Southern Poverty Law Center - Comments

[Robson]

While the outward agenda of the SPLC appears respectable, I'm not convinced that the organization is anything more that a front for globalist business interests.

[etherealtruth]

1. What led you to that conclusion?

Sorry, I thought you were referring to the Southern Poverty Law Center ... I don't know anything about the Law Council so can't comment or question

[Pale Blue Dot]

2. Do you mean the Southern Poverty Law CENTER?

Please explain.

[Robson]

Thanks..I've edited it

My opinion was formed after seeing Richard Cohen and another from SPLC on Lou Dobbs last week. They attempted to call him and anyone who opposed illegal immigration as racists. That's wrong and a typical tactic that very well funded organizations, and the funding comes with an agenda, use to marginalize opposition.

I.E. Let's call them something that they can't defend against.....xenophobe, racists, etc.

Money talks and money connives and money manipulates....and that is my concern that the SPLC is controlled and biased by those who donate to their staff and cause.

Poor Americans of any race that are being screwed by cheap labor and illegal immigration foisted upon us by big business and the US Chamber of Commerce don't fund the SPLC, but those with money do.

What is obvious is usually a false flag or a diversion. Surely those who have lived under this Bush administration have a feel for that.

[Pale Blue Dot]

27. So corporations are funding covert action in favor of illegal immigration

through the SPLC?

I can't believe I hadn't made that connection before.

[EFerrari]

49. I bet you don't have the scoop on the NAACP, either.

:rofl:

[Pale Blue Dot]

57. Oh no. Please don't tell me they're controlled by the Freemasons.

:scared:

[EFerrari]

58. Rainbow Coalition, Code Pink, Gray Panthers , Blue Shield --

all backed by Home Depot, baby.

:rofl:

[Robson]

63. Nothing to do with that but

I'm weary of spending hours in Home Depot trying to find help where there is none. They used to be a place where employees were enthusiastic and customers were happy. Now their employees have their aprons off the instant they are on their way out the door so some helpless customer won't delay their exit by asking a question. But that's another story for another thread. They might want to stick to their knitting and run a competent business instead of pretending they are a friendly corporate citizen paying an incompetent CEO hundreds of millions to leave while cutting employees.

[Pale Blue Dot]

65. ...

:rofl:

That's it! I'm bookmarking this thread!

:rofl:

[EFerrari]

70. "My favorite train wrecks"

We need a "holding your head in both hands" smiley. lol

[Madspirit]

41. deleted and moved down...n/t

[LeftyMom]

61. Got anything to back that up?

Because the latest economic analysis I've seen says that immigration (legal or no) is good for the economy and that native-born workers derive an economic benefit from it because they often get supervisory roles over immigrant labor.

[supernova]

3. Huh?

They've been a civil rights firm and advocacy group for many decades now.

Yes, it is a Southern Povery Law CENTER.

[Madspirit]

4. Then You Don't Know Much

The Southern Poverty Law Center is one of the best organizations on the planet.

Ruben..."This is the story of the Hurricane..."...Carter and Morris Dees started it and it remains one of the most progressive groups around.

Lee

[H2O Man]

5. It is a great organization,

though Rubin had no involvement with it.

[Madspirit]

7. I thought he did

Oh well. As poor as I am it is one place I send money to any time I can.
Lee

[Madspirit]

10. Julian Bond

...and Joseph Levin...those are who helped found it. I don't know where I got the idea that Ruben Carter had something to do with it.

Lee

[H2O Man]

14. Same direction.

It's all part of the Good Fight.

[Pale Blue Dot]

18. Pretty cheap organization.

Couldn't they have at least printed your last name in the same font?

[H2O Man]

34. I assume

that those who are complaining about the SPLC are making reference to exactly that.

[EFerrari]

77. lol

:rofl:

[H2O Man]

13. Rubin works

as the head of a group that assists the wrongly convicted around the globe, and which fights against capital punishment. His group is based out of a Canadian University now.

His legal defense team was headed by Myron Beldock. Myron and others help coordinate services for some of the cases in the US that Rubin works on.

[EFerrari]

6. LOL!

[etherealtruth]

8. OK you've edited your OP to indicate it is the law CENTER

I'm curious what could have led you to the conclusion you have drawn?

[AlCzervik]

9. Seriously? What is that based on?

[jody]

11. Google SPLC and you will find skeletons in Dee's closet. Still, SPLC has performed good deeds. n/t

[supernova]

15. They still perform good deeds

by keeping track of US hate groups.

[jody]

21. I agree and I said that. n/t

[supernova]

26. You weren't specific enough. n/t

What's this big earth-shattering criticism anyway? And don't tell me to Google it. You and robeson are making the allegations.

[jody]

28. For a start, read the Wikipedia summary.

Southern Poverty Law Center

[supernova]

44. The biggest criticism

of them seems to be Morris Dees may be setting up a little cult of personality all his own.

That may or may not be true. And it looks like most of the criticism so far is coming from orgs the SPLC has listed as hate groups. :shrug:

I'm still not sure what this has to do with posting it on DU?

edit: Spelling.

edit2: Hey Rimjob, did FR get listed as a hate group by SPLC? :D

[jody]

46. See #45 n/t

[supernova]

47. So?

You aren't explaining yourself very well about what you think DU is supposed to do about it.

[Name removed]

48. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

50. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[etherealtruth]

16. such as ...

Dee's certainly is guilty of having very human frailties ... but I'm not aware of anything that I'd call a skeleton in his closet

[jody]

20. Google and find out for your self. n/t

[etherealtruth]

29. Wow, that was rude ...

I guess I dare not ask you to explain your perception of Mo Dees ... as I stated, my understanding was one indicating human frailties vs. "skeletons" .... forgive my assumption that you came here to discuss:(

[jody]

30. For a start, read the Wikipedia summary.

Southern Poverty Law Center

[etherealtruth]

37. I did prior to posting initially

There's not a lot of negative info ... nothing I would truly classify as a skeleton ... I also take wiki articles with a grain of salt (w/out independent, verifiable and reputable info) ... even if every word is true and in a context that is reflective of reality I don't see skeletons ????

Perhaps the worst that can be said is that the SPLC has occaisionally lapsed in judgment ... and prefers to err on the side of assuming incidents are an act of racism when the truth might be a little more lurky than that.

[jody]

45. The Montgomery Advertiser investigation is one example.

Montgomery Advertiser investigation

In 1994 The Montgomery Advertiser published a 9-part investigative series alleging financial mismanagement, poor management practices, misleading fundraising, and institutionalized racism at the Center. The newspaper summarized its investigation as producing evidence of "a complex portrait of a wealthy civil rights organization essentially controlled by one man: Morris Dees."<7>

The Advertiser also interviewed several former SPLC affiliates who alleged financial improprieties on the part of the Center. Pamela Summers, formerly a legal fellow with the Center, told the newspaper that the Center's legal department operates "as though the sole, overriding goal is to make money." Summers accused Dees of avoiding "go(ing) to court" on discrimination cases and instead relying upon financial contributions to obtain money.

The Center threatened legal action against the newspaper during the publication of the series, and lobbied against its consideration for journalism awards. Nonetheless, the investigative series was a finalist for a 1995 Pulitzer Prize.<8>

The Center states that "During its last fiscal year, the Center spent approximately 65% of its total expenses on program services. The Center also placed a portion of its income into a special, board-designated endowment fund to support the Center's future work. At the end of the fiscal year, the endowment stood at $120.6 million."

[etherealtruth]

51. Dees has developed quite a bit of a "cult of personality"

I wonder, have allegations been made about Dees bolstering his own personal wealth or has he just made sure that the Southern Poverty Law Center is a "mega" force to be reckoned with?

I still think the SP LC has done a tremendous amount of good.

[jody]

53. See #11. "you will find skeletons in Dee's closet. Still, SPLC has performed good deeds." n/t

[etherealtruth]

62. I realize that you stated that ...

I think our perceptions are a little different about Dees financial dealings ... I don't really see a problem with Dees raising huge amounts of money for the SPLC ... as stated before, he has made it a force to be reckoned with ... I would have concerns if Dees amassed huge personal wealth from his fund raising (as frequently done by "televangelists")... with that said I do think that Dees deserves to be compensated (at fair market value) for the services he does provide to the SPLC.

[jody]

64. Have a great day and good bye. n/t

[supernova]

69. A theme develops

:rofl:

[Madspirit]

12. So...you're not even going to explain such an inane remark?...n/t

[Pale Blue Dot]

23. Wait! I've got it!

Since corporations are known for their tolerance, and their militant stance against racism, the SPLC is obviously furthering their agenda!

:rofl:

[Cerridwen]

17. I smell grinding axe.............n/t

[Wiley50]

19. Robson? as in JIM ROBinSON?

c'mon Rimjob, what you wanna do coming over here casting asparagus?

GO Home!

[Iris]

22. good catch. n/t

[Wiley50]

31. Hard to believe he threw away a 546 post cover

just to do that?

Did SPLC make some sort of statement on Falwell's death? Maybe something about being a racist and a tool of the global elite?

Just a guess

But, Thanks Iris

[EFerrari]

36. Why are freeps so obsessed with DU?

It's just weird.

Why don't they stick to running up their mom's credit card and ogling their sisters?

[Cerridwen]

43. Aw, c'mon -

give their sisters a break. Geez...

:D

[Iris]

38. I thought that as well. You'd think he would have thrown in something about

the Kennedys at the very least.

[Robson]

35. Illegal immigration is a big deal to me and it should be a bg deal to every American

I put my politics on my sleeve and if you read my journal you'll see EXACTLY where I'm coming from. There is no fluff or alterior motive...I'm for the little guy in America. Nothing exotic or on the fringe.

I'm not convinced that everything is as we see it, and that includes groups that are funded by big corporate money. Big money has the power to use propaganda, to manipulate so as to increase their influence and power. It is not beyond their ethics to take a liberal group such as SPLC and give them huge amounts of money to forward their own agenda, knowing that said agenda might mesh well with what the corporatists want....cheap labor.

[EFerrari]

40. Well, I hope the SPLC gets ALL of the HUGE amounts of money

you are imagining.

And don't you mean, "Liberty & Justice for Some!"

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

54. delete

[etherealtruth]

55. I think that racist groups have used anti-immigration sentiments

... to rally the troops and gain members. I know that hate group activism and membership has risen, coinciding with anti-immigrant sentiments and that alone scares the hell out of me

[Robson]

59. Let's clarify a VERY important point......ILLEGAL immigrants not legal

I find the continued claims of "racism against immigrants" when referring to OPPOSITION to illegal immigrants as not only lacking in credibility, but an unfair attempt at marginalizing legitimate opposition to law breakers that steal from American citizens at the behest of US business interests.

If it was up to me I'd tell every business in the USA if you hire an illegal immigrant, instead of a US born African American citizen or other qualified individual, that you will spend years in jail plus a mega lifestyle changing fine. I'll guarantee that three things will occurr. Crime among black males will decline, illegals will no longer cross our borders and will go home, and US wages will rise.

[EFerrari]

66. Thank you for your comments on black males and undocumented workers.

[etherealtruth]

67. Lets clarify the point further ...

Hate group membership has risen dramatically with the rise in anti-immigrant sentiment in this country. There are many that truly want to get a handle on illegal immigration ... there are equal numbers that want to make legal immigration to this country virtually impossible for people originating from specific area's of the world.

The SPLC is targeting HATE groups that have jumped on the bandwagon and used this issue for their own evil purposes.

[supernova]

71. Exactly,

We've had these immigrant scares before:

"No Irish Need Appy:

The No Nothings

[EFerrari]

72. In Shakespeare's day, inns would post notices to keep out

"dogs, players and masterless men".

It's a very, very, very old trick.

[supernova]

75. Ha. I hadn't heard that

about the inns. :thumbsup: Thanks for the info.

We're always so anxious to classfy people as "other."

[EFerrari]

78. That's how the Republic partiy builds its base, isn't it? n/t

[supernova]

79. Oh absolutely

They've built the entire party on the fear of others:

It used to be blacks and women and war protestors. Then it was blacks, women, war protestors, then gays. Now, it's blacks, women, war protestors, gays, and terrorists, and illegal immigrants.


Oi, it's so hard to keep up with the hate list.

[Robson]

81. Now...if only the Democratic Party would build its base using historic planks

Let's hope that the Democratic Party that every working person in America was proud to belong to.....is back. They had a straightforward mission, to advance middle class Americans through improved wages, better benefits and tax policy that favored the middle class. I pray to the God of Equity for working Americans that party is coming back.

[etherealtruth]

73. Unfortunately ...

These threads always turn out this way by the end. I should know better by now ... I just couldn't fathom what could have prompted the criticism of the SPLC

[supernova]

76. I can't either

And I specifically asked. Eventhough it's deleted now.

[MH1]

82. Apparently Lou Dobbs did make racist claims.

If this is motivated because SPLC is coming down hard on Lou Dobbs, perhaps you should step back and lok at his statements a little more closely.

http://www.splcenter.org/news/item.jsp?aid=254

Center Urges CNN to Retract False Reporting by Lou Dobbs
'Advocacy Journalist' cites bogus data linking leprosy to undocumented immigrants

May 9, 2007 — The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) today urged CNN to acknowledge that anchor Lou Dobbs has been spreading false information about the prevalence of leprosy and its supposed links to undocumented immigrants.

"We're not talking about a newscaster who simply made a mistake — we're talking about someone with a national platform who cites wildly inaccurate data to demean an entire group of people and who, when confronted with the truth, simply repeats the lie," said SPLC President Richard Cohen. "It's outrageous, and CNN should do something about it immediately."

In a letter sent today, Cohen asked CNN/U.S. President Jonathan Klein to take prompt action to correct the misinformation.

On "Lou Dobbs Tonight" this past Monday, Dobbs said he stands "100 percent behind" his show's claim that there had been 7,000 new cases of leprosy in the United States over a recent three-year period, and he further suggested that an increase in leprosy was due in part to "unscreened illegal immigrants coming into this country."

Dobbs' endorsement of the claim came after CBS correspondent Lesley Stahl challenged the leprosy figure during a profile of Dobbs on "60 Minutes" this past Sunday. Stahl cited a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services document that reported 7,029 cases over the past 30 years — not three.

The dispute highlights the SPLC's concern that Dobbs and some others in the media are regularly using discredited and inaccurate information about immigrants — material that often originates with far-right ideologues and organizations dominated by white supremacists and nativists.

(more at the link)

[MH1]

80. WOW. Considering I just received a thick report in the mail from SPLC,

detailing the problems with our current guestworker programs, and how various CORPORATIONS are getting over on immigrants and not following the law, I can certainly see how you would think they are "corporatists." :eyes:

I'm off to go see if that report is posted on their website. I confess, even though I read it in full, most of it went over my head and I can't summarize more than that without pulling it out again. But I can say that although they are looking for justice for immigrant workers, they certainly aren't taking the side of corporations.

[Madspirit]

86. I've got It!

Your obsession with this to the point of blinding you, sucking the compassion out of your soul, not minding that you are coming across as a racist troll... Somebody sneaked in and stole all your toys when you were little, right?
Lee

[Clark2008]

24. Are you serious?

THe SPLC rocks!

I have donated to them frequently and read their site religiously. They are truly a wonderful beacon in a mass of hatred, greed, inhumane treatment and sloth.

[AlCzervik]

25. This is like one of the worst ring and runs ever.

[Iris]

39. Uh-oh. Look up! n/t

[Marie26]

32. Why is that?

Because a favorite is on their list of hate groups?

[Solly Mack]

33. wow

[Madspirit]

42. Aha!!

This is just more of your "I hate Meskins" diatribe racist drivel. I should have known.
...and to demonize a wonderful organization because they don't parrot your Very Special Right Wing Talking Point. Shameful.
Lee

[Onceuponalife]

52. the conspiracy theorists are at it again

I've been a Friend of the Center for about 15 years now. They of course have many enemies and individuals trying to cast aspersions on their integrity and the character of Mr. Dees. I have never seen any credible evidence to suggest that the Center is anything other than what it seems: an organization that works tirelessly to aid victims of hate and oppression and to foster and instill tolerance among all peoples. They do NOT categorize all critics of illegal immigration as racists. Have you actually seen the work they do or do you get all your info from wikipedia? Have you heard of Teaching Tolerance and Mix-It-Up day? They single-handedly brought down Aryan Nations through lawsuits and that's bad how? btw, these lawsuits are very expensive and the Center has very wisely planned for the future by amassing a "war chest" of funds so they will not end up bankrupt like Aryan Nations.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

56. Shameful! How dare the SPLC defend poor people!! (Even MEXICANS!!)

They must be (GASP!! EEK!!) HUMANITARIANS!!! Call the FBI!!

[Forkboy]

60. Comments? Yeah,this is a stupid thread.

[Robson]

68. When I see a stupid thread I don't reply.....

....but if I see a provocative thread that I may not agree with but would like to express an opinion on, I do reply. I don't expect many to agree with me as my views aren't easily put into a party line box. Check my journal. I'm not trying to masquerade as something I'm not.

edited: journal not profile

[Forkboy]

74. Never said you were masquerading as anything.

:shrug:

[nealmhughes]

83. Dude, you don't know Morris Dees or Mark Potok then!

Mark and his wife lived next door to me for 2 years with their black standard poodle, Willie, my Doberdor Phil's best dog friend. Morris lived about 7 or 8 blocks away. He has to have round the clock private security because of all the death threats. There is a private cop car parked on the street 24/7. The SPLC with its famous fountain has an armed guard to protect it from being defaced.
Despite all the BS with the protection, it is not hard to have a word with Morris or Mark in the neighborhood. They aren't hermits or in an undisclosed location.
There has been some criticism on the SPLC becoming a "poverty pimp" with its direct marketing and scary blurbs that get sent out. But there is not a doubt in the world that they are as legit as can be. Dees got his start making money with mail order cookbooks to finance his law education by the way.

[renate]

87. what you said about their direct marketing and scary blurbs... boy howdy yes

We have received some extremely irritating fund-raising letters from them... some of them were even marked "Final Notice" in red ink around the time our membership was about to expire. Um... isn't our membership voluntary? So why the scare tactics? Not friendly, guys!

It was the kind of amateurish, heavy-handed marketing I would have expected from televangelists.

[entanglement]

84. Jim Gilchrist is that you?

:evilgrin:

[Wiley50]

85. Wrong Jim

see post319 and all it's replies esp #35

where he basically admits it

[WilliamPitt]

88. Wow.

Smart flamebait. A rarity these days.

But flamebait nonetheless.

Nary a word offered, within the single well-written sentence provided, to explain what convinced you the SPLC is "a front for globalist business interests."

Nice use of the g-spot progressive buzzwords, tho. You got your response.