Durham investigates burning of 3 crosses in one night(God H's F's+KKK?)

[Algorem]

http://www.the-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050526/APN/505260534&cachetime=5

...It was the first time in recent memory that one of the South's most notorious symbols of racial hatred has been seen in the city.

"At this day and time, I thought we'd be beyond that," said Mayor Bill Bell. "People do things for different reasons, and I don't have the slightest idea why anyone would do this."

The first burning was reported at 9:19 p.m. outside St. Luke's Episcopal Church near Interstate 85...

The play is about the murder of a gay man, and the Westboro protesters carried anti-gay signs with slogans including "God Hates Fags" and "Thank God for 9/11."...

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Misdemeanor: a class of criminal offenses consisting of those offenses

less serious than felonies and which are santioned by less severe penalties.

Burning a cross without the permission of the property owner is a misdemeanor in North Carolina. However, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2003 that, under the First Amendment, cross burning could be barred only when done with the intent to intimidate.

[Gyre]

11. The would be a felony in California

under our Hate Crimes statutes. What is NC's problem exactly?

[Cooley Hurd]

2. I'm sure the Klan feels empowered now that the Christo-fascists have...

...risen to such prominence.:scared:

[ClintonTyree]

3. Theofascists.....

is the new term for them now. And yes, bush's politics of hate have emboldened the American hate groups to a point not seen in decades. Mr. Uniter strikes again.

[Wickerman]

4. Thank God for 9/11

What does being gay have to do with 9/11?

:wtf: is wrong with folks?

[Bluerthanblue]

9. don't you remember?...

"Pat Robertson," and i think it was...? Jerry Fallwell talking about how this was 'gods' judgement against the wickedness of America- pay-back for all the 'sinning' like abortion, Clinton, gays and the 'liberal' agenda???-

sadly, i think far too many 'well intentioned' but blind "fundies" agree with him (maybe even subconciously) and that is why * got ANY votes in the last election.-

Foolish, hatefilled, lost souls.

[Wickerman]

10. Oh crap, how did I forget that?

Easy, i guess, I dismiss everything out of that fake piece of crap's mouth. Pat is going have a big ol' surprise at the Pearly Gates.

[TheGunslinger]

5. These morans are GLAD 9/11 happened??

:wtf:

[genieroze]

39. Why would these theofascist's care, 911 happened in NY.

[AlinPA]

6. Just conservative republicans doing God's work? n/t

[Anarcho-Socialist]

7. Those people are full of hate

They've rejected Christ's teachings; how on earth they reconcile hate and Christianity is beyond me.

[faithnotgreed]

22. thats what i keep saying. people who hate and destroy are NOT Christians

no matter how many times they invoke Gods name in public

i dont understand how some people continue to call them by that name

[Dogmudgeon]

8. Here's the kick-in-the-head irony

Fred Phelps was a long-time civil rights lawyer before he got that bug up his ass about gays. Most of the reporting about him and his church of hate make prominent mention of it, and usually run the picture of him posing with Bill and Hillary, too (he was a Democratic organizer).

Phelps isn't anti-black, he's anti-gay. On the other hand, it means that there are TWO packs of jackals running around in Durham.

--p!

[struggle4progress]

26. Phelps sounds anti-black to me:

... A fax issued by Westboro Baptist Church with Phelps' name on the heading, reads: "... BLACK BULLIES BEAT WHITE KIDS AND WOMEN."

And on Jan. 11, 1993, a fax, sent out under the Westboro Baptist Church heading labels a local black lawyer as an "INCOMPETENT BLACK WHORE" and "BLACK TRASH."

A fax dated May 22, 1992, called a black politician a "BLACK THUG," a "CRIMINAL" and a "HOLLIGAN" ...

http://cjonline.com/webindepth/phelps/stories/080394_phelps17.shtml


The pore feller ain't in his right mind ...

[Dogmudgeon]

28. He might be "losing it"

The Kansas paper that first "exposed" him (as a scam artist, child abuser and obsessive-compulsive) wrote about his civil rights days and Democratic Party organizing in some detail.

Although more context is needed to really figure out what any crazy person may be ranting about, Phelps isn't going to win any awards for dispensing the milk of human kindness.

--p!

[BobRossi]

12. KKK alive and well in North Carolina

"DURHAM, North Carolina (AP) -- Three large crosses were burned in separate spots around the city during a span of just over an hour, and yellow fliers with Ku Klux Klan sayings were found at one location, police said."

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/05/26/crosses.burned.ap/index.html

[renaissanceguy]

13. They're everywhere.

If I'm not mistaken, they still operate in Illinois, too (upstate!!).


http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.21272885

[benburch]

16. And we have the Illinois Nazis here too.

They have more members than teeth.

[keroro gunsou]

54. heh heh

Elwood: What's going on?
Person: The Illinois Nazis got permission to march here...
Elwood: ...Illinois Nazis...
Jake: ...I hate Illinois Nazis...

Ok, so that was from a far distant memory, but it's still pretty funny :D

[BobRossi]

14. Oops! Didn't see previous post

I looked but didn't see previous post.
Please disregard.

[bluestateguy]

15. Every Klansman voted for Bush

Not once have I ever heard this president or his party explicitly or formally repudiate the support of white racists. That is, to say "I don't want your vote. I do not want your support".

[MnFats]

18. hell, they actively SOUGHT the racist vote!

Willy Horton did not go away....they've just updated him so it's a little more subtle...

[handywork]

37. I agree...

and that's is discusting...:thumbsdown:

[MnFats]

17. and Wisc., too, and a few in Minn. as well...

...had a demo on the st.paul capitol steps a few years back....

[thecai]

25. Racists Are Terrorists

Burning crosses is not peaceful, but is an act of terrorism.

[short bus president]

19. Jeebus - St. Lukes is my old preschool

and I'm still close to many people who attend services there. What is with this redneck rampage running through my state right now???

[struggle4progress]

27. Not too much evidence so far of a rampage:

three crosses burned -- in Durham, of all places -- and whoever did it, of course, crawled away right quick.

Right now, there's lots of Durham folk real pissed ...

[Bandit]

20. In Florida that could be considered a threat and people could

start blastin' with their penis extensions. Could result in a blood bath. God would be happy about that I bet..

[Vickers]

30. That goes both ways...my penis extension works as well as theirs

:)

[CRK7376]

21. Why does my state seem to run

amok with Wacko's? Religious Fundies out of contral in the Western Regions of the state, most recently up in Asheville. Now we have Klan idiots at it again in Durham...Give us a break please...Tired of seeing my state slammed....

[handywork]

36. I've been saying this...

Need to take a deep liberal breath in NC go to carrboro...best town in NC!!!

[bamacrat]

23. Ive never understood all of this "god hates" stuff.

I thought god loved us all regardless our sexual, religious or racial affiliation.

[slamthecrank]

24. That's because...

the "God hates" faction is basically simple idolatry. The knuckle-dragging crowd cannot fathom that God, as an entity separate from humans, can possibly think outside of the box of human folly. So, they make Him/Her in their own image...that way, they can more fully "understand" Him/Her. Idolatry, and it's one of the main things Christ taught against.

"God hates" is probably the most colorful phrase to describe cognitive dissonance that I can think of. Unless someone is trying to propagandize their own agenda of hate. And, like Bob Dylan said - "Propaganda - all is phony."

Knuckle-draggers eat this shit up, unfortunately.

[rugger]

29. Can we get these morons to secede again?

What a disgrace and an embarrassment to have to call these rednecks countrymen

[NNN0LHI]

31. 3 cross burnings probed in N.C. city

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-cross27.html

DURHAM, N.C. -- Three large crosses were burned in separate spots around the city Wednesday night, and yellow fliers with Ku Klux Klan sayings were found at one location, police said. snip

Burning crosses were reported outside St. Luke's Episcopal Church, atop a large pile of dirt near an apartment complex construction site and at a downtown intersection.

Police said each wood cross was about 7 feet tall and 4 feet wide. They were wrapped in burlap and doused in a liquid that smelled like kerosene.

St. Luke's was one of several churches picketed this month by members of Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., as part of a protest against the performance of ''The Laramie Project'' at Durham School of the Arts. The group was upset with churches and others for not taking a stand against the play, which is about Matthew Shepard, a gay college student who was beaten to death in Laramie, Wyo., in 1998.

The religion of peace...

[youspeakmylanguage]

32. Durham!

You make North Carolina proud!

[FloridaPat]

33. Here's another group that should be extinct but isn't. Why is the

Land of the Free and the Brave so filled with hate?

[BeFree]

34. Why?

Good question. I have no good answer except to say that it seems most people live in constant fear and that fear drives them to hate those unlike them in appearance or style.

"Land of the Free and Home of the Brave" is so important to remember but so quickly forgotten in the presence of fear. Fear is the most limiting factor I can think of and as I look around me I see fear in nearly everyone's face.

[Miss Chybil]

35. So, this Westboro Baptist Church would prefer all gays were beaten to

death? I hope there is a God and I hope I'm in line behind those people on judgement day, just to see what happens.

[redqueen]

38. "Thank God for 9/11"?!

And conservatives call liberal extremists crazy?

[Moderator]

40. kick to combine

[emad]

41. Burning crosses signal return of Ku Klux Klan

By Andrew Buncombe in Washington
28 May 2005


Police in Durham, North Carolina, have launched an investigation after three crosses were set alight in one night - triggering fears that the Ku Klux Klan may have targeted the city. Yellow leaflets, purportedly produced by the KKK, were found at the site of one of the burning crosses.

While burning crosses have long been associated with the Klan, people in Durham said this was the first time for a generation that such an incident had been reported in the city. Students of the Klan also say that it is vastly reduced in its membership and influence from 40 years ago. It may be that the crosses were simply set ablaze by pranksters.

"At this day and time, I thought we'd be beyond that," said the city's mayor, Bill Bell. "People do things for different reasons, and I don't have the slightest idea why anyone would do this."

The first burning was reported at around 9.20pm outside one of the city's churches, the second 40 minutes later next to a construction site and the third half-an-hour later at an intersection in the city centre. Each cross was around 7ft tall and 4ft across. They had all been wrapped in sacking and doused with kerosene. "We're working with the FBI in investigating this, but right now we don't have any leads," said Kammi Michael, a spokesperson for the Durham Police Department. Durham's population of around 200,000 is evenly split between white and black and the city has long enjoyed a reputation for having little racial friction. Mr Bell, who entered politics in 1972, said that even after the assassination of Martin Luther King which sparked riots elsewhere across the country, the city was able to remain relatively calm.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=642006

[demnan]

42. The Freepers Internet must have been down.

[Roland99]

43. DUHversion from the real culprits. Note. "Godhatesfags.com" Phelps was

in that area just prior.

[Maddy McCall]

46. I don't see the association between the two events.

When Phelps came to our city, it was really a non-event. Something else is going on in Durham.

Sounds like the people who made the crosses had made them before. I've done interviews (I'm an historian) with former Klan members, and the way the crosses were made in Durham is exactly the way it was described to me by Kluckers.

Something must be causing a reemergence of racial tension in Durham. Any recent trials? What's been in the news?

It's not about Phelps. Something is going on--I wonder what it is.

[Roland99]

55. Read this thread: Fred Phelps comes to my town. He spurs crossburnings

Fred Phelps comes to my town. He spurs crossburnings against CHURCHES.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3733105

[mzteris]

48. Why hasn't the media

reported this story anywhere? It seems the link IS there - timing/location, etc.

I really wish the connection between those who hate gays also hate blacks (indeed ANY non-white non-protestant male...... - women are just breeders, doncha know) would be highlighted!

If the black community could understand that the intolerance shown for gays is merely the "allowable" biogtry of the day - and that most who are "homophobic" are racist and mysogynistic as well.

Equal rights for ALL is a frightening concept for some. Those who are insecure and filled with self-loathing NEED to have groups of people they can "look down on" so they can at least pretend to have some self-worth.

Phelps not only hates himself, but evidently all of his children. (Who here would take the bet that the man is probably a closet pedophile?)

[LostinVA]

44. RETURN??? When the heck did it leave?

I lived in NC from 1982-2000, and the Klan never left. There was a huge KKK clubhouse up the road from my parents' place when they lived in Fayetteville, some bigshot KKK guy moved from the Midwest to Sanford, the KKK marched in (I think) Siler City because of all of the Mexicans moving into the area, my partner's grandfather is high up in the local Klan in a rural area near Winston-Salem (as well as being a Baptist deacon)I covered a march as a journalist when they had a huge march in Greensboro in 1987, etc.

That being said, the Klan has pretty much always been worse in the parts of the Midwest. Especially Indiana. Just a shout out to any Tarheels reading this. Go 'Heels!

[demnan]

45. Klan member and Baptist deacon

Wouldn't be my first choice for inlaws

[LostinVA]

52. I'm not going to drop a 10-year relationship

Because her grandfather is in the Klan. She sure as heck isn't like that.

[napi21]

49. I lived in SC from 1987 to 1994 and KKK had marches all the time.

I was going to ask the same question..."Who said they ever went away?"

They got quieter, and for the most part stayed out of the national media, but they have always been very alove and well.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

47. In many southern areas, the KKK is seen as an embarrassment

In Boone County, AR, there's a "church" that is a KKK chapter, I've been told. Periodically they send out mass mailings, explaining why the largest employer in the area should be boycotted because they have a policy of tolerance for all races and sexual orientations. The last time they did this, the Harrison City Council passed a resolution assuring the public in general and businesses in the area that the opinions expressed in the mailing were NOT those of the people of Harrison. Since the "church" is located in a rural part of the county, they are probably right. In talking to people about the incident, I found only embarrassment-many people don't even like to go to the area where the "church" is located.

[AlinPA]

50. Republican conservatives doing their thing, claiming God is on their side.

[geckosfeet]

51. Sounds like some genetically related good ol boys got hold of a

bottle of wild turkey, some 2 by 4's, some kerosene and burlap.

[LuPeRcALiO]

53. You'd think they'd be happy controlling the entire friggin' world

but no.

[fortyfeetunder]

56. This is not the beginning and is not the end

I have lived through the peak years of the civil rights movement.

People were getting a clue about tolerance and peace in the US
through the 60's and 70's. But it all started coming to an end with the Reagan administration in the early 80's. I saw that it was now more acceptable to be less tolerant of others and peace was just an idealistic hippie concept. It has gone downhill from here.

The cross burnings are back to stay. And I expect more intolerance from US citizens, starting from the Oval office, in years to come.

Makes a person weary.

[dArKeR]

57. Whoreland Security shut down http://www.elitetorrents.org. Some kids

downloading MP3s and low quality movies. I'm not sure what Elite had to do with Whoreland Security but one thing I'm sure of is that burning crosses is the first step to murder and burning crosses is surely terrorism. And I'm sure the Bush/GOP Crime Family has instructed Whoreland Security NOT to investigate these type of "Republican Events".

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1502050