Many of you may know I have worked with a human rights group in Wyoming and an umbrella org. out of Washington state, for the past eight years, primarily working to educate people about diversity and tolerance, but also about specific hate groups including the Aryan Nations and other of its ilk. It was the AN which wanted to make the Northwest their "homeland."

In a landmark case, last year, they lost all rights to a major compound in Idaho. It essentially put them out of business, or so we all hoped. Now, having just listened to a report on NPR's All Things Considered I find they are pn their way to establishing themselves as a major force in rural Pennsylvania's Potter County. Their claim is the county is already 98% white and their leader went on the radio saying they will kill Jews, and other minorities if they try to live there.

The story will be available online after 10p tonight, Mudcat time, I believe. I have posted this because I feel it as of major importance. When we have the rhetoric of the government about the "homeland" and terrorists, I hope they are convinced that these organisations can be more of a threat and are of as much importance, for investigation and disarmament, as those on foreign soil.

They are not joking when they speak proudly about their hatred and the race war they believe our country will experience. They are not joking when they speak of the delight they will take in killing someone who does not fit their mold. They are not joking when they brag about being armed and having their food stored, ready for a seige. They are not joking when they say they are teaching their children the same hatred which says Jews are children of Satan and African-Americans are "mudpeople;" it is a chilling thing to hear one of their 5 year olds tell how much she hates Jews. Of course, she doesn't understand, but she will.

Please listen, if you've the stomach for it, and if you are able, do what you can, in your community, now more than ever, to promote diversity and respect for one another's cultures, colour, race, religion, etc. Our government is not leading the way in this respect. It is up to us.

Thank you,

kat