Weird Little Guys Death of a Demagogue
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Sep 18, 2025 Delve into the bizarre world of American neo-Nazism with the tale of George Lincoln Rockwell's assassination. Discover the chilling backstory of his killer, John Patsalos, whose traumatic childhood fueled his radicalization. The discussion unfurls the rise of Nazi pageantry and internal schisms within the party. Explore the personal costs of radical involvement and the ensuing chaos, including a controversial murder trial and wild conspiracy theories. It's a wild ride through history's weird and unsettling corners.
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Rockwell's Media-First Radicalism
- George Lincoln Rockwell built American neo-Nazism by courting publicity and provoking campuses and civil rights events.
- His tactics included Holocaust denial, coining "white power," and theatrical confrontations to gain attention.
Traumatic Origins And Early Hatred
- John Patsalos (later Patler) grew up amid family violence and early exposure to anti-Semitism from relatives.
- His father killed his mother and served time, and Patsalos later claimed childhood encounters shaped his hatred.
Clinical Warnings Ignored
- Medical records documented Patsalos' escalating paranoia, violent tendencies, and explicit antisemitism as a teenager.
- Clinicians warned he "may become dangerous" and "a potential murderer," foreshadowing his later violence.
