The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), an organization that tracks hate and extremist groups all across the country and provides intelligence reports to law enforcement agencies, the media and the public, has indicated there are now 932 hate groups operating within the United States. If that isn’t frightening enough, the SPLC reports also state that Internet recruitment efforts and registrations are increasing at an unprecedented rate. For those of you that are interested, you can read a great deal more about the center’s findings at this link: http://www.splcenter.org/what-we-do/hate-and-extremism.
I’ve read many of the updates and hate crime-related court cases the SPLC frequently publishes on its website and started thinking about Sarah Palin and the Tea Party. Now, let me be clear about something. I’m not claiming that there is a direct relationship between Palin, the members of the Tea Party and these fringe groups. That is not what I was thinking as I read the data. What I actually thought about was the fact that these groups are deeply entrenched in the Tea Party. They may be small in number, but they’re there, nonetheless.
I also considered that fact that Palin, who has obviously become the face of the Tea Party, has never publicly or repeatedly challenged members to denounce these groups or make a serious effort to oust them. Come to think of it, it’s not just Palin. This has been the case with every noted politician or candidate that gravitated toward the party that is quickly changing the political landscape of America.
One has to wonder. Why have Palin and others been so reluctant to call out their fringe members? Given the fact that members of fringe groups have killed a total of six law enforcement officers in recent years, and the fact that the Huratee targeted hundreds of officers for annihilation, it would behoove them to do so. Rather than honor the slain officers by publicly stating these members are not welcomed, Palin and her ilk chose to remain silent and continue to do so. Why?
Is it because they don’t want to upset the Tea Party founders or organizers? Is it because they fear much-needed funding, which might be tied to hate or extremists groups, would suddenly dry up if they spoke out against hate or anti-government sentiment in America? Is it because they wouldn’t receive the $100,000 check for every speaking engagement they attend if they slam the KKK, neo-Nazi or white nationalist movement? One really has to wonder.
Whatever the case, Palin and all the “pollies” (politicians) that have decided to jump on the Tea Party bandwagon are making a fatal mistake by not speaking out consistently. In my opinion, their refusal to address this very dangerous and serious problem is the main reason why the majority of Americans refuse to smell what the Tea Party is brewing. The reign of the KKK will always be viewed as an ugly period in American history, and the fact that hate and militia groups are being welcomed with open arms by Sarah Palin, Tea party candidates and members is completely mind-boggling!
In closing, I would like to issue a public challenge to Sarah Palin, the Tea Party and its potential candidates. I dare all of you to watch the video embedded below. You all claim to be proud, upstanding Americans, so prove it by publicly answering this question after watching the video. How can any of you embrace extremists or “haters” within the Tea Party, on any level, knowing some have killed police officers and others have carried out actions like this in the past?
This commentary is from the heart and.....From The G-Man.
Sarah Palin photo credit: Therealbs2002
Permission: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
YouTube video courtesy of: ematels
ah you are gonna make me turn off Kool & the Gang to watch this ~
ReplyDeleteStorm Front members backed Ron Paul; Ron Paul claimed he did not make racist statements on his newsletter ~ his staff did it ~ to which I said: yeah right.
I recently read that the Tea Party was started by Paul (either father or son, do not recall) ~ and that these fringe groups do not reflect original intent ~
Christian Bible says "Judge not lest ye be judged" ~ but judge I do ~ if that is the correct word ~ the Tea Party wants the same things many citizens want ~ yet I am judging them the same way I judged Paul ~ Okay song over let me go watch.
Oh, I know the tune, have seen video previously ~
ReplyDelete~ I do not like Palin ~ took a balanced budget in Wasela, left them with huge debt; fires head libraian who did not follow her mandate to remove book from shelves ~ I do not like banned books; used her position to get ex-brother-in-law fired due to dispute with sister ~ okay, if he was abusive, maybe...
~ misused campaign funds ~ Quit her job as mayor???
more
I did not feel like signing in ~ your AC peer "Alyce Rocco" aka; Mary
I never liked Sara Palin from the very beginning....hope her loud mouth does not get us into a very unpredictable situation----where we are heading for with that tea party, I don't know.
ReplyDelete