Please read!

[H2O Man]

"...White men, your only recourse is guns. Either kill those who oppress you, or be made slaves in your own land. ... Morris Dees deserves to be shot where he stands."
-- Alex Linder, Neo-Nazi leader, August 19, 2005

This past weekend, in what I considered an attempt to ignore the Millions More March in Washington, DC, Fox News focused on a confrontation between a neo-nazi demonstration and a group that opposed their agenda. It was unfortunate that the counter-demonstration included a group that engaged in a "riot" after the neo-nazi group decided not to march through a black neighborhood.

My goal is not to justify that riot. I support efforts to identify, arrest, and prosecute those who were involved. I would like, however, to focus for a few minutes on the different approach that society too often takes when dealing with crimes against property versus crimes against people.

Recently, I posted an essay about a Southern Poverty Law Center report that showed that the US Department of Homeland Security lists the only serious domestic terrorist threats as being posed by animal/environmental rights groups, when in the 10 years since the Oklahoma City bombing there have been 60 right-wing terrorist plots uncovered in the USA.

In those same ten years, the SPLC has documented a disturbing number of individual acts of violence against American citizens, based on race, ethnicity, sexual identity, and religion. The numbers of violent hate crimes is growing, which should come as no real surprise when we have an administration that preaches hatred and violence.

In the past couple of years, the SPLC has won a number of significant law suits against the organized hate groups. They have begun a campaign to encourage the murder of SPLC founder Morris Dees. Current reports from SPLC document the dangers that Dees and others face in confronting the evil of these hate groups.

Please support the Southern Poverty Law Center. It takes a lot of guts to confront the hate groups in America.

See: www.splcenter.org
www.intelligenceproject.org

Thank you!
H2O Man

[bryant69]

1. Good thoughts

You are right about Property vs. People; I don't understand it myself. But yeah a crime against the wealthy or the corporate counts, a crime against the poor or middle class, not so much.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[chalky]

2. Kicking because I think this is important. On a more shallow note:

Is it too late to, well....make the title of your thread a little more "sexy", so to speak? Something that would draw the readers in? I really think others need to read this and support the SPLC.

[npincus]

6. not a shallow point- I agree

I usually don't bother reading threads with subject lines like that- I think posters should inform a bit more on the substance of their thread in the title, it's sort of a pet peeve of mine... I clicked on this because I like reading H20 Man's posts, otherwise probably wouldn't have.

I think Skinner has commented on this in the past.

Cheers to you, H2O Man!

[TacticalPeek]

3. Most important.

:kick:

[hwmnbn]

4. I, hwmnbn, will:

Speak up when I hear or see bigotry;
Question and identify bias when I see it;
Be mindful of my own behaviors;
Promote and appeal to higher principles;
Set limits on what is said or done around me;
Seek help and help others to work against bigotry; and
Remain vigilant and persistent.

http://www.tolerance.org/speakup/pledge.html

[me b zola]

29. I love that pledge so much that I took it!

The world would be a better place if more people took it.

[Binka]

5. I Am A Friend Of The Center

I make a monthly donation to them and it feels really good.

[BamaBecky]

33. How is Ben?...n/t

[spanone]

7. Kick & Nom

[AmBlue]

8. I proudly support the SPLC

...and donate their educational materials to my son's school. They are a great and courageous organization. I want to visit and see my name on that Wall.

[Just Me]

9. I do.

SPLC is an exceptionally honorable organization.

In my research of terrorism in the US, I came across an org that has been tracking domestic and int'l acts of terror since the OK City bombing. I noted that, since 1996, there have 23 times more domestic acts of terror than int'l, and approx. 90% of those domestic terrorist acts were associated with right-wing groups.

www.mipt.org maintains stats that can be accessed by anyone.

I join that "Wall of Tolerance", Patrick. :hug:

[Helga Scow Stern]

10. Thanks for posting.

It's good to hear of the SPLC.

[Me.]

11. Good Point

There are things besides Plame going on in the world. Though if we get more of them out we'll have less of this. As to the march, I wondered if it even happened and only found it here on DU

[Straight Shooter]

12. As for Alex Linder, what does he deserve?

Violence begets violence. Does he honestly believe that the death of one man will stop an honorable cause? Did the death of Martin Luther King put an end to the civil rights movement?

Why are so many white men so damn dangerous to liberty and the pursuit of happiness in this country?

Thank you for this. The terrorism within this country by those who claim to be lovers of this country is mind-boggling.

[elehhhhna]

13. I KNOW YOU!

Patrick? H2OMan? It's obvious: You're that cute pink starfishguy from SpongeBob!

[H2O Man]

14. My kids

have been telling me that for some time now.

[elehhhhna]

21. Can I hitch a ride on the Underwater Boatmobile?

I just LOVE that-- 'underwater boatmobile'.

Our black labby's name is Budward--and he is one hell of a swimmer. Sound sorta familiar?

[Shine]

15. I LOVE this organization! We've been supporters for years and years

They are doing very important work that makes a huge difference.

More power to them!! :thumbsup:

I echo H20Man and urge all of you to support their worthy efforts to create a more tolerant world.

Peace,
Shine

[anitar1]

23. It is the best, IMHO. n/t

[sinkingfeeling]

16. I do. Have one of those names on the 'wall of tolerance' as well.

[lala_rawraw]

17. kick, great work as always

[Cults4Bush]

18. I wish this message was everywhere all the time in every media.

I more than agree with you H2O Man. SPLC is deserving of much praise for their courage, research, and legal battles.

You also deserve praise for your courage and research. I get the feeling you are a man of high regard, and I have thought a few times you might be John Conyers in disguise...lol.

[northamericancitizen]

19. kick and nominated nt

[spuddonna]

20. I've been a friend of the center for years...

Morris Dees is an amazing man, and the SPLC is an amazing organization. Their teaching tolerance program is A1!

The SPLC has been screaming about these home based, right-wing terror organizations for years. I still can't believe the HS hasn't heeded their warnings...

[Me.]

22. Kick To That eom

[izzybeans]

24. B/c in the U.S. and other ubber capitalist countries the phrase

"the terrorist hate our freedom" only refers to property, not people. Property is such a fetish to these folks that they have more of an emotional response to the loss of it then they do to people.

If 911 hadn't hit our "financial center" then our response would have looked a whole lot like Katrina. How dare they attack our "freedom"! I mean that's where all the money is. Yet there is little talk of a "war on global warming" in the honor of the heros who sacrificed themeselves to the external risks of modern industry, by simply being humans and living their lives. Two different responses; "Folks let's get back to work and not the let the terrorists win." vs. "Ahhh, shucks I'll get to it tomorrow. Those people can wait, my personal investments are elsewhere thankfully, whew...my freedom's still intact."

The distinction is unsurprising and I'm glad the SPLC is there to bring dignity back to the people.

[Sweeties Mama]

25. Good Job, H2O Man

I support SPLC too and send their "Teaching Tolerance" magazine to my granddaughter for her teacher. We need to widen the awareness of this organization in the country.

[malaise]

26. Nice post

I love your Wall of Tolerance Certificate. Lucky you - Rosa Parks no less signed that. Too good.

[AuntiBush]

27. I Knew the H2OMan was Some One Special!

It does take a lot of guts to stand-up to hate groups.

You mentioned violence on the rise since * came into office, and you couldn't be more right. Various men are NOT treating women kindly, on a grand scale in not-so personal situations, like shopping.

Can't believe I'm witnessing this more and more, lately.

I commend you, as always! You give us hope.

[BamaBecky]

34. me too!...We really appreciate you H20!...n/t

[corbett]

28. Great Reminder! I Got A Cert, Too - Donated $15

http://www.dccc.org/campaignforchange

[nadinbrzezinski]

30. You too

I was hnonored when I received that cetificate

I give to them as my budget allows

And the mag is an invaluable resource to my hubby

[Dark]

31. Silly H20 Man,

rights are for white male evangelicals who screw women.

Congrats, though!

[OzarkDem]

32. Quite an honor!

Morris Dees and the SPLC are excellent. I've been a member since about 1984.