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Daniel Cowart allegedly plotted to kill Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Why white supremacists are looking forward to an Obama administration.
On October 27, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms announced the arrest of two young neo-Nazis, Daniel Cowart and Paul Schlesselman, who allegedly plotted to assassinate Barack Obama. The strange event suggests that a criminal element within the white supremacist movement is hell-bent on racial violence if Obama becomes president.
On the other hand, key leaders of the movement’s organized front see a potential Obama administration as a rising tide that will lift their sagging boats. They hope to leverage white resentment against Obama’s presidency to generate unprecedented funding, bolster membership rolls, and influence the political mainstream.
According to the ATF, Cowart and Schlesselman planned to suit up in white tuxedoes and top hats and then massacre 88 black people, 14 by decapitation, including Obama among their targets. The numbers 88 and 14 are signifiant in neo-Nazi culture: “H” is the 8th letter of the alphabet; “HH” stands for “Heil Hitler.” Fourteen symbolizes the 14-word pledge of the neo-Nazi group, The Order.
Key leaders of the white supremacist movement see a potential Obama administration as a rising tide that will lift their sagging boats.
Initially portrayed in media accounts as “lone wolves” without institutional affiliations, new information about the would-be assassins suggests deeper connections into the subculture of neo-Nazi thugs united by an adulation of Adolf Hitler and desire for vigilante violence. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, one of the would-be assassins, Daniel Cowart, was a “probate member” of an incipient youth group of the neo-Nazi movement, Supreme White Alliance.
Cowart also maintained a friendship with the SWA’s founder, Steven Edwards. Steven Edwards is the son of Ron Edwards, the founder of the Imperial Klans of America, a neo-Nazi outfit best known for the “Nordic Fest” white power concerts it holds at its 15-acre compound in Kentucky.
After the Southern Poverty Law Center revealed Cowart’s connection to SWA, the group posted a defensive statement on its website denying his role in organizational activities. “Since [the SWA’s annual election] none of the SWA members have had any contact with accused,” the website declared. “So before you get your story wrong, [SPLC], get the facts.” At the same time, the Supreme White Alliance acknowledged that Cowart was indeed a “probate member.”
Even as it distances itself from the plot against Obama, the SWA openly advocates violence against minority groups. Its website currently posts a statement reading “Unless we have an unseen army of total Barbarians, devoid of pity, of compassion, of compunctions, of restraining moralisms, we are doomed. He who practices chivalry, when the enemy has none, fights with both hands tied behind his back. Our people must have commitment, courage, and honor fighting to free their land from the jewish scourge. Better one day as a lion, than years as a sheep.”
John P. Avlon is the author of Independent Nation: How Centrists Can Change American Politics. He writes a weekly column for The Daily Beast and is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute. Previously, he served as Chief Speechwriter for New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and was a columnist and associate editor for The New York Sun.
Max Blumenthal is a senior writer for The Daily Beast and writing fellow at The Nation Institute, whose book, Republican Gomorrah (Basic/Nation Books), is forthcoming in Spring 2009. Contact him at maxblumenthal3000@yahoo.com.
The Daily Beast is dedicated to news and commentary, culture, and entertainment. We carefully curate the web’s most essential stories and bring you original must-reads from our talented contributors.
Kevin Buckley was a reporter and Saigon bureau chief for Newsweek between 1968 and 1972. He is the author of Panama—The Whole Story (Simon & Schuster, 1991). He is a contributing editor of Playboy and an adjunct professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
Michael O'Hanlon specializes in national security policy at the Brookings Institution. He is senior author of the Iraq Index. As a defense budget analyst, he advised members of Congress on military spending.
Abby Ellin regularly writes the "Vows" column for the New York Times, and previously wrote the "Preludes" column for that newspaper about young people and money. Her work has appeared in a range of publications, including Time, Marie Claire, More, Self and Glamour. She is the author of Teenage Waistland, but her greatest claim to fame is naming “Karamel Sutra” ice cream for Ben and Jerry's.
Max Blumenthal is a senior writer for The Daily Beast and writing fellow at The Nation Institute, whose book, Republican Gomorrah (Basic/Nation Books), is forthcoming in Spring 2009. Contact him at maxblumenthal3000@yahoo.com.
Max Blumenthal is a senior writer for The Daily Beast and writing fellow at The Nation Institute, whose book, Republican Gomorrah (Basic/Nation Books), is forthcoming in Spring 2009. Contact him at maxblumenthal3000@yahoo.com.
Max Blumenthal is a senior writer for The Daily Beast and writing fellow at The Nation Institute, whose book, Republican Gomorrah (Basic/Nation Books), is forthcoming in Spring 2009. Contact him at maxblumenthal3000@yahoo.com.
Max Blumenthal is a senior writer for The Daily Beast and writing fellow at The Nation Institute, whose book, Republican Gomorrah (Basic/Nation Books), is forthcoming in Spring 2009. Contact him at maxblumenthal3000@yahoo.com.
Interesting story, although I disagree with the basic idea that an African-American president will somehow lift the racist crazies to a higher profile and influence.
I do have a beef with the headline! And with some of the content on the Daily Beast, which sure as shit is seeming pro-McCain. If this is a right leaning site then come out of the closet! Or maybe that's exactly what Tina Brown is doing.
Knowing what I do of the human nature, I am quite sure that a powerful black man will threaten a certain percentage of disempowered and disaffected whites. After all, the original KKK came to being in response to Reconstruction.
As for the news pieces selected for this site, the appeal for some has been to the left and for others, to the right. I think that is known as "balance". Is there anything wrong with a site that simply reports the news of the day. Or must we be totally segregated, left from right?
Is this headline a joke? The initial reaction is that Obama now has a neo-nazi background that needs explaining. I guess that's what the media has the luxury of doing; framing the issue, even the inconsequential ones. I wish writers and editors would demonstrate a little introspection every so often. Mr. Blumenthal, you used to be better than this.
These hateful idiots aren't worth the space you're giving them, Tina. Bad choice giving them any publicity whatsoever IMO. Don't we have better things to talk about?
I also doubt these warped misfits will get any traction once Obama hits the ground running and proves himself to be a very serious and capable president--never mind inspiring.
Its rather ironic that these white supremacists have their meetings at a Thai restaurant. Guess tater tots and corn dogs are off the KKK menu.
Struggling to deal with my discomfort with this story, I found lehaye's comment cathartic. Really, Tina, no censors are we... but space to this slime? This will sound much more provocative than I intend it, but what's next? Child porn with illustrations?
Sorry.
But it just makes us feel greasy.
Reasonable humans can only move on with some assurance that we have good, strong folks in place to handle this vermin for us. And to them, by the way, thank you.
This is sick
What's the matter with publishing this story? If you suppress it, you're doing just as much harm as the people portrayed in the story. If we don't know who these people are, how can we ever move past this kind of philosophy? This stuff exists, it runs rampant through the morally squalid Main Streets of America in one form or another. If you live in California, you're seeing this kind of "rationale" and treatment of people playing out in the Yes on Prop. 8 campaign.
Yank, can't agree with you more on the Klan....they hope Obama will "lift their boat". They had their butts kicked a few years ago by Morris Dees, of the Southern Poverty Law Center...one Klan lost their assets, including their meeting hall to a woman of color who was the mother of a young man who was lynched for no reason at all in one of those "red neck" states. People like the Klan are so proud of their ignorance, they wear it like a badge of honor. I don't believe they will affect an Obama administration...a good Justice Department will maybe start dealing with "hate crimes" for real.
This website is pro mccain no doubt.....Now if you want to support mccain than do it but this kind of articals does not help mccain but advertise racisim. STOP IT
I disagree with "yankintex" about the "the Beast" being right leaning. this article is proof that information is power. just cause we don't like the views of the racists, doesn't mean we can't be informed about it. Besides they just had a article called "the Hate Monger of Minnesota" taking on the wack job senator. Gotta love the REAL balance
You cannot fight this kind of hatred without acknowledging it's existence and staying informed.
I agree with "Southpaw." Giving ink to these people just fuels their sick objectives, to destroy the fabric of this nation. They long for publicity and attention and even I am contributing to their wishes by weighing in on the matter. Sorry, Tina. We love The Daily Beast, but a little filtering would be nice.
I live in the deep south and hear all the "N" jokes and the threaths againt a black president.But it seems to me they talk a good game while in groups, but get them by their selfs and it's a different story. Most of these so-called nazi's are nothing but working stiff's who worship the all-holy dollar and will talk shit about Obama being President and then punch the time clock if they have a job and bitch about taking Martin Luther King day off.
@TheBlindHog: Of course the disaffected and disempowered racist will be threatened by Obama. My point is that I don't see an increase in numbers or influence of the various ractist movements because Obama is president. I actually think these groups gain momentum in a conservative environment, when their hatred can be disguised and gussied up for public consumption. Marriage Amendment, anyone?
And re the content, I agree with idea of balance in online journalism (if that's the site's objective)...but a perusal of the headlines and nature of various stories regarding the presidential election on TDB doesn't really show balance at all, but a desire to somehow pull down Obama's chances for the sake of...what? A more exciting race?
This is a sad reflection on our state of evolution, but unfortunately a likely scenario for what could happen.
Let us hope stronger elements of the "white" race follow Obama's lead and rise above the trash that seem to all too often steal the limelight. : (
The title of this article is a little suspect, but I appreciated the report.
I wondered at the headline but knew before I read the story that it would be provacative. It was, as evidenced by the comments. I'm aware that the white suprematists love any reason to get stoked together...I've seen them, ordinary Americans by day, bonding over hate by night...but they are hardly a significant piece of the population...and I don't agree with the author that their ilk should gain in power in an Obama administration, Still, a good presentation of the facts.
"It seems like a plot to defame [white nationalists] before the election," wrote another Stormfront member called "tasteofsnowflakes."
As if you and your fellow idiots have any respect from the common population in order to defame...
Whites, blacks, yellows, reds, and even green Martians would all do best to rise above not only "white supremacy," but also Obama. Obama would "lead" to a terrorist appeasing leftist hell with screwball ideas that do nothing but fail. And some will inevitably blame the ensuing catastrophe on Obama being a "colored person," when the problem is the donkey do color of his politics rather than the tan color of his skin. This will feed the new racism, which is far more stubborn a force for ill than was the old racism. The old racism had prejudices, but no empirical data to lean on. It would fade as experience proved the old prejudices wrong. The new racism has both, and will sadly continue to do so until "colored people" themselves take Martin Luther King's dictum to heart and look what's under the skin of their would be savior figures.
I should clarify. I think the story in itself is newsworthy. I think the framing of it is highly misleading. We do need to attack the racism and bigotry head on, but the title almost lends credence to the movement and/or the idea that a vote for Obama is a vote for racists.
Why did you have to link to the white supremest website? A powerful link from here will raise their page rank, thus making it easy for someone to find - looking or not. Also, it is upsetting, offensive and unnecessary to make a point in this article.
Verlene: "Mmmmm, have ya'll tried the Pad Thai? It's good!"
Ray Ray Jr.: "No, but this here basil cashew chicken shore is scruptious. Jimmie Bob, can you make sure we have this at the next hate music concert?"
Jimmie Bob: "Fraid not, Ray Ray. Everbody done said they wanted tapas agin.
Ray Ray Jr.: "Yeah, I 'member now, everbody loves them patatas bravas.
Verlene: "Well, then we kin have Thai at the next cross-burnin'. With extra chile paste--git it?? You know, extra HOT."
Wonders never cease. But historically in America, it seems, the hate movements collapse repeatedly under the weight of their own stupidity.
Wise white families, like mine, welcome a little color into our family tree. Mr. Sun is no longer our friend. Fish bellies die of skin cancer. Witness the GOP candidate's battle. Families that step into the wide world, will be the genetic codes that travel to the stars as ambasadors for the human race.
I don't believe that the link here poses a danger of catapulting these rogues' website to the top of Google's ratings. It doesn't even show on Google to explicit attempts to locate it, although I did find lots of otherwise Balkanized groups who agree heartily to condemn them. I'd credit Google policy towards "hate groups" for their web ignominy. (If Google had the same attitude towards porn, the world consumption of that online smut would doubtless take a nosedive.)
Thank you.
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