Excellent article in the NY Times showing the connection between many Tea Party ideas and their sources in Glenn Beck and Cleon Skousen's Mormonism:

http://is.gd/hV7Ya

I find the movement very fundamentalist based in general. Interesting perspective.

You're right, very interesting. I've passed the link along already.

Can you clarify for me if Skousen is the source of the Tea's ideas or just that they're thinking along the same lines?

It is amazing to see the connections.

My mother, a proud tea partier--actually calls herself a teabagger--is also a devotee of Skousen. She read to me from one of his books during the Christmas visit where I found out she believes the earth is 6,000 years old and dinosaur fossils came from another planet and, bonus, Kolob is at the center of the Milky Way galaxy.

Then the other night on the phone, she was pestering me about George Soros for no apparent reason, and I was all WTF. Someone here suggested she'd been listening to Glenn Beck, so I went googling, and found a parody by Jon Stewart that includes actual clips of Beck outlining his conspiracy theory about Soros. Holy crap.

Hard to believe anybody listens to this nutball. He reminds me of this guy I used to see around downtown Denver in 1978, who would dress up in a moldy old military uniform (probably from WWI--he was about that old) and stand next to a sandwich board that said he was running for president, ranting. I remember thinking my dad would probably agree with him.

It made me learn more about him and more about Karl Popper. What scares them so much about Soros and Popper is that they advocate for a society that is based on secular democracy and reason rather than religious myths.

It delights me that your TBM mother walks around proclaiming herself to be a "teabagger." you know she has no idea…

because it horrifies and embarrasses me. Whenever I start to get used to it, I learn some new thing that makes it all freshly creepy again.

:-)

lol...just tell her to breathe though her nose...

I've got a little poem by the late Theodore Roethke I'm going to send this academic, as soon as I can find an e-mail...

Somebody on another thread accused me of "always grumbling," and revisionist nonsense like this is why...

>But on the campaign trail, especially during his heated primary battle with the three-term Republican incumbent Bob Bennett...

The was no "heated primary battle" involving Bob Bennett... Lee and his minions euchered Bennett out of the nomination at the convention, fer cryin' out loud... Bennett finished third, and unfortunately, if he had cojones a certain lady senator from Alaska had, he would've run a write-in campaign and--regardless of the outcome--proven himself to be a statesman rather than a poltician. I'm afraid Bennett let his "Mormon victimonhood" get the better of him on this one...

>Much of the Tea Party movement’s more-strident rhetoric, seen in light of this constitutional vision, may be best understood not as scattershot right-wing hostility to government but as a comprehensive, if startling, worldview about the proper roles of government and faith in American life.

Professor, you almost make me believe in reincarnation, and I'm thinking you might've worked for the Vichy French government during WW II in a previous life... Might I suggest a sabbatical where you try working as a cabbie for a while (The Wise Ol' Cabbie tells me he'd be happy to mentor you for a time) and learn to recognize a nutjob when you encounter one?

Barely a mention of Skousen's strong ties to the John Birch Society (to get a bit off-topic since they're non-Mormon, but can you say "Koch Brothers"?), and issues like a 6,000 year old earth or anti-fluoride stuff or Commies in the State Department weren't even brought up...

I was really hoping to never see it again. This sucks.

I knew Cleon Skousen personally. He was a gentle, loving man whose ideas were his own, and which he never forced on anybody else. He never mocked others, ridiculed others or fought off the personal attacks which were constant and which continue even after his death. I must say that he showed a lot more class than most of his opponents.

Cyn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I knew Cleon Skousen personally. He was a gentle,
> loving man whose ideas were his own, and which he
> never forced on anybody else. He never mocked
> others, ridiculed others or fought off the
> personal attacks which were constant and which
> continue even after his death. I must say that he
> showed a lot more class than most of his
> opponents.

That may be true. I didn't know him or didn't know anyone who did, but his ideas were pretty off-the-wall just the same, IMO. Many nice people have strange ideas. Just saying.

Right after the 1999 tornado, W.C. went running to the FP and informed them that God had directed the tornado at the "gay areas" of Salt Lake (presumably two gay bars as well as Marmalade Hill although there are far more gays in the 9th & 9th area).

That constitutes a gentle and loving man?

Hang onto that denial... In the meantime I'm going to a séance amd see if I can persuade the ghost of J. Bracken Lee to put in an appearance...

I'm going to invite him your way and give you a description of a little pamphlet, "The Mayor and His Morals" that Skousenites circulated during Lee's term in office...

Skousen was a hate-mongering headcase, period, and the fact that he could mind his manners around his sychophants is immaterial.

Review the history of Skousen and the LDS Church and the edict handed down that barred him and his followers from offering their propaganda at church functions. Even those guys knew he was nut. On that one, they may actualy have been inspired.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/28/2010 10:54PM by SL Cabbie.

I'll probably have to give up visiting MA&D for the holidays because of a compromised immune system, but here are some links to a couple of sites singing his praises, followed by another that affords some extensive factual reporting:

http://www.jbs.org/blog/ernie5776-defends-the-late-rabbi-meir-kahane.html

>Further, I think it is noteworthy that the man who relies on FBI documents and the views of the storied FBI director J. Edgar Hoover to influence people against Welch, Skousen and the JBS clearly regards affiliation with the FBI to be shameful. In contrast, the JBS has always respected and cooperated with law enforcement, and has made no secret of the fact that a number of its members worked as FBI informants, helping to bring criminal elements within the Ku Klux Klan to justice.

Anyone who wishes to do some footwork, please see if there are further facts available on JBS'sers (I'll try to be respectful of those initials but it's tough) helping Hoover's men to infiltrate the KKK... Seriously... Just make sure it didn't come from the fiction section of the library...

And here's some more stuff from one of his champions... Hey, damn those anti-Christian Darwinists, anyway... Not to mention the guy who brought us CNN and TBS...

http://www.latterdayconservative.com/articles/w-cleon-skousen/w-cleon-skousen-is-asked-to-write-the-naked-communist

>Are There Still Powerful Anti-American Capitalists Among Us Today?

>Talk of the wealthy power-broker types as outlined in "The Naked Communist" and "The Naked Capitalist" seems to some to be decades old and may not have quite the applicability in today’s settings. All you have to do is pick up the September 1998 issue of the Reader’s Digest and read the Special Feature section on Ted Turner, owner of CNN, the Atlanta Braves, and controlling interest in many other opinion-molding corporations in this nation. Space will not permit a complete review of this article, but today’s Ted Turner can certainly be included in the “Naked Capitalist Profile” which continues to describe some super wealthy since the days of Andrew Carnegie. Here are some identifying characteristics of this profile which are nearly always present in their beliefs and actions:

>1. They reject Christianity and the Ten Commandments.

>2. They embrace Darwin’s evolutionary theory.

>3. They have lost faith in America’s freedom formula which made them rich.

>4. They criticize America while embracing anti-American ideas of socialism.

>5. They hold America’s middle class in disdain and consider themselves our intellectual superiors who must use the power of government to force their superior ideas upon the stupid masses.

And Skousen's own site giving a bit of bio details...

http://www.wcleonskousen.com/about-w-cleon-skousen

>Dr. Skousen served in the FBI for 16 years (1935-1951), and worked closely with J. Edgar Hoover. In 1956 he was asked to serve as Chief of Police of Salt Lake City.

Hmmm, Dave... No mention of Skousen's removal as Salt Lake police chief... I know it happened; I've got a bit of primary evindence in my files in the form of a note from Brack Lee to my grandfather...

I yield the floor to Ernie...

http://a-albionic.com/topic/192/t/FBI-Analysis-of-Cleon-Skousen-39-s-Writings-.html

>FBI Analysis of Cleon Skousen's Writings

>After termination as Police Chief, Skousen then ran for the Republican nomination for Governor of Utah and his campaign literature included the phrase, "Served his country in the FBI 16 years, 4 of them as Administrative Assistant to J. Edgar Hoover during World War II, a top assignment." [HQ 67-69602, #287; Bureau file copy notation on outgoing 1/12/61 letter to Mrs. Norman Hartnett, Bakersfield CA mentions his campaign literature.]

>J. Edgar Hoover received numerous inquiries about Skousen's description of himself. His replies declared that: "For your information, Mr. Skousen did not have the title 'Administrative Assistant' while in the FBI" and "In response to your inquiry, I wish to advise that there is no such position in the FBI entitled Administrative Assistant to the Director". [Extensive footnoting]

>The John Birch Society inflated Skousen's credentials even further. The January 1968 issue of the John Birch Society Bulletin, page 1, described Skousen as "for many years a top aide to J. Edgar Hoover".

>During my debates with JBS members and sympathizers, some have even claimed that Skousen was "third in command" inside the FBI or that he was an "Assistant Director" - both of which are falsehoods.

>Nor is there one particle of evidence in his FBI records to suggest that he was a "top aide" to Hoover. He had a supervisory position within the Communications Section but he had no direct contact with Hoover. The names of Bureau employees who actually were "top aides" to Hoover, appeared on Bureau route slips and they also were stamped on internal memos and correspondence so that important material could be routed to them for review and comment. Skousen's name does NOT appear on either the route slips or the stamped list of names.

>In August 1968, the Bureau received an inquiry concerning the description of Skousen which appeared in the aforementioned JBS Bulletin. A Bureau memo discussing the matter declares: "He has been making numerous speeches around the country in which he describes himself as a former 'top aide' to the Director. He did not hold such a position and it is felt we should set the record straight to those inquiring that he was not a 'top aide' " [HQ 94-47468, #88; 8/22/68 memo from G.E. Malmfeldt to Mr. Bishop, captioned Former Special Agent Now Representing Himself As Former 'Top Aide' to the Director.]

J. Bracken Lee was the former two term governor of Utah from 1948-56 and later served as mayor of Salt Lake City from 1960-68. Those who were around then--I actually met him around 1978--knew he was as conservative as anyone. William F. Buckley, Jr. sang his praises in the "National Review" while speaking scathingly of the John Birch Society.

From this same site:

>In August 1960, Mayor Lee wrote a letter to Mrs. Elizabeth Laine of Arcadia, CA in which he made the following comments:

>"To further explain my position, let me say this, that while Mr. Skousen has written a book and talks against Communism, actually he conducted his office as Chief of Police in exactly the same manner in which the Communists operate their government. The man is also a master of half-truths. In at least three instances I have proved him to be a liar before the City Commissioners and the newspaper reporters. To me, he is a very dangerous man because he preaches one thing, practices another, does not tell the truth, and cannot be relied upon. He also was one of the greatest spenders of public funds of anyone who ever served in any capacity in Salt Lake City government." [HQ 67-69602, #286; 8/8/60 letter from J. Bracken Lee to Mrs. Elizabeth Laine, Arcadia CA]

>When the Educational News Service of Fullerton, CA ran a favorable article about Skousen in its March 31, 1960 issue, Mayor Lee sent them a blistering 3-page response (with copies to 13 other individuals who served on the Board of Directors of the News Service). Among the accusations made by Lee are the following comments concerning Skousen's 1958 book, The Naked Communist:

>"Your article further states that my charge that Mr. Skousen had been using City Police secretarial assistance in the writing of this book was without foundation. The records will show to the satisfaction of anyone that he did use City Policemen and secretaries both to compile, typewrite, and assemble his notes on this book. While I certainly do not object to the writing of a book in opposition to Communism, I do not think it is right that City funds and personnel be used to write a book which resulted in personal gain to that writer." [HQ 67-69602, #290; 8/16/60 letter by J. Bracken Lee to Mr. Edward T. Price, President, Education Information Inc of Fullerton CA.]

'Nuff...

One cannot help but wonder how Mr. Fancy Pants* will thread the needle between orthodox conservatism and tea-party wackism as he covets 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Will he announce himself as a closet admirer of Cleon Skousen? Stay tuned.

*His name shall not be mentioned ...

As you've noted, some fancy footwork will have to be offered by the more prominent one, who at least possesses the requisite height to play in basketball in the 1600 Pennsylvania gym...

The other guy comes up to roughly my chin, useful perhaps for dealing with the Chinese as he's doing right now, but...

Any of you who regularly read Karl Denninger's Ticker Forum will know exactly when/how the Tea Party movement got started. This NY Times contribution certainly missed the boat on this.

the teabaggers hate Social Security so much. I've been paying into it my whole life and now when I'm within 10 years of getting my money back they want to take it away.

Don't these people realize they will get old someday and will want Social Security? Or do they expect the rapture any day now? Bunch of nutcases.

what struck me was that Lee's (and the baggers') call is for a movement by "the People" that actually benefits only the corporate world. What "smaller government" really means means is less regulation and fewer taxes for corporations. What smaller government means for me is more potholes and fewer teachers for my grandchildren.

I'm with Heresy. I saw this crazy hatred for the federal government framed in fear and loathing of voting rights for Blacks. I am surprised and sorry it has come again. I do believe the movement has racial overtones to it. They are so triggered by the incumbent's skin tone.

I think it is more dangerous this time because of media figures like Beck.

Mr. Fancy Pants IMO will NOT be able to navigate between his morgbot ties and the rest of the nation.

Cleon Skousen's recommended tenets of good governance included the bald statement that without religion one could not have good governance.

All you have to do is look at the Theocracy of Utah to see that an overly-strong influence from religion begets corruption, a good-ole-boy network, and a system that devalues the contributions of women, gays, and minorities.

Skousen acolyte, Mike Lee (Republican Senator, Utah),proposed to dismantle, on constitutional grounds, the federal Departments of Education, and Housing and Urban Development.

When Glenn Beck revived Skousen worship, he also revived the National Center for Constitutional Studies. The NCCS, in turn, funded more than 200 Skousen seminars for Tea Partiers. (Koch money is funneled to the NCCS, which should surprise no one.)

The Koch brothers provide the money, through partially untraceable non-profit organizations, to meet their own goals of lower taxes for billionaires like themselves; and to meet their goal of less regulation for all industries in which they are involved. They don't give jack sh*t for middle and lower-class Tea Party supporters.

Mike Lee wants to get rid of most environmental protections, and the agencies that enforce them. He is a shill for billionaires. He is flying under the false flag of patriotism and faith to accomplish this.

Is senator Lee a member of the famous/infamous Lee family of Utah? If so I'll bet I know about 100 of his cousins including a few members of this board.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/29/2010 11:40PM by Charley.