Recently Seven Days political columnist Shay Totten came dangerously close to accusing me of racism and anti-Semitism. His assertions were based entirely on guilt by association. What he didn’t tell his readers was how much time he spent with me back in the late 1990s when he was the editor of an obscure weekly newspaper known as Vermont Times.

For several years Shay published virtually every essay I sent to him. Many of my pieces were taken from my 1997 book Downsizing the USA which called for the peaceful secession of Vermont from the Union and the dissolution of the American Empire. Still others were about technofascism – the melding of corporate, state, military, and technological power by political elites to manipulate and control the population. Technofascism includes affluenza, technomania, e-mania, megalomania, robotism, globalization, and imperialism.

One of my pieces written with my son Xander may have even cost Shay his job at Vermont Times. On January 26, 2000 Shay published “The Politics of Rage” on the front page with an inverted American flag spread across one-third of the page. The conservative owner of the paper who lived across the Lake was unamused. Two months later Totten was out of there.

Shay was fully aware of my opinion that the United States and Israel are the two foremost technofascist nations in the world. He also knew of my strong opposition to the American government’s unconditional support for the apartheid, terrorist practices of the Israeli government. If he thought my views were anti-Semitic, why didn’t he tell me so? Why did he continue associating with me?

I made no secret of the fact that I grew up in Jackson, Mississippi and spent thirty years in North Carolina teaching at Duke University. Although I have been engaged in the fight against racism for at least four decades, it is safe to say that I have known a few racists in my day. I have never run away from racism but rather have always tried to confront it or engage those whom I thought to be racists. If Shay were uncomfortable with my Southern background, he never bothered to tell me.

During this period Shay and I used to have lunch together several times a year. At his suggestion, we frequently ate at the Memphis Barbecue Restaurant. We were often joined by UVM Political Science Professor Frank Bryan. The subject was always the same – Vermont independence, otherwise known as secession. There was no evidence whatsoever that Totten equated secession with racism or anti-Semitism.

For nearly two years before Shay launched The Vermont Guardian I was actively involved in trying to help him raise money to finance the statewide newspaper. I hosted several social events in my home aimed at introducing him to prospective investors. Although I did not personally invest in The Guardian, I did connect Totten with the person who provided him with nearly free office space for the The Guardian. If Shay thought I was a racist or an antisemite, he chose to keep it to himself.

During its short lifespan The Guardian published several articles which were favorably disposed towards me and the Second Vermont Republic. As before, there was no mention of racism or anti-Semitism.

But if I am a racist and an antisemite, as Totten has suggested, who then is he?

Totten, environmentalist Bill McKibben, and Green Mountain Daily writer John Odum share one thing in common. Unable to come up with any valid intellectual arguments against secession, they resort to the highly inflammatory charge of racism.

But if they want to talk about racism, let’s talk real racism, not pretend racism. Totten, McKibben, and Odum are all world class apologists for the American Empire – the most racist, the most militaristic and most violent empire in history. Built on land stolen from Native Americans and with labor provided by African American slaves, the American Empire continues its racist tradition by supporting the annihilation of the Palestinians through its proxy Israel.

Anyone who supports Bernie Sanders, Patrick Leahy, or Peter Welch is personally responsible for the highly racist war against terror (Islam) as well as the racist wars against the Afghans and the Iraqis.

Before accusing anyone of racism, Shay Totten and his friends on the neoliberal left should take a long hard look at the land of the free and the home of the brave with which they are so enamored. Neoliberalism is just another name for neoconservatism. Can the pot really call the kettle black?

I am the same person I was nearly fifteen years ago, when I used to have lunch with Shay Totten. But who is Shay Totten?

Rebel
Thomas H. Naylor
January 25, 2010

www.time.com/nation/article

Texas Nationalist Movement President

Friends in Vermont,

While it may seem unusual that a Texan would address you concerning a political race in your state, I assure you that this is one of those moments where Texans are watching closely.

Our states, although vastly different in size and population, share one important characteristic – our independent spirit. And these times make it difficult for states with that characteristic.

Our generation is a witness to the largest expansion of government in recent history. The growth and intrusion of the Federal government is the largest in the history of the United States. While government grows, the burden of the people continues to grow heavier and heavier. This weight has been patiently borne by large states like Texas and small states like Vermont.

But the past several years have piled these burdens so high that we are all faced with a choice. We can be crushed beneath or we can take our destiny in our own hands and craft a new future. While the politicians in DC, drunk with power, fiddle and our way of life burns, the time for statesmen to rise is upon us.

Just as in previous times of crisis in North America, there will be men and women of character, courage and foresight that will step up to guide us to our future. They will stand up for inherent rights when we suffer under oppression. They will offer new solutions to old problems. They will listen when we speak. They will speak when others are silent. They will act when others can’t or won’t. They will be courageous when the cost for doing so is high. They will help us write the history of the next 200 years. They will be statesmen and not politicians. They will not come from an established political elite but will be “one of us.”

As you go to the polls to select the next Governor of Vermont, there is only one clear choice that fits the above criteria and can lead Vermont into the future.

That choice is Dennis Steele.

As the fire burns across all the sates for a return to our “first principles”, Dennis will make sure that the rights of the people of Vermont are protected and that Vermont will maintain its independent character.

I urge all of you to cast your vote for a man of courage and conviction and elect Dennis Steele as your next governor.

Daniel Miller
President
Texas Nationalist Movement

Alaskan Independence Party Chair

Dear Sirs,

As Chairman of the Alaskan Independence Party, it is my pleasure to extend my congratulations to all three of you gentlemen. First, to Mr. Dennis Steele for making the decision to campaign for the position as Governor of the great State of Vermont. I applaud your efforts and your courage too, Sir. I also thank you, as a states rights and sovereignty advocate, for your position supporting Vermont’s return to its status as an independent republic, plus committing to the return of the Vermont National Guard from Afghanistan and Iraq. I want to congratulate and applaud Mr. Peter Garritano for his candidacy as Lt. Governor, rounding out truly an independent team assisting Vermont’s return to the freedoms of a sovereign republic. These actions set an incredible example to the other member states in what has become an immoral federal government, a bankrupt nation, and one of the most violent in the histories of empires. Mussolini would be nothing but proud of what spews out of Washington DC.

To Mr. Naylor and Mr. Morrisseau, kudos to you both! As one of the founding members of the Alaskan Independence Party, I am fully aware of the incredible amount of work necessary to organize a slate of candidates for any public office. Being able to announce a slate of several candidates for your Senate shows your marvelous dedication to the Founding Father legacy, and the freedoms promised to us all! We, who love our heritage of freedom and justice, thank you.

Mr. Steele’s words stating, “The gods of the Empire are not the gods of Vermont”, know well, they are not the “gods” of Alaska either. I pray all Vermont patriots will flock to your campaigns in staggering support to take back their Republic.

Well done, and may God keep you safe.

Lynette, Clark, Chairman
Alaskan Independence Party