Should the Ku Klux Klan be labeled a terrorist organization and banned?

[Thunder]

I'd like to know why we have labeled Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Al Qaeda, the IRA, and even Kahane Chai as illegal terrorist organizations..but not the KKK?

The KKK has killed hundreds if not thousands of people over the last 100 years. They have burned down hundreds if not thousands of homes, churches, businesses, etc.

So why arent the KKK called what they are....terrorists?

 

[Cleon]

First of all, what do you mean, "even Kahane Chai?" In what way do these lunatics not qualify as "terrorist?"

Second, while I agree that the KKK historically has been a terrorist organization, today it's much more complex. There is no single entity called the "Ku Klux Klan" as there used to be.

Instead, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of tiny little groups, each independent of the other, all calling themselves some variant of the name. There's the Knights of the KKK, Imperial Klans of America, White Knights of the KKK, etc. There's even one called "Pennsylvania Invisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan." That's one heluva title.

While I find the current situation alarming in its own right (especially if Obama wins the election), what are you going to do? Pass a law banning any group with the name "Ku Klux Klan" in the title? They'd just change the name to "White Knights" or some such.

 

[WildCat]

I'd like to know why we have labeled Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Al Qaeda, the IRA, and even Kahane Chai as illegal terrorist organizations..but not the KKK?

We don't label any organization as "illegal", nor is membership in and of itself in those organization illegal (of course we are at war with al Qaeda so they can of course be shot on sight but that's a different thing entirely). What is illegal is members committing criminal acts, but I'm not aware of any group or organization in the US being outlawed.

Now, there have been attempts to break up some organizations through civil suits (it is being tried with several street gangs right now) but that's different from outlawing the organization.

 

[JimBenArm]

Labeled terrorists? No.
Labeled loony? Yes. Preferably with a branding iron.

 

[Drudgewire]

The klan wishes they still mattered enough to be considered terrorists.

 

[firecoins]

I head the Jewish Knights of the Klu Klux Klan.

 

[MaGZ]

And there is the Satanic Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. That’s why they burn the cross.

 

[KingMerv00]

What is illegal is members committing criminal acts, but I'm not aware of any group or organization in the US being outlawed.

According to the Department of State regarding Foreign Terrorist Organizations:

Legal Ramifications of Designation

1. 1. It is unlawful for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide "material support or resources" to a designated FTO. (The term "material support or resources" is defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2339A(b)(1) as " any property, tangible or intangible, or service, including currency or monetary instruments or financial securities, financial services, lodging, training, expert advice or assistance, safehouses, false documentation or identification, communications equipment, facilities, weapons, lethal substances, explosives, personnel (1 or more individuals who maybe or include oneself), and transportation, except medicine or religious materials.” 18 U.S.C. § 2339A(b)(2) provides that for these purposes “the term ‘training’ means instruction or teaching designed to impart a specific skill, as opposed to general knowledge.” 18 U.S.C. § 2339A(b)(3) further provides that for these purposes the term ‘expert advice or assistance’ means advice or assistance derived from scientific, technical or other specialized knowledge.’’

Bolding mine.

Simply supporting an FTO is an illegal act. You don't need to commit other criminal acts to get in trouble. This is not the same as an outlawing a group, but it is close.

 

[Thunder]

And there is the Satanic Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. That’s why they burn the cross.

are you suggesting all Klan groups are satanic? they all burn crosses...ya know.

 

[Cleon]

According to the Department of State regarding Foreign Terrorist Organizations:

[/list]
[/list]
Bolding mine.

Simply supporting an FTO is an illegal act. You don't need to commit other criminal acts to get in trouble. This is not the same as an outlawing a group, but it is close.

I thought of that too, but note that it's Foreign Terrorist Organization. The KKK--or any splinter cell thereof--is 100% domestic. Trying to outlaw them would likely run afoul of Constitutional issues, with free assembly and all.

Note that groups like the Animal/Earth Liberation Fronts are widely considered to be domestic terrorist groups, but they still haven't been "banned" by any means.

 

[gtc]

According to the Department of State regarding Foreign Terrorist Organizations:

[/list]
[/list]Bolding mine.

Simply supporting an FTO is an illegal act. You don't need to commit other criminal acts to get in trouble. This is not the same as an outlawing a group, but it is close.

I think the key word is material support. I don't think they can outlaw moral support.

 

[KingMerv00]

And there is the Satanic Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. That’s why they burn the cross.

I don't think the KKK lights the cross because love Satan. According to the KKK.com:

The Knights definitely does not burn the cross, but we do light the cross. The lighted cross of The Knights is no different than the average church that has a lighted cross either on top or in front of their church building. The light of the cross symbolizes the Light of Christ dispelling darkness and ignorance. It is the fire of the cross that reminds us of the cleansing "fire" of Christ that cleanses evil from our land. The fiery cross is a symbol that has long been popular with the Christian faith, for example the Methodist denomination uses the fiery cross as their symbol.​

 

[TexasJack]

I do believe the KKK is considered a domestic terrorist organization by the FBI, I could be wrong though.

 

[KingMerv00]

I thought of that too, but note that it's Foreign Terrorist Organization. The KKK--or any splinter cell thereof--is 100% domestic. Trying to outlaw them would likely run afoul of Constitutional issues, with free assembly and all.

Note that groups like the Animal/Earth Liberation Fronts are widely considered to be domestic terrorist groups, but they still haven't been "banned" by any means.

I know the KKK is could never qualify for FTO status but certain groups are nearly banned. I posted my link to clarify, not to disprove.

 

[KingMerv00]

I think the key word is material support. I don't think they can outlaw moral support.

I think that is right, yes.

 

[Thunder]

I do believe the KKK is considered a domestic terrorist organization by the FBI, I could be wrong though.

Honestly, all they want to do is harrass people, make provacative marches, and sometimes kick non-white a**.

 

[TexasJack]

Honestly, all they want to do is harrass people, make provacative marches, and sometimes kick non-white a**.

Nice guys those KKKers

 

[Darth Rotor]

I'd like to know why we have labeled Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Al Qaeda, the IRA, and even Kahane Chai as illegal terrorist organizations..but not the KKK?

The KKK has killed hundreds if not thousands of people over the last 100 years. They have burned down hundreds if not thousands of homes, churches, businesses, etc.

So why arent the KKK called what they are....terrorists?

When is the last time they blew up a building?

Blew up a church?

Did much other than be publicity hounds trying to start trouble?

What threat do they pose to you, given that they have become rather overt in the past few decades?

 

[Jeff Corey]

Took my baby away, barstards.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-Gj72Mdn34

 

[WildCat]

According to the Department of State regarding Foreign Terrorist Organizations:
[/list]
[/list]Bolding mine.

Material support. That means giving them money, weapons, etc. Not merely saying "I support Hamas" the same way you might support the Rays over the Red Sox.

Already addressed, nvm.