Anti-Defamation League

The introduction to the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL's) website states that the purpose of the the organization is the 'exposing and reporting on... extremists who seek... to undermine our democracy'. I am familiar with the ADL's work, but, I was shocked by a listing I saw on the ADL's website.

I came across the ADL's posting in a Google search while doing research on protesting income tax law. (My full opinion on income tax law will be listed in a future posting)

The ADL description of the so called "Tax Protest Movement" is that of a "long-lived anti-government movement" with "white supremacist elements". They go on to describe tax protesters as extremist, right-wing, anti-government, blah.. blah.., etc.. etc.., criminals that are a danger to America. There web page also includes a "Portfolio of Protesters" including the names of several people who publicly oppose the I.R.S. and income tax laws! among these names are former I.R.S. investigator Joseph Banister, former Baltimore police detective John Kotmair, and attorney Lowell "Larry" Becraft Esq.

These people are hardly white supremacist, anti-government extremists!! They simply feel that income tax laws are unjust, and that the federal government has violated their rights under the Constitution. Therefore, like any American, they have taken their issues to the court room and have continued their protests of the federal governments tax policies by refusing to file their federal income taxes.

While it is true that their are extremist, right-wing, fanatical rednecks out there who hold to these viewpoints. Labeling everyone, who believes that the I.R.S. and certain tax laws violate our rights, as an "Extremist" is very excessive. Everyone hates taxes! And in certain extreme instances, people have literally "taken up arms with the I.R.S." But none of the actions taken, by the people listed above, are, in any way more or less violent or anti-American in nature than the actions taken by people who, in protest, refused conscription into the military during the Vietnam War, or those who protested the governments "Separate but Equal" policies by staging sit-ins, freedom rides, and non-violent resistance in support of civil rights.

If merely opposing tax laws and seeking the abolition of the I.R.S. grants you the label of an "anti-government white- supremacist", the ADL may want to consider adding to that list of names some of these "anti-government extremists". Because, all of them have at one point in time, expressed, to the public at large, the idea of abolishing the I.R.S.;

Congressman John Linder (R-GA)
Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA)
Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX)
Former Congressman James A. Traficant, Jr. (D-OH)
Former Congressman Frank D. Riggs (R-CA)
Governor Mike Huckabee (R-AK)
Senator Robert "Bob" E. Clegg Jr. (R-NH)
Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC)
Etc...