Author Anne Nelson on the 60-year history of the vast right-wing shadow network

Nelson lays out how this all brought us to January 6th.

[@htoddgriffin4787]

I did my PhD in 1996 on the intersection of politics, christian fundamentalists, media and the far rights shadow society (I identified shadow society as christian schools, christian media, and racist organizations) in the US since the 1920's. At the time I got a lot of push back on my predictions of what I saw coming over the next 50-100 years; a de-evolution into a theocratic authoritarian state. Some of my professors thought it was practically science fiction. Then social media and talk radio became a thing, creating information silos and boosting the most radical voices, throwing gas on the growing fire. I've watched as the political right in this country embraced and amplified this one time fringe element until it took over the Republican party and now, here we are today. I really wish I had been wrong. This is going to end badly. When you merge a persons strongly held religious beliefs with their political beliefs, you end up with an individual that rejects reason and facts, and a person that will do pretty much anything to silence dissenting voices or any opinions that diverge from their own. There is no room for discourse. They'll do anything.

[@Videosop23]

“Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them.” ― Barry Goldwater

[@victoriamathis4227]

I would be interested to read your these.

[@filrabat1965]

@@Videosop23 Even without actual religion, there's still other social practices and values that can function as a quasi-religion: macho toxic masculinity, Social Darwinism, and the desire to shit on harmlessly different others over the most trivially annoying of differences or defects. It's the idea that physical - or at least personal - backbone and strength is the main (if not only) yardstick to measure worth of another person - especially a male's but increasingly even a female's too.

[@mikemccarthy1638]

@Jay Bee - “…thesis.” She ain’t Ivan - it’s that damned effing Autocorrect. The software team had a lot of fun w/ their mischief coding.

[@JulyChilds]

Where did you study?

[@shirleysmith2522]

Al, please run for office! This country loves you! I’ve been following you since SNL. You’re the BEST!

[@robynrains7252]

Yes run for office, please we need your sensible demeanor in Congress

[@cc1k435]

@@robynrains7252 I know, that's why the GOP ran him off the first opportunity they got. 😕

[@georgefordham417]

Al was a Senator who resigned over a sexual harassment charge.

[@danielmikula1375]

Mr. Franken could possibly do pretty well in a presidential bid. The Democrats are sadly not doing the best in the number of charismatic people in their stable, so to speak. Al's both well spoken and clever, quick witted and headstrong.

[@jayhalley2642]

He’ll be back Shirley

[@amyjones2490]

We have understood for years that there has been a coordinated effort to take away our democracy but no one has been fighting these actions. Our government was broken when the Supreme Court decided money was speech and corporations were people.

[@annascott3542]

The supreme has no fucking checks on their power & too much of it.

[@annascott3542]

^court

[@annascott3542]

But I totally agree with your comment I’ve been saying and thinking the same thing since 2010 when, once again the Supreme Court ruled in favor of super PACs, allowing special interest groups to raise unlimited amounts of money to influence and support candidates, as well as causes, like anti-abortion, no doubt. In 2020, the Supreme Court declined to hear a lawsuit from congressional Democrats challenging the legality of super PACs, the court did not explain its decision. No legislature approved this, and no citizen voted for it, likewise no citizen voted any of the Supreme Court justices into office, and The current makeup of the Supreme Court is a direct result of the 2010 ruling on super PAC unlimited spending; Four of the nine justices were appointed by a president who lost the popular vote, we also have conservative justices who were confirmed by slim majorities of senators who represented millions fewer Americans than the senators who opposed their nominations. The 2016 and 2018 elections, Republicans retained Senate majorities that allowed them to confirm Trump’s three Supreme Court nominees. Supreme Court nominations themselves attract big spending, with millions in dark money intended to influence senators’ confirmation votes, and they will hold their seat on the court for the rest of their lives, which is also completely un-democratic, btw!!

[@aurelia5614]

@@annascott3542 Thank you Anna Scott - you are spot on. It is quite incredible the lack of pushback on all this over the years. Are people so unaware, trusting, busy/overworked, that they couldn't see where this was/is going?

[@Shellison1]

Amy, you are spot-on.

[@victoriamathis4227]

I read Anne Nelson's book Shadow Network a handful of years ago. Thank you Anne and Al for today's program! Your both national treasures.

[@steveeastwood3918]

you’re ;-)

[@mellow5123]

omg, how long has it been out??

[@victoriamathis4227]

@@mellow5123 Roughly 3- 4 years.

[@13699111]

Thank you for posting this podcast Al Franken . This is the most concerned I've been in 50 years .

[@michaelr1221]

freedom of religion means " Oh , I'm sorry , I can't do that because of my religion " It does not mean " Oh , I'm Sorry , you can't do that because of my religion "

[@kathybehlen7088]

thank you.

[@PGB55]

I agree with the spirit of what you're saying but even the first phrase isn't right I'd bet you'd agree. I can't make a cake for two guys, I can't provide contraception, I can't provide education about evolution etc

[@skronked]

Excellent point!

[@13699111]

I agree thank you for posting your comment

[@marykayryan7891]

Well said.

[@hilakummins3104]

I agree, Mr Franken... you are so needed in govt today, more than ever. Repeat after me - I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and doggone it people like me! ❤️

[@kkrolf2782]

All that’s true. Now he just has to make sure all his staff are male and he could possibly get (re-)elected.

[@lolodee3528]

Anyone ever stop to think it might just be wiser to have Al on the ground fighting?

[@patty4349]

I watched 700 club until I saw Robertson do a chalk talk (early 80s? Late 70s?) that said the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) was God's endorsement of capitalism. Since this directly contradicts numerous other passages in the scriptures I began to doubt his interpretation of other things. Later he stated that he had changed the name of CBN University to Regent because Christ was King but not here right now so he needed to train up Regents to rule until His return. The absolute hubris of such a position shocked me (this was before I found out about Dominionism) and I utterly rejected him and his teachings. He was not misguided, he was just plain bad. An agnostic friend put it best: "If the Anti-Christ is coming soon, Pat Robertson is on the Committee to put him in power."

[@cc1k435]

"Hey, look! The antichrist likes money and power too! Today on the 700 club!" 🤦‍♀️

[@hapennysparrow]

by the second chapter, I recognized what he was promoting. It was straight up Eastern Religious thought. Turns out, the whole thing was plagiarized from a Rosecrucian treatise. Word for word, with a little Christianese thrown in. Scary. He also is a ranking Mason. A friend's father observed the Time Magazine cover with candidatet Pat Robertson fearured on the cover.His hands and arms are oddly positioned. My friend 's father identified the gestured as a call to arms signal by high ranking Masons. The man was a total fraud. I watched sometimes to catch him in heresy. There was fear mongering, political posturing, the dominionism theologies, the Prosperity cult...and more. The man was a liar and a snake.

[@valeriemacphail9180]

In spite of a childhood (1960's) immersed in Baptist education, both parents zealously upholding every tenet of the cult, and in spite of all our parents' lifetime endeavours, the result was: two agnostics and one atheist! Having experienced the process of "brainwashing" personally, it astounds me how young folk, in the light today's advancements, do not react to the obvious discrepancies in the doctrine. How folk manage to stunt their children's capacity for critical thinking, l tremble at the thought of what kind of psychological blackmail techniques they use to gain such remarkable compliance and submission.

[@annascott3542]

@@valeriemacphail9180 same here, but Church of Christ. My brother & I are atheists, and my sister doesn’t believe but married a catholic and had to convert, which is probably worse to most Baptist & C of C eyes. Shudder I know it astounds me how young folk or anyone for that matter can’t spot the discrepancies and buy into any of it, and how anyone would actually choose that way of life. The worsssttttt!!!!!

[@lolodee3528]

My infant son fell asleep to some of that nonsense back in the 70's. We thought it was hilarious. He still laughs. It was truly boring. My 1st 2 kids are atheists. The third went evangelical. I am lapsed catholic. Have your religion, but the forcing, NO.

[@peggynulsen1365]

Thanks Mr. Franken for this interview. Very informative, oh, and frightening too. I miss your voice in the Senate.

[@hapennysparrow]

What I heard horrified me. I knew the implications. I became a pariah to my Christuan associates because I tried in vain to warn them of the deception. I have been flying solo for these past 6 years, and have been sounding the alarm in comments on podcasts. I feel like I have been shouting into a hurricane. Please take this seriously. The end game is to tear representative democracy apart, and install a Theocratic Autocracy. They call it" Kingdom." It is not Jesus they worship It is wealth and power. They themselves are the Kings of this Kingdom.

[@vibratehigherstudio2369]

I have been doing the same. It's infuriating that people can't see this, and their long game is quickening at horrifying speeds.

[@kathybehlen7088]

@@vibratehigherstudio2369 and to their great delight...

[@cheryl7623]

Me too. It's so hard to understand...why can't they see what's going on? It feels like Christianity has been hacked and corrupted and been made a tool.

[@kathybehlen7088]

@@cheryl7623 it absolutely has. it's obscene.

[@ladymeropi]

Leilani, so perfectly stated. I will copy your comment and repaste to help spread the alarm as well as one small entity can try to shake people out of their complacency. I too fear the end is near, and listening to this podcast, and noting how invested so many churches, plutocrats, and ultra-right wing groups is to undermining democracy. It is clear that there is no stopping them from succeeding. They will take over this country, and once in power will never be removed. Dark days are ahead for those who have their eyes wide open.

[@realityTV77]

Other countries have prosecuted Presidents, go for it 💯

[@clifover]

Stacked on top of everything else we already knew, this information is chilling to the 100th power. We may already be screwed.

[@savannahscarborough2171]

We're f''d!

[@margaretjohnson6259]

we are f-d. there is no way to stop it now. we have lost the SCOTUS and the senate and will lose the house and the republicans will win the 2024 presidential election.

[@skippy9659]

Yeah, we’re in a trap…but..we are more intelligent than them, we can fight our way out. But the crime must stop! Put those old white male criminals in jail

[@stanrroyal7489]

@@savannahscarborough2171 llllllllll

[@mbrightster]

yes. as you say, we may be too little too late. but we must fight and do as much as we can to stop this fascist Repugnants.

[@patriciamartinez-lx8dy]

Great podcast Al, enjoyed listening to Author Anne Nelson.

[@dhgeraghty]

Thanks for the podcast, Al! That was a great one!!

[@mlconlanmeister]

... for a change.

[@ellenzucker6320]

Excellent podcast. I very much enjoyed listening to Anne Nelson.

[@beckymiller5907]

I can remember when the Clear channel took over the local radio stations in the upper Midwest, and there was also an organization that bought up the newspapers and started publishing the same content in all of them. Later, there was Sinclair Broadcasting...I didn't realize how extensive this drive to control all media was until hearing this interview. :(

[@TheLolapuff]

Sinclair Broadcasting own both ABC (Pensacola) & NBC (Mobile) in NW Fl. Thrown in Fox and these people are told to hate their neighbor & brainwashed 24/7

[@lolodee3528]

Ugh. I saw this niggling at the edges for years. The persistence of it is annoying.

[@chinookvalley]

YT isn't wanting me to hear your show. Commercials every 2 minutes. It sucks, but I'm skipping over them and hanging in to hear your guests and the wisdom you bestow upon us. Thanks Al. We need your voice. I'm am wounded to the bone over what the GOP and Trump have done, are doing, and are PLANNING on doing. Sad.

[@lcflngn]

I think you can just get the podcast w/out ads. Benefit of coming here are the usually smart comments, at least to me.

[@thenicegall5310]

Agree about ads. Sick of them😢. Money continues to drives what is on cell phones. I will stay with Al ; we need his perspective.

[@IExpectedBSJustNotThisMuchBS]

I listened to Christian radio for decades just to keep up on the crazy and I’ve noticed that the craziest ideas continue to move to the center and that process has speeded up over the decades.

[@cc1k435]

To quote Gandhi, "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." 🤔

[@leighcochran7303]

Witness Alex Jones!

[@TemplarOnHigh]

It's crazy to hear MSNBC or other DNC controlled wings of the media pretending that the GOP lying about election fraud is a Trump era phenomenon. It's like: "Did all of your listeners never hear Hannity or Limbaugh or ACLJ in 2000 during Bush vs Gore?"

[@thomasflagg7209]

To fail to prosecute Trump would be dangerous negligence.

[@joannejohnson7006]

Really appreciate all you and your guests do Al 😊

[@patrickgilmore4602]

Great show please run again, we need your wisdom.

[@Labor_Jones]

*It's pretty simple...* *.... "CITIZEN UNITED."* _IS THE MODERN EQUIVILANT of_ *JIM CROW LAWS.*

[@Labor_Jones]

IF IT TAKES all the MONEY out of POLITICS and leaves ZERO Power to any NAZIS or other White or other color or other religion or other CRAZY PEOPLE doing harm..... ..... Yeah let's get rid of "Citizen United."

[@Labor_Jones]

There are about 800 U.S. Billionaires. ..... My Suggestion is that $999,999,999.99 is the LIMIT of TOP WEALTH. You could spend it all and earn just as much next year, but you couldn't SIT ON A PILE of WEALTH forever. ..... Siblings would be limited to $10,000,000.00 since I believe that if someone can't make a LIVING with that KIND OF HEAD START... 'What about the rest of us..... ..... Every child should have the SAME OPPORTUNITIES & 10 Million Dollars seems like a SWEET START.

[@Labor_Jones]

​@Jay Bee and no-ones influence should hold back the chance of other Generations to choose and pick a better path. .... if that were the case, then we'd still be swinging from trees and '1' Monkey's family would have all the BANANAs. GIT-IT?

[@Labor_Jones]

@Jay Bee I said that losing money from the variety of CORPORATE and OTHER large organizations from contributing should be against the law if it includes SAVING the Nation from NAZIS white supremist, Black Supremist, any color or any race , or STUPID PEOPLE who like to RAPE and get Wasted from GIVING MONEY. I think a SCRIPT of say $250 printed to each and every VOTER be used instead (Use it or lose it) ..... and it would be nice if we had VOTER HOLIDAYS and MANDATORY VOTING if you are of AGE. ..... and by the way I don't think anyone should have the right to vote until they are 25 years old.... ..... which happens to be the AGE you'd be when you got DRAFTED for a couple years!

[@donvitocorleone3603]

@Jay Bee the professional troll, take today ...Father's Day, to reflect on your failure as a son to live up to dads expectations. Do you think he wanted a gutless paid troll as a progeny? Didn't he expect more? Constant monitor time and substance abuse won't fix it. I'd say women detest what you are....but you already know this.

[@IExpectedBSJustNotThisMuchBS]

I think most of this has been or could have been obvious to any who truly cares about America and its citizens. Unfortunately, people on the right are too often full of self-righteous (born of a religion that tells them they are chosen and better than others), patriotic puffery and mostly only care about themselves and theirs and nursing their biases, slights, and all of that they’ve been trained to hate. Well, maybe I’m being hard on all of the people who have not lived in rural America. I once engaged in a really long penpal relationship with a Priest from Boston who could not grasp what I was telling him about what was going on back in 2000. It must seem unreal. Meanwhile, as I tried to talk with friends about this-friends who didn’t look into right wing networks all around them or who couldn’t see the links obvious in the news-they thought I was being an alarmist. And here we are.

[@kathybehlen7088]

I've been there with you. an alarming number of people are still unaware or are being ostriches. they think I'm overreacting.

[@ecstanton]

They are authoritarians in waiting

[@franflannery8711]

Well I was scared before this show. I am now chilled to my core. Good program.

[@susanschaffner4422]

Always great, Al.

[@katherinecompton6591]

Thanks, both of you. I need to see if my library has this book yet. If not, I'll get them to add it to the list.

[@liviadix1433]

“How come we cannot get smarter?” This is something I ask myself over and over.

[@chinookvalley]

Humans are plenty smart, it's what we do with that intellect. We are killing off all of Nature and don't think twice, if that habitat is in an area that will have a road, subdivision, or nuclear power plant. If it's in our way, we don't work with it to make it work, we destroy it and think it's a wonderful act of progress. Stupidity.

[@kathybehlen7088]

bcz then it wd require some kind of effort? idk

[@hapennysparrow]

People do not study history. It has all been done before. Ever read " It Can't Happen Here." By Sinclair Lewis ? Written and published in 1934.

[@boutchie06]

There was a large scientific study that shows how IQ has steadily declined since 1975. This decline in IQ is due to environmental issues, not more low IQ people having children. How can anyone listen to Trump speak and not see a con man manipulating the ignorant masses? What about barely literate Herschel Walker leading Raphael Warnock in Ga senate race. It will be a disaster for black people if Walker wins in many ways.

[@hapennysparrow]

Vote for progressive candidates. Seriously. This may be our last chance.

[@scottielambert9312]

It really weren’t shadow were it? Pretty straight forward by the former GOP. I used to vote for a candidate rather than a party. I just don’t have a choice anymore. The rhetoric and bullshit coming from the GOP has left me with no other choice than to vote for what I see as the lesser of two. Until the GOP unilaterally disregards that whole trump bullshit, they will never have my vote. Both sides are shit, but at least one is not against the vast majority of their constituents. It’s not like they aren’t trying though.

[@you6382tube]

Agree.

[@brigham2250]

Regarding radio... I am from NYC but in the early 1990s I lived in Montana. Everyday people listened to Rush Limbaugh while at work. There was nothing available from the Left side. If there was, I never heard it. A lot of this country has been getting brainwashed for decades on the radio. That stuff doesn't just rub off too easily. The odd thing is, they couldn't care less about NY or Washington. They were far away from any of that and looked down on it. Yet Trump, a New Yorker, has captured the attention of so many. I guess he is really good at telling them what they want to hear.

[@leighcochran7303]

Recently I heard it said that people live drama above all. Hence us vs. them. Always a good plot. Remember TV show Lost? The enemy was The Others.

[@lolodee3528]

trompe l'eoil couldn't care less for them, but how useful they are to him!

[@marylhere]

It’s the American Taliban.

[@corryjookit7818]

If you don't feel alarmed, you're not reading and you're not listening. This is so important and it's time to act. Set up a local newspaper, or help support ones that are still with you.

[@victoriaalexander1763]

I am so grateful for your courage and strength in our world Anne…and ur intelligence ‼️I love u 🥰

[@marilynnyoung7026]

I'm reading Anne's book now and have seen or heard her on many vids/podcasts, sometimes 2-3x. This info is EXTREMELY impt, and impt to keep in mind w/ re: to Dem messaging, where to advertise, how to advertise, etc.

[@clarafedde8674]

A great one as always. I'll keep asking, cause the future is calling...it needs you in the politician role to really make a difference. America is asking, please give it your answer?

[@chinookvalley]

If AL can make people think, and act, he doing the US a great service. It is up TO THE PEOPLE to make our government follow the rules WE make. If we can't vote for someone we trust to make the rules we want and need, then we are ignorant and blissfully following the right in their stupidity.

[@clarafedde8674]

Or and this is a key part...as a member of Congress or the house he could pass bills into laws to help people instead of hoping they do. He knows how to work with people who have sticks up their bums.

[@clarafedde8674]

The law does too help people. It favors privilege all the time. Unfortunately most of our bad laws come from ignorant individuals who forgot the first rule of existence.

[@clarafedde8674]

Cogito, ergo sum I think, therefore I am. I think, therefore I exist. I was making a bad joke that they don't think about why they are making some laws.

[@pipestone67]

I drove through Tennessee a couple of years ago and the programming was on most stations throughout the state. I couldn't believe the stuff they were spewing all over the radio.

[@kapdolkim1914]

Hey Al, you were a great senator and unfortunately were caught up in the cancel culture (hey, even Disney got cancelled in Florida. S^%t happens) It would be nice if you were the governor of Minnesota. We need a real and practical leader. Someone who can make decisions (and in a timely manner). Pretty please?

[@TheMobileHomestead]

Al was'nt caught up in Cancel Culture Al was forced to resign without the Congressional Fact Finding hearing he asked for by Kristen Sinema and a bunch of other evil democrats ... most after the fact came out and told Jane Mayer in her article about this ..that they would live in shame for the rest of their lives for doing what they did to Al Franken ... and it was'nt sexual harassment , Al was doing what he did in his USO show where he pretended he was a lech by pretending he was reaching for her breasts ...everyone on that plane testified that he never once touched her and all he did was do what he did in his USO Show Act with her .. and the only reason that whole thing got blown out of proportion is Roger Stone and other Right Wing Spin Doctors got to her at her own Right Wing Radio Show and told her it would help if she told everyone how bad Al Franken was .... then out of the blue Roger Stone contacts the Press and tells them it's Franken's time to be taken down ... so get it straight ... this whole thing has been proven to simply be a right wing hatchet job to take down a very effective democrat they wanted out of the picture .

[@TheMobileHomestead]

@Jay Bee You must be a Paid Putin/Trump Troll ...because no one in their right mind would say that someone jokingly holding their hands above someones breasts during a USO Trip where they both do that on Stage for the Troops is somehow now a rapist

[@TheMobileHomestead]

@Jay Bee I see that I'm correct that you are a Paid Troll with your new KZbin account started on Feb 5, 2022

[@ellev11]

This great info needs to be spread in as many places/ways as possible.

[@cicichambers3887]

Blessed are the meek = awe, poor powerless, bless their heart. That was king James way of keeping people from revolting to his wealth

[@joannmatthews4810]

WE LOVE YOU, AL!!! Please run again!!!!! You are desperately needed in the Congress!

[@jamespardue3055]

She's right, I've been reading bits and pieces of this whole network since the 90's on Counter Punch, and environmental science media. The US is toast.

[@fredericrike5974]

This is an outstanding work! Hope you continue digging and find a greater mountain I suspect is there. Thanks, All for having her on- her piece is terribly important. Keep you head down and your humor wildly on! FR

[@hereigoagain5050]

Got to admire the right for having a plan, sticking with it, and executing. Amazing that middle income voters support the right's effort to destroy the middle class. BTW. My dream is to be on Al's podcast, so he can change-up his lead-in: "This one is a real stinker, not like the great ones we have had in the past."

[@susanpetty4115]

Look. I hope you are joking, because......That's like saying human trafficking is worthy of admiration because reprehensible people "planned and executed" profiteering from exploiting children's bodies and other susceptible victims. I sort of do look forward to one day hearing Al introduce you as a real stinker. Think more critically Igo. Please.

[@hereigoagain5050]

@@susanpetty4115 Are you blaming me for human trafficking? Didn't say I supported the right's goal.

[@bettyveronica9880]

It's too bad the Reich-wing didn't put that kind of effort towards actually working for their constituents with policy, instead of playing on their fears, and lack of critical thinking.

[@bettyveronica9880]

@@hereigoagain5050 'Admire' was the word that makes it sound bad. I'm not sure which verbiage would have been better, but admire seems better used when talking about someone doing something good, not plotting a Coup. My 2¢. I do like the stinker idea though. I can hear Al saying something like that. 😆

[@margowakefield3295]

I'm not surprised in how some vote people against their own interests. And this is coming from a non-partisan. The Conservatives are much better at messaging even if some of those messages are false or misleading while Liberals/ Progressives will only complain about the confusing messaging but won't deliver clear and informative messages of their own. It is effective. Many believe that CRT, Defunding Police and getting rid of the 2nd Amendment are issues that Democrats are running on. I havn't found anybody of any party running on any of these issues. But, the Conservative messaging has people thinking such while the Liberal/Progressives just take it it on the chin.

[@breakingbadheisenberg9703]

Forget trump he's PT Barnum, I would worry more about the persons who actually are putting attorney generals in toss up states and writing laws taking away basic rights .

[@gpan62]

Trump: but I only wanted to play hangman 😉🤣

[@JustinToxicated405]

:) can confirm the crappy radio in Oklahoma. It's like I'm living in a dystopian novel here.

[@lolodee3528]

Creepy.

[@Bdub1952]

Gee, I wonder why Reagan dismantled the "Fairness Doctrine?" They played the long game. And won.

[@krickenthekraken8844]

Like you said Al, on a basic level I knew all this existed, but “my God!”

[@HoneyBadger80886]

She's good. Excellent ideas and strategies. Keep shining the Light.

[@MostlyElectrolytes]

When you spend money on a 30 second ad to combat full format shows you are not going to win the battle for people's souls. The religious thing is one of my biggest sources of heartburn. Radicalization/politicization of people through their beliefs is a recipe for disaster and that is not hyperbole; it's been proven over and over and over throughout history. My biggest issue is the hypocrisy....I mean if these people were even remotely morally bound to Christianity then I could trust them, but it's just a tool to manipulate and grift. If half of these CINO's (Christians in Name Only) actually read the Bible and lived their lives accordingly the whole nation would be in a much better place. Not to be disrespectful towards the left or liberalism, but it used to be that the conservatives were the reliable and honorable ones who had integrity and the left was a bit more pie in the sky/hippy dreamer types that might not have had the best idea even if they thought they had the best intentions.....now it's the democrats that are the moderate and responsible ones vs. anti-democratic money worshipping autocrats with bad intentions. I mean how could you even pretend to love this country when you send people to Congress like Boboert or Greene who not only are ugly human beings....phenomenally unqualified, but their sole reason for existing is to make sure that nothing gets done. I pay too much money in taxes to have literally 50% of the people who are supposed to be running this country actively undermining our success. That's hate....that's hatred of America and it comes from decades of right wing media from people like Rush, Tucher, Hannity, etc. Imagine if the government was able to actually do things that we pay for....like f'ing infrastructure. Instead of being one country we have two teams fighting it out and I'm sorry, but only one side is interested in trying to do things.....the right had all 3 branches during the last administration and the only thing that we got was $8.3TRIL of new debt and 3 billionaires with enough FU money to start their own space programs. They not only didn't replace ACA, but they couldn't even repeal it after campaigning on it for over a decade.....but they got that f'ing tax cut done....my taxes went up by the way. I pay more in a month than Trump pays in a year.....I don't even have a gold toilet to flush classified documents down. As for the vaccine I am a big anti-vaxxer. Don't get me wrong, I got my vaccine, boosters, etc. My family is all vaccinated. I figure that if you get sick and die from something that is preventable it's natural selection.....I mean we're not talking about someone who is going to create a cure for cancer here. Harsh? After the last 5 years I really don't care about these people. And yes I've heard that they've been grooming our troops at the academies.

[@robinwiley7166]

One of favorite bumper sticker, "The Christian Right is neither"

[@DougKoper]

Great conversation, thanks.

[@rogermoores9416]

For those interested read Chris Hedges book American Fascists.

[@brucecaldwell6701]

In the state where I was born, raised & still reside, Texas, it's not much of a secret that most Republicans feel utter disdain & contempt for public schools. However, there's another religion besides Christianity that is immensely popular & that is high school football. It'll be interesting to see how they resolve that issue.

[@lolodee3528]

Back then I actually started to soften to G W Bush. But the whackadoodle Putin soul comment put an end to that.

[@christophersmith3005]

As excellent companions to Anne Nelson's book, I recommend _Dark Money_ by Jane Mayer and _Democracy in Chains_ by Nancy MacLean.

[@jdcjr50]

The US Constitution is a foundation stone of democracy, but the Declaration of Independence is its cornerstone.

[@annsanse2935]

how could the declaration of independence be a cornerstone of the constitution? it is a list of grievances against the king -- much like martin luther's list against the catholic church -- and a declaration of separation of the colonies from england.

[@jdcjr50]

@@annsanse2935 It is also celebrated on July 4, unlike Constitution Day, which few people even know when that is. In the DofE, it is written that 'all men are created equal', and now it is all people. The Constitution funneled too much of that popular power right to the wealthiest, where it remains to this day.

[@jdcjr50]

@Jay Bee To each his own.

[@shuttlemanjack]

@@jdcjr50 that "All men are created equal" actually meant "All white land owning men, but not women"

[@leealexander3507]

I'm a widow so I guess I'm blessed for all the good that is.

[@paytreein4d353]

(Awkward pause) "...You're Bernie Sanders was better..." Lol-y-lol-y lol Anne got him on that one!

[@belkyhernandez8281]

Most newspapers are subscription based. Radio, and social media is mostly free.

[@thomassicard3733]

A novel by John Grisham should be required reading in all high schools: The Street Lawyer

[@joanpascal7745]

thanks Al for your talents!

[@AniBAretz]

This research-turned-book predates and provides more foundational information on the same topic: American Evangelicals and the U.S. Military 1942-1993, by Anne C. Loveland, copywrite 1997. Having bought it 8 years ago, I see the price is going up, hopefully because others are finding and reading it. There is a critical need to know.

[@DaveT383]

Excellent!

[@christinelind3262]

This video has an ad from something called OneforIsrael, about how the best thing for Israel is evangelical Christians. How ironic. This video lays out so well what the right wing evangelicals have been up to. Sickens my soul.

[@amyjones2490]

The right wing has even infiltrated rock radio stations.

[@boutchie06]

Your books on Rush Limbaugh saved my sanity.

[@charleediaven6278]

Yes, Al, you should see the commercials running on youtube with this broadcast. The very people you speak of in this great broadcast.

[@clarkpalace]

Depends on YOUR algorithm. Practise internet hygiene

[@charleediaven6278]

@@clarkpalace No idea what twitter stuff you speak of, a commercial is a commercial or maybe you have enough money to not see them.

[@clarkpalace]

@@charleediaven6278 my feed had no ads. I wrote nothing about twitter. I dont like or need twitter. The algorithm sends you stuff according to your internet use

[@charleediaven6278]

@@clarkpalace I throw sand in these gears, you want money. You post for money. Greed. You and your ilk only want more more more. Have at it and blame the messenger. It is always some one else fault and you are innocent of greed .LMAO

[@leealexander3507]

That's something I definitely agree with Al Frankin about although I'm very far to his left. We must understand and counter these groups. I know some Republican voters who are not into the prosperity bible. They are good and decent people who no more deserve to be deceived than we do. None of us deserve to be deceived by the oligarchs who have already replaced our democracy with an oligarchy. I guess some of them want to turn the United States into a theocracy as well. I'm considering moving my family out of the country.

[@denaspohn5207]

One of the things about the absence of liberal media in rural areas is that if the wealth and power lies primarily in the hands of conservative Republican business people the latter can and do refuse to sponsor liberal radio/television political programming. They can decline to place ads in newspapers with fair and balanced editorial pages, as well.

[@boutchie06]

The Bernie Sanders impression was perfect!

[@bobnolin9155]

Great interview! Maybe you could add a link to her book?

[@skippy9659]

This is very informative.

[@susilemare198]

Dominionism is just like Manifest Destiny. No scruples !

[@clearfield2009]

Instead of hearings - AL - these should be trials

[@37Dionysos]

GET ACTIVE, BRING A FRIEND AND VOTE BLUE, WHATEVER IT TAKES!!!!

[@bigdog44pc]

Heretic is the word you're looking for when it comes to the Prosperity Gospel.

[@seriouslypagan6904]

Oh Al, I miss you so much in my government.

[@chinookvalley]

Seriously, please remember that WE are OUR government. It is up to US to make this the country we want. We are allowing the Right to do things the Left would never do. It is up to us. The question is, how do we get people into office who will represent our wants, needs, and what will make most sense?

[@seriouslypagan6904]

@@chinookvalley Just now started to read the book. I grew up a Southern Baptist, I learned early that scoundrels abound there but I didn't realize they were so organized and devious. I'm glad to be and Atheist who's unafraid of hell.

[@ChristiaanHartNibbrig]

Excellent podcast, Sen. Franken. The dems got out-smarted, by the sound of it.

[@ChristiaanHartNibbrig]

@C C No, I meant the general ignoring of the 'flyover' states. Radio, for example, was extensively used by the right to entrench itself across the nation's midsection. The dems basically watched that happen. Also, the ethical and moral bankruptcy of the far right was well-established; it should have come as no surprise that they would leverage the evangelicals and their churches. And the dems are still being outsmarted. My goodness, Terry McAuliffe lost a winnable election because of the CRT issue. That, and defunding the police, and college loan forgiveness, are not widely popular issues, especially in red or 'purple' districts. Yet, dems have allowed themselves to be defined by such issues. There are many more examples past and present.

[@toucansteve]

The problem might be that the Democrat's faith in democracy and democatic institutions preclude the reality of the right's pursuit of autocracy .

[@ChristiaanHartNibbrig]

@@toucansteve I agree with Al's guest; that it has been a better executed strategic plan by the pukes.

[@helenpatterson3858]

​@@ChristiaanHartNibbrig well yeah... problem is that they have no problem with lieing, while we don't instinctively mistrust. We want to believe the best about others and that's the chickens in the armor.

[@ChristiaanHartNibbrig]

@@helenpatterson3858 Yes, Ms. Patterson, they lie and break rules without conscience. They seem to be a party of socipaths, literally. The degenerate 45th president is clearly a sociopathic malignant narcissist.

[@leealexander3507]

I recently moved from California to a red state full of Christian Nationalists because of aging parents. It's making me nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof. I don't know how to make friends here so it's dreadfully boring, especially since I've given up the horses for health reasons. Not only do my parents have problems but I have a few of my own.

[@lolodee3528]

I feel you. They're like zombies.

[@williamsteinkamp3189]

I worked on The Heritage and American Spectator magazines back in the 90's. The authoritarian seeds they were sowing back then scared the shit out of me and made me realize the right are playing a very long game. I wish I'd kept some of those issues...

[@ljimlewis]

I’m glad you commented. Look at it this way. This stuff was gonna come out eventually. But Trump made it come out now. And I’m no leftist loon 60s -70’s variety.

[@dorothydean8643]

Negligence, complacency on the part of the huge middle had a big hand in all this. Not protecting our democracy. Not paying attention to the numerous warnings brought us all here.

[@aaronwright6058]

Great information! This is insidious! What they’re doing is anything , but Christian!

[@FranklinArtSite]

Well Al, This really was a great one. (for a change)

[@THATBOISHAD]

It's much easier for humans to coalesce for doing bad than for them to do good things.

[@dthomas9230]

DeVos' NOLA charter schools taught that the Loch Ness Monster was really a dinosaur and thus no evolution. Maybe Mitch can get Nessie a berth on the Ark in KY..with the dinosaurs that are fitted with saddles.

[@betsyhickman6]

You must stay involved with our government. I’d vote for you.

[@krissipowell9358]

You are the great one for a change

[@gerardlafontaine2322]

Remember when Mr. Franken accosted multiple women, and blamed it on Trump? I do.

[@lolodee3528]

Great! Another blooming idiot whom pays NO attention to finer details....

[@mellow5123]

Staggering, and even moreso that there's not a peep in MSM. They really appear to be totally out to lunch. I hope the dems and at least some people with the mind/money/motivation are on the case. It's devastating but the good news is now we know. Great work, Anne, and thanks Al for the interview. BTW, get back into office, ok?

[@tymier6957]

This is so scary but they have a playbook and resources!

[@IExpectedBSJustNotThisMuchBS]

I remember coming across a White Christian Identity (I think that was the white nationalist group as there were about 9 different ones in my area) hand produced booklet on a strategy for power that started with local school boards and state and congressional pages. Pretty dang frightening… and I’d been watching that play out for decades. This says 60 and while I believe it, with the addition of Limbaugh and then Fox it’s been a speeding train of crazy.

[@chippy7745]

Yes…they are so much more focused and organized compared to the Dems. Dems have GOT to get their s&(* together, and fast!

[@chrisharper2658]

Vote!

[@jameschristensen4028]

Run for Senate again.

[@christinearmington]

Betsy de Vos wanting to invoke the 25th Amendment is really telling.

[@lucibjlb]

It's as though they want us to die. I guess our demise would save them money.

[@edwardb7811]

The country lost a great deal when he was forced to resign over an indiscretion before he went to the Senate. Historians don’t like the “counter factual s “ but I believe he would have mage a difference. You don’t believe me? Well, can you name his successor?

[@rainmanjr2007]

It was a female Senator, and her mob, who went after him. Not Historians.

[@mattfoley6082]

I live in PA. In 2005 I thought we'd turned a corner and were getting the upper hand against religious encroachment when in Kitzmiller v. Dover Judge Jones ruled against teaching intelligent design in schools. Boy, was I wrong.

[@mikemccarthy1638]

Don’t forget weather - in 2004, Florida got overwhelmed by 4 major hurricanes. Fox and it’s local affiliates jumped all over hurricane coverage that year, earning the loyalty of Florida voters, that carried thru the election. Savvy politics.

[@amyjones2490]

According to historian Gerald Horne, it was the founding premise for our country…capitalism based on racism was our founding principal.

[@lucavalentino2863]

Bill Moyers has been trying to bring our attention to this for decades!

[@rodgerbane3825]

If you are left at all, a lot red areas, deep red at least are VERY dangerous. You'll end up getting killed if you try and live there.

[@corryjookit7818]

Thank you for this. I've got some information about Data Collection and Walgreens is about to attempt get into the British NHS by stealth. It has boasted in the past that when they do a deal which includes Boots the Chemist, it will be the biggest of its kind in the history of deals. The amount of Data Collection will be the massive. Medical, records. Shopping habits using a Loyalty card. Prescriptions and drug prescriptions. We in the UK must kick Cambridge Analytical in the guts this will need a massive campaign. Right now they must feel they are in great advantageous territory, due to Conservative dogma and they'r extremely so right wing. .

[@lynndenault8198]

Evangelicalism baffles me. Even as a child, I could tell the shysters on TV asking people to send them money. I always wondered who would do that? Who would send strangers on TV money like this? Why not give it to your local church at least? It is also not my tradition to encourage people to join my religion. That is not how I was raised. We did not pursue congregants.