Shaping Operations: The Mind Of The Opposition

Matt Bracken sends this email string with journalist J.M. Berger, with permission to print in full.

(Editor’s note – 0945 edt 13 April 2012: the email string has been rearranged from its original reverse chronological order and placed into chronological order to improve readability; Mr. Berger’s phone number has been obscured).

Note both the substance and the timing of the request.

Note also the fact of the outreach.

Combine those facts with a likely growing perception that FREEFOR has “…men amongst them who know very well what they are about“, and this recent correspondence provides an interesting view of an OPFOR shaping operation in its infancy.

Enjoy:

On Wed, Apr 11, 2012 at 9:58 AM, J.M. Berger wrote:

Dear Mr. Bracken,

My name is J.M. Berger. I’m a journalist working on a story about the EFAD trilogy for the Daily Beast. I was wondering if you’d have a few minutes to discuss the book between Thursday and Sunday via phone or email. (My deadline is Monday and I am out of the office most of today.)

I can be reached at this address or at 202-656-XXXX any time starting tomorrow morning.

Best,
J.M.
——————-
http://jmberger.com

— On Thu, 4/12/12, Matt Bracken wrote:

From: Matt Bracken
Subject: Re: Media query, #EFAD
To: “J.M. Berger”
Date: Thursday, April 12, 2012, 8:10 AM

Sure, I can do that. It’s now 8am Thursday and I’ll be off the grid until later this afternoon, but we can set up a call for anytime after that.

Matt

On Thu, Apr 12, 2012 at 8:13 AM, J.M. Berger wrote:

Any time this afternoon or after is fine with me. Just let me know, or just call when it’s convenient.

Thanks very much,
JM

——————-
http://jmberger.com

— On Thu, 4/12/12, Matt Bracken wrote:
From: Matt Bracken Subject: Re: Media query, #EFADTo: “J.M. Berger”
Date: Thursday, April 12, 2012, 8:48 AM

If you would prefer, we can use written Q&A format. Or, you could shoot me some questions that I could consider prior to a phone interview. In any case, I’ll be out of range until later this afternoon.

Matt

On Thu, Apr 12, 2012 at 8:58 AM, J.M. Berger wrote:

I’m mainly interested in understanding the role you see the book playing for the Patriot movement (entertainment or educational or inspirational, etc.), and how the book reflects (or doesn’t) your own political views.

I’d also like to talk about the inevitable comparison to “The Turner Diaries.” I didn’t think the comparison was inevitable after Book One, but it’s difficult to avoid by the end of Book Three. I’m interested in what you think of Turner, whether you set out intentionally to modify or improve on what it represents, and what role you think racial politics play in the modern Patriot movement.

JM
——————-
http://jmberger.com

— On Thu, 4/12/12, Matt Bracken wrote:
From: Matt Bracken Subject: Re: Media query, #EFADTo: “J.M. Berger”
Date: Thursday, April 12, 2012, 9:20 AM

Did you actually read all three novels? Every page? I’m probably going to punt on this interview if your point is to compare my work to the racist screed the Turner Diaries.

Assuming you will say that you did read all three novels, I’m guessing you are comparing FEAT to TTD based on bad actions by black characters in and around Memphis. Do you honestly think that after major earthquakes cut off W. TN (no water, no power etc), folks will all join across racial lines to sing kumbaya? There would be no racial element? Such a plot would be laughably unrealistic and PC. And do you find the murderously evil white vigilantes in FEAT to be portrayed sympathetically? Another “Turner Diaries?” Really? And did you miss the catharsis in racial feelings by Jenny?

I mean, seriously, did you read the damn novel, or skim it, or possibly just read the excerpts on my website?

If you have not read, (I mean, really read), all three novels, then forget it. Get back to me when you have.

And in any case, forget a phone interview. I can see already how that would go, when your “notes” become written words in your essay. Been there, done that, still got the scars, pal. Submit written Q&A only is how this will go, if it goes at all. My trust-o-meter is pegging the redline. My trust in “journalists” after a few decades dealing with them is below used car salesmen and hookers. I’ve given interviews, and seen my words turned via the magical process of “notes” into damnable lies. Fool me once, etc.

Matt

On Thu, Apr 12, 2012 at 9:45 AM, J.M. Berger wrote:

I read all three novels. These are the reasons I think it’s valid to compare and contrast:

1) Both books are predicated around revolution/resistance tied to the seizure of guns,
2) The Memphis section of the third book clearly echoes the content of the Turner Diaries. My opinion about the credibility of anything you described is entirely irrelevant to that point unless you’re arguing from a belief that black cannibalism is a realistically inevitable outcome of the breakdown of society or an unavoidable literary imperative of some kind.
3) Nevertheless, you seem to be approaching racial content in a markedly different way than Pierce. This is also a valid point for comparison and contrast, which is not the same as saying the two books are equal or equivalent.
4) Since you asked, my view is that the breakthrough that Jenny experiences is an awfully weak counterweight against the Memphis stuff. I plan on acknowledging its presence, and the other factors you included as counterweights, but I think it’s appropriate to discuss it in context. The balance in Book 3 is clearly much different from Book 1.

I can understand your wanting to clearly distinguish your book from Turner, but I frankly don’t understand your outrage over the comparison. I think it’s pretty obvious and valid why one would discuss these two books together. To acknowledge the commonalities is not to equate the books on the basis of racial politics, writing or anything else.

So for some actual questions. I’ll start with these, and if you’re still willing to continue, I will send more.

1) Did you set out to do a political book in the form of a novel, or did you set out to write a novel that simply has political elements?
2) Did you consciously set out to write something that would be a non-racist or at least less racial alternative to The Turner Diaries as a text for the Patriot movement?
3) Would you describe yourself as part of the Patriot movement or as part of some other political wave?
4) Do you feel that the Patriot movement has historically had a racist component? Do you think it needs to change in this respect? If so, why?

Thanks for considering this request.
JM
——————-
http://jmberger.com

—– Forwarded Message —–
From: Matt Bracken
To: J.M. Berger
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 9:57 PM
Subject: Re: Media query, #EFAD

Mr Berger,

Let me take your approach for just a moment.

When did you stop beating your wife and children in drunken rages? Since we know that most journalists are drunken louts who beat their wives and kids, right?

Truthfully, most of the self-described “journalists” I have dealt with personally have been smarmy, lying SOBs, and I see you are typical of the breed.

AMF.