Spokane7
58°
January 20, 2011 in City
Downtown bomb linked to hate crimes
Police chief praises sergeants for keeping marchers from harm
Spokane police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick credits two officers, including Sgt. Eric Olsen, left, with steering the Unity March on Martin Luther King Jr. Day away from an explosive device in downtown Spokane.
(Full-size photo)
The hunt for the person who left the bomb targeting marchers in Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. parade will focus on two aspects: forensics and the region’s violent history with white supremacists.
Frank Harrill, the special agent in charge of the Spokane office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, confirmed late Wednesday that two recent protests by white supremacists in Coeur d’Alene will be part of the effort to identify those responsible for leaving the bomb on the northeast corner of Washington Street and Main Avenue.
“We will examine every avenue,” Harrill said. “We are reaching far and wide in terms of what we are looking at. That certainly will be one of them.”
Tony Stewart, a member of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, said neo-Nazis used signs on Friday to protest two Mexican restaurants and then about 15 neo-Nazis protested a human rights event on Monday.
“Then we hear about the bomb in Spokane,” Stewart said. “There would be no question that since it was planted directly on the path of the Martin Luther King Jr. march, that it has to be connected to hate crimes. It was an attempt to injure and kill people because they were out there promoting the equality of human rights. The evidence is just too overwhelming.”
Harrill said the bomb discovered Monday in a Swiss Army brand backpack was sent Wednesday to the FBI lab in Quantico, Va. Investigators have not yet arrested anyone in connection with the bomb, which officials characterize as a thwarted attempt at domestic terrorism that could have caused multiple casualties.
Sources who received security briefings on Tuesday described a sophisticated bomb that could have been detonated remotely. Harrill said he could not discuss whether investigators believe the person who left the backpack remained in the area. Investigators continue to seek anyone who took photographs or video in the area between 8 and 11 a.m. on Monday, he added.
While Harrill said he hopes to make a quick arrest, he added: “A lot of this is going to turn, in part, on results of the lab analysis. Even though we will get an expedited handling of the evidence, it sometimes takes days to complete,” he said.
Spokane police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said her department’s Central Intelligence Unit has reported an increase in hate literature and other white supremacist activity over the past two years, “but nothing in the two weeks as a precursor to this event.”
Stewart, too, said his organization has tracked a number of troubling events, even though the efforts don’t seem to be well funded and don’t have a central meeting point, such as the now-defunct Aryan Nations compound north of Hayden Lake.
In 2009, someone spread hate literature throughout North Idaho and Spokane Valley, Stewart said. There was a lull in activity, until the events last week, he said.
“Now we have this re-emergence. Here we are facing something that is not to be taken lightly,” Stewart said.
Stewart and others started their efforts to combat hate in 1981 after Richard Butler founded the Aryan Nations compound in 1973. Stewart said his organization tracked more than 100 felonies committed by hate groups in the area in the 1980s and ’90s, including eight murders, several bank robberies and other crimes intended to intimidate residents.
The crimes attributed to people linked to the Aryan Nations included several bombings in the mid-1980s, including those at the home of a Catholic priest, the federal courthouse in Coeur d’Alene and other locations, Stewart said.
Then in 1996, three bombings linked to racists caused severe damage to a Planned Parenthood building, Spokane City Hall and the Spokane Valley office of The Spokesman-Review.
Butler began holding annual marches in downtown Coeur d’Alene in the 1990s before Morris Dees, of the Southern Poverty Law Center, bankrupted Butler in a civil trial in 2000. Butler died in 2004 and much of the crime spree ended with him, Stewart said.
“I know a lot of people were hoping that we were past our most serious period,” Stewart said. “But it’s not over. It’s time for people to be very vigilant again.”
Kirkpatrick also keyed on that word, vigilant, as she praised her employees who quickly identified the potential threat from the bomb.
Although they were first identified as city employees, three workers from the Spokane Public Facilities District were credited with finding the backpack and alerting Spokane police. Their boss, Kevin Twohig, would not identify them.
“I’m very proud of what they did and they will be appropriately acknowledged by the district,” Twohig said.
Likewise, Kirkpatrick praised Sgts. Jason Hartman and Eric Olsen for their decisions to inform command staff and reroute the march.
“We are trying to have a national conversation to learn to say, ‘See something, say something,’ ” she said. “I’d like to get all of our residents to put that phrase into their thinking. We don’t want to be a city paralyzed by fear, but we must be a community that is mindful.”
Olsen, who was managing the traffic around the MLK march, said Hartman called him at 9:37 a.m. Monday and told him about the backpack. Without enough time to determine what was inside, the sergeants decided to change the route of the march.
“We always assume the worst,” Olsen said on Wednesday. “But when I found out it was a viable device, I was both scared and relieved. I was scared that someone would do that but relieved that it was resolved. I felt very fortunate … just from the chaos and devastation it would have caused.”
Spokane County Commissioner Al French commented on the near miss for the Spokane community.
“It is appalling to think that a celebration to commemorate the life and work of Dr. King could have ended so tragically,” French said Wednesday in a news release. “We cannot allow such acts to go unanswered or unpunished.”
Commissioner Mark Richard spoke at the King event and only learned later of the potential threat to the hundreds of people – including children – in the parade.
“If nothing else, this kind of violence shows us that we must continue Dr. King’s work for justice and peace,” he said.
Reporter Jonathan Brunt contributed to this report.
Closing Geiger: Wise or worrisome? 
monkeyman on January 20 at 5:06 a.m.
I hate hate crimes.
drywitt99 on January 20 at 5:18 a.m.
What are we all waiting for?
Do we REALLY have to wait until the next MLK Day parade to show our support for his ideals and our our complete rejection of the bigotry and hatred evidenced by this near tragic incident?
Now…today….even before the culprit(s) are apprehended….we need to take a stand as a community.
We must leave the comfort of our homes….we must take to the streets to demonstrate our support for the ideals and methods of Dr. King.
We must show that we will not be cowed by the hatred and threats of this small minority…..regardless of their methods
We must prove to ourselves….and the nation…..that this abomination will not be tolerated by the citizens of Spokane.
It is time for our leaders to LEAD.
And if they don’t…..we must do it ourselves.
If anyone is of the same mind contact me at
drywitt99@gmail.com.
Orphan on January 20 at 6:30 a.m.
Drywitt99 I agree, we let the terrorists change our lives on 9-11 lets not let this change a thing. Like I said I am not a big fan of MLK but I will attend next years event and yours as well if I am home I will come.
I hope that law enforcement finds these people ASAP.
There is a whiole country full of people that disagree and do it without violance. It seems there are a few that think they have to harm innocent people to make their point. We need to put these animals down like we would a rabid dog.
stvnbrwn54 on January 20 at 7:42 a.m.
I agree with Orphan, having lived during MLK’S ministry…the man wasn’t close to the near saint the media and schools now portray him to be. That said, the words he sang in his speeches are beautiful and should inspire the most jaded amongst us. King’s lofty status amongst social engineers, however, has its down side too…its nearly to the point that if you disagree about MLK’s real contribution to society, you’re a bigoted hatemonger…facing the same vitriol supporters of his legacy say he endured.
While not optimistic about this, I’m waiting for the day people of all stripes and color can truly walk a parade route together in safety, without being monolithic in their views of people or things.
Northwest_Guy on January 20 at 7:56 a.m.
I saw on Sarah Palin’s FaceBook page in the discussion section where one of the topics is doing away with MLK Day. I think jerks like that should be checked out. Way too much hate these days. What’s happened to America? Very sad.
stvnbrwn54 on January 20 at 8:01 a.m.
Checked out by “whom”, NW Guy? The government, police, FBI, SWAT..? Simply because someone doesn’t believe what you do?
maria on January 20 at 8:23 a.m.
Surprise, surprise.
johnclarke on January 20 at 9:49 a.m.
Ok guys (and gals) , I recommend against floating theories on an open forum. The FBI is on the case, and if you have a genuine lead - contact them. Anyway, not trying to be a bossy-pants and all that.
maria on January 20 at 10:01 a.m.
Ms.J,
I had to shut down my fb page because they started going after my friends…all 12 of them. It was horrible. I did lose 20 lbs. over the ordealia. I’m sleeping with grizzly bear spray now just in case. Nothing like fearing for your life day in and day out.
D Statler on January 20 at 10:03 a.m.
I too am very happy that nobody in the march was hurt.It seems that we are doomed to loose our civil rights due to the actions of a few extremist idiots. Our civil rights have already been infringed upon.Our personal information is being collected by scumbags that are almost as bad as the scumbags we as society need to rid ourselves of.I hope that the FBI takes a few moments to review our corrupt and heavy handed police forces during their increased presence in Spokane.
Special thanks to our public works employees that had the dillegence to notice this device before it was used.We should lay off a few more heavy handed cops and hire a few more public works employees.Spokane would be a better place. :^)
Liberty_Bell on January 20 at 10:25 a.m.
At least MLK explained it, in his letter from a Birmingham Jail 1963
I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish brothers. First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.
Copernic on January 20 at 10:32 a.m.
“Downtown bomb linked to hate crimes”. Really? They’ve apprehended the guilty parties? Oh, it’s just The Spokesman Review and some guy from a “human relations” activist group saying that.
Yep, it has just got to be a racist whitey. It couldn’t possibly be a nutcase like a Loughner, or left wing whacko like the Unabomber.
“There would be no question that since it was planted directly on the path of the Martin Luther King Jr. march, that it has to be connected to hate crimes…..”
The FBI grabbed a guy in a van trying to set off a large car-bomb at the Portland Christmas tree lighting celebration. Did he do it because he was opposed to celebrating Christmas? What about the attempted 2000 New Years bombing foiled at the Canada/Washington border. Was that a political statement about New Years?
Could it be that the bomber was just looking for a crowd, and racial politics weren’t involved? Well, yes, but I guess that when the first thing you see in any given situation is racism, it narrows your ability to think logically.
maria on January 20 at 10:33 a.m.
Copernic, I believe the FBI eluded to that. It’s an easy interpretation. Why so angry? Hate is hate. It’s not easy to miss.
maria on January 20 at 10:37 a.m.
Yes Copernic, racism does narrow your ability to think logically. What other reason could there be for the uprising of hate groups since Obama became president?
maria on January 20 at 10:40 a.m.
I read today that Sarah Palin has on it her facebook page, unless it has since been removed, she wants to eliminate MLK day. What a gal!
zelda on January 20 at 10:46 a.m.
This incident was featured on NBC NIghtly News last night in a long segment by Pete Williams. Our area’s bad reputation continues to exact an economic, civic, intellectual and spiritual toll on the people who live here.
The only thing I feel good about so far is that no public official has said “this isn’t the real Spokane” because, yeah, this IS the real Spokane. KXLY last night said “we shouldn’t let one incident define Spokane” which leaves me wondering how many incidents it takes. These TV reporters blow into town for a couple of years, not knowing or remembering that this hateful mind set and numerous crimes by white supremicists date back to the mid-70s, or further. The problem did not go away with the bankruptcy of the Aryan Nation or the death or Richard Butler.
Take a look at the visitspokane TV commercial that’s currently airing. Everyone in it is as Caucasian as they come.
The FBI has got its work cut out for it. There are way too many suspects in this area to make finding the perpetrator easy.
Copernic on January 20 at 10:51 a.m.
maria,
You read that she wants to eliminate MLK day? I just went to her page and I didn’t see that. What I did see regarding MLK was this;
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Today is a day to reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King dedicated himself to justice and the struggles of an imperfect world. In the face of fierce opposition, he stood up for the oppressed, and he ultimately sacrificed all for equality and freedom. His was a remarkable life of love and service for all mankind. His work must continue.
With Dr. King’s faith in God and his unwavering hope in a brighter, stronger future, let us recommit today to continuing his work for a more peaceful and just nation.
- Sarah Palin
Alfredo on January 20 at 10:56 a.m.
Sarah Palin promoting peace? Wow, that woman sure can talk out of both sides of her mouth.
misjustice on January 20 at 10:57 a.m.
Thank you for the clarification, Mr. Wasson.
Orange on January 20 at 10:57 a.m.
Thanks David, they (he) were (is) annoying.
Another note: Not to take away from this lovely newspaper and website, but go to Seattletimes website and read the comments my west siders are saying about Spokane and this incident.
Maybe someone will listen and do something to improve life in the inland northwest.
Unless someone does stand up and take charge (cough couch MAYOR!!) Spokane has no future. No business in their right mind would locate in Spokane. So where does this leave us??
misjustice on January 20 at 11:01 a.m.
Maria, I just e-mailed Dry and asked what he was thinking re; another march or rally…
Ryan Pitts on January 20 at 11:02 a.m.
I just removed all the comments in this thread referencing @hawken (except for @johnclarke’s as it was the voice of reason, and Dave’s explanation).
Come on, people! UNBELIEVABLY inappropriate. Regardless of how much you might disagree with someone else’s comments or politics around here, there are REAL people behind these usernames. Figure out a way to stick to topics and issues. When you start talking directly about other individuals here, that’s a good clue that the comment thread is getting off track, and it’s starting to leave us little choice but to pull comment privileges.
west on January 20 at 11:04 a.m.
Right on Zelda! This area has been in the news for pipe bombs,racist attacks,etc for last 20 years. A bad reputation is already been cemented about Spokane…ain’t gonna change. Too close to Idaho and their wacko’s, they spill over into Spokane county. So damage control by Fitzpatrick and Verner is too late..this mean and ugh! perception of Spokane around the state and nation is a along time in the making.
Copernic on January 20 at 11:05 a.m.
No, Ryan, you are the voice of reason :-)
Dazzeetrader11 on January 20 at 11:09 a.m.
J and Maria….by all means go to Drybrain’s email…set up a meeting. When you meet, form a circle and get going!! Make tapes and memorialize your bigtime meetings. Be sure to figure out how to get the FBI to find Hawken!! Good going girlz. !!!
It’s a bad deal when anyone puts a bomb anywhere we’re not at war with. Not sure about the racism although it sounds plausable. I remember when a pair of goofs actually planted bombs at City Hall. Did damage too! Since City Hall was 99.9% causcasian, I’m not thinking it’s always racism when bombs are found. Might be some people who like big fireworks. I don’t know but the fact that a bomb was planted means this: a bomb was planted. Likely meant to cause harm to whomever goes to parades……if the parade goers put their noses near trying to figure out what’s in the bag.
Looks like some incompetent oafs making bombs. Mean spirited too. When people are attacked unfairly ( well even fairly these days) it’s the people attacked who get the press.
You’d think the bombers should know that by now. Sometimes these events are warnings reminding us of the madness of the darker side. It’s a sign and a reminder. Reminder….a reminder ofhow dark minds can get with both far left (Ayres and Dorn) or far right (Bombers from Monday ?…who knows?) fervor. They behave the same. Their labels are different but they do the same things as a tactic.
Fear and anger= final common pathway. Both make thinking unclear. Unclear thinking makes for flawed decisions by humans…right or left. So have your meeting!!……And when you do, give a few seconds and remember America and it’s principles make the US the best of the best. Be grateful that for some unknown reason we’re born and live here. Best wishes everyone! Keep the fire!
MrNatural on January 20 at 11:15 a.m.
The Reverend Martin Luther King placed himself in harms way to champion civil rights. In turn this holiday is commemorated in his memory to acknowledge the importance of civil rights, equality and diversity of the people of the United States…we hold these truths to be self evident…
Far from speculation this heinous device was placed along a parade route on this day of commemorating and celebrating civil rights and diversity. This unequivocally makes this a hate crime…one of bigotry…one against civil rights for all.
Who (or what) vociferously denounces civil rights, equality and diversity in our region.
They are if not directly guilty of this crime are most certainly culpable.
johnclarke on January 20 at 11:29 a.m.
“Might be some people who like big fireworks. I don’t know but the fact that a bomb was planted means this: a bomb was planted. Likely meant to cause harm to whomever goes to parades……if the parade goers put their noses near trying to figure out what’s in the bag.”
Wow Daisy, there is so much confusion in your posts - but the bomb was not simple. The FBI stated it was complex and capable of being detonated remotely.
maria on January 20 at 11:44 a.m.
Which local stores sell Swiss Army backpacks? Can they provide sales information to the FBI? It seems like a specialized item.
maria on January 20 at 11:46 a.m.
One thing is for sure, Daisy….we won’t be wearing pointy white hats at our meetings.
misjustice on January 20 at 11:56 a.m.
Well, it is after Labor Day, Maria; so white is a no no…everyone knows that!
; )
maria on January 20 at 11:56 a.m.
Oh, snert!
Thoreau on January 20 at 11:59 a.m.
orphan and stvnbrwn54: REALLY? Bashing MLK? Even if he had his flaws (we ALL do), the message that most people remember is the message of peace, and tolerance. That’s what I consider when I hear the man’s name. Would you feel better if this holiday was renamed “Civil Rights Day”? See the point? Jeez, obviously, this area needs to be reminded of tolerance, and that a person’s sh— doesn’t stink because they’re a “better” race, religion, ethnicity, etc. We’re told that people would have died had this bomb exploded. How many different types of people doesn’t matter. This bomber wanted people dead, regardless, and that’s what’s frightening. The allusion to MLK’s character you make only serves as (false) rationalization for haters like this bomber(s).
Alfredo on January 20 at 12:05 p.m.
@ Daisy
“Looks like some incompetent oafs making bombs. Mean spirited too. When people are attacked unfairly ( well even fairly these days)”
Would you please explain that last part for me?
Orange on January 20 at 12:09 p.m.
Maria, very popular item at Walmart.
Coffee on January 20 at 12:17 p.m.
I do not think Martin Luther King parade was the target. I do not think this was a racial thing at all, most likely only one person was the true target over money or revenge. The person who set the charge most likely marched in the parade behind the target and out side of the kill zone. When the target was in the right spot he/she would have triggered the IED. Someone knows the person who did this and if each and everyone of you gets 5 of your friends to go and look at the contents and the backpack that was use and they get 5 of their friends and so on, someone is eventually going to remember a name to go with the Items found with the IED
Even if you think my theory is wrong still ask your friends to look and think and drop a dime to FBI if they remember a name.
oneanddone on January 20 at 12:18 p.m.
There have been a lot of instances of “reported” hate crimes in the past number of months, without a single confirmed attribution. Sorry. Until they prove this isn’t an attempt to provoke sympathy by manufacturing events, such as Tawana Brawley, I’ll wait until the other shoe drops.
Copernic on January 20 at 12:52 p.m.
oneanddone,
Well, we all know that there’s no profit or political power in racism against whites (think polling place + nightstick), but there’s plenty of both in racism against non-whites.
MrNatural on January 20 at 12:58 p.m.
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/feb/03/reward-offered-tips-north-idaho-hate-crimes/
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0oGdVeznzhN7DUAyAhXNyoA;_ylc=X1MDMjc2NjY3OQRfcgMyBGFvAzAEZnIDeWZwLXQtMzExBGhvc3RwdmlkA2lTeF8wMG9HZFREbUU0dDhUVGlhdWdBLlJSblViMDA0bjdNQUJjTXIEbl9ncHMDMARuX3ZwcwMwBG9yaWdpbgNzcnAEcXVlcnkDIGhhdGUgY3JpbWVzIGluIHRoZSBpbmxhbmQgTlcEc2FvAzEEdnRlc3RpZANERkQ1?p=+hate+crimes+in+the+inland+NW&fr2=sb-top&fr=yfp-t-311
WOW!… 112,000 hits for hate crimes in the inland NW
Coffee on January 20 at 1:28 p.m.
WOW….. 8,030,000 results for
hate crimes in the Midwestern states
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0oGdX.BpjhN6QkAW2RXNyoA;_ylc=X1MDMjc2NjY3OQRfcgMyBGFvAzAEZnIDeWZwLXQtMzExBGhvc3RwdmlkA1hCWmtma29HZFRCMFpDOWFUVGhsMVFuNFJFQTNERTA0cG9FQUIxZnQEbl9ncHMDMARuX3ZwcwMwBG9yaWdpbgNzcnAEcXVlcnkDaGF0ZSBjcmltZXMgaW4gdGhlIG1pZHdlc3Rlcm4gc3RhdGVzBHNhbwMxBHZ0ZXN0aWQDVklQMDIy?p=hate+crimes+in+the+midwestern+states&fr2=sb-top&fr=yfp-t-311
Sorry could not resist, but I get your point.
Copernic on January 20 at 1:34 p.m.
I don’t. Try putting “hate crime hoaxes” in your Yahoo search window. Wow, 2,450,000 hits!
We know there is a lot of reporting on hate crimes, but how many of the stories are real? It sells copy, so the media love them. Activists use them for funding (and in many cases, for their job). The perpetrators in the real cases love the publicity. Everybody involved has a stake in perpetuating this cycle. I think the best approach is for the perps to be quietly prosecuted, without a lot of publicity, and break that cycle.
MrNatural on January 20 at 2:06 p.m.
There is an interesting and enlightening exchange of ideas on Wikipidia regarding “Hate Crime”…especially the support versus opposition.
I still maintain personally that this bomb incident was in all likelihood a terrorist hate crime by someone with hatred toward racial equality
herewegoagain on January 20 at 2:17 p.m.
Here’s one of Americas greatest hate mongers in action, any wonder this country is the way it is
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/19/rush-limbaugh-mocks-hu-ji_n_811223.html
Copernic on January 20 at 2:34 p.m.
Mr. Natural,
And, you could very easily be correct. Way too early to be shouting race crime though. It will be very interesting to see how much, if any, details are ever released on this incident.
I’ll check out your tip on the Wiki page.
Liberty_Bell on January 20 at 2:47 p.m.
Every Crime’s a Hate Crime
“I will not believe out labors are lost. I shall not die without a hope that light and liberty are on steady advance…And even should the cloud of barbarism and despotism again obsecure the sciense and liberties of Europe, this country remains to preserve and restore light and liberty to them. In short, the flames kindles on the 4th of July 1776 have spread over too much of the globe to be extinguished by the feeble engines of despotism. On the contrary they will consume those engines, and all who work them.”
Thomas Jefferson(R) 1821
“I understand you are preparing to celebrate the “Fourth” tommrow week. What for? The doings of that day had no reference to the present; and quite half of you are not even decendants of those who were referred to that day.”
Abraham Lincoln(R), Speech on Dred Scott 1857
“When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
King(R) at the Lincoln Memorial 1963
And to this Republic for which it stands…
Bruce (aka thatoneguy) on January 20 at 3:20 p.m.
Um, they’re not saying it IS a hate crime, they’re saying it MAY be one, and they’re including that possibility in their investigation. Third paragraph:
“We will examine every avenue,” Harrill said. “We are reaching far and wide in terms of what we are looking at. That certainly will be one of them.”
barryh on January 20 at 3:30 p.m.
I am gratified that the bomb did not go off or cause injuries, but like others here I am not totally convinced it was white racists who are the culprits. It could have been leftists who seek even more freedom-robbing legislation like the so-called “Patriot Act” or other infringements on our first amendment rights as has happened so many times. More likely, though, it was FBI agents like the ones who placed pipe bombs on private cars owned by activist attorney Edgar Steele and his wife, Cyndi, in an obvious attempt to shut him up. Agents risked the safety of many civilians, then ransacked their home and confiscated their savings leaving the family homeless while Steele still remains in solitary confinement, denied bail and unable to pay for legal counsel. The media have ignored the story.
Real info about the device has been under close wraps and it very well may be that it was an inert device, which may be the reason it failed to detonate. Every time some disgusting thing like this happens, the media begin squealing about either Islamic terrorists or white racists committing hate crimes against minorities, yet the media happily snooze away, day after day, as thousands of whites are murdered & tens of thousands of whites are raped in the US annually by minorities. Check US Justice Department stats on interracial murders & rapes. Americans are sick of double standards of justice, violent false flag operations, and unchecked rogue federal goons acting worse than any Gestapo, Stasi, or GRU outfit would dream of..As Dr. King stated long ago: it is time for equal justice and equal protection under the law, for a real change.
As far as the King holiday goes, it is unprecedented that an individual whose appeal is largely to one segment of the population, who never held office, and had serious character issues would have a national holiday when so many more worthy national heroes do not have one. There should be no holiday proclaimed in a free country unless the majority of the public desire it. It should not be rammed through against the will of the public and passed by legislators who are coerced into voting for it in spite of their constituents desires. This would be a great subject for a national referendum. Sarah Palin has never taken a position against the holiday and I do not expect her or any other office holder to do so because it would mean an instant tar and feathering in both the liberal and neocon media.
Liberty_Bell on January 20 at 3:38 p.m.
Every Crime’s a Hate Crime
Let every lover of liberty, every well-wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the revolution never to violate, in the least particular, the laws of the country and never to tolerate their violation by others. As the patriots of ‘76 did to the support of the declaration of independence, so to the support of the constitution and laws, let every American pledge his life, his prosperity and his sacred honor. Let every man remember that to violate the laws is to trample on the blood of his fathers and to tear the charter of his own and his children’s liberty. Let reverence for the laws be breathed by every American mother to the lisping babe that prattles on her lap. Let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges. Let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in the legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. In short, let it become the political religion of the nation.
Abraham Lincoln
misjustice on January 20 at 3:42 p.m.
“As far as the King holiday goes, it is unprecedented that an individual whose appeal is largely to one segment of the population, who never held office, and had serious character issues would have a national holiday when so many more worthy national heroes do not have one.”
Ummm, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ideals appeal to me; and I’m a member of the dominate population, white.
“Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed on January 20, 1986.”
continues…
“President Ronald Reagan was also at first opposed to the holiday, citing cost concerns.[7] He signed the measure only after Congress passed it with an overwhelming veto-proof majority (338 to 90 in the House of Representatives and 78 to 22 in the Senate).”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr._Day
eagleproducer on January 20 at 3:53 p.m.
ryan: Hawken deserves everything that was directed his way. You have read his previous posts where he declares war on those who oppose his narrow world view, where he frames debate as a battle for the very soul of humanity? His posts are almost always off topic and violate the guidelines set forth for users.
Although the few wing nutters who tried to debase MLK won’t admit it, most of their feelings of antipathy towards him are based in innuendo about his sex life. Who’d have ever guessed conservatives would be concerned about the private sexual behavior of other individuals and use that as a determinant of their judgement of his character?
I really enjoyed the selection from Dr. King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” It is Ghandiesque in it’s language, a reminder the cooperation with good is just as much a duty as not cooperating with evil.
eagleproducer on January 20 at 3:57 p.m.
“Leftists” are now responsible for the Patriot Act? I remember being vehemently opposed to its passage and completely shocked at the rapidity of its appearance.
misjustice on January 20 at 4:03 p.m.
Leftists pushed the Patriot Act and rammed it through.
And MKL Jr. was a Republican.
Didn’t you get the memos, spoke? It’s opposite day!
Ryan Pitts on January 20 at 4:25 p.m.
@spoketucky - As much as is possible, I avoid taking sides in our comment threads, especially when it comes to politics.
But it’s perfectly reasonable for us to draw the line at letting readers speculate about another commenter’s involvement in a crime. I’d extend anyone the same courtesy.
hawken on January 20 at 4:29 p.m.
I have much to say about this string, relating to me being accused of one who should be considered to be a “suspect” in the bombing and the dual standards of the SR in how they deal with such absurdities. Currently, I am in communication with Ryan Pitts. I will not have more to say until we have concluded our dialog.
eagleproducer on January 20 at 4:55 p.m.
ryan: I stand guilty of many of the same crimes as Hawken. I don’t envy your position of having to be the judge who decides what is venom or venting.
eagleproducer on January 20 at 4:58 p.m.
Perhaps “crimes” was the wrong word… I meant guidelines transgressions associated with thread posts.
eagleproducer on January 20 at 4:59 p.m.
hawken: Instead of talking with Pitts, may I suggest you dial the WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAmbulance?
hawken on January 20 at 5:52 p.m.
My dialog with Ryan Pitts has concluded.
Ryan Pitts
Senior Editor
Digital Media
ryanp@spokesman.com
In order to be concise and clear I will state the following as succinctly as possible, in bullet form. This is my “opinion.”
1- The Spokesman Review editorial board, top to bottom, enforces a “dual standard” as to what is acceptable, political, dialog on this blog. Liberals get a pass while conservatives such as me are punished.
2- I have documented and sent to the SR editorial board specific and multiple examples of my accusations as noted above.
3- Of course, all from the liberal left will applaud what Ryan Pitts has done. For example; See spoketucky on January 20 at 3:53 p.m. (above).
4- On this string, Misjustice (Misjudgment as renamed by me) is the foremost of those who get the special treatment. I could list others, but there is no point.
5- Prior to me responding to my defense, which the SR will not do, other than removing the “absurd” posts by Misjustice,,,, and removing the violation of the SR’s so-called, standard of confidentiality as violated by:
David Wasson on January 20 at 10:48 a.m.
@Misjustice, et. al.
Hawken’s absence was the result of a temporary suspension of his commenting privileges on the SR website because of repeated and outrageous personal attacks.
Those privileges have been restored following his promise to keep his comments focused on the issues.
Please do the same.
David Wasson, deputy city editor
6- The bias, so-called, “repeated and outrageous personal attacks,” by David Wasson, deputy city editor are biased, a funnel vision, one way assessment by one who obviously, in my “opinion” is an editor of the left.
7- Conservatives, “beware”,,,,, We are not allowed the same freedom of speech as the far left, “in my opinion.” Which Pitts assures me that I have the right to post with “civility.”
Conclusion; What you will see on this string, is that not a single liberal has been temporarily banned as I have been. My so-called sin is apparently, using terms such as “liberal left,” “hyper-left” and other such terms that relate specifically to the left.
What I have NEVER used is the vulgar, crude, sexual, depraved speech by Misjustice…… whom you might notice above, has been given only a “slap on the wrist” byy Ryan Pitts for her implication that I should be considered to be a suspect in the recent, Spokane bombing.
Even, even, in light of the fact that the liberal left has accused me as one whom should be a “suspect” in the recent, Spokane Bombing. They were given only a slap on the wrist, and their absurd accusations against me were simple “removed.”
So next, we should expect the applause of the hyper-left to what Pitts and his staff have done, based upon a “dual standard.”
Meanwhile, I will continue to “push back” against the liberal left. With civility that exceeds the left, as I have agreed to do.
Ron,,,, aka Hawken,,, there you go Chef Gus.
misjustice on January 20 at 5:59 p.m.
KXLY has an article with many more details on leads in the bomber case.
“SPOKANE, Wash. — From north to Colville, to the top of the Parkade in downtown Spokane and down south to Lewiston, federal agents cast a wide net as they chased down clues in the wake of the attempted bombing of the Unity March last Monday.”
http://www.kxly.com/news/26564984/detail.html
Orphan on January 20 at 7:05 p.m.
Thoreau I said I was not a big fan of MLK that is not bashing, you sir are the one that needs to be reminded about tolerance.
Quote that a person’s sh— doesn’t stink because they’re a “better” race, religion, ethnicity, etc. When did I say that, this is all in your mind and is a very racist comment.
I see the attempted bombing as attempted murder of innocent people no more no less, race is not an issue for me, but evidently it is for you, you sir are the one with a problem not me.
hawken on January 20 at 7:39 p.m.
Misjudgment…. thank you for your on the spot reporting concerning KXLY….
Just wondering if you might have any other, informed, ideas whom this bombing suspect might be, whom might, seriously, be considered to be a suspect?
I am sure the FBI would like to hear from you, as would the rest of us on this string.
misjustice on January 20 at 7:47 p.m.
Still name calling, I see?
; )
hawken on January 20 at 7:59 p.m.
Misjudgment…. just so that I can sleep tonight,,,, and with the utmost of “civility”…. Please let me know that I am no longer considered to be a “suspect” in this terrorist bombing as you have previously posted on this string, according to you.
How unfortunate for the left, that the SR should actually remove your previous accusation.
Should I expect a knock on my door late tonight or in the morning by the FBI? Will they have a search warrant, do you think?
Moreover, I am wondering if this “civil” opinion and question will result in my censorship? Or will it be acceptable, “sarcastic, satire” as Ryan Pitts has assured me is acceptable? So many questions! Maybe I should take some sleeping pills to get to sleep tonight? Ooops, I don’t have any in the house!
Anyway, hang in there Misjudgment, you apparently have a free reign on, your crude language, your indictments as I have noted above, and a double standard as to the definition of “incivility.”
I mean, with all “civility”,,,, how can accusing one to be a suspect in the bombing, be considered to be “uncivil” or “outrageous”?
:) a smile
SRugerEsq on January 20 at 8:00 p.m.
It is looking like Colville glee club done it!
Alfredo on January 20 at 8:36 p.m.
hawken, you do realize you’ve brought all of this upon yourself? Instead of throwing a temper tantrum, try acting like an adult and watch the violent rhetoric. If you act like a mature human being, perhaps people will not suspect you of serious crimes in the future. Your protests are not helping your cause at all, if anything they’re making you appear small and angry (very capable of violence).
hawken on January 20 at 8:40 p.m.
Alfredo…. it’s my bedtime… but, in closing for tonight, your hypocritical advise is best summarized in this historical statement.
Remove the log from your own eye before you attempt to remove the spec from your brothers. Paraphrase
Do you recall your accusation that Matt Monroe “beats his children?” Just an “adult question” with all civility, of course.
hawken on January 20 at 8:46 p.m.
Alfredo,,, followup here…. Did not Ryan Pitts warn you about hour comment that Matt beats his children? I did send that to him as an example of the double standard which he employs.. he did say to me that it was of a concern to him. Did he not warn you? I have the emails, time and date if you would like to see them…. Of course, this is an adult conversation we are having. Let me know, I can provide more documentation if you like.
hawken on January 20 at 8:47 p.m.
Sorry Alfredo,,, another one of my typos…. Did not Ryan Pitts warn you about “your” comment that Matt beats his children?
misjustice on January 20 at 8:49 p.m.
See?
hawken on January 20 at 8:49 p.m.
Alfredo,,,, I would very much like to hear your “adult” response, with all civility of course.
hawken on January 20 at 8:54 p.m.
Alfredo,, please give me a minute there. I need to go back through the emails so that I can establish to you and Misjudgment that I am not making up your accusation that Matt beats his children…. bear with me for a minute, I will have them for you.
hawken on January 20 at 8:59 p.m.
Here you go Alfredo and Misjustice…..
Alfredo on January 16 at 3:13 p.m.
Matt, as always, you need to get a grip. Punishing your enemies is far different from any threat of violence. Let’s see, when you “punish” your children, do you inflict physical harm? Probably a bad question because I bet you do beat up on your children since you instantly liken the word “punish” to mean physical harm. To me, punish would mean to reprimand them by taking non-violent action against them to teach them a lesson (for example: grounding).
Again Matt, you’ve missed my point (and the point of many people) that NO mention of violence is a good thing. Personally I think you’re crying over nothing with the “punish” argument and it’s only showing just how petty you are and that you’re willing to defend your teabagging princess and her accomplices at all cost.
Ryan Pitts:
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 12:13:31 -0800
From: RyanP@SPOKESMAN.com
“The comment about beating children is really the only one that sticks out.”
Well, Alfrado, if Ryan did not warn you that is not your fault, it only underlines my previous point concerning the “double standard” of the SR…. If Ryan did warn you, you should post that to Ryan’s credit.
See what Misjudgment? Here’s the proof.
hawken on January 20 at 9:11 p.m.
While it is past my bedtime, I will gladly stay up to provide documented evidence to all, relating to my posts above…. I have them.
Those of you on the liberal left who are not accustomed to dealing with the documented, “adult,” conversation, underwritten by the quotable facts, which I am readily available and willing to provide, then please stop your fallacious accusations. Otherwise, please just ask me and I will provide, as above.
eagleproducer on January 20 at 9:14 p.m.
Hawken: You’ve seem to forgotten that all is fair in love and war.
You need to man up. Quit whining and come to the table with facts that you can back up otherwise you’ll be called out in the same fashion you’ve repeatedly endured. I’ve witnessed you disparage others on these threads and accuse them of causing far greater harm to our country than a rogue bomber ever could. Your response to your clone could not have been less cavalier. Rush would have wanted you to embrace your celebrity instead of yammering to the moderators. Beck, if aware of such cowardice in the face of clear action, would take away your commemorative stub of chalk actually used on his show.
SRugerEsq on January 20 at 9:20 p.m.
missed all the earlier posta-drama but hawken sounds like a sook and a crybaby. As Sarah would say, pull up your man panties, or some such, as.
hawken on January 20 at 9:21 p.m.
spoketucky on January 20 at 9:14 p.m.
Hawken: You’ve seem to forgotten that all is fair in love and war.
I accept your statement, always have and I have stated the same to Ryan Pitts. Unfortunately, what you and I agree upon is not the standard enforced by Pitts. His and the standards of the SR Editors has biased, as I have demonstrated. That is my problem which I have documented.
I agree with you in this case. Unfortunately, that is NOT the standard according the the SR… I will continue to pound this point. Otherwise, you and I are on the same page.
hawken on January 20 at 9:28 p.m.
spoketucky
I would also like you to know, my opponent, is that I have NEVER flagged a liberal for what I get form you all. Never. I am not so thin skinned. All IS fair in love, war and politics.
Bruce (aka thatoneguy) on January 20 at 10:15 p.m.
Yes! Drama! Draaaaah-MA!
maria on January 20 at 11:41 p.m.
Hawken, tomorrow I will contact the SR regarding my idea for updating the rules for posting here. My first suggestion will be that no one be allowed to complain about having been temporarily banned from posting here for any reason and should they continue to whine and complain about it they should be banned permanently.
saveyourtatas on January 21 at 12:06 a.m.
MARIA ! (-: (Joan Jett says hellO)
Hawken is no Stephen Hawking, but he sure does post a ton of stuff. I wonder if he is ADHD. Attention Deficit Hyperposting Disorder.
SPOKETUCKY@4:59 is precise and correct.
Scroll up to see his perfect summation.
DEAR SPOKETUCKY, you were also the only blogger that captured the odor of a certain ChefGus who caused a friend of mine to spend almost 200 grand on 3 lawyers in a case where Betsy Cowles and Joe Shogan tried to convince a jury that a “civic gadfly” was potentially dangerous. I should point out that I do not consider Hawken dangerous in any way, shape, or form…except insomuchas he harms his reputation and those of conservatives whom he makes look bad, as he stridently blogs more than most 14 year olds with their textaholix. I seriously think Hawken should be Hawking decaf.
bryan123 on January 21 at 1:55 a.m.
Anti-Hate is code word for Anti-white in the amurican system as clearly outlined in this ‘article’
Alfredo on January 21 at 6:06 a.m.
Ryan never said anything to me and if he had, we could discuss it like adults in private instead of doing so in a drama filled event such as this which has strayed so far off topic that I’m really annoyed to have to defend myself here about another topic altogether.
Follow the logic here for a minute…
Matt states that Obama said to punish his enemies. Let’s pick this apart and put it into context of the topic which was related to violent rhetoric. Matt’s point is that “punish his enemies” means to incite physical harm, correct? If that is not what his point was, it had zero relevance to the topic, thus calling him out on it. If his statement was meant that “punish his enemies” to Matt really does deal with the topic, then physical violence is his obvious conclusion, thus, if he punishes his children, that would make him physically abusive toward his children.
Assuming Matt does NOT physically abuse his children, then Obama surely cannot be said to incite violence against his enemies. Granted, your enemies and your children could be considered two different things but the basic logic still applies. You cannot have it both ways all the time Matt and hawken and that was the entire point of my post, that his post (essentially saying “but…Obama said this and…Obama said that” did not agree with logic and had no real relevance to the topic and was used merely as an escape from dealing with the reality that nobody on the far right is willing to say “look, enough is enough with the violent rhetoric from either side including our own.”
From now on, if you have a problem with me, ignore me. Do not go whining on and on with obsession in a topic that has nothing to do with whatever rant you’re on about today. Obviously you’ve taken things said about you and decided to take them out on me in regards to something that had absolutely nothing to do with you. If anything can be considered a personal attack, it is exactly what you have done here.
Alfredo on January 21 at 6:18 a.m.
For the record, I have (and I don’t care if you ever have or not) flagged a few of your comments here this morning because I feel they are off-topic and in my opinion display a complete lack of regard for personal communications made between you and Ryan (thus invasion of privacy). Personally, you can say whatever you want to about me, you’ve said more than I ever care to hear from you in terms of who I am as a person and my views.
drywitt99 on January 21 at 6:55 a.m.
You know…I was prepared for AMOST everything.
Support….confusion….hatred.
But not indifference.
I was not prepared for the S-R circle-jerk.
In the wake of a terrorist attack against us ALL……
only ONE of you PATRIOTS had the balls to even contact me.
With the exception of one…..THE HELL WITH ALL OF YOU.
If by your active support…..or acquienence…..you allow such hatred and violence to thrive in our midst……you deserve that particular portion of hell you have carved out for yourself.
This is my 648th comment….my final comment,
And if there IS a god…..may he take mercy on you……
because I would not.
drywitt99 on January 21 at 7:00 a.m.
acquieSence. :(
That’s for you Matty
misjustice on January 21 at 7:26 a.m.
This thread went off topic fairly quickly…reminds me of $arahPac making the Tucson shooting all about her…
misjustice on January 21 at 7:28 a.m.
Dry; maybe you should repost your initial post, which was soooo far up thread that many may have missed it due to the down thread drama mama…?
Alfredo on January 21 at 7:40 a.m.
I have contacted Dry…I think we do need to show support for our community and for what’s right.
misjustice on January 21 at 7:53 a.m.
Alfredo; weird that someone collects/reviews your posts to make a case for having you banned? I read the post when you first made it and given the back and forth between you and Matt, I understood what you were saying.
Last night’s performance, on this thread, did not alleviate my concerns. It seemed, well, weird.
Peace to you,
; )
maria on January 21 at 9:17 a.m.
Don’t quit, drywitt!
Alfredo on January 21 at 9:33 a.m.
Thanks misjustice but I’ve had enough of the self-righteous teabaggin losers that post on here that think their opinion is fact and there is no room for debate.
I can have fantastic discussions with conservatives but I cannot stand those who blindly follow the GOP/Teabag party on every single detail of every single issue.
To all you teabaggers that hate black people, guess what? That bomb…it wasn’t just put anywhere, it was placed along the parade route. None of this should have been a partisan thing (one would think)…but the true colors of the teabag party shine brightly when exposed for what they are. Some on these threads dealing with the bombing are our regular teabaggin folks that post everything Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin tells them is true and it’s interesting how they try to say “well…it might not have had anything to do with MLK or black people and it might not be a hate crime…” all because of their fears.
Teabaggin freakshows that post on here prove that Spokane is far from being culturally diverse and far from adjusting to crazy new things like civil rights.
I’d gladly discuss politics and social issues and civil rights with a real conservative any day, unfortunately it seems the only ones here that claim to be conservative are merely racist, homophobic, backwoods hicks who yearn for a time when black people were property and gays were in the closet. Most sickening are the women who support this teabaggin deal wholeheartedly but fail to realize the founding fathers never wanted them involved in MAN’S politics, so apparently it’s alright to change some things but not others.
Good day Spokane and good luck with that whole hateful, racism, sexism, homophobia…whatever else you want to put in there…I’m buying me a gun! You people scare the bejeezus out of me.
PS, I love the rhyme maria =)
misjustice on January 21 at 9:40 a.m.
On another thread, about the public forum to discuss the planted bomb, a veiled (I won’t say threat) comment stated that tea bags would be there, when our precocious Maria asked if there would be doughnuts…makes ya wonder.
We can’t have a public forum, for concerned citizens to meet and discuss a recent crime, without T Baggers making veiled “comments” ? I wanted to attend the forum but not if T Baggers are going to be there with their guns. No thanks!
MrNatural on January 21 at 11:03 a.m.
Wow!…some thread…this is quite an interesting study in human interaction. Trying to relate this back to the main article one can see the ebb and flow of discourse that could perpetuate aggression. In keeping with the spirit of Dr. King and in light of the Tucson incident I see an opportunity for us to reaffirm civility…I’ll do my best to refrain from provocation.