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In this episode, Bradley and Scott Beekman continue to explore the life and career of the aspiring American dictator, William Dudley Pelley. Better known as, “The Chief,” Pelley moves from spiritualism into politics, becomes embroiled in a Silver Legion government coup plot, and ultimately evolves into a New Age prophet.
In this episode, Bradley explores the strange history of one of America's first home-grown fascist leaders - William Dudley Pelley - better known as "The Chief." Along with Pelley biographer, Scott Beekman, Hart walks us through Pelley's life journey: starting as young journalist, then an author, a Hollywood screenwriter, a mystic, a publisher, a politician, and ultimately "The Chief" of an armed U.S. fascist movement in the 1930s known as the Silver Legion.
To celebrate hitting 2k followers on Twitter, I decided to unlock the first part of our investigation into Pelley, Gen. Smedley Butler, & the Wall St. Putsch conspirators—enjoy. Two ways to support PPM: follow @parapower_mapping on Insta & subscribe to the Patreon before Pt. III drops in a couple days: patreon.com/ParaPowerMapping We're talking Bill Pelley—literal Nazi agent, Christian Theosophical crank, spiritualist, newspaperman, espionage agent, screenwriter, reborn clairvoyant, founder of a UFO cult, Soulcrafter, publisher of shitty antisemitic magazines, & founder of an American Nazi paramilitary known as the Silver Legion. But first, we parse the failed Wall St. Putsch (aka Bizness Plot), setting the stage for our investigation of Pelley, as various industrialist backers of the scheme, conspirators, & the legislative body that uncovered it (maybe involuntarily) figure into W.D.P's story. We're talking McCormack-Dickstein Committee, predecessor to HUAC; Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler, Alfred P. Sloan, I. DuPont, JP Morgan Jr., Prescott Bush, Felix & Max Warburg, Grayson Murphy, Gerald Macguire, & a # of references to Henry Ford in this one. We discuss: Marine Corps Gen. Butler & the Bonus Army; possibility the American Legion was funded w/ coups in mind; FDR cucked by Wall St.; the Putsch's origins in Executive Order 6102; Biz Plot taking inspiration from German putsches; John L. Spivak's exposé in "New Masses"—gotta give it to Spivak for his farsighted analysis of the capitalist underpinnings of rising fascism in Germany & US; coup organizer Gerry MacGuire's sus death at 36 yrs old a mere year or 2 after the plan unraveled; the Co. that had Murphy as board member; Robert Sterling Clark serving under Butler = potential complicity; Butler's undercover escapade in Standard Oil-backed int'l espionage; Butler, Clark, & Murphy's shared military campaigns (China, Boxer Rebellion, & Philippine-American War specifically); speculation about whether—contrary to the conscientious antiwar activist portrayals—Smedley was infiltrating antiwar & left mvmts in US; Butler's military career lasting exactly 33 years (
Welcome back to ParaPower Mapping. We cont. our comp. paranoid analysis of the history of Nazi occultism today by examining a fairly-forgotten figure in contemporary America: William Dudley Pelley—literal Nazi agent, Christian Theosophical crank, spiritualist, newspaperman, int'l espionage agent, screenwriter, reborn clairvoyant, founder of a UFO cult, Soulcrafter, publisher of shitty antisemitic magazines, & founder of the American Nazi paramilitary known as the Silver Legion. Full Version: patreon.com/ParaPowerMapping But first, we attempt to parse the failed Wall St. Putsch (aka Bizness Plot), setting the stage for our investigation of Pelley, as various plutocratic & industrialist backers of the scheme, conspirators, & the legislative body that uncovered it (maybe involuntarily) figure into W.D.P's story. We're talking McCormack-Dickstein Committee, predecessor to HUAC; Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler, Alfred P. Sloan, I. DuPont, JP Morgan Jr., Prescott Bush, Felix & Max Warburg, Grayson Murphy, Gerald Macguire, etc.; a # of references to Henry Ford in this one. We discuss: Marine Corps Gen. Butler & the Bonus Army; possibility the American Legion was funded w/ coups in mind; FDR cucked by Wall St.; the Putsch's origins in Executive Order 6102; Biz Plot taking inspiration from German putsches; John L. Spivak's exposé in "New Masses"—gotta give it to Spivak for his farsighted analysis of the capitalist underpinnings of rising fascism in Germany & US; coup organizer Gerry MacGuire's sus death at 36 yrs old a mere year or 2 after the plan unraveled; the corporations that counted Murphy as board member; Robert Sterling Clark serving under Butler = potential complicity; Butler's undercover escapade in Standard Oil-backed int'l espionage; Butler, Clark, & Murphy's shared military campaigns (China, Boxer Rebellion, & Philippine-American War specifically); speculations about whether, contrary to the conscientious antiwar activist he's often portrayed as, Smedley was infiltrating socialist & communist mvmts in the US; Butler's military career lasting exactly 33 years (
Ronnie Pontiac talks about his new book American Metaphysical Religion: Esoteric & Mystical Traditions of the New World An in-depth exploration of four centuries of American occult and spiritual history, from colonial-era alchemists to 20th-century teachers. Based on the latest research, Ronnie Pontiac shows how, from the very beginning, America was a vibrant blend of beliefs from all four corners of the world. He looks at everything from colonial-era alchemists, astrologers, and early spiritual collectives to Edgar Cayce, the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor, and St. Germain on Mount Shasta. Details how, from the very beginning, America was a vibrant blend of beliefs from all four corners of the world • Looks at well-known figures such as Manly P. Hall and offers riveting portraits of many lesser-known esoteric luminaries such as the Pagan Pilgrim, Tom Morton • Reveals the Rosicrucians among the first settlers from England, the spiritual influence of enslaved people, the work of mystical abolitionists, and how Native Americans and Latinx people helped shape contemporary spirituality Most Americans believe the United States was founded by pious Christians. However, as Ronnie Pontiac reveals, from the very beginning America was a vibrant blend of beliefs from all four corners of the world. Based on the latest research, with the assistance of leading scholars, this in-depth exploration of four centuries of American occult and spiritual history looks at everything from colonial-era alchemists, astrologers, and early spiritual collectives to Edgar Cayce, the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor, and St. Germain on Mount Shasta. Pontiac shows that Rosicrucians were among the first settlers from England and explores how young women of the Shaker community fell into trances and gave messages from the dead. He details the spiritual influence of the African diaspora, the work of mystical abolitionists, and how Indigenous groups and Latinx people played a large role in the shaping of contemporary spirituality and healing practices. The author looks at well-known figures such as Manly P. Hall and lesser-known esoteric luminaries such as the Pagan Pilgrim, Tom Morton. He examines the Aquarian Gospel, the Sekhmet Revival, A Course in Miracles, the School of Ageless Wisdom, and mediumship in the early 20th century. He explores the profound influence of the Bodhi Tree Bookstore in Los Angeles and looks at the evolution of female roles in spirituality across the centuries. He also examines the right wing of American metaphysics from the Silver Legion to QAnon. Revealing the diverse streams that run through America's metaphysical landscape, Pontiac offers an encyclopedic examination of occult teachers, esotericists, and spiritual collectives almost no one has heard of but who was profoundly influential. We talk about Definition of American Religion and Metaphysics American Occult How social media has influenced American Beliefs Apophenia and influencing beliefs AMORC Impact of the Rosicrucians Red Harlot - Francis Wright Birth, divorce, and property rights Arthur Evans and Zbudapest Queer Movement The Bodhi Tree How the white man gained control Political awareness Hostility against the Pope The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor Changes in academia regarding esoteric studies Ronnie Pontiac worked as Manly P. Hall's research assistant, screener, and designated substitute lecturer for seven years. He has produced award-winning documentaries and has written for Invisible College Magazine, Newtopia, Metapsychosis, Occult of Personality, and the original Reality Sandwich. He lives in Los Angeles.
AMERICAN METAPHYSICAL RELIGIONAn in-depth exploration of four centuries of American occult and spiritual history, from colonial-era alchemists to 20th-century teachers• Details how, from the very beginning, America was a vibrant blend of beliefs from all four corners of the world• Looks at well-known figures such as Manly P. Hall and offers riveting portraits of many lesser known esoteric luminaries such as the Pagan Pilgrim, Tom Morton• Reveals the Rosicrucians among the first settlers from England, the spiritual influence of enslaved people, the work of mystical abolitionists, and how Native Americans and Latinx people helped shape contemporary spiritualityMost Americans believe the United States was founded by pious Christians. However, as Ronnie Pontiac reveals, from the very beginning America was a vibrant blend of beliefs from all four corners of the world.Based on the latest research, with the assistance of leading scholars, this in-depth exploration of four centuries of American occult and spiritual history looks at everything from colonial-era alchemists, astrologers, and early spiritual collectives to Edgar Cayce, the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor, and St. Germain on Mount Shasta. Pontiac shows that Rosicrucians were among the first settlers from England and explores how young women of the Shaker community fell into trances and gave messages from the dead. He details the spiritual influence of the African diaspora, the work of mystical abolitionists, and how Indigenous groups and Latinx people played a large role in the shaping of contemporary spirituality and healing practices.The author looks at well-known figures such as Manly P. Hall and lesser known esoteric luminaries such as the Pagan Pilgrim, Tom Morton. He examines the Aquarian Gospel, the Sekhmet Revival, A Course in Miracles, the School of Ageless Wisdom, and mediumship in the early 20th century. He explores the profound influence of the Bodhi Tree Bookstore in Los Angeles and looks at the evolution of female roles in spirituality across the centuries. He also examines the right wing of American metaphysics from the Silver Legion to QAnon.Revealing the diverse streams that run through America's metaphysical landscape, Pontiac offers an encyclopedic examination of occult teachers, esotericists, and spiritual collectives almost no one has heard of but who were profoundly influential.Ronnie Pontiac worked as Manly P. Hall's research assistant, screener, and designated substitute lecturer for seven years. He has produced award-winning documentaries and has written for Invisible College Magazine, Newtopia, Metapsychosis, Occult of Personality, and the original Reality Sandwich. He lives in Los Angeles.
What if January 6th was... all about gold? Sure, it sounds improbable at first, but since last year, Dave has been digging into the improbable backstory that got us here. From goldbugs to the "I AM" cult to libertarianism, crypto, and QAnon, this story has it all. In Part 1, Dave and Jack covered the origins of goldbuggery, from the New Deal to the Reagan era. In this episode, they cover the 1990's to today, and make some startling connections along the way. Dave reads the second half of "Paranoia on Parade: How Goldbugs, Libertarians and Religious Extremists Brought America to the Brink" and discusses it in real-time with film director Jack Bryan, (Active Measures, 2018). They cover topics that couldn't fit into the article, and help explain the wild story behind the obsessions that helped lead us to January 6th and Putin's war in Ukraine. And the wild conclusions have to be heard to be believed! Keywords: New Deal, Libertarianism, gold, goldbugs, Roosevelt, John Birch Society, Jack Singlaub, Philippines, Michael Flynn, QAnon, Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Reagan, anticommunist, Protocols of the Elders of Zion, Koch, Council for National Policy, CNP, Newsmax, Sovereign Individual, Agora Publishing, James Dale Davidson, William Rees-Mogg, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Technocracy, Occupy, Federal Reserve, National Association of Manufacturers, American Legion, American Liberty League, Silver Legion, "I AM", fascism, Moonies, VFW, QAnon, Brock Pierce, Steve Bannon, Ron Paul, Oathkeepers, January 6, Freedom School, Robert LeFevre, Hunt Brothers. Read "Paranoia on Parade" at Washington Spectator: https://washingtonspectator.org/paranoia-on-parade/
What if January 6th was... all about gold? Sure, it sounds improbable at first, but since last year, Dave has been digging into the improbable backstory that got us here. From goldbugs to the "I AM" cult to libertarianism, crypto, and QAnon, this story has it all. In this episode, Dave continues his conversation with Hamilton Fish, editor of The Washington Spectator, which published his piece, "Paranoia on Parade: How Goldbugs, Libertarians and Religious Extremists Brought America to the Brink." Dave and Hamilton discuss the process for developing this story and some of the things they learned in reporting it. Keywords: New Deal, Libertarianism, gold, goldbugs, Roosevelt, John Birch Society, Jack Singlaub, Philippines, Michael Flynn, QAnon, Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Reagan, anticommunist, Protocols of the Elders of Zion, Koch, Council for National Policy, CNP, Newsmax, Sovereign Individual, Agora Publishing, James Dale Davidson, William Rees-Mogg, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Technocracy, Occupy, Federal Reserve, National Association of Manufacturers, American Legion, American Liberty League, Silver Legion, "I AM", fascism, Moonies, VFW, QAnon, Brock Pierce, Steve Bannon, Ron Paul, Oathkeepers, January 6, Freedom School, Robert LeFevre, Hunt Brothers. Read "Paranoia on Parade" at Washington Spectator: https://washingtonspectator.org/paranoia-on-parade/
What if January 6th was... all about gold? Sure, it sounds improbable at first, but since last year, Dave has been digging into the improbable backstory that got us here. From goldbugs to the "I AM" cult to libertarianism, crypto, and QAnon, this story has it all. In this episode, Dave talks with Hamilton Fish, editor of The Washington Spectator to introduce the show, and then reads the first half of his recently published piece, "Paranoia on Parade: How Goldbugs, Libertarians and Religious Extremists Brought America to the Brink" and discusses it in real-time with film director Jack Bryan, (Active Measures, 2018). They cover topics that couldn't fit into the article, and help explain the wild story behind the obsessions that helped lead us to January 6th and Putin's war in Ukraine. You won't want to miss this! Keywords: New Deal, Libertarianism, gold, goldbugs, Roosevelt, John Birch Society, Jack Singlaub, Philippines, Michael Flynn, QAnon, Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Reagan, anticommunist, Protocols of the Elders of Zion, Koch, Council for National Policy, CNP, Newsmax, Sovereign Individual, Agora Publishing, James Dale Davidson, William Rees-Mogg, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Technocracy, Occupy, Federal Reserve, National Association of Manufacturers, American Legion, American Liberty League, Silver Legion, "I AM", fascism, Moonies, VFW, QAnon, Brock Pierce, Steve Bannon, Ron Paul, Oathkeepers, January 6, Freedom School, Robert LeFevre, Hunt Brothers. Read "Paranoia on Parade" at Washington Spectator: https://washingtonspectator.org/paranoia-on-parade/
It's time to catch up with our favorite villainous magicians. Between 1934 and 1939 Guy and Edna Ballard brainwashed and robbed blind upwards to a million Americans through the "'I AM' Religious Activity" using hypnosis, parlor tricks, force of will, and a bunch of members of William Dudley Pelley's Silver Legion - the most successful American Nazi organization - with the stated goal of overthrowing the government and installing Guy Ballard as ruler of America in Saint Germain's "Seventh Golden Age". The teachings of the I AM Activity are some of the primary influences on both New Age spirituality (twin flames, ascension, ascended masters, the violet flame, Mount Shasta, etc.) and Q Anon. Guy died at the tail end of 1938, but the story doesn't end there. Edna Ballard, son Donald and the parent corporation of the "I AM" Activity, The Saint Germain Foundation, would go on to operate from the shadows for decades, co-opting and subverting American spirituality up to and through the present day. The Saint Germain Foundation owns hundreds of perfectly manicured properties in extremely desirable locations, does no active recruiting, and is just generally incredibly creepy. This week we go over the nearly 1000 pages of declassified FBI documents relating to the SGF, testimony of former members, the strange death of Donald Ballard, and whatever is going on currently at Mount Shasta.
In the 1930's a man interested in writing, new age religions and far-right politics came to Asheville, North Carolina, where he established his own fascist organization in support of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party in Germany. Today we tell the story of William Dudley Pelley.
It's the conclusion to our series on the most racist, hate-filled mystic America has ever seen, The Star-Spangled Fascist, William Dudley Pelley! In this episode we mostly focus on the Silver Legion, a pro-Nazi group founded by Pelley in 1933. We also go into the Christian Commonwealth idea, the spiritual teachings of Soulcraft and much more. WDP may be our most hated person, which is really saying something at this point. And seriously. Screw Nazis.
Did you know America spawned its very own homegrown fascist movement in the 1930s? Yup. The Silver Legion's William Dudley Pelley was the original Man in the High Castle. Or... at least he dreamed himself to be. Be sure to support the show at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod to get your portrait drawn! Music by Rachel Westhoff. Maps, pics, references and more at www.deadideas.net.
From the Silver Legion to the Aryan Nation, the U.S. has had its share of fascist organizations but its never had anything quite like Atomwaffen Division. Grown and organized online, the group has been linked to five murders and a bomb plot in the past eight months. The group is so extreme that even prominent leaders of the Alt-Right have denounced it.This week on War College, journalist Jake Hanrahan takes us through what the group believes, what it wants, and what it might be willing to do to get it.You can listen to War College on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/war-c…d1023774600?mt=2, Stitcher: www.stitcher.com/podcast/jason-fields/war-college, Google Play: play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/…yfrxlbf6e6ec6difm or follow our RSS directly: rss.acast.com/warcollege. You can reach us on our new Facebook page: www.facebook.com/warcollegepodcast/; and on Twitter: @War_College: twitter.com/War_College. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In his new book, Hitler’s American Friends: The Third Reich’s Supporters in the United States (Thomas Dunne Books, 2018), Bradley W. Hart, assistant professor at California State University, Fresno, examines Nazi sympathizers, noninterventionists, and others in American who advocated for Nazi Germany in the years before World War II. Hart looks at a wide array of groups and individuals in his study, from the German-American Bund, the Silver Legion, religious leaders, members of Congress and of course Charles Lindbergh. Hitler’s American Friends ultimately shows that Americans are not immune to the lure of authoritarianism, and just how fragile our democracy is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In his new book, Hitler’s American Friends: The Third Reich’s Supporters in the United States (Thomas Dunne Books, 2018), Bradley W. Hart, assistant professor at California State University, Fresno, examines Nazi sympathizers, noninterventionists, and others in American who advocated for Nazi Germany in the years before World War II. Hart looks at a wide array of groups and individuals in his study, from the German-American Bund, the Silver Legion, religious leaders, members of Congress and of course Charles Lindbergh. Hitler’s American Friends ultimately shows that Americans are not immune to the lure of authoritarianism, and just how fragile our democracy is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In his new book, Hitler’s American Friends: The Third Reich’s Supporters in the United States (Thomas Dunne Books, 2018), Bradley W. Hart, assistant professor at California State University, Fresno, examines Nazi sympathizers, noninterventionists, and others in American who advocated for Nazi Germany in the years before World War II. Hart looks at a wide array of groups and individuals in his study, from the German-American Bund, the Silver Legion, religious leaders, members of Congress and of course Charles Lindbergh. Hitler’s American Friends ultimately shows that Americans are not immune to the lure of authoritarianism, and just how fragile our democracy is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In his new book, Hitler’s American Friends: The Third Reich’s Supporters in the United States (Thomas Dunne Books, 2018), Bradley W. Hart, assistant professor at California State University, Fresno, examines Nazi sympathizers, noninterventionists, and others in American who advocated for Nazi Germany in the years before World War II. Hart looks at a wide array of groups and individuals in his study, from the German-American Bund, the Silver Legion, religious leaders, members of Congress and of course Charles Lindbergh. Hitler’s American Friends ultimately shows that Americans are not immune to the lure of authoritarianism, and just how fragile our democracy is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In his new book, Hitler’s American Friends: The Third Reich’s Supporters in the United States (Thomas Dunne Books, 2018), Bradley W. Hart, assistant professor at California State University, Fresno, examines Nazi sympathizers, noninterventionists, and others in American who advocated for Nazi Germany in the years before World War II. Hart looks at a wide array of groups and individuals in his study, from the German-American Bund, the Silver Legion, religious leaders, members of Congress and of course Charles Lindbergh. Hitler’s American Friends ultimately shows that Americans are not immune to the lure of authoritarianism, and just how fragile our democracy is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Part 2 of our miniseries on Hitler's American Friends from author Bradley Hart, we learn about an American organization that mirrored the Nazi's in ruthlessness, exclusiveness, and terror — The Silver Legions. Embracing lawlessness, violence, and power, The Silver Legion's "Chief" William Dudley Pelley dangerously aligned himself with Hitler's goals and attempted to seize power in the United States. Learn more about Hitler's American Friends: The Third Reich's Supporters in the United States by reading this episode's full transcript or picking up the book! Transcript on Quick and Dirty Tips: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/history/who-was-william-dudley-pelley-and-the-silver-legion Buy the Book: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250148957
From the Silver Legion to the Aryan Nation, the U.S. has had its share of fascist organizations but its never had anything quite like Atomwaffen Division. Grown and organized online, the group has been linked to five murders and a bomb plot in the past eight months. The group is so extreme that even prominent leaders of the Alt-Right have denounced it.This week on War College, journalist Jake Hanrahan takes us through what the group believes, what it wants, and what it might be willing to do to get it.You can listen to War College on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play or follow our RSS directly. You can reach us on our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/warcollegepodcast/; and on Twitter: @War_College. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.