Anti-Defamation League Labels Conservative Event 'Extremist'

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http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.a...20020527a.html

Anti-Defamation League Labels Conservative Event 'Extremist'
By Michael L. Betsch
CNSNews.com Editorial Assistant
May 27, 2002

(CNSNews.com) - An upcoming Fourth of July "FreedomFest," intended to attract pro-gun, anti-tax conservatives and libertarians from all across America, has been deemed "extremist" by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

Organizers and supporters of 'FreedomFest' say the Anti-Defamation League's accusations are unfounded.

FreedomFest organizer Wayne Hicks describes the upcoming celebration as "a big 4th of July party," replete with fireworks, patriotic musical performances, a turkey shoot, gun show, craft fair, and even a petting zoo and horseback rides for the kids.

The Independence Day weekend event will take place in Dry Fork, Ark. from July 2 through July 6 and it will include the following presentations: "The Bill Of Rights ... and Why We're Losing them," "The Constitution and Constitutional Law," "A Complete Explanation of Section 861 of the IRS Code," and "Keeping and Bearing: What Part of 'Shall Not Be Infringed' don't they understand?"

However, ADL, which has a stated mission to "expose and combat the purveyors of hatred in our midst," lists FreedomFest on its "Schedule of Upcoming Extremist Events for 2002," lumping the event in the same category with the "Aryan Unity Rally," "White solidarity gathering," and "Klan Jam."

ADL's only explanation for labeling FreedomFest an extremist event is that it's "sponsored by Fourth Branch, an anti-government group, and Sierra Times."

FreedomFest organizer Wayne Hicks is president of the Fourth Branch Clubs of America.

The Fourth Branch defines its mission as one dedicated to the "recovery of those unalienable rights, assured to all Americans by our Constitution and the Declaration of Independence."

Sierra Times Chief Executive Officer J.J. Johnson said he doesn't understand why the ADL criticized his conservative-leaning online publication. "In order for me to say if I am or not (anti-government), you've got to define it," he said.

Johnson said the ADL's definition of anti-government could technically include "about 300-million people" who at some point in their lifetime have had a problem with government.

The ADL refused numerous requests by CNSNews.com to define the terms 'anti-government' and 'extremist' with regard to FreedomFest and its sponsors.

"Anti-government is just a word that sounds bad," Johnson said of ADL's use of the term. "If they tell a lie long enough, people will begin to believe it."

Johnson said if he were to define the term anti-government, "it would be a person who was very hostile toward the constitutional principle that it's based on."

"Terrorists are anti-government; we're not terrorists here," Johnson said. "We just happen to have a staff that leans on the conservative side, that's all."

Johnson said despite the Anti-Defamation League's preaching of tolerance, it is among the "most intolerant groups I've ever run across.

"They speaketh with forked tongues," Johnson added.

Aaron Zelman, executive director of Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership, also lashed out at the ADL.

"These folks (ADL), they're just running a scam," Zelman said. "They keep the cash register ringing by claiming there's more anti-Semitism than there really is."

Zelman said ADL's view of events like FreedomFest is "negative" because "they don't believe in the whole Bill of Rights for all citizens."

According to Zelman, "America really is the Promised Land for Jews and it's because of the Bill of Rights." The Second Amendment, he added, "is the guardian of all the rest of the rights."

"All they know is socialism," Zelman said of the ADL. "They never left socialism in Europe when they came and they brought it with them. And, they've been involved in it for all of these decades."

Zelman said the Bill of Rights guarantees Americans the right to practice socialism. However, he said, "You don't try to destroy the country and the laws and the documents that give you so much freedom unless you're just damn stupid or blind, or don't want to learn from history."

[Paul K]

Anti-Defamation League can kiss my American ass.

This 4th of july thing sounds really good, what the 4th SHOULD be.
I wish i was nearby, Id go for sure!

[WOLV314]

My sentiments exactly!:barf:

[Tall Man]

For goodness sakes...even the Fourth of July holiday is not immune to scurrilous attacks.

The ADL refused numerous requests by CNSNews.com to define the terms 'anti-government' and 'extremist' with regard to FreedomFest and its sponsors.

"All they know is socialism," Zelman said of the ADL. "They never left socialism in Europe when they came and they brought it with them. And, they've been involved in it for all of these decades."

Those ADL folks give me the heebie jeebies.

TM

[C.R.Sam]

ADL calling nuther group extremist = Clintons preaching morality.

Sam

[swingset]

Anti-DEFAMATION-league calling another group extremists? Isn't that the definition of defamation?

[MuzzleBlast]

Hell, I'm there! Just gotta find Dry Fork on the map...

Edit: Okay, check this out:http://www.4thbranch.com/ff/freedomfest.htm
It happens in a place called Harmony: "Harmony is a new, just opening-for-residency, intentional community for people who recognize that bad times are likely coming, and want to establish themselves in a place that will allow them to thrive, as well as survive." Any of y'all remember The Covenant, Sword and Arm of the Lord?

[Christopher II]

Or Galt's Gulch. Or Israel. Or pre-revolution America. Or anyplace else where a group of like-minded people decide to live in the same area. As long as they're not hurting anyone else, what's the big deal?

- Chris

[Marko Kloos]

Moved to Legal & Political.

[Carry24x7]

Cult.

Each to his own. Just leave me out of it.

If you knock on my door I knock on your head.

[MatthewM]

I knew I liked Zelman, now I have a big affirmation!

Christopher, I agree. Somewhere like Ruby Ridge or Waco...

If you want to live free and avoid gov't intrusion in your life, you better keep a very low profile. Otherwise, it will tick them off.

[Tamara]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that Sierra Times Head Honcho J.J. Johnson is in no way affiliated with the Klan or Aryan Nations.

Call it a hunch.


The ADL needs to actually take a look at a photo of the man, perhaps, before they start lumping him in with these groups. Then they need to get over themselves.


Carry24x7,

I fail to see how it could be described as a "cult", except perhaps by the loosest application of the least common definition. It all seems pretty secular to me.

cult Pronunciation Key (klt)
n.

1. a.A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
b. The followers of such a religion or sect.

2. A system or community of religious worship and ritual.

3. The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.

4. A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.

5. a. Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
b. The object of such devotion.

6. An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.