GOP official who resigned over his affiliation with the CCC(KKK), says he has lots of black friends

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.sfltimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6377&Itemid=1

Ex Ark. GOP official won't quit 'pro-white' group
Written by JEANNIE NUSS

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) _ A former official who resigned from a Republican post in Arkansas said Thursday he's not a racist and that he will not quit a group that bills itself as ``pro-white.''

John Casteel, 71, who stepped down as Jackson County's Republican chairman this week, said he has belonged to the Council of Conservative Citizens since its inception more than two decades ago.

``To me, the council is more important,'' Casteel said. ``I'm not going to turn my back on an organization ... just because some socialistic blogger says I'm a racist.'' snip

``It really hurts me that somebody calls me a racist,'' Casteel said. ``I've got a lot of black friends.''

[Bluzmann57]

1. Does he invite his "black friends" over for drinks

or dinner? Does he golf with them at the club? Um, no. Perhaps he was said "hi" to an African-American person or two at one point in his life but that's likely as far as it went or ever will.

[notadmblnd]

2. And I'll bet they are all clamoring to defend him too

NOT!

[gratuitous]

3. I'm not a violent person

But anytime this situation obtains, as soon as the phrase "I've got a lot of" or "Some of my best friends are" passes someone's lips, the nearest person should have license to just haul off and smack the speaker.

However, it's nice to see Mr. Casteel make his choice: He'd rather belong to a racist organization than chair the local party. I think it's a wise choice, although his fellow Republicans may just call him back to service, regardless of his ignorant beliefs. But Mr. Casteel probably couldn't be faulted for that.

[Cirque du So-What]

4. Priorities, peckerwood!

You can't shake the white-supremacist rhetoric from this hateful organization, so go back to the bosom of your sheet-wearing kin! Were the repukes *really* sofa king stoopid to think this guy's past wouldn't get uncovered?

More about the CCC:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_Conservative_Citizens

http://www.adl.org/learn/ext_us/CCCitizens.asp

http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/groups/council-of-conservative-citizens

Good work, GOOPers - tying yourself to a bona fide hate group!

[alphafemale]

5. Friends? OK...what are your friends' kids' names, John?

How are their kids doing in school?

What would they never order on a pizza?

Are they allergic to cats?

Bullshit. This man has NO black friends. He MAY have black acquaintances.

The only thing worse than a racist is a lying racist who throws out the "black friends" canard.

[Arkana]

6. Ahahahahahaha.

That's like the stereotypical dead giveaway phrase that you're a racist: "I have lots of black friends!"

[CherokeeDem]

7. Not anymore....

I bet.

[MH1]

8. if Haley Barbour ever looks like a potential 2012 nominee

just remember he has ties to CCC as will. Southern Povery Law Center has well documented that. (Hmmm, come to think of it, might be why SPLC is high on the right-wing demonization list lately.)

[kenny blankenship]

9. Oh indeed! He's even on a first name basis with the black doorman at his country club

"Good to see you, Mr. Casteel!" the doorman always shouts, touching a white glove to his cap. "Good to see you, Bobby!" the Chairman always replies. Now isn't that the spirit of equality?