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The Consequences of Right-Wing Extremism on the Internet
Anti-Defamation League ^ | unknown | ADL

Posted on 02/19/2004 1:07:59 PM PST by mgist

The Consequences of Right-Wing Extremism on the Internet RULE
Creating Electronic Community of Hate

The Internet has provided the means for those on the far-right to create an "electronic community of hate."

There are three important, measurable respects in which the "electronic community of hate"  strengthens  the work of right-wing extremists offline. The Internet 

These consequences of right-wing extremism on the Internet should be of concern to us all.

Online, racists, anti-Semites, and anti-government extremists can reach a much larger audience than ever before. Anyone using the Internet may inadvertently be exposed to hate online.

Though gauging the affect of extremist material on the vast population of Internet users presents enormous difficulties, substantial information does exist about a small subset of this group: right-wing extremists. 

In the Internet age, these extremists can communicate with thousands of their compatriots with the click of a mouse.
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The Internet has provided the far-right fringe with formerly inconceivable opportunities. Online, racists, anti-Semites, and anti-government extremists can reach a much larger audience than ever before and can more easily portray themselves as legitimate. 

Anyone using the Internet may inadvertently be exposed to hate online. When uninformed or easily influenced people – particularly children – come across hate propaganda, they can fall prey to its deceptive reasoning and adopt hateful beliefs themselves, sometimes going so far as to act on what they have read.

Gauging the affects of online hate on this vast population of Internet users presents enormous difficulties. No reliable measurement has been taken of the number of Internet users who find and read hateful material online. Nor can one safely generalize about the ways in which this material affects the beliefs and actions of those who read it. Yet there is a subset of this enormous group of Internet users about whom substantial information does exist: known, active, right-wing extremists.

Though the number of active right-wing extremists is relatively small, the harm they can cause is significant. By spreading their views, racists, anti-Semites, and anti-government "patriots" encourage and sustain prejudice in the mainstream. In addition, these extremists are often ready to break the law in support of their beliefs.

The Internet has provided the means for extremists to create an "electronic community of hate." In the Internet age, extremists are no longer isolated from others who share their beliefs. Now, they can communicate with thousands of their compatriots with the click of a mouse, from the comfort of their own homes. Just as it has benefited millions of ordinary people, the Internet has profited, connected, and inspired extremists in previously unimaginable ways.

This report will detail three important, measurable respects in which the "electronic community of hate" strengthens the work of right-wing extremists offline. First of all, the Internet has provided them with instant and anonymous access to propaganda that inspires and guides criminal activity. Secondly, it has helps them to more effectively  coordinate their activities. Finally, it offers them new ways to make money

These, then, are actual, measurable consequences of right-wing extremism on the Internet and should be of concern to us all.



TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: adl; internet; slander
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I think right wingers need an anti-defamation league. Does Abraham Foxman have any idea how despised they are by the "left-wing" extremist? I see no mention of them . .

Contact: webmaster@adl.org

We have to remember that this self appointed leader in no way represents all jews.

1 posted on 02/19/2004 1:08:00 PM PST by mgist
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To: mgist
'The consquences of right-wing extremism....'

...is the hopeful demise of leftist extremism!
2 posted on 02/19/2004 1:11:26 PM PST by LibFreeUSA
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To: mgist
Why is it always the right wingers that take the heat? Why not the extreeme left wingers and their hate filled rants? Why? Why? Why?
3 posted on 02/19/2004 1:11:46 PM PST by Big Mack (I didn't claw my way to the top of the food chain TO EAT VEGETABLES!)
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To: mgist
Such hyperbole from a group calling themsives "anti-defamation" is pretty ironic.
4 posted on 02/19/2004 1:13:47 PM PST by King Black Robe (With freedom of religion and speech now abridged, it is time to go after the press.)
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To: mgist
Michael Moore, Sheen, Hollywood Liberals, AL Franken are all right wing extremists, who knew!
5 posted on 02/19/2004 1:13:48 PM PST by BlessedByLiberty (Respectfully submitted,)
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To: mgist
The Consequences of Right-Wing Extremism on the Internet

As opposed to the consequences of Left-Wing Extremism on the major networks?

6 posted on 02/19/2004 1:14:40 PM PST by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: Big Mack
Because they feel their pain don't cha know!
7 posted on 02/19/2004 1:14:55 PM PST by LuigiBasco
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To: mgist
The Consequences of Right-Wing Extremism on the Internet.

Extremism=Republican.

8 posted on 02/19/2004 1:16:55 PM PST by Mike Darancette (Bush Bot by choice)
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To: mgist
Anyone using the Internet may inadvertently be exposed to hate online.

*sigh*

Ah, forget it.

9 posted on 02/19/2004 1:17:47 PM PST by Jagdgewehr (One sword, at least, thy right shall guard, One faithful harp shall praise thee!)
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To: mgist
Even though i detest hate-mongers like Foxman, I think he has a right to spew his venom.
10 posted on 02/19/2004 1:18:52 PM PST by per loin
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To: Mike Darancette
The Consequences of Right-Wing Extremism on the Internet.

The left wing liberals despise Israel and the US for supporting Israel. I really don't see how they can associate "right-wing" groups with extremists who are against jews. Most Christian conservatives are fervent supporters of isreal and Jews. It is really ironic.

11 posted on 02/19/2004 1:21:25 PM PST by mgist
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To: mgist; All
Every link leads back to the ADL site. There isn't one reference from outside their own organization. In other words, they are quoting themselves quoting themselves. What a bunch of hyperbole.
12 posted on 02/19/2004 1:21:41 PM PST by Veritas_est (Truth is)
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To: mgist
Once you have defined something as "extremism," you have via circular reasoning created a target and smeared it without trial, without reason, without proof. For instance, I could classify the author of this piece as an extremist who must be stopped from his vicious slandering of, well, who exactly he never specifies, but it appears to be "all those evil people on the Internet who don't agree with me." Funny how these critics of extremism single out the "right-wing" kind. Says a lot about their agenda.
13 posted on 02/19/2004 1:24:50 PM PST by KellyAdmirer
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To: mgist
"electronic community of hate."

"electronic community of hate of knowledge and activism"

14 posted on 02/19/2004 1:24:52 PM PST by LiteKeeper
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To: mgist
My thoughts almost exactly. Those Christians who read the Old and New Testaments, both, with faith are the greatest defenders of the Jews and Israel, outside of Jews themselves.

The worst thing about this piece is the attempt to make right = hate. Just when I was feeling defensive toward Foxman.

15 posted on 02/19/2004 1:25:42 PM PST by firebrand
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To: mgist
He may not represent all Jews but he represents enough. ADL is an extremist organization, anti-everything not jewish. This is just more internet terroism from a extreme left-wing hate mongers.
16 posted on 02/19/2004 1:26:39 PM PST by wvnavyvet
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To: mgist
"The Consequences of Left-Wing Extremism on the Internet": Howard Dean
17 posted on 02/19/2004 1:26:39 PM PST by Uncle Miltie (Mullahs swinging from lamp posts.....)
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To: mgist
Too many jokes?
18 posted on 02/19/2004 1:26:54 PM PST by <1/1,000,000th%
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To: mgist
Online, racists, anti-Semites, and anti-government extremists
 
Abe Foxman proves his reliable idiocy, yet again.  The first two charges are the stock and trade of the left and dollars to doughnuts, Abe believes that those who take a literal interpretation of The Constitution are "anti-government extremists".

Owl_Eagle

" WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
DIVERSITY IS STRENGTH"


19 posted on 02/19/2004 1:27:07 PM PST by End Times Sentinel (“Before going out drinking, always tape a handcuff key to the inside of your watch band.”)
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To: mgist
This guy has obviously never visited Democratic Underground. That's a real hate group.

20 posted on 02/19/2004 1:27:43 PM PST by billva
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