Was the CPAC Stage a Nazi Symbol?
Out of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) has arisen yet another of those tempest-in-a-teapot controversies. The current slander is the shape of the CPAC stage. It was similar to a letter in the ancient Nordic alphabet — known as the Odel or Oden Rune. It represented the “o” sound. The symbol is still used in Scandinavia in conjunction with Odel Law – dealing with property.
Like the swastika – an ancient Asian symbol – the Odel Rune was expropriated by the Nazis as a military unit badge. There is very little public awareness of the obscure symbol in ANY of its historic manifestations, however.
Many people carry surnames relating to the Odel Rune letter or symbol. Check out your telephone book – if you even have one – and you will find oodles of Odels and Odells – and a number of other variations. Perhaps those folks should change their family name or risk accusations of being part of a white supremacist cult.
None the less, the radical left has found the shape of the CPAC stage to be yet another opportunity to malign CPAC and conservative movement in general – and to build on their disgustingly FALSE narrative that conservatism and white supremacy are synonymous.
One might expect such exaggerated comparison to rise from some nutcase radicals consumed by paranoid conspiracy theories – the kind of folks who interpret the most benign events and images as international plots that are only credible among fellow-travelers in the dark corners of the Internet. But noooooo.
The Washington Post, USA Today and the left-wing cable news have given the story high priority.
It is a major news(?) story across the left-wing media-sphere. It is yet another example of how far one-time mainstream journalism has descended into the political propaganda rabbit hole.
The Hyatt Hotel convention center – where the CPAC event was held – piled on with a statement that a Nazi a symbol on their stage is “abhorrent and unequivocally counter to our values as a company.” They did not seem to care about the history of the symbol or the legitimacy of its linkage to CPAC. Is that an indication of political correctness intimidation gone amok – or because the hotel chain is owned by the uber liberal Democrat Pritzker family.
Now let’s face it. The stage does look like an upside-down version of the Odel Rune. But that is about as far as the story goes. The left’s baseless interpretation defies fact and reality.
First of all, CPAC is by far not a racist or white supremacist operation no matter what the media says.
They are engaging in false conspiracy theories and … lying. As I have written in a recent commentary … in the more than 40 years that I have attended CPAC, I have NEVER heard racist or white supremacist talk from the platform or in the hallway. To suggest otherwise – by intimation – is dishonest reporting at its worst.
CPAC would never use an anti-Semitic or Nazi symbol on their stage for any reason. The organization has been a most ardent supporter of Israel. The Jewish community is a significant participant in CPAC events and activities.
If the intent was to symbolize Nazi Aryan dogma, why is it upside down and unrecognizable from an audience perspective? Even if the audience could see the upside-down symbol, most would not have recognized the design if it were put on the front page of the conference program. A symbol has little meaning if the audience cannot see it and would not recognize it if they could.
Still … the media plays to the ignorant, the hateful and the gullible.
There are actually people who will now believe that the stage of CPAC was a secret (wink) (wink) (wink) signal of white supremacy. The elitist east coast media is spreading this conspiracy theory. I have gotten a comment on this website from a guy who has already been drawn in.
And we get this bit of propaganda from folks who speak out against bogus and dangerous conspiracy theories — only to wallow in the ones they choose to advance for partisan political purposes. We should never forget that those on the left created and proffered the two-year long false conspiracy theory that Trump criminally conspired with Russia in the 2016 election – and even after Special Council Robert Mueller totally debunked that nonsense.
Readers of my commentaries know that I am no fan of conspiracy theories – emanating from the left or the right. I am disgusted, however, that the bull***t theories of the left are given a hyped voice and undeserved credibility by the powers-that-be – both Democrats and the corrupt media.
I do not know why the stage took the shape it did and I do not know if the leaders of CPAC were even involved in the design. It would be interesting to find out who designed it and why. Maybe it was some left-winger who wanted to embarrass CPAC. Oh … but that would be an unsubstantiated conspiracy theory. It would be no more or less credible than the current reporting on the shape of the CPAC stage, however.
So, there ‘tis.
Larry,
This is awesome! You spent an entire blog addressing my comment. I love it!
“One might expect such exaggerated comparison to rise from some nutcase radicals consumed by paranoid conspiracy theories – the kind of folks who interpret the most benign events and images as international plots”
These may be the greatest words that you have ever written! The total lack of self awareness here is absolutely stunning. The trump party is so driven by paranoid conspiracy theories, they attempted a coupe to over turn the will of America’s voters!
I mean, you’re a smart guy! You put words together in an artistic way to make people think. You simply can’t be this detached to reality. Can you?
Ben, You really need to pull your head out of your liberal a$$ and take a breath of fresh air. Dems certainly have proferred many more conspiracy theories over the last few years than Repubs. There were certainly legitimate concerns regarding election shenanigans. Unfortunately, none were really followed up on. Why can’t voting machines be checked..oh, they were wiped clean. What about the hundreds of affidavits of people witnessing suspicious activities during the counting process…oh, they were dismissed. What about state officials changing voting rules without state legislative consent…oh, apparently not really necessary (wrong!). What about huge ballot dumps…nah, nothing to see there.
Oh, and how about Russia, Russia, Russia regarding Trump (who clearly was cleared of any wrongdoing), but do we hear anything regarding Biden and China from lame-stream media…crickets. Oh, and what about those awful cages Trump used (thanks to Obama) for those poor illegal children crossing the border…good thing Biden isn’t doing the same thing.
Whether it’s conspiracy theories or just plain lies, the liberals and Dems corner the market.
Richard, thank you for proving my point.
Y’all are amazingly easy.
I won’t disprove each conspiracy theory you list, but I will say, trump party appointed judges dismissed a majority of the law suits you mention.
If I were you and Larry, I’d just embrace the whole Nazi imagery, it seems to be what your fellow trumpets want.
The Socialist Democrat Thugs with Marxist BLM threatened and attacked witnesses and judges. They threatened those in Michigan, and beat up another witness in GA. sending her to a hospital. Some witnesses were separated from their families, and removed from jobs, thought they witnessed thousands of Trump ballots tossed. We witnessed the voting number switches with our own eyes, while the reporter danced around nervously waving his arms to distract what we witnessed. Several Dominion workers had said they could create 1 million phantom votes, admitting they had done this in other nations. What do you think Dominion means? Machines and log books were connected to internets, where they can be hacked. We are familiar with being hacked, or banned by the powerful Big Tech, more powerful, then American leaders. They allow death threats and images to harass conservatives, but those trying to give facts were banned. Several conservative candidates and family programs were canceled by Communist Big Tech. Then they said, oh, a mistake. Canceling culture and history, by Marxist BLM is from the Communist Manifesto. We had 8 months of terrorism, by Antifa and Marxist BLM, which they switched on Trump and his supporters. Trump’s had to hide last summer from attacks, as did other conservatives, but it wasn’t known.
Ben, How’s your back feeling? Because the depths of how far you have to reach up your ass to find your liberal logic would give even the best contortionist a run for their money! All you lefties are the product of your own hypocrisy. Who is really following the Nazi playbook to the “T”? Liberals and/or democRATS!!
Thank you, Richard. You said everything, many of us have thought and tried to share! I’ve looked through the Hitler symbols and the Rune, and no comparison. My first thought was, it was a bite into the Communist China Star. The Jewish Star is a unique design. Pelosi , George Soros and Socialist Dems pushed every propaganda agenda possible, but about 80 million Americans haven’t fallen for it. We have to get Americans to see through their hypocrisy, and as Biden continues, we are seeing the truth. He has pushed more then 30 executive orders, and opened borders to a dangerous level, while trying to force America to shut down. Thousands a day come in unmasked and unchecked, so Biden isn’t concerned about the virus. Now they want to vaccinate them, slowing the process for residents. Socialist Dems are dangerous people. We have to continue to keep businesses open, or America will be conquered.
People! They’re missing a couple of tacos on a Mexican plate. They will fall and when they do, such surprise on their faces. I am sure they will find or try to blame it on. Do y’all think to save their hinnies they’ll blame on others in their group? They need to be reminded that pointing a finger at others, they always have 4 pointing back at themselves..Well enough said for now,.
Ben. Do not flatter yourself. You are not the subject or the inspiration for this commentary. You are merely an example of those who might be susceptible to the kind of nonsense propaganda that is exemplified in the ridiculous interpretation of the shape of the CPAC stage. There are people who tend to believe in all sorts of dubious theories — from Russian conspiracies’ to attempted coups. Do you really believe that the upside-down imperceptible Odel Rune symbol alleged to be found in the CPAC stage — or are you just using it falsely in an attempt to keep with the equally mendacious and slanderous narratives against conservatives.
Oh , I get it Larry! It was purely coincidental that you posted this essay less than 24 hrs after I mentioned it in a direct comment to you. ( wink, wink). Your secret is safe with me!
I personally don’t really care what type of symbolism trump’s party uses at their conferences, I wrote a couple sentences about it. You dedicated an entire blog post to it.
Thanks for once again allowing comments on your blog. I know how much freedom of speech means to you. I was shocked when your blog stopped allowing comments so soon after you posted about Big Tech censoring voices. The clicks must have suffered mightily for the lack of commenting. Glad to see a healthy dialog back on the echo chamber.
Since WHEN do nazis have CONSERVATIVE views…???? And we know “who” is/are saying this, the ones who are the TRUE NAZIS in DC and hollyweird….!!!
Angelika, Nazis were not conservatives. The left perpetuates this myth. Let me explain the obvious. Nazis were an AUTHORITARIAN regime, Conservatives believe in LIMITED government and that all governmental power rises from the citizenry. We do not like powerful central governments of any kind — Nazi, Communist, Socialist, dictatorships, kings, emperors, czars, etc. The left believes in powerful central governments to rule over the people through one-party power. There is no such thing as a right wing dictatorship. It is an oxymoron.. Alll authoritarian governments are the extreme left of the political continuum that runs from anarchy on the extreme right to dictatorship on the extreme left. Conservatives are center-right in America. Democrats have moved away from center left to radical left — meaning more power in the hands of fewer people.
Typical ignorance from domestic terrorists! Thanks for ruining my america. This is and always will be one nation under God no matter what. When the time comes you will be happy or very sad, that it is.
Dale, do you know when “one nation under god” was added ?
Asking for a friend
Such unimportant nitpicking !! What a waste of time. What a distorted brain. Keep on having nightmares. You are not worth to get paid for your garbage.
Well, I’ve studied it. I’ve even copied the image with photoshop and turned it upside down but I still can’t see it.
The stage decoration bears about as much similarity to the odal letter as it does to a London black taxi.
Following the WAPO logic (Do they know what the word means?) all of the letter from NAZI should be immediately removed from the alphabet leaving American with a pseudo-president Bden (which is, at least, a good onomatopoeia for his actions).
Trump, of course, would remain Trump.
Blessed be
Karma Singh
NO! . . . it DOESN’T look like a “Nazi” symbol – it LOOKS like a WELL ENGINEERED stage lighting. NEXT ridiculous question. One Enlightened Patriot. team Trump And His Allies 2020 – MAGA (WE’RE NOT going away!).
Simply put, no right thinking person would fall for this CT bullshit or even be aware of this twisted analysis.
This is something drug up by the insane MSM who forgot how to write with truth and intercity.