Hate in the Mainstream

[walksalone11]

Intelligence Report, Spring 2011, Issue Number:  141
http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2011/spring/hate-in-the-mainstream

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"They're eating away at the foundation of American liberty, of American freedom."
— South Carolina State Sen. LARRY GROOMS (R), quoted in an Aug. 8 McClatchy Newspapers article comparing illegal immigrants to termites

"The deep, dark, dirty secret of Islam: It is a religion that promotes pedophilia — sex with children."
— First Baptist Church of Dallas pastor ROBERT JEFFRESS, in an Aug. 22 service called "Ask the Pastor"

"I hope all the queers are thrilled to see him. I am sure there will be a couple legislative fruitloops there in the audience."
— North Carolina State Rep. LARRY BROWN, in an E-mail sent to dozens of fellow Republican legislators Sept. 27, after learning Democratic House Speaker Joe Hackney was getting an award from a gay-rights group

"How is it for that for decades there were no bedbugs to speak of in New York City or anywhere else in America? … Is it a result of massive, massive waves of immigration from the Third World?"
— Host MICHAEL SAVAGE, on the Dec. 1 edition of Talk Radio Network's "The Savage Nation"

"Congress, the White House and Hollywood, Wall Street, are owned by the Zionists. No question, in my opinion."
— HELEN THOMAS, in a Dec. 2 speech given six months after the legendary UPI journalist resigned following other remarks widely criticized as anti-Semitic

"If God has changed his mind, he must want the West to die."
— Family Research Institute chief PAUL CAMERON, in a Dec. 3 interview with The [Colorado Springs, Colo.] Gazette, suggesting God agrees with his condemnation of homosexuality

"We have only one blue-eyed bomber and that was Timothy McVeigh. And he wasn't flying."
— U.S. Rep. STEVE KING (R-Iowa), in a Dec. 6 interview with the online Right Side News, discussing the purported advantages of profiling air travelers

"Both Harvard and Yale do have a lesbian, transgender, gay, bisexual department… . I don't know what you have to do to get a degree in those studies."
— RUSH LIMBAUGH, on the Dec. 21 edition of Premiere Radio Network's "The Rush Limbaugh Show," following the repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on gays

Quotes on this page were compiled from media accounts, web pages, e-mail groups and Media Matters for America, a website that monitors the far right.

[foreverinlove05]

i'm really not even sure what to say about this, i'd expect something like that from rush limbaugh, surprised people still like him though some people would think that he's funny or something.

[amyrouse]

The Southern Poverty Law Center Hate Watch site is my favorite and Morris Dees is my hero.   

It still astounds me to see things like this, though.

[shernajwine]

Wow. People really amaze me with their ignorance.

[walksalone11]

  I wonder why it is that for the typical person, someone in the mainstream that the typical person shares views with can say absolutely ANYTHING they want (and they can be as mean & hateful as they want about it) and it's absolutely OK with that typical person.  However, turn the tables and have someone in the mainstream use their freedom of speech and if the typical person DOESN'T share views with them, then it's ok for the typical person(s) to say THAT is "hate in the mainstream".  I couldn't help but notice those labeled here as being the "hate in the mainstream" are republicans, pastors & radio talk show hosts.  I'm not saying I agree with what they've said, only that it's unfair to post a quote from someone without all the details as to why it was said.  It's taking their words "out-of-context".  Regardless of whether their remarks were correct or not when put in their correct context---  I'm quite sure I could flip the tables and post quotes from democrats, those of no particular religious faiths and talk show hosts and show how they too are "hate-in-the-mainstream" because there's always 2 sides to every coin.

Sheryl, it would be an asset to this thread if you would post quotes from the groups you mentioned. I think it is important to know how the people who expect our respect, really believe.

Wrong is wrong is wrong, regardless of who does/says it or in what context.

[shernajwine]

I see what you're saying Sheryl, and I agree walks.

Furthermore it's sad when public figures say things it is taken to represent all people of the same cloth. If a black man in congress says he hates white people, it doesn't represent all black people. There are a many idiot Pastors and preachers and evangelists in the world but they sure as heck don't represent me or my church. And I'm sure many others would say the same.

It's sad that people have these hate issues no matter what side of the coin they are on. I have heard some pretty hateful comments from democrats, I have read hateful comments from people in this forum but it promises tragedy to hold one mans opinion as the whole of their kind.

[Falconer02]

Oh, hey! Rush Limbaugh is on that list. Thus proving my point yet again that he is a lying ignorant foolish *bleep*. Please tell me why he has fans?

[amyrouse]

I have to agree with you, Sheryl, that taking quotes out of context is wrong.  There is hate that issues from all sides.

I urge you, though, to check out the website Walks posted in the original post.  The Southern Poverty Law Center tracks hate groups and are one of the most fair resources I have found on the web when it comes to these things.  Their intelligence report is one of the things I look to each year when it is posted. 

There are people and groups that are known for their hate in the mainstream, and they should be labeled as such.  I have no interest in being "PC" when it comes to that.  Hate in all forms should not be tolerated.

[shernajwine]

it's just too bad more people don't choose their words more carefully.  Words matter, I think they need to be chosen much more carefully than they oftentimes are.

Well said.

[mh874892]

  Rush

[sdecaro558]

Far more disconcerting to me are the comments I hear from family members, coworkers, and certain friends in which I detect the blatant hatred of Islam and of other groups completely undeserving of it.