Follow up article - Georgia official: KKK won't be allowed to 'adopt' highway - Polidicks

The bold is the actual new news. The rest is just a repeat of the previous article [QUOTE]Atlanta (CNN) -- [B]The Georgia Department of Transportation will not approve the application of a local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan to "adopt" a one-mile stretch of highway in North Georgia, a state official said Tuesday. The state official did not want to be named because the official was not authorized to speak on the record.[/B] The Klan chapter wanted to clean a stretch of highway in Union County, Georgia, according to paperwork obtained by CNN on Monday. The application, which sought state approval for cleaning up a one-mile portion of Georgia State Route 515 in the Appalachian Mountains, was filed by the International Keystone Knights of the KKK on May 21. [B]The chapter did not immediately respond to messages left Tuesday by CNN. Previously it said it would approach the American Civil Liberties Union if its application were denied.[/B] "All we want to do is adopt a highway," April Chambers, the chapter's secretary, said Monday. "We're not doing it for publicity. We're doing it to keep the mountains beautiful. People throwing trash out on the side of the road ... that ain't right." "We're not racists," Chambers said. "We just want to be with white people. If that's a crime, then I don't know. It's all right to be black and Latino and proud, but you can't be white and proud. I don't understand it." A similar request in Missouri set off a legal battle that stretched for years and went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. A Ku Klux Klan chapter there sought to adopt a portion of Interstate 55. A federal appeals court ruled the state could not bar the KKK from participating in the program, and the high court declined to review the case, letting that ruling stand. However, the Missouri Department of Transportation eventually kicked the KKK, a white supremacy group, out of the program because members were not picking up trash as agreed, spokesman Bob Brendel said Monday. The state also named the stretch of I-55 after civil rights activist Rosa Parks, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Georgia has been participating in the Adopt-A-Highway program for more than 20 years. The program provides advertising for sponsors who agree to clean a stretch of road on a sign posted along the stretch. "Any civic-minded organization, business, individual, family, city, county, state, or federal agency is welcome to volunteer in the Georgia Adopt-A-Highway program," the DOT website says. Chambers said the group is more than 100 strong. "We have a lot of support," she said. "I don't see why we can't (adopt the stretch of highway)," she said. "Would it be any different if it was the Black Panthers or something? Someone always has some kind of race card." On its website, the International Keystone Knights of the KKK says it is "fed up with the Federal tyranny and oppression of Reconstruction, and the time was ripe for Clandestine Armed Resistance." The Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors hate groups, lists the KKK as "the most infamous -- and oldest -- of American hate groups." "Over the years since it was formed in December 1865, the Klan has typically seen itself as a Christian organization, although in modern times Klan groups are motivated by a variety of theological and political ideologies," the law center's website says.[/QUOTE] Source: [url]http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/12/us/georgia-kkk-highway/index.html?hpt=us_c1[/url]

[QUOTE]"We're not racists," Chambers said. "We just want to be with white people. If that's a crime, then I don't know. It's all right to be black and Latino and proud, but you can't be white and proud. I don't understand it."[/QUOTE] I wonder if he tried doing the sad puppy face.

Coming from georgia we are glad. The highways get adopted all the time and Most of georgia is trying to get rid of our racist past and stigma.

I think they did this in Missouri and the state named it the Martin Luther King Expressway.

If they're willing to fund the highway, let them, but if they start causing problems, then that can be revoked, right? Some progress can be made if people didn't dwell on what happened in the past.

[QUOTE=Stonecycle;36306613]If they're willing to fund the highway, let them, but if they start causing problems, then that can be revoked, right? Some progress can be made if people didn't dwell on what happened in the past.[/QUOTE] From the KKK website: [quote] Q. What is your number one goal? A. We want to stop White genocide.[/quote]

[QUOTE=Capitulazyguy;36306438]I think they did this in Missouri and the state named it the Martin Luther King Expressway.[/QUOTE] They did. The previous article I posted yesterday mentioned that. And they got it in Missouri, only to have it taken away six months later because they weren't cleaning up the road.

[QUOTE=scout1;36306658]From the KKK website:[/QUOTE] What.

So, do the people in charge of this program have any legitimate reasons for denying the KKK, other than the fact they're a (at least previously, I don't know about recently) violent hate group? I mean, I don't think that alone is grounds to deny a group from what is, as far as I know, an openly public service. Besides, it's not like the group cleaning a stretch of highway of litter can really evolve into anything even potentially violent - or at least, there is no more potential of this resulting in anything than them just standing around on the highway anyway. I honestly can't help but feel this is a bullshit decision, unless they can provide some legitimate reasons to bar the Ku Klux Klan from adopting a stretch of highway.

[QUOTE=AaronM202;36306824]What.[/QUOTE] You took the word right from my mouth.

[QUOTE=Stonecycle;36306613]If they're willing to fund the highway, let them, but if they start causing problems, then that can be revoked, right? Some progress can be made if people didn't dwell on what happened in the past.[/QUOTE] The state shouldn't recognize hate groups

excellent

fucking inbred yokels

[QUOTE=Splarg!;36305297]I wonder if he tried doing the sad puppy face.[/QUOTE] She. Its my former neighbor.

[QUOTE=S31-Syntax;36308553]She. Its my former neighbor.[/QUOTE] Did you know about her affiliations back when she was your neighbor, or did she keep the cross-burning to a minimum?

[QUOTE=Gmod4ever;36308177]So, do the people in charge of this program have any legitimate reasons for denying the KKK, other than the fact they're a (at least previously, I don't know about recently) violent hate group? I mean, I don't think that alone is grounds to deny a group from what is, as far as I know, an openly public service. Besides, it's not like the group cleaning a stretch of highway of litter can really evolve into anything even potentially violent - or at least, there is no more potential of this resulting in anything than them just standing around on the highway anyway. I honestly can't help but feel this is a bullshit decision, unless they can provide some legitimate reasons to bar the Ku Klux Klan from adopting a stretch of highway.[/QUOTE] The article didn't mention the reason why they were denied it. Apparently the person who said it was denied is conveniently not authorized to speak on that matter.

[QUOTE=Boba_Fett;36308820]Did you know about her affiliations back when she was your neighbor, or did she keep the cross-burning to a minimum?[/QUOTE] Only thing she burned was about a pack a day when she lived next door. I'm surprised she's wearing clean looking clothes. She also had 5 kids and was just an absolutely stellar role model. Kid trips and busts the all of it of his face? send him to our place because we actually have medical supplies. 4 year old drops the 3 month old headfirst on the concrete driveway? wait 3 days until she won't wake up, and THEN take her to the hospital. other 3 month old twin won't sleep? "I knew I shoulda given him cough medicine so he'd sleep" In hindsight, her membership in the Klan doesn't surprise me in the least. [editline]12th June 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;36309224]The article didn't mention the reason why they were denied it. Apparently the person who said it was denied is conveniently not authorized to speak on that matter.[/QUOTE] Its gonna go to court, because at this point the only reason I've been able to think of is simply "because they're Klan"

[QUOTE=Gmod4ever;36308177]So, do the people in charge of this program have any legitimate reasons for denying the KKK.[/QUOTE] The Ku Klux Klan was declared a domestic terrorist group by the 42nd U.S. Congress in [B]1871[/B]. They have been recognized as a terrorist organization for one hundred and forty one years. [editline]12th June 2012[/editline] We don't give things to [I]domestic terrorists.[/I]

[QUOTE=Lankist;36309279]The Ku Klux Klan was declared a domestic terrorist group by the 42nd U.S. Congress in [B]1871[/B]. They have been recognized as a terrorist organization for one hundred and forty one years. [editline]12th June 2012[/editline] We don't give things to [I]domestic terrorists.[/I][/QUOTE] They're still allowed to publicly demonstrate their bullshit, so that doesn't really matter.

[QUOTE=S31-Syntax;36309305]They're still allowed to publicly demonstrate their bullshit, so that doesn't really matter.[/QUOTE] There is a difference between allowing them the provisions of the First Amendment (which are universal) and allowing them to be any recognized part of a publicly-funded [I]anything.[/I] The road was paid for by the public. It will have no association with domestic terrorists who work against the public good.

[QUOTE=Lankist;36309279]The Ku Klux Klan was declared a domestic terrorist group by the 42nd U.S. Congress in [B]1871[/B]. They have been recognized as a terrorist organization for one hundred and forty one years. [editline]12th June 2012[/editline] We don't give things to [I]domestic terrorists.[/I][/QUOTE] Yet they were awarded a road in Missouri.

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;36309330]Yet they were awarded a road in Missouri.[/QUOTE] That's because Missouri is a backwater shithole, and even [I]there[/I] they got the boot after a few months. The question was whether or not the government has [I]grounds[/I] to deny. The answer was a resounding yes. (The government can deny this sort of thing for any reason they want. Adopt-a-highway programs are not constitutionally protected.)

related: [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/iuWAF.png[/IMG]

[QUOTE=scout1;36306658]From the KKK website: [quote]Q. What is your number one goal? A. We want to stop White genocide.[/quote][/QUOTE] What? [quote]Q. Why do you think you are so superior to everyone else? A. We don’t care who is superior and who isn’t. God made us all. We simply believe that the United States of America was founded as a white Christian nation. We base this belief on the many writings of our founding fathers as well as the Declaration of Independence. We believe there are those who hate the concepts of Western civilization – Christianity – and wish to turn the United States into a different type of nation than what was originally intended by our ancestors. We think it would be terrible if white Christians ceased to exist and we are working to preserve and promote their interests. We feel the concepts of Christianity benefit all people regardless of color. The fact is we have a right to love our children and our heritage. Even if the white race was but mere cavemen and cavewomen, we still have a right to protect and advance our people.[/quote] The rest is respectable I guess, even though I don't agree with them.

[QUOTE=Lankist;36309279]The Ku Klux Klan was declared a domestic terrorist group by the 42nd U.S. Congress in [B]1871[/B]. They have been recognized as a terrorist organization for one hundred and forty one years. [editline]12th June 2012[/editline] We don't give things to [I]domestic terrorists.[/I][/QUOTE] Good enough for me. Thanks, Lankist. You're my favorite lawyer (at least I'm fairly certain I remember you being a lawyer, or at least knowing a helluva lot about law). Not that I know many lawyers, mind you, but you're still my favorite.

[QUOTE=Lankist;36309337]That's because Missouri is a backwater shithole, and even [I]there[/I] they got the boot after a few months. The question was whether or not the government has [I]grounds[/I] to deny. The answer was a resounding yes. (The government can deny this sort of thing for any reason they want. Adopt-a-highway programs are not constitutionally protected.)[/QUOTE] Actually after googling a bit, just as there is a "New Black Panthers Party", the current KKK is not the same as the KKK that was called a domestic terrorist organization. The current KKK (the third one) is only acknowledged to be a terrorist organization in the city of Charleston, South Carolina were a resolution was passed for it. Same name, technically two different groups.

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;36309681]Actually after googling a bit, just as there is a "New Black Panthers Party", the current KKK is not the same as the KKK that was called a domestic terrorist organization. The current KKK (the third one) is only acknowledged to be a terrorist organization in the city of Charleston, South Carolina were a resolution was passed for it. Same name, technically two different groups.[/QUOTE] And that's the only reason why they aren't all rousted. That does not change the history and status, and they walk on incredibly thin ice. One mistake and that declaration comes back into effect no matter how many times they append the word "new" to their name, and under the new USAPATRIOT provisions no less. They get no lee-way, especially not in matters of public property.

[QUOTE=Lankist;36309279] [editline]12th June 2012[/editline] We don't give things to [I]domestic terrorists.[/I][/QUOTE] For some reason I read this in Liberty Prime's voice. Carry on.

Figured I'd put an update here instead of making a third article about this [h2]KKK wants ACLU help to adopt highway[/h2] [quote](CNN) -- Having been denied participation in Georgia's adopt-a-highway program, a local Ku Klux Klan chapter has turned to the American Civil Liberties Union for help. And the civil rights organization may represent the group. "We are considering next steps and whether or not we will support the group," said Debbie Seagraves, executive director for the ACLU of Georgia. "We know this is unpopular," she admits, but if her organization helps the International Keystone Knights of the KKK, it is not because it agrees with their beliefs. It will be based on legal precedent and a legal view of whether the KKK's freedom of speech has been violated. In a nearly identical case in Missouri in 2005, a court ruled that the state discriminated against the KKK by denying it participation in a program open to all organizations. "It's clear and understandable that the message of the KKK is offensive and hurtful to many people, but when you cede the power to the state to decide whose speech is objectionable, we give it up," Seagraves said. The Klan chapter wants to clean a stretch of Georgia State Route 515 in Union County and filed its application on May 21. It was rejected on Tuesday. Keith Golden, commissioner of the state Department of Transportation, wrote the chapter's secretary that officials determined the mountain roadway, with a speed limit of 65 mph, was not a safe place for cleanup volunteers to work. Golden's letter to April Chambers cited other concerns. "The impact of erecting a sign naming an organization which has a long-rooted history of civil disturbance would cause a significant public concern," he wrote. "Impacts include safety of the traveling public, potential social unrest, driver distraction or interference with the flow of traffic." Seagraves said that the ACLU has to gather facts about the case before deciding whether to become involved, but she nonetheless pointed out a pair or rebuttals to the arguments made in the letter. If the speed limit on the highway is too fast, the program is supposed to find another, suitable place to adopt for cleanup, she said. Also, she said, the state cannot constitutionally deny speech because others may behave badly. If the ACLU chooses to represent the KKK chapter, the next step would be for the ACLU to contact the state to talk about the relevant laws, Seagraves said. A lawsuit could follow. "We try to avoid litigation, but we don't mind litigating if necessary," she said. It's a touchy subject in Union County, where two residents -- who asked not to be identified for safety reasons -- said they're concerned about the area's reputation. "It makes people here look like they're a bunch of stuck-in-the-past mountain folk," said a woman who has lived in Blairsville for four years. "They don't have a presence here. At least, they don't make themselves visible." A local man who was born and raised in the area said he was worried that if people saw the Klan's name on an adopt-a-highway sign, they would associate the county with the Klan. "I guess you've got the freedom to go out and hate people if you want, but I don't want them here," he said. "It gives us a bad name." He said he wouldn't feel uncomfortable driving through the area himself, but was concerned that others would be. "I'm white," he said. "So I'm not the one they're targeting. But I would feel bad if an African-American drove by and saw that." The mayor of Blairsville, Jim Conley, declined to comment. Blairsville is in Union County along Georgia State Route 515. Legally speaking, the Klan has every right to exist and to express its views, UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh said. However, he said that doesn't necessarily mean it has the right to participate in this government program. The question is whether or not displaying the Klan's name on an adopt-a-highway government sign is a form of government speech. He said that legally, the government has a right to pick and choose what it says, just like anyone else. If displaying an organization's name on an adopt-a-highway sign is considered an endorsement of that group, he said, the government has a right to deny participation to the Klan. But if the state does not consider displaying the name any indication of its relationship with the group, then all people and organizations have an equal right to participate, Volokh said. "Personally, I'm inclined to say that probably this should be seen as a government speech program because allowing such a sign is likely to be seen as some level of endorsement," he said. But history shows that a legal ruling would not necessarily end the controversy. In the Missouri case, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, it wasn't until November 30, 1999, that the state installed a sign noting that the KKK adopted a stretch of highway. Someone sawed the sign down that same night. When the sign was placed back up several months later, it was sawed off again, the newspaper reported. The state never replaced the sign and later named that stretch of highway for civil rights icon Rosa Parks. A sign in rural Delaware declaring that a neo-Nazi splinter group adopted a stretch of road was allowed by the state, but only after the wording of the group was changed from "Nazi Party" to "Freedom Party," the Washington Times reported. In 2008, the California Department of Transportation was forced to pay a $157,500 legal settlement relating to a lawsuit by the San Diego Minutemen, an anti-illegal immigration group. According to the Orange County Register, the group had adopted a piece of a highway near a Border Patrol checkpoint. Immigrant groups were angered, and state officials moved the Minutemen's stretch of highway to another, more remote location. The group sued, arguing that its freedom of speech was violated.[/quote] Source: [url]http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/14/us/georgia-kkk-highway/index.html?hpt=hp_t2[/url]

[QUOTE=Lankist;36309279]The Ku Klux Klan was declared a domestic terrorist group by the 42nd U.S. Congress in [B]1871[/B]. They have been recognized as a terrorist organization for one hundred and forty one years. [editline]12th June 2012[/editline] We don't give things to [I]domestic terrorists.[/I][/QUOTE] 1800's terrorists, that would be something to see.