, this'll do.

"There have already been a few organizations who have disclosed that they shall become effective only after conflict between the two world systems leaves the country without defense or foundation of government,

Organizations such as the minute men for instance, however they are preparing to simply defend the present system and reinstate its influence after the mutual defeat of both systems militarily, which is more or less taken for granted.

Their armed groups will represent the remaining hard core of fanatical American capitalist supporters.

There will undoubtedly be similar representation of this kind by communist groups in communist countries.

There will also be many decided religious segments putting forward their own alternatives and through larger memberships than the minute man, etc.

There will also be anarchist, pacifist, and quite possibly fascist splinter groups, however, all these, unlike the minute men and communist partisan groups, will be unarmed.

The mass of survivors however will not belong to any of these groups; they will not be fanatical enough to join extremist, and will be too disillusioned to support either the communist or capitalist parties in their respective countries, after the atomic catostraph.

They shall seek an alternative to those systems which have brought them misery.

But their thinking and education will be steeped in the traditions of those systems. They would never accept a "new order" any more than they would accept the extremist, etc. Complete beyond their understanding, logically they would deem it necessary to oppose the old systems but support at the same time their cherished traditions.

I intend to put forward just such an alternative.

In making such a declaration I must say that in order to make this alternative effective supporters must prepare now in the event the situation presents itself for the practical application of this alternative.

In this way the militarist minute men and their narrow support of capitalism have been most far-sighted, however, they present only a suicide force, whereas what is needed is a constructive and practical groups of persons desiring peace but steadfastly opposed to the revival of forces who have led millions of people to death and destruction in a dozen wars and have now at this moment led the world into unsurpassed danger."

Edited October 20, 2015 by John Dolva

[Larry Hancock]

That's great John, thanks. I guess that would have suggested to me that Oswald saw the Minutemen as just another force ready to seize the day and that he was looking to some alternative to all such forces, especially the military/capitalist oriented ones because he wanted some sort of counter to that.

Pretty deep thinking for somebody that was supposed to be a puppet though - I'm pretty I recall writing college essays that were no better and probably worse...

[John Dolva]

Not 'just another force".

"Organizations such as the minute men for instance, ... There will also be anarchist, pacifist, and quite possibly fascist splinter groups, however, all these, unlike the minute men and communist partisan groups, will be unarmed. .. I intend to put forward just such an alternative.... *[to make this] alternative effective supporters must prepare now in the event the situation presents itself for the practical application of this alternative....In this way the militarist minute men and their narrow support of capitalism have been most far-sighted,"

As stated, I suggest he took this view to the Minutemen and the rest is history.

He clearly saw the Minutemen as 'best' but with failings and he Oswald had the alternative to put them right.

edit add*, typo

Edited October 20, 2015 by John Dolva

[Ernie Lazar]

imo : There are two features of fascism that particularly identifies it.

Nationalism. A Racial State, A view that one's own race is superior and therefore has a fundamental Right to deal with all other Races, ethnicities, cultures without moral or otherwise consioderations one applies to self.

Anti democracy. A violent suppression of dissent that threatens this state. The use of violence to get power. Power Politics with Brutality.

____________

imo Oswald needs to be understood from the position he took in supporting the Minutemen. He suggested attacking the right and left in order to trigger a struggle between them in which a third force would rise to rule.

Very naiive and simplistic, but that is what he wrote.

I suggest he took that to the Minutemen who then saw an opportunity to use him and they pretended to go along while intending to use him as a patsy.

This seems similar to the position of Francis Parker Yockey.

[John Dolva]

I was unaware of Yockey. Interesting though. Carto, Coughlin et.c. ...

I think it (my definition) very much sums up Hitlers and other Nazis, Fascists and Falangists positions based on reading various books on the subject written before, during and after WWII. Yockey seems to have been one bridge to US nazis and neo-nazis.

[Harry J.Dean]

MINUTEMEN OF THE 1960s

America's valiant Minutemen

Every dedicated to defend

Arise again as in history past

To expel evil's heinous grasp

For power, by men not of right

Who steal and sell America's might

To the enemies of Liberty

So subtly done, most scarce can see

The brave Minutemen of Concord

Alerted patriots to repel the British horde

Awakened once more to task at hand

We with help of God, will again free our land.

[John Dolva]

The Nizkor Project: Remembering the Holocaust (Shoah)

Paranoia as Patriotism:
Far-Right Influences on the Militia Movement

Robert DePugh and The Minutemen

Robert DePugh, 72, came into prominence in the early 1960s as founder of the Minutemen - a secretive, extreme right-wing group that perceived an impending Communist takeover of the U.S. and organized violent "counteraction" to prevent the alleged takeover. Organized into secret cells of five to 15 members, the Minutemen stockpiled weapons and trained together to defend the country against what they deemed "subversives." In scattered incidents throughout the U.S. during the 1960s, armed Minutemen clashed with law enforcement authorities and private citizens.

Minutemen carrying out DePugh's orders and objectives placed armed caches in various locations around the country. They attracted notoriety when this military equipment was discovered by law enforcement. In October 1966, for example, 19 New York Minutemen were arrested in raids and accused of planning to bomb and burn three summer camps in the New York metropolitan area, which the Minutemen claimed were being used by "Communist, left-wing, and liberal" individuals. Huge supplies of weapons and explosives - including rifles, pipe bombs, mortars, machine guns, grenade launchers and a bazooka - were uncovered. Because of faulty search warrants, however, the charges against the Minutemen were dropped in 1971, after lengthy court proceedings.

In addition, the Minutemen used threats against their perceived enemies. In one incident, DePugh's monthly publication, On Target, listed the names of 20 Congressmen who had criticized the then-active House Committee on Un-American Activities, warning: "Traitors beware! Even now the cross hairs are on the back of your necks."

In February 1968, DePugh went underground after a Federal grand jury in Seattle indicted him and seven other Minutemen on charges of conspiring to rob a bank. Federal agents captured DePugh and an associate 17 months later as they were leaving a hideout in Truth-or-Consequences, New Mexico. In July 1969, DePugh was sentenced to an 11-year prison term for firearms violations, bond jumping, and breaking Federal fugitive gun control laws.

DePugh's incarceration signalled the end of the Minutemen as a significant presence among the radical right in America. Following his release from prison in May 1973, DePugh attempted to revive his stature in the hate movement, first by affiliating himself briefly with Liberty Lobby, the leading anti-Semitic propaganda organization in the country, and then by collaborating with United Klans of America leader Robert Shelton on an unsuccessful project called "the Committee of Ten Million."

In June 1992, John Grady, leader of the American Pistol and Rifle Association (APRA) - a far-right alternative to the National Rifle Association - appealed to "Selected Patriots" to initiate a letter-writing campaign to overturn DePugh's conviction on other weapons violations. According to press accounts, DePugh had been convicted on two counts of weapons possession by a felon and one count of possessing an unregistered machine gun following a September 1991 Iowa arrest on charges of sexual exploitation of a 13-year-old girl and misdemeanor possession of of child pornography. No further details on these charges have been reported since. (Anti-Defamation League, 15-16)