In Defense of "Lifestyle Rightism"

In the 1984 John Milius film Red Dawn, a Soviet-Cuban-Nicaraguan force stages a surprise attack on the United States. But the invaders encounter unexpected resistance in Colorado from a group of guerillas who call themselves the “Wolverines.” “What is a Wolverine?” a Soviet commander asks one of his Cuban military comrades. “A small animal like a badger . . . terribly ferocious,” the Cuban replies. He adds: “It is also the name of the local school sports collective.” This is communist-speak for “school mascot,” a tell that the American guerillas are, in fact, mostly teenagers—albeit heavily armed ones.