Murders, Assailants & the Far Right

(Community Matters) Several months ago when anarchists threw molotov cocktails at the Republican convention, some insisted on calling the troublemakers Democrats. I’m wondering if these same folks now consider Scott Roeder (killer of Dr. George Tiller) and James Weeneker von Brunn’s (assailant at the Holocaust Museum) as members any other political party? Of course, this shouldn’t be the point. And, yet, I do fear irresponsible commentators stoke the disturbed fires in some heads.

CNN reports that the number of known hate groups has surged from 602 to 926 since 2000. Earlier this month, the killing of a physician. This week, attempts to kill visitors at the Jewish Holocaust Museum. Weekly, assaults on gays, lesbians, transgendered and bisexuals. And, even more regular assaults because of race.

According to 2007 FBI statistics, race was by far the largest target for hate crimes – anti-black assaults accounting for nearly 70% of that category. Religion was the next highest target – Jews the target in 70% of hate crimes motivated against religion. Jews were nearly 8 times as likely to be targeted as any other religious group. I fear these statistics under count assaults against Muslims, Arabs, Persians & others of Middle Eastern descent. I know the Jewish community is aggressive and effective at addressing hate crimes in its and other communities – especially through the Anti-Defamation League. Sexual orientation accounted for the third highest target, and again, there is significant under reporting. In some communities, the police dissuade LGBT victims from reporting or refuse to classify assaults as such.

Some conservatives screamed about the domestic terrorist threat identified in the recent, draft Homeland Security Report. I’m hoping we can now move forward and seriously discuss the warnings. I’m not sure how this could work and not impose on first amendment rights, but should we consider requiring truthfulness & imposing accountability on commentators who use the public airwaves? Problematic I know and so is the irresponsible commentary which leads to violence.

update: I’ve been reminded of Jim Adkisson who last summer killed 2 at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Church “because ‘he hated the liberal movement’ and was upset with ‘liberals as well as gays.'”