Watch Live: Congressional Hearing on IRS Scandal

Live Now on TheBlaze Radio: ‘The Buck Sexton Show’

Media

Do You Count As an Extremist ‘Patriot’? A Closer Look at the SPLC Report

Mar. 6, 2013 5:30pm Mytheos Holt

UPDATE: Glenn Beck discussed the Southern Poverty Law Center’s report on radical “patriot” groups on his show on TheBlaze TV Wednesday. Watch below:

–

Today’s report by the left-leaning Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) claiming that anti-government, radical “patriot” groups are on the rise has sparked an avalanche of “I Told You So” comments from the left. There’s also been a great deal of consternation among conservatives, especially as regards to the SPLC’s assertion that concern over gun rights is a mark of “patriot” groups, and the persistent terminological position of the SPLC that the groups in question count as “far right.”

To be sure, the group’s report is worded in a bizarre fashion, and includes several passages that could be easily denounced as partisan. This one in particular sticks out:

Even before the Dec. 14 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, gun and ammunition sales shot up in the wake of the re-election of the country’s first black president, the result of shrill conspiracy theories about Obama’s secret plans to confiscate Americans’ guns. When the killings actually did spark gun control efforts that clearly had not been in the Obama administration’s plans, the reaction on the political right was so harsh that it seemed to border on hysteria.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) proposed a law that would nullify any executive gun control actions by Obama, accusing the president of having a “king complex.” U.S. Rep. Trey Radel (R-Fla.) said the president could be impeached for those actions. State lawmakers in Arizona, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee proposed laws that sought to prevent federal gun control from applying to their states.

Richard Mack, a former Arizona sheriff who sued the Clinton administration over the Brady Bill’s imposition of background checks on gun buyers, claimed that of 200 sheriffs he’d met with, most “have said they would lay down their lives first rather than allow any more federal control.” Matt Barber of the anti-gay Liberty Counsel said he feared that the nation, which he described as already on the brink of civil unrest, was headed for “a second civil war.” “Freedom ends. Tyranny begins,” tweeted Fox News Radio host Todd Starnes. “Get ready,” TeaParty.org said. “Right now government gun grabbing plans are being covertly organized.”

Those reading this passage could easily be led to think that any Republican who agrees with Rand Paul or Fox News about the prospect of “tyranny” overtaking gun rights is, by the SPLC’s definition, an extremist “Patriot.” Certainly it is plausible that the SPLC means to impugn figures such as Senator Paul or Fox News’ Todd Starnes by showing them expressing sentiments associated with such a group, but as to whether either of these men (or the legislators/officials mentioned above) are actually meant to be seen as members of the “patriot” movement? That is far less clear.

To try to understand what the SPLC report actually means, we took a look at their other literature so as to understand what they mean by extremist “patriot” groups, who counts, and why. The answers we found may surprise you.

What is the “patriot” movement?

Contrary to what you might think the “patriot” movement as defined by the SPLC does not refer to every person who self-identifies as a patriot, or as patriotic. Rather, it applies to a very specific sect of people who might be more accurately characterized as militant conspiracy theorists with a survivalist streak. From the SPLC’s definition:

Generally, Patriot groups define themselves as opposed to the “New World Order,” engage in groundless conspiracy theorizing, or advocate or adhere to extreme antigovernment doctrines. Antigovernment groups do not necessarily advocate or engage in violence or other criminal activities, though some have. Many warn of impending government violence or the need to prepare for a coming revolution. Many antigovernment groups are not racist.

Some public figures who SPLC associates with the “patriot” movement include former Constitution Party Presidential candidate Chuck Baldwin, radio host Alex Jones and Joseph Farah, publisher of WorldNetDaily. Other, more mainstream Tea Party figures like Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, etc don’t even have profiles on SPLC’s website, and their names are not mentioned in the article on the Patriot movement (though some are mentioned in separate articles as mainstream sources of inspiration for extremists, if not extremists themselves). Indeed, the closest SPLC gets to impugning any of the above figures directly through the “patriot” movement is in this passage on that movement’s beliefs about Agenda 21:

A particularly prominent conspiracy in the antigovernment movement is that the United Nations, which is usually seen as spearheading the “New World Order,” is imposing a global plan, called Agenda 21, to take away citizens’ property rights. There is a UN program with that name to develop sustainable communities across the globe. Agenda 21 was agreed to by political leaders from dozens of countries, including the first President Bush. But in typical fashion, these antigovernment activists have twisted it into a global conspiracy.

Still, the definition of a member of the “patriot” movement invokes more than simple patriotism or conservative beliefs. According to SPLC, it requires a belief in a conspiracy theory concerning the “New World Order.” This may describe some conservatives, but it is not an inherently conservative belief. Peter Joseph, author of the Zeitgeist conspiracy theory, pretty clearly identifies as being on the left, and yet he believes the New World Order exists, albeit he refuses to use the term, and conceptualizes it differently from other figures:

As to the definition of “patriots” as right-wing, or part of the hard-right, SPLC’s definition of who is on the “right” is rather unconventional. For instance, they describe the New Black Panther Party as part of the “Radical Right” in spite of the fact that conservatives revile the group. What this suggests is that when the SPLC uses these loaded terms, they are either unintentionally using terminology in a different way from most people, or intentionally using terms that will spur controversy, without actually meaning what their critics assume.

Who counts as a “patriot?”

To get a greater sense of the SPLC’s idea of who the “patriot” movement is, we took a look at their list of organizations that count as “patriot” organizations, issued with their report saying the list had grown. While many of the groups we found did not surprise us – most of them are state or local entities, with citizen militias being vastly overrepresented – one or two inclusions and omissions were surprising.

Firstly, despite the SPLC’s thinly veiled guilt by association in their report, which ties mainstream Tea Party figures like Rand Paul to “patriot” ideology, the list of organizations who count as “patriot” groups includes no national Tea Party organizations. In fact, only two local “Tea Parties” make the list, those being the Berks County Tea Party in Pennsylvania, and the Southeast Valley Tea Party Patriots in Arizona. Both of these groups are listed on the Tea Party Patriots website, but the popular group Tea Party Patriots itself is not listed, suggesting that something specific is involved with these two particular local entities, rather than with Tea Partiers as a whole. To find out what, we took a look at the two groups’ websites.

The Berks County Tea Party Patriots’ website is a fairly nondescript affair, but one thing sticks out that might have set the SPLC’s teeth on edge – specifically, the existence of something called the “Sheriff Brigade.” What this refers to exactly is unclear, though given that another section of the site links to nullification documents submitted on behalf of this entity, it seems fairly clear what caused the “patriots” label to be applied in this case: specifically, unconventional theories about Federal power, and a semi-paramilitary orientation implied by the “Sheriff Brigade.”

As to the Southeast Valley Tea Party Patriots, their website offers precious few clues at first glance. Indeed, the only trace of conspiratorial thinking we could find was a series of workshops on “ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT” that were apparently held earlier this year. From the group’s “Education” page:

The Schedule of Educational Presentations:

Jan. 4 – The Federalist & Anti-Federalists – Part 3 (final)

Jan. 11 – Gun Control, Safety & the 2nd. Amendment

Jan. 18 – Speaker: Ann Tracy, PHD. Drug Awareness – How the gov’t. is classifying certain medications and then reduces your liberty.

Jan. 25 – ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT – It’s Origins – Part 1

Feb. 1 – Speaker : Mr. Tom Jenney, AZ Director for Americans for Prosperity – AZ Budget and Taxes

Feb. 8 – Crisis in Egypt

Feb. 15 – ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT – Part 2 -

In this case, the conspiracy theory is probably what got the tag of being a “patriot” group.

As to the other groups represented as “patriot” organizations, they almost all appear to count either because they have paramilitary elements (as in the case of the Oath Keepers) or because they traffic in libertarian theories supporting nullification and/or more extensive forms of states’ rights law than are previously permitted. Probably the most mainstream group represented in this latter category is the Tenth Amendment Center, which focuses almost entirely on issues of state sovereignty, though their site appears to not include any mention of conspiracy theories, which raises the question of why they were included.

Still, most of the groups involved have either trafficked in some form of discredited conspiracy theory (the John Birch Society, Infowars), encourage paramilitary resistance to the government (the Oath Keepers, militias), or invoke constitutional theories not presently recognized by the court system. In other words, the definition is fairly consistent with who is on the list.

Who cares?

However, this in itself raises an important issue: Why is the Southern Poverty Law Center, a group dedicated (in its own words) to “fighting hate and bigotry, and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society,” doing researching groups like this? The obvious answer would be that these groups tend to correlate with hate group membership, or that their members are violent enough that it makes no difference, or that the groups are criminal. However, the SPLC’s own definition of “Patriot” groups undercuts precisely that argument. Consider these passages (emphasis added):

Antigovernment groups do not necessarily advocate or engage in violence or other criminal activities, though some have. Many warn of impending government violence or the need to prepare for a coming revolution. Many antigovernment groups are not racist.[...]

The sovereign citizens movement is rooted in racism and anti-Semitism, though most sovereigns, many of whom are African American, are unaware of their beliefs’ origins. In the early 1980s, the sovereign citizens movement attracted primarily white supremacists and anti-Semites, mainly because sovereign theories originated in groups that saw Jews as working behind the scenes to manipulate financial institutions and control the government. Most early sovereigns, and some of those who are still on the scene, believed that being white was a prerequisite to becoming a sovereign citizen. They argued that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which guaranteed citizenship to African Americans and everyone else born on U.S. soil, also made black Americans permanently subject to federal and state governments, unlike themselves.

The problem should be obvious – if these groups aren’t necessarily racist, criminal, or even violent, why is the SPLC treating them as equivalent to hate groups? Indeed, what is it, apart from arguably believing in controversial ideas, that makes such groups objectionable at all? There is no obvious answer, but it appears that the SPLC regards antigovernment thinking as itself a flaw on par with (though perhaps not quite equal to) racism, sexism or homophobia. Calls to the SPLC about this apparent belief have gone unanswered. This passage from today’s report, however, strongly implies it:

Polling after the election showed how broad antipathy toward President Obama remained in a deeply polarized America. A Public Policy Poll survey found that 49% of all Republicans believed that ACORN — a community organizing group that went belly up in 2010 after attacks from the far right — had stolen the election from Mitt Romney. A quarter of GOP members in the same poll favored secession. A January 2013 poll from Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind project found that 36% of all Americans still don’t believe Obama is a citizen, despite the 2011 release of the president’s “long-form” birth certificate.

As they did in 2008 and 2009, groups on the radical right clearly benefited from that antipathy. “Since Obama’s first term, our numbers have doubled and now we’re headed to a second term, it’s going to triple,” one Virginia Klansman told WTVR-TV in Richmond. Daniel Miller, president of the secessionist Texas National Movement, said that his membership shot up 400% after Obama’s re-election. White News Now, a website run by white supremacist Jamie Kelso, said that it had had “an incredible year” in the run-up to the vote, reaching more people than ever.

However, there is an upside, which is that while the SPLC’s report does target conspiracy theorists and militants explicitly, it is not meant as an attack on all conservatives, libertarians, or indeed on the vast majority of those who identify as being on the political right. It is, rather, simply a list of admittedly fringe groups with fringe beliefs who may be eccentric, but as of yet are not demonstrably dangerous, and whose beliefs do not represent a majority of Americans, whatever the SPLC’s report might imply.

The most dangerous thing about the SPLC’s report, therefore, is not their findings, but rather the fact that, in associating this fringe group with mainstream figures and a particular political ideology, it seeks to tar them with the same brush.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (145)

AUsername
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:23pm
SPLC seems to be another hate whitey group so they shouldn’t be taken seriously and also the owners of it don’t like American ideals.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- ruthleviticus
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:17pm
  @Ausername, you are right on. And another thing, you can’t worship socialism and the Bible. Here’s a Youtube video I love about Jesus being the one true Patriot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9URWnMWijm0
  
  Report this comment
- PubliusPencilman
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:22pm
  American ideals? Like protecting equal rights and civil rights for all? How exactly is the SPLC against American ideals?
  
  Report this comment
- Stoic one
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:45pm
  I took it to be: “You are bad if you disagree with us”
  
  Report this comment
- bonesiii
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:45pm
  Dear members and followers of the Southbound Poor-brain Liberalism Center:
  
  There is by definition no such thing as an “extreme” patriot. “Extremists” can only be liberals/progressives/whatever other fake labels they try to pass off on us. Translation: Only liberals can be extreme in a country founded on principles of freedom. And when you’re that extreme, the normal people seem extreme from your perspective. But that doesn’t make it true.
  
  We seek policies that lead to REAL peace, like responsible self-defense. Extremists are those who try to rob people of their ability to fend off attackers — liberals are the useful idiot pawns of criminals everywhere, and tyrants for that matter.
  
  We have the right and responsibility to protect ourselves against America’s first wannabe tyrant president (okay, first that is this extreme, anyways). He could be black, and his entire administration could be filled with blacks, and we STILL have the duty to defend ourselves.
  
  If someone tries to enslave you, do you say “Oh, he’s black, so I won’t object”? What if a black man tries to kill you? Do you let him because of his skin color? Come on. Nobody cares about skin color anymore. Grow up.
  
  Report this comment
- Obama_In_PeePee_By_Zee_ArTeest_Beck
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 8:17pm
  “Do You Count As an Extremist ‘Patriot’? A Closer Look at the SPLC Report … Generally, Patriot groups define themselves as opposed to the ‘New World Order’, engage in groundless [sic] conspiracy theorizing, or advocate or adhere to extreme [sic] antigovernment doctrines.”
  
  So the anti-American, anti-Liberty, anti-God, anti-family, anti-morals communists are going to “define” Americans, are they? It would be entirely laughable if it wasn’t deadly dangerous — they have a plan of ACTION and your RE-ACTION, so THEY become “the man” and YOU become “the radicals”:
  
  “THE OVERTHROW OF THE U.S.A.! :: Glenn Beck WHISTLE-BLOWER Obama’s Marxists Revolution Plot!!”
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5-3nliEsAY
  
  Report this comment
- Trigus
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 8:25pm
  Please, let these idiots classify us as Extreme Patriots. I love the tag – probably took them 4 years to come up with this label that will differently backfire on them. I love when idiots try to come up with a derogatory tag or label for a group of people.
  
  Report this comment
- Hillbillybone
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 8:26pm
  Well said Bones III
  
  Report this comment
- Mil-Dot
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 8:32pm
  So the Blaze flattened my post about the Oathkeepers having a two-tiered membership system huh? I guess when the truth hits close to home you get smashed. The FACT is that when I joined OK a couple of years ago they had full membership, reserved only for active duty military, police and (for God’s sake) firefighters only. Not that firefighters are bad guys, but to count on them to pull the trigger is a joke. They pull fire hoses. They are no more capable than any regular Joe that hunts or shoots. That was my beef with them, but when I complained, they laughed it off. So again, here is my question. Is everybody equal in OK or are the “nons” relegated to “cheerleader” status only-not kept in the loop like the “real” OKs? Please answer my question. Anybody? Thanks.
  
  Report this comment
- Al Gator
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 8:41pm
  Ausername,
  
  Don’t take this wrong, not a criticism. Been a Bircher going on 40 years. Now sit down, and hold on tight. SPLC has absolutely NO political philosophy. NONE. They are NOT leftists. They are NOT ANYTHING.
  
  So, what are they REALLY? They are SCAM ARTISTS NO BETTER THAN BERNIE MADOFF.
  
  Morris “the Sleaze” Dees and his sidekick Potok were into all kinds of scams years and years ago. I think they got investigated for stock scams and investment scams and the such.
  
  They figured out that they were going to do TIME if they kept on that path. So one day, they had a BRAIN FART. They took their lists of old Jewish “investors,” and sent letters to them scaring the living hell out them by promising that the KKK was BACK IN BUSINESS and coming to send them to the gas chambers.
  
  Well hell, the scam paid off in BUNDLES. Even the “Sleaze” was surprised at the fountainhead he stumbled across.
  
  And so it goes. Every time his coffers run low, he invents a new “boogieman” to scare old Jewish people to death with.
  
  These clowns are criminal snake oil salesmen of the worst sort.
  
  I post this so that you understand what you are really up against. Going off on a side track distracts you from the real battle.
  
  Sun Tzu: “Know yourself. Know your enemy as well as you know yourself. In a thousand battles, you will have a thousand victories.”
  
  Report this comment
- Saving_the_Republic.com
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 9:56pm
  Who made SPLC God to have final say on hate groups? Where is the counter to this? I contend they are a true extremsist radical group the way they target common sense people and organizations. I hope none of our tax dollars goes to this group of progressive lunatics
  
  Report this comment
- michaelmoron
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 10:23pm
  @PubliusPencilman
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:22pm
  American ideals? Like protecting equal rights and civil rights for all? How exactly is the SPLC against American ideals?
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  
  The Constitution protects people’s rights. NOT some Biased Duey, Cheetem & Howe law firm.
  
  IDIOT !!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- michaelmoron
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 10:27pm
  I am a FREEMAN on the LAND.
  
  Is that a Problem, SPLC ????
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_y-gLm9Hrw
  
  Report this comment
- SUNTZU
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 11:14pm
  I’m not a patriot,
  Just
  Anti-social
  
  Report this comment
- bonesiii
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 12:21am
  “SPLC has absolutely NO political philosophy. NONE. They are NOT leftists. They are NOT ANYTHING.
  
  So, what are they REALLY? They are SCAM ARTISTS NO BETTER THAN BERNIE MADOFF.”
  Aren’t those synonyms? You’re saying they’re immoral, which is part of the definition of being leftist. You have to be liberal to think it’s okay to scam people. Lying and cheating are regular tools of the left.
  
  Being “not good” is still a something.
  
  Report this comment
- Protege
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 2:27am
  Never knew I was an “Extreme Patriot”.
  Is that like “Extreme Couponing”?
  “Extreme Makeover”?
  “Extreme Baking”?
  
  How about this- I’m just a Patriot?
  
  Report this comment
- TheCalmOne
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 2:39am
  RuthLeviticus – Jesus the one true patriot?
  
  Hahahahahahaha!!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- 4thGenerationWarrior
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 3:10am
  In case anyone is interested: The Southern Poverty Law Center was founded and is operated by a brother-in-arms to William Ayers of the Weather Underground and Obama’s best bud notoriety. His name is Morris Dees and he helped Bill, Bernadeen and the other SDS rejects bomb US, state and local Government buildings. So the SPLC is his effort to cleanse his conscious of his evil terrorism from the 70s.
  
  Report this comment
- Trigus
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 8:24am
  thanks 4th – I knew there was a connection to ayers, just didn’t have time yesterday to research.
  
  Report this comment
- mikem1969
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 9:24am
  So in other words, if you support the constitution and think the government should be smaller and stay out of our lives, you are a radical. WOW. So how many of us are on that list then?
  
  Report this comment
Micmac
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:20pm
If being a Patriot means I’m an extremist by some limp nobody organization, then so be it. Who cares what these people think.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Stoic one
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:48pm
  They have the administration’s ear. It is from places like this Janet naponatono (SP?) got her list of homegrown terrorists; ya know vets & nra members.
  
  Report this comment
- sinner-saint
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:54pm
  I’ll second that. Who gives a dam what they think believe. I am not a member of any organizations, movements or political party. I am a loyal patriotic naturalized U.S. citizen and veteran. I am conservative in my views. I believe in limited government. The primary law I follow s the U.S. Constitution.
  
  There are too many dopey/idiotic organization in existence that have an political/ideological agenda to push and this is one of them.
  
  Report this comment
- geeman
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 7:16am
  extremist is the new racist,if you disaggree with anything these lefty brainwashed idgits want you are a right wing extremist.Lower taxes ,more freedom,less goverment,you must be a far right nut job.
  
  Report this comment
cannon12pdr
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:18pm
More Moe Dees drival to rake in some funds from rich dumbass liberals.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Evolved
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 8:00pm
  Way to misspell drivel.
  
  Report this comment
- RLTW
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 9:48pm
  Way to correct spelling on a web article a-s-shat
  
  Report this comment
mcsledge
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:18pm
According to George Washington, anyone who opposes the pillars of religion and morality in society are NOT patriots.

Based on this test, those accusing others of patriot extremism are most likely NOT patriots themselves.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- PubliusPencilman
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:25pm
  According to George Washington, partisan viciousness and rampant political vitriol is NOT patriotic.
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:41pm
  Pencilhead, and here you are.
  
  Report this comment
GuruMeditation
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:15pm
Probably.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- TurboCat
  Posted on March 8, 2013 at 6:34am
  Misusing the beautiful word “Patriot” in any way connected to “hate groups” is offensive AND hateful. Find another word! Jackass!
  
  Report this comment
ConcernedCitizenSubject
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:14pm
The SPLC understands hate speech well enough to have it pervade every corner of their website and saturate all of their communications.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- PubliusPencilman
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:20pm
  What hate speech exactly?
  
  Report this comment
The_Fifth_Column
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:14pm
Anyway you cut it, the SPLC is a Hate Group in it’s own right. They are an extremist Left Wing organization, and always have been. Their views are Socialist/Communist (what’s the difference). They have the same views concerning the US Constitution as Barack Obama.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- encinom
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:22pm
  The racist right, the traitors and confederates, Beck’s ignorant flock of sheep are upset that they are being exposed for what they are.
  
  Report this comment
- shogun459
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:16pm
  ENCINOM et al
  Is by definition a stooly. I bet Encinom has a list of all the neighbors Encinom thinks is a “prepper” or a Patriot.
  ENCINOM will turn it’s own friends and neighbors in to the Fascist at the first opportunity, if it hasn’t already.
  
  Report this comment
- PubliusPencilman
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:20pm
  “Anyway you cut it, the SPLC is a Hate Group in it’s own right.”
  
  How is that? Explain.
  
  Report this comment
- Outlaw_Josey_Wales
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:20pm
  @ENCINOM
  Michigan Militia, is looking for a few good men. Can you shoot a gun?
  
  Report this comment
- GuruMeditation
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:32pm
  Hahahahaha….@encinom. You are pathetically hilarious.
  
  Report this comment
- 2GodBeTheGlory
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:55pm
  @encinom
  
  So are the framers racist? George Washington, Jefferson, etc.
  
  What say you, statesmen?
  
  Report this comment
FlagWavingPatriot
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:12pm
The Founders would all be listed as extremists today by these nuts.

I’d be happy to be named along those fellows.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- PubliusPencilman
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:26pm
  Well, they did foment a revolt against Britain, so yes, a British Southern Poverty Law Center would call them radicals. Otherwise, your comparison doesn’t make any sense at all.
  
  Report this comment
- Stoic one
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:57pm
  Pubic Pencil
  
  You are the one being dishonest; or did you not read the article?
  
  Report this comment
- Brettfan
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 1:40am
  Pubic Pencil You are a extremist and a hate monger.
  
  Report this comment
AUsername
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:11pm
i think the extremists are the baldies in uniform that attack you for not conforming.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Eastinfection
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:14pm
  the american nazi party? Do they still where uniforms like in Blues Brothers?
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:17pm
  The TSA?
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:21pm
  Why would the aryans smack you in your vacuous cranium for non conformation A User? Thought you was peas in a pod.
  
  Report this comment
- AUsername
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:41pm
  because i refuse to follow an order so they either tackle you, taser you, or shoot you. if you move normally they also call for back up because there punks.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:50pm
  LOSER, Funny thing about that back up. I’ve arrested a number of perps who wanted to fight. The more back up that I had, the easier it was to hold him down and control him usually with nobody getting hurt. When it goes on one to one somebody will definitely get hurt. Do you ever use your brain for anything more than keeping your ears separated?
  
  Report this comment
- AUsername
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 9:06pm
  actually allot of the time it results in a Boot party, where some hold down and the others kick them in the face and punch them or even taser for fun.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 9:47pm
  LOSER, in a way your are right. A lot of these cops are these days union thugs that can’t be fired. Those vote Democrat too.
  
  Report this comment
HumbleMan
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:05pm
Do these guys name any communist organizations as dangerous, hate-filled etc.?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Fubared
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:22pm
  Their supporters? Shirely, you jest.
  
  Report this comment
ricckky
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:05pm
this maryb chick is the typical foul smelling ugly person, and I’m sure physically also with no facts that she can back up!!! Talk about clones–you are the definition of one-

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
CatB
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:02pm
“Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) proposed a law that would nullify any executive gun control actions by Obama, accusing the president of having a “king complex.” U.S. Rep. Trey Radel (R-Fla.) said the president could be impeached for those actions.”

Since I have met Trey .. before he even ran for office .. the answer would probably be yes .. by association .. not to mention .. attended TEA Parties.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- AvengerK
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:13pm
  Marcus Licinius Crassus: In every city and province, lists of the disloyal have been compiled. Tomorrow they will learn the cost of their terrible folly… their treason.
  Gracchus: And where does my name appear on the list of disloyal enemies of the state?
  Marcus Licinius Crassus: First.
  
  Report this comment
- oldguy49
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:15pm
  we already have one……its called the 2nd amendment
  
  Report this comment
- The_Fifth_Column
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:21pm
  The real scary part is the fact that we need to create a law to protect the law.
  
  Report this comment
Wisdom7
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 5:59pm
“The most dangerous thing about the SPLC’s report, therefore, is not their findings, but rather the fact that, in associating this fringe group with mainstream figures and a particular political ideology, it seeks to tar them with the same brush.”

In 2009 they released this report under the Missouri Information and Analysis Center (MIAC) to law enforcement agencies. It was later rescinded, but the fact it got that far is scary.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- MDECKER
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:32pm
  The Democrats are using the SPLC’s theoretical arguments to formulate policies across the Country. The SPLC is incredibly un-credible. Why is it that these knuckleheads get the headlines mainly when Democrats are in control?
  
  Report this comment
- Wisdom7
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 8:55pm
  Because they walk lockstep, hand-in-hand, and have the same ideological agenda, which is to demonize and ostracize anyone from the conservative side of the political spectrum.
  
  Report this comment
Gremlin1974
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 5:59pm
“DO YOU COUNT AS AN EXTREMIST ‘PATRIOT’?”
Well lord I certainly hope so.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- AvengerK
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:15pm
  Gracchus: And where does my name appear on the list of disloyal enemies of the state?
  Marcus Licinius Crassus: First.
  
  Report this comment
Eastinfection
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 5:57pm
“when the SPLC uses these loaded terms, they are either unintentionally using terminology in a different way from most people, or intentionally using terms that will spur controversy, without actually meaning what their critics assume.”

lol… sounds a lot like the Progressive Trolls around here.

Oh lookey… there’s one now. How’s it going MARYBETH?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:16pm
  EAST, there is nothing “unintentional” about it.
  
  Report this comment
BlackCrow
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 5:50pm
Talk about a “target rich environment”. First is is no “secret agenda” Obama is on record against private ownership of firearms and Eric Holder cannot make a judgment based on the Fourth Amendment.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
flatbroke
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 5:49pm
I care nothing for the Obozo revised rule book, and last time i checked, we the people have the right to assemble for whatever we want, they are pissed b/c its people that dont go along with the stupied socialist status quo. screw em.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
ricckky
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 5:47pm
These people make me puke–if a person is for the constitution and less government—he or she is a right wing zealot according to democrats, while they shred our constitution- and get away with it because the media won’t do their job!!! sickening, just sickening–these libs are such great liars with no recourse it’s no wonder the uninformed public believes this crap!!!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 5:45pm
.
I’m sure my newly formed (today) SpankDaMonkey Patriot Militia will make that list……

Remember SPLC when ya’ll come to my house bring help & a box of Band-Aids…..

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
aproudinfidel
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 5:44pm
I’m only one person, but I am sure they wouldn’t like me since I love America, the Constitution, my wife and respect the military while considering all veterans heroes.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- PubliusPencilman
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:29pm
  And I’m sure that they wouldn’t/don’t have any problem with you at all. I think you have a persecution complex.
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:43pm
  Pencilneck, as an infidel, he doesn’t fit their mold. You as a sycophant to the left regime, do.
  
  Report this comment
thegreatcarnac
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 5:44pm
I am a right wing extremist….I guess??!! I am white. I am proud to be white. I am a patriot. I cannot stand obama (if he had blond hair, blue eyes, and white skin…I would still dislike him). I believe in the 2nd amendment and will die defending it…and I know that the SPLC is a racist, communist front organization.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- TurboCat
  Posted on March 8, 2013 at 6:38am
  They’re a hate group, and they are conspiracy theorists to boot! Stop SPLC from misusing such a beautiful word as Patriot to define anything to do with hate. SPLC: Find another word!
  
  Report this comment
DougHuffman
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 5:43pm
I voted for Chuck Baldwin. QED
MOLON LABE Lord of Lies SPLC POTOK aspect

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 5:43pm
More ends-run by the supporters of the Democrats to ensure Obama has the excuse to grab the guns and undermine the Constitution completely.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
marybethelizabeth
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 5:41pm
Mr. Holt. Identity politics? How cheap of you.

This story is all made up.

Mr. Beck says “I know how they think”, and of course he doesn’t, and like little clones you adopt this mendacious manner of argument.

The facts will lead you to truth. Your opinion is a blind alley.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 5:50pm
  BARYMETHELIZABETH, Practicing that Jedi mind trick?
  
  Report this comment
- DLV
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 5:51pm
  The Dark Lord commends you for your work Mary. Muahahahahaha
  
  Report this comment
- Eastinfection
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 5:59pm
  lol RJJ… “These are not the trolls you’re looking for”
  
  Report this comment
- DLV
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:01pm
  Rj- she is trying. You know being the Dark Lord’s zombie she is but alas, it needs more work. The effort counts but as I said the retirement pension for Dark Lord’s minions sucks.
  
  Report this comment
- skimmer57
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:06pm
  To be a patriot you must wear Beck’s $129.99 pairs of blue jeans.
  
  Report this comment
- RepubliCorp
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:11pm
  Hi BO jr. Did eat a dog with the brotherhood today?
  
  Report this comment
- Eastinfection
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:12pm
  SKIMMER…
  
  lol.. that’s funny.
  cheap shot.. but funny.
  
  Report this comment
- AvengerK
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:14pm
  These arent’ the droids you’re looking for HAIRYMETH.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:23pm
  SKIMMER, do you really mean that considering that Moochelle shows up to events in a $750.00 pair of designer sneakers?
  
  Report this comment
- Jake Dog2
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:32pm
  @MarybethE
  It is not made up go to their website you will see it is all true. But you knew that didn’t you?
  
  Report this comment
- Walkabout
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:50pm
  This story is all made up?
  
  Either the SPLC made up the report or they did not.
  
  They did. Therefore it is a story.
  
  There is also the local story of this forum. Which is your pathetic attempts at persuasion.
  
  Report this comment
- Leveraction3030
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 9:27pm
  MaryBeth; is it not about time to go into the kitchen and begin preparing your mans evening meal? He should be home soon and that food better be on the table. I would hate for that potential Man Patriot to have to crack down on you about your place in life. Barefoot, Pregnant and in the kitchen. Now get to it!!! You know your place and your time of venting here behind is back is up. Glad we are here for you to vent. Obviously he does not allow you to watch the soaps or play bridge with the ladies club and we are your stress relief. Time is up so move on to the stove.
  
  Report this comment
- VetMike
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 10:02am
  Sort of like arbeit mach frie? If this article is a lie prove it.
  
  Report this comment
13th Imam
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 5:35pm
I’m All In.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.