The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion -- Book - A Gentle Cynic
The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion -- Book - A Gentle Cynic
The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion -- Book - A Gentle Cynic
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BOOK ONE — INTRODUCTION<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r similar contemporary groups were <strong>the</strong> Crusaders for Economic Liberty (also<br />
known as <strong>the</strong> “White Shirts”), and <strong>the</strong> American Vigilantes, led by Gerald Winrod, a Smith<br />
contemporary and fundamentalist evangelist who won a wide following in <strong>the</strong> Middle West <strong>of</strong><br />
America by claiming that <strong>the</strong> “international Jew” was responsible for “<strong>the</strong> scourge <strong>of</strong><br />
international Communism.”<br />
With <strong>the</strong>ir “gaudy uniforms, strident rhetoric, virulent anti-Semitism, and occasional<br />
show <strong>of</strong> arms,” <strong>the</strong>se groups are said to represent <strong>the</strong> most sensational expression <strong>of</strong> Jew-hatred<br />
in American history. 226/<br />
Pelly said his group, <strong>the</strong> Silver Shirts, represented “<strong>the</strong> cream, <strong>the</strong> head and flower <strong>of</strong> our<br />
Protestant Christian manhood.” <strong>The</strong>re was only one goal for <strong>the</strong> Silver Shirts, in 1934: <strong>The</strong>re is<br />
but one issue in <strong>the</strong> United States, and that is <strong>the</strong> forcible removal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Jew from [public]<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice.” <strong>The</strong> Silver Shirts preceded <strong>the</strong> Christian Nationalist Crusade, which was <strong>the</strong><br />
predecessor, or perhaps parent organization, <strong>of</strong> today’s Christian Patriot League.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Christian Nationalist Crusade is alleged to be <strong>the</strong> “grandfa<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> extremist<br />
Christianity.” Smith was <strong>the</strong> member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> “Silver Shirts” when he assumed leadership after<br />
Mr. Pelly was imprisoned for sedition in 1942 — allegedly by promoting Nazi propaganda.<br />
Smith established and lead <strong>the</strong> Crusade, said to be about <strong>the</strong> more notorious <strong>of</strong> anti-Semitic<br />
organizations in <strong>the</strong> United states at that time, and he continued as Director for <strong>the</strong> next 35 years,<br />
until his death in 1976.<br />
Smith was an aide to <strong>the</strong> populist Louisiana governor, Huey Long, and followed that line<br />
<strong>of</strong> work by being a candidate for <strong>the</strong> U.S. Senate,first as a Republican <strong>the</strong>n as an Independent,<br />
and “failed miserably,” according to those critical <strong>of</strong> him. 227/ He ran for U.S. president in<br />
1948, 228/ on a platform that included deportation <strong>of</strong> all Jews, <strong>the</strong>n began publishing <strong>The</strong> Cross<br />
and <strong>The</strong> Flag, <strong>the</strong> Crusade’s monthly magazine. For <strong>the</strong> next twenty-eight years <strong>the</strong> magazine,<br />
entirely written by Mr. Smith, published every conceivable type <strong>of</strong> anti-Semitism, marked by<br />
what he considered clever turns <strong>of</strong> phrase: “Jew York,” “Christ-hating mobsters,” “<strong>the</strong> Jew-N,”<br />
(referring to <strong>the</strong> United Nations), “<strong>the</strong> Anti-Defamation League: <strong>the</strong> OGPU <strong>of</strong> Jewry,” and<br />
“Communism and <strong>Zion</strong>ism, <strong>the</strong> twins <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> anti-Christ.”<br />
Given that sort <strong>of</strong> hatred, and fur<strong>the</strong>r, given Smith’s well-known credentials as a<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional anti-Semite, it was <strong>the</strong>refore somewhat surprising to find that in 1969 <strong>the</strong> federal<br />
government awarded to <strong>the</strong> state <strong>of</strong> Arkansas a grant <strong>of</strong> $182,000 to build a road to Smith’s pet<br />
project, a 67-foot high statue <strong>of</strong> Jesus Christ, near Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Publicity<br />
226<br />
GAUDY UNIFORMS, STRIDENT RHETORIC, VIRULENT ANTI-SEMITISM. Volkman,<br />
Id., p. 36.<br />
227 SMITH’s POLITICAL CAREER. See: Levy, A Lie & A Libel, Intro., p. 46 at n. 7, 2.<br />
228 FORD AND SMITH. Smith claimed a “personal friendship” with Henry Ford. Levy, A Lie &<br />
A Libel, id, p. 46, n. 7, 2. Ford apparently “supported” Smith financially, and is quoted as<br />
saying: “I wish Gerald L.K. Smith could be president <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United States.” Lee, Henry Ford &<br />
<strong>the</strong> Jews, p. 110. While it is not mentioned directly, Smith apparently talked too much to <strong>the</strong><br />
general public about Ford’s help, and Smith was dropped from Ford’s acquaintance. Lee, id., at<br />
111.<br />
THE PROTOCOLS OF THE LEARNED ELDERS OF ZION Page -75-