Southern Poverty Law Center Takes Aim at Camp FEMA & Others

Debbie Morgan
Take Back Washington
March 12, 2010

Is the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) running damage control for the Federal government? In Popular Mechanics denial fashion, its Spring 2010 newsletter and newest article are all but rejecting the widespread evidence about FEMA camps and they are taking potshots at a new documentary that includes information about FEMA. Considering the plummeting approval rating of the new President and Congress, the government must be feeling the pressure of anxiety among US citizens, especially with the outright anger caused by last year’s “leak” of the now-infamous MIAC (Missouri Information Analysis Center) report, the CNN attack piece on the Oath Keepers, and the fall 2009 release of the new film Camp FEMA, it seems likely that damage control is exactly what is going on.

After reading the recent rhetoric by SPLC, I think one has to ask, “What is an organization that is ‘dedicated to fighting civil rights and bigotry’ doing suppressing information about the interning of US citizens and FEMA’s roll?” After all, “FEMA camps,” as they are endearingly referred to by many, are for relocating US citizens from their homes in cases of Government-declared national emergency. Shouldn’t the “civil rights” group be advocating the rights of free US citizens to STAY in their homes, if they so chose? Also, how does the film, Camp FEMA, figure as a hate or bigotry-filled film? For that matter, how does the position of the Oath Keepers and Restore the Republic fall into that category?

The William Lewis Films/Gary Franchi production opens with newsreel footage from the World War II era explaining the internment of Japanese Americans. At that time, the facilities were not referred to as “FEMA camps” (for those with questions, research REX 84), but were called War Relocation communities, as there was no Federal Emergency Management Agency at the time. What is revealed by the first two minutes of the film, however, is that of those relocated to these “communities,” more than two-thirds were American citizens, a fact that sets the stage for the rest of the well-documented film.

In its March 11, 2010 offering, the SPLC also takes aim at Denver Public Television’s KBDI for airing Camp FEMA during its most recent fund drive. The station’s Executive Producer, Shari Bernson, told SPLC that calls about the controversial documentary were “overwhelmingly positive.” Bernson and KBDI are known for presenting programming that is not your typical public television fare. But then, shouldn’t ”public television” be about informing the public rather than “government approved” programming? Again, the film is well documented.

Camp FEMA boasts a collection of interviews with several in the forefront of revealing government corruption and sheds light on legislation and other information about FEMA. And, while the mainstream media would have you believe that some of the guests are “wacko conspiracy theorists,” more than one mainstream news talk show host has had to admit that these people have been right on the money with some of their information. In fact, many of these people are well ahead of mainstream news outlets at getting important information to the public.

SPLC’s spin is less than impressive, however. From FEMA’s inception, its mission statement, its absorption by the Department of Homeland Security to the National Guard ad seeking Internment Specialists (all exposed in Camp FEMA), it is really mind-blowing how the SPLC is able to overlook the interesting array of information readily available to the public.

SPLC also claims that William Lewis Films, Oath Keepers, Restore the Republic and a host of other “patriot-minded” people are militia and conspiracy minded, and, by planting the suggestion in the minds of their readers, that they might even have their roots in “white supremacy” (directly from SPLC: “Though some Patriot movement beliefs have roots in white supremacy”); yet they are nothing of the sort. If the Center had done their proper homework they would find that these people and groups only want the government to be held accountable for its egregious legislation and actions AGAINST the American people and to RETURN to a government that is aligned with our Founding Documents: the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. How, may I ask, is that “militia or conspiratorial minded” or “white supremacist?” Readers need to realize that these are the tools our government, and apparently SPLC, is using to create doubt in the minds of people unfamiliar with what is truly going on.

A d v e r t i s e m e n t

The Southern Poverty Law Center, the federal government and anyone else who thinks liberty-loving people looking out for their best interests are a threat need to re-read the Bill of Rights (including paying special attention to the Second Amendment) and the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence clearly states:

“…Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

What these people and groups want to do is to merely inform the public about reprehensible government activity and keeping the government in line; making the government live up to the dreams and desires of our Founding Fathers…Freedom…Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness for ALL.

After the SPLC and anyone else has read that, they need to answer some questions:

• Why DOESN’T the SPLC and our elected-by-the-people government understand our inherent rights as US citizens?

• Why are YOU labeling freedom-loving, law-abiding United States citizens who question your motivations militia-minded or conspiracy theorists?

• Do you need the general public be in constant fear?

Those of us who hold fast to our inherent rights to freedom are no threat to anyone. That is the reason this country was founded…after all, it is our right and duty to watch our government, and to “provide new Guards for [our] future security…” if need be.

My suggestion is that all US citizens do a little research. READ the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and take a look back at our history. Look at the list of questions provided on the Camp FEMA website. Look at the mission statement of the Oath Keepers, an organization that merely wants to ABIDE by its oath to protect and defend the Constitution (something Congress and the President STILL haven’t figured out how to do!). Look at the information provided on the Restore the Republic website. Ask yourself what you would like to see on your television Public television. All that will be left to do after that is to ask yourself why the SPLC weighed in on this debate.