I have commented there often. I agree with most everything he writes. But, I doubt if parents of his 8th graders read his blog that they would be pleased.
I suspect he had to agree to stop blogging to keep his day job.
Or, he is hiking in South America.
Or he may have been fired. I fear that is the answer.
It seems the website dump to be without warning and thus not good.

It's never a good idea to grant anybody associated with mainstream media an interview.

I certainly hope that he has not been forced to quit because of "Wee Weed Up" pseudo-adults in OK. I do wonder though as OK is pretty conservative. (They were the only state to go all-in for McCain = all counties carried by the GoP)

Scipio is the one blog I read that seems to be have perfect pitch in light of the world today. I'm a voracious listener of talk radio, left and right, and they mostly rant about the end of the world for different reasons and then slap on a tacky and insincere nod toward civility.

I will pray the author is essentially OK and the blog will return soon. I will also pray we have more people willing to say what is true and stop pretending we aren't at war with people within and without that wants us gone by any means necessary.

The Esquire article gives a photo and full details of where Scipio works. It also explicitly compares him with Tim McVeigh, probably not the sort of reputation anyone living in Oklahoma would want.

I'm going to go trot over to The Internet Archives and read his stuff there. God Bless you, Mr. Scipio, where ever you are.

I discovered his blog a couple of months ago, by being fortunate and blessed to have discovered this most excellent site about a year or so ago.

I'm not much of an internet "poster" but I started commenting on his site about a week ago. Am I a jinx?

He disappears. Into thin air. I hope and pray nothing bad has happened to him and it is just some sort of glitch - like he forget to pay his blogger dues or some such, and they turned off the power (I'm not much of a techie).

I hope he posts in the comments here or elsewhere, and the host picks up on it and gives us an update......

Mr. Vanderleun, as for you - please don't ever go away, sir. Or at the very least, give us fair warning, well in advance.

Sincerely,

SunnyJim, suffering from Scipio withdrawal.

I discovered Scipio missing at lunch yesterday, and remain hungry still.

A fine writer who ties important ideas and historical observations to current events, I do hope he returns again soon.

P.S. Scipio, drop one of us a line, we're concerned for you.

Dear Mr Vanderleun,

It's likely that I discovered "The Return of Scipio" from a link at AMERICAN DIGEST. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy Scipio's writings. I think he is a thoughtful and passionate commentator. The "profile" in Esquire was a deliberate character assassination; the "journalist" knew he was a teacher in a school in Oklahoma City, and then deliberately described him as another Timothy McVeigh. Any careful reader of "The Return of Scipio" knows that is grossly unfair. But it doesn't seem much of a stretch to think that the people who employ him to teach middle school students, and some of the parents of some of those students, might not appreciate Scipio's writings in the same way that you or I do.

The internet no longer allows even pseudonymous writers to compartmentalize our lives as easily, nor as securely, as we might think we could. The ability instantly to call forth archives of past writings, utterances, video appearances, and so forth, is a sword that cuts in many ways.

I earnestly pray that God will continue to bless Scipio, and protect him under the very pinions of the wings of His presence.

http://mikeaustin.org/

Crusader-Rabbit (Scipio Resource List)
has this...

UPDATE:
A mail from Scipio says he's ok and had to shut down the blog unexpectedly.
No word on whether he'll be back though. I sure hope he will!

Posted by KG at 9:37 AM Comment (1) | Trackback Links to this post

Another great blogger who led the fight back against Islamic jihad and all its legions of useful idiots was Scott Burgess with his Daily Ablution blog. Lost without trace! pbuh! Any news of him, anyone? Some of the best pieces written on the web emanated from his quirky quill.

It is too much to expect that the Esquire article is a coincidence in this.
Its author wrote a good article in spite of himself. This is a fellow who advises that certain conservatives put an undue emphasis on the Founders and liberty. But he presented Austin foremost as a man who is loved by his students, who he rules by educating them in life, custom, and history.
No one fears him, all respect him. He earns that each day, not through his authority. The principle supports both the man and his methods. The parents are glad to have him. This is Oklahoma, not Berkeley.
It is impossible to read the article and not understand that Scipio is extraordinary. Perhaps that is what caused the shit to hit the fan. I don't imagine Austin is a man to let collateral damage be taken by people who did not volunteer for a fight, even as they stood by him.

Again, I've exchanged emails with Austin and he assures me this was a personal decision that was not coerced in any way.

He's fine.

Yeah, I'm sure he has to say that he was "not coerced in any way." I am surprised that he agreed to an interview.
Vanderleun, if you can, please let him know he is greatly missed.

I second what Denise just said.

And please tell him that there are people out here in internet land, who wish him all the best, no matter what he decides to do in the future with his blogging.

Meanwhile, the likes of the FCC's diversity czar, who praises the 'wonderful revolution' of Chavez's
Venezuela, are given nary a look.

Oh, my. This is certainly an unwelcome development. I read the man twice daily, and will miss him greatly. Like GVDL, he possesses an admirable mind.
Scip, whatever your 'personal reasons' are, remember 'all things work together for the good'. May God bless you and hold you in the palm of his hand. Maybe you can put the travel research to use.
Non illegitimi carborundum.

Like others here, I was led to Scipio from AD. I wish Mr. Austin all the best, and hope to see his singular and necessary voice back on the net soon.

Many thanks to you, Gerard, for being our sherpa in these matters. The discovery of folks like our very intelligent and erudite friends Scipio and Cobb has brought me many insights I value, stuck as I am living in these interesting times.

At times you can turn a phrase that gives me the need to stop and ponder on this strange old world as well, Mr. V.

I emailed him, no answer.
I pray he will continue to be well, and
safe.
His command of language is both rare, and
brilliant. I do put him in the same category
as yourself.
He is and will be missed.

You turned me on to Scipio and Sippican Cottage. One of the reasons I've recommended you for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to be bestowed by the next non-radicalist administration.

I hope Mike is well. I'll certainly miss him. I'm guessing the lure of the southern hemisphere has him shuttering his windows and stowing his backpack for that last go-round with his beloved jungle. I can appreciate that. I can respect that. And I can sure as hell envy that.

Play on, player.

Scipio was one of the brighter lights in this medium. Articulate, intelligent, thought provoking and deeply passionate, I will miss him.

I was also a daily reader and frequent commenter at the Scipio blog. I was very upset to come across the Esquire article and the outrageous things it insinuated. Of course, anyone who dissents is "insane" these days.
It is my hope that he will come back under a different blogger name and be sure we can all find him.
What an excellent writer he was. I'll miss the writing and the positive interaction in the comments.

I'm so glad you heard back from "Scipio" and that he seems to be fine! I was wondering how all of a sudden the blog was offline. The last post I remember reading was on how excited he was with his new students ... etc. I did not comment often, but read all his posts.

I look forward to his return. His insight, historical knowledge and rational clarity are incredible!

Scipio, I wish you well :) Melek

"What is morality" she asked. "Judgment to distinguish right and wrong, vision to see the truth, courage to act upon it, dedication to that which is good, integrity to stand by the good at any price." ~ A. Rand

"Our Fearful Master" was the first Scipio post I read, and I followed the link there from American Digest. I miss his clear vision and willingness to state unambiguously what ails us. God bless you, Mr. Austin.

Mr. Austin sounds like a straight-up guy although there is a bit of a disconnect with the guns and the Christianity. The J-man had plenty of opportunity to be a zealot but chose the absolute opposite course. I don't get the paranoia though. This country is basically ungovernable. Nazi Germany on the other hand was a more or less homogeneous population as was (is) Japan. There's nobody taking over this country, not Bush, not Obama, not 12 ragheads in a cave. Ain't gonna happen. If anything, Obama to me is, "meet the new boss, the same as the old boss." After all, the rich are still getting richer and the poor are still getting drunk.

The man combined a generous spirit with a burning passion for right.

personal reason are, well, personal.
thus, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I will miss my weekly dose of your wit and wisdom.

I'll try to do my part to fill the void left by Scipio by going medieval on the left a little more often. But guns are too impersonal. My preferred method is pliers and blowtorches.

> I'll try to do my part to fill the void
> left by Scipio by going medieval on the
> left a little more often

Looking forward to that.

As for Scipio, please return when you can.

Scipio wrote that he's prepping for another hike ... maybe the reason for a hiatus? Still doesn't explain pulling the entire blog down. Anyway, he looks great from recent (I'm assuming) news photo.

As for the MSM article, I can't see much if anything Scipio would disagree with. I definitely don't always agree with Scipio, but everyone in this country has the freedom to do what Scipio does. The left did it for eight years, for pity's sake. No one can deny that he is a great writer/essayist, even if controversial.

Interestingly, about the MSM article and comparison to Timothy McVeigh ... the MSM never got animated about the Bushitler people. Clearly, this is just another case of sour MSM hypocrisy. Scipio is man enough to handle it.

Sadness. He will be missed.

For about 7 of Bush's 8 years the media/entertainment complex went raving nuts over the president: Dixi Chicks denounce him of foreign ground, Congressmen call him Nazi, as do the leaders of the NAACP, a high grad literary novelist writes a novel about assasinating him; suddenly in 2009 the media/entertainment complex discovers extremism. Give me a break; these people, writers & editors like Richardson are not serious.

Sorry - so many typos my meaning is not clear; let's try again (this time I'll use the Preview function!):

For about 7 of Bush's 8 years the media/entertainment complex went raving nuts over the president: Dixi Chicks denounce him on foreign ground, Congressmen called him Nazi, as did the leaders of the NAACP, a high grade literary novelist wrote a novel about assasinating him; suddenly in 2009 the media/entertainment complex discovers extremism. Give me a break; these people, writers & editors like Richardson are not serious.

Thanks for the info. I hope he returns again.

Hope for your comeback soon Scipio, we need the truth, not the MM ramblings.

Perhaps we missed something critical here. Perhaps Scipio is the current manifestation of John Galt. I am sure when it is time, he will call to us again.

Like Scipio himself, let's hope Mr. Austin returns to the internet - and returns to form.

I sure hope the PC police didn't get to him. He's a true patriot.

I miss the writings of Scipio. Whatever has caused his pause, I hope he continues to write. We need more intelligent free thinkers in the United States. I'm sure that he frightens the weak liberal, democrats. But our country was built on faith, strength, common sense and the grace of God.

Anybody seen thereturnofscipio.com lately? The placeholder page is gone and the old blog with the latest August 2009 entry is back up. Hope this is a good sign.

I have been patiently waiting until things get so out of control that he won't be able to resist the urge to return to blogging. I think we're there...

I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon.

I really really miss this writer.

That's the best fake comment you can attribute to me? Lame. {Hey, I was working with poor materials to start with.}

In all seriousness, I do miss the poignant way that Scipio captured the impotent anger and frustration of thousands of semi-literate Jesus Jumpers. You just don't get that sort of spittle-flecked rage at your average tea-bagging party or town hall. Let's all pray that he returns soon to once again soil the internet with his twisted views.

He is a great person.

He is the most wonderful teacher and writer and the Esquire story is all wrong. He isn't crazy, he is envied by you people. You disgust me.

hey it's Kali :) I think Mike is an awesome person!!!

I know (knew) Mike Austin for a few years--I was in the group held hostage by Communist guerrillas in Dos Pilas, Guatemala. Despite his imperfections I found him to be more interesting than most of the herd and more compassionate as well. The damn hippies in Guatemala would pat themselves on the back for not haggling with the merchants while Mike would stoop to hand a few Quetzales to the helpless beggars the hippies would bustle by, their goods and petty concerns held close.

Fear not. It's in Mike's nature to be around, talking loudly, and appreciating the attention. He'll be back sooner or later.

I read Mike's blog faithfully for several years, we exchanged numerous emails. I hope he comes back on one day, he really makes some great points and clears the smoke.

I was his student back in Argentina around 2001 or 2002. I can't believe I agreed with what he said. He really went off the deep end lately. I never remembered him this much to the right. I'm now more to the left, after reflecting at how wrong I was. Yes, he is a nice guy (from what I remember), but really... his viewpoints don't give that impression when I last read his articles. His views on homosexuality in particular... well, that I won't comment on. He really didn't have justification for the comparisons he made.