Hello everyone, welcome to another edition of ‘Not Suitable for Printing’.
Maine Democratic Senate contender Graham Platner has taken steps to cover up his Nazi tattoo, but there’s a lot more to discuss beyond just that…
Is this the new hero of the left? Part I
The Maine oyster farmer’s campaign is gaining significant attention, causing quite a stir among progressives online.
Platner recently faced backlash after a video surfaced of him dancing shirtless to a Miley Cyrus song at a family wedding. The tattoo, which he originally attributed to a drunken decision during his military service, sparked controversy. He claimed ignorance about the design’s Nazi implications and later vowed to get it covered up, which he has now done.
I found it somewhat believable that he wouldn’t recognize the particular skull and crossbones design as a well-known Nazi emblem, mostly because he doesn’t come off as particularly sharp. Honestly, I can’t identify many Nazi symbols beyond the swastika and the SS logo, and I suspect a lot of people feel the same. However, reports emerged indicating that Platner had bragged about his “Totenkopf” tattoo back in 2012.
Democrats, who typically condemn tattoos, are rallying for pro-establishment Gov. Janet Mills to secure the primary win. Personally, I find the ongoing conflict within the Democratic Party to be quite entertaining, so I’m closely watching this unfolding drama.
I can’t help but note how no progressive would likely defend a right-wing figure in a similar predicament. They even sought to fire Pete Hegseth over a tattoo incident.
Another issue sparking anger among some Democrats is a Reddit comment from Platner questioning why black people don’t tip. That stereotype might ring true for anyone who’s worked in the service industry, and I can understand why noticing such patterns raises questions about societal trends. It’s important to talk about.
But this really gets to the heart of the matter with Platner. Like many left-wing “populists,” he seems somewhat disingenuous.
Left-wing activist and podcaster Emma Vigeland labeled Platner as “a real person” and representative of the working class.
However, it’s worth noting that Platner’s father, a private practice lawyer, faced disciplinary action for misconduct and has run for local office. He’s been an advocate for painting crosswalks in LGBT pride colors and has contributed $50,000 to the Democratic Party over the years.
His mother owns two restaurants and a gift shop, has been backing Platner’s oyster farming venture, and appears to be his biggest supporter.
His grandfather was a noted modernist architect from Cornell University.
And his aunt manages a children’s home at Yale New Haven Hospital.
Platner himself attended a private high school and received the “Most Likely to Start a Revolution” award, even featuring a “Liberate Palestine” sign in his yearbook.
He enlisted in the military for multiple tours, returned to education at George Washington University, but didn’t graduate. After a few more deployments, he came back to Maine in 2016 to address PTSD.
In 2018, he went back to the private security sector, once known as Blackwater, and later stated he was exhausted by war. Eventually, he became an oyster farmer, leveraging financial support from a billionaire. Ironically, he now critiques billionaires for exploiting “working-class” individuals like himself.
So, is he a working-class hero, or just the offspring of a wealthy left-wing activist struggling to find his identity, ultimately crafting a false one?
Platner’s previous Reddit comments only further undermine his authenticity among genuine working-class folks. He’s referred to police as “bastards,” calls himself a communist and an Antifa supersoldier, and has made derogatory remarks about white rural Americans.
As someone from the actual working class, I’m doubtful he truly has their best interests in mind.
Stay tuned for part 2 of this series next week.
What else is on my radar?
I thought perhaps the FBI visited Jeff due to his excessive vaping, but it seems the online left is targeting him instead.
Ingersoll: The FBI visited my house yesterday.
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This woman can’t be serious.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate frustrated by the need to condemn Jay Jones’ unsettling writings.
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Is this a response to Sen. Mike Lee’s attempt to sell our public lands?! Regardless, I’m in favor of it.
President Trump empowers hunters as a government shutdown threatens their way of life.
