Thursday, July 28, 2011
Takes On Breivik
Before the deadly attack in Norway that killed 76 people, suspect Anders Behring Breivik left a long trail of material meticulously outlining his political beliefs. His 1,500-page political manifesto titled, "A European Declaration of Independence," seeks common cause with xenophobic right-wing groups around the world, particularly in the United States.
It draws heavily on the writing of prominent anti-Islam American bloggers, as well as Unabomber Ted Kaczynski. His writing reveals he is a right-wing nationalist fueled by a combined hatred of Muslims, Marxists, multiculturalists and feminist women.
Even after the massacre in Norway, some right-wing pundits in the United States have come out in defense of Breivik's analysis. Democracy Now! interviews Jeff Sharlet, an author who has written extensively about right-wing movements in the United States, and who has read much of Breivik's 1500-page manifesto.
"What struck me most about this document is just how American it is in every way, a huge amount of it is from American sources," Sharlet says. "He is a great admirer of America because the United States, unlike Europe, has maintained its 'Christian identity.'"
It draws heavily on the writing of prominent anti-Islam American bloggers, as well as Unabomber Ted Kaczynski. His writing reveals he is a right-wing nationalist fueled by a combined hatred of Muslims, Marxists, multiculturalists and feminist women.
Even after the massacre in Norway, some right-wing pundits in the United States have come out in defense of Breivik's analysis. Democracy Now! interviews Jeff Sharlet, an author who has written extensively about right-wing movements in the United States, and who has read much of Breivik's 1500-page manifesto.
"What struck me most about this document is just how American it is in every way, a huge amount of it is from American sources," Sharlet says. "He is a great admirer of America because the United States, unlike Europe, has maintained its 'Christian identity.'"
Part 1
Part 2
