Curiouser and Curiouser

 

Over the past weekend, a strange news feed about possible white supremacists marching at the Lincoln Memorial popped up on one of my YouTube subscriptions; then disappeared within a few hours of being up. I did the usual innerweb search, but could find nothing about it. This seemed strange to me that no one, not MSM sources or Alt-media, seemed to have picked up the story.

I noted from the video of the march, before being taken down, that the “white supremacist demonstrators” were being escorted by DC Police, which means it had been coordinated with the city. If that was the case why wasn’t BLM/ANTIFA there to counter-protest. If DC City Hall knew this was going on, someone would have passed the word on. And yet, that didn’t happen. Stranger still, it appears that the group in question, called “Patriot Front” seemed to appear from nowhere, march down the steps, and disappear without holding a rally or making speeches.

Then yesterday, the “Mr. Reagan” YouTube channel did this update about the event that didn’t seem to happen, and group that no one has ever heard of. After viewing the video, I came away thinking, OK that’s weird, someone/group has gone through a lot of effort and expense to do what I’m not sure.

Also, what audience was this meant for? Then today I come across this article from POWERLINE. So it would appear that not only are the “Patriot Front” an Astroturf group, but according to the Washington Post headlines, “experts say” a “white supremacist march in D.C. was pushed by a fake Twitter account.”

What in the wide world of sports is going on here? Your thoughts?

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  1. WI Con Member
    WI Con
    @WICon

    I think they (the Feds) quickly realized they laid an egg. I saw some of that same coverage of the event.

    I’d add another point that I didn’t see made. They were shuttled in U-Haul vans and 1) none of these hated white supremicists were ticketed by police for transporting passengers in those types of vehicles and 2) in DC, after 9/11 and the ‘Great Insurrection of 1/6’ – a convoy of U-haul trucks can just drive around DC without being searched or stopped?

    Not buying it.

    • #1
  2. Dr. Bastiat Member
    Dr. Bastiat
    @drbastiat

    I wonder who these guys were?  I mean the individual people.

    Suppose Brad is an FBI agent.  Brad’s boss comes to him one day and says, “Ok, tomorrow, we’re doing a fake white supremacist march, to give President Biden something to talk about other than unemployment and COVID.  And Russia and China.  And immigration and inflation.  And crime in cities and CRT in schools.  And Hunter’s laptop and Kamala’s staff.  And Black Lives Matter and his communist Russian banker lady nominee.  And Brandon jokes and teleprompter mistakes.  And – well, you get the idea.  We need something positive here.  Like white supremacists.  And since we can’t seem to locate one right now, then that’s you.  You load up at 9am tomorrow – we’ll have your flags and signs all set for you.  Dress like a Republican.”

    You would think that Brad would scratch his head, thinking, “Is this part of my job with the FBI?  The Federal Bureau of Investigation?  I mean, President Biden says America’s greatest threat is from white supremacists.  Ok.  So we investigate them, and we can’t find any.  So we pretend to be white supremacists ourselves?  What kind of investigation is that?  Thank goodness we’re not investigating serial killers.  I hate to think what my boss would have me doing tomorrow.  Or perhaps he wouldn’t.  Because serial killers actually do exist, so perhaps I wouldn’t have to be one myself.  Geez this is odd.  On the other hand, this is better than having that sneaky liar Donald Trump in office, so I guess my actions are reasonable…”

    **********

    It would have been so wonderful to have all of them arrested by the county sheriff, and held in the county jail until they identify themselves.  That would have been great fun…

    • #2
  3. WI Con Member
    WI Con
    @WICon

    Don’t think they are military – once one has walked in formation, its hard NOT TO when walking in a group like that – there was virtually no coordination there. Wondering if it was a group of woke congressional staffers/journalists/non-profit types. 

    It seems as clumsy an operation as that squad of Lincoln Project Tiki Torchers at the Younkin bus. 

    • #3
  4. Rōnin Coolidge
    Rōnin
    @Ronin

    Dr. Bastiat (View Comment):

    I wonder who these guys were? I mean the individual people.

    Suppose Brad is an FBI agent. Brad’s boss comes to him one day and says, “Ok, tomorrow, we’re doing a fake white supremacist march, to give President Biden something to talk about other than unemployment and COVID. And Russia and China. And immigration and inflation. And crime in cities and CRT in schools. And Hunter’s laptop and Kamala’s staff. And Black Lives Matter and his communist Russian banker lady nominee. And Brandon jokes and teleprompter mistakes. And – well, you get the idea. We need something positive here. Like white supremacists. And since we can’t seem to locate one right now, then that’s you. You load up at 9am tomorrow – we’ll have your flags and signs all set for you. Dress like a Republican.”

    You would think that Brad would scratch his head, thinking, “Is this part of my job with the FBI? The Federal Bureau of Investigation? I mean, President Biden says America’s greatest threat is from white supremacists. Ok. So we investigate them, and we can’t find any. So we pretend to be white supremacists ourselves? What kind of investigation is that? Thank goodness we’re not investigating serial killers. I hate to think what my boss would have me doing tomorrow. Or perhaps he wouldn’t. Because serial killers actually do exist, so perhaps I wouldn’t have to be one myself. Geez this is odd. On the other hand, this is better than having that sneaky liar Donald Trump in office, so I guess my actions are reasonable…”

    **********

    It would have been so wonderful to have all of them arrested by the county sheriff, and held in the county jail until they identify themselves. That would have been great fun…

    Keep you eye on the Crimean/Ukraine situation as we get into January and February.  If Vlad can take the Crimea without too much EU/NATO fuss, he will move straight into Ukraine.  Belarus is already his.  Then it’s on to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.  It’s going to be hard for POTUS to whip up support to fight a Russian winter war so Germany can stay warm.

    • #4
  5. BDB Inactive
    BDB
    @BDB

    Rōnin (View Comment):
    Keep your eye on the Crimean/Ukraine situation as we get into January and February.  If Vlad can take the Crimea without too much EU/NATO fuss, he will move straight into Ukraine.  Belarus is already his.  Then it’s on to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.  It’s going to be hard for POTUS to whip up support to fight a Russian winter war so Germany can stay warm.

    And on the still-being-manufactured border migrant crisis directed against Poland from Belarus.  This is weapon just the same as “Syrian refugee crisis.”

    • #5
  6. BDB Inactive
    BDB
    @BDB

    Dr. Bastiat (View Comment):

    I wonder who these guys were? I mean the individual people.

    Suppose Brad is an FBI agent. Brad’s boss comes to him one day and says, “Ok, tomorrow, we’re doing a fake white supremacist march, to give President Biden something to talk about other than unemployment and COVID. And Russia and China. And immigration and inflation. And crime in cities and CRT in schools. And Hunter’s laptop and Kamala’s staff. And Black Lives Matter and his communist Russian banker lady nominee. And Brandon jokes and teleprompter mistakes. And – well, you get the idea. We need something positive here. Like white supremacists. And since we can’t seem to locate one right now, then that’s you. You load up at 9am tomorrow – we’ll have your flags and signs all set for you. Dress like a Republican.”

    You would think that Brad would scratch his head, thinking, “Is this part of my job with the FBI? The Federal Bureau of Investigation? I mean, President Biden says America’s greatest threat is from white supremacists. Ok. So we investigate them, and we can’t find any. So we pretend to be white supremacists ourselves? What kind of investigation is that? Thank goodness we’re not investigating serial killers. I hate to think what my boss would have me doing tomorrow. Or perhaps he wouldn’t. Because serial killers actually do exist, so perhaps I wouldn’t have to be one myself. Geez this is odd. On the other hand, this is better than having that sneaky liar Donald Trump in office, so I guess my actions are reasonable…”

    **********

    It would have been so wonderful to have all of them arrested by the county sheriff, and held in the county jail until they identify themselves. That would have been great fun…

    Guys steeped in “counterintel” from the point-of-view of the intel community as it is will eat this up with a spoon.  Strzok was the Chief of the Counterespionage Section of the FBI.  Just what do you think goes on there?  They have decades to repent, but the paychecks come next Friday.

    • #6
  7. Locke On Member
    Locke On
    @LockeOn

    Did anyone get plates on said U-Hauls?  All you need is one insider to run the rental history…

    • #7
  8. Nohaaj Coolidge
    Nohaaj
    @Nohaaj

    Dr. Bastiat (View Comment):
    I wonder who these guys were?  I mean the individual people.

    Absolutely great question.  There was clearly money behind them, each outfit, complete with shield, face mask, insignia, khakis, was a few hundred per guy.  

    It reminds me of the Soros funded protestors who stopped traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge a while back to protest not enough illegal immigration. In both protests, there was lots of coordination, from a logistics point of view.    A not insignificant amount of money was spent to create this theater.  A good reporter might find out where those vans were rented, and by whom. Unfortunately those don’t exist anymore. 

     

     

    • #8
  9. WI Con Member
    WI Con
    @WICon

    Locke On (View Comment):

    Did anyone get plates on said U-Hauls? All you need is one insider to run the rental history…

    There’s a video of them getting into one of the U-hauls. One of the videos of these guys plastering a poster across from a Zips Dry Cleaners – that building is in 902 Rockville Pike Rd, Rockville, Maryland – heart of Federal government country.

    Also, I’m guessing there had to be permits for this – there should be a National Park Service (?) application. Really, after they had that fencing around the Capital for 4months? They’re going to approve a permit for these guys, after an insurrection and the greatest threat to our country ever?

    After watching that U-tube, and that host making the point that the ADL was stating that this group is responsible for 80% of white supremacist posts/activity (something like that) – definatly getting the similar feeling of that Russia Collusion Hoax, where media just keeps referencing the manufactured material as “proof” that the material is real.

    Its an Op. – a failed one but an Op.

    • #9
  10. Nohaaj Coolidge
    Nohaaj
    @Nohaaj

    WI Con (View Comment):
    Its an Op. – a failed one but an Op

    It’s not a failed op if the press runs with it, and dust it off everytime they want.  Which they will do. 

    What is that famous quote? Something about a lie will travel round the world before truth even gets his pants on…

    • #10
  11. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    I suspect they were filming footage for later campaign ads.  

    • #11
  12. BDB Inactive
    BDB
    @BDB

    DaveSchmidt (View Comment):

    I suspect they were filming footage for later campaign ads.

    And later “news” footage.  They can say later that it was reported now, they bypass all the obvious fisking, and later on it’s just in the news as B-roll of conservative terrorism.

    Brownshirts.

    • #12
  13. BDB Inactive
    BDB
    @BDB

    WI Con (View Comment):

    Locke On (View Comment):

    Did anyone get plates on said U-Hauls? All you need is one insider to run the rental history…

    There’s a video of them getting into one of the U-hauls. One of the videos of these guys plastering a poster across from a Zips Dry Cleaners – that building is in 902 Rockville Pike Rd, Rockville, Maryland – heart of Federal government country.

    Also, I’m guessing there had to be permits for this – there should be a National Park Service (?) application. Really, after they had that fencing around the Capital for 4months? They’re going to approve a permit for these guys, after an insurrection and the greatest threat to our country ever?

    After watching that U-tube, and that host making the point that the ADL was stating that this group is responsible for 80% of white supremacist posts/activity (something like that) – definatly getting the similar feeling of that Russia Collusion Hoax, where media just keeps referencing the manufactured material as “proof” that the material is real.

    Its an Op. – a failed one but an Op.

    Oh, it succeeded.  The footage is now out there and credibly backdated from the next provocation as background.  “Remember this?”  Yes, they will, but they won’t remember that it was nonsense.

    • #13
  14. Gazpacho Grande' Coolidge
    Gazpacho Grande'
    @ChrisCampion

    It’s pretty obviously an op.  

    These guys are just your average american Joe types, blue collar, Pabst blue ribbon guys.  

     

    Move along.  Nothing to see here.  Certainly wouldn’t see FBI agents here.  Like at all.

     

     

    See the source image

    • #14
  15. Zafar Member
    Zafar
    @Zafar

    The ops claim is disputed by Snopes.  From which:

    [Patriot Front] is indeed a real, earnestly-motivated white nationalist group with a real, readily verifiable history. Its leader, a 23-year-old Texan named Thomas Ryan Rousseau, is a known far-right and fascist activist in the United States, and he was clearly visible and identifiable at the Dec. 4 National Mall rally…

    Ample video evidence, posted to Telegram by Patriot Front itself, as well as a white nationalist propaganda platform called Media2Rise, demonstrates definitively that Rousseau led the rally.

    They have a bunch of links plus embedded video as well as a picture of Mr Rousseau at the rally.  Matches the mug shot from SPLC.

     

    • #15
  16. Nohaaj Coolidge
    Nohaaj
    @Nohaaj

    Zafar (View Comment):
    The ops claim is disputed by Snopes.

    Well, that is indisputable then. If Snopes says,  it has to be at least 31.7% accurate.  Or not…

    • #16
  17. Richard Easton Coolidge
    Richard Easton
    @RichardEaston

    Zafar (View Comment):

    The ops claim is disputed by Snopes. From which:

    [Patriot Front] is indeed a real, earnestly-motivated white nationalist group with a real, readily verifiable history. Its leader, a 23-year-old Texan named Thomas Ryan Rousseau, is a known far-right and fascist activist in the United States, and he was clearly visible and identifiable at the Dec. 4 National Mall rally…

    Ample video evidence, posted to Telegram by Patriot Front itself, as well as a white nationalist propaganda platform called Media2Rise, demonstrates definitively that Rousseau led the rally.

    They have a bunch of links plus embedded video as well as a picture of Mr Rousseau at the rally. Matches the mug shot from SPLC.

     

    The Whitmer kidnapping plot was an FIB ops designed to help Biden. The FIB could have been funding this group for years to advance the claim that far right groups are sizable. The fact that there were no fat people in the group tells you that it was not spontaneous. I attended a Smithsonian tour of Gettysburg in 1992. There were many reenactors there. A large % of the Confederates were obese..

    • #17
  18. Zafar Member
    Zafar
    @Zafar

    It’s certainly possible the whole thing is an FBI operation, but there’s no proof that it is.  (Also, why wouldn’t the FBI fund fat people folks?)

    It seems similar to the claim that Antifa dressed in MAGA hats were the violent ones on Jan 6.

    • #18
  19. BDB Inactive
    BDB
    @BDB

    Zafar (View Comment):
    The ops claim is disputed by Snopes

    Op confirmed.

    • #19
  20. Gazpacho Grande' Coolidge
    Gazpacho Grande'
    @ChrisCampion

    Zafar (View Comment):

    It’s certainly possible the whole thing is an FBI operation, but there’s no proof that it is. (Also, why wouldn’t the FBI fund fat people folks?)

    It seems similar to the claim that Antifa dressed in MAGA hats were the violent ones on Jan 6.

    Because it’s true.

    But ok.  Reply with standard Snopes response.  As I recall, it was Capitol Police that were the violent ones.  Ask a person shot there.  Oh, you can’t – she’s dead.

    • #20
  21. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    Nohaaj (View Comment):

    WI Con (View Comment):
    Its an Op. – a failed one but an Op

    It’s not a failed op if the press runs with it, and dust it off everytime they want. Which they will do.

    What is that famous quote? Something about a lie will travel round the world before truth even gets his pants on…

    Yeah.

    They lie about bleach and fine people all the time.

     

    • #21
  22. Richard Easton Coolidge
    Richard Easton
    @RichardEaston

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):

    Nohaaj (View Comment):

    WI Con (View Comment):
    Its an Op. – a failed one but an Op

    It’s not a failed op if the press runs with it, and dust it off everytime they want. Which they will do.

    What is that famous quote? Something about a lie will travel round the world before truth even gets his pants on…

    Yeah.

    They lie about bleach and fine people all the time.

     

    We’re fortunate that no one on R imitates them.

    • #22
  23. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    Richard Easton (View Comment):

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):

    Nohaaj (View Comment):

    WI Con (View Comment):
    Its an Op. – a failed one but an Op

    It’s not a failed op if the press runs with it, and dust it off everytime they want. Which they will do.

    What is that famous quote? Something about a lie will travel round the world before truth even gets his pants on…

    Yeah.

    They lie about bleach and fine people all the time.

     

    We’re fortunate that no one on R imitates them.

    I see what you did there.

    • #23
  24. Richard Easton Coolidge
    Richard Easton
    @RichardEaston

    Gazpacho Grande' (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):

    It’s certainly possible the whole thing is an FBI operation, but there’s no proof that it is. (Also, why wouldn’t the FBI fund fat people folks?)

    It seems similar to the claim that Antifa dressed in MAGA hats were the violent ones on Jan 6.

    Because it’s true.

    But ok. Reply with standard Snopes response. As I recall, it was Capitol Police that were the violent ones. Ask a person shot there. Oh, you can’t – she’s dead.

    https://amgreatness.com/2021/12/08/150045/

    • #24
  25. philo Member
    philo
    @philo

    Congrats on the Instapundit exposure. 

    • #25
  26. colleenb Member
    colleenb
    @colleenb

    Congrats on the Instapundit link Ronin! I hope anyone linking read all the fine Ricochetti comments too.

    • #26
  27. genferei Member
    genferei
    @genferei

    Zafar (View Comment):

    It’s certainly possible the whole thing is an FBI operation, but there’s no proof that it is.

    I think we’ve reached the point where the burden of proof is reversed on these matters.

     

    • #27
  28. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    genferei (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):

    It’s certainly possible the whole thing is an FBI operation, but there’s no proof that it is.

    I think we’ve reached the point where the burden of proof is reversed on these matters.

     

    I’ve long thought that when it comes to government, the standard should be guilty until proven innocent.  That doesn’t mean that individual government officers should be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process and presumption of innocence, but it does mean they should often be deprived of their government jobs unless they can prove innocence.  

    • #28
  29. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    genferei (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):

    It’s certainly possible the whole thing is an FBI operation, but there’s no proof that it is.

    I think we’ve reached the point where the burden of proof is reversed on these matters.

     

    I’ve long thought that when it comes to government, the standard should be guilty until proven innocent. That doesn’t mean that individual government officers should be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process and presumption of innocence, but it does mean they should often be deprived of their government jobs unless they can prove innocence.

    To expand on this, it’s not such an impossible idea as you might think.  The IRS treats people as guilty until proven innocent.   The way we deal with that is by careful recordkeeping, making our finances transparent to the IRS.  The way this would work in government is with careful recordkeeping and transparency.  

    • #29
  30. Rōnin Coolidge
    Rōnin
    @Ronin

    Just a FYI, but according to FBIJOBS, To be eligible for the FBI Special Agent position, applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications at the time of application:

    • Be between 23 and 36 years of age.
      • FBI Special Agents have a mandatory retirement age of 57. In order to achieve the required 20 years of service for retirement, Special Agents must enter on duty no later than the day before their 37th birthday. Applicants must apply for the Special Agent position prior to their 36th birthday to allow adequate time to complete SASS. The FBI may disqualify applicants at any time if it is determined that they will reach age 37 before appointment.
      • Current FBI employees are encouraged to apply to the Special Agent position prior to their 39th birthday to allow adequate time to complete SASS. Current FBI employees must be appointed and assigned to the FBI Academy no later than one day preceding their 40th birthday.
    • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S.-accredited college or university.
    • Have at least two years of full-time professional work experience; or one year if you have earned an advanced degree (master’s or higher).
    • Possess a valid driver’s license and have six months of driving experience.
    • Meet the Special Agent physical fitness standards (see the Physical Requirements page).
    • Be available to report to one of the FBI’s 56 Field Offices for interviews and testing several times throughout the application process. You are responsible for your own travel to and from the Field Office. Applicants who reside overseas must be available for travel to the United States for testing and processing at an FBI Field Office at your own expense; you may choose a Field Office that is most convenient for you. While travel from an overseas location to the Processing Field Office (PFO) is the responsibility of the applicant, any additional travel for Phase II testing from the PFO will be incurred by the FBI.
    • If you are currently on active duty in the military, you must be within 15 months of completing your service before submitting your application.

    So I guess actual field agents could be being pulled to stage these sort of things.  I always thought you had to have a law degree with experience in police work.  Now I guess any BS bachelor’s  degree will get you into the door.

    • #30
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