When do we declare the KKK a terrorist group?

[Zalatix]

And when do the drones get sent in?











(Note: just kidding about the drones.)

[former-republican]

1. I thought they already were by the DHS

[Zalatix]

3. I sure wish they were.

[former-republican]

6. never mind

Someone beat me to it.

[sheshe2]

2. Probably about time we call out the Gop and Teabaggers as Terrorists

But one can only hope.

[slackmaster]

4. The FBI has regarded the KKK as a terrorist organiztion for a long, long time

They've been infiltrating it and actively prosecuting people for terrorist crimes and conspiracies for decades.

http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/terrorism-2002-2005

[pampango]

8. Good find. From the FBI page on white supremacy groups like the KKK:

It’s not an isolated case. It seems like a throwback to a different era, but white supremacy—which sees whites as inherently superior to those of other races—still exists in America today. Having those kinds of beliefs is not against the law…as a matter of fact, it’s protected by the First Amendment. But white supremacy becomes a crime—and for the FBI, a form of what we call extremism—when it is furthered through threatened or actual use of force or violence or other illegal activity.

The Bureau has been investigating the criminal activities of white supremacy extremists like Ku Klux Klan members since as early as 1918. Today’s extremists are more challenging than ever. They’re affiliated with a variety of white supremacy groups, and they can be motivated by any number of religious or political ideologies. We’re also seeing more lone offenders and small, violent factions of larger groups at work, which makes detection of these crimes tougher.

White supremacy extremists specifically target racial, ethnic, and religious minorities; the federal government; and in some instances, even each other. Their tactics include assault, murder, threats and intimidation, and bombings.

Moving forward, we see three keys to turning back the ongoing scourge of white supremacy extremism:

Our increased emphasis on the lawful gathering, analyzing, and sharing of intelligence on current and emerging trends, tactics, and threats.
Continued collaboration with our local, state, tribal, and federal partners, especially on our Joint Terrorism Task Forces around the nation.
And most importantly, the support of Americans who find these types of crimes abhorrent and antithetical to our way of life.

http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2012/may/extremism_052212/extremism_052212

[Zalatix]

9. Thanks for the info. I keep seeing stories about KKK rallies

like the one in Charlotte NC this year.

Why aren't they being arrested ON SIGHT? The whole organization is dedicated to terrorism. It would be like signing up for Al Qaeda. At the least don't these idiots get put on the no-fly list, or is that only for scary looking brown people?

[tritsofme]

10. You want to arrest people for attending a rally?

I think you have the wrong country. The first amendment protects douchebags too.

[Zalatix]

12. A group with a solid history of terrorism?

Edited to add: I don't even know how you can join a KKK group without engaging in conspiracy to assault or terrorize minorities.

[cherokeeprogressive]

14. Well there is that pesky little "right of the people peaceably to assemble" clause in the BoR...

I'm happy with it, aren't you?

[Zalatix]

16. PEACEABLY?!!!!

"Peaceably" assemble by day, burn crosses and lynch by night.

Out of 10 KKK members' computers I doubt you could find even one that didn't have emails talking about plans to physically fuck someone up, shoot up their property, etc.

[tritsofme]

17. Well then Zalatix can serve as judge, jury, and executioner. Why do we even have courts?

Constitutional rights seem to frustrate you.

[Zalatix]

18. The KKK is judge, jury and executioner.

When they come into contact with you, kangaroo court is in session.

You seem to think the word 'KKK' is not the same as 'criminals looking for someone to kill'. Why, I don't know.

Conspiracy to commit a crime is a crime, you know. Every last one of those guys are conspiring to hurt someone, physically.

[tritsofme]

23. Attending a peaceful rally is not a crime, no matter what they call themselves.

Any particular person or group that identifies itself as "KKK" is not ipso facto a criminal enterprise.

They could be criminals as you describe, or they could be douchebags in white hats.

However you seem to feel justified in arresting any person that identifies with this arbitrary label of "KKK" and that is problem.

[cherokeeprogressive]

19. Tell me about the violence at the Charlotte NC rally...

I don't remember hearing about it but you seem a lot more informed than me. So please, do tell.

I'm not down with arresting someone for something they might do.

[Zalatix]

20. As I said: "Peaceably" assemble by day, burn crosses and lynch by night.

The KKK are always on the prowl. Always looking to hurt someone physically and get away with it.

[cherokeeprogressive]

21. I get that. I also get that you are WAAAY too intelligient to be talking about arresting people

before they've committed a crime. Me telling a friend "I'd like to kick that guy's ass and I need you to hold him for me" does not a conspiracy make. At least not until the asskicking takes place.

I understand how you feel, but realistically, the authorities aren't supposed to be able to arrest someone until a crime has been committed.

[Zalatix]

22. I also know you are WAAAAY too intelligent not to understand this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspiracy_(crime)

In criminal law, a conspiracy is an agreement between two or more persons to commit a crime at some time in the future

The KKK is founded on exactly THAT.

And the KKK fits this, too

Criminal law in some countries or for some conspiracies may require that at least one overt act must also have been undertaken in furtherance of that agreement, to constitute an offense.

I understand how you feel, but realistically, the authorities aren't supposed to be able to arrest someone until a crime has been committed.

Tell that to the Hutarees.

[cherokeeprogressive]

24. Well then... I say let the arrests begin! Each and every time two of them are in the same room...

on the same sidewalk, in the same car, in the same park, in the same fishing boat... Let the arrests begin because we know they conspire 24/7.

Arrest them for what we think they're doing.

Yeah, you and I envision different countries I guess.

[Zalatix]

25. Look, these guys aren't the same as your average street gang.

Street gang members may or may not be dangerous on an individual level.

On the other hand, with the KKK, members join because they are out to hunt down and kill people and they sit there plotting and planning how to do it without getting caught.

Please, read up on the concept of criminal conspiracy. You can be arrested for planning attacks on people. The KKK is this, down to the last man.

[Spike89]

5. Aren't they actually a bunch of groups?

Isn't it sort of a hate franchise? I thought there were "chapters" and at least two competing "national" leadership organizations. I'm pretty sure that many of the chapters are listed as terrorist organizations or at least on watchlists.

[HopeHoops]

7. I don't know. The GOP will have a problem with black-listing their main support group.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

11. I always assumed they were. Damn. nt

[quinnox]

13. I'm just surprised no one has posted an OP asking the Mormons be declared

one considering some of the stuff been posted lately.

[William769]

15. I did a long time ago.