In a special one-hour Democracy Now! broadcast, we examine two key influences on Wisconsin Sikh temple shooter, Wade Michael Page: The neo-Nazi music scene and pervasive white supremacism in U.S. military ranks.
Pete Simi, associate professor of criminology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, spent time with Page while researching the hate music scene in Southern California from 2001 to 2003. Simi discusses the influence the white power music scene had on Page.
"At the time that I had met him, he felt like his involvement in the [white power] music scene really gave him a lot of purpose in terms of how he could contribute to the larger white-supremacist movement," Simi says. "And in fact, that is what the [white power] music scene does."
What he told me was that when he met members of the first band that he was in, 'Youngland' ... he said that, 'Once I met them, it changed my life. I instantly had a bunch of new bros,'" Simi says. "And in fact, that is what the music scene does for a lot of folks is it provides a way for them to be involved in the larger movement, whether it's as musicians, or as people who really enjoy the music and like going to the shows -- and can tap in to the movement through their involvement in the music scene."
In an interview with Simi, Page was also open about his neo-Nazi views when he served in the U.S. military from 1992 to 1998.
"He did indicate part of how he started identifying with neo-Nazi beliefs during his time in the military was that he had met individuals who were active military personnel that were already involved in white supremacist groups," Simi says. "And through them, was exposed to white supremacist propaganda or literature. And this was kind of part of his early indoctrination process during his time in the military."
Military regulations state, "Participation in extremist organizations and activities by Army employees (both appropriated and non-appropriated fund personnel) is inconsistent with Army values and the responsibilities of employment in the federal government." Investigative journalist Matt Kennard discusses how the military often ignores these regulations to maintain troop levels.
"During the War on Terror, even the thin regulations that did exist were completely jettisoned," Kennard says. "I spent two or three years talking to veterans, extremist veterans, much like Page, and far right leaders, who basically said that there was an open-door policy during the War on Terror. You could enter with swastikas tattooed on you, with S.S. boats, with, basically -- basically the military couldn't slow down because the had two occupations to populate and not enough soldiers.
Kennard adds, "Every time this issue has been raised, the U.S. military has targeted the person raising it. Soldiers who have said, 'Look, my unit's riven with white supremacists or gang members' the military has demoted them or kicked them out the military. I've come across several cases of that.'"
And while many were shocked by the massacre at the Sikh temple, Daryl Johnson, a former senior analyst at the Department of Homeland Security, warned years ago that such an attack was imminent. However, his 2009 report about the increasing dangers of violent right-wing extremism in the United States was met with ridicule and censorship.
"And then in lieu of the political backlash, the Department not only decided to stop all of our work, but they also disbanded the unit, reassigned us to other areas within the office, and then made life increasingly difficult for us," Johnson says. He has a new book coming out, titled, "Right Wing Resurgence: How a Domestic Terrorist Threat is Being Ignored."
Click here to read the complete transcript of this interview, watch it uninterrupted, and for more information about Democracy Now!, an independent, global weekday news hour.
For all of our coverage on the Wisconsin Sikh temple massacre, view this Democracy Now! YouTube playlist here.
Democracy Now! has covered white supremacism for years. Visit our news archive here.
Join Democracy Now! on Facebook, and share with a friend!
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.