Friday, September 3rd, 2010

This is late.

Anyway, I've been meaning to write this for a while.
Just to fill anyone who may read in on this, the Tea Party & Friends have -since some time in 2009, I think- been busy retroactively trying to take responsibility for various now accepted liberal movements. At the same time, they've continuously thrown schizoid factoids together in an attempt to villify the left in ways that your average 4th grader could easily debunk.
A few of these will be covered in this rough rant, starting with:

Democrats/KKK.
This has been one of their favourites, lately.
Unfortunately, pointing out that the KKK has heavy connections to the U.S. Democratic Party would have been an out-of-date observation a good five or six decades ago. Not only does the accusation (as relevant to the left) ignore basic history, but it seems to deliberately avoid the nature of the KKK's belief system.
The KKK was created as a Civil War reactionary group. By definition, this is neither liberal nor progressive.
Liberalism, by basic definition, is the belief in liberty and equality.
It has a very, very long history in the foundation of America.
Progressivism advocates change.
Reactionism advocates returning to a previous societal state. In other words, "Restoring Honor," to use reactionary rhetoric.

Beyond this, the KKK's belief system incorporates southern protestantism, racism (stylized with the misleading "white pride"), homophobia, anti-Semitism and anti-Catholicism.
A relatively recent quote from the KKK's current 'National Director of The Knights,' Pastor Thomas Robb reads as follows:

"There is a race war against whites. But our people - my white brothers and sisters - will stay committed to a non-violent resolution. That resolution must consist of solidarity in white communities around the world. The hatred for our children and their future is growing and is being fueled every single day. Stay firm in your convictions. Keep loving your heritage and keep witnessing to others that there is a better way than a war torn, violent, wicked, socialist, new world order. That way is the Christian way - law and order - love of family - love of nation. These are the principles of western Christian civilization. There is a war to destroy these things. Pray that our people see the error of their ways and regain a sense of loyalty. Repent America! Be faithful my fellow believers. "

Sounds like something a liberal Dem would say, doesn't it?
No?
Well, it must be.
It's only been about 50 years since JFK's presidency and the Goldwater-led Republican southern strategy drove the remaining ex-Dixiecrats into the Republican party and progressive Republicans out of it. Since we've received the new revelations from right-wing revisionists that these things never happened, it's only natural that at least half of the Democratic party must be very active in spouting anti-left wing, minority-fearing nationalist crap.

Instead, we have Glenn Beck delivering reports on how the New Black Panthers are out to kill your white babies. We have Beck saying that President Obama has "exposed himself as a guy over and over and over again who has a deep-seeded hatred for white people" and going on and on about how the progressives were responsible for everything bad in history from Stalin to Hitler (the latter wasn't even anywhere near left-wing, but I'll cover that later on) and the horrors of Socialism. We have Sarah Palin defending a radio-host who was fired for ranting to a black caller about race-mixing, and warning us about supposed Obama friendships with middle eastern terrorists.

Want more?
Here's the Knights' Party Platform, as stated on their website:

"The Knights ' Party Platform

The recognition that America was founded as a Christian nation.

As James Madison, known as the "Chief Architect of the Constitution" stated; " We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves to control ourselves to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."

The recognition that America was founded as a White nation.

America was born as an extension of White European heritage. Those who formed the very ideals that we cherish such as freedom of speech, trial by jury, innocent until proven guilty, free enterprise, etc. were of White European heritage. All of the early laws of the United States from its very inception restricted citizenship to White people and all of the early charters, laws, compacts, etc were signed into effect by White people.

Repeal the NAFTA and GATT treaties.

These "laws" given to us by the Democrats and Republicans is damaging to the American worker and will eventually put millions upon millions into desperate poverty.

Put America FIRST in all foreign matters

The first and only concern of our government should be for the citizens of the United States.

Stop all Foreign Aid Immediately

Hundreds of billions of dollars are sent overseas every year while our people remain in need, our schools need funding, our infrastructure needs rebuilding and our citizens fight to keep their bills paid. This money should be used to support the decaying Social Security and Medicare programs, to help send kids to college, and to rebuild our infrastructure. Keep American Taxes in America!

Cut off trade with countries that refuse to establish strict environmental laws.

We should promote a fair system that allows for a clean environment in our own country and does not interfere with the free enterprise system. We also promote an aggressive search for and use of non-polluting and clean energy sources such as solar energy.

Abolish ALL discriminatory affirmative action programs

The federal government has enacted programs and laws designed for the exclusive discrimination against those of White European ancestry. Promotions, hiring and scholarships should be based on ability and not upon a person's race

Put American troops on our border to STOP the flood of illegal aliens

America is being over run by illegal immigrants mostly from nonwhite countries who do not share the Christian European values of our nation's founders. Immigration should remain open to all White Christians throughout the world . There is not one single country that does not persecute it's White Christian citizens such as in South Africa where the violent crime against Whites is at an all time high. The entire reasoning behind the forming of America was to allow one place in the world where White Christians could live together in harmony without any outside interference from those of other religions or races.

Abolish all anti-gun laws and encourage every adult to own a weapon

The cure for crime in America is not take guns off the streets but to put more guns ON the streets. Violent criminals should be punished, but law abiding citizens should be allowed to defend their homes, business and families with out fear of the federal government treating them as the criminal.

Actively promote love and appreciation of our unique European (White) culture

We must recognize it as the bedrock of American liberty and self government.

Outlaw the purchase of American property and industry by foreign corporations and investors.

The land belongs to Americans and their posterity and should not be up for sale.

Drug testing for welfare recipients

We recognize that not everyone receiving assistance is on drugs, but those who are should not be receiving your tax money. Welfare should be for those who need it - not those who abuse it.

Repeal the Federal Reserve Act.

This illegally passed law gives control of our money to a private corporation. We must return to debt free money - interest free currency issued by Congress as prescribed in the U.S. Constitution.

Balance the budget

Just as any family must balance their budget so must the federal government. Accordingly all present federal debt owed to the criminal private Federal Reserve corporation should be canceled.

Rehabilitate our public school system.

We must remove the humanist influence in our schools and teach fact based curriculum to further the students knowledge not someone's opinion. Parents should have the option of private or home schooling if they prefer and students should be free to practice their Christian faith in the classroom.

A flat income tax should be introduced to allow for the funding of community, state and federal projects.

This should be the one and only tax allowed. It is the only fair way to collect revenue and does not discriminate against any economic class.

Abortion should be outlawed except to save the mother's life or in case of rape or incest.

While we stress the need for a moral and Christian lifestyle, we applaud those women who choose to give life when faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Furthermore, we recognize a woman's right to self-defense. While occurances are rare, a woman should not be forced to carry a rapist's seed to fruition.

We support the death penalty for those convicted of molestation and rape

The only way to put an end to this cycle of abuse is to stop the sexual abuser once and for all.

We support a national law against the practice of homosexuality

This is a Christian nation and the Bible condemns homosexual activity and the perversion of our society which it encourages.

We support the placing of all persons HIV positive into national hospitals

While the AIDS virus is almost inclusive to homosexuals and those not of European ancestry, many innocent people have contacted the virus. Despite the moral character of a person, the virus is still highly contagious with new and deadlier forms coming out constantly. Everyone who gets it dies! Aids carriers should receive proper medical care while a cure is being researched. This is the only way to stop the spread of the disease. They should be kept from coming into contact with uninfected people.

Restoring individual freedom to Christian America.

People should be allowed to hire who they want, live where they want and practice the Christian faith as they please. Likewise people should be able to sell to whom they want , rent to whom they want and socialize and conduct business with who they want. The government should not interfere with the everyday lives of white Christian Americans.

We support the voluntary repatriation of everyone not satisfied with living under White Christian rules of conduct back to the native lands of their people

The brightest and best minds of all races will be able to run their own affairs without outside interference. To support their efforts we should provide the financial and technological resources needed for a limited period of time in the building or rebuilding of their independent nations. After that their success or failure is totally up to them.

Everyone who can work should work

A workfare program should be established to assist those who need help for a limited time. Furthermore we recognize that with an end to the insane economic policies which are currently engaged in this country, many families would not be forced into the welfare system in the first place.

We support a return to parental authority without government interference in the raising of our children

We want to see the National Education Association and the Child protective agencies put out of business. Child abusers should receive corporal punishment - if they abuse their children then they should fear the law. However, today too many freedoms are being taken away from parents in the so called name of " child protection". Child destruction is their real goal!

We respect the right of homeowners and that no one should ever be forced from their home for the non payment of taxes

We support state sovereignty resolutions

Each state should be able to officially declare that any power of law not directly given to the federal government by the constitution can be nullified by the state congress. We furthermore recognize that the 10th Amendment means that the federal government was created by the states to be an agent of the states instead of the states being an agent of the federal government.

We advocate a strong defense department to safeguard American citizens

We believe that the defense dept. should consist of volunteers of both men and women with women being excluded from combat positions. Furthermore we believe that the defense departments sole mission should be to defend our borders and not those of any other country or nation including the interference into their private affairs.

We support all U.S. veterans

We should find those that are missing and take care of those who have come home."

They don't come off as lefties to me.

Another particularly nasty trend that's been especially common recently is the directly connected lie that Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Republican. While at first this may seem believable (when considering the timeframe of the Southern Strategy), it is incorrect.
In fact, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s own autobiography has this to say about the rightward shift of the Republican party and Mr. Conservative hisself:

"The Republican Party geared its appeal and program to racism, reaction, and extremism. All people of goodwill viewed with alarm and concern the frenzied wedding at the Cow Palace of the KKK with the radical right. The "best man" at this ceremony was a senator whose voting record, philosophy, and program were anathema to all the hard-won achievements of the past decade.

It was both unfortunate and disastrous that the Republican Party nominated Barry Goldwater as its candidate for President of the United States. In foreign policy Mr. Goldwater advocated a narrow nationalism, a crippling isolationism, and a trigger-happy attitude that could plunge the whole world into the dark abyss of annihilation. On social and economic issues, Mr. Goldwater represented an unrealistic conservatism that was totally out of touch with the realities of the twentieth century. The issue of poverty compelled the attention of all citizens of our country. Senator Goldwater had neither the concern nor the comprehension necessary to grapple with this problem of poverty in the fashion that the historical moment dictated. On the urgent issue of civil rights, Senator Goldwater represented a philosophy that was morally indefensible and socially suicidal. While not himself a racist, Mr. Goldwater articulated a philosophy which gave aid and comfort to the racist. His candidacy and philosophy would serve as an umbrella under which extremists of all stripes would stand. In the light of these facts and because of my love for America, I had no alternative but to urge every Negro and white person of goodwill to vote against Mr. Goldwater and to withdraw support from any Republican candidate that did not publicly disassociate himself from Senator Goldwater and his philosophy.

While I had followed a policy of not endorsing political candidates, I felt that the prospect of Senator Goldwater being President of the United States so threatened the health, morality, and survival of our nation, that I could not in good conscience fail to take a stand against what he represented."

Of course the American right-wing's favorite King, MLK niece Alveda, has been called upon by the Tea Party and gone on record as claiming that her uncle was a Republican. Human rights advocate and oldest living child of Martin Luther King, Jr., Martin Luther King III, disagreed, however. In fact, out of Martin Luther King's wife and 4 children, only one is relatively right wing. Dexter is a vegan animal rights activist, MLK III challenged the Bush administration and praised Obama's election, and Coretta Scott King and eldest child Yolanda Denise King (both deceased) were outspoken supporters of gay rights. Bernice King, who is not such a supporter of gay rights, recently became President-Elect of the SCLC.

That's all, folks.

[ed. 3:40PM, Saturday, March 9th, 2013 purely for style... it's still not much to look at, though.]