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White nationalist attacks should be prosecuted as terrorism, lawmakers say

  

Category:  News & Politics

Via:  tessylo  •  5 years ago  •  74 comments

White nationalist attacks should be prosecuted as terrorism, lawmakers say

S E E D E D   C O N T E N T


White nationalist attacks should be prosecuted as terrorism, lawmakers say



9197dca0-94e1-11e6-9718-4d4a4a2e45f0_US-   Alexander Nazaryan   22 hours ago  

Tlaib reads hate mail: ‘The only good Muslim is a dead one’


WASHINGTON — “The only good Muslim is a dead one.” Rep Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., teared up as she read the chilling words from hate mail she had recently received.

It was a poignant, disturbing moment from a House Oversight hearing on white nationalism. Tlaib wiped the tears away as she read the vitriolic words, leading Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., seated next to Tlaib, to put a consoling hand on her shoulder. Meanwhile, on the dais behind them, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, fiddled with a smartphone plug.

Tlaib and Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. are the first Muslim women in Congress. Both have been the targets of political attacks, but also of threats on their lives. A man in New York was arrested in April  for threatening to kill Omar.

5cf7bac5240000550b857804.jpeg Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich. (Photo: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

“How is that not enough to fall under domestic terrorism?” Tlaib wondered aloud, speaking of the letter she had received.


That was the central question of the hearing, the second conducted on white nationalism by the civil rights and civil liberties subcommittee. It is a question without an easy answer, because  while U.S. law does define   domestic terrorism, there is no specific criminal charge for it. That means white nationalists can be prosecuted on charges related to weapons, hate crimes and other laws, but they are not prosecuted or punished the same way as terrorists affiliated with a foreign group like the Islamic State would likely be.

Similarly, the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center is not allowed to  track purely domestic terrorists , including white nationalists.

The hearing comes at a time when white nationalism poses an increasing threat to national security. In his opening statement, Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and the subcommittee’s chairman cited Anti-Defamation League findings that between 2009 and 2018, far-right extremists were responsible for 73 percent of murders, while Islamic terrorists were behind 23 percent of murders. But the FBI’s commitment of manpower was “almost exactly backwards from what the problem would suggest,” reflecting the intense need to stop and destroy al-Qaida after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

5cf7bb6d210000690de6998f.jpeg Police leave the area after a small group from a KKK-affiliated group gathered in May for a rally in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo: Seth Herald/AFP/Getty Images)

Raskin also said that while law enforcement has managed to stop about three-fourths of all attacks by Islamic radicals since 2001, only about one-fourth of attacks by far-right extremists had been stopped during that same time period, citing the findings of a University of Maryland terrorism center. “How many far-right extremist attacks could have been prevented if we had taken that threat as seriously as we had taken the threat of Islamist fanatical extremism?” Raskin said, adding that, according to the Anti-Defamation League, every one of the 50 murders committed by a domestic extremist in 2018 was tied to a far-right cause. Most, he said, were explicitly committed in the name of white supremacy.

The seeming gap in the current law was highlighted in the recent case of Christopher Hasson, a Maryland man who allegedly intended to kill Democratic lawmakers and members of the media in Washington. Arrested on drug and gun charges,  he was ordered released on bail in April , a decision that was met with widespread outrage.

There was plenty of both emotions in the hearing room on Tuesday afternoon, in part because a number of critics argue  federal law regarding domestic terrorism is woefully inadequate  to deal with the new varieties of old hatreds that have sprouted in the digital age.

Sometimes, lawmakers simply struggled to understand why the law was so incomplete, as when Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., asked the hearing’s key witness, Michael McGarrity, assistant director of the FBI’s counterterrorism division, “Is the white supremacy issue not a global issue?”

She seemed to be making the point that white nationalists could potentially have ties to international organizations just like terrorists who have pledged their allegiance to ISIS.

5cf7bcc9240000550b85780f.jpeg Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. (Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

McGarrity acknowledged that white supremacy had, indeed, gone global. Only the law had not kept up. “The United States Congress doesn’t have a statute for us to use domestic terrorism like we do on foreign terrorists organizations,” he explained.

Later, in response to another lawmaker, he seemed to express support for possible new laws for domestic terrorism. “I want every tool in the toolbox — and I want options,” McGarrity said.

He also faced tough questioning from Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., who wanted to know about  the alleged monitoring of “Black Identity Extremists,”   a heavily criticized designation the FBI is alleged to have created to cover disparate individuals and groups whose only clear link is race.

McGarrity professed confusion on this point. “There’s no surveillance on that activity,” he said, speaking of social justice groups affiliated with the Black Lives Matter movement, which began in response to police killings of unarmed black men. “I don’t know where that information is coming from.”

Tlaib’s emotional testimony came shortly after that exchange. Tlaib said she wanted to ensure the laws were sufficient to protect potential victims of white nationalists. “I’m a mother,” she said. “I want to go home to my two boys.”


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Tessylo
Professor Principal
1  seeder  Tessylo    5 years ago

That was the central question of the hearing, the second conducted on white nationalism by the civil rights and civil liberties subcommittee. It is a question without an easy answer, because  while U.S. law does define   domestic terrorism, there is no specific criminal charge for it. That means white nationalists can be prosecuted on charges related to weapons, hate crimes and other laws, but they are not prosecuted or punished the same way as terrorists affiliated with a foreign group like the Islamic State would likely be.

Similarly, the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center is not allowed to  track purely domestic terrorists , including white nationalists.

This needs to be tracked.  I wonder why it isn't????

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
1.1  Texan1211  replied to  Tessylo @1    5 years ago

Gee, how long before Nancy Pelosi introduces a bill to "fix" all of that?

 
 
 
Thrawn 31
Professor Guide
1.1.1  Thrawn 31  replied to  Texan1211 @1.1    5 years ago

I hope she uses "emergency powers" just to see how much you all would lose your minds. 

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
1.1.2  Texan1211  replied to  Thrawn 31 @1.1.1    5 years ago

[deleted!]

 
 
 
The Magic 8 Ball
Masters Quiet
1.1.3  The Magic 8 Ball  replied to  Thrawn 31 @1.1.1    5 years ago
I hope she uses "emergency powers"

she does not have any emergency powers... LOL

simply too funny :)

hint: the left has been neutered by trump 

 
 
 
lib50
Professor Silent
1.1.4  lib50  replied to  The Magic 8 Ball @1.1.3    5 years ago

Not the left that's neutered.  It's morality and the rule of law. 

 
 
 
Greg Jones
Professor Participates
1.2  Greg Jones  replied to  Tessylo @1    5 years ago

The hearing comes at a time when white nationalism poses an increasing threat to national security.

Really?  How so? In what way? And to what extent?  What alleged crimes have they committed?

Groups like Antifa, BLM, and white liberals and their SJW buddies are responsible for most of the violent demonstrations and acts that could be labeled terrorist in this country. Then you add in the gangs of all types including MS-13 and the criminals who sneak across the border and that accounts for a lot of the crime that occurs here. There is no real problem with white nationalists in the US, they are few in number and unorganized. Almost all the mass shooters in the US have been left leaners and democrats

The only place you hear about this alleged problem is on left leaning forums like this one. The usual suspects spreading hate and misinformation. I sure wouldn't put too much trust in rabble rousers and haters like Omar and Tlaib.

 
 
 
The Magic 8 Ball
Masters Quiet
1.2.1  The Magic 8 Ball  replied to  Greg Jones @1.2    5 years ago
Groups like Antifa and white liberals and their SJW buddies are responsible for most of the violent demonstrations and acts that could be labeled terrorist in this country.

word.

 
 
 
lib50
Professor Silent
1.2.2  lib50  replied to  The Magic 8 Ball @1.2.1    5 years ago

Its so funny reading the buzz words favored by Trumpers.  'Antifa'  'leftists'  'socialists', something old, something new, something borrowed....

Look over there at the leftist and pretend all the white nationalist/neo nazi terrorism doesn't exist and didn't commit mass murder!

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
1.2.3  seeder  Tessylo  replied to  Greg Jones @1.2    5 years ago

white_nationalist.png

WHITE NATIONALIST

White nationalist groups espouse white supremacist or white separatist ideologies, often focusing on the alleged inferiority of nonwhites. Groups listed in a variety of other categories - Ku Klux Klan, neo-Confederate, neo-Nazi, racist skinhead, and Christian Identity - could also be fairly described as white nationalist.

 

Top Takeaways

In their attempt to reorient and rebrand after the deadly 2017 “Unite the Right” rally, white nationalist hate groups have largely retreated from public activism. Amid infighting following the rally, many groups splintered, accounting for some of the increase in white nationalist hate groups in 2018. Some leaders have urged followers to focus their energy on private meetups and internet recruiting. But the movement has struggled to secure meeting venues and to maintain a stable web presence as various online payment processors and social media platforms have begun enforcing terms of service violations and removing those who propagate hate speech or threaten violence. In 2018, white nationalists feuded internally over whether they should openly espouse violence or hide their genocidal ambitions behind more banal aesthetics like Americana or meme-laden ironic detachment. Harried by lawsuits, fracturing alliances and public embarrassment, movement figureheads largely settled in favor of putting forward as inoffensive a public presentation as possible.

Key Moments

Richard Spencer’s college tour came to an end, and Jason Kessler’s attempt at a second “Unite the Right” rally was a dismal failure. However, other groups such as Identity Evropa, Patriot Front and the League of the South continued to hold rallies and banner drops. But more than ever, 2018 was the year white nationalists drew blood. From the Parkland, Florida, shooting of 17 students in February, to the massacre of 11 at a Pittsburgh synagogue in October, white nationalists or those inspired by white nationalism have committed violence at an alarming rate, killing at least 40 people in North America this year alone.

What’s Ahead

Despite pressure on law enforcement and Silicon Valley to seriously counter the rise in violent extremism perpetrated by white nationalists, the far right shows no signs of letting up. White nationalist leaders will continue to explain away the violence in their movement as a regrettable but understandable reaction to demographic change.

Background

Adherents of white nationalist  groups  believe that white identity should be the organizing principle of the countries that make up Western civilization. White nationalists advocate for policies to reverse changing demographics and the loss of an absolute, white majority. Ending non-white immigration, both legal and illegal, is an urgent priority — frequently elevated over other racist projects, such as ending multiculturalism and miscegenation — for white nationalists seeking to preserve white, racial hegemony.

White nationalists seek to return to an America that predates the implementation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. Both landmark pieces of legislation are cited as the harbingers of white dispossession and so-called “white genocide” — the idea that whites in the United States are being systematically replaced and destroyed.

These racist aspirations are most commonly articulated as the desire to form a white ethnostate — a calculated idiom favored by white nationalists in order to obscure the inherent violence of such a radical project. Appeals for the white ethnostate are often disingenuously couched in proclamations of love for members of their own race, rather than hatred for others.

This platitude collapses under scrutiny. Two favorite animating myths of white nationalists are the victimhood narrative of black-on-white crime — the idea that the dominant white majority is under assault by supposedly violent people of color — and the deceptively titled “human biodiversity,” the pseudo-scientific ascription of human behaviors, in this case along racial lines, to “non-negligible” genetic difference among humans. Appeals to the “empirical science” of human biodiversity are frequently coupled with thinly veiled nods to white, racial superiority.

In addition to their obsession with declining white birth rates, these themes comprise some of the most powerful propaganda that animates and drives the white nationalist movement. Adherents frequently cite   Pat Buchanan’s   2001 book,   The Death of the West , which argues that these declining white birth rates and an “immigrant invasion” will transform the United States into a third world nation by 2050, as the text responsible for their awakening, or “red pill.”

White nationalists also frequently cite   American Renaissance , a pseudo-academic organization dedicated to spreading the myth of black criminality, scientific racism and eugenic theories. Its annual conference, a multi-day symposium with a suit-and-tie dress code, is a typical early stop for new white nationalists.

Although it isn’t ubiquitous, there is a current of antisemitism in the modern day white nationalist movement. Jews are common scapegoats for the perceived cultural and political grievances of white nationalists. White nationalist and antisemitic literature and conferences also have frequent author and speaker overlap.   Kevin MacDonald , the author of   The Culture of Critique   — a trilogy of books alleging a Jewish control of culture and politics with evolutionary psychology — is a frequent guest in white nationalist media and at events. His writing is frequently cited as what introduces white nationalists to the idea of a Jewish conspiracy

White nationalists also commonly pass through   paleoconservatism   — an anti-interventionist strand of libertarianism that seeks to limit government, restrict immigration, reverse multicultural programs and deconstruct the social welfare programs. Some of white nationalism’s most prominent voices, including   Richard Spencer ,   Jared Taylor , and   Peter Brimelow   did stints at   Taki’s Magazine , the most prominent paleoconservative journal.

Strategies for pursuing the white ethnostate fall into two major categories: mainstreaming and vanguardism. Mainstreamers believe that infiltrating and subverting the existing political institutions is the only realistic path to power. They aspire to convert disaffected “normies” to their politics and advocate for white nationalists to seek positions — in politics and society — that have access to resources otherwise unavailable to avowed racists.  These resources often require that white nationalists disguise their politics and compromise on their most extreme positions. Mainstreaming allows those sympathetic to white nationalism to pursue or enact policies furthering white nationalist priorities. These aren’t always exclusive to white nationalism, such as immigration restriction or the elimination of social welfare programs.

Vanguardists believe that revolution is the only viable path toward a white ethnostate. They believe that reforming the system is impossible and therefore refuse to soften their rhetoric. They typically seek to reform what they believe to be an “anti-white” establishment through radical action. Vanguardists favor public demonstrations to anonymous, online activism and hope that by turning out in numbers at protests they can defy so-called political correctness, polarize politics and accelerate what they view as the inevitable collapse of America.

The racist so-called “ alt-right ,” which came to prominence in late 2015, is white nationalism’s most recent formulation. While the themes of white dispossession, nostalgia for pre-1960s America and the desire for separatism remain central to the ideology, its edges are softer and porous, allowing for the influence and inclusion of more radical elements, including a suite of   neo-Nazi   organizations. It also welcomed an unsavory ecosystem of internet trolls. These chaos agents contribute a distinct style of discourse that include a notable lack of empathy, extreme, often violence-tinged, rhetoric, and willingness to dehumanize their enemies in service of political goals. Throughout 2016, with the contentious presidential campaign as a unique backdrop, the nascent alt-right launched a novel campaign of “cultural vanguardism,” tightly focused on radically altering culture — in the form of a total war on “political correctness” — rather than politics. This third style of activism, which borrowed from both the mainstreamers and the vanguardists, primarily took place online in the form of “shitposting,” meme making and online harassment.

As momentum dissipated post presidential election and online activism began to yield diminishing returns, white nationalists reverted to tried tactics such as public demonstrations, including college speaking engagements and propaganda distribution, primarily in the form of anonymous flyerings and banner drops — also on college campuses. Universities, with their impressionable and at times combustible student bodies provide easy targets for the newly trollish tactics of an alt-right obsessed with youth recruitment.

Groups  listed in a variety of other categories —   Ku Klux Klan ,   neo-Confederate ,   neo-Nazi ,   racist skinhead   and   Christian Identit y — can also be fairly described as "white nationalist." Although, as organizational loyalty has dwindled and the internet has become white nationalism’s organizing principle, the ideology is best understood as a loose coalition of social networks orbiting online propaganda hubs and forums.

2018 white nationalist hate groups

View all groups by  state  and by  ideology .
*Asterisk denotes headquarters​

Affirmative Right (Atlanta, Georgia)
AltRight Corporation (Alexandria, Virginia)
American Freedom Party  (Bradenton, Florida)
American Freedom Party  (Granbury, Texas)
American Freedom Party  (Lakewood Ranch, Florida)
American Freedom Party  (Los Angeles, California)
American Freedom Party  (New York, New York)
American Freedom Party  (Statewide, Indiana)
American Freedom Party  (Statewide, Montana)
American Freedom Party  (Statewide, New York)
American Freedom Party  (Statewide, North Dakota)
American Freedom Party  (Statewide, Wisconsin)
American Freedom Union (Hampton Township, Pennsylvania)
Arktos Media (New York, New York)
Auburn White Student Union (Auburn, Alabama)
Council of Conservative Citizens  (Blackwell, Missouri)
Counter-Currents Publishing (San Francisco, California)
Exodus/Americanus (Floyds Knobs, Indiana)
Faith and Heritage (Killeen, Texas)
Forza Nuova (Trenton, New Jersey)
Foundation for the Marketplace of Ideas (Clinton Township, Michigan)
Free American (Big Spring, Texas)
FreeStartr (Carson City, Nevada)
H.L. Mencken Club (Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania)
Identity Evropa  (Atlanta, Georgia)
Identity Evropa  (Billings, Montana)
Identity Evropa  (Boulder, Colorado)
Identity Evropa  (Chicago, Illinois)
Identity Evropa  (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
Identity Evropa  (Denver, Colorado)
Identity Evropa  (Gainesville, Florida)
Identity Evropa  (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Identity Evropa  (Lakeland, Florida)
Identity Evropa  (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Identity Evropa  (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Identity Evropa  (Redding, California)
Identity Evropa  (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Identity Evropa  (San Diego, California)
Identity Evropa  (San Francisco, California)
Identity Evropa  (Savannah, Georgia)
Identity Evropa  (Seattle, Washington)
Identity Evropa  (Spokane, Washington)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, Arizona)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, Arkansas)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, Connecticut)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, Kansas)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, Kentucky)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, Maryland)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, Michigan)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, Minnesota)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, New Jersey)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, New York)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, North Carolina)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, Ohio)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, Oklahoma)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, Pennsylvania)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, Tennessee)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, Texas)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, Virginia)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, Wisconsin)
Identity Evropa  (Statewide, Wyoming)
Identity Evropa  (Washington, District of Columbia)
National Policy Institute (Whitefish, Montana)
National Right (Jackman, Maine)
New Albion (Jackman, Maine)
Northwest Front (Bremerton, Washington)
Occidental Dissent (Eufaula, Alabama)
Occidental Observer (Laguna Hills, California)
Patriot Front (Statewide, California)
Patriot Front (Statewide, Colorado)
Patriot Front (Statewide, Florida)
Patriot Front (Statewide, Georgia)
Patriot Front (Statewide, Illinois)
Patriot Front (Statewide, Kentucky)
Patriot Front (Statewide, Maryland)
Patriot Front (Statewide, Massachusetts)
Patriot Front (Statewide, Michigan)
Patriot Front (Statewide, New York)
Patriot Front (Statewide, Texas)
Patriot Front (Statewide, Utah)
Patriot Front (Statewide, Vermont)
Patriot Front (Statewide, Virginia)
Patriot Front (Statewide, Washington)
Patriot Front (Washington, District of Columbia)
Patriotic Flags (Summerville, South Carolina)
Pioneer Little Europe Kalispell Montana (Kalispell, Montana)
Racial Nationalist Party of America (Lockport, New York)
Radix Journal (Whitefish, Montana)
Real Republic of Florida (Tallahassee, Florida)
Red Ice (Harrisonburg, Virginia)
Right Brand Clothing (Anaheim, California)
Rise Above Movement (Huntington Beach, California)
Scott-Townsend Publishers (Washington, District of Columbia)
Shieldwall Network (Mountain View, Arkansas)
Shieldwall Network (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)
Shieldwall Network (New Boston, Texas)
Social Contract Press (Petoskey, Michigan)
Stormfront  (West Palm Beach, Florida)
The Fitzgerald Griffin Foundation (Vienna, Virginia)
The Political Cesspool (Bartlett, Tennessee)
The Right Stuff (Austin, Texas)
The Right Stuff (Baltimore, Maryland)
The Right Stuff (Boston, Massachusetts)
The Right Stuff (Chicago, Illinois)
The Right Stuff (Cleveland, Ohio)
The Right Stuff (Columbus, Ohio)
The Right Stuff (Dallas, Texas)
The Right Stuff (Hopewell Junction, New York)
The Right Stuff (Houston, Texas)
The Right Stuff (Kansas City, Missouri)
The Right Stuff (Las Vegas, Nevada)
The Right Stuff (Los Angeles, California)
The Right Stuff (Memphis, Tennessee)
The Right Stuff (New York, New York)
The Right Stuff (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
The Right Stuff (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
The Right Stuff (San Antonio, Texas)
The Right Stuff (San Francisco, California)
The Right Stuff (St. Louis, Missouri)
The Right Stuff (Statewide, Alabama)
The Right Stuff (Statewide, Arizona)
The Right Stuff (Statewide, Colorado)
The Right Stuff (Statewide, Florida)
The Right Stuff (Statewide, Hawaii)
The Right Stuff (Statewide, Indiana)
The Right Stuff (Statewide, Louisiana)
The Right Stuff (Statewide, Michigan)
The Right Stuff (Statewide, Minnesota)
The Right Stuff (Statewide, North Carolina)
The Right Stuff (Statewide, South Carolina)
The Right Stuff (Statewide, Utah)
The Right Stuff (Statewide, Virginia)
The Right Stuff (Statewide, Wisconsin)
The Right Stuff (Washington, District of Columbia)
True Cascadia (Portland, Oregon)
Tyr 1 Security (Alexandria, Virginia)
Unity and Security for America (Charlottesville, Virginia)
Vandal Brothers, LLC (Bath, Ohio)
VDARE Foundation  (Warrenton, Virginia)
Washington Summit Publishers (Alexandria, Virginia)
WeSearchr  (Statewide, California)
Western Outlands Supply Company (Mesa, Arizona)
White Boy Society (Statewide, Illinois)
White Boy Society (Statewide, Wisconsin)
White Rabbit Radio (Dearborn Heights, Michigan)
 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
1.2.4  seeder  Tessylo  replied to  Tessylo @1.2.3    5 years ago

Why White Supremacist Attacks Are on the Rise, Even in Surprising Places

image?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftimedotcom.files.wordpress.com%2F2019%2F03%2Fwhy-white-supremacist-attacks-rise-peaceful-places.jpg&w=800&c=sc&poi=face&q=85
People place flowers at memorial sites as a tribute to victims of the Fridays terrorist attacks on two mosques that left at least 50 people killed in Christchurch, New Zealand on March 19, 2019.
 
Anadolu Agency—Getty Images
BY   BRIAN LEVIN  
MARCH 21, 2019
IDEAS
Levin is director of the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino; he has also served as Associate Director-Legal Affairs of the Southern Poverty Law Center's Klanwatch/Militia Task Force and as an NYPD officer.

While   President Trump   answered a query about whether he thinks white nationalism is a growing global threat, in a press conference following the Islamophobic terrorist attacks that targeted   two New Zealand mosques   and killed 50 people on March 15, he was dismissive: “I don’t, really,” Trump said. “I think it’s a small group of people that have very, very serious problems.”

This statement puts him at odds with the beliefs of people studying the matter. As University of Southern California homeland security scholar and former FBI agent, Erroll Southers has said, white supremacy is no longer a movement on the fringes but rather   “is being globalized at a very rapid pace.”   This is happening within a larger trend. University of Maryland professor Gary LaFree, who established the Global Terrorism Database, has observed that,   “We’re seeing terrorism affecting a larger number of countries.”

But why is this happening now?

According to research conducted both at the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, which I direct, and beyond, it has become clear that political polarization has provided an opportunity for violent bigots, both   on- and offline . Times of change, fear and conflict offer extremists and conspiracists a chance to present themselves as an alternative to increasingly distrusted traditional mainstream choices.   White nationalism   has reflected a coarsening of mainstream politics, where debates on national security and immigration have become rabbit holes for the exploitation of fear and bigotry.

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The U.K.’s Home Office   reports that hate crime there surged   following the Brexit vote in the summer of 2016, shortly before which a Member of Parliament who opposed the referendum was murdered. Our forthcoming analysis of FBI data, done in conjunction with Cal State’s John Reitzel and West Virginia University’s James Nolan, also found that November 2016 was the worst month for hate crime in the U.S. since September 2002, with 758 incidences; the day after the election, Nov. 10, was the worst day since June 2003, with 44 incidences alone. And while there was an initial increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes after the 2015 jihadism-inspired terror attack in   San Bernardino , such crimes surged to even higher levels five days later, when Trump said there should be a “total and complete shutdown” of allowing Muslims to enter the United States.

The troubles have continued. A 2017 ABC/Washington Post poll found   9% of respondents regarded Nazi views as “acceptable.”   Europol noted that   right-wing extremists arrests on the continent nearly doubled   in 2017 over 2016. And in 2018, the Anti-Defamation League reported a 182%   increase in hate propaganda , like leafleting at colleges, compared to the year before; according to the Southern Poverty Law Center,   the number of hate groups in America   hit 1,020 last year, the highest level they’ve ever recorded.

Our most recent police data, found a spike in many large U.S. cities around election time 2018 as well. But like the otherwise very peaceful New Zealand, the most notable increases were perhaps surprisingly found in the bluest and most diverse “liberal” cities. New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia and   Chicago   were among the cities that saw November or fourth-quarter spikes in 2018, while San Diego and cities in Texas did not. Indeed, most of the larger American cities saw a decline in hate crimes in the first half of 2018, only to have the trend reversed in the second half, as America experienced a conflictual   midterm election   with “immigration,” “wall” and “caravan” as key buzzwords. By year’s end, our research found hate crime in 30 large American cities hit a decade high of over 2,000. We also found Ideologically motivated murders by white supremacists increased in 2018 to 17, from 13 in 2017, while violent Salafist Jihadist killings dropped to only one.

All of this is compounded by not only the expansion, but the diversification of social media  with respect to both structure and content.

When the first white supremacist website,   Stormfront , launched in early 1995, its logo proclaimed “White Pride World Wide.” Its chat forums were divided by location (and subject) — each one displaying a national flag of various countries around the world — but they shared a common theme of   white racial supremacy . Stormfront represented a significant advancement over white supremacy’s first domestic foray into the digital arena, through 1985’s Aryan Liberty Net: a clunky dial-up bulletin board that proclaimed itself an “Aryan brain trust” accessible to any “patriot in the country.”

Stormfront’s violent reach expanded to hundreds of thousands of registered users around the world, where it also served as an international sounding board for some of the worst racist terrorists of our time. Among them are   Anders Breivik , who murdered 77, most of whom were children, in Norway in 2011, and Dylann Roof, who slaughtered nine black parishioners at Mother Emanuel church in Charleston, South Carolina, in June 2015. Both terrorists wrote   manifestos   bemoaning transnational threats to whites, a primary grievance that in turn inspired the alleged Christchuch, New Zealand, killer.

The alleged Christchurch terrorist’s international lens focused on these far-away killers in his own rambling racist and Islamophobic manifesto. And like those other killers, he incorporated not only hardened   bigotry , but also mainstream pundit content from around the world. He appears to have drawn on not just Nazi doctrine, but a French book — one that promotes the heinous and misguided doctrine of “replacement.” This ideology was also chanted by the torch-bearing marchers at   Charlottesville, Virginia , in August 12, 2017, yet targeted at a different religious group.

As the Internet has expanded and fragmented, so too has the array of often cross-linked, hate-filled sites and platforms. The reach and evolving streaming capacities of such sites have transformed even unaffiliated lone hatemongers from merely being posters on traditional bulletin boards to global broadcasters, where they can   livestream   or   tweet   not only bigotry, but vandalism and now terrorism.

The factors that led to President Trump’s election have influenced the mainstreaming of the very white supremacy that he dismisses: a distrustful, divided polity, and an expanding, chaotic   digital media . If we are going to be serious about facing the growing threat of far-right white nationalism around the world, we and   our leaders have to acknowledge it , before we can effectively counter it.

Words alone will not be enough. We need to streamline the way authorities investigate and coordinate homegrown extremists of all kinds, including white nationalist ones, and Congress  should hold hearings on the matter; meanwhile,  social media companies  need to enforce their existing restrictions relating to violent and bigoted content, as well as reform their live-streaming policies so that terrorists cannot easily broadcast their propaganda.

But when President Bush spoke of tolerance after 9/11,   hate crimes against Muslims dropped ; it is fair to compare this with the spike after Trump announced his   Muslim ban . Leaders must be aware of the impact of their position on civic and social cohesion — otherwise, terrorists will gain strength in the cracks that divide us.

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
1.2.5  seeder  Tessylo  replied to  Tessylo @1.2.4    5 years ago

People For the American Way

Hate Crimes and the Rise of White Nationalism in Trump’s America

April 26, 2019
NEWS AND ANALYSIS
dgd-800x458.jpg Panel on white nationalism and the rise of hate crimes

On April 25, a coalition of advocates hosted a panel on Capitol Hill to help bring attention to the increase in hate crimes and the rise of white nationalism since the election of Donald Trump. The panel focused on legislative response and solutions, highlighting Congress’ critical role in addressing these disturbing trends. The participating groups included the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Heather Heyer Foundation, the Arab American Institute, and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

The first speaker, Kristen Clarke from the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, discussed how there has been an undeniable rise of groups inside the U.S. with an agenda since Trump was elected. She stated that the conversations for policy solutions are often “derailed” by false equivalencies and emphasized that there are practical solutions that can be implemented. She called on Congress to stop making excuses and address the crisis at hand.

Cassie Miller of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) discussed how social media platforms have been used as dangerous recruiting tools in the white nationalist movement. While companies like Facebook have started making attempts to monitor their sites for radical white nationalist figures, others like Twitter have ignored the problem entirely. She stated that it’s a “myth” that social media is too big to be monitored, as SPLC has flagged many dangerous groups online without a large team or endless resources. When asked if she was worried about these groups moving to the dark web if they are banned from more prominent websites, she explained that getting off those platforms would at least curtail recruiting tactics that are giving white nationalist groups more power.

Alfred A. Wilson, cofounder of the Heather Heyer Foundation, discussed what it was like to be in Charlottesville the day Heather Heyer was murdered by a white nationalist in the infamous attack in 2017. He stated that Charlottesville will never be the same, and how even with its rich history, it will always be known for the   violence that ensued . Finally, he stated that it’s a sad reality that a woman had to die for people to pay attention to issues people have been facing for years, but hoped it would lead to tangible change.

Maya Berry from the Arab American Institute shared that data collected by the federal government reflects a 20 percent increase in hate crimes in the past two years, which is already an appalling statistic. She also stated that there were problems with how hate crimes were classified, indicating that the federal government does not include all incidences that fit this description in their data. A study done by the Institute indicated that for certain groups including Arab Americans, there was an almost   100 percent increase in the number of hate crimes committed since 2016.

Meanwhile, the   Trump administration   has almost entirely ignored this issue, and has instead focused on furthering his xenophobic agenda through policy changes like the Muslim ban. Not only has Trump’s   rhetoric emboldened white terrorists , but under his lead, the Department of Homeland Security has reportedly eliminated the unit tasked with tracking and combating domestic terrorism, further perpetuating the security threat for Americans who are already being systematically targeted by these groups.

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
1.2.6  seeder  Tessylo  replied to  Tessylo @1.2.5    5 years ago

FBI director: White nationalist violence is a “persistent, pervasive threat”

His views match those of experts within the Department of Justice — just not the White House.

By   Jane Coaston jane.coaston@vox.com     Apr 4, 2019, 1:30pm EDT HARE
GettyImages_1134822608.0.jpg FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies during a US House Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing on the FBI’s Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, April 4, 2019.   AFP/Getty Images

President Trump has largely   shrugged   off concerns about white nationalism in the United States — telling reporters on March 15 after a   white nationalist murdered 50 people in Christchurch, New Zealand, that “I think it’s a small group of people that have very, very serious problems, I guess.”

His FBI director takes the threat much more seriously.

During a House Appropriations Committee hearing with FBI Director Christopher Wray on Thursday, Wray   said   the danger of white nationalist and white nationalist extremists in America is “significant,” adding that, like other extremist groups, they are a “persistent, pervasive threat.”

That answer, in response to a question from Rep. Jose Serrano, matches the assessment of experts both within the Department of Justice and elsewhere. So does Director Wray’s argument that domestic terrorism is largely “less structured, less organized,” with “more uncoordinated, one-off individuals as opposed to some structured hierarchy,” which Wray said “presents its own share of challenges.”

As has been the case over and over again, from   Oklahoma City   to   Oslo   to Christchurch, “small groups of people” committed to the white nationalist cause can and have enacted horrific violence. Since 2007, the FBI reports that white nationalist and far-right violent attacks   increased   from roughly five incidents per year to 31 in 2017.

And concerns about white nationalist violence, specifically white nationalist “lone wolf”-style perpetrators like in Christchurch or the   2015 Charleston church massacre , have indeed been weighing on federal officials. As   reported   by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in a November 2018 report on far-right extremism:

Today, some in the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and state and local law enforcement agencies have expressed alarm at far-right extremism. The Trump Administration’s counterterrorism strategy, released in October 2018, warned that the United States faces a threat from individuals motivated by types of violent extremism other than radical Islam, “such as racially motivated extremism, animal rights extremism, environmental extremism, sovereign citizen extremism, and militia extremism.” In April 2018, federal authorities charged 57 members of white supremacist organizations with drug trafficking and kidnapping. As U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions remarked following the arrest, “Not only do white supremacist gangs subscribe to a repugnant, hateful ideology, they also engage in significant, organized and violent criminal activity.” He continued that “the Department of Justice has targeted every violent criminal gang member in the United States. The quantities of drugs, guns, and money seized in this case are staggering.”

However, despite federal concerns about white nationalist extremism, the federal funding to counter that extremism   either hasn’t appeared   or in some cases has even been   rescinded by the Trump administration.

Now many experts — and members of Congress — are decrying the   lack of funding   for efforts to counter white nationalist extremism. In a   letter   to the House Appropriations Committee sent April 1, Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) asked for increased funding to combat white nationalist groups, writing, “It is time to take the transnational threat of white supremacist terrorism as seriously as we’ve rightly taken the threat posed by other international terrorist organizations, and to give our law enforcement and intelligence agencies the mandate and resources they need to keep us safe.”

Civil rights groups and religious organizations have also been   pressing the FBI and the Department of Justice   to do more to counter white nationalist extremism.

 
 
 
The Magic 8 Ball
Masters Quiet
1.2.7  The Magic 8 Ball  replied to  lib50 @1.2.2    5 years ago
Look over there at the leftist and pretend all the white nationalist/neo nazi terrorism doesn't exist

like sasquatch, I have never even met a white nationalist.  although I'm sure they exist... never seen one in the wild.

but I have seen thousands upon thousands of leftwingnuts rioting, burning cities, trying to stifle free speech with violence. things like that.

so yepp... no comparison. today's left is much more violent than today's right. 

cheers )

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
1.2.8  seeder  Tessylo  replied to  The Magic 8 Ball @1.2.7    5 years ago

[Removed]

 
 
 
Dismayed Patriot
Professor Quiet
1.2.9  Dismayed Patriot  replied to  The Magic 8 Ball @1.2.7    5 years ago
like sasquatch, I have never even met a white nationalist.  although I'm sure they exist... never seen one in the wild.

I take it you didn't watch any coverage of the Charlottseville marching Nazi's, KKK member, white supremacists and white nationalists? Where one of the right wing extremists rammed their car into a peaceful crowd of protesters murdering one and maiming dozens? If we had such evidence of Sasquatch marching and chanting "Jews will not replace us", I can't imagine how anyone would doubt its existence any longer.

You know I've seen this clever defense where someone just pretends not to even see the offender and act as if the problem doesn't exist. But I have to wonder, why would anyone feel the need to defend white nationalists and white supremacists unless they harbored some of those same sentiments?

 
 
 
The Magic 8 Ball
Masters Quiet
1.2.10  The Magic 8 Ball  replied to  Dismayed Patriot @1.2.9    5 years ago
I take it you didn't watch any coverage of the Charlottseville marching Nazi's, KKK member, white supremacists and white nationalists?

I heard about that.  did not "see it" 

I've seen antifa face to face...  once they touched me.  I took their left shoes from them.

still have those shoes hanging in my tree, I'm weird like that :)

if I ever meet a "white nationalist" I promise to take their right shoes and decorate another tree.

I would also let sasquatch keep his shoes.  

cheers :)

 
 
 
Greg Jones
Professor Participates
1.2.11  Greg Jones  replied to  lib50 @1.2.2    5 years ago

You appear to be in serious denial about the reality of left wing violence.

Widespread white nationalist/neo Nazi terrorism simply doesn't exist in the US.

 
 
 
Greg Jones
Professor Participates
1.2.12  Greg Jones  replied to  Tessylo @1.2.8    5 years ago

How many of those groups have any members? Numbers really matter if they are considered to be "a threat to national security"?

Where is the list of all the alleged terrorist acts and crimes they have committed?

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
1.2.13  seeder  Tessylo  replied to  Greg Jones @1.2.11    5 years ago

You appear to be in serious denial about widespread white nationalist/neo Nazi terrorism

 
 
 
Greg Jones
Professor Participates
1.2.14  Greg Jones  replied to  Dismayed Patriot @1.2.9    5 years ago

Charlottesville is the only recent widely publicized gathering of supposed "white nationalists", who were peacefully demonstrating (their Constitutional right), until they were set upon by left wing thugs.

You have other examples?  The lady being run over was done by just one single deranged fool.

 
 
 
Greg Jones
Professor Participates
1.2.15  Greg Jones  replied to  Tessylo @1.2.13    5 years ago

Then show us some evidence of some of the actual terrorism going on. So far your sources simply say it's a problem and a "threat to national security" That's simply hogwash and a bare assed lie. Why would anyone believe anything Jew hating and anti-Semites like Talaib and Omar say. After all, they call for the destruction of Israel and killing all the Jews. That's what true Muslims do.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
1.2.16  JohnRussell  replied to  Greg Jones @1.2.14    5 years ago
Charlottesville is the only recent widely publicized gathering of supposed "white nationalists", who were peacefully demonstrating (their Constitutional right), until they were set upon by left wing thugs. You have other examples?  The lady being run over was done by just one single deranged fool.

What a sad pile of shit you just typed. They were not "supposed" white nationalists, and they were "peacefully" protesting the civil rights of others.  ("Jews will not replace us") ("Blood and soil").

One of the shortcomings of this site is that we are not allowed to confront people like you. 

 
 
 
Bob Nelson
Professor Guide
1.2.17  Bob Nelson  replied to  Greg Jones @1.2    5 years ago
The hearing comes at a time when white nationalism poses an increasing threat to national security. Really?  How so?

384

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
1.2.18  seeder  Tessylo  replied to  JohnRussell @1.2.16    5 years ago

[deleted

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
1.2.19  seeder  Tessylo  replied to  The Magic 8 Ball @1.2.10    5 years ago

jrSmiley_44_smiley_image.gif jrSmiley_25_smiley_image.gif jrSmiley_88_smiley_image.gif

 
 
 
Ronin2
Professor Quiet
1.2.20  Ronin2  replied to  JohnRussell @1.2.16    5 years ago
What a sad pile of shit you just typed. They were not "supposed" white nationalists, and they were "peacefully" protesting the civil rights of others.  ("Jews will not replace us") ("Blood and soil").

They have first amendment rights like everyone else, no matter how repulsive their message is. They had a permit, and every right to assemble there. Just like Antifa had a permit to assemble in a different part of Charlotte. The two sides were never suppose to meet. Both sides were looking for a fight.

The white nationalists, neo-Nazis, and Ku Klux Klan members protesting today in Charlottesville, Virginia, have an unusual ally behind them: the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

The ACLU is defending the protesters’ right to demonstrate at Emancipation Park in Charlottesville at the site of a controversial statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee that is scheduled to be torn down.

The city of Charlottesville had tried to revoke the protest permit of one of the rally organizers, Jason Kessler. But the ACLU, among others, came to his legal defense, arguing in court that the move was trying to unlawfully restrict his free speech.

US District Court Judge Glen Conrad agreed, ruling on Friday “that Kessler has shown that he will likely prove that the decision to revoke his permit was based on the content of his speech.”

“Kessler’s assertion in this regard is supported by the fact that the city solely revoked his permit but left in place the permits issued to counter-protestors,” Conrad added. The ruling allowed the protests to continue.

Of course the left loves Antifa, even when they hit the wrong target.

It’s been several months since two Marine reservists visiting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were reportedly assaulted by a mob of people associated with the left-leaning group known as antifa.

To date, three people have now been charged with attacking the Marine reservists ― Alejandro Godinez and Luis Torres ― on Nov. 17, 2018.

Tom Keenan and Thomas Massey were arrested in November and charged with aggravated assault and conspiracy. Keenan also faces an ethnic intimidation felony charge. They are still awaiting trial, according to Philadelphia magazine .

Now, a third defendant, Joseph Alcoff, has been hit with a slew of charges from the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

The charges include aggravated assault, ethnic intimidation, conspiracy, theft, terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another, among other charges, according to a court document.

Alcoff is out on $15,000 bail and is scheduled for a formal arraignment on Feb. 11.

The assault against the Marines took place a few blocks from the controversial “We the People Rally,” which allegedly included some members associated with the alt-right.

So stick Antifa in the same category as the altright/NAZIs. 

 
 
 
Perrie Halpern R.A.
Professor Principal
1.2.21  Perrie Halpern R.A.  replied to  The Magic 8 Ball @1.2.10    5 years ago
if I ever meet a "white nationalist" I promise to take their right shoes and decorate another tree.

I've met several neo- Nazis and they chased me down the street and into a store, for taking down one of their flier of hate against Jews and blacks in Queens NY.

Where do I put my shoe?

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
1.2.22  JohnRussell  replied to  Ronin2 @1.2.20    5 years ago

I dont pay a lot of attention to Antifa, they are not any sort of serious factor in American life. They mainly serve the function of allowing racists and Nazis to say "look at them, not us". 

 
 
 
MrFrost
Professor Expert
1.2.23  MrFrost  replied to  Greg Jones @1.2.12    5 years ago
How many of those groups have any members?

How many would it take before you actually have a problem with white nationalists? 

 
 
 
MrFrost
Professor Expert
1.2.24  MrFrost  replied to  Greg Jones @1.2.15    5 years ago
So far your sources simply say it's a problem and a "threat to national security" That's simply hogwash and a bare assed lie.

Much more of a threat to national security than immigrants. 

 
 
 
Dismayed Patriot
Professor Quiet
1.2.25  Dismayed Patriot  replied to  JohnRussell @1.2.22    5 years ago
I dont pay a lot of attention to Antifa, they are not any sort of serious factor in American life.

I've never seen any Antifa in RL, though I've seen some in video and photos. The fact is, I am an anti-fascist, but I have nothing to do with "Antifa". When you take a moment to examine the situation you have "Antifa" coming out in response to the rise in neo-Nazi's, white supremacists and the KKK marching in support of Trump and in defense of their disgusting confederate memorials. What have they done so far? Punched some Nazi's, threw some rocks, destroyed some barriers, all reprehensible things I do not agree with, but relatively minor when compared to right wing inspired violence.

From nearly a dozen black Americans being gunned down in their church while praying, to the doctors shot in the head and clinics bombed, cars rammed into crowds killing and maiming, murdering Jewish Americans in their synagogues, stabbing Muslims on the train, and dozens of other right wing inspired acts of violence and murder. So while I don't condone the reprehensible actions taken by a handful of Antifa members who have caused property damage and a few bloody noses, I'm not going to pretend it's anywhere close to the amount of actual blood on right wing extremists hands.

Besides, without the Nazi's and other right wing fascists rearing their ugly head in the Midwest and the South, there would be no Antifa. The same can't be said of the right wing neo-Nazi's, KKK and other right wing white supremacist groups. They were not formed in response to Antifa, they exist all on their own steeped in hate, ridiculous fantasies of superiority and the bitter anger at what they perceive as "white culture" being under attack.

 
 
 
MrFrost
Professor Expert
1.2.26  MrFrost  replied to  Dismayed Patriot @1.2.25    5 years ago
Besides, without the Nazi's and other right wing fascists rearing their ugly head in the Midwest and the South, there would be no Antifa.

Exactly. 

 
 
 
Dismayed Patriot
Professor Quiet
1.2.27  Dismayed Patriot  replied to  Greg Jones @1.2.14    5 years ago
Charlottesville is the only recent widely publicized gathering of supposed "white nationalists", who were peacefully demonstrating (their Constitutional right), until they were set upon by left wing thugs.

Marching with swastika flags waving intermingled with confederate flags while shouting "Jews will not replace us!" is what you consider "peacefully demonstrating"? So you would have considered all the hateful rhetoric leading up to Kristallnacht "peaceful" but only when they started vandalizing and burning Jewish businesses and synagogues did they cross the line?

And you say "set upon by left wing thugs" but I watched the footage of that day and the next when one of the right wing extremists rammed his car into actual peaceful protesters. I can't imagine how deep my racism and hate would have to be to defend such violence, such blatant anti-Semitism, such vile disgusting white supremacist ideology. I have to believe it would take some challenger deep prejudice and bigotry to stand up and defend Nazis, KKK members and other worthless white supremacists.

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
1.2.28  Trout Giggles  replied to  Dismayed Patriot @1.2.25    5 years ago

I dunno....I think we should have a national "Punch a Nazi in the Nose Day"

 
 
 
lib50
Professor Silent
1.2.29  lib50  replied to  Greg Jones @1.2.11    5 years ago

[deleted]  See Tessy's informative posts.  Then post your proof.

 
 
 
Dismayed Patriot
Professor Quiet
1.2.30  Dismayed Patriot  replied to  MrFrost @1.2.26    5 years ago
Exactly.

Antifa is a symptom of a disease, and that disease is right wing fascism aka white nationalism. However, it appears that those who are infected with the disease can't tell the difference between the disease and the symptoms of the disease. They scream and yell about the 'Antifa" sweats, but refuse to acknowledge that they're sweating because they're sick.

 
 
 
Ronin2
Professor Quiet
1.2.31  Ronin2  replied to  JohnRussell @1.2.22    5 years ago

So, physical violence to stop free speech on view points that the left doesn't agree with is acceptable.

Even the ACLU doesn't agree with you.

Next stop for the Constitution is the paper shredder if the left gets their way.

 
 
 
Bob Nelson
Professor Guide
1.2.32  Bob Nelson  replied to  Trout Giggles @1.2.28    5 years ago
I think we should have a national "Punch a Nazi in the Nose Day"

I second the motion...

 
 
 
MrFrost
Professor Expert
1.2.33  MrFrost  replied to  Greg Jones @1.2.11    5 years ago
You appear to be in serious denial about the reality of left wing violence.

Um, Greg? Looks like you are the one in denial. 

 
 
 
MrFrost
Professor Expert
1.2.34  MrFrost  replied to  Trout Giggles @1.2.28    5 years ago
I think we should have a national "Punch a Nazi in the Nose Day"

I'm all for it, been a while since I have been arrested. 

 
 
 
Krishna
Professor Expert
1.2.35  Krishna  replied to  Ronin2 @1.2.20    5 years ago
The white nationalists, neo-Nazis, and Ku Klux Klan members protesting today in Charlottesville, Virginia, have an unusual ally behind them: the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

This is nothing new.

In fact there was a rather famous related incident a while back:

In 1978, the ACLU took a controversial stand for free speech by defending a neo-Nazi group that wanted to march through the Chicago suburb of Skokie , where many Holocaust survivors lived. The notoriety of the case caused some ACLU members to resign, but to many others the case has come to represent the ACLU's unwavering commitment to principle. (cont'd)

Some very interesting issues-- here's another excellent article (from a book summary) on the subject: 

When the Nazis Came to Skokie - Freedom for Speech We Hate

While the ACLU did win the case, it was a costly victory-30,000 of its members left the organization. And in the end, ironically, the Nazis never did march in Skokie.

Forcefully argued, Strum's book shows that freedom of speech must be defended even when the beneficiaries of that defense are far from admirable individuals. It raises both constitutional and moral issues critical to our understanding of free speech and carries important lessons for current controversies over hate speech on college campuses, inviting readers to think more carefully about what the First Amendment really means. (Read it all)

 
 
 
Greg Jones
Professor Participates
1.2.36  Greg Jones  replied to  Bob Nelson @1.2.17    5 years ago

You can't answer it, because you know it's not true. Give us chapter and verse and links and sources that support what you say.

More left wing made up propaganda.

 
 
 
Bob Nelson
Professor Guide
1.2.37  Bob Nelson  replied to  Greg Jones @1.2.36    5 years ago

A murdered woman isn't proof enough?

How many dead people do you need?

 
 
 
The Magic 8 Ball
Masters Quiet
1.2.38  The Magic 8 Ball  replied to  Ronin2 @1.2.31    5 years ago
So, physical violence to stop free speech on view points that the left doesn't agree with is acceptable

of course it is... to the left.

only the left gets free speech. dija not know that?

what's funny is they silence opposing thought and then 5 minutes later claim to be patriots who support our constitution and the bill of rights. when in reality they are just emotionally challenged posers.

 
 
 
The Magic 8 Ball
Masters Quiet
1.2.39  The Magic 8 Ball  replied to  Perrie Halpern R.A. @1.2.21    5 years ago
I've met several neo- Nazis and they chased me down the street and into a store, for taking down one of their flier of hate

I dont support white nationalists.

but I do support the 1st amendment even when I do not like what is being said.

when one tries to silence others freespeech they get what they deserve.

cheers :)

 
 
 
The Magic 8 Ball
Masters Quiet
1.2.40  The Magic 8 Ball  replied to  Dismayed Patriot @1.2.30    5 years ago
Antifa is a symptom of a disease, and that disease is

... called liberalism.

the good news for most of the inflicted is the virus burns out over time as they grow up.

cheers )

 
 
 
Dismayed Patriot
Professor Quiet
1.2.41  Dismayed Patriot  replied to  The Magic 8 Ball @1.2.40    5 years ago
... called liberalism.

Nice try, but I had it right the first time. Your lame attempt to hijack my comment just shows how sad and petty the right wing has become. White nationalists and white supremacists are no better than necrophiliac pedophiles and should be treated as such. They don't deserve the protections that are paid for by our diverse citizenry and should all just move to Siberia where they would be appreciated by their fascist hero Putin.

 
 
 
The Magic 8 Ball
Masters Quiet
1.2.42  The Magic 8 Ball  replied to  Dismayed Patriot @1.2.41    5 years ago
but I had it right the first time.

no, actually you had it backwards.

you are gaslighting yourself.

liberalism combined with full blown TDS has that effect on its victims... 

but don't fret none about it. all related ailments are covered by obamacare

cheers :)

 
 
 
Dismayed Patriot
Professor Quiet
1.2.43  Dismayed Patriot  replied to  The Magic 8 Ball @1.2.42    5 years ago
you are gaslighting yourself

So I'm intentionally manipulating my reality in an effort to make me think I'm crazy? Sure, sure, you keep telling yourself whatever you have to if you're so determined to defend white supremacists and white nationalist scum. Neither I nor anyone else is "gaslighting" me. Trump however, has done a masterful job of gaslighting his sycophant followers, manipulating them to believe insane conspiracy theories and his thousands of lies.

 
 
 
lib50
Professor Silent
1.2.44  lib50  replied to  The Magic 8 Ball @1.2.42    5 years ago

Get back to us when we ask for a birth certificate.  Otherwise quitcherbitchen.  And since Trumpers got the power, they are doing their best to screw up healthcare for as many Americans as possible.   The secret is out, Obamacare was good and Americans don't want it repealed.  This is one of my personal recent favorites:

Obamacare is more popular with American voters than the Republican-enacted tax cuts, according to a new Fox News Poll.

Slightly more than half of voters – 51 percent – had a favorable opinion of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare.

In contrast, only 40 percent of voters had a favorable view of the 2017 tax cuts championed by congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump, according to the Aug. 19-21 poll of more than 1,000 registered voters. The poll has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

 
 
 
Dulay
Professor Expert
1.2.45  Dulay  replied to  Greg Jones @1.2    5 years ago
Really?  How so? In what way? And to what extent?  What alleged crimes have they committed?
Groups like Antifa, BLM, and white liberals and their SJW buddies are responsible for most of the violent demonstrations and acts that could be labeled terrorist in this country.
Almost all the mass shooters in the US have been left leaners and democrats

Blah, blah, blah.

As a member here, how can you be that uninformed? 

The only place you hear about this alleged problem is on left leaning forums like this one. The usual suspects spreading hate and misinformation. I sure wouldn't put too much trust in rabble rousers and haters like Omar and Tlaib.

Actually, if you had actually listened to the fucking hearing, instead of pontificating on it,  you would know that white supremacist violence, including mass murders was part of the hearing and it's dangers were acknowledged by Trump administration officials. 

 
 
 
Bob Nelson
Professor Guide
1.2.46  Bob Nelson  replied to  Dulay @1.2.45    5 years ago

The only way to remain ignorant on NT is to purposefully ignore reality. We have all the facts anyone needs... but also all the misinformation required to allow someone who does not want to know, to remain ignorant.

Each of us chooses...

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
1.2.47  seeder  Tessylo  replied to  The Magic 8 Ball @1.2.39    5 years ago
'but I do support the 1st amendment even when I do not like what is being said.'

But you don't have a problem with Ms. Tlaib receiving death threats, like you and others denying white extremists should be prosecuted as terrorists.  Like you and others denying these incidents happen by white extremists/neo-nazis.  

Got it!

 
 
 
Bob Nelson
Professor Guide
1.2.48  Bob Nelson  replied to  Tessylo @1.2.47    5 years ago

"Free Speech"

Hate Speech

 
 
 
Ronin2
Professor Quiet
1.2.49  Ronin2  replied to  Dismayed Patriot @1.2.30    5 years ago

Antifa is a disease, it is just a left wing disease- so the left pretend it is not there.

Leave it to the left to back a violent organization that tries to block free speech.

More proof that they attack more than fascism.

Lovely heroes the left has these days.

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
1.2.50  seeder  Tessylo  replied to  Ronin2 @1.2.49    5 years ago

The denial is strong among the 'president's' supporters.  

 
 
 
evilone
Professor Guide
1.2.51  evilone  replied to  Ronin2 @1.2.49    5 years ago
Antifa is a disease...

Anifa is a direct result and in response to the rise of the Alt+Reich. Anyone committing violence and property destruction should be reported, prosecuted and punished. Anyone advocating for such should also be reported, prosecuted and punished. Anyone harassing others, whether in person or online, should be also be subject to punishment. Violence, hate and bigotry should NOT be tolerated nor be shielded by the 1st Amendment. It is one thing to advocate one's values - it is totally a separate thing to promote the hatred of someone else's.

More proof that they attack more than fascism.

If you want to equate the number of people killed by fascist in the US in just the last decade to a few fist fights that's on you. I've already listed (at least twice here) the body count of fascism in the US since 2014. You're tactic refusal to acknowledge it makes it perfectly obvious you condone that violence. 

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
1.2.52  seeder  Tessylo  replied to  evilone @1.2.51    5 years ago

'If you want to equate the number of people killed by fascist in the US in just the last decade to a few fist fights that's on you. I've already listed (at least twice here) the body count of fascism in the US since 2014. You're tactic refusal to acknowledge it makes it perfectly obvious you condone that violence.'

jrSmiley_13_smiley_image.gif

Same as any others here and elsewhere who refuse to acknowledge this is happening.   

 
 
 
evilone
Professor Guide
1.2.53  evilone  replied to  Tessylo @1.2.52    5 years ago
Same as any others here and elsewhere who refuse to acknowledge this is happening. 

When Representative Justin Amash spoke out against Trump after the Mueller report was released he got trashed by conservatives across the country. He was one of the builders of the House Freedom Caucus and now will most likely lose his job next year. I don't agree with much of his politics, but at least he stands up for the values he espouses and has the balls to denounce those that don't. The conservative tent is going to get smaller and smaller as we ramp up to the 2020 primary season.

 
 
 
Dismayed Patriot
Professor Quiet
1.2.54  Dismayed Patriot  replied to  Ronin2 @1.2.49    5 years ago
so the left pretend it is not there.

Did it sound at all like I or anyone else is denying that antifa exists? 

"What have they done so far? Punched some Nazi's, threw some rocks, destroyed some barriers, all reprehensible things I do not agree with, but relatively minor when compared to right wing inspired violence."

When have I heard a single one of the white nationalist right wing violence defenders condemn right wing violence? All I hear are comments like "(The Nazi's) have first amendment rights like everyone else, no matter how repulsive their message is. They had a permit, and every right to assemble there". Just defend, deflect, dodge, whatever it takes to protect the sniveling worthless white supremacists who murder innocents, blow up clinics, assassinate doctors and ram their vehicles into crowds of innocent peaceful protesters. I have only one message for such folk, fuck you and the slimy piece of shit you rode in on. Get the fuck out of our county, you do not belong here, you are a bile stain on our nation and should be excised like the cancer you are.

 
 
 
Ronin2
Professor Quiet
1.2.55  Ronin2  replied to  Dismayed Patriot @1.2.54    5 years ago
"What have they done so far? Punched some Nazi's, threw some rocks, destroyed some barriers,all reprehensible things I do not agree with, but relatively minor when compared to right wing inspired violence."

Seems you can't read. They have attacked innocent marines (both latinos) because their sight seeing took them too close to an Antifa protest. They have attacked police and reporters.  They have obstructed traffic. They are not just "anti fascist".

All I hear are comments like "(The Nazi's)have first amendment rights like everyone else, no matter how repulsive their message is. They had a permit, and every right to assemble there".

They do have first amendment rights no matter how badly the left want to restrict them. If they follow the law when holding rallies and protests then they are protected.

Just defend, deflect, dodge, whatever it takes to protect the sniveling worthless white supremacists who murder innocents, blow up clinics, assassinate doctors and ram their vehicles into crowds of innocent peaceful protesters. 

Who is defending anyone that is breaking the law? Point them out. Except the left with Antifa that is. White supremacists break the law they deserve to be processed to the full extent of it. No one is protecting them. But we are talking about free speech and right to peaceful assembly; and you just moved the goal posts.

I could give a fuck if Antifa wants to hold protests and follow the laws; but they don't. They are looking for a fight and media publicity to swell their numbers. The white supremacists are doing the exact same. They love Antifa, because they bring extra media coverage. That gives white supremacists much more relevance than they have had in a very long time.

I have only one message for such folk, fuck you and the slimy piece of shit you rode in on. Get the fuck out of our county, you do not belong here, you are a bile stain on our nation and should be excised like the cancer you are.

So now the left want to be arbiters of which US citizens are allowed to remain? Bet you would be upset if a bunch of right wingers wanted to exile every last Antifa, BLM, Black Muslim, Black Panther, or gang member- even if they never broke the law. 

 
 
 
Don Overton
Sophomore Quiet
1.2.56  Don Overton  replied to  The Magic 8 Ball @1.2.1    5 years ago

Lie

 
 
 
Don Overton
Sophomore Quiet
1.2.57  Don Overton  replied to  Greg Jones @1.2.14    5 years ago

another lie

 
 
 
Don Overton
Sophomore Quiet
1.2.58  Don Overton  replied to  Greg Jones @1.2.15    5 years ago

[deleted]

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
1.2.59  Jack_TX  replied to  Ronin2 @1.2.55    5 years ago
They are looking for a fight and media publicity to swell their numbers. The white supremacists are doing the exact same. They love Antifa, because they bring extra media coverage. That gives white supremacists much more relevance than they have had in a very long time.

It's a shame more people don't understand this.  

So now the left want to be arbiters of which US citizens are allowed to remain? Bet you would be upset if a bunch of right wingers wanted to exile every last Antifa, BLM, Black Muslim, Black Panther, or gang member- even if they never broke the law. 

I think the danger here is to mistake irrational and emotional ranting for policy proposal.

 
 
 
Dismayed Patriot
Professor Quiet
1.2.60  Dismayed Patriot  replied to  Ronin2 @1.2.55    5 years ago
Seems you can't read. They have attacked innocent marines (both latinos) because their sight seeing took them too close to an Antifa protest. They have attacked police and reporters.

Seems you can't read even though you just quoted me saying "all reprehensible things I do not agree with".

"Who is defending anyone that is breaking the law?"

You apparently are.

"So now the left want to be arbiters of which US citizens are allowed to remain?"

No, I specifically limited my comment to:

"worthless white supremacists who murder innocents, blow up clinics, assassinate doctors and ram their vehicles into crowds of innocent peaceful protesters. I have only one message for such folk..."

"They do have first amendment rights no matter how badly the left want to restrict them."

I don't mind if they have a self-inflated ego based on their race or faith, that's their choice, but when they march in the streets chanting "Jews will not replace us!" I have to ask how you and other religious conservatives would have reacted if it was a mob of Muslims marching with tiki torches shouting "Christians shall not replace us!" while carrying Iranian State flags or ISIS flags through the streets of Charlottesville. Would you be stepping up saying "Well, they do have first amendment rights no matter how badly the right want to restrict them."? Might that not be seen by some as inciting violence against Christians? Ginning up hate and fear? And how would you all be reacting if the following day one of the Muslims from the mob rammed their car into the crowd of peaceful Christian protesters killing one and maiming dozens, would you still be defending the mob at large?

 
 
 
The Magic 8 Ball
Masters Quiet
1.2.61  The Magic 8 Ball  replied to  Bob Nelson @1.2.48    5 years ago
"Free Speech" Hate Speech

free speech is a bitch like that.

  free speech is the right to piss people off and bitch about anything we hate.

IE: globalism, socialism, communism, progressivism. liberalism

anyone who tries to limit or control that speech simply cannot be trusted.

cheers :)

 
 
 
The Magic 8 Ball
Masters Quiet
1.2.62  The Magic 8 Ball  replied to  Don Overton @1.2.56    5 years ago

[deleted]

 
 
 
Thrawn 31
Professor Guide
2  Thrawn 31    5 years ago

Agree 100%. They are terrorists pure and simple and need to be labeled as such.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
3  Vic Eldred    5 years ago

[deleted]

 
 
 
The Magic 8 Ball
Masters Quiet
3.1  The Magic 8 Ball  replied to  Vic Eldred @3    5 years ago

deleted for context

 

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
4  seeder  Tessylo    5 years ago

Jussie Smollett has nothing to do with this whatsoever.  

 
 
 
luther28
Sophomore Silent
5  luther28    5 years ago

Cutting to the chase, hate in all its forms should be decried, regardless of who may be mouthing the words.

There is no left or right hate, only hate.

 
 

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