There is a lot of coverage these day of acts of violence against Muslim American, and this coverage is good. We need to become more aware as a society of acts of hatred and bigotry both here and abroad. Unfortunately, Muslim Americans are not the only group that is suffering these attacks. As the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) documents on its web site and in its monthly publication, Intelligence Report, hate crimes against a variety of groups is on the increase. Most Americans might be surprised to know that the Ku Klux Klan is not only active but growing. But the KKK is by no means the only organization targeting groups based on their racial, social, or ethnic identities. The SPLC reports that since 2000 the number of hate groups has increased by 54%. These groups include neo-Nazis, White Nationalists, neo-Confederates, racist skinheads, black separatists and other. According to the SPLC there are 932 known hate groups operating in America today. Some of these groups target ethnic minorities, especially Blacks and Latinos. Others target Gays, Jews, and even the federal government. Although a few do not condone violent tactics, the majority of these groups have been engaged in or condone violence against the targets of their hatred.
It’s time mainstream America woke up to the fact that extreme rhetoric, a failing economy (based on unrealistic “sustained growth”) and our loose gun laws are making America a much more dangerous place for all of us.
Filed under: Politics
One of the biggest objections conservatives have to the Health Care Reform Act is the provision that would require people to have health insurance or pay a fine. Most of us live in one of the 48 states that require auto insurance. The two that don’t, by the way, haven’t joined in the suit filed in Florida to have the law declared unconstitutional. I’d like someone to explain to me why I can be obliged to purchase auto insurance but not obliged to purchase health insurance. I guess we value our cars more than our health.
