The above picture was taken in February 1987. Members of the news media attend a press conference held by a representative of The Finders, a hippie commune that had been accused of being a roving band of Satanists. This was the 1980s, and lots of people were in a lather about supposed Satanists. It’s a shame that as many people didn’t care about the contra war in Nicaragua.
Finder Tobe Terrel wore a Ronald Reagan mask on the back of his head. Not sure if this was to obscure his identity, or because it would make a good picture. Probably both. This should’ve told the media just how serious The Finders were about their alleged ‘Satanism.’
Sometimes, when I’m in a room with a bunch of reporters, I feel like the guy with the Ronald Reagan mask on the back of his head.
“Cults” like The Finders fit into the whole ethos of Failed State Update because when societies go through times of rapid change (dare I say collapse?) the old institutions lose legitimacy. When they do, people look for new institutions, or they make their own.
It doesn’t have to be a full-on religious cult, either. Maybe you start paying attention to your community a little less, and start hanging out on Telegram with QAnon “true believers” a little more.
What’s your cult?
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Here are the stories that have graced the front page of the Failed State Update website in the last week.
Podcasts
Alfred McCoy on the twilight of the American empire: Now, this is exciting! Not only is the Failed State Update podcast back, it’s better than ever. Featuring distinguished historian Alfred W. McCoy on the collapse of the American empire (and subsequent rise of the Chinese empire). My new co-host, J.G. Michael is on hand as well. (January 14)
Features
Children of the Finders speak! More true stories from an alleged CIA Mind Control Cult (January 12)
Reports
Wayne Madsen on the New Fourth Reich: What do Tucker Carlson, Alex Jones, Joseph McCarthy, and Hitler all have in common? (January 14)
Did Wayne Madsen uncover a 2016 ‘Stop the Steal’ Plot? An inside look at Alex Jones's fascist fellow travelers (January 11)
Jeff Jansen, Mark Taylor, and the Trump Prophecies: When politicians become religious figures, you just might have a failed state (with apologies to Jeff Foxworthy) (January 11)
Documentary filmmaker joins the Secret Space Program so you don’t have to:
Infiltrating a "bizarre conspiracy cult” (January 10)
News
Failed State Jukebox: 'Watch Out for Martial Law' by Carl Klang:
A classic anti-police anthem from the Jimmy Buffet of the militia movement (January 9)The new celebrity fallout shelters: Kim Kardashian, Tom Cruise prep to survive the apocalypse in style (January 9)