NEO-KNOW NOTHING REPUBLICANS (KNICKERS)
I LOVE
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"The young men who would have the fighting to do in case of war, believed all these statements... They, too, cried out for a separation from such people...there was a firm feeling that a class existed...with a sort of divine right to control public affairs. If they could not get this control by one means they must by another. The end justified the means."
- Ulysses S. Grant, Personal Memoirs Of U.S. Grant, Vol. 1
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What happens to the Republican Party when Trump goes home?
Originally posted October 24, 2020. Updated February 9, 2021.
It seems a tall order to have a former President Trump getting used to the idea of being a quiet and reserved ex-president. It is not hard to imagine a non-retiring Trump at odds with more traditional Republican leadership, however.
His most devoted followers are what we're calling Neo-Know Nothing Republicans (Knickers) - a potentially sizable third party ripped from the Republican coalition much as the original Know Nothings came to prominence in the 1850’s as the Whigs disintegrated in the run up to the Civil War. (Doris Kearns Goodwin in Team of Rivals talks about the original Know Nothings role in the lead up to Abraham Lincoln’s election, the breakup of the Whigs, and the beginning of the Republican Party.)
The original Know Nothings got their name because they replied that they “knew nothing” about the party when asked. Not quite the same as the present-day Knickers, but it echoes.
What were these folks like? First of all, they were virulent anti-slavery. They were also anti-immigration, which at the time was largely anti-Roman Catholic given the multitudes of Irish pouring into the USA at that time. Think Daniel Day Lewis’ William "Bill the Butcher" Poole character in Gangs of New York , a real life Know Nothing in 1850’s New York City. (Check out this excerpt to remind yourself of this character: https://youtu.be/Oro4ph7yTmc from this Martin Scorsese hit).
Originally posted October 24, 2020. Updated February 9, 2021.
It seems a tall order to have a former President Trump getting used to the idea of being a quiet and reserved ex-president. It is not hard to imagine a non-retiring Trump at odds with more traditional Republican leadership, however.
His most devoted followers are what we're calling Neo-Know Nothing Republicans (Knickers) - a potentially sizable third party ripped from the Republican coalition much as the original Know Nothings came to prominence in the 1850’s as the Whigs disintegrated in the run up to the Civil War. (Doris Kearns Goodwin in Team of Rivals talks about the original Know Nothings role in the lead up to Abraham Lincoln’s election, the breakup of the Whigs, and the beginning of the Republican Party.)
The original Know Nothings got their name because they replied that they “knew nothing” about the party when asked. Not quite the same as the present-day Knickers, but it echoes.
What were these folks like? First of all, they were virulent anti-slavery. They were also anti-immigration, which at the time was largely anti-Roman Catholic given the multitudes of Irish pouring into the USA at that time. Think Daniel Day Lewis’ William "Bill the Butcher" Poole character in Gangs of New York , a real life Know Nothing in 1850’s New York City. (Check out this excerpt to remind yourself of this character: https://youtu.be/Oro4ph7yTmc from this Martin Scorsese hit).
It’s always a bit of a stretch trying to analogize things so long ago to the present; but a Neo-Know Nothing Republican kind of Trump led party seems apparent – and the results could be devastating to the Republican Party.
So, what does all this have to do with TheoEco? We’ve come to realize that just about everything we care about, like the ecology, the impact of economics, and their interplay with religions, is tied to politics. Ecologically and economically speaking we can expect that the Knickers will have a positive impact on environmental legislation, regulations, and spending on environmental projects like Everglades Restoration. Why? Because the more Knickers draw support from modern day Republicans the more Democrats will have their way when it comes to environmental legislation. All of which means we can justify documenting the beginning of something relevant to the things we care about, especially the environment. An environmentalist rooting for a schism in the Republican Party? Contrary to the conventional wisdom that America's two -party system is to be revered maybe three is the charm.
So, what does all this have to do with TheoEco? We’ve come to realize that just about everything we care about, like the ecology, the impact of economics, and their interplay with religions, is tied to politics. Ecologically and economically speaking we can expect that the Knickers will have a positive impact on environmental legislation, regulations, and spending on environmental projects like Everglades Restoration. Why? Because the more Knickers draw support from modern day Republicans the more Democrats will have their way when it comes to environmental legislation. All of which means we can justify documenting the beginning of something relevant to the things we care about, especially the environment. An environmentalist rooting for a schism in the Republican Party? Contrary to the conventional wisdom that America's two -party system is to be revered maybe three is the charm.
Interested in being interviewed? Are you a Republican? Friend or Family of Steve Richards? Let's do this!
Think of it as a kind of ongoing focus group. Hopefully, you won’t say “I Know Nothing” because you know plenty. I promise we will not take answers out of context. Interviewees can skip any topics and say whatever they like. This is not a debate so you won't get much in the way of argument. When the interview concludes, if all are happy with it, you will approve it and likely see yourself in the film.
Think of it as a kind of ongoing focus group. Hopefully, you won’t say “I Know Nothing” because you know plenty. I promise we will not take answers out of context. Interviewees can skip any topics and say whatever they like. This is not a debate so you won't get much in the way of argument. When the interview concludes, if all are happy with it, you will approve it and likely see yourself in the film.
Email Steve Richards to set up a Zoom meeting interview.
Or call him at (305) 310-2634.
For a list of topics click here.
The Knickers I Love Project includes:
Neo-Know Nothing Republicans I Love - Feature length documentary currently in production
So FLo Guns or: My New Church – The NkRA - Feature length documentary currently in production
My New Church - The NkRA - Essay
KnickersILove.com - Website
Trump and Economics in the Gospels - Study
Neo-Know Nothing Republicans I Love - Feature length documentary currently in production
So FLo Guns or: My New Church – The NkRA - Feature length documentary currently in production
My New Church - The NkRA - Essay
KnickersILove.com - Website
Trump and Economics in the Gospels - Study
Never Miss a Beat (It's Cool to Know Nothing)
Kaiser Chiefs (2009)
Our theme song! Check it out...
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LYRICS
What did you learn today? I learned nothing
What did you do today? I did nothing
What did you learn at school? I didn't go
Why didn't you go to school? I don't know
It's cool to know nothing
It's cool to know nothing
Television's on the blink There's nothing on it
I really want a really big coat With words on it
What do you want for tea? I want crisps
Why didn't you join the team? I just didn't
It's cool to know nothing
It's cool to know nothing
Take a look, take a look, take a look At the kids on the street
No they never miss a beat No they never miss a beat
Never miss a beat Never miss a beat, beat, beat, beat
Take a look at the kids on the street
No they never miss a beat No they never miss a beat
Never miss a beat Never miss a Never miss a beat
Never miss a beat
Here comes the referee The light's flashing
Best bit of the day Now that's living
Why don't you run away? Are you kidding?
What is the golden rule? You say nothing
It's cool to know nothing It's cool to know nothing
...
Songwriters: ANDREW ROBERT WHITE, CHARLES RICHARD WILSON, JAMES RIX, NICHOLAS BAINES, NICHOLAS HODGSON
© Universal Music Publishing Group
For non-commercial use only.
Data From: LyricFind
What did you learn today? I learned nothing
What did you do today? I did nothing
What did you learn at school? I didn't go
Why didn't you go to school? I don't know
It's cool to know nothing
It's cool to know nothing
Television's on the blink There's nothing on it
I really want a really big coat With words on it
What do you want for tea? I want crisps
Why didn't you join the team? I just didn't
It's cool to know nothing
It's cool to know nothing
Take a look, take a look, take a look At the kids on the street
No they never miss a beat No they never miss a beat
Never miss a beat Never miss a beat, beat, beat, beat
Take a look at the kids on the street
No they never miss a beat No they never miss a beat
Never miss a beat Never miss a Never miss a beat
Never miss a beat
Here comes the referee The light's flashing
Best bit of the day Now that's living
Why don't you run away? Are you kidding?
What is the golden rule? You say nothing
It's cool to know nothing It's cool to know nothing
...
Songwriters: ANDREW ROBERT WHITE, CHARLES RICHARD WILSON, JAMES RIX, NICHOLAS BAINES, NICHOLAS HODGSON
© Universal Music Publishing Group
For non-commercial use only.
Data From: LyricFind