White Hot Hate: Agent Pale Horse – Season 1, Episode 1: “Save Your Race, Join The Base”
Podcast: White Hot Hate
Host/Author: CBC, Michelle Shephard
Release Date: October 26, 2021
Introduction
In the riveting first episode of "White Hot Hate," CBC delves into the insidious world of modern extremist groups through the lens of investigative journalist Ryan Thorpe. This episode, titled “Save Your Race, Join The Base,” unpacks Thorpe’s clandestine efforts to infiltrate one of the most dangerous neo-Nazi organizations, known as The Base. Through meticulous storytelling and firsthand accounts, the episode sheds light on the alarming rise of violent white supremacist ideologies and the lengths to which individuals and institutions must go to counteract them.
Setting the Scene: Rise of Accelerationism
Michelle Shephard opens the episode by introducing the concept of accelerationism—a strategy embraced by certain white supremacist factions aiming to expedite societal collapse through acts of chaos and violence. She explains, “Neo Nazi accelerationists believe the white race is at risk of extinction and the government is largely corrupt and will not stand up for their rights, so they can’t win through ballot boxes” (04:23). Instead, they advocate for violence to provoke political discord, forcing conservatives and fence-sitters into a survivalist frenzy reminiscent of Lord of the Flies.
Shephard contextualizes this ideology by referencing tragic real-world attacks, including the Christchurch mosque shootings, the El Paso Walmart massacre, and the Charleston church shooting, underscoring the lethal reality of these extremist beliefs.
Meet Ryan Thorpe: The Journalist Turned Undercover Operator
Ryan Thorpe, a seasoned reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press, becomes the central figure as he responds to a concerning trend—posters emblazoned with the slogan “Save Your Race, Join The Base” appearing around Winnipeg. Assigned by his editor to investigate these signs, Thorpe embarks on a mission that would lead him dangerously close to extremist plots.
Thorpe recounts, “I was worried, am I going to be convincing enough? You know, it’s one thing to convince them over text messages and emails and even a phone call, right? Where if something had gone wrong, I’m still physically separated from these people” (17:55). This fear underscores the high stakes of his undercover work.
The Infiltration: Creating an Alias
To penetrate The Base, Thorpe adopts the alias “Mark,” a 26-year-old university student hinting at flirtations with white nationalist ideology. He initiates contact by responding to the recruitment posters, filling out a detailed questionnaire without inflating his credentials:
“I didn't want to inflate my credentials or like lie about my background...I gave them my real age” (11:58).
The Base requires comprehensive personal information, reflecting a disturbing level of organizational bureaucracy akin to that of ISIS, as Shephard notes (11:58). This early interaction establishes the methodical nature of extremist recruitment processes.
Building Trust: Communication with Roman Wolf
Thorpe’s persistence pays off when he communicates with a key member using the handle “Roman Wolf.” Initially, Roman engages Thorpe in conversations about the group's destructive intentions, emphasizing the need for “action” and a “white revolution” (04:32). Their exchanges reveal Roman’s commitment to inciting a race war, encapsulating the extremist mindset.
A pivotal moment occurs during a phone call at 13:38:
Roman Wolf: “We are hoping for a collapse of the current system.”
Mark (Thorpe): “No, I would agree with that...I also hold the view that we've already entered into something approximating a kind of very low intensity civil war.”
This dialogue illustrates the depth of Roman’s radicalization and the group's strategic planning for societal upheaval.
The Critical Meeting: A Step Too Far
As communication intensifies, Roman Wolf requests an in-person meeting, escalating Thorpe’s involvement. The rendezvous is set at Whittier Park in Winnipeg, a location chosen for its accessibility and low risk. Thorpe meticulously prepares, altering his appearance by shaving his mustache and covering his tattoos to avoid detection by acquaintances (19:36).
During the meeting, Thorpe encounters Patrick, a leader within The Base, who exhibits both charisma and menacing intent. They proceed to a secluded area where Patrick unveils genuine militaristic gear and extremist paraphernalia, including:
- Military camouflage jackets
- Skull-printed face masks
- Neo-Nazi symbols
As Patrick demands a photo as proof of their meeting, Thorpe complies under duress:
“We both stand there with our arms crossed, and the photo gets taken” (24:10).
The interaction becomes increasingly tense when Patrick divulges deeply racist sentiments, revealing his personal biases and extremist ideology:
“The only problem is the child only would have been half human...having a mulatto child would have been a fucking nightmare” (28:33).
Thorpe maintains his composure, despite the shocking nature of Patrick’s revelations, showcasing his journalistic resilience.
Escalation and Publication: The Scoop of a Lifetime
Following the successful meeting, Thorpe is swiftly pulled deeper into The Base’s operations. Despite his growing apprehensions, he decides to publish his findings, culminating in the impactful article “Homegrown Hate” on August 16, 2019 (34:02). The publication marks a significant breakthrough in exposing local extremist networks.
However, the aftermath is fraught with tension. The day after the article’s release, Thorpe receives a chilling anonymous message hinting at imminent danger:
“I think I know who Patrick is.” (34:46).
This message foreshadows the impending threat posed by The Base, highlighting the perilous balance between investigative journalism and personal safety.
Climax: The Unfolding Threat
As The Base’s activities intensify, signs of potential violence escalate. An abandoned truck discovered near Highway 12, close to the American border, bears ominous symbols, including a swastika (35:26). This discovery underscores the imminent threat of coordinated terrorist actions harking back to infamous attacks orchestrated by extremists like Timothy McVeigh.
Thorpe reflects on the gravity of the situation:
“The danger that is posed by extreme hate...to potentially happen to other people too” (36:09).
This realization cements the importance of his investigative work, emphasizing the tangible risks posed by such extremist groups.
Conclusion: The Broader Implications
The episode concludes by emphasizing the ongoing cultural war between nationalism and internationalism. Michelle Shephard articulates the critical nature of exposing these extremist cells, asserting:
“We are in the very beginning of a very bloody cultural war...” (05:26).
Ryan Thorpe’s undercover journey not only unveils the operational intricacies of neo-Nazi groups but also serves as a stark reminder of the persistent and evolving threats posed by extremist ideologies in modern society.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
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Ryan Thorpe (04:32): “Action is what is needed most in these trying times, and that action must be driven towards our white revolution.”
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Michelle Shephard (04:23): “Neo Nazi accelerationists believe the white race is at risk of extinction and the government is largely corrupt and will not stand up for their rights…”
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Ryan Thorpe (11:58): “I didn’t want to inflate my credentials or like lie about my background… So I gave them my real age.”
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Ryan Thorpe (13:38): “We are hoping for a collapse of the current system.”
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Patrick (26:08): “He was saying things like, ‘Oh, they’re responsible for surveying, like, the field of battle…’”
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Ryan Thorpe (29:36): “Yeah, it was a pretty shocking comment. And I think I tried to just like not address it throughout the entirety of the reporting process…”
Key Takeaways
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Infiltration Risks: The episode highlights the immense personal and professional risks journalists like Ryan Thorpe undertake to expose extremist groups.
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Organizational Structure: The Base’s methodical recruitment and operational strategies mirror those of international terrorist organizations, emphasizing the sophistication of modern extremist movements.
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Psychological Toll: Thorpe’s experiences underscore the psychological challenges faced by undercover operatives, navigating dangerous ideologies while maintaining their cover.
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Urgency of Investigation: The tangible threats posed by groups like The Base necessitate urgent and relentless investigative efforts to prevent potential acts of domestic terrorism.
Conclusion
“Save Your Race, Join The Base” serves as a powerful introductory episode to "White Hot Hate," setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of extremist violence and the brave individuals striving to combat it from within. Through meticulous reporting and compelling narrative, CBC underscores the critical importance of vigilance and proactive measures in the face of rising hate-fueled violence.
Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections as per the guidelines, focusing solely on the substantive discussions and narratives presented in the episode.
Timestamps Reference
For ease of navigation, key timestamps referenced in this summary correspond to specific moments in the transcript provided.