Vigilance and more Vigilance

The Southern Poverty Law Center is devoted to fighting bigotry and hatred. Bulletins and information put out by the SPLC continue to keep track of hate groups and crimes, and violence-prone cells across the country. The Center also provides resources for schools to teach tolerance at any grade level. Morris Dees, chief counsel, has litigated and won cases against the most heinous and biggest hate groups and individuals in our nation’s history.

Even with the great achievements toward advancing the cause of acceptance and tolerance by the SPLC, it is always reassuring and confirming to see government law enforcement take a stand and reinforce measures of protection for us all.
According to ABC News:

“A secret FBI report, obtained by ABC News, identifies 22 domestic terror organizations as the current subjects of 338 active FBI field investigations. The Aryan Nations, and other white supremacist groups, are cited in the report for hate crimes, fire bombings, threats via mail, as well as robberies and murders. The National Alliance, one of the largest neo-Nazi organizations in the world, is subject to 51 FBI investigations alone, according to the report. In fact there are ‘ticking time bombs,’ said Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, ‘who have the capacity, skill and hatred to carry out acts worse that what Timothy McVeigh carried out 10 years ago.’ "

One could conclude from this that there are dangerously-deranged people in our midst in this free society. And one could assume that they are the fringe lunatics who are readily apparent, and therefore easy to avoid. In that case--in what category do you put the United States Senate Majority Leader?

“Senator Frist is to appear on a telecast sponsored by the Family Research Council, which styles itself a religious organization but is really just another Washington lobbying concern. The message is that the Democrats who oppose a tiny handful of President Bush's judicial nominations are conducting an assault "against people of faith." By that, Senator Frist and his allies do not mean people of all faiths, only those of their faith.”

The biggest reason for the let-down in ethics and morality is because “We, the People,” let it happen! It’s really time we restored some sanity! This means that the very least little tiny thing each one of us can do, is speak up and speak out! When someone uses the “N”-word within earshot—let that person have it. If you’re harassed because of your gender or ethnicity, or you see it happening to someone else, say something. Otherwise, my fellow Americans, we are doomed to repeat the history of the ages, in which intolerance is the norm and might makes right.