Delving deeply into the double-secret subtext of the false flags of pseudo-fascism
As regular readers know, this blog takes flags seriously. So seriously, in fact, that I came up with a composite design of two flags that strike me as being at war with each other. More recently, a reader helped improve the image:
Those Hutaree sure look like they can throw a party.
Is that a tea party flag in the background?
That post in turn links a TPM piece which calls the Gadsden flag a symbol of "the movement":
In one group shot, she [suspect Tina Kelley] is shown with several men in fatigues -- including a man who appears to be David Stone -- along with a woman in formal wear, all wielding assault rifles. Behind them is the flag of Hutaree and a Gadsden flag, a classic symbol of the movement.
A classic symbol of the movement? What movement? It is a historic American flag, with a proud history. If some demented crackpots who think they're fighting a holy war in the forest pose in front of it, that no more ties them to any group of people than it would if they posed in front of the American flag. They're wearing military cammies; does that tie them to the Army?
But I guess if the goal is to link them to the Tea Party movement, then even the sloppiest reasoning will do.
I'd like to laugh this off, because I think it's funny when people take ridiculous ideas seriously. But what is this? Politics? Humor? Or is it political humor? I recognize that politics is supposed to be taken seriously, but how am I supposed to take ridiculous ideas seriously? Should I try harder?
Maybe I should -- at least in the case of the second flag issue to greet me this morning.
I should start by observing that because Glenn Reynolds is a Tennessean, I should be very careful about how I analyze this. I am an admitted Yankee, and there might be certain Southern sensitivities involved. Anyway, it seems that Charles Johnson (a blogger I have long respected) mistakenly thought that the Tennessee flag was a neo-Nazi emblem. Glenn says it is not, and cites the history of this 1905 flag. In an update, Glenn noted that Charles had realized his own mistake, and adds that a reader claimed it was a "crypto-confederate emblem." Which would be troubling, because the image appeared on a Barack Obama campaign button.
So what are we to make of this? While it is not my place to defend a hasty remark that was later retracted, I think it is fair to point out that what we think of as the "Tennessee flag" does in fact have undeniable historical baggage which for whatever reason is being completely forgotten. Because I think it might shed additional light on the issue of whether there's a possible neo-Nazi subtext, and even on the question of whether Charles Johnson might have been more right than he thought he was, I thought I should share this information as a public service.
The baggage to which I refer is the prominent, yet at first blush inexplicable role of the "Tennessee" flag in a classic film about freedom-loving college students who are persecuted by blatantly neo-Nazi fellow students who are encouraged, aided and abetted by a vindictive, duplicitous dean who by any standard is simply a vicious fascist.
The dictatorial and dishonest Dean Wormer is a tyrant who deems himself above the law and makes up the rules as he goes along. Here he sneeringly announces a new form of tyranny of which the Gestapo itself would have been proud -- the now-infamous "double secret probation."
When our freedom-loving heroes are finally dragged before the Nazi-style kangaroo tribunal, they are railroaded by Dean Wormer and prosecutor Douglas C. Neidermeyer (described as one of "the clench-sphinctered ringleaders of the Nazi Omegas").
But what is most significant is that the so-called "Tennessee flag" is prominently featured behind Dean Wormer.
Take a look. You cannot miss it, for when it is seen in the proper context, it actually serves to prop up each of Dean Wormer's fascistic utterances (in much the same manner that the original Nazi flag flew behind the judges in Hitler's "People's Courts.")
So what's up with that flag? The college is in Pennsylvania, so it cannot be about Tennessee. There has been some discussion about this, and here is the official explanation:
Although the film takes place in Pennsylvania, a Tennessee flag is shown in the courtroom. This is because the set decorator was unable to find a large enough Pennsylvania flag for the scene, and the blue Oregon state flag wouldn't work because it had "State of Oregon" text on the upper part. So the set decorator used the most generic flag he could find, which turned out to be the Tennessee state flag.
Should we believe that? Or should we connect the obvious dots?
Isn't it more likely there a darker, hidden, double secret subtext? I don't know, but if there is, it would not surprised if the crypto-fascists behind it were to invoke the Double Secret Digital Millennium Copyright Act and pull the above videos, so I saved a screen shot of the infamous dean striking his characteristically fascist pose in front of the mysterious flag.
Is it merely the flag of Tennessee? Or is it permanently and indelibly associated with neo-Nazism? You decide.
This is deadly serious business, and I am trying to take this as seriously as circumstances allow. I'd better be careful, because some of the comments I've been getting lately make me think that someone might be, um, flagging my posts!
Who knows? I might already be on double secret probation.
posted by Eric on 03.31.10 at 02:08 PM
Comments
Yes, you very well might be on double-secret probation. But telling you would make it non-secret. So you must continue to live in abject terror over the possibility that you have been probated.
509th Bob · March 31, 2010 2:29 PM
You need to add a picture of the Gasden Flag flying on Navy ships.
Considered one of the first flags of the United States, the flag was later replaced by the current Stars and Stripes (or Old Glory) flag. Since the Revolution, the flag has seen times of reintroduction as both a symbol of American patriotism and as a symbol of disagreement with the government.
For instance, unofficial usage of the Gadsden flag by the U.S. government has been seen, particularly in the wake of September 11, 2001, most notably by the Customs Service and harbor patrol boats in U.S. ports and individuals serving abroad in the U.S. military.[citation needed] The First Navy Jack, which was directly related to the Gadsden flag, has also been in use by the U.S. Navy, and since the terrorist attacks it is flown on all active naval ships. The rattlesnake from the flag is shown on the U.S. Army's Drill Sergeant Identification Badge.
***END QUOTE***
Some vintage Benjamin Franklin (1775):
***QUOTE***
I recollected that her eye excelled in brightness, that of any other animal, and that she has no eye-lids—She may therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance.—She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage.—As if anxious to prevent all pretensions of quarreling with her, the weapons with which nature has furnished her, she conceals in the roof of her mouth, so that, to those who are unacquainted with her, she appears to be a most defenseless animal; and even when those weapons are shewn and extended for her defense, they appear weak and contemptible; but their wounds however small, are decisive and fatal:—Conscious of this, she never wounds till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her.—Was I wrong, Sir, in thinking this a strong picture of the temper and conduct of America?[2]
I was actually put on something similiar to "double secret probation" at my college in the mid 80s. It was, naturally, entirely the fault of the college. It involved organized crime rumours, my punk blonde girlfriend, the college cops, a functional fireplace, and a Mauser. I'm still not really allowed to talk about it. I did not miss any class time (that I wouldn't have on purpose) though. I did talk to every Dean on the campus though.
The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler
Don?t bang your head!
Yes, you very well might be on double-secret probation. But telling you would make it non-secret. So you must continue to live in abject terror over the possibility that you have been probated.