Posted on 08/14/2004 6:43:37 AM PDT by Lando Lincoln
The news out of Mississippi yesterday was astonishing. Surely everyone witnessed the outrageous display by the Ku Klux Klan, since the media covered it throughout the day.
Grand Dragon Billy Bob Boyle had called a press conference on the steps of the Biloxi City Hall. Bearded, in full Klan regalia, with a pistol strapped to his side, he sneered at the assembled reporters and cameras.
The turnout of news people was large for what normally would be a lightly covered story because of rumors of an ''explosive announcement.''
Nearby, police had set up a chain-link fence to restrain the mob of hecklers. Around the Grand Dragon were armed bodyguards.
The crowd was loud and profane and Boyle defiant as he spoke into the amplified microphone.
''Are y'all gonna let me talk, or are you afraid to hear what I have to say?'' he shouted. ''Are you afraid of the truth? Why, y'all are nothin' more than a bunch of punks and mongrels. Shut the (expletive) up!''
As the mob quieted momentarily, Boyle began to read from a prepared statement.
''Folks think we are opposed to black people and other minorities,'' he said. ''That is not true. We actually support our African-American neighbors, and .''
The crowd's reaction was instant. Jeering and shouting, they began to press against the fence as bodyguards nervously fingered their firearms. Police managed to keep the crowd under control.
''We actually support our African-American neighbors, and that is why the Ku Klux Klan is donating $50,000 to update the voting machines in Mississippi,'' Boyle continued.
''We are doing this because it is a proven fact that black people are too ignorant and stupid to operate the punch-card systems now being .''
The ensuing riot resulted in dozens of arrests and considerable property damage. ''Fortunately, no one got killed,'' said Chief of Police Dexter Trembley.
The national reaction was immediate. Dan Rather, Peter Jennings, and Tom Brokaw denounced the remarks on the evening news. Congresswoman Maxine Waters called for a congressional investigation into ''why those redneck barbarians were allowed out there in the first place.''
The Black Caucus demanded a formal apology from Mississippi's congressional delegation. The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and most major newspapers ran scathing editorials condemning Boyle and the Klan.
Hillary Rodham Clinton blamed President George W. Bush for creating a national atmosphere of ''hate and bigotry.''
Now, if you think this is a work of fiction, you are right. But surely it mirrors what would happen if such a situation actually occurred--or does it?
Unfortunately, it all depends on who does the slandering.
When the California American Civil Liberties Union said that punch-card voting machines would ''disproportionately disadvantage'' African-Americans, Latinos, and Asians, we could only assume the ACLU agrees with our make-believe Grand Dragon: African-Americans and other minorities are ignorant and stupid.
But did you see Dan Rather or Peter Jennings condemn this on the evening news? Did you hear anything from Maxine Waters? The Black Caucus? Did you read any harsh editorials?
The willingness of the left to overlook the most overt of racist remarks or actions by its own, while heaping scorn on conservatives for lesser violations, is stunning.
When NAACP President Kweisi Mfume said, ''We've got a president that's prepared to take us back to the days of Jim Crow segregation and dominance,'' there was no media outrage.
But when Fox News host Bill O'Reilly used the term ''wetbacks'' to describe illegal immigrants, he was pilloried as a racist.
When NAACP Chairman Julian Bond said Republicans believe ''equal rights is the American flag and Confederate swastika flying side by side,'' who on the left complained?
Republican Sen. Trent Lott wished that one-time segregationist Strom Thurmond had been elected president and was hounded out of office.
Perhaps the shameless behavior of the left was in William Shakespeare's mind when he wrote, ''Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.''
Yes, something certainly is rotten, but it is not in Denmark. It is the rotten stench of liberal hypocrisy in America.
About the Writer: Dennis Campbell is a freelance writer and former newspaper reporter and editor, who currently resides in New Mexico. Dennis receives e-mail at denniscampbell@sisna.com.
Good debate. Again, I hate the ACLU as much as anyone, but don't think their quote or this article is the best way to attack them (perhaps the RICO act...). Anyway, I guess we can agree to disagree (as fellow freepers). Secret handshake.
Secret handshake accepted. Enjoyed the conversation. Thanks.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.