This is one for the books, my friends.

Let me begin with this: I earned my Ph.D. in history under Alan Brinkley, whose father was the famous newsman David Brinkley (of This Week with David Brinkley fame, and who was a staple of mainstream television broadcasting for many years).

Alan told us that when you’re a famous person, as his father was, you get mail from crazy people from time to time.

I’m no David Brinkley, of course, but I’ve built up a bit of notoriety.

And man did I hear from a crazy person yesterday.

She is unhappy that you have to be a member of my Supporting Listeners program (which starts at a whopping $5/month) to be admitted to my secret Facebook group, The Tom Woods Show Elite.

I’m taking a day off from my usual scintillating analysis to share her email with you, because I think you’ll enjoy it. Here goes:

How thoroughly un-patriotic of you…

You’re using a free FB page but you don’t want to educate anyone, or assist anyone in beating off the leftist trolls…you just want to collect your cash. You, sir, are a selfish prig, and may well be a RINO/leftist tool.

Fortunately, I belong to several other secret FB and not secret pages that are full of intelligent and PATRIOTIC members who will no doubt provide thoughtful information and debate for free.

And I will make it my personal goal to get the news of your selfishness out to as many people as I can find to listen, including the President and conservative Senate/House members.

One last thing – may the fleas of a thousand camels infest both your armpits and your home.

Well, she sounds like a lovely person.

(And by the way, I had follow-up correspondence with her and can certify that she isn’t being satirical. She really is this crazy.)

Her determination to tell the President that I ask for $5 per month was a particularly nice touch. I’m sure that will be White House priority number one.

I forwarded her note to my email marketing mentor, who told me it was so perfect he was jealous.

My reply to her:

You’re right. I don’t want to educate anyone. I’ve released only 1,164 free podcast episodes, hundreds of free videos, hundreds of free articles, and given hundreds of free lectures around the country.

The measly $5 a month that I ask for keeps the crazies out of my group. You are living proof that the strategy works.

So if you do choose to join me in the Tom Woods Show Elite group, rest assured that folks like our friend here won’t be waiting for you inside.