Weird Little Guys

Ethan Melzer, a former U.S. Army paratrooper who pleaded guilty to plotting a terrorist act against his own unit, delves into the haunting betrayal of his radicalization. He recounts his descent into extremism, influenced by a toxic mix of isolation and manipulation from a neo-Nazi group. The chilling dynamics of his case reveal the disturbing intersections of military service and extremist ideologies. Ethan also discusses the role of an FBI informant and the complexities of his journey, highlighting the alarming potential for extremism within the military ranks.

In June of 2020, US Army Private Ethan Melzer was arrested for leaking information about his unit's deployment to Turkey with the intention of causing a mass casualty incident. The plot was hatched in a Telegram chat room for a group calling itself Rapewaffen, an Atomwaffen splinter cell that was committed to the beliefs of a neonazi satanic cult called the Order of Nine Angles. This episode follows the rise of satanism within Atomwaffen and the chaos that influence caused. Sources: https://unicornriot.ninja/2020/national-guard-soldier-who-deployed-to-dc-identified-as-neo-nazi/ https://www.peoplefor.org/rightwingwatch/post/ohio-national-guard-member-sent-home-for-white-supremacist-views-is-likely-a-fascist-youtuber https://www.peoplefor.org/rightwingwatch/post/ohio-national-guard-soldier-pulled-from-mission-in-d-c-appears-on-neo-fascist-podcast-says-hes-being-discharged https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/05/fbi-national-guardsman-expressed-white-supremacist-ideology-303924 https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/the-satanist-neo-nazi-plot-to-murder-u-s-soldiers-1352629/ https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/neo-nazi-1378280 https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2020-06-02/military-begins-staging-around-washington-to-quell-george-floyd-protests https://hopenothate.org.uk/2020/06/23/the-rapewaffen-telegram-channel/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/soldiers-cases-highlight-reach-of-white-extremism-into-us-military/2020/06/25/0203532e-b582-11ea-9b0f-c797548c1154_story.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's no new weird little guy this week, but I wanted to check in with you about how the show is going so far and squeeze in a few weird little facts that got left on the cutting room floor of past episodes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tyler Bradley Dykes, a former U.S. Marine with a controversial past linked to extremist groups, candidly shares his troubling journey from involvement in the 2017 Nazi torch march to facing serious legal consequences for his actions. He opens up about the social dynamics of hate groups, his transformations, and the chilling influence of extremism on communities. Dykes reflects on his sentencing, the complexities of his military background, and the broader implications of his actions amid rising domestic threats.

In part two of the story of Barry Black, we finally get to the landmark supreme court case that won the klansman the right to burn crosses. Barry's Keystone Knights faded into relative obscurity after the high profile case and Virginia passed a new law aimed to prevent men like Barry from using fire as a tool of intimidation. Sources: https://law.duke.edu/voices/virginia https://www.oyez.org/cases/2002/01-1107 https://unprecedented.substack.com/p/transcript-bodily-harm-is-coming https://time.com/archive/6615465/south-carolina-backfire/ https://www.cnn.com/2016/07/05/us/georgia-kkk-adopt-a-highway-lawsuit/index.html https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/former-kkk-headquarters-terrorized-town-years-now-will-become-diversit-rcna20865 https://www.kait8.com/story/3384156/prison-officer-fired-for-kkk-membership-sues-arkansas-correction-department/ Unite the Right audio from videos by photojournalist Zach D Roberts & publicly available video recorded by the marchers themselvesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barry Black, a controversial Pennsylvania KKK leader known for his write-in campaigns and provocative activism, delves into his tumultuous past. He shares insights on his involvement in cross-burning and the Klan's resurgence, along with the community's reactions to his election as Constable. The podcast also highlights the conflict surrounding a rural gay bar and its fierce resistance against anti-gay activists. As tensions rise during a Klan picnic, listeners are drawn into the complexities of extremism, community support, and the ongoing struggle for rights.

Explore the chilling tale of a Coast Guard lieutenant whose addiction spiraled into a dangerous obsession with firearms and extremist ideologies. Delve into the unsettling dynamics of monitoring hate groups and the impact of digital behaviors on domestic terrorism. The narrative takes unexpected turns with dark humor and personal reflections on the judicial process, highlighting the absurdity within a serious legal landscape. Discover connections between crime, corruption, and the world of neo-Nazi extremism, revealing a disturbing yet fascinating underbelly of society.

The podcast delves into the chilling narratives of teenagers driven to violence by extremist ideologies and the role of the Terragram Collective in their radicalization. It highlights the normalization of violence within online spaces and the troubling influence of digital propaganda on real-world tragedies. The discussion unpacks the dangerous operations of this group, where they incite acts of terror and promote violent ideologies. Additionally, it explores the urgent need for accountability in combating online extremism.

A soldier recently faced arrest for lying on his security clearance application about extremist ties. The podcast dives into the disturbing link between the military and hate groups, questioning why these charges are infrequent. It discusses chilling encounters with neo-Nazi threats, the complex nature of extremist affiliations, and the murky waters of legal accountability. Additionally, it highlights internal conflicts within white nationalist groups and the broader implications for military oversight and societal safety.

In this intriguing discussion, Frank Sweeney shares tales from his wild life steeped in espionage and crime. Dubbed the 'Forrest Gump of fascism,' he reveals how he led the CIA on a chaotic chase while accidentally befriending and betraying a serial killer. Listeners are captivated by stories of his criminal antics, including a bizarre mail-fraud scheme involving mutilated cats. Sweeney’s candid reflections on his tumultuous relationships and the dark consequences of his choices make for a gripping narrative of deception and intrigue.