PALIN AND PEGLER. Pegler bounced from the John Birch Society for anti-semitism. Wow.

[laststeamtrain]

PALIN AND PEGLER.... In her convention speech last week, Sarah Palin quoted "a writer" who extolled the virtues of small-town America. Palin didn't identify the "writer" for a very good reason -- she was quoting the belligerent right-wing columnist Westbrook Pegler.

It was an interesting source for Palin to use in such a high-profile setting.

It's an odd source because Pegler, who moved further right as his career went on, ended up very, very far out. Frank notes that he talked hopefully of the assassination of Franklin Roosevelt.

He was also known for what Philip Roth described as his "casual distaste for Jews," which had become so evident by the end that he was bounced from the journal of the John Birch Society in 1964 for alleged anti-semitism. According to his obituary, he'd advanced the theory that American Jews of Eastern European descent were "instinctively sympathetic to Communism, however outwardly respectable they appeared."

So, let's see here, the McCain campaign wants to cut off U.S. financial support to Israel, Palin is quoting a notorious anti-Semite at the Republican convention, and Palin's church welcomes the "Jews for Jesus" crowd.

No wonder Ed Koch finds these guys scary...http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2008_09/014661.php

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. Imagine what a Nazi you had to be to get bounced from the JBS in 1964

for anti-semitism.

:wow:

We're not talking 1995, here. Nineteen fucking sixty FOUR.

Yikes.

[TomInTib]

4. I had the same thought.

I re-read that piece because my mind just couldn't wrap around the facts.

The guy must've been a total wack and a real embarrassment to JBS to get bounced back then (I was around more than a few Birchers in the mid-60s).

Goodness gracious.

[laststeamtrain]

5. Hi Tom....

Excuse to kick thread because I think this story is extraordinary.

Goodness gracious is right.

[donco6]

10. I thought that was required for JBS.

Who knew?

[ColbertWatcher]

2. What was the quote? n/t

[laststeamtrain]

7. From the Wiki on Pegler.

"Interest in Pegler was recently revived when Republican Vice-Presidential nominee Sarah Palin quoted him in her acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. "We grow good people in our small towns, with honesty and sincerity and dignity", she said, a Pegler quote that also appeared in the book "Right From the Beginning" by Pat Buchanan. She did not acknowledge Pegler by name, merely citing 'a writer'.<2> The speech was written by Matthew Scully, a senior speech writer for George W. Bush.<3>"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westbrook_Pegler

[ColbertWatcher]

9. "We grow good people in our small towns, with honesty and sincerity and dignity",

He was the first to say that?

And what an inelegant turn of phrase.

[fishwax]

3. too bigoted for the John Birch Society?

:wow:

[BrklynLiberal]

6. That is what made my jaw drop too... WOW!!!

[glinda]

8. HELLO MEDIA!!!!!!! ANYBODY HOME????????

This is important because if you make such a public quote, this does in all actuality represent your views. Where is the Media on this????? On drugs too?