Big, bad, neo-Nazis? Um, not exactly. See, the local defenders of the white race -- at least the Arizona adherents of the National Socialist Movement, led by pseudo-fuehrer Jeff Schoep nationally -- are girly men. When it comes to fliering Phoenix anonymously, under the cover of darkness, they have no problem. But when it comes to meeting with a journalist for coffee, they punk out faster than a Georgia possum caught in the highbeams.
"Vito," below, takes credit, along with his comrades, for distributing hate literature throughout the greater Phoenix area. In a recent blog item, I mentioned his claims-to-fame on the white supremacist Web site Stormfront.org, and he left a couple of comments in response, one challenging me to meet with him and allow him to defend National Socialism. Hey, I'm game for almost everything. So I sent Vito an email. The rest of this correspondence explains itself. Well, save for the fact that in white nationalist circles, NSM is considered to be a massive joke, in part because they like to play dress up, and wear Nazi-reenactment garb to their events.
Mesa extremist and former Russell Pearce-pal J.T. Ready famously participated in an NSM rally in Omaha, Nebraska. But Ready, a former Republican precinct committeeman, was never officially part of NSM. And I'll give the guy some credit for not dressing up like a loon in Nazi duds, and for having the intestines (or the insanity) to at least be unashamed to associate his face with his racist beliefs.
By contrast, I had a run in with the self-described "acting unit leader of NSM-PHX" at the Pruitts' protests over a year back. He was then going by the name of "Shawn Hughes." Later, in a blog post on the neo-Nazi infiltration of nativist groups protesting Pruitts, I noted the uncanny similarity between "Shawn Hughes" and a fellow named "Scott Hume." Whatever name is his real one, he refused to talk to me, and ran away from me, covering his face with his camera.
As we close in on History Channel star and mass murderer Adolf Hitler's b-day (April 20), you've gotta figure ol' Adolf must be rolling in whatever file cabinet the KGB stuck him in back in the day. (Sigh.) With clowns like this representing the so-called "master race," you can bet they sure don't make 'em like they used to.
Comment Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 14 2009 @ 3:28PM
HailC18 says:
AAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAHA
Bird.....
You sir are misinformed.
The actual number of fliers we have on hand just hit over the 5,000 mark.
I am not the soul member either.
We generally get about 2-3 new members each week.
Our message is a message of love not hate. Love for our people!
Comment Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 14 2009 @ 4:09PM
HailC18 says:
Also, Thanks for posting this in your blog.
Media attention is exactly what we wanted.
I appreciate it :-)
Hail Victory!
Comment Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 14 2009 @ 5:23 PM
HailC18 says:
Also.
I do not have your contact information.
But if you would like to arrange a date and meet, I would be willing to have you interview me.
We do not hide in this movement. My name is Vito Lombardi, my e-mail is [email protected]
Please e-mail me if you would like to interview me.
Also where are your facts that "skin heads" or neo-nazis use meth?
Also sir, we are not nazi's.
We are National Socialists.
Please do some real research in what we believe.
We are non-violent, 100% legal, we express our 1st amendment rights. We do not carry weapons of ANY kind to any of the rallies, or any of the fliering events we do.
Furthermore, we do not hate ANYONE, or ANY race. We simply wish to fix the government waste in Washington. We believe that National Socialism, is the best form of government out there.
And all we want are rights for WHITE people, and to PRESERVE the culture in which we cherish.
There is no need to attack us sir.
Please contact me.
I really look forward to it, in all honesty.
From: Stephen Lemons [email protected]
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 5:33:48 PM
Here's my #: 602-229-8426. Give me a call. Or let me know how to contact you. We'll work something out.
Stephen Lemons
Phoenix New Times
602-229-8426
Vito Lombardi [email protected] 4/15/2009 3:15 PM
Mr. Lemons,
Thanks for the email Stephen. I would agree to meet with you, or a do a phone interview. The only thing that concerns me is a possible attack on my identity and my character. If we were to meet the only thing I would ask is that no pictures of me, my car or anything like that, because I am a private person. You can ask me any question you like, blog about it whatever. I would just like that my face being that I am 20 years old, and being laid off in 2 weeks, that my picture not be published, as it may have an effect on me having a job. Does this work for you?
Regards,
Vito
From: Stephen Lemons [email protected]
To: Vito Lombard [email protected]
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 3:32:03 PM
I understand. It would be cool to have some sort of pic for the blog though. Even if we have you don a mask or something for one pic. Give me a call when you get a chance and we can talk about it. Like I say, if I do a blog post, people will want to see some sort of pic, even if your face is blurred. Let me know what you think.
Vito Lombardi [email protected] 4/15/2009 4:02 PM
Mr. Lemons,
If you blurred a picture of me with a hat and sunglasses that would be perfect. I am available today to meet from now until 5:30. Or sometime tomorrow. Let me know what is best for you. Also if I do give you a call, I would like to agree that you would also not publish my phone number. And just an FYI. The things I can't talk about are specific numbers of members, future events, and names of members.
Regards, Vito
From: Stephen Lemons [email protected]
To: Vito Lombardi [email protected]
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 4:13:48 PM
I'm wrapped up today and most of tomorrow. What does Saturday look like for you? The blurred pic will work. Don't see that as a prob.
Vito Lombardi [email protected] 4/15/2009 4:15 PM
Mr. Lemons,
Saturday would be perfect. I am free during the day 12-3ish. I live in the Scottsdale area, where would you like to meet?
Regards,
Vito
From: Stephen Lemons [email protected]
To: Vito Lombardi [email protected]
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 4:24:40 PM
Somewhere we could get coffee. Maybe at the mall in the food court, or at borders across the street. Or if there's a starbucks somewhere. Let's touch base Friday to finalize time and place, OK?
Stephen Lemons
Phoenix New Times
602-229-8426
Vito Lombardi [email protected] 4/15/2009 4:36 PM
Mr. Lemons,
Sounds great. Call you then.
Vito Lombardi [email protected] 04/16/2009 1:27 AM
Mr. Lemons,
I ran the interview by upper management.
The only way I can be interviewed is if you agree to ALL of these terms.
a) Stephen Lemons nor his designates will not photograph you, nor publish in future issues, any past photographs of you (hereinfafter known by the 'penname' of Vito Lombardi), nor any past or present NSM personell, unless expressly allowed by the person in-question as provided by advance written rights release.
b) No personal information (including names) of past or present NSM personell will be listed in this article, nor in future issues, unless expressly provided by the person in-question, by written rights release.
c) An advance copy of any articles derrived from this meeting,conversation, etc. will be provided to you (Vito Lombardi) in advance of publication for editing. Any information which is specifically disallowed by you will be considered off-the-record and beyond background.
d) While we grant that Mr. Lemons may have humanitarian feelings at the base of his writings, the potential for seeming prima facai malice might be seen to exist in the eyes of a reasonalble man. Therefore, while we make no accusation towards Mr. Lemons nor his publishers, et al., we (NSM Arizona, et. al.) reserve the future right to do so.
e) Finally, Mr. Lemons will attempt to reign in what could be considered malicious tendencies exhibited towards writing about various subjects,
as demonstrated by his past moniker, "The Feathered Bastard."
f) Mr. Lemons will also be required to comment any such article as to why he is no longer in the employ of LA Weekly, and why he is no longer a food critic for any newspaper that is part of Village Voice Media.
If you agree I will print out 2 copies, so we both can sign and keep them
Regards,
Vito
From: Stephen Lemons [email protected]
Thursday, April 16, 2009 9:40:59 AM
Upper management? Tell me, Vito, if you were given a ridiculous list like this, and you were in my position, would you say yes to it? If you'll recall, you were the one who wanted to meet and talk. I think you've just revealed the inherent problem with fascism; i.e., you have to obey orders. If you're man enough to meet and have a discussion with me, there will be no conditions. If you don't want to do it, no skin off my nose.
SL
Vito Lombardi [email protected] 4/16/2009 1:32 PM
Mr. Lemons,
Why can't you be polite to me? As I have been to you. I don't have to "follow orders" it is the fact that when you interview me, I am therefore representing the National Socialist Movement. If I wasn't a member this would be much easier but I do represent them. You sir, seem to always want to talk to us, you go to our meetings, you challenge Jesse Curnow, ect. By having this contract I am simply protecting myself. I do not know you, but I have to assume you are a anti-racist. And you spread many misconceptions about National Socialists, and other White civil rights groups in your blog. As a fellow journalist, I know the law, especially the internet law when it comes to journalists.
From: Stephen Lemons [email protected]
To: Vito Lombardi [email protected]
Thursday, April 16, 2009 2:44:25 PM
I'm guessing you sent this before you called me. I am absolutely an anti-racist. As I mentioned in our phone conversation, I can't abide by any of those conditions you sent me. I will blur your face in a photo if you want, and I will note that you're not speaking for NSM, but nothing more than that. OK? We can discuss it further tomorrow afternoon, if you like.
Vito Lombardi [email protected] 4/16/2009 2:53 PM
Yes it was sent before I called. Haha
Vito Lombardi [email protected] Friday April 17, 2009 4:23 AM
Mr. Lemons,
As I would have like to sit down and chat with you about my beliefs. I feel that for the safety of myself and for the movement, that we not have an interview at this point in time. Regardless, you can find most all of the answers to ANY questions you might have had by viewing the attached PDF document.
I am however glad, we were able to chat, and talk while we did on civil terms. As each member wishes to be peaceful and civil.
Here is the only comment I will make.
First people will be shocked.
Then they will wonder.
Then listen.
Then they believe.
And finally, they change.
Best of luck to you Stephen, in whichever path you take in your life.
Vito
From: Stephen Lemons [email protected]
To: Vito Lombardi [email protected]
Friday April 17 2009 9:58 AM
Okay, Vito. Hopefully you'll get out of that scene one of these days. It's a dead end, brother.
