Well, while last night was a great night for intelligent, progressive Americans, today is looking like a rough day for the knuckle-draggers known as “white supremacists.” A few minutes ago, I was just sitting in my cube catching up on the exit polls, when a co-worker comes by to inform me that I should avoid downtown Memphis this weekend. Why? Because David Duke is apparently holding a KKK rally (which they’re calling a “EURO conference.” EURO stands for European-American Unity and Rights, which is a new incarnation of the original group title NO FEAR- the National Organization for European-American Rights- which the clothing company No Fear sued into non-existence while Duke himself was still cowering in exile in Moscow trying to beat a hefty tax evasion rap). Way to burst my bubble, there, hate groups! The facts, the rumors, and more horribleness to put you off your food after the jump.
At least the Mid-South is not taking Duke’s swamp trash bullshit lying down. Apparently, the “conference” was originally supposed to take place outside of Memphis, in the safety and Caucasian security of a hotel in Olive Branch- not far from the aptly named town of Whitehaven. However, the methods with which EURO used to secure their spot in Northern Mississippi are suspect. According to a Memphis Commercial Appeal article re-posted on (ugh!) a Vanguard forum (I can’t find the original on the CA website, and I had no idea what this forum was until google puked it up in my search results), EURO originally told the hotel they were an environmentalist group, and only made their white supremacist reality known when the contracts were signed and mailed in. Once civil rights groups in the Mid-South got wind of this, the hotel’s manager’s personal info was circulated (bad form, civil rights groups), and he resigned from his position. The hotel has since cancelled EURO’s contract, and will not be allowing the group to hold their conference on it’s property.
Duke has issued statements to the Commercial Appeal calling the situation “un-American” and threatens to sue. However, Duke’s camp has not yet said whether or not they will cancel their efforts in Olive Branch full stop, propting the DeSoto County police to declare a “state of emergency” beginning at 8am on Friday. There are also rumors, like the ones circulating in my very office, that Duke will take his white hood and pony show to the square near the courthouse in downtown Memphis, an area used by white supremacists to hold hate rallies at least once a year.
Now, OK, I support every Americans constitutional right to peacefully assemble, but this attempted cancellation is completely justified. We’ve just elected the first Black president in US history, and it hasn’t even been 2 weeks since the feds busted two skinheads with a plan to slaughter 88 innocent Black children before trying to get Obama in the cross hairs. So this whole “conference” idea is in even more poor taste than usual for a disgusting group like EURO. In my opinion, the whole purpose of such an event (besides shameless publicity-whoring, David Duke being the original Tila Tequila in that respect) is to invite controversy and possibly incite violence against minorities. The KKK is, and has always been, a terrorist organization. As long as they make it their mission to intimidate, persecute, control and kill other Americans, they do not deserve to enjoy the same rights as law-abiding citizens. So good on you, Mid-South, for not allowing this shit to go down in our backyard after the most uplifting, inspiring evening Americans have seen in decades.
Down with HATE
Up with HOPE
sources:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/nov/05/duke-accommodation-cancellation-un-american/
http://www.whnt.com/Global/story.asp?S=8979720
http://vnnforum.com/showthread.php?t=82761
November 5, 2008 at 12:12 pm
DIE. DIE A THOUSAND TIMES OVER AND THEN DIE SOME MORE.
November 5, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I’m with Kadinsky. Die die die. Newsweek is putting out some embargoed stuff on the campaign, and apparently Michelle was asking “Why would they incite hate like this?” Meaning the McCain people.
In a slightly related note, I heard some guy bitching today “He said the kids reserved a puppy; now we’re going to have a puppy shitting in the White House.”
Two things I wanted to say: 1) I believe steam cleaners still work on White House carpets and 2) Better to have a puppy shitting on the carpet than George Bush shitting all over the Constitution.
November 5, 2008 at 12:25 pm
It could get very dicey down here in downtown Memphis this week. We also are in the middle of the COGIC convention here in downtown Memphis this week. This is a yearly conference for members of the Church of God in Christ. This is a primarily black church, and members come to this conference from all over the country. These are very nice Christian people who wear very nice hats, and I would hate to see any Sick Twisted White Supremacists come in here and start trouble. If these idiots want to get together and “assemble peacefully”, let them meet at David Dukes’ house.
November 5, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Ugh. Stupid hate-mongers.
@Lalaland: How can that guy hate on puppies? So mean!
I think many past presidents have had dogs (and some have had cats). And I doubt it’ll hang out in the Oval Office. And also, it’s just carpet! Those girls totally deserve a puppy.
November 5, 2008 at 12:31 pm
The benefit of a President-Elect Obama is that not only is he under increased Secret Service protection, the mere hint of a threat on his life or the lives of his family will bring the wrath of the FBI and CIA as well.
In other words: keep talking, haters. Your government is listening.
November 5, 2008 at 12:41 pm
@Lalaland: Comment of the day!
@cate3710: Concur, anyone that hates on puppies needs to pack now and leave the country. The dog-lovin Devil has spoken!
As for this hate mongering and disent stirring toward President Elect Obama, it needs to be shut.down.without.mercy.right.now! FBI and Secret Service, go earn your pay.
November 5, 2008 at 12:47 pm
So, anyone know where I could get my hands on some nerve gas?
Also, the continent and currency do not approve, EURO!
November 5, 2008 at 1:05 pm
David Duke is bi? Now I understand his fixation with buff white men with shaved heads!!
November 5, 2008 at 1:40 pm
no, no, no. fuck them all! i am way too emotional today to deal with all this fucking hate. if it’s not gay marriage haters, it’s fucking racist infiltrations. why so much hate? fuck dammit, i’m so worn out.
November 5, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Let’s not forgot that that organization also hates Jews and those of us who are same-sex oriented.
About twelve years ago I showed up to protest one of their rallies on the courthouse steps in Memphis.
I am so glad to be outta there. Biscuit and izzardgrl (my good friend, I miss you so), y’all come on up here for the next few days.
November 5, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Sue, motherfucker. Judges live to laugh this shit out of court.
Please stay safe, Southern ladies.
November 5, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I’m having a tough time understanding why we continue to tolerate the KKK and their ilk in this country. I agree with you 100% Panda–they are terrorists of the most dangerous kind. As American citizens they are wrapping themselves in the same civil liberties and human rights they wish to take from others.
I say we deport every last one of those mofos and see how well they peddle their hatred in some other country without citizenship to protect them.
November 5, 2008 at 3:04 pm
I’m from California. I don’t think I can take much more ignorance and endorsement of hate right now.
I’m going back over to the happy post about the love of all things Fall.
November 5, 2008 at 3:57 pm
And I just remembered something else: Don’t the McCains have like five dogs, two elephants, six giraffes and a parrot? So how would that be any better, Mr. Rude Red State Man?
I used to live near the supposed KKK Capital of Texas. Which was also supposed to be the STD Capital of Texas. Not sure if they’re related.
I really think I may have to leave the South. I definitely think I need to leave the rural South for somewhere closer to a bigger city.
November 5, 2008 at 8:53 pm
This is the shit that makes me so angry. Why can’t these idiots live in peace? I grew up in Macon, Ga in the 70’s and today I celebrated Obama’s win with my best friend in Miami. His call to me was ” OMG, watch out a black man is in the whitehouse, lock down your daughters!”
Given I am a 47 wf and he is a 27 bm and he is so happy that it makes smile while I type this. Duke needs to lay it down and get over it.
November 5, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Olive Branch, an ironically named locale for a planned rally intended to stir up hatred, division and bigotry.
I can’t believe these hate mongering fucktards are still at it. Don’t the counter-protesters that show up at such hatefests usually outnumber the actual white supremacists? Or am I just idealistically deluded?
November 5, 2008 at 9:13 pm
@amazon: It’s disturbing how many hate groups do continue to exist in this nation. See the map from the Southern Poverty Law Center. Many of these groups also have or seek connections abroad.
http://www.splcenter.org/intel/map/hate.jsp
November 5, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Gross. and scary.
November 6, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Did you compare David Duke to Tila Tequila??? For real? HA!
The KKK is dead. I’m not saying that these disgusting people don’t exist or that they’re not potentially dangerous, but ideologically, they are regarded as crackpots and terrorists and they are not tolerated by the vast, VAST majority of America. And their numbers shrink with every passing year. Let them have their little shriveldick hate covention, take their names, and shame them appropriately.
November 6, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Ugh.
I’m still crying about prop 8, so it’s hard to even comprehend shit like this. I’m with Shep- it’s just… frightening sometimes.
November 6, 2008 at 6:10 pm
I called out one of my hubby’s cousin’s yesterday on Facebook cause he joined the group ‘Barack Obama is not MY president’ I am furious at these people who feel it’s OK to stir this racist crap up, wrap it up in political divisiveness, and serve it to the public under their “Freedom of Speech” Haters and racists dickwads can just BITE ME!
November 6, 2008 at 6:13 pm
And my punctuation in the above post is obscene, but now I’m all riled up and just don’t care.
November 6, 2008 at 7:43 pm
@Fairhaired: Totally agree! I’m just waiting for a couple of my goof-headed family to send the WRONG Obama email forward to my inbox…it won’t be a pretty response.
PS…I can haz ur puppeh!!?? PLEZZZZZ!
November 7, 2008 at 1:04 pm
“Euro-American”. Do they realise that not all Europeans are WASPs?
November 8, 2008 at 12:27 am
@Green Eyed Devil-That’s one of my dogs when she was a puppy-8 years ago. Now she’s a cranky ol’ bitch(but hey, don’t we all have those days). But I still love her and she is still beautiful.
November 8, 2008 at 9:12 am
@Fairhaired: She’s ADORABLE and I bet she’s still a cutie pie, just a cranky one… :)