.@SPLCenter stands firm, calls Family Research Council License-to-Kill Claim ‘Outrageous’ ow.ly/d1HW3
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MarriageEqualityUSA (@MEUSA) August 16, 2012The Southern Poverty Law Center has hit back at claims that its designation of the Family Research Council as a “hate group” placed a target on the conservative organization. In a blog post, SPLC Senior Fellow Mark Potok called the claims “outrageous.”
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins held a press conference today, calling out the SPLC specifically and saying the organization’s ”reckless rhetoric” gave accused shooter Floyd Corkins “a license to shoot an unarmed man.”
In its response, the SPLC accused Perkins of using the incident to score political points.
Perkins and his allies, seeing an opportunity to score points, are using the attack on their offices to pose a false equivalency between the SPLC’s criticisms of the FRC and the FRC’s criticisms of LGBT people. The FRC routinely pushes out demonizing claims that gay people are child molesters and worse — claims that are provably false. It should stop the demonization and affirm the dignity of all people.
Potok also reaffirmed his group’s designation of the Family Research Council as a hate group as ”legitimate and fact-based criticism in a democratic society,” a view shared by supporters.
The Family Research Council is a hate group. Why not call it one? bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-1…—
Josh Barro (@jbarro) August 16, 2012
A shooting by a criminal does not magically make the Family Research Council good. Still a hate group.—
Kevin Boyer (@KevinBoyer) August 17, 2012
Jim Treacher and others were inspired to engage in their own “fact-based criticism in a democratic society.”
I hereby declare the Southern Poverty Law Center a hate group. What are they gonna do about it? splcenter.org/blog/2012/08/1… @splcenter—
Jim Treacher (@jtLOL) August 16, 2012
@jtLOL @splcenter that is a ridiculous statement they would probably consider you part of a hate group. cause Family Research Council is 1—
★The Cinema Fan ★ (@thecinemafan) August 17, 2012
@thecinemafan No, YOU'RE a hate group. Prove you're not.—
Jim Treacher (@jtLOL) August 17, 2012
I hereby declare the SPLC a hate group.—
No More Spin (@SpinNoMas) August 16, 2012
SPLC, irresponsible? No! It is deliberate Cloward-Piven, Alinsky tactics. … soc.li/gSHxexc—
Frances Drake (@Frances_D) August 17, 2012
My family said Grace before dinner. I hope #splc doesn't put us on the #hatelist – #frc #tcot—
OCCUPY A. JOB (@webberwit) August 17, 2012
With both sides doubling down, not all FRC defenders are pleased with the rhetorical escalation.
It is absurd to claim that SPLC gave "license" to the shooter at the FRC. We will not defeat the left with the silly arguments of the left.—
R. B. Ouellette (@RBOuellette) August 16, 2012
