November 14, 2018

Why did some Wisconsin high school boys give what looks like a Nazi salute in the prom photos.



This explanation makes sense of it, and I would let these boys have their lives back:



Here's what I'm seeing in my local paper: "Twitter recap: World's eyes on Baraboo High School after Nazi salute photo goes viral."

Here's the ending of "The Breakfast Club," and here's the famous freeze-frame gesture that, we're told, the photographer wanted to get from the boys:



If I understand the explanation given, some of the boys didn't understand and the photographer, in the course of explaining, extended his arm to point to a section of the group, and his pointing gesture happened to look like the Nazi salute, and some of the boys believed the photographer was demonstrating the gesture he wanted. I would accept that explanation, in the spirit of mercy, and end the grotesque titillation of this viral interlude and stop exploiting young people for idle entertainment and propagation of fear of racism. It's incredibly stupid, but hey look, the "Breakfast Club" statue is giving the Nazi salute:



ADDED: Raise your hand at your own peril. In the freeze-frame, those looking for Nazi salutes may see Nazi salutes:

151 comments:

Jeff Brokaw said...

Maybe people could, I don’t know, stop assuming facts not in evidence from a single photo? An entire class of boys as Nazis? Really?

That’s dumb. But that’s Twitter for ya.

Professional lady said...

I just looked at this photo for the first time. I think it's a real stretch to say it looks like a Nazi salute. I guess Jules saw what he wanted to see.

Dad29 said...

The kids were clowning STUPIDLY.

So it's time to burn Baraboo to the ground and salt the earth there, eh?

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

OMG! Everyone is giving the Nazi Salute. Make it stop!


Dear class, Remember, guys - it's the democrat party who paint you as racist Nazis - just for waving at your folks. Remember that when it's time to vote.

MadisonMan said...

I want to be outraged about something this week. I guess this picture of boys will do it.

This is all Trump's fault, too.

Equipment Maintenance said...

Good thing they didn't give the "OK" sign.

mockturtle said...

Some see Nazis behind every bush [or every Bush]. Is it because Nazis, with their signs and symbols, are so easy to caricature? Stalin didn't have an eponymous salute.

Jeff Brokaw said...

Never assume malice when stupidity will suffice.

Try that sometime, social justice warriors. It must be exhausting looking for things to get outraged about all the time. Plus, you look like idiots.

Big Mike said...

I think Mr. Jules Suzdaltzev needs to be sentenced to having “H8R” branded on each cheek. Democrats don’t respect the 2nd Amendment, I don’t much care for the 8th.

Jeff Brokaw said...

What these brave keyboard warriors don’t get is that these comments say a lot more about **them** than about the objects of their criticism.

Leland said...

45 thousand love the first tweet, and only 72 love the second explanatory tweet.

Carol said...

Uh, we do something like that when there are baptisms during Mass.

As if Catholics couldn't be any worse!


FIDO said...

There are only so many manual 'high' signs one can do. Arm in the air, arm at an angle, two arms in both, and with hand open or shut.

So for those constantly seeking Nazis, they will find evidence of them everywhere.

This says more about the original commenter than it does about that mass of boys. Do we REALLY think that Wisconsin HS boys are Nazis? Really?

No. They just want to do some sports, have some fun, get a good job and nail the Prom Queen, not in any particular order of imperative.

That being said- I would say that the 'abhorrence towards Racism/Sexism/Nazism is far less reflexive these days simply because of random, undeserved accusations like this snowflake threw out.

Yes, I made an assumption about him too. However I think my assessment far more likely than that an entire HS class was filled with young Eichmanns.

stevew said...

If you hear the dog whistle you are the dog.

rhhardin said...

The feelings of snowflakes should get no consideration.

JPS said...

"we all just thought that's what he meant."

So they were just following orders, then?

Sorry. I agree, this is remarkably stupid. And we're only going to get dumber before we're through.

rhhardin said...

Hitler had a girls' nazi salute, upper arm down and elbow crooked and wrist bent back like a girl throwing.

Fernandinande said...

@ madison.com there are some claims - without evidence! - that the police are investigating the body language of teenagers. That is truly creepy.

rehajm said...

No, there's definitely a batting order to FIO's list.

Lyle Smith said...

They don’t have explain a thing to anyone. These loathsome people will project white supremacy on anyone. Be proud boys and have a laugh!

Anonymous said...

I would accept that explanation, in the spirit of mercy...

That's mighty white of you, Althouse, but people should not have to be explaining themselves to hysterical self-appointed internet stasi agents in the first place. Eunuch school administrators should not be babbling apologies and jumping to "investigate" at their command.

Jeez, just look at that guy's twitter feed. "Sod off, Mrs. Kravitz" is the correct response, not po-faced analyses of hand gestures and investigations of #OMGNazis! in our schools.

Francisco D said...

Althouse is on a "Do you have no sense of humor?" kick this morning.

Was there something special that happened this morning?

Asking for a friend.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Is that Acosta giving the Nazi salute? He sure is a creepy stalker.

The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...

Absolutely hilarious. How many times can the Left clown itself and still be taken seriously? I know it must seem limitless to the conservative observer but reality dictates that there is indeed a breaking point. And the Left is hurtling towards it.

Renee said...

If it was a picture was legitimately being questioned, why not email the photographer/school before going on Twitter? It seemed others found the website of the photographer pretty easily. Was the original individual incapable of such a task, considering he identifies as a journalist.

these students should sue the guy for defamation/emotional distress.... if possible

Dave Begley said...

I think the Left should travel to that WI town and just burn down that high school. They all must be Nazis or racists. Or worse!!

Meade said...

"Hitler had a girls' nazi salute, upper arm down and elbow crooked and wrist bent back like a girl throwing."

Sort of like: this?

chickelit said...

Are those Fox News "reporters" in the bottom photo? That would make sense for the annalysis at hand.

chickelit said...

Ever notice that the "x" in Fox almost looks like a swastika? You can't unsee that once you see it.

Leland said...

MSNBC reacting to Ann's post: "well of course the press is giving Trump the NAZI salute, he is Hitler."

Char Char Binks, Esq. said...

Yearbooks and photos of school students, even those who recently turned 18, should be illegal. One wrong word, wrong gesture, off-guard moment, one false move, in context or not, could ruin someone's reputation for life.

Mary Beth said...

The question shouldn't be, why are they raising their arms like that, it should be, why didn't the photographer just delete that photo? How did it get into the hands of the @GoBaraboo account so they could post it?

(Surprise, surprise, the class of 2018 isn't familiar with a movie that came out 15 years before they were born.)

tim maguire said...

Activists ruin everything. There is no limit to how stupid someone trying to change the world can be.

Mary Beth said...

ABC has a story saying a parent took the photo and was asking the teens to wave goodbye to their parents.

Conflicting stories. Now I don't believe either of them.

Ken B said...

My grade 1 teacher told us, check your work.

Is this peak stupid yet? Or will CNN sue to insist these boys are Nazis?

n.n said...

Moral of the story: white people, including: white Hispanics, et al, "one-droplet," should acknowledge that raising their arm, flashing an "ok" sign, are evidence of neo-socialism, and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the press and diversity rackets. That said, don't judge people by their limited range of motion.

Lucid-Ideas said...

The Overton Window has passed through the Overton Window with the Overton Door, Gate, and Bridge now in sight.

No need to jump over sharks now. The way forward is well paved. Do your worst you stupid sharks.

Ken B said...

Okay, Mary Beth answered my question. That photo was not peak stupid. The new record was set at 9:32. How long will it last?

Mark said...

That "Nazi salute" was a common gesture in the United States and throughout the world before the National Socialists ever used it in Germany.

n.n said...

Sort of like: this?

No, that's pumping your first, which is popular in urban spaces.

More like this:

https://pearlsofprofundity.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/obama-air-force-one-waving.jpg

Notice the straight arm, but the fingers are spread.

tcrosse said...

I guess it's Winter for Poland and France.

tim maguire said...

Mary Beth said...
The question shouldn't be, why are they raising their arms like that, it should be, why didn't the photographer just delete that photo?


Why? What's wrong with the photo?

Char Char Binks, Esq. said...

Here's a typical release form schools use. They throw these at parents along with a multitude of standard BS papers they routinely expect parents to sign without thinking much of, or reading thoroughly. DO NOT EVER SIGN ONE OF THESE!

If the school, or anyone connected with it, EVER takes a photo of your child, allows a photo, writings, or any recordings or representations of him to be taken/used/published/disseminated in any way, no matter how seemingly innocuous, SUE THEM HOMELESS!

Photo Release Permission Slip
As a parent or guardian of this student, I hereby consent to the use of photographs/videotape taken during the course of the school year for publicity, promotional and/or educational purposes (including publications, presentation or broadcast via newspaper, internet or other media sources). I do this with full knowledge and consent and waive all claims for compensation for use, or for damages.
____ Yes, I give consent for Santan Elementary to photograph my child for school purposes and/or at school events.
___ No, I do not authorize Santan Elementary to photograph for my child for any event. Parent Signature: _________________________________ Date: ______________ Student’s Name: _____________________________________

n.n said...

https://www.hindustantimes.com/rf/image_size_640x362/HT/p1/2015/01/15/Incoming/Pictures/1307249_Wallpaper2.jpg

Another Nazi salute. Very, very special.

Mark said...

Plenty of photos of school kids in the early 1900s using the salute in the Pledge of Allegiance.

John Pickering said...

Once again Ann declines to disclose the extent of her reading. See the kid in the upper right hand corner of the photo? He's not giving the Nazi salute, because he knows that the photographer has told them to do it, and he knows what the salute means, and he's not going to be seen giving a Nazi salute, because it's an offensive gesture to make. Ann prefers to peddle this bullshit about the breakfast club, a movie made almost 20 years before any of these kids were born. Sure, that's what they were doing. The Breakfast Club salute. Ann's making excuses while the boys wallow in ignorance and cruelty -- well done Ann.

President-Mom-Jeans said...

More fake new, more hatred of kids merely for being white. I don't give a fuck about "journalists" and Trump is right about them. I would give zero fucks if Acosta gets cut up into little pieces like that Saudi muslim brotherhood activist.

The only good social justice warrior is a dead social justice warrior. Today's rebrand of marxist commies.

Henry said...

There's one kid making a black power salute. He got the wrong memo.

Lovernios said...

That's not a proper Nazi salute, anyway.

You need to snap your heels together, stand ramrod straight, chin jutting out, then thrust your right arm straight out, fingers extended and joined.

Wait! How did I know that? No, no I'm not a Nazi! I just remembered it from Hogan's Heroes. I'm not a Nazi, honest.

President-Mom-Jeans said...

This shitstain Jules Suzdaltsev, and the rest of the social justice retards are now going through all the boys in the pictures social media and trying to get them from being able to attend college. Smeared by some fruitcake loser kid in the school and smearing everyone as Nazi's.

Violence is going to be the only way to put a stop to this.

mockturtle said...

Lovernios claims: Wait! How did I know that? No, no I'm not a Nazi! I just remembered it from Hogan's Heroes. I'm not a Nazi, honest.

Sure, uh-huh. But don't even try running for office!

Char Char Binks, Esq. said...

"social justice retards are now going through all the boys in the pictures social media and trying to get them from being able to attend college."

That could be the best thing for them, ironically. Instead of wasting their time learning some Intersectional-studies subject or other, maybe they'll learn a trade, a skill, an occupation, and end up denying those fruitcakes employment IRL.

NorthOfTheOneOhOne said...

The photographer is claiming that he asked the boys to give a big wave, not a Bender fist pump.

Curioser and curioser.

(via Insty)

Mary Beth said...

Why? What's wrong with the photo?

11/14/18, 9:40 AM


He should have cropped out the "employee entrance only" sign. Obviously.

NorthOfTheOneOhOne said...

Whoops! Correction to my earlier comment: Photographer wanted a high five, not a wave. Fist pump never mentioned.

Rob said...

The outstretched arms were only the half of it. That night, they all got together for brewskis at Squee's.

Daniel said...

What about the kid in the front row throwing the white power hand sign? Hard to believe it is a misunderstanding and at the same time the kid "accidentally" made this gesture associated with white power.

MadisonMan said...

See the kid in the upper right hand corner of the photo? He's not giving the Nazi salute, because he knows that the photographer has told them to do it, and he knows what the salute means, and he's not going to be seen giving a Nazi salute, because it's an offensive gesture to make.

And you know this how? Because the boy said so?

Ask yourself: Why do you believe him? Because it makes your narrative flow?

It's possible he's telling the truth, yes. It's possible he is not.

Lovernios said...

Mockturtle, you gotta believe me! I hate Illinois Nazis.

I can explain that Nazi dagger, too. My father served in WWII. It's a war trophy. My Dad single handedly defeated a German division and got that from the commander. Really.

And no, those are't Nazi boots in my yearbook photo, there Beatle Boots. Yeah, that's the ticket. Beatle Boots.

And that swastika flag in the background is from my Bhuddist church. I'm really devout. "Na Myo Horen Geikyo!"

President-Mom-Jeans said...

Retard Daniel said "What about the kid in the front row throwing the white power hand sign?"

You mean the "Ok" sign, or just how his fingers happened to be that momement in time? The one that all kinds of people, including Obama, use all the fucking time?

Seriously, kill yourself.

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

You have to remember, even before Trump, these kids were taught that Scott Walker was Hitler. They have little concept of who or what Hitler actually was. For all they know, Hitler was the guy that made teachers pay a little more for their health insurance.

Char Char Binks, Esq. said...

None of this matters. What matters is that the pic never should have been snapped in the first place, and never shown in the second place.

There may be other places. The answer to all of them is NEVER.

NorthOfTheOneOhOne said...

Of course I don't know why anybody's surprised by any of this. What's a few Nazi saluting highschool boys when this years Wisconsin Capitol Christmas tree comes from Ed Gein's hometown of Plainfield?

Fernandinande said...

The population of Baraboo, named after a beloved Old World monkey, is 94% White Supremacist, 1.3% Black Supremacist, 1.0% Native American Supremacist, 0.5% Asian Supremacist, 0.1% Pacific Islander Supremacist, 1.5% Other Races Supremacist, and 1.6% Two or More Races Supremacist. Hispanic or Latino Supremacists of any race were 3.7% of the population.

According to anonymous sources, the so-called "Crunchwrap Supreme" is quite popular in Baraboo despite the words "supreme" and "crunchwrap" having hateful dual meanings[1] and costing almost $4[2], probably because of the Special Hate Sauce imported from Germany.

[1] Pitiful immigrant children "crunchwrapped" in foil.

[2] $3.69 + tax

Fernandinande said...

You mean the "Ok" sign [that] Obama, use[d] all the fucking time?

Also Pelosi and both Billaries.

rehajm said...

They look like those people at The Jewelry Exchange.

John Pickering said...

MadisonMan

Yes, we know the boy didn't do the Nazi salute because he said so:

"It did not represent my morals, and I could not do something that I didn't believe in," Blue said.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/baraboo-high-school-nazi-salute-photo-student-refused-to-participate/

Why do I believe him? Because he sounds like a sensible decent sort of person who doesn't make excuses for throwing up the Nazi salute. Ask yourself: why don't you believe him?

John Pickering said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Fernandinande said...

Ed Gein

Fun Fact! Following his career as a personal digger-upper and murderer, Ed Gein was a successful "asylum seeker", eventually living a life of luxury on the taxpayers' dime at the Mendota Mental Health Institute. They have good tacos.

President-Mom-Jeans said...

NPChuck's Alter Ego Pickering said "Ask yourself: why don't you believe him?"

I don't believe him because he is a virtue signaling social justice warrior little pussy who is whining that he was always being bullied and called mean names. I don't believe him because he wants to destroy the futures of people who are better than him, while simultaneously getting attention and the inevitable go fund me from lefty vagina's like you.

PackerBronco said...

"This explanation makes sense of it, and I would let these boys have their lives back"
----------

I would not however let the reporters and school officials get their lives back. This story is a joke and not worth more than 3 nanoseconds of anyone's time. Anyone promoting this story or even treating it as legitimate needs to be taken out back and hit repeatedly over the head with a sock full of manure.

Cornelius Gotchberg said...

Because of my German/Jewish heritage, I would NEVER, ​EVER, EVER!!! condone the use of the Seig Heil salute.

And I'd go so far as to say that anyone that would should be...welp...round 'em up and I'll let you's know!

The Gotch

Henry said...

Blogger Daniel said...
What about the kid in the front row throwing the white power hand sign?

Looks like you find the secret white nationalist in the photo, Sherlock.

* * *

The problem with the viral phenomenon is that it treats actual people as totems.

It is likely that some kids threw the Nazi salute because they are idiots and thought it was funny to sabotage the moment. It is likely that some kids waved their hands vaguely salute-like because the photographer was gesturing and other kids were doing it. It is likely that some kids weren't paying attention one way or another. There were reportedly a few kids who were surprised and upset by the saluting kids.

Actual number of Nazis in the picture: zero.

The number of kids in that picture who are anti-semitic in some way may not be zero. Do we know which kids they are? We don't. Nor do we know what those kids will be 5 or 10 years or now. Teenagers do not have mature brains.*

The anger leveled at the kids has little to do with the kids themselves. They have been made into totems, symbols of the anti-semitism that does exist in this country.** Unfortunately for these kids, totems are easier to smash than the phenomenon they represent.

*This is established brain science.
**Yes, it does. I have seen anti-semitic vandalism in my own town.

Mark said...

Wasn't there a Confederate Flag issue at this same school a few years back?

PackerBronco said...


Blogger Char Char Binks said...
None of this matters. What matters is that the pic never should have been snapped in the first place, and never shown in the second place


There is absolutely NOTHING offensive in that photo. People who claim otherwise need to be mocked until they cry.

tim maguire said...

Mary Beth said...
Why? What's wrong with the photo?

11/14/18, 9:40 AM

He should have cropped out the "employee entrance only" sign. Obviously.


I guess. A clean photoshop might be possible if some parents are bugged by it.

John Pickering said...

President M-J neatly summarizes the thinking of Ann and so many of her readers. It'd be good if Ann were to weave some of her terrific textual analysis on this one, especially the assertion that the boy who doesn't give the Nazi salute "wants to destroy the futures of people who are better than him" -- he means the kids that ARE giving the Nazi salute. It's hard to imagine a clearer expression of the anomie and loss so often said to be felt by Ann and many of the other non-elite whites among her readers.

Balfegor said...

I'm pretty sure the majority of the children in the photo knew exactly what it looked like and were having a bit of fun épater-ing la bourgeoisie.

Fernandinande said...

This Gay Student Refused to Join in a Nazi Salute in Viral Prom Picture

"Jordan Blue is a gay student at the school, who says he has been bullied by his classmates since middle school, and has explained what was going on in his head during that moment, in which he is the lone figure seen in the back, at right, not giving the Nazi salute nor laughing."

Real Nazis generally arrange to appear at the rear of school group photos, as did gay student Jordan Blue, but they also make sure they're in the center and above everyone else, especially that heroin-chic fashion-leader in the concentration-camp pajamas.

President-Mom-Jeans said...

The same worthless drains on society that flip out at the phrase "It's okay to be white" are the ones who are trying to destroy these young high school students due to their own psychological issues and dysfunctional leftwing identity politics. They are a cancer on society and it's getting to the point where chemotherapy is needed.

You see examples of these cunt rags in this very comment section.

chuck said...

Yeah, right. Wisconsin high schools are Nazi hotbeds. This country is awash in dumb.

Fernandinande said...

Baraboo school board members demanded action Monday night.

My member demands action occasionally.

Birkel said...

Some people spend a lot of time worrying about non-problems.
The few thousand white supremacists in America are a petty annoyance and a grand excuse for Leftists to exert power.

Steve Witherspoon said...

Let me get this straight, the new social trend is that anyone that raises their hand in what can in any way be twisted into a Nazi salute is now automatically deemed a Nazi, a racist, and a white supremacist? Yup, nothing could possibly go wrong with that kind of thinking?

https://i.snag.gy/yRFui3.jpg

n.n said...

We're must be in a diversity racket fund raising cycle.

Jay Vogt said...

Balfegor said...I'm pretty sure the majority of the children in the photo knew exactly what it looked like and were having a bit of fun épater-ing la bourgeoisie.

I wonder if it's true that a majority of high schoolers know what a Nazi salute is. I think I might take the other side of that bet.

Rabel said...

Top row, fourth from right - is that Richard Nixon's long lost grandson?

chuck said...

"Jordan Blue is a gay student at the school, who says he has been bullied by his classmates since middle school,..."

Guy needs to read up on Ernst Röhm and the prevalence of gay leaders in the SA.

chuck said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Darrell said...

What would the kids be doing if Hillary were President?

Depends.

Achilles said...

JPS said...

So they were just following orders, then?

Sorry. I agree, this is remarkably stupid. And we're only going to get dumber before we're through.


It is not stupid. It is pure and calculated.

Sure the tools are stupid. The leftists on this board for instance.

But calling everyone that disagrees with the left racist/nazi is right in line with what they do every time.

What is stupid is the people on this board who do not think Inga and her leftist friends will feed us to the ovens when they get a chance. They think Scalise deserves to get shot because he supports the NRA.

That is most of you.

The cucks are leading the charge on accepting Synema the Taliban supporter and the blatant fraud of "provisional" ballots found after the election.

People are all saying how "McSally" was a "lackluster" candidate. That makes you feel better.

You all need to step back and look at who is being stupid here.

It isn't the leftists.

Jim at said...

Good grief.
What a stupid time to be alive.

JohnAnnArbor said...

Ever heard of the Bellamy Salute?

Designed by the author of our Pledge of Allegiance--a socialist!

Howard said...

Blogger Achilles said...
But calling everyone that disagrees with the left racist/nazi is right in line with what they do every time.


...says the man who calls anyone who steps outside the Trump circle commies, socialists, marxists, stalinists, Che-ists, Fedel-ists, Hugo Chavezists

I do here the Fedel-ist Papers is an interesting read

MadisonMan said...

Ask yourself: why don't you believe him?

I didn't quite say that: I said he might be telling the truth, he might not.

You seem to have swallowed his statement hook, line and sinker. Me? I'm watching the bait sit there in the water, pondering.

Fun Fact: Baraboo was the first place where Kid #2 used the toilet for #2.

In my interactions with Baraboovians, I have not discerned Nazi hotbededness. Now -- Posse Comitatus was active in that part of the county about 20+ years ago. Of course, that group can't be blamed on Trump.

Sprezzatura said...

"Her original post shows that the photo was tweeted out from a now private account, stating, "We even got the black kid to throw it up #BarabooProud""



Not the gay kid.

Presumably there weren't any Jews that they could get "to throw it up #BarabooProud."

Sprezzatura said...

https://twitter.com/jules_su/status/1061863594885824512

Howard said...

Blogger anti-de Sitter space said... Presumably there weren't any Jews that they could get "to throw it up #BarabooProud."

George Soros III, third from the left, second row.

Michael Fitzgerald said...

Any Twitter twat whining about some high school boys tweaking noses with the Nazi salute better have come down like a ton of bricks on Farrakhan, Ellison, and the other Jew-hating Muslims elected to represent Democrat party members. Wanna bet this blue check beta male didn't raise a peep about those black bigots? Fuck you progs!

Bilwick said...

David Hogg could not be reached for comment.

Sprezzatura said...

WI school pumps out racists, but according to Althouse: STFU minorities and Jews and those who aren't for racists:

"end the grotesque titillation of this viral interlude and stop exploiting young people for idle entertainment and propagation of fear of racism."

Being a DJT apologist is never ending. Always expanding, in fact.

Sprezzatura said...

Althouse tweaks FLOTUS excuse: white boys will be white boys. Grab pussies or salute Hitler. Kids to grown ass geezer. Applies, according to Althouse.

Cornelius Gotchberg said...

Madison Man said:

"Posse Comitatus was active in that part of the county about 20+ years ago. Of course, that group can't be blamed on Trump." (bolds mine) 11/14/18, 12:46 PM

Ruh roh!

If that's even remotely true, Lefty will dangerously self-immerse into catatonic/apoplectic, pillow-biting, mouth-breathing, weenie-whiny, simpering-whimpering complete metaphysical, emotional, existential, psychological, philosophical, full-throated, freaking out, melting down, totally collapsing free-fall.

Just like 733 days ago.

Not an enviable state of affairs for those perilously close to the dark abyss to begin with, am I right?

The Gotch

President-Mom-Jeans said...

Did you get bullied a lot in high school for being gay, Anti De Shitter space?

Has this post brought back bad memories for you? Did they call you mean names? You do realize these aren't the same kids who bullied you, right? Also, you probably deserved it.

Sprezzatura said...

PMJ,

I've always been the most popular of the popular (and straight). Quite aways back, after about nine grades of this, I really disliked seeing others (guys and gals) suck up to me. It made me cringe. I also didn't like the exclusion of others for no inherent reason, e.g. no meaningful flaws or lack of character.

BTW, my reaction re this realization was a lot more empathy and compassion to both status and non-status folks. But sometimes that seems to have only made me more successful in everything.

Ironic. I guess.

Bad Lieutenant said...

anti-de Sitter space said...
Althouse tweaks FLOTUS excuse: white boys will be white boys. Grab pussies or salute Hitler. Kids to grown ass geezer. Applies, according to Althouse.

11/14/18, 1:09 PM

So, Althouse, have you finally got enough high quality leftist commenters? You'll have a fine place here when they have out-persevered, bored to death and otherwise driven off the normies, and you and they can be all alone together. In fact you can have that anytime you like.

Sprezzatura said...

Pre my epiphany I regret being a bit oblivious re extreme privilege, in every measure society has.

There's a national TV personality who once rode in a trunk because I needed a ride from one party to another and the driver's car was full. That person enthusiastically volunteered to ride in the trunk so I could be shotgun. As if I was doing a favor for them.

Several dozen things like that and you either turn good and away from it, or you love it and want more. Presumably that's an absurdly simplistic statement. And, therefore very wrong.

I dunno.

President-Mom-Jeans said...

Ironic is one word. A more accurate one might be invented.

Let me guess, you are 6'3, have the physique of a greek god, and also are a wealthy and respected attorney in Michigan as well as life long Republican?

Unlike in real life, you are free to pretend to be whatever you like on the internet, with whatever backstory you care to come up with. Or a child of every profession, whatever your argument requires to claim moral authority.

So now that we have established that you were super popular and definitely straight in high school, a shining white night who cringed at the little people who just couldn't hide how awesome they thought you were and excluded no one, what should happen to these evil Nazi high school students who so brazenly were photographed with their hands in the air? Execution? Or just public flogging and shame then forced labor in re-education camps?

Society needs such a high status super successful yet oh so humble person like yourself to arbitrate how these high school Nazi's should be dealty with.

President-Mom-Jeans said...

I absolutely believe your description of your high school years by the way. In no way do you reek of Magic cards, had an awkward fat chick as a beard who probably owned a Marilyn Manson tee shirt, and you definitely never were called homophobic slurs by cheerleaders or guys on the the football or basketball teams. I bet you wouldn't even know what a swirlie is, and you totally got voted homecoming king but then gave a speech about inclusivity and the whole room clapped.

Sprezzatura said...

"what should happen to these evil Nazi high school students who so brazenly were photographed with their hands in the air?"

The link I put in here has a bunch of uncorroborated claims re students and the administration at this school. A neutral investigation needs to look into these. If there are people/kids who are into or who excused (e.g. admin) the abuse of students, at that time the specific findings would indicate what response is appropriate. We can't have public schools pumping out racists. IMHO.

tcrosse said...

So which one is the Soup Nazi?

Sprezzatura said...

"you totally got voted homecoming king but then gave a speech about inclusivity and the whole room clapped."

I was cribbed!

"It's what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American family: "E pluribus unum," out of many, one.

Now even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes.

Well, I say to them tonight, there's not a liberal America and a conservative America; there's the United States of America.

There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America.

The pundits, the pundits like to slice and dice our country into red states and blue States: red states for Republicans, blue States for Democrats. But I've got news for them, too. We worship an awesome God in the blue states, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the red states.

We coach little league in the blue states and, yes, we've got some gay friends in the red states.

There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq, and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq.

We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America."

Sprezzatura said...

BTW,

Did folks know that the so-called Obama Bros say that this BHO speech coulda been even better? When the Kerry folks reviewed it they asked for and received permission to take some of the lines from the original version so those lines could be inserted into Kerry's speech.

Martin said...

If you hear the dog whistle, maybe you are the dog?

Why on Earth would anyone even think that all the Senior males at Baraboo, WI H.S. would get together to do a Heil Hitler? I will tell you why--when the establishment finally puts down this temporary bump in the road to collectivization, they will hold to the position that ALL the insurgents were Nazis, racists, etc., and by that means avoid dealing with any of the legitimate issues raised, such as immigration, liberty, equality, the condition of the working class, foreign policy, political correctness shutting down discussion, and so on.

I have a copy of the front page of a Philadelphia newspaper from July 4, 1942, that shows a large number of Army inductees (including my father) saluting as they recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The salute was the same as the Nazis or Fascists used, an extended right arm with hand extended, fingers closed. For that reason, it was soon after changed to be placing your hand over your heart.

Go to Google Images and enter "Pledge of allegiance salute" and you'll get an eyeful.

chickelit said...

Cornelius Gotchberg said...”Because of my German/Jewish heritage, I would NEVER, ​EVER, EVER!!! condone the use of the Seig Heil salute.”

It’s Sieg Heil, not Seig Heil.

/grammar nazi

JohnAnnArbor said...

From the Wisconsin State Journal, aTwitter recap!

That Twitter-as-source-for-articles is rampant around here too. "Hey, the Lions lost again! What's Twitter say about THAT?" It's lazy and stupid.

JaimeRoberto said...

Isn't it kind of racist to automatically assume that a bunch of white kids are giving Nazi salutes?

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

I have not discerned Nazi hotbededness. Now -- Posse Comitatus was active in that part of the county about 20+ years ago.

Baraboo is located in a true blue county. They voted for both Tammy Dimwit and Tony Cadavers. We need to ask Tammy and Tony what it is about their message that brings out all the Nazi supporters.

Snark said...

You guys are way too credulous on this. High school students know what's what with a Nazi salute.

Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...

"All in favor of repudiating Nazism vigorously raise your hands!"

New York Jews hailing cabs is peculiar also

PackerBronco said...

I was at a football game recently. People at Camp Randall were double-Nazis during the wave.

tim maguire said...

Snark said...
You guys are way too credulous on this. High school students know what's what with a Nazi salute.


But only a handful of them are even arguably a Nazi salute. I see hands doing all kinds of things in that pic. In fact, I'd say the proportion that resemble Nazi salutes are roughly what you'd expect from pure chance in a photo of kids waving.

I'm not at all surprised that since then some of these clowns have decided to play along and claim it is the Nazi salute.

Snark said...

"But only a handful of them are even arguably a Nazi salute. I see hands doing all kinds of things in that pic. In fact, I'd say the proportion that resemble Nazi salutes are roughly what you'd expect from pure chance in a photo of kids waving."

I think that's an extremely generous interpretation. I wouldn't argue it down to a boy, but a significant number of students in that photo almost certainly know exactly what they're doing. It's not even hard for me to imagine how it probably happened. The photographer gives some ambiguous instruction, and a dumb move spreads through a giddy group in an instant. They're young and can't really be expected to understand the emotional weight of that gesture in any truly real way, so fine - you did something dumb in a grad photo with a bunch of other people doing something dumb at the same time. You're forgiven.

This really shouldn't be splitting down lines left and right. That's nuts. Our common human experience should make this a pretty easy thing to interpret fairly universally.

mikesixes said...

Mary Beth at 9:30:"Why didn't the photographer just delete the photo?"
Why should he? It's just a picture of kids waving at their parents.

Lovernios said...

PackerBronco: "I was at a football game recently. People at Camp Randall were double-Nazis during the wave."

That was a Banzai gesture. Those people must be Tojoists.

"Revere the Emperor! Kill the foreign devils!"

HT said...

"I would accept that explanation, in the spirit of mercy, and end the grotesque titillation of this viral interlude and stop exploiting young people for idle entertainment and propagation of fear of racism."

Like you are doing.

And one boy in the front row is making the ok sign. And the boy in the upper right is not doing anything, and said he was not pleased with what they were doing.

Snark said...

"And one boy in the front row is making the ok sign"

Ha. I didn't notice that. That's a white power meme/thing. Part of the fun was probably pulling one over on the adult photographer.

HT said...

eff Brokaw said...

"What these brave keyboard warriors don’t get is that these comments say a lot more about **them** than about the objects of their criticism."


Indeed. They also say a lot about you.

Snark said...

"Indeed. They also say a lot about you."

I'd definitely say that those arguing that this all innocuous, effectively flying straight into the face of reason, are part of the problem when it comes to mindless, knee-jerk, destructive polarization for its own sake.

President-Mom-Jeans said...

"I'd definitely say that those arguing that this all innocuous, effectively flying straight into the face of reason, are part of the problem when it comes to mindless, knee-jerk, destructive polarization for its own sake."

I'm sure you would say it from behind your keyboard, snarky little cunt that you are. You wouldn't say it to our faces. You wouldn't even say it to those high school kids face.

By the way, any comment on your hero Avanatti beating his wife?

Colin said...

I have a hard time believing anyone seriously thought these kids were Nazi's. I have an easier time believing people scour pictures and photos looking for something able to be interpreted as offensive if it gets them attention.

Earnest Prole said...

I've read two mutually contradictory explanations from participants that were both obvious bullshit (as are most of the "explanations" made here), but notwithstanding: these kids deserve to have their lives back precisely because they're kids. Let he who is without embarrassing teenage stupidity cast the first stone.

Snark said...

"I'm sure you would say it from behind your keyboard, snarky little cunt that you are. You wouldn't say it to our faces. You wouldn't even say it to those high school kids face.

By the way, any comment on your hero Avanatti beating his wife?"

You're a fucking mental case. I absolutely would say any of it to anybody, as its clearly practically begging for a middle. And the only thing I've ever said here or anywhere else about Avanatti, mental case, is that he seems to be an ass.

Inga...Allie Oop said...

“So, Althouse, have you finally got enough high quality leftist commenters? You'll have a fine place here when they have out-persevered, bored to death and otherwise driven off the normies, and you and they can be all alone together. In fact you can have that anytime you like.”

The ”normies”? Hahahahaha, you give yourselves far too much credit.

Cornelius Gotchberg said...

This is nothing.

The true test will be if some psycho-Lefty (forgive the redundancy) X-Chromosomal Unit Blasey-Ford's them in ~ 35 years.

Or, FAR worse, the only car they can afford is a '74 yellow Pacer whose @$$end is slathered with I'm With Hillarity bumper snickers...

The Gotch

Drago said...

Stephen Cooper: "Imagine a world

with no possessions"

Current estimated value of John Lennon estate: $800,000,000

stephen cooper said...

Drago -

yeah I get that

but he wanted to be a better person, and I respect that

BBarilko said...

Ya, right. Now watch as a seemingly-unconnected group of plucky and courageous underdog journalists dedicate the next 6 months of their lives to doxing and destroying each and every one of these boys. So brave!

Naturally, the Twitter blueticks, social media schoolmarms, and catlady hall monitors who constitute the leftoid equalism hivemind want to destroy these boys’ lives forever, by criminalizing their prank and branding them with a Scarlet N, so that they will be blacklisted at every college and potential employer, where kommissars have instant online access to everything anyone’s ever said or done going back to infancy.

Ingsoc will NOT be mocked.

I can’t think of a surer way to birth an army of vengeful adult shitlords than to crush the hopes and dreams of every fledgling young shitlord for the mortal sin of partaking in a funny prank, so keep at it [special people]. The hate, on both sides, will soon grow beyond your ability to control. Generation zyklon has much to be angry for.

Aaaaaaand, right on cue these young men are being embargoed from colleges.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/fallout-continues-for-baraboo-students-in-wake-of-photo-showing-what-looks-like-nazi-salute/ar-BBPG3I4

Stop it, my righteous hate can only take so much.

PeterK said...

do a google search for baraboo photographer and youll get several articles interviewing the photographer in which he explains what happened

mockturtle said...

Achilles asserts: People are all saying how "McSally" was a "lackluster" candidate. That makes you feel better.

No, it doesn't make me feel better. She was a lackluster candidate and, though I supported Ward in the primary, I voted for McSally and regret her loss. But Sinema won. What do you want us to do about it?

Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...

"my mother was Polish, and my father was German, surname Heil.
They named me Zbigniew after her father, but everyone called me 'Ziggy'.
In school, the kids would say my name, click their heels,salute, and giggle. My only friend was a Jewish kid named Frank Stein. His middle initial was 'N'."

Colorado Wellington said...

Henry said...
There's one kid making a black power salute. He got the wrong memo.
11/14/18, 9:50 AM



There are two of them. Good thing their Nazi classmates didn't notice. It would have been a carnage.

Colorado Wellington said...

Henry said...
There's one kid making a black power salute. He got the wrong memo.
11/14/18, 9:50 AM



There are two of them. Good thing their Nazi classmates didn't notice. It would have been a carnage.

Anonymous said...

What a foolish story. Anybody who lives in the real world understands that this is just the #FakeNews trying to push their narrative that Donald Trump's America is trending nazi. That's an idiotic notion. No it's not. America is trending Communist. This is nothing more than a piece of distraction.

Gretchen said...

The left has become so deranged they are looking for things to be outraged about.

I guess there is very little actual racism, sexism and injustice if they have to see imaginary Nazi salutes and get unhinged if someone says "you guys".

Hopefully none of these young men is nominated for the Supreme Court.

Unknown said...

It is just shocking to me that people spend their time trolling the webs for outrage fodder. Alas.

As for the young man who is making the "white power" symbol in the middle of the front row, obviously no one has heard of the "circle game" before. If you had teenage boys, you would be intimately familiar with the game and its rules. If person A makes the circle with their fingers and shows it below the waist AND person B looks at the circle, person A can strike person B in the arm/shoulder as hard as they wish. Juvenile for sure, but quite innocent.

gnome said...

The black one isn't doing it!

Snark said...

“As for the young man who is making the "white power" symbol in the middle of the front row, obviously no one has heard of the "circle game" before. If you had teenage boys, you would be intimately familiar with the game and its rules. If person A makes the circle with their fingers and shows it below the waist AND person B looks at the circle, person A can strike person B in the arm/shoulder as hard as they wish. Juvenile for sure, but quite innocent.”

That’s a reasonable explanation. I looked it up, and it’s apparently common to do as a photobomb in that context.

DaveM said...

What person graduating from high school is going to have seen an iconic scene from a 33-year-old movie? Last time I saw it I'm sure many of those guy's parents weren't even in high school yet.

Marek said...

We could install body monitors on the whole of the populace to detect nazi salutes in real time. The technology exists. The ONLY people that oppose are, of course, nazis.

Bill R said...

Occam's razor people.

Which is the simpler explanation? Nearly the entire male class of Baraboo High School has put on suits and ties and then converted to Nazism or people posing for a photo got confused somehow.

See how easy that was?