From the Interviews of David Horowitz: September 3, 2009
Chuck Baldwin: There’s no doubt that you shaped the culture.
In the book, I notice a picture of you with Ron Radosh and his daughter at Karl Marx’s tomb, High Gate Cemetery, London 1966. I take it that when that picture was taken you had quite an infatuation for Karl Marx.
David Horowitz: Oh yeah, I was a Marxist. And I describe in the book how when I was in London I was approached by the KGB. This agent took me to lunch and eventually asked me to spy for the Soviet Union. He put money in my pocket and so forth. I happened to reject his advances. I had more ambitious goals for myself which was I guess to be the new Marx or something like that. But I saw him talking to a lot of other people on the “left” whom I knew. And I know, not only from personal experience, but from talking to people that there were many, many, there must have been hundreds maybe thousands of contacts between “new leftist” and the KGB and the Cuban Intelligence and Vietnamese Communist. I am the only one who has reported these incidents that I know about in Radical Son. That’s why my book, I think, would be very valuable for conservatives. It’s a vindication. Of those of you who are listening to this who have spent 50 years fighting to defend America’s freedoms and got nothing but scorn for it will get a lot of pleasure out of Radical Son. Because it vindicates the struggle that you waged, which was a noble struggle and a patriotic one. And it’s just too bad that patriotism is held in such low esteem in the liberal dominated culture that we live in.
If you have a favorite Horowitz quote you want to highlight for others then please email it to DavidSwindle {@} Gmail.com. Please include:
- “Horowitz Quote of the Day†in subject line.
- A link to where the quote is from. (No need to include this if it’s from a book.)
- Any remarks you’d like published explaining what value you take from it.
- Your preferred name and a link to your blog or homepage (if you have one.)
I’ve admired some of the work Horwitz has done. However, I always wondered if Marxism can be completely cleansed from your system? Since discussing Marxism from early on, my concern could stem from that. I’m far more skeptical of one changing from that than, say, changing from capitalism. But I’ve seen how hard it is to detox from political correctness, even among those who don’t relize they’ve been stricken with it. In both I suppose its like AA; one has to first face their addiction — or that something is so ingrained into their system — before they can actively try to rid themselves of it. I do commend Horowitz for it. But his often vocal political animosity toward some others on the right could use some work… and leaves me wondering about his recovery at times. (not to name any particular names)Though in this case its ironic the question is coming from Baldwin, considering his strong Democratic roots.(which apparently no one should negatively mention)
I bought (at retail) and read Radical Son after reading the excerpt printed in Soldier of Fortune Magazine “From Left to Right” way back when. As David says, it was a vindication, and it re-energized me in my stance and staunch support for Liberty and Conservative values.
I often relate the story of how the Left used drugs and the drug culture to turn otherwise “normal” kids with traditional values into budding “revolutionaries”.
Like Levin’s “Liberty and Tyranny”, “Radical Son” is almost required reading for any thinking person who wishes to have both some history regarding America’s struggle with Statism, and intellectual ammunition for those oftimes unavoidable, energetic conversations with the drones, useful idiots and kool-aid drinkers that we surround.
It takes an honest man to admit he was misled and for that alone, I praise Mr. Horowitz.
Am still curious, after all these years, how some people who have come to an understanding and appreciation of historical facts and interpretations be able to “flip†to a completely different viewpoint and turn against all that they “knowâ€.
This is to Mr. Horowitz, unfortunately I have not read “Radical Sonâ€, so I know nothing of his upbringing, his parental influences, his early schooling, how he found himself as a ‘60’s radical writing in Ramparts and now makes money courting to those that oppose, even “hate†those trying to rectify the “mistakes†of the past 60 years.
Mr. Horowitz was brought up in a household that taught tzedek (like the Jewish Commandment to “heal the world” (Tikkun Olam), is an important part of the Jewish obligation to demand justice, perform charity, protect the environment and in general to act righteously) and chesed (it is given the association of kindness and love, but the meaning is much deeper), please stick these in your Wikipedias. Maybe he has turned away from this g-d of Abraham (pbuh) and the teachings of tradition. But isn’t Mr. Horowitz “preaching†against these basic Judeo-Christian thoughts?
This is what I don’t understand. He rails against those doing what they perceive as written and oral history, which is the foundation of our American forefathers, those that gave us the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It is what all laws in this country are based. Instead of creating something that “we the people†can be proud of a better America—a beacon of justice, compassion, understanding and progress, he chooses quite the opposite. To make money on hate mongering and going against those that might be trying to get us out of a “morass†that has encompassed the last 60 years and kept Americans from truly realizing our potential. Please, have Mr. Horowitz explain his logic; maybe we can all work together to help our fellow Americans attain heights never before seen in the history of our little sphere.
Thank you for your time and wish you all well,
iRa
thank you Mr. Swindle for excellent advice to iRa. He is still in denial, but once he awakens from his deep sleep, he too may understand the length, depth and breadth of Horowitz’s writings. It is one amazing story.
Someone else who is a national treasure, has written many books, and has a
nationally syndicated column once was a Marxist too. His name is Thomas Sowell.
He stated that’s he’s always searched for the truth. He would look at the track record
of socialism and realized that the results of socialist policies would usually be the
opposite of its intended effect. Many times emotionalism would trump reason,
rational thought and intellectual honesty.
The basis many times under the guise of ‘helping humanity’ would be to obtain power
and then maintain it. Like George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” there’s always the trumpet
call for equality for all, but the tragic result would be that some are more equal than
others. And the ones less equal would find themselves ruled by dictators and despots
forever wanting more, and never having enough; power that is.
David: I read the Radical Son by chance. I found a copy of it in the discount table of a branch of the Miami Dade public library.
It cost me only two dollars, but that is one of the better bargains I have found. That book made me so fond of Mr. Horowitz that I mention him as one of the examples of courage and honorability.
I think that he rates right there with Eudocio Ravines, the peruvian who wrote the spanish version of the Yenan Way (LA GRAN ESTAFA).
Those books have helped many Usefull Idiots to become wiser, and open their eyes and senses to the reality of the CRIMINAL COMMUNIST SYSTEM.
Luis el Cubano
Hi David: I watched most of the interview of Mr. Horowitz with Glenn Beck today on Fox and what I saw and heard was what I expected from him.
Will it be shown again, and if so, when?
Thanks.
Luis El Cubano.
That we surround or that surround us?
You should read Radical Son and Horowitz’s other texts in order to understand him better.
Seek first to understand before your criticize. Here are a few introductions I’ve written to his work:
http://booksindepth.blogspot.com/2009/01/introduction-to-writings-of-david.html
http://booksindepth.blogspot.com/2008/12/losing-faith-in-left-understanding.html
He’s already explained his logic quite clearly. And your comments demonstrate that you have yet to really grapple with his work.
Go and do a bit more reading and then intellectual discussion can proceed.
iRa : “…be able to “flip†to a completely different viewpoint and turn against all that they “knowâ€.
Not sure that is the way to put it. Its not what they “know” as much as what they were taught…with some hardline symbolism thrown in… and how they [were taught to] think. (See any traditions froming yet?) If by “know†you mean what their own lifestyle & perception is, I guess you have a point.
“Maybe he has turned away from this g-d of Abraham (pbuh) and the teachings of tradition. But isn’t Mr. Horowitz “preaching†against these basic Judeo-Christian thoughts?â€
The onus here would be to show where the ideas of Judeo –Christian philosophy, not to mention founders, was/is to turn to big-government for all their needs or that today’s liberal concept of big-government can and does solve all problems in the western hemisphere. (IOW: that to abondon the big-gov’t ideas is anti-Judeo Christian or anti-founder) This sect of liberalism are the anti-tradition and G_d hating type that want no place at the table for such concepts. And the idea of fallen man is all but lost on today’s arrogant elitist liberals.
But G_d fearing Christians also had a healthy fear of government.(I think we are well past that self-government example though)
Believe me, we surround (and greatly outnumber) them. Be of good cheer!
Hello David, read your stuff and no “Freeme”, no denial here and quite awake since the ’60’s. Your writings did nothing to answer the question of Mr. Horowitz’s “logical progression” from his interpretation of Marx to his current diatribe against those trying to improve quality of life issues.
“The left as a religion”? Don’t understand this at all, unless you consider any movement a “religion”. I’m sure we would like to see America become what I mentioned earlier as a “beacon…”, but you can’t do that if we continue to divide ourselves by mere labeling. Put some substance in what ends you’re trying to assume.
So, besides Mr. Horowitz rebelling against his father, how did he one day find a more “conservative” posture to his likeing, was it the $money$? More profitable to be conservative, I don’t know; but I will continue to observe, reflect, communicate and try to tackle the improprieties facing America.
Take care,
iRa
I’m not going to debate you about Horowitz unless you’ve read his books. And I’m not going to do your work for you by explaining stuff that he’s already explained far better than I could in a comment on a blog.
The first link I gave you provides guidance about which books of his to read. Read “Radical Son,” or “Left Illusions,” or “The Politics of Bad Faith” and all your questions will be answered.
Read someone’s books before you make judgments about them. If you read his books and disagree with them then fine, but it just seems silly and arrogant to pass judgment without having done so.
And no, it’s not the money — that assumption is a typical leftist smear that Horowitz has addressed a dozen times over. Leftists make millions too. Chomsky and Michael Moore are both millionaires.
“The left as a religionâ€? Don’t understand this at all, unless you consider any movement a “religionâ€. I’m sure we would like to see America become what I mentioned earlier as a “beacon…â€, but you can’t do that if we continue to divide ourselves by mere labeling. Put some substance in what ends you’re trying to assume.â€
Beacon _(fill in the blank) Platitudes….its you that lacks substance.
It is liberals who have turned their political philosophy into a religion, not simply a misguided perception of evil right-wingers. They indoctrinate from the earliest ages they can, worship at the alter of Roe v. Wade, promote their god of creation, and continually seek new “converts†(by force or folly) and areas to expound their political influence on – using the weight and force of government to divide and conquer to their liking, whenever and wherever possible.
iRa, I forgot….”inquisitions” anyone?