NRO Warns Against Taking the Red Pill

 

Jack Butler at NRO wants everyone to know that “Red-Pilled” is synonymous with “Kook Who Believes in Cuckoo-Nuts Whackadoodle Conspiracy Theories” and Jonah Goldberg nods his chins in eager wholehearted agreement.  0-+Butler takes out his four-lane-wide brush to  paint those who question what we are supposed to believe about politics as deluded social outcasts who reside “in digital worlds of their own creation.” He chastises them for rejecting “superior forms of conservatism, ones that appeal to reason and to more reliable forms of knowledge and authority.” Butler goes on to say, “The redpilled also tend to have a contempt for politics as it is practiced in the real world,” to which I reply, “What rational person wouldn’t?”

The “superior forms of conservatism” Butler refers to can only mean, given where he is writing, those that have accomplished no conservative policy in this century other than tax cuts for the donor class.  Butler derides Red-Pilled skeptics as conspiracy nuts, without ever addressing their beliefs, or how they arrive at them. Let’s break down some of it, won’t you?

Blue-Pilled Superior Conservative Narrative: The Republicans are the opposition party to the Democrats; representing fiscal conservatism, free markets, and individual liberty.

Red-Pilled Reality: The Republican Party is controlled opposition that rarely rolls back any policies enacted by Democrats, much less advances conservative free-market policies or fiscal responsibility. The Republican Party sent two dozen Obamacare Repeal bills to Obama’s desk when they knew they would be vetoed. They couldn’t even manage to get a single, watered-down, weak tea partial repeal to Trump’s desk when he would have signed it.  Paul Ryan was presented as a fiscal hawk, but his budget deals spent even more money than “irresponsible” big spender Barack Obama asked for.  When it comes to tax cuts for their donors, Republicans get those done no matter the opposition. On Border Security, on Health Care Reform, or even cutting funding to Planned Parenthood, it’s invariably “Well, gosh, we just couldn’t do it. The Democrats (or the Democrats+a few supposedly rogue Republicans) straight up blocked us. Shucky Darn. Please donate so we can fight harder next time.”

Blue-Pilled Superior Conservative Narrative:  Our multiple national security agencies (FBI, CIA, NSA, DOD, HLS) are populated by non-partisan professionals of unquestionable caliber and professionalism who are worthy of our esteem because of their important work protecting the nation’s interests.

Red-Pilled Reality: For some, the ultimate red pill is the track record of our national security agencies: The FBI was tipped off that the Boston Marathon bombers were up to no good and chose to ignore it. The FBI interviewed Orlando Pulse shooter Omar Mateen, but decided he wasn’t a threat. It’s been four years since the worst mass shooting in history, and the FBI has… nothing.  Jim Comey’s FBI was tipped off that Larry Nassar was molesting little girls, but did nothing for a year and a half.  On the other hand, the FBI sent 13 agents to check out a garage pull at a NASCAR site in North Carolina, and busted Aunt Becky for bribing a college official. (Oh, and have you been paying attention to the FBI’s utter clown-show in instigating a plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer?)

It’s striking how conservative skepticism of enormous government bureaucracies utterly evaporated while Trump was president and his presidency was undermined daily by longtime bureaucratic operatives. In the words of Jonah Goldberg: “Deep-staters are now those who follow the rules in ways inconvenient to Trump’s personal desires or political ambitions.” When I was in college, the existence of the permanent bureaucracy (i.e., the Deep State) was poli sci 101. When Trump finally exposed it, suddenly the left and the Never Trump conservatives insisted the Deep State was a “conspiracy theory.”

And in the broader Federal Bureaucracy, Republicans failed to hold anyone accountable for the Obama VA Scandal that allowed 300,000 veterans to die waiting for care, or anyone at the EPA accountable for dumping a million gallons of toxic waste into the Animas River, or anyone at the IRS accountable for targeting conservative groups for harassment, or anyone at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms accountable for the Fast and Furious gun-running scandal. But only nutty, red-pilled conspiracy theorists believe that our bureaucratic state is corrupt, incompetent, and never held to account.

Blue-Pilled Superior Conservative Narrative: The Justice system, while imperfect, largely succeeds at dispensing justice impartially and equitably.

Red-Pilled Reality: Hundreds of January 6 protesters are being held in jail indefinitely on nonviolent misdemeanor charges while the FBI destroys people simply for being present in Washington DC on January 6th. Meanwhile, Black Lives Matter and Antifa rioters who burned neighborhoods and looted businesses are released the same day with charges eventually dropped entirely. It certainly looks like the level of “Justice” one receives depends on one’s political alignment and social status.

Certainly, there are some people who take the red-pill thing too far and believe in some crazy stuff. (“Yes, that’s exactly what I would expect one of the Bilderberger Lizard People to say.”) But Butler is using those nuts to justify establishment conservatives who consider their skeptics a bunch of “rabble,.”

Being red-pilled just means you’ve been paying attention, thinking critically, and recognizing that a lot of what you have been told to believe just isn’t so.

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  1. Kevin Schulte Member
    Kevin Schulte
    @KevinSchulte

    These writers at NR are kept men. They write what the check writer wants. 

    • #31
  2. Franco Member
    Franco
    @Franco

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Franco (View Comment):
    NR is scared, and they know they are in trouble. Butler is just lashing out.

    He’s a kid, isn’t he?

    Just turned 28, I believe.

     

    The Hiring

    NR: We want to get younger, and you’re smart and a good writer so we want you to join us here at National Review  

    Butler: Well, great. What kind of pieces do you want me to write?

    NR: Well, like, what is this, red-pill? All the Trumpies on the right use this term, it’s a movie reference?

    Butler: You know, The Matrix, right?

    NR: The what?

    Butler: Ok. Can I get paid by the word?

    • #32
  3. lowtech redneck Coolidge
    lowtech redneck
    @lowtech redneck

    Incidentally, Jonah Goldberg also praised that atrocious George Bush speech.

    • #33
  4. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Do the NRO bashers here read it–or at least look at the main page?   Or is it just my inner squish that sees any number of truly conservative articles on a weekly basis?

    Perhaps I’m misreading the level of scorn.

    • #34
  5. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    DrewInWisconsin, Oaf (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Franco (View Comment):
    NR is scared, and they know they are in trouble. Butler is just lashing out.

    He’s a kid, isn’t he?

    Just turned 28, I believe.

    Who the hell are these kids lecturing us middle-aged men.

    They need to get off our lawns.

    • #35
  6. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    Franco (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Franco (View Comment):
    NR is scared, and they know they are in trouble. Butler is just lashing out.

    He’s a kid, isn’t he?

    Just turned 28, I believe.

     

    The Hiring

    NR: We want to get younger, and you’re smart and a good writer so we want you to join us here at National Review

    Butler: Well, great. What kind of pieces do you want me to write?

    NR: Well, like, what is this, red-pill? All the Trumpies on the right use this term, it’s a movie reference?

    Butler: You know, The Matrix, right?

    NR: The what?

    Butler: Ok. Can I get paid by the word?

    Lol

    • #36
  7. Steve C. Member
    Steve C.
    @user_531302

    Bishop Wash (View Comment):

    This is why I’ve been enjoying listening to the American Mind podcast. I don’t get over to their site often enough and I don’t know if it’s been written about over there. On the podcast at least, they’ve discussed the red and blue pills, the white and black ones, and even coined the quantum pill. I think white is when you think the world is on a destructive path but we will get through and black is that we’re doomed and will go down fighting. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong. The quantum pill is holding beliefs in two colors at the same time. Part of you sees it going one way but at the same time you can see it in an opposite direction.

    The American Mind guys usually do a better job of assessing the current climate and not staying wedded to outdated divisions. They’ve also been recently attacked by the Bulwark so they must be doing something right.

    A must listen podcast. It’s a shame it was dropped from our super feed. 

    • #37
  8. Steve C. Member
    Steve C.
    @user_531302

    DrewInWisconsin, Oaf (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Franco (View Comment):
    NR is scared, and they know they are in trouble. Butler is just lashing out.

    He’s a kid, isn’t he?

    Just turned 28, I believe.

    Who the hell are these kids lecturing us middle-aged men.

    They are like the buzzing of flies to Vigo.

    • #38
  9. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Kevin Schulte (View Comment):

    These writers at NR are kept men. They write what the check writer wants.

    That’s an even bigger problem for Commentary, isn’t it?

    • #39
  10. Kephalithos Member
    Kephalithos
    @Kephalithos

    Hoyacon (View Comment): Do the NRO bashers here read it–or at least look at the main page? Or is it just my inner squish that sees any number of truly conservative articles on a weekly basis?

    Perhaps I’m misreading the level of scorn.

    Unlike The Bulwark (and, increasingly, The Dispatch), it’s still conservative. But if you want edge, you’re going to need to look elsewhere.

    A lot of people take the whole “You establishment shills!” argument too far, I think, but it’s true that the writers at NR are comfortable people invested in the existing political settlement. And Kevin Williamson can always escape to Switzerland if and when things go to heck. But what about us? Not an option.

    • #40
  11. DrewInWisconsin, Oaf Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oaf
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Franco (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Franco (View Comment):
    NR is scared, and they know they are in trouble. Butler is just lashing out.

    He’s a kid, isn’t he?

    Just turned 28, I believe.

     

    The Hiring

    NR: We want to get younger, and you’re smart and a good writer so we want you to join us here at National Review

    Butler: Well, great. What kind of pieces do you want me to write?

    NR: Well, like, what is this, red-pill? All the Trumpies on the right use this term, it’s a movie reference?

    Butler: You know, The Matrix, right? I don’t really know. I was seven years old when that movie came out.

    FTFY.

    • #41
  12. DrewInWisconsin, Oaf Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oaf
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Kephalithos (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment): Do the NRO bashers here read it–or at least look at the main page? Or is it just my inner squish that sees any number of truly conservative articles on a weekly basis?

    Perhaps I’m misreading the level of scorn.

    Unlike The Bulwark (and, increasingly, The Dispatch), it’s still conservative. But if you want edge, you’re going to need to look elsewhere.

    In what way is The Bulwark conservative?

    • #42
  13. DrewInWisconsin, Oaf Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oaf
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Do the NRO bashers here read it–or at least look at the main page? Or is it just my inner squish that sees any number of truly conservative articles on a weekly basis?

    Perhaps I’m misreading the level of scorn.

    I’m down to reading Harsanyi, and that’s it.

    • #43
  14. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Kephalithos (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment): Do the NRO bashers here read it–or at least look at the main page? Or is it just my inner squish that sees any number of truly conservative articles on a weekly basis?

    Perhaps I’m misreading the level of scorn.

    Unlike The Bulwark (and, increasingly, The Dispatch), it’s still conservative. But if you want edge, you’re going to need to look elsewhere.

    A lot of people take the whole “You establishment shills!” argument too far, I think, but it’s true that the writers at NR are comfortable people invested in the existing political settlement. And Kevin Williamson can always escape to Switzerland if and when things go to heck. But what about us? Not an option.

    Which means they can all “experiment” as much as they like, and it doesn’t matter to them personally if things go down the toilet.

    • #44
  15. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    DrewInWisconsin, Oaf (View Comment):

    Kephalithos (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment): Do the NRO bashers here read it–or at least look at the main page? Or is it just my inner squish that sees any number of truly conservative articles on a weekly basis?

    Perhaps I’m misreading the level of scorn.

    Unlike The Bulwark (and, increasingly, The Dispatch), it’s still conservative. But if you want edge, you’re going to need to look elsewhere.

    In what way is The Bulwark conservative?

    I believe the point is that The Bulwark (and, increasingly, The Dispatch) AREN’T conservative (any more).  But (the claim is) NR still is.

    • #45
  16. James Lileks Contributor
    James Lileks
    @jameslileks

    Franco (View Comment):
    NR is scared, and they know they are in trouble. Butler is just lashing out.

    Nah. That’s just like, his opinion, man. I didn’t agree with all of it; I think the term is useful for describing people who have had the scales drop from their eyes on a particular subject when confronted with either incontrovertible opposition, or when they find the ideological ground has shifted under them in a way they can’t accept. They’re micro-dosing on red-pills, in a way. I think the point about mistaking Twitter for the real world is valid, although the idiocies of Twitter work their way up to influence people who have no idea where the battles started. 

    • #46
  17. James Lileks Contributor
    James Lileks
    @jameslileks

    Kevin Schulte (View Comment):

    These writers at NR are kept men. They write what the check writer wants.

    <img src=”bugs bunny_nnn0000.jpg”>

    Doesn’t happen.

     

    • #47
  18. BDB Inactive
    BDB
    @BDB

    Guruforhire (View Comment):

    Please. They should wish people were only red-pilled. The problem is that we’re past that and people are getting black pilled.

    Black is the new red.  

    • #48
  19. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    BDB (View Comment):

    Guruforhire (View Comment):

    Please. They should wish people were only red-pilled. The problem is that we’re past that and people are getting black pilled.

    Black is the new red.

    Oh nice, a show idea for Rob!

    • #49
  20. BDB Inactive
    BDB
    @BDB

    kedavis (View Comment):

    BDB (View Comment):

    Guruforhire (View Comment):

    Please. They should wish people were only red-pilled. The problem is that we’re past that and people are getting black pilled.

    Black is the new red.

    Oh nice, a show idea for Rob!

    “No. We do not fry eagles.”

    • #50
  21. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    BDB (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    BDB (View Comment):

    Guruforhire (View Comment):

    Please. They should wish people were only red-pilled. The problem is that we’re past that and people are getting black pilled.

    Black is the new red.

    Oh nice, a show idea for Rob!

    “No. We do not fry eagles.”

    If that is a reference to “Orange Is The New Black,” obviously I’ve heard of it, but never seen a single episode and probably – hopefully – never will.

    • #51
  22. Henry Castaigne Member
    Henry Castaigne
    @HenryCastaigne

    DrewInWisconsin, Oaf (View Comment):

    I’ve got a half-written post about the various pills. Don’t nobody jump in ahead of me.

    • #52
  23. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    James Lileks (View Comment):

    Franco (View Comment):
    NR is scared, and they know they are in trouble. Butler is just lashing out.

    Nah. That’s just like, his opinion, man. I didn’t agree with all of it; I think the term is useful for describing people who have had the scales drop from their eyes on a particular subject when confronted with either incontrovertible opposition, or when they find the ideological ground has shifted under them in a way they can’t accept. They’re micro-dosing on red-pills, in a way. I think the point about mistaking Twitter for the real world is valid, although the idiocies of Twitter work their way up to influence people who have no idea where the battles started.

    I agree.

    My problem with this article is that it  Feels like having the discussion on the battleground of the left. The left clearly does not want peopleThe skills dropped from their eyes and in classic new speak format they don’t want there to be a useful term for it. Therefore they attack it as sexist or racist or some sort of ist. NR should not help.

    • #53
  24. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Vance Richards (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo: The Republican Party sent two dozen Obamacare Repeal to Obama’s desk when they knew they would be vetoed. They couldn’t even manage to get a single, watered-down, weak tea partial repeal to Trump’s desk when he would have signed it.

    Years of “Repeal! Repeal! Repeal!” followed by, “Yeah, we got nothing.” They don’t want to rule, they just want to jeer from the sidelines.

    Yeah, if there was a single red pill moment for me, it was in 2018, when finally someone in the White House who genuinely seemed to be set on serious reform, we finally could undo the quasi-legislated, seemingly unconstitutional, industry-changing, claptrap of 0bamacare, and for two years we held both houses of Congress and the White House and had the opportunity to do it, and no one ever put forth a simple one-page repeal of 0bamacare.  That and Hillary’s server, and the CIA’s fabrication of the Russia collusion hoax.  And Paul Ryan and senior Republicans retiring just when we had victory in our sights.  And I figured there was far more going on than people simply being out-voted.

    • #54
  25. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Vance Richards (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo: The Republican Party sent two dozen Obamacare Repeal to Obama’s desk when they knew they would be vetoed. They couldn’t even manage to get a single, watered-down, weak tea partial repeal to Trump’s desk when he would have signed it.

    Years of “Repeal! Repeal! Repeal!” followed by, “Yeah, we got nothing.” They don’t want to rule, they just want to jeer from the sidelines.

    Yeah, if there was a single red pill moment for me, it was in 2018, when finally someone in the White House who genuinely seemed to be set on serious reform, we finally could undo the quasi-legislated, seemingly unconstitutional, industry-changing, claptrap of 0bamacare, and for two years we held both houses of Congress and the White House and had the opportunity to do it, and no one ever put forth a simple one-page repeal of 0bamacare. That and Hillary’s server, and the CIA’s fabrication of the Russia collusion hoax. And Paul Ryan and senior Republicans retiring just when we had victory in our sights. And I figured there was far more going on than people simply being out-voted.

    This was Red pill territory for me too. 

     

    • #55
  26. Steve C. Member
    Steve C.
    @user_531302

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Vance Richards (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo: The Republican Party sent two dozen Obamacare Repeal to Obama’s desk when they knew they would be vetoed. They couldn’t even manage to get a single, watered-down, weak tea partial repeal to Trump’s desk when he would have signed it.

    Years of “Repeal! Repeal! Repeal!” followed by, “Yeah, we got nothing.” They don’t want to rule, they just want to jeer from the sidelines.

    Yeah, if there was a single red pill moment for me, it was in 2018, when finally someone in the White House who genuinely seemed to be set on serious reform, we finally could undo the quasi-legislated, seemingly unconstitutional, industry-changing, claptrap of 0bamacare, and for two years we held both houses of Congress and the White House and had the opportunity to do it, and no one ever put forth a simple one-page repeal of 0bamacare. That and Hillary’s server, and the CIA’s fabrication of the Russia collusion hoax. And Paul Ryan and senior Republicans retiring just when we had victory in our sights. And I figured there was far more going on than people simply being out-voted.

    This was Red pill territory for me too.

     

    Moi aussi.

    • #56
  27. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    This is a brilliant analysis, and it explains much of my frustration.  

    I believe that the Red Pills and Blue Pills cannot coexist in the Republican Party.  It appears to me that for the moment, the Red Pills will win primaries, and if the Dems run reasonable people, the Dems will win the general elections.  We could end up with Red Pill minorities in the House and Senate, who make many, many angry speeches and who are utterly ineffective.

    Once again, a brilliant analysis.

    • #57
  28. Miffed White Male Member
    Miffed White Male
    @MiffedWhiteMale

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
     We could end up with Red Pill minorities in the House and Senate, who make many, many angry speeches and who are utterly ineffective.

    As opposed to all the ones we had before who made many, many calm speeches and were utterly ineffective.

    • #58
  29. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    We could end up with Red Pill minorities in the House and Senate, who make many, many angry speeches and who are utterly ineffective.

    As opposed to all the ones we had before who made many, many calm speeches and were utterly ineffective.

    You know the fact that Gary likes it in the matrix finally lets me understand him better.

    • #59
  30. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    I haven’t read Butler’s article and I don’t plan to. All I know is when you have a target-rich environment like the Biden-Harris (mal)administration and other left-wing dominated institutions (as Mollie so brilliantly addresses in her speech) and you take aim at your own side?? You either have a problem with your priorities (putting it mildly) or you’re trying to appear “fair” in what amounts to a (so far) rhetorical shooting war.

    Oh, good for you for being fair-minded. Now get the hell out of the war zone. 

    • #60
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