The Rise of Militias and Hate Groups in the U.S.
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-03-31/rise-militias-and-hate-groups-us
Lobby Day in Richmond, Virginia. Lobby Day was in support of new bill supporting 10th amendment and 2nd amendment rights.
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A Christian militia in Michigan is charged with plotting against the U.S. and attempting to deploy weapons of mass destruction. How a weak economy, the election of the first African-American president and political extremism are fueling the rise of militias and hate groups.
Guests
Mark Potok
Director, Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center, the group's latest report, "Rage on the Right," documents the growth in the number of hate and extremist groups.
Chip Berlet
a senior analyst with Political Research Associates and a veteran freelance writer who specializes in investigating right-wing social movements.
Carrie Johnson
reporter, The Washington Post.
Carolyn Brown
an Assistant Professor at American University, School of Communication, and a documentary filmmaker.
Michael Lackomar
Livingston County Team Leader for the Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia
Comments
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For some reason I decided to watch a bit of Faux news tonight and caught the end of O'Reilly and the beginning of Hannity.
Just before his commercial break at about 9:10,
Hannity praised the crowd for being "Tim McVeigh wannabes."
I couldn't believe my ears The show is in the Reagan "Library" and they started out talking about getting rid of Obama etc, I had to leave the room.
I tivo'd the show later to be sure I was right and that is exactly what he did.
I just think this needs to be "out there". I am having trouble with all of these so called "Patriots" in favor of bring down their/our Government
Thank you for being there.
Mike Chambers
With so many of President Obama's ideological opponents resorting to shrill apocalyptic hyperbole, and even rhetorical imagery involving gunfire in voicing their opposition to President Obama, it would seem that the mindsets of the violent militias are not all that far removed from those of some figures in the Republican Party, the "Teaparty" movement, and Fox News.
Is it any wonder that some are literally taking up arms, given Sarah Palin's (possibly symbolic) exhortation to "reload". I kind of wonder what kind of people she is palling around with nowadays.
I am all about opposing violent and loony groups like the one that was recently busted in Michigan and elsewhere, but already in this program and across the rest of the mass-media you can detect a kind of Orwellian 'newspeak' in reference to groups like these - for instance, the phrase 'hate group' sounds like it was lifted straight out of Orwell's dystopian novel.
Would you all consider the American patriots who sought to secede from the British in during the American Revolution 'hate groups' for seeking to separate themselves from a corrupt governing power they despised?
Is there a way to discuss these issues without resorting to Orwellian forms of 'newspeak'? The right to form a militia is fully protected by the U.S. Constitution, ya know...
When a recent Harris poll (http://ow.ly/1qQFP) shows that many Republicans believe that President Obama is a non-citizen, or even the Anti-Christ, there should be no surprise that some believe that an armed insurrection is an option.
I don't begrudge Fox news' and right-wing radio hosts' right to free speech, or even their right to lie on a regular basis. I do, however think it is disingenuous of them to act surprised when people begin to act according to what they've been hearing.
More elected Republican officials need to put some space between themselves and these lies. More GOP officials need to condemn the violence of some Tea Party protesters, these militias, and they need to start disputing some of the lies that encourage the violence.
I believe the growth in these militias is reflective of a more generalized view of the electorate, that the government no longer serves the people, defends the Constitution and is aliegned with the big money of special interests and lobbyist. The the country is being run by the DemoRepublican party and that is it finally sinking in that rule by one party is defined as a dictatorship. These groups are growing exponentially because democracy is failing and the Constitution is under attack. Having tried the democratic process and in that failing, these groups are coming to the conclusion that in order to save democracy and to defend the Constitution, they have no other alternative....As Jefferson said, ""God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion.
The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions, it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. ...
And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from
time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
It is its natural manure." Maybe he was right.
When the first President Bush and then President Clinton tried to set national education goals, I was astounded to hear some opponents say that this was part of the anti-Christ's plan to establish a one world government. These people, although a minority, were very organized and managed to derail the attempt in my state.
Human traits are often distributed on a "bell curve" with extremes at either end but with the vast majority in the average middle. However, cultural conditions can shift the curve higher or lower on any trait.
I strongly believe that right wing hate talk on the radio and inflammatory speech from conservative leaders shifts the curve to the right and increases both the extremity of right-wing beliefs as well as the number of extremists. This shift increases the probability of violence coming from these extremists.
"Christian Militia" ?
Isn't that an oxymoron?
AMEN to the Cherokee man who is in a militia. He is a PATRIOT.
He is not a racist.
He is not a nut-case, or part of a hate group.
Thank God America has citizens who love their country like this man.
The other man is out of order. He is the one who is name calling. He is the one with a closed mind.
The militia man is NOT a facist!
Atticus Finch:"Christian Militia"? Isn't that an oxymoron?"
Some Christians take Biblical rhetoric very seriously and literally.
How familiar are you with the New Testament? While Jesus is often thought of as a peacemaker, a very controversial quote by Jesus from the NT states: "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/But_to_bring_a_sword
to mike chambers
no conservative in his right mind would condone killing
obama biden pelosi or reid. i dont
What these folks seem to conveniently forget is that in a democratic process, decisions are sometimes taken that don't agree with their values.
So, unless the democratic process yields exactly the results they perceive to be correct, they argue they have the right to go outside the political process to resolve it. That hardly sounds patriotic to me.
drslistener26, the person who replied did NOT call Mike a racist, nor did he call him a facist. He said that openly carrying weapons to a political discussion is not appropriate and over the top. It is a thinly veiled threat of violence. He expressed a reasoned opinion -- He did NOT resort to name calling.
If there had been real debate over health care as required by the Constitution as well as the separation of powers as required by the Constitution instesd of the Congress doing the bidding of the executive; perhaps then the PEOPLE would not feel threatened by their gov't.
You should not rely so heavely on the SPLC as an authoritive source since their charter is obviously anti 2nd amendment & obviously believes in the concept of a "living Constitution" which the majority of Americans do not adhere to.
Fox is becoming increasingly incendiary and someone needs to daily pin their remarks to the rise in anti-gov't. activity. Same for Limbaugh.
These groups continually call themself Christians but they are not. They are no more a Christian than the Klu Klux Klan or Hitlers Nazis were Christians. None of their actions are Biblically based. One can take part of a verse here and there to justify their action but it still does not make them Christian. It is time for all true Christians to stand up against these psuedo Christians.
The bottom line is that MANY American citizens love their country. Patriotism is growing.
Many closed-minded people would rather just label these people as racist and hate groups than understand what most of them really are standing for.
It's really frustrating when you are labelled as "racist". This is a convenient way of those with more power, or media access, to shut down conversation from those who are in disagreement.
The qualification "in his right mind" narrows it down a bit, doesn't it?
Mike: You're absolutely right in your observation. I used to be a Fox fan but now no longer as they are increasingly incendiary. They and Limbaugh ought to have their words taken down daily and held up in the media as contributing to the anti-gov't. sentiments out there.
Diane:
If you want to understand the underlying issue of the fears of many working-class Whites or "Patriots" (euphemism for White America saving the US from people of color, i.e., "invaders"), read the 1993 law review article by law professor, Cheryl I. Harris, "Whiteness as Property". (Harvard Law Review, Vol. 106, No 8, p.1707 --
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=927850 . ) Whiteness has been the focal point for racial identity, property, privilege, status and wealth in the US. Please correct Mr. Potak on the so-called conspiracy theory of FEMA and concentration camps. While Whites are fearful now, the camps and FEMA control were actually set up for the containment of "American Negroes" and civil unrest. For anyone interested, see REX 84 -- Readiness Exercise 1984. See http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/fema_executive_orders.htm for a list of the Executive Orders issuing marshal law over all aspects of the US life under the "Continuation of the Government." First knowledge about this extensive plan was exposed in Chardy's article, "Reagan Aides and the 'Secret' Government," Alfonso Chardy, Miami Herald, July 5, 1987 Front Page
Take a look. Invite either Chardy or Cheryl Harris onto the show...
Kate Reed
I am not a Christian. But, this is the most disgusting piece of anti Christian hitpiece I have ever heard. Yes, there are right wing nuts. There are left wing nuts. This program makes it sound like conservative, right wing, Christian, Fox, and anything opposed to left is dangerous.
The timing of this program fits with similar hitpieces going on all over other media. Simply, NPR doing their bit to help the left further the theme that conservatives are dangerous. Of course, we know this helps distract from many things hidden in Health Care bill, like new tax for Long Term Care that was never debated, never discussed with public etc.
Yes, people are mad. I am mad as heck that my government wants to label half of us as enemies and unworthy of a voice or opinion. But, we won't hear about Bill Ayers visiting White House three times since President Obama's term began. He did participate in killing people and has advocated radically changing America all his life.
Demonizing and scapegoating on the right? That is precisely what this administration has done to doctors, hospitals, insurance companies, corporate executives, and all manner of other Americans.
I listen to your show every day and enjoy it very much. I do not always agree with you or your guests but I do always enjoy listening.
Morris Dees is one of the greatest lawyers of the 20th century. Mr. Dees fought a truly evil terrorist organization and won. His great courage led to a better life for thousands if not millions of Americans. There was no political motive for Mr. Dees. He saw evil and fought it.
Your guests today trivialize his motive and accomplishments. The Southern Poverty Law Center seems to have turned into a political organization tasked with bashing Republicans. Talk radio did not produce the KKK. Ignorance and that little streak of evil that we all carry produced it. Hard times and the feeling that the deck is stacked against you produces this type of group.
This trait is not limited to white males. The Black Panthers, Black Muslims, Weather Underground, Cuban exiles and Militant Islamists have all taken to the woods to practice violence. No one is blaming the media for that.
Please consider a little more open mindedness. Your show today was just the other side of the "bash the other party" coin. Rush Limbaugh is on one side and, unfortunately, today you were on the other.
These guys call themselves Christians and that may be true however it takes tremendous courage to follow Christ and lay down arms. Those without courage, without courage to believe that there is a heaven, without courage to believe that life is eternal, those without courage will always carry weapons. These are the meek that will inherit the earth. Personally, I don't want to be here when they inherit it.
I have ran in to groups on cross country bike rides in northern Montana, and here in Arizona with the minute men. The Minute men that I met had absolutely no regard for life. They would shoot at anything that came across the border. I am actually more scared of them than I am of the drug lords that are said to be causing trouble. Also, when I was in college I was going for Criminal Justice. My major required me to do ride a rounds with the local police and highway patrol of Missouri. While on patrol one day with the MHP the officer in the car with me specifically told me that he doesn't drive down a certain road because he would be shot at by a militia group that had a base down that road. I ask how American is that? Also, about the comment of "what are you defending against?" I was just in a conversation online with a few people about guns being in public places. I recently was in Lander WY eating a nice breakfast after visiting a state park the day before. I looked up suddenly and realized a older gentleman was openly carrying a side arm. Now...its about 7:00 a.m.. In a breakfast restaurant. What could you possibly need a side arm for? In Lander WY? Was it to make sure his eggs were cooked right? Not sure...
Anyway, thanks again for this story. The militia groups in this country make me feel LESS safe especially because I am 1) a lesbian (I've also been assaulted in a parking lot throughout my travels) and 2)a cyclist (I have not owned a car in over 8 years) These type of people try to run us off the road (and yes you can tell who they are because they are the only ones who are outspoken about these things)(I have had moments on bike tours where these "christians" all most run me over only to ask me if I had a death wish. Which I always thought was funny because they are usually overweight) Anyway...I obviously have not had any good run ins with these people. Sorry for the long comment. And thanks for the show.
Dear Mike Chambers:
If you tivo'ed that program I hope you can post it on YouTube so that others can see it. Alternatively, if it's already available on-line, can you post a link?
To Anti-Monopolist (March 31, 2010 - 10:12 am):
When a group proposes murdering a police officer, and then blowing up the funeral, I'd say calling them a hate group is simply a case of "calling a spade a spade" instead of "a personal mobile excavating device". Funny how right-wingers can be so "politically correct" when it suits their purposes.
Just because one misapplies the rhetoric of the American Revolution does not insulate one from the charge of being a "hate group". It is one thing to oppose our government or its policies. That's what elections are all about (peaceful change), but to respond to a political decision with calls for violence, to demean your political opposition with posters depicting them as savages, to lie about non-existent "death panels", those are not the acts of patriots!
One more thing: the Constitution talks about a "well regulated militia", with the Congress in charge of "organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia", and with the States in charge of appointing militia officers and training the militia "according to the discipline prescribed by Congress". (Article 1, Section 8.16) In short, the Constitution does not grant the right for a rag-tag bunch of ideological fanatics (and losers) to form a violent army to wage war whenever they see fit! (And despite the Republi-Con, and activist, Supreme Court "editing out" the first half of the Second Amendment, the "right to keep and bear arms" exists in order that there be a "well-regulated militia!)
First you should stop calling them "Christians" because obviously they are not. Secondly, what do you expect when Obama is focused on healthcare and not jobs? The more unemployed, the more that relies on big brother to take care of them. We have no jobs so lets give amnesty to millions with no jobs...
Old hags like Pelosi need to retire along with every other career politician (left and right) in Washington.
Wow. Thanks for this program. Michael the Cherokee came across very level headed. Can you provide any information on how I can get involved with one of these militias?
If they are an option for guarding against tyrannical government, terrorism, or even invasion, it sounds like something that can be very useful.
To polofourme (March 31, 2010 - 10:22 am):
Much as I respect and admire Jefferson, I've always thought that statement was one of his stupidest. What most people don't realize is that he was writing about the Shays Rebellion (once it had been safely suppressed by a state militia). This event was one of the factors that convinced America to scrap the Articles of Confederation (with it's weak central government) and replace it with our Constitution (and a much stronger Federal government).
It also reflects what was later written into the Constitution, that the Congress can call forth the militia "to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions". (Article 1, 8.15) In short, the romantic notion of militias as a rag-tag band of rebels against the nation is contrary to history and the Constitution.
Oh, and by the way, even Jefferson stated (in the same letter the "tree of liberty" quote comes from) that the Shays Rebellion was "founded in ignorance". So, read the quote in context and realize that it is poor support for the likes of the hutaree, or most of the so-called militia movement!
Anti-Monopolist on (March 31, 2010 - 10:38 am) wrote: "Some Christians take Biblical rhetoric very seriously and literally."
And that's part of the problem, since the Bible clearly is not literally true throughout. For example, according to two passages the circumference of a circle is 3 times its diameter. (1 Kings 7:23 and 2 Chronicles 4:2) Every school child knows the correct number is Pi (3.1415 . . . . ).
Sadly, given the bloody history of Christianity, it seems clear that too many (so-called) Christians took the part you quote far too literally!