Arthur R. Thompson
Arthur R. "Art" Thompson (born 1938 in Seattle - November 2024[1]) was a former CEO of the John Birch Society. He took office in 2005[2] after launching a "coup" against predecessor G. Vance Smith with the support of another of the organization's former presidents, John McManus.[3] He was replaced as CEO by Bill Hahn in 2020. [4]
Thompson was also CEO of FreedomProject Education, the educational arm of the American Opinion Foundation which is intended to provide online curriculum for students in grades 9 through 12 featuring an emphasis on "patriotism and the idea of American exceptionalism" which is "based on the foundation of Biblical belief" .[5]
Earlier career
[edit]Before leading the JBS, Thompson's biography reports a career as an anti-communist activist, claiming to have infiltrated Marxist organizations near his Seattle home during the 1960's.[3]
According to his JBS biography, Thompson served on a small city council (unspecified), chaired a local Chamber of Commerce (unnamed), and held roles as a Republican Party official and elector. He was also recognized as a Washington State citizen advocate for the Christian Coalition. The biography mentions his attendance at the University of Washington and the Washington Military Academy but does not specify his graduation dates or field of study. [4]
Views
[edit]Thompson believed that Russian communism remains a serious threat to the United States, and is responsible for much global terrorism[6] including 9/11.[7] He has claimed a number of Islamists, including Ayman al-Zawahiri, are or were communists.[8] He has criticised both mainstream Republicans and Tea Party movement figures, such as Sarah Palin, for failing to see the nature of the threat from Moscow.[9] He also believed in a shadowy international conspiracy, including such bodies as the Council on Foreign Relations, the Trilateral Commission and the Rockefeller family, that threatens American interests.[3]
Citations
[edit]- ^ "Former John Birch Society CEO Arthur R. Thompson Passes Away" (PDF). Press Release. John Birch Society. 2024-11-08. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ Gomez, Christian (December 26, 2016). "Exclusive Interview With John Birch Society CEO". The New American. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
- ^ a b c Barry, Dan (June 25, 2009). "Holding Firm Against Plots by Evildoers". New York Times. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
- ^ a b "Arthur Thompson National Council Member". National Council. John Birch Society. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
- ^ Clabough, Raven (2011-08-12). "FreedomProject Education: In the Tradition of the Founders". The New American. Freedom Project Media. Retrieved 2017-03-10.
FPE acknowledges the dangers of political correctness in the classroom and refuses to cater to demands for it. Art Thompson, CEO for both the Freedom Project and The John Birch Society, asserts,
- ^ Terry, Don (Spring 2013). "Bringing Back Birch". Southern Poverty Law Center Intelligence Report (149).
- ^ Conner, Claire (2013). Wrapped in the Flag: A Personal History of America's Radical Right. Beacon Press. ISBN 9780807077511.
- ^ Fenwick, Ben (February 5, 2009). "As conspiracy theories abound in Oklahoma, John Birch Society, others rally". Oklahoma Gazette. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
- ^ "John Birch Society wonders about Palin". Alaska Dispatch. February 10, 2010. Retrieved 6 December 2013.