Posted on 09/11/2017 8:26:49 AM PDT by searching123
Your paper published a Washington Post column by Marc Thiessen (Sept. 1) that claimed that the John Birch Society was anti-Semitic. When the error was brought to light by victims of this nasty falsehood, the phrase “widely believed” was added in as cover. This is dishonest and reprehensible.
First, let’s set the record straight. The Society is not and never has been anti-Semitic. In fact, when the California Senate investigated this in the early 1960s, it concluded that “our investigations have disclosed no evidence of anti-Semitism on the part of anyone connected with the John Birch Society in California, and much evidence to the effect that it opposes racism in all forms.”
This was obvious, considering the prominent Jewish leaders on the Society’s National Council from its founding. The Society has always had a policy of expelling any anti-Semitic infiltrators.
Secondly, the column praises William Buckley for having allegedly “excommunicated” JBS from the “respectable right.” Ironically, Buckley wrote in his magazine National Review that whites, as the “advanced race,” had every right to deny black people the vote.
The JBS, by contrast, published the work of black members in its own publications from its earliest days, and expelled racists. Let’s deal in facts.
Alex Newman
Coral Gables, Fla.
However, as is usually the case with the Birch Society, they artfully select only that data which conforms to their argument, or which they think exonerates the JBS, BUT they deliberately omit all contradictory or inconvenient data.
Admittedly, it is VERY difficult to have a rational and amicable discussion about the Birch Society because (1) JBS members and sympathizers rarely are willing to acknowledge factual information about their own history (2) JBS members and supporters routinely engage in ad hominem slurs and insults against anybody (left or right) who dares to criticize the JBS and (3) the JBS will not allow outside independent researchers to have access to JBS records in order to present an accurate history of the JBS. In addition, the JBS does not allow outside researchers to have access to its membership for survey purposes.
1. I do NOT believe that the JBS is a racist or anti-semitic organization by any normal standard.
HOWEVER, it is nevertheless accurate to point out that many racists and anti-semites DID join the JBS and some became JBS chapter leaders, JBS Coordinators, JBS National Council members, as well as paid JBS speakers, and contributors to JBS magazines.
[At least four members of the JBS National Council were prominent life-long segregationists, and many JBS members were also members of the White Citizens Council groups in their local communities so it is preposterous for Birchers to claim that they always "expelled" racists or anti-semites from their midst.
2. It also is INDISPUTABLE that the Birch Society praised southern politicians who were racists -- including such prominent racists as: Gov. George Wallace (AL), Gov. Lester Maddox (GA), U.S. Senator James O. Eastland (MS), Gov. Ross Barnett (MS), Cong. John Rarick (LA).
It should be noted that Sen. Eastland sought and received endorsements from the KKK in Mississippi for his election campaigns. Nevertheless, the JBS scored Eastland as 96 out of 100 on its "Conservative Index". At that time, the KKK was listed on the Attorney General's List of Subversive Organizations!!
3. Incidentally, Birchers were a major part of George Wallace's Presidential campaigns. Wallace's "Segregation Forever" speech never bothered Birchers. Some State Chairmen for the Wallace campaign were JBS members such as Nevada's Dr. John H. DeTar.
In November 1967, Willard S. Voit of California resigned as Vice-President of the John Birch Society's publishing and distribution arm "to actively campaign for George Wallace and to work on Wallace's campaign."
4. It also is INDISPUTABLE that the Birch Society hired individuals as speakers under the auspices of its American Opinion Speakers Bureau who were racists or anti-semites. Examples include: Rev. Ferrell Griswold, former Selma AL Sheriff James G. Clark, Gordon (Jack) Mohr, and Eric Dudley Butler.
Significantly, mainstream conservative organizations praised and recommended by the JBS NEVER associated themselves with these types of people!
5. In addition, the Birch Society has a long and indisputable history of being indifferent to and facilitating prejudice and bigotry because of their inclination to defend white privilege.
Keep in mind that JBS founder Robert Welch grew up in a small community in Chowan County, North Carolina during a time when Jim Crow customs and laws and segregation prevailed. Welch accepted those customs and laws as the natural order of things.
6. The JBS is NOT an anti-semitic organization BUT it did permit anti-semites to join as long as they kept their bigotry to themselves and did not attempt to hijack or manipulate their local chapter.
The most successful neo-nazi website in our country (Stormfront) was begun by a former Bircher, --i.e. Kevin Strom. The Stormfront website contains numerous messages from its readers who acknowledged that they started out as JBS members.
7. The California Senate Subcommittee Report which Mr. Newman references did NOT conduct research into the JBS nationally and its findings were limited to the relatively brief time period during which it conducted its investigation in California (in 1961 but published in 1963). Most of the conclusions which the Subcommittee reached in its first report on the JBS were based upon affidavits submitted by JBS members. I'm sure Mr. Newman would agree that self-reporting is not the best or most accurate method for determining the true character of an organization.
8. The Subcommittee updated its findings on the JBS in 1965. At that time its Report concluded:
"It has, as we predicted, been beset by an influx of emotionally unstable people, some of whom have been prosecuted in the courts for their hoodlum tactics in disrupting meetings and heckling speakers with whom they disagree...We are more critical of the Society now than we were [in the 1963 Report] for the reason that it has, in our opinion, merited such criticism by reason of its activities as exemplified by the irresponsible articles by a member of its National Council, the re-publication of The Politician, the inexcusable actions of its minority of irresponsible members, and dangerous increase of anti-Semitism among a minority of the membership."
On page 174 the Report observed:
"According to reliable sources, we would estimate that the Society has grown so rapidly that it has attracted a lunatic fringe that is now assuming serious proportions. We find very little anti-Negro sentiment among the members, but we do find a growing incidence of anti-Semitism, although the Society as a whole is far from anti-Semitic."
9. The JBS attracted an unusual number of racists and anti-Semites into its ranks. Most of the time, they were permitted to continue their JBS membership unless they said or did something publicly to embarrass the JBS or if they tried to takeover a local chapter and spread their bigotry under the auspices of the JBS.
10. One of the most significant examples of how the JBS turned a blind eye to bigotry concerns JBS founder Robert Welch's attempt to get Verne Kaub (of American Council of Christian Laymen--Madison WI) to join or to endorse the JBS.
Despite Kaub's virulent anti-semitism expressed in private letters to Welch, Welch nevertheless asked Kaub to join the JBS. Kaub refused because, as he told Welch, the JBS had "too many Jews" in the Society.
Although Kaub never joined, Welch did treat Kaub as a Home Chapter member of the JBS (i.e. not connected to a local chapter in his community) and Kaub was sent all materials which a dues-paying JBS member received.
11. More recently, a major controversy erupted within the top echelons of the JBS over comments made by former JBS President John McManus before Catholic organizations during the past 10+ years.
Both the former and current CEO's of the JBS described those comments by McManus as "anti-semitic" -- as did the only Jewish member of the JBS National Council (David Eisenberg).
Ultimately, McManus apologized and he claimed that he would revise his comments. Eisenberg and other JBS officials accepted McManus's contrition-- but the matter is unresolved because many people over the years have reported that McManus has expressed anti-semitic sentiments.
For example, the former Senior Editor of the JBS magazine, (William Norman Grigg) reported that:
"During the 2005 conflict, Vance Smith and his allies sought to capitalize on the fact that Jack McManus, the current JBS President (at the time, president emeritus and Council member) had given a number of blatantly, brazenly anti-Semitic speeches to schismatic Catholic groups. Audio and video recordings of those speeches had been made and marketed, and excerpts of some of the worst elements were compiled into a kind of highlight reel for use by Vance's faction in lobbying various people, including myself. I was furious with Jack; I'd known he was capable of saying some really vicious things (he once referred to AEI's Ben Wattenberg, who had interviewed Jack on the radio, as a "slimy New York Jew"; I about collapsed from shock), but my position is that one's internal prejudices are his own affair. (As an American of Mexican ancestry I apply that principle in dealing with anti-Latino prejudice as well). When I learned that Jack, for years, had been making speeches of that kind, my reaction was a mixture of rage and weary disgust."
12. There is considerably more inconvenient and unpleasant information about bigotry within the JBS to consider -- including understanding why the JBS believed and disseminated racist arguments first created by white supremacists AND why Robert Welch and the JBS were so hostile toward all national Jewish organizations as well as hostile toward Israel and Zionists AND why virulent Jew-haters were allowed to become JBS members and JBS officials -- but nobody will ever be able to write anything definitive about these subjects because the JBS does not allow outside independent researchers to have access to its archives for historical research purposes.
DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE:
John Birch Society CEO Vance Smith letter re: anti-semitic speeches by John McManus:
https://archive.org/details/032206GVanceSmithToJBSNCRe McManusAntiSemiticStatements
John Birch Society CEO Art Thompson Audio Re John McManus
https://archive.org/details/ArtThompsonAudioReMcManus
07-25-06 Wayne Rickert Reply To David Eisenberg Re McManus
https://archive.org/details/072506RickertReplyToDavidEisenbergReMcManus
1963 Report--Calif Senate Factfinding Subcommittee On Un American Activities (pages 1-61 on JBS)
https://archive.org/details/1963ReportOfCalifSenateFactfindingSubcommitteeOnUnAmericanActivities
1965 Calif Senate Factfinding Subcommittee Report on John Birch Society
https://archive.org/details/1965CalifSenateFactfindingSubcommitteeReportJohnBirchSociety
Right question: THE DNC RACIST OR ANTI-SEMITIC?
Who cares a zillion years later
What is past is prologue. The intellectual defects which produced JBS errors in the 1960’s and afterward have not magically disappeared. They continue to infect JBS interpretations TODAY — and, in fact, the JBS often quotes verbatim statements it made in its JBS Bulletin 50+ years ago as “proof” of its historical accuracy.
So, if I understand your comment correctly, the ONLY information concerning racism or bigotry you want to discuss is exclusively limited to persons or organizations whom you regard as not sharing your personal political viewpoints. ALL other examples of bigotry do not interest you.
Is it anti-Semitic to note that most Jews support the Left?
Revilo P. Oliver, who was a prominent member of the JBS at one point, was openly anti-Semitic. He was forced out for the comment he made after John F. Kennedy's death, something to the effect that the Communists got rid of him once they no longer had a use for him. At least I think that was the gist of it.
Answer: It's BOTH! And until she finally got caught and had to resign, the DNC was run by a female CAPO! But you never heard any complaints about her from “The Jewish Community,” just like you never hear about the Commie Pope from the Catholic Community, or from the Mormons about the trash they have managed to get elected to high public office. It's a conspiracy of silence from all these "groups" that's deafening.
This is America. Its a free country. Why can't they be BOTH?
Of course not. However, one should have factual evidence to support such a broad generalization.
Like ANY other demographic group, there is wide diversity of opinion within the Jewish community. On some issues, Jews may tilt leftward whereas on other issues they might tilt rightward.
Your comment is not accurate. Oliver resigned on July 31, 1966 as a consequence of a speech he made before the annual New England Rally for God, Family and Country-—which was widely interpreted as anti-semitic in tone and substance.
Robert Welch traveled to Oliver’s home to ask him to reconsider his resignation but Oliver did not withdraw it. Oliver then started writing for neo-nazi and white nationalist publications.
“Is it anti-Semitic to note that most Jews support the Left?”
Thank you for telling it like it is. The fact is, that nearly all Jews in public office have long since abandoned even a scintilla of their faith. Yeah, some of them get out and “dance around the maypole” for government money for Israel, but that’s the extent of their support.
What “racist” or “anti-semitic” positions by the DNC are you referring to?
Anyway, the John Birch Society obviously does need to be dealt with. It is such a huge force in current American politics.
Next we need to address know-nothings, graingers, and whigs.
Who made YOU the sole arbiter of what constitutes fidelity to any specific religious faith or tradition?
Do you make comparable statements about other groups which overwhelmingly support one political party? For example: traditionally Cubans have been Republicans and Catholics have been predominantly conservative. Do those bother you? Or is it only Jews?
Agree 1000%.
Why are no Mormons speaking out against Harry Reid..?
his values are completely opposite to theirs, that’s really bothersome.
there is no way he is normal, why do they put up with that dirty insect..?
Leaving aside your sarcasm — I think all Americans should be interested in any organization which is very well-funded, has existed for decades, and has obtained support from very prominent and wealthy individuals.
From its inception (1958), multi-millionaires and billionaires have joined or endorsed the JBS.
Examples include: Fred and Charles Koch, Nelson Bunker Hunt, Harry L. Bradley, Seth Milliken.
Many prominent or influential Americans joined or endorsed the JBS. Examples include those listed below. Consequently, it is absurd to claim that the JBS has never been a significant actor within our national political life.
Actor Adolphe Menjou
Actor Walter Brennan
Actor Zasu Pitts
Archibald B. Roosevelt (Teddy Roosevelt’s grandson)
Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice M.T. Phelps
Clarence E. Manion (former Dean of Notre Dame Law School)
Author Taylor Caldwell
Cong. Ron Paul (TX)
Cong. Thomas H. Werdel (CA)
Cong. Wint Smith (KS)
Cardinal Richard Cushing (Boston)
Cong. Edgar Hiestand (CA)
Cong. James B. Utt (CA)
Cong. James Simpson (IL)
Cong. John G. Schmitz (CA)
Cong. John Rousselot (CA) Cong. Kit Clardy (MI)
Cong. Larry McDonald (GA)
D.B. Lewis (Dr. Ross Pet Foods)
Dave Dravecky (San Diego Padres pitcher)
Eric Snow (San Diego Padres pitcher)
James C. Quayle (father of former VP Dan Quayle; Chairman, Huntington Newspapers, Inc.)
Phillip Chandler (publisher of Los Angeles Times)
Robert W. Stoddard (publisher, Worcester MA Telegram & Gazette)
Ezola B. Foster (2000 VP nominee, Reform Party)
Ezra Taft Benson (Mormon Church and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture)
Former FBI Special Agent Dan Smoot
Former FBI Special Agent W. Cleon Skousen
Fred and Charles Koch
George S. Schuyler
Gov. Charles Edison (former Secretary of Navy and Governor of NJ)
Gov. Meldrim Thompson (NH)
Hedda Hopper
Lt. Gen. Sumter L. Lowry
Lt. Gen. Charles B. Stone
Lt. Gen. Edward M. Almond
Maj. Gen. Robert Blake
Mark Thurmond (San Diego Padres pitcher)
Phyllis Schlafly (Eagle Forum, Stop ERA movement)
Rear Adm. Paulus P. Powell
Rev. Francis E. Fenton
T. Coleman Andrews (former IRS Commissioner)
U.S. Ambassador Spruille Braden
U.S. State Dept historian Bryton Barron
Utah Governor J. Bracken Lee (and former Mayor of Salt Lake City)
Vice Admiral C.S. Freeman
Vice Admiral T.G.W. Settle
Westbrook Pegler
Nelson Bunker Hunt (billionaire)
Harry L. Bradley (co-founder Allen-Bradley Co.)
If you were familiar with conspiratorial arguments on the extreme right, you would know that many right-wingers believe that the Mormon Church controls the JBS
Jews vote for the Democrats by wide margins.. Like 3-1. Hence the statement "Most (i.e. over 50%) support the Left" is objectively factual.
Is it anti-Semitic to make note of that?
Actually, the JBS was simply correct.
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