See the guy in the middle, with the blue shirt? That's Haley Barbour, former chief of the Republican Party. He's also running for governor in Mississippi.
The guys around him? Members and sympathizers of the
Council of Conservative Citizens. The modern-day version of the KKK, anti-black, anti-Latino, anti-Jew, anti-Gay.
From the FAQ on their site:
Why is the C of CC "race conscious"?
Most of the issues addressed by the C of CC and its local chapters have nothing to do with race. But, on some issues, such as forced busing, quotas and immigration, the Council does indeed speak out for white European-Americans, their civilization, faith and form of government, but we do not advocate or support the oppression or exploitation of other races or ethnic groups.
The fact is that race influences politics, society, and culture. The great explorations, scientific discoveries, inventions, literature, art, and architecture encompassed by Western Civilization have no rival anywhere in the world. The C of CC recognizes that European Christian heritage is essential for the survival of our standard of living and way of life. There is no acceptable substitute for the civilization that has evolved through the Greeks, Romans, Celts, and Anglo-Saxons [...]
Does the C of CC oppose racism?
The word racism was concocted by a communist ideologue in the 1920's. The purpose of racism was to instill guilt and shame in the minds of white people and to inflame racial hostility among blacks. This word play succeeded beyond all expectations. Of course, the word racism has no meaning unless whites react to it. Because racism defines nothing, but instead generates dubious connotations, the C of CC refuses to be held hostage by what the word implies at any given moment. It is normal for white people to be proud of their race and heritage, is that racist?
This is the face of the current Republican Party. The GOP elders may point to Arnold, but the power is held by people like Barbour, Lott, and DeLay.
The picture was taken July 19 of this year. This can't be chalked up to "youthful indiscretion" or ignorance. Barbour knew exactly what he was doing.
And hanging with the C of CC
isn't all.
Some of Republican gubernatorial candidate Haley Barbour's campaign material features the state flag and its Confederate battle emblem, a symbol many black voters find offensive [...]
Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Jim Herring said the party conducted a poll recently in which voters were asked their position on the state flag. He said the question was used to find potential supporters.
"We think the people voted on that issue, spoke on that issue, and we have no plans to make it an issue," he said. However, he said, "it's legitimate to find out how people voted on the flag issue. It helps you determine who your voters are and how you identified them."
In other words, let's find the racists because they're our supporters.
(via
Political Wire.)