GOP Revives Anti-Gay Marriage Campaign for ’06, p.3

TheA PUBLICATION OF POLITICAL RESEARCH PublicEye ASSOCIATES SUMMER 2006 • Volume XX, No.2 Politicized Science How Anti-Abortion Myths Feed the Christian Right Agenda By Pam Chamberlain avid Hagar, an OB/GYN physician Dand a graduate of evangelical Ashbury College in Kentucky, is famous as a man with a mission. Hager believes emergency contraception (EC) is abortion by any other name, and he refuses to administer it in his own practice, based on his religious beliefs. Like other pro-lifers, he maintains

William Strode/Woodfin Camp, Getty Images Getty Camp, Strode/Woodfin William that EC terminates a pregnancy by pre- An Aryan Nations family displays its colors. venting implantation of a fertilized egg despite the absence of any research that supports such a claim. A Bush appointee to Food and Drug White Power Cyberculture Administration (FDA) review commit- Building a Movement tees, Hagar wrote a minority opinion in December 2003 that argued against mak- By Pete Simi and Robert Futrell RACE.” Once again thanks to Azvolks- ing EC available over-the-counter, argu- front and Panzerfaust Records for the ing that access to the drug would encourage My bro N I went to our first Aryanfest weekend with my new family. teens to have sex. And as the media has this last weekend in Phoenix. It was just –Proudwhiteman (Panzerfaust.com mind blowing on the amount of broth- Politicized Science continues on page 13 3/24/04). ers and sisters out there all living, breathing, and working for the cause. And here I thought we were alone his chat room posting is just one of IN THIS ISSUE LOL. The bros from Volksfront were not Tmany in the days following the 2004 only helpful, but very professional as Aryanfest—a two-day concert that brought Incorrect Guide to Islam ...... 2 well. Living in today’s society it’s nice together white power activists from around Back to the Future ...... 3 to know that at any time I can log onto the country. Today, with a simple keyword Panzerfaust and be connected to my search such as “Aryan” or “white power,” Phyllis Schlafly Exposed ...... 18 brothers and sisters, and speak our websurfers can easily find a growing num- minds on the cause at hand. For me it’s ber of similar white power websites where Reports in Review ...... 21 acidly racist and anti-Semitic themes replete all of us getting together and fighting Eyes Right ...... 23 for the same common goal “THE with visions of racial separation or even vio- PRESERVATION OF THE WHITE White Power Cyberculture continues on page 7

THE PUBLIC EYE1 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye COMMENTARY ThePublicEye Publisher Modern-Day Crusader The Rev. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale, M. Div., D. Min.

By Adem Carroll Editor As director of the provocative Jihad Watch website, as well as author of Islam Unveiled Abby Scher, Ph.D and Onward Muslim Soldiers, Robert Spencer seems to see himself as a commander in a Design/layout struggle. His enemy is not a specific group of Muslims with particular aims and aspira- Hird Graphic Design tions but instead a monolithic and unchanging Islam. On scores of radio and TV shows, Printing he fulminates against the religion as a self-appointed expert, despite a lack of serious cre- Causeway Graphics dentials or even, apparently, interest in the richness of his subject matter. In his intoler- Editorial Board ance and literalism, Spencer is remarkably like those extremists he condemns. Chip Berlet • Pam Chamberlain Regnery, a conservative publisher, has seen fit to publish another Robert Spencer book, Frederick Clarkson • David Cunningham, Ph.D 1 The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades) . Perhaps some readers will con- Surina Khan • Roberto Lovato sider this spiteful and rather vile book a camp classic, a hoot. But we Muslims will not. The Rev. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale These assaults hurt, not because they hit home, but because they are so wildly off the Tarso Luís Ramos • Abby Scher mark. Spencer’s reckless, scattershot approach harries the Muslim American community Holly Sklar • PaulWatanabe, Ph.D and leaves very little ground for moderates and humanists, as I will explain. Of course PRAPRA Political Research Associates such hateful assaults predate 9/11, but now they inspire quite a troop of know-nothing POLITICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES reactionaries who cheer each new fusillade. Do I need to add that this does nothing to Founder and President Emerita make us safer as a nation? Jean V. Hardisty, Ph.D The politics of fear has its own military-industrial entertainment component. A grow- ing cottage industry of self-appointed experts and researchers spews hate from its sinis- Staff The Rev. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale, ter tall smokestacks. Rather than prejudge their political motivation, it may be sufficient Executive Director to note a few characteristics of the rhetoric they produce. Chip Berlet, Senior Analyst While working with a Muslim American organization (though differing with it in some Pam Chamberlain, Research Analyst respects), I saw how often statements of Muslim leaders are taken out of context to appear Cindy King, Business Manager alarming. Mr. Spencer is no stranger to this baiting game, as he tries to depict religious Tom Louie, Director of Development and Communications preference as something more sinister, like the threat of world domination—the domino Tarso Luís Ramos, Research Director theory of evangelical Islam. Abby Scher, Senior Editor First, perhaps for its entertainment as well as its propaganda value, Robert Spencer shows Board of Directors COMMENTARY continues on page 12 Michael Chapman Richard Gross Heeten Kalan Vivien Labaton June Lorenzo Mohan Sikka Wendy Volkmann Paul Watanabe, Ph.D.

The Public Eye is published by Political Research Associates. Subscriptions are $15.00 for individuals and non-profit organizations, $10.00 for students and low-income individuals. Outside U.S., Canada, and Mexico, add $9.00 for surface delivery or $14.00 for air mail.

Please make checks payable to Political Research Associates, 1310 Broadway, Suite 201, Somerville, Massachusetts 02144-1837. 617.666.5300 fax: 617.666.6622

PRA is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. © Political Research Associates, 2006. Website: www.publiceye.org All rights reserved. ISSN 0275-9322

RJ Matson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch St. RJ Matson, ISSUE 52

THE PUBLIC EYE 2 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye Back to the Future GOP Revives Anti-Gay Marriage Campaign for ‘06

By Doug Ireland s George Bush’s approval ratings on the AIraq war and the economy continue their slide downward, the Republican Party is determined to use the gay marriage issue and other punitive anti-gay measures to retain control of Congress in the 2006 mid-term elections, and defend their one- state control of state legislatures. Why revive the anti-gay marriage fight? Because it works. Along with homeland security, electoral gay-bashing was key to the Republicans’ 2004 sweep of the presidency and both houses of Congress. As former Clinton campaign strategist and CNN talking head James Carville summed up the Republicans’ message in his post-election analysis, “I’m going to protect you from the terrorists in Tikrit and the homos in Hollywood.” The lynchpin of Karl Rove’s anti-gay Images Getty Springer, Michael An anti-gay marriage protestor in Boston. strategy in 2004 was to increase turnout by social conservatives through a crusade ties of the nominally Democratic ethnic and it as to get Democratic Senators on record against gay marriage. Surfing on the huge largely working-class Catholics who are the as voting against it, so that the vote can be anti-gay backlash after the U.S. Supreme swing vote in the Buckeye State’s cities and used to help defeat them. Court struck down the “sodomy” laws suburbs. That’s how John Kerry lost Ohio. The GOP is well aware of just how that made gay sex illegal, the GOP and its In Washington, the GOP proposed a frightened the Democrats are of the gay Christian Right shock troops mobilized. constitutional amendment banning same marriage issue. For example, centrist Dems They placed referenda to ban gay marriage sex marriage. It failed, but four of the like California Senator Diane Feinstein on the ballot in 11 states, including four Democratic senators who helped defeat it have blamed the Democrats’ ‘04 defeat on of the “battleground“ states. were themselves defeated at the polls that gays who wanted “too much, too fast, too Not only did the anti-gay marriage fall. Florida, South Dakota, Louisiana and soon,” as she put it. Another example: forces make a clean sweep of all eleven South Carolina all sent Republicans to well-known Democratic party operative states, they succeeded in using the issue to Washington instead. Paul Yandura—who served in the Clinton drive up turnout among both Evangelical This year, the GOP is rolling out the White House as well as on the staff of the and Catholic voters, overwhelming the same strategies—and also trying out some Clinton and Gore presidential campaigns Democrats’ best-ever get-out-the-vote new ones. —created a stir among party activists, both drive. Even in supposedly “liberal” Oregon, gay and straight, by sending an open let- the ban on gay marriage passed by a whop- Anti-Gay Tactics in Washington ter on April 20 to gay Democrats criticiz- ping 14 points. And in Ohio (the state on ing Democratic National Chairman which the presidential race turned), two- irst off, the Republican leadership has Howard Dean and the party for not get- thirds of those who came to the polls voted Frevived the Federal Marriage Amend- ting involved in state ballot measures seek- against gay marriage—including not only ment to the Constitution to ban same-sex ing to ban gay marriage. Dean’s response? the 24percent of the state’s voters who unions, with Senate Majority Leader Bill Less than a week later he fired the party’s self-identified as “born again,” but majori- Frist scheduling a vote for June. Once again, the objective is not so much to pass gay outreach advisor Donald Hitchcock—

THE PUBLIC EYE3 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye who was Yandura’s domestic partner (a This massive ladling out of religious potent entities like Catholicvote.org, the move Yandura described as “retaliation, patronage by the Republicans guarantees National Coalition for the Protection of pure and simple”). Knowing the Democ- that churches, priests and preachers will be Children and Families, the American Asso- rats won't stand up to defend gay marriage oh-so enthusiastic in carrying the anti- ciation of Christian Schools, the Coalition from electoral and ballot attacks has encour- gay message to their flocks and in encour- of African-American Pastors, the Southern aged the Republicans in their insidiously aging parishioners to vote on the basis of Baptist Convention’s North American clever anti-gay strategy. “moral” and “family values”—the prime Mission Board, the National Religious Moreover, since ’04, the Bush Admin- target, of course, being gay-friendly Broadcasters Association, and the National istration has strengthened the GOP’s elec- Democrats. Association of Christian Evangelicals. The toral hand, and its anti-gay strategy, beyond last is headed by the Rev. Ted Haggard, pas- electoral tactics by funneling huge amounts Beltway Tactics Beyond the tor of the immense, 11,000-member New of political patronage to allies in conser- Government Life Church in Colorado, who—as Jeffrey vative churches. These “faith-based initia- e now know that in 2004, a GOP Sharlet reported in a May 2005 Harper’s tives” underwrite proselytizing campaigns Wfront group in Washington also magazine profile of the powerful preacher by the Christian Right and tear down the proved innovative in directing strategy— —personally talks to Bush or his advisers wall separating Church and State. and money flows—to the grassroots. A every Monday. Many of the Arlington Even better for electioneering purposes, study released in January by the Institute on Group’s members have benefited from the faith-based initiatives widen the power Money in State Politics, “The Money Bush administration’s religious patronage. and local visibility of recipients, which Behind the 2004 Marriage Amendments,” Politicians are also in the Arlington helps conservatives during campaign sea- showed that of the $6.8 billion filed as Group circle, including Ohio’s Republican son. Religious groups now play a huge legal campaign contributions to support ref- Secretary of State, Kenneth J. Blackwell. role in public housing, receiving 24 percent erenda banning gay marriage, “contributors Blackwell not only served as co-chair of of grant money from the Department of affiliated with conservative Christian organ- Bush’s 2004 campaign in Ohio, he was the Housing and Urban Development’s hous- izations gave $2.2 million. Nearly $2 mil- public servant responsible for an election ing subsidies. A quarter of the $15 billion lion of this amount, or 89 percent, came system which pushed Bush to victory by the White House originally pledged to from members of the so-called ‘Arlington depressing the black, pro-Kerry vote in the fight AIDS was diverted to sexual absti- Group,’ a coalition with close ties to the state. A 2005 study confirmed that black nence programs run by religious organi- Bush White House.” voters waited three times longer than zations. And this year, the President’s The Arlington Group—so secretive it whites to vote and were more likely to be Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEP- doesn’t even have a website—was formed asked—illegally—by poll workers for FAR) upped that earmark for abstinence- in 2003 by a key White House Christian identification. only-until-marriage education to 33 Right ally, the Rev. Donald Wildmon. In a December 2004 column, Weyrich percent. The deficit reduction bill that Wildmon is head of the Tupelo, Missis- —a key ideological leader of the Christ- Bush signed in February channels $500 sippi-based American Family Association, ian Right—boasted that “the effort to million into programs to promote and which—through its broadcasting arm, put marriage on the ballot in eleven states strengthen heterosexual marriage. American Family Radio—runs a network emanated from the Arlington Group. In Bush’s five years in the White House, of more than 200 Christian radio stations And the resources to go full-tilt in Ohio he has reshaped the bureaucracy to insti- and affiliate groups. The Arlington Group were raised from participants in the tutionalize these patronage flows to reli- was formed in response to the Supreme group.” The Institute for Money in State gious groups. Eleven government agencies Court’s ruling striking down the sodomy Politics report notes that, “campaign con- have set up religious offices, ostensibly to laws, and in expectation that the Massa- tributions from member groups of [The help coordinate the provision of social chusetts Supreme Judicial Court would Arlington Group] went most heavily to services by faith-based organizations. In hold gay marriage to be a civil right (as Ohio, totaling $1.18 million, nearly all of reality they channel the money to Repub- indeed it did in 2003). the money given to support Ohio’s lican allies among the religious. In early It is unknown to the public and rarely amendment and 59 percent of the $1.99 March of this year, the President even surfaces in the press, but the influential million in contributions given by organ- established a religious office in the Depart- Arlington Group’s membership includes izations or individuals connected with ment of Homeland Security—with not only such well-known Christian Right the Arlington Group.” Not only did churches and church-related institutions groups as James Dobson’s Focus on the Arlington Group member organizations getting a majority share of the monies Family, Paul Weyrich’s Free Congress Foun- funnel financial resources to Ohio, but allocated for the victims of Hurricane dation, and the Family Research Council, they also gave heavily in two other states Katrina. but also a raft of 57 other little-known but considered to be presidential battle-

THE PUBLIC EYE 4 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye Mike Keefe, The Denver Post The Denver Keefe, Mike grounds—$546,600 in Michigan and The Church is in the Fight committees in Michigan. $138,360 in Oregon. he role of Catholics in the anti-gay The Catholic Church’s role in the anti- The direct contributions required to be Tmarriage crusade has been seriously gay marriage fight is sure to strengthen in filed by state election laws for the anti-gay under-reported. But one of the most suc- 2006 under the new Pope Benedict XVI marriage referendum campaigns repre- cessful Arlington Group associates in the ‘04 (formerly the anti-gay zealot Cardinal sent only the tip of the iceberg. Not referenda was the American Society for Ratzinger). In February, theologians and included are many in-kind contributions. the Defense of Tradition, Family and Prop- jurists, including many Americans, took For example, the Washington Post reported erty (TFP), founded in 1973 by American part in a five-day seminar on how to legally that leaders of the Arlington Group had Catholics. C. Preston Noell III is on the TFP ban gay marriage, organized by the John jointly hired or loaned several full-time staff board of directors and is editor of Crusade, Paul II Institute for Studies of Marriage and members to work on the gay-marriage a TFP magazine. He also is a member of the the Family at the Vatican’s Lateran Uni- issue in ‘04. Moreover, Arlington Group Arlington Group. TFP was behind the versity in Rome. And when the Pope made members undertook advertising cam- Traditional Marriage Crusade ballot com- an American and long-time ally—San paigns targeting House and Senate can- mittees formed in nine states in ’04; as its Francisco Archbishop William Levada— didates on the marriage issue in at least six website proclaims, it is already gearing up a cardinal and gave Levada his old job as of the states with ballot measures on the for this year’s election cycle. head of the Congregation for the Doctrine issue: Arkansas, Louisiana, North Dakota, In the battleground state of Michigan, of the Faith, it signaled that the fight over Michigan, Ohio and Oklahoma. But this $1 million for the ‘04 referendum cam- gay marriage in the United States will be advertising was not included in the refer- paign came directly from seven Roman getting a lot more Vatican attention. endum campaign filings. Catholic dioceses in Michigan. Their con- Complete records of contributions aren’t tributions to a committee supporting the One Church’s Example available until after elections, but rest same-sex marriage ban represented 36 arely do the efforts of local churches assured the Arlington Group will work the percent of the total contributions raised by Rand pastors to turn out the anti-gay money flows equally well in 2006. the anti-gay marriage amendment vote attract the scrutiny of state election

THE PUBLIC EYE5 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye authorities. One of the rare instances is in put on the ballot for this fall by the legis- In Congress, the Republicans have more Montana. latures or by petition. arrows in their quiver than just the Federal There, as the Associated Press reported In Minnesota—which already has a law Marriage Amendment. They introduced this March, Montana State Commissioner on the books defining marriage as between House bills saying no state constitution can of Political Practices Gordon Higgins ruled a man and a woman—St. Paul-Minneapolis be construed to require legalization of any- that Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church Catholic Archbishop Harry Flynn has thing but “normal” marriage between a in East Helena violated state law by not urged his priests to participate in a statewide man and a woman. And even before the reporting, to his office, the church's in-kind campaign by Minnesota for Marriage to Defense of Marriage bill is passed, let alone support of a state constitutional ban on gay activate religious leaders in support of a con- ratified by the states, the House Republi- marriage. The church held meetings and stitutional ban on gay marriage and civil cans introduced a bill that would safe- collected signatures to put the ban on the unions. At the same time, a church-based guard from judicial review its provision ballot, becoming, according to Higgins, an group called Minnesota Citizens in Defense allowing states to refuse recognition of “incidental political committee.” The gay of Marriage ran radio, print and direct same-sex marriages performed in other marriage ban passed by a 2-1 margin in ‘04. mail ads all Spring targeting a dozen state states. Finally, they sought to ban same-sex Multiply that Montana church by thou- senators who oppose the ban. marriage in the District of Columbia. sands of other churches across the country Another anti-gay innovation for the whose anti-gay organizing is not legally 2006 campaign: In Ohio and 12 other reported and is off the media radar screen, states, the GOP has introduced legislation and one begins to get a truer picture of the In February, Catholic to ban adoptions by same-sex couples. role of religious institutions in the anti-gay After a March 2006 Pew Poll purported marriage fight. The pulpit is a powerful theologians and jurists to show a decline in opposition to gay forum for getting out the anti-gay vote. marriage from 63 percent to 51 percent, took part in a five-day some in the gay community waxed opti- Tactics for 2006 mistic, and some Democrats began to sur- nti-gay organizing for the ‘06 elec- seminar on how to mise that the gay marriage issue was losing Ation is well under way. Months before its hot-button status in electoral behavior.. Congress voted on the anti-gay marriage legally ban gay marriage. But, as Jeff Soref, a former Democratic amendment to the US Constitution, the National Committeeman who chairs the Alliance for Marriage announced it will Empire State Pride Agenda in New York, organize retribution against those who Minnesota is also the testing ground for commented when it was released: oppose it. a new GOP tactic: a CD-ROM devised by That’s in the absence of any sort of In Iowa, Arlington Group member the Minnesota Republican Party to build very focused and negative advertis- Focus on the Family ran full-page news- support for the constitutional amend- ing campaign about gay rights and paper ads targeting Democratic state leg- ment banning gay marriage. Featuring marriage equality. When the Repub- islators for blocking debate on a proposed clips from born-again GOP Gov. Tim licans start to really organize around state constitutional ban on gay marriage, Pawlenty and other statewide office-hold- it—through the pulpit and churches preventing Iowans from voting on the ers, the mini-documentary has another and advertising and people on the amendment. The ads’ demagogic slogan? purpose: building up a voter database. To ground—you will probably see “Iraqis Have the Right to Vote, Why Don’t watch the video, a person has to go to an opinion move again. Iowans?” Internet site and punch in an ID code that Moreover, a subsequent Gallup Poll Legislatures in Maryland, West Virginia, tells the Party who is viewing it. Once the released in April this year reported that and New Hampshire all blocked Repub- video is going, viewers are asked questions opposition to gay marriage had actually lican attempts to put anti-gay marriage on subjects like abortion, gun control and risen to 68 percent, as compared to 55 per- amendments to their state constitutions on Party preference. But it contains no warn- cent in a poll Gallup had taken the year the fall ballot. But Republican propagan- ings saying that data is collected and trans- before. So, there is little cause for optimism; dists are gearing up to use those votes mitted to the Republican Party, nor does 2006 is shaping up as yet another danger- against the amendments to beat Democ- it indicate what other data about the user ous year in the anti-gay culture wars. rats. And in Washington, Colorado, Wis- is being collected once the Party is con- consin, Virginia, Pennsylvania, South nected to one‘s home computer. Doug Ireland, a veteran political journalist, Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, and a half- Electronic privacy groups have con- can be reached through his blog, DIRELAND, dozen other states, constitutional same-sex demned this covert data-collection as at http://direland.typepad.com/direland/ marriage bans either have been or are being “sneaky” and “dangerous.”

THE PUBLIC EYE 6 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye CYBERCULTURE continued from page 1 lent racial extermination are the norm. offline as well as online. It is the relation- White Aryan Resistance.3 But the number But more than supporting virtual com- ship [between virtual and real-world con- of groups is not a wholly reliable measure munication among often isolated members, texts] that is the important thing.”2 The of white power activity and no one knows the web has proved invaluable for organiz- Internet does not replace face-to-face inter- just how many actual members there are. ing real-world gatherings of Aryans that cul- action, but rather adds on-line interaction tivate and nurture a sense of community. to social relationships. If anything, cyber- Real-world Spaces of the After more than eight years of studying space may allow for more social interaction White Power Movement white power activism in the United States— than would otherwise occur. hat is this “real world” that the white research that includes more than 100 inter- The more relevant question then is: Wpower cyberpresence supports? For views with movement leaders and members, what is the relationship between the White many activists, the heart of the movement observation of a wide range of Aryan activ- Power Movements’ cyberpresence and its is the rather benign, everyday life of the ities, and extensive analysis of the white real-world movement contexts? home. The home is a place of refuge from power movement’s cyberpresence—we see the stigma and tension that Aryans face the Aryan cyberculture as a critical piece in The White Power Movement regarding their beliefs. It is also where white explaining how this marginalized and highly hite power activists are drawn from power parents indoctrinate their children stigmatized movement continues to retain Wa network of overlapping groups, into Aryan worldviews. In short, it is space its members and cultivate new ones. most notably the Ku Klux Klan, Christian in which their movement activities can go Activists deploy cyberspace to expand their Identity groups, neo-Nazis, and Aryan relatively unchallenged because of the con- opportunities to interact with comrades trol and anonymity they enjoy there. beyond the “real world.” They find the Rearing ideologically aligned children social supports crucial to sustaining and is seen as essential for the vitality of the building the movement. The web has proved movement, and so the home becomes an ideological shelter for Aryan resistance. Community and Cyberspace invaluable for According to a member of the Southwest n cyberspace, constraints of time and Aryan Separatists, “We all know the move- Iplace are diminished and information organizing gatherings ment begins with the family so if you can’t flows freely, creating additional ways for peo- save your family then what’s the point? The ple to connect. Skeptics, however, claim the of Aryans that cultivate family is what we fight for—it is the strug- relationships in cyberspace can only approx- gle—keeping your families pure and rais- imate true community. Without face-to- and nurture a sense ing your kids among your kin so you don’t face contact, they say, people cannot have to worry about the ‘nons’ (nonwhites) establish the strong social ties and solidar- of community. coming in.”4 ity needed for robust community bonds.1 Aryans are creative in the ways they Those watching the ominous expansion imbue the home with racial politics. They of the White Power Movement’s presence name children and pets with symbols of in cyberspace similarly ask: Is the Web a use- skinheads. While there are differences Aryan ideology, create racist and anti- ful space for sustaining members’ com- among them, they all agree on fundamen- Semitic family rituals such as racialized mitments to the movement or does the tal doctrines. Foremost is a commitment to birthdays complete with Hitler, Klan, or spatial distance and relative anonymity of white power and defending the “white swastika cakes, or offer pre-meal prayers cyberspace diminish organizers’ capaci- race” from “genocide.” They envision a that stress redemption through the strug- ties to build solidarity and recruit new racially exclusive world where “non-whites” gle for white power. Homes display the members? are vanquished, segregated, or at least sub- movement’s cultural paraphernalia, such as The way these questions are asked typ- ordinated to Aryan authority. Adherents are Aryan-themed posters, clothing, wall hang- ically treats virtual interaction and face-to- also strongly anti-Semitic; support Aryan ings, books, flags, jewelry, hats, and even face interaction as separate social worlds militarist nationalism; oppose homosexu- g-strings. with little connection between them. But ality; and denounce inter-racial sex, mar- Homeschooling is the most systematic community-building and cyberspace riage, and procreation. The Southern form of political socialization in white experts Barry Wellman and Minea Gulia Poverty Law Center estimates that more power families. As an Aryan mother and point out, “people do not neatly divide their than 750 white power organizations are homeschooler explains, “European cul- worlds into two discrete sets: people seen active in the United States, the most noto- ture is fading and our tradition is being in person and people contacted online. rious being the Klan, Aryan Nations, stripped away, so we have to do some- Rather, many community ties connect National Alliance, Hammerskins, and thing to fight the assault. With the public

THE PUBLIC EYE7 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye schools just promoting filth and hypocrisy I’m so glad to see folks from all over attendance to sympathizers as a way to insu- I can’t imagine sending my kids there so I the U.S., and even comrades from late themselves and create the private move- teach them here and I know the more we Europe… It’s during these congresses ment space devoted solely to white power do this we will be ensuring our children that we really get to share in fellow- ideals that allows fellowship to flourish. As have the tools to preserve our culture.”5 ship and white solidarity… It’s a a band member observed, Small independent churches and racist great sight when you have your racial When you’re at a show you get to do Bible study meetings assemble between five brothers show up for an event like things you normally can’t do [like sieg and 20 members in activists’ homes where this… and when it’s time to light the heiling during the performance] and they openly practice what they believe is the swastika: well, that’s what really it just feels great to let go and be what 7 “true” Biblical insight: whites that are the inspires me. you are. You know, be a racist with “true” Israelites and Jews are the seed of everyone else who’s here. We’re all Satan. Worshipers say these house meetings here because… we want to be some- offer them a great deal of autonomy and where where…you don’t have to be support for elaborating white power ideals. ashamed… It’s hard to find places Similarly, informal house parties provide White supremacists where you can do that.8 space for people to explore and openly act out their white power ideology. With 15 envision a racially Music events are especially important as to 50 Aryan sympathizers gathered at any one of the few real-world settings where one time, they freely discuss Aryan ideas exclusive world where white power activists participate in face-to- and enact Aryan relationships. A Southern face collective relationships anchored in California skinhead told us: “non-whites” are Aryan ideals. Here they can experience a large, all-white, extended community that When you live in a world like we do, vanquished, segregated, exemplifies the qualities of the “racially you have to find places where you cleansed” society they imagine. “Don’t lis- don’t have to hold back on being or at least subordinated ten to what they say,” sings Youngland racist; where other people feel and act “Don’t ever fall away / Don’t listen we’ll have the same way you do. The parties are to Aryan authority. our day / When our nations have their way.” definitely part of it…You get a chance Along with the home, concerts and con- to come together in a small setting gresses are the real-world contexts where where it’s easier to know people and Aryan community is built and sustained. build friendships.6 Taking this to a grand scale are white Since the late-1990s, white power music Virtual Movement Spaces concerts have become the largest and most power music concerts and “congresses” ven as white power concerts have grown prominent real-world gatherings for the that draw smaller movement networks in popularity, activists are using cyber- movement. Racist music hotspots include E into more extensive webs of white power space more and more to enjoy virtual free- Southern California (especially Orange culture. The congresses are very prominent dom and to connect with one another. County and San Bernardino County), and celebrated locales for fellowship and Here members can network in a way that Portland, OR, Detroit, and the corridor support among Aryans. The Aryan Nations is relatively unconstrained by limits of time between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, PA. Congress, Christian Identity Conference, and space and the pressures of the govern- Every year, 150 to 600 activists go to Ham- and White Christian Heritage Festival all ment and anti-racist groups. The sites sup- merfest, which is sponsored by the skinhead stress the “normality” of extreme racism and ply online links to an array of members and group Hammerskin Nation; Nordic Fest, create the space to express their white groups, offer information about move- organized by Imperial Klans of America; supremacy in a supportive face-to-face ment ideology and activities, and serve as or VolksFront’s Aryan Fest. context with other Aryans. Those gathered repositories for movement culture. Eight to 12 bands perform, white power sing racialized hymns and wear white Listening to activists, you learn that leaders declaim from the stage and white power regalia, while also solemnly per- the white power movement’s web presence power merchandise vendors surround the forming sacred cross lightings and com- directly connects them to much larger performance space. Government author- mitment ceremonies. As an Aryan Nations networks of activists than isolated activists ities and counter-protestors often lurk, so member explained, the crosscutting net- would otherwise be aware of or able to con- organizers hold concerts on remote, private works and the inspirational character of par- tact.9 An Aryan Front member captures a lands, the exact location of which is ticipating in racist rituals are crucial to common sentiment when he observed: sustaining participation. announced via movement websites only days before the event. They also limit

THE PUBLIC EYE 8 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye

It [the Web] keeps me connected. I The ties created are increasingly inter- prominent and elaborate Internet pres- don’t have much free time to attend national. A Northern Hammerskin told us, ence. Hundreds of titles from white power as many rallies or festivals as I’d like “Since we’ve been able to access the Inter- bands can be ordered through each orga- but emailing and the chatrooms and net and email Hammers in other countries nization’s website along with access to just the websites make me feel a lot it’s changed everything. We really see 24-hour streaming radio, chatrooms for lis- less alone…. The Internet just makes ourselves as part of an international move- teners, and racist books, videos, jewelry, and it easier to be a racialist when you ment… We knew about [skinheads in clothing. The websites display activist know what’s out there and how many other parts of the world], but it was more Aryan lifestyles which viewers are encour- other people all over the world are word of mouth and now we’re actually aged to assimilate and reproduce. Resis- fighting for pretty much the same working together.13 tance Records markets their own thing you are.10 The cultural life of white power activism fanzine—“Resistance”—and clothing A Southeastern Aryan activist referred is on display on the websites of the major brand—“Aryan Wear.” These racist cul- to it as “something larger that’s out there.”11 organizations—National Alliance, Aryan tural displays help people reproduce the That “something larger” is a sense of a col- Nations, and White Revolution—making look and sensibility of the movement. lective movement community that can be them virtual storehouses of the move- Unknown or inaccessible national and tapped in ways that were once impossible. ment’s cultural materials. There members regional concerts and other gatherings Information about the movement travels create and preserve movement traditions suddenly become available through the quickly and unimpeded across these cyber- and nourish support for their beliefs. Photo web, with information conveniently cate- networks. Visitors report on activities galleries are filled with pictures of infants gorized by locale. For instance, concertgoers across movement branches and real-time adorned with movement regalia such as for Aryan Fest 2004 were instructed to communication in chatrooms create links baby Klan robes or children posing for fam- gather at a meeting place several miles among individual members.12 ily portraits saluting Nazi-style wearing from the event at times set by festival symbols of the movement. Also common organizers where they were first scruti- are photos of activists’ tattoos composed of nized and then led to the site. The web also Aryan symbols such as the German iron provided information about hotels, restau- cross, Confederate flag, portraits of Hitler, rants, and carpools to help concertgoers. and slogans such as, “Supreme White Once back home, music-based web- Lyrics from two popular white Power.” If you want to buy a racist video sites like that of Resistance Records offer power bands game like “Ghetto Blaster” and “Racial fans chat rooms where they enter activist Race and Nation Holy War” for your teen, turn to an Inter- networks that intersect around the white Skrewdriver net catalog. Dolls, games and other toys for power concerts or other events they have I believe in the White race, kids are easily accessed along with a vari- attended. This means that contact among A race apart, ety of adult movement paraphernalia such members does not have to end when a con- we’ve got a mile start, as racist clothing, music CDs, books, mag- cert is over, a congress closes, or a party con- I believe in my country, azines, flags, patches, and stickers. cludes. White power music companies It’s where I belong, A SoCal skinhead told us, “It’s really cool and concert organizers are also starting to it’s where I’ll stay, how you can get all this shit off the net now. provide real-time web access to the events Chorus: For my race and nation, Ten years ago there really wasn’t that much that include live video streams, photos, and Race and nation, stuff you could get…but now you’ve got sound clips for those who cannot attend or Race and nation, all the music, the clothes… I mean you can those wanting to relive the experience. Race and nation. get pretty much anything you can think of. Online fanzines also report in great I bought my daughter a toy figure of Hitler detail on Aryan music festivals and concerts Hate Train Rolling from a movement website.”14 offering coverage of the bands, fans, and Bound For Glory Music is arguably the most popular movement leaders who attended. These vir- Chorus: aspect of movement culture accessed tual dimensions of white power music cul- Hate Train Rolling on the rails of an through the Web. Music-based websites are ture help activists feel a part of the insane world, prevalent and provide easy access to racist real-world experience without physically Hate Train Rolling a non-stop collision songs like “Hate Train Rolling” (see box) being there. They participate vicariously by undeterred, Hate Train Rolling leaving wreckage in through MP3 downloads, CDs, and attending to reports from those involved our path, streaming radio and video. Resistance in movement music, by listening to broad- We’re Bound for Glory, Records and Free Your Mind Productions cast performances and recordings, and by Hate Train Rolling, Built to forever last. (formerly Panzerfaust) have the most consuming CDs, symbolic apparel, and

THE PUBLIC EYE9 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye other merchandised accessories that rep- children’s literature, and workbooks as a way arrived. Activists make similar use of e-mail resent white power music and the wider to integrate and normalize radically racist lists to organize small, regular local gath- movement. In these ways, access is spread ideals in their daily life. erings such as Bible study meetings, beyond the concrete setting of a particu- The Internet also allows organizers of campouts, and house parties. lar show to the virtual realm and back into established groups to quickly respond to real-world contexts of the home or parties. those searching for offline connections. In Cybertalk These real-world-cyberspace connec- a typical chat room exchange, a nascent hen did you realize you hated tions can make even the solitary experience member asked, “Do any of you guys ever “Wniggers or what made you hate of listening to songs, surfing music web meet up in the real world? I live in Farm- niggers?” The freedom to express hardcore pages, or reading fanzines feel part of the ington. If any of you guys would like to get racist beliefs is a key element of on-line inter- broad collective “community out there.” together, please feel free to contact me.16 action among white power members and One Midwest Aryan explained: Shortly thereafter, a membership coor- parallels the talk in real-world settings. I listen to white power music and I dinator for a statewide white power group Virtual conversations abound with talk of still have that feeling of being responded with, “White Revolution mem- violence against “racial enemies” and an involved with something as a bers actually get together quite often. Aryan future “cleansed” of homo- whole…. I can sit at home alone sexuals, “non-whites,” commu- and even though I know the nists, and other “villains.” These whole world is against me I can conversations identify the social, pop in a…CD and listen to it and Aryans imbue the home with racial physical, and moral boundaries go. Not only is this uplifting me that mark the white power com- but I know the band’s behind it politics by naming children and pets munity against its foes. They offer and there are people who have the support to members’ virulent same CD that forms a commu- with Aryan symbols, and creating racism. nity and gives us strength.15 If members lose faith that they will ever prevail, stories both online The fact that this movement racist and anti-Semitic family rituals and in the real world celebrate the community can be accessed both vir- movement’s power and persist- tually and in the real-world settings such as birthdays complete with ence, championing its inevitabil- of festivals and concerts appears to ity and righteousness in the struggle help intensify members’ sense of Hitler, Klan, or swastika cakes. for Aryan dominance. Morality belonging and identification with a tales focusing on the personal wider “we” of the movement. trauma that led members to their Other Real-world and Virtual “racial awakening” are popular and draw Connections Sometimes for cookouts…but mostly for some of the most emotion-laden discussion our meetings… White Revolution mem- among forum participants. eyond the music scene, the white power bers will be having a meeting later on in the Dear Abby-style advice is sought and cyberpresence is becoming an essential B month... If you feel comfortable enough given on topics ranging from ways to part of other real-world activities, even to send me your email… I can put you on spread the movement’s messages, to more racial socialization in the home. The web- our email list so you can stay up to date on personal concerns such as parenting site of Women for Aryan Unity (WAU) 17 what we are doing.” strategies, financial investments, or rela- offers parenting advice and a space for par- It is also common for Aryans moving to tionship problems. For instance, a young ents to discuss strategies for indoctrinating a new area to ask about potential off-line Aryan wrote: their children into the movement. There are connections. “i (sic) am a skingirl planning “Hi my name is Stan and I am 18 and also several cyber-newsletters, downloadable on moving to south city in the middle of I been in the movement for almost textbooks, and discussion groups organized april and i dont know many people there. a year but I’ve always been racially around home schooling. For kids, racist it would be good to meet some like minded aware of what's going on... Any ways crossword puzzles, coloring pages, and chil- folk. email me if you get some time. Hail I wanted to get your opinion on a dren’s white power literature are posted on Victory!!”.18 As is typical, activists responded problem I have. See my girlfriend is sites designed explicitly for children (and to this posting in a quick and inviting mad as hell at me for being racist even, ostensibly, by children, as in the case way, congratulating the “skingirl” on her because i just told her and she said if of Stormfront.org creator Don Black’s new move and offering a number of ways I stay racist she will break up with 12-year old son who fronts Stormfron- to establish real-world connections once she tkids.org). Parents use the coloring books, me... so I just wanted to get some

THE PUBLIC EYE 10 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye

peoples opinion...” (PainlessBrutality, real-world free spaces and on-line, partic- Discussions both on and off the web reflect 1/14/05) ularly by veterans seeking to encourage new the sense that new, young members are He received 16 quick responses, most members. This veteran’s encouraging gravitating to the movement through the offering sympathy and support—“Hey response to a query is typical: Web. As this Southeast Aryan said, “You man that’s a bad problem, I’ve been in the Mike, you are so welcome here. We should see from the load of e-mails I have same situation myself many times…” have a lot of good people here, all gotten in the last few days how many new “Same deal with me mate, my girl is Ger- happy to meet you, and converse kids are coming to the new site…. We have man and very anti nazi's. but talk to her, with you… There are people of all just started, and between the board and the try to educate her. my girl is slowly com- ages…and we are all of one mind… site, we will have loads of new educational ing around now” (red neck nzr, 1/16/05). enjoy your participation on this resources for the newbies in the coming 20 The fraternal quality of these types of forum…. Lucy19 weeks.” We think that most effective recruitment exchanges highlights the moral support, Members questioning their “faith” are empathy, and camaraderie found both in still relies on face-to-face contact. To the often met with empathy and appeals to stay extent cyberspace helps organize and coor- committed in the face of pressures to dinate real-world activities, and promotes change their racist politics. But activists can face-to-face contact, it plays an important also scrutinize each other for depth of feel- Songs for Aryan Heritage role in drawing new converts into the fold. ing and commitment to movement ideals. Sociologist Steven Buechler has said Geile Macker(Keine Kacker) Just like in real-world spaces, participants that simply maintaining a cultural com- Max Resist in on-line chats attend closely to how they munity of activists is an indicator of suc- Freikorps for Deutschland, present themselves. They rely upon shared cess for highly marginalized movements.21 And the love of the fatherland, expressions of racial authenticity to deter- As Aryans develop virtual spaces that par- Max Resist for brotherhood is the mine each other’s true allegiance to the reason we exist, allel the real-world free spaces where the movement. unconstrained expression of radical racism Standing together with our strength Since skin color cannot be directly and pride, is encouraged and supported, they provide Our true feelings for us it’s hard to hide. observed in cyberspace, signals of racial loy- an important bridge among members Chorus: alty become even more crucial. Several whose participation might otherwise be Skinhead unity, it’s the way it should codes are apparent. Messages often begin very limited and whose commitment to the always be, or close with phrases like “88” (8 stands for cause might be tenuous. Participating in Friends from all over the world that’s “h,” the eighth letter of the alphabet; 88 both virtual and real-world movement you and me, symbolizes “Heil Hitler”) or “Sieg Heil” to contexts appears to help sustain a members’ Aryan brothers hands across the sea, mark their connection to Aryanism. Peo- Skinhead pride - White unity. involvement and ultimately to sustain the ple invariably use pseudonyms that bear the movement in ways that neither would on It’s Okay to Be White mark of movement membership, such as its own. Aggressive Force “Aryan Warrior,” “White Resistance,” or “Mudslayer.” Also, cybertalk is imbued Peter G. Simi is an assistant professor of It’s okay to be White, Strength through pride, with expressions of fraternity and kinship, criminal justice at the University of Nebraska, You have inside, with terms like “brother” and “sister” used Omaha. Robert Futrell is an associate pro- It’s okay to be White, to evoke a sense of solidarity that is at the fessor of sociology at University of Nevada, It’s okay to be White, core of white power culture. Las Vegas. Loyalty within you, Have with your kin. Extended Interaction and Support Stand One, Stand All End Notes Youngland yberspace increases the potential for 1. Cyberspace theorist Howard Rheingold thinks that the participants to boost their involve- Internet introduced a new community form as people Stand one, stand all, stand up, stand C gather together on-line around shared values and inter- proud ment in both virtual and real-world move- ests, and create ties of support. Sherry Turkle, a pioneer and raise the white man’s flag, ment activities to the point of making in studies of identity and interaction on the Internet, Cause I’m for you and you’re for me, claims that the virtual realm offers “a dramatic new con- Aryanism central to their daily life. text” in which to think about human interaction and how and unity is what we have. It is unclear just how Aryan cyberpres- people make connections. Howard Rheingold, The Don’t listen to what they say, Virtual Community: Homesteading on the Electronic Fron- Don’t ever fall away, ence has affected recruitment, although tier (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, many members certainly perceive it as 1993); Sherry Turkle, “Cyberspace and Identity,” Con- Don’t listen we’ll have our day, temporary Sociology 28:643-648 (1999). When our nations have their way. crucial to their recruitment activities.

THE PUBLIC EYE11 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye

2.Barry Wellman and Milena Gulia., “Virtual Communi- 8.Interview July 15, 2002. 15.Interview, September 2, 2001. ties as Communities,” in M.A. Smith and P. Kollock, Com- 9.David S. Hoffman, The Web of Hate: Extremists Exploit 16.www.whiterevolution.com, January 24, 2005. munities in Cyberspace (New York: Routledge, 1998), the Internet, (New York: Anti-Defamation League, 1996). 167-194. 17.www.whiterevolution.com, January 21, 2005. 10.Interview, June 27, 2004. 3.“Active U.S. Hate Groups in 2004,” http://www.toler- 18.www.panzerfaust.com, May 22, 2004. 11. ance.org/maps/hate/. Interview, December 15, 2002. 19.www.whiterevolution.com, July 29, 2004. 4. 12. Interview, January 22, 1997. Also see Val Burris, Emory Smith, and Ann Strahm, 20. www.panzerfaust.com, January 11, 2004. 5. “White Supremacist Networks on the Internet.” Socio- Interview, June 20, 2004. logical Focus 33: 215-234 (2000). 21.Steven M. Buechler, Social Movements in Advanced Cap- 6. italism (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000). Interview, September 7, 2002. 13.Interview, July 13, 2002. 7. Interview July 23, 1998. 14.Interview, June 14, 2004.

COMMENTARY continued from page 2 a manly and consistent disregard for cul- hijackers of Islam, but people who are conflict. Jihad is a complex notion and not tural, historical, and textual context. No working from core Islamic teachings.” He to be used simply to denote violent revo- need for “sissified” academic nuance. urges us to recognize that the Clash of Civ- lutionary action. Contrary to Mr. Spencer’s Therefore, how interesting that he has ilizations is real and inevitable, and must assertion, the Crusades were not simply a constructed his book like a textbook (per- be fought to the death. “defensive war” as neoconservatives may haps to rival the far superior “for Dummies” Either for us or against us. There are see the War on Terror. And the Muslim franchise) with such text-box features indeed some Muslims who think this way. adaptation of Greek arts and sciences was throughout as: “Jesus vs. Muhammed,” Yes, there are jihadis, and there are neocru- not simply theft nor is it proof of cultural which cherry-picks bits of scripture and saders. Their language is inherently divi- inferiority. compares them out of context in order to What can one say? Is all this really nec- show the superiority of the Christian essary to “recover pride in Western Civi- message; “A Book You’re Not Supposed to lization?” Similarly, is it necessary to follow Read,” which scatters an annotated bibli- Perhaps progressives Hizb ut-Tahrir’s dreams of a new Caliphate ography of Muslim and anti-Muslim spanning continents in order to recover radical views throughout the pages; and should be reminded Muslim self-respect? Is fanaticism of any “Just Like Today,” which purports to prove kind really necessary? the consistent and unchanging threat of that we Muslims are Certainly not, but it is apparently attrac- Islam, e.g. Girls Die for the Burqa; Child tive to enough people to make the rest of Marriages; Wife Beating; Paradise Still not all lovable victims. us uneasy. And Spencer makes me uneasy. Lures Young Men, etc. But can I find something redeeming? We read one unfounded (or Could this uneasiness prompt new ques- ungrounded) assertion after another, on tioning of received wisdom? Perhaps some every subject. “It is not easy to find Mus- sive and full of name-calling. So is their on the left have too easily ignored the per- lim leaders who have genuinely renounced thinking. President Bush (and Thomas vasiveness of tribalism, negativity, and violent jihad.” The Council of American Friedman), for example, have now adopted anti-Semitism throughout the contempo- Islamic Relations (CAIR) “has Saudi oil the term “Islamo-fascism” from extremist- rary Muslim world. Perhaps they should be money… They essentially have infinite hunters Steve Emerson and Steven reminded that we Muslims are not all lov- funds.” Muslims are still expected to have Schwartz. This is not a good sign. able victims. three or four wives. The nonsense is on Militant Islam is not the same as fun- But Spencer is not interested in com- every page! The mind reels! damentalist Islam; Islamist ideologies dif- plexity and questioning. He provides no I should note that there are serious fer in many important respects; religiosity basis for respectful dialogue, and offers only intellectual and identity issues in the Mus- has no necessary link to extremism. Spencer rationalizations for escalating conflict, the lim community world-wide. The level of obscures these differences. He even claims “crusade we must fight today.” No, it is no education is often not very good and tra- that moderates do not exist in Islam that laughing matter. ditional scholarship is lacking, permitting they are simply less informed about their Adem Carroll is a New York based writer and the popularity of unbalanced and reac- religion because they do not speak Arabic! radio host. tionary interpretations. But there have Good people must be bad Muslims! always been diverse interpretations, despite To differ with Mr. Spencer; most ter- the claims of this or that school of thought. rorists are not Muslim; Islam itself does not End Note 1. Robert Spencer, The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam Spencer will have none of this: “America’s nurture cruelty and fanaticism. Particular (and the Crusades), (Washington, DC: Regnery, 2005). foe in the War on Terror is not a bunch of interpretations may arise that do promote

THE PUBLIC EYE 12 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye POLITICIZED SCIENCE continued from page 1 repeatedly reported, his opinion mysteri- less education and less money are more How It’s Done ously influenced the agency’s decision to likely to be depressed. But the depression reating B.A.D. science is simple. In the block over-the-counter access to EC, even may have nothing to do with the abortion,” Canti-abortion movement, a handful of though the committee’s experts voted 23 she explains, in response to the overly scientists with conservative political agen- to 4 in favor of access. general B.A.D. claim that abortion causes das first publish articles, studies and com- Hagar appears to see himself as a mere depression. mentaries in scientific journals, generating vehicle for divine intervention. “God The Bush Administration is a master at scientific “knowledge” about the dangers took that information,” he reported in a exploiting such B.A.D science. In the past, of abortion with unsubstantiated claims speech at his alma mater, “and He used it it was largely oil, drug, and other corporate using problematic approaches. through this minority report to influ- giants deploying junk science to head off In the 1980s, they tagged onto a scien- ence the decision.”2 regulation that could interfere with their tific debate about abortion and breast can- But it was politics not divinity that profits. Their allies—carefully placed in cer that appeared in the journals beginning blocked FDA approval. The Southern agencies and on advisory committees— in the 1950s.4 By repeatedly making the Baptist Convention, Concerned Women have worked under the radar to alter pub- same claims in a variety of publications, for America, and the Family Research they create the appearance of a body of Council were busy lobbying the agency and scholarship that can be used to support a Congress about EC, and some FDA offi- political goal of presenting apparently cials revealed that the agency decided not Although refuted by legitimate scientific evidence to influence to approve the drug for over-the-counter the abortion debate. Then B.A.D. scien- use long before the its own staff finished tists create their own advocacy groups 3 legitimate researchers, reviewing the application. The Right’s which in turn inspire new grassroots organ- victory spurred the resignations of at least anti-abortion izations with an agenda based on the two government physicians: Susan Wood, scientists’ claims. Newcomers join online the head of the FDA’s Office of Women’s researchers peddle or at the local level, and a movement with Health and Frank Davidoff, a consultant serious policy influence is born. to the drug approval process. abortion’s link to breast This tactical trajectory mimics the path Hagar’s role made visible the quasi- of researchers who generate their own scientific industry that peddles faux cancer and depression. studies to support a reproductive rights research about the harmful effects of abor- agenda. The Alan Guttmacher Institute, tion to a willing audience of the Christian for instance, has generated research on Right and Bush Administration. Although reproductive and sexual health since 1968 legitimate researchers consistently refute by publishing in its own journals, sup- their scientific “evidence,” B.A.D. or lic policy using industry generated “data.” porting the activist work of many repro- “Biased, Agenda-Driven” science, as junk The Center for Science in the Public Inter- ductive rights advocacy groups. However, science is more accurately called, retains est has a program dedicated solely to scru- these journals are refereed, meaning the arti- its power and contributes to the organiz- tinizing such industry-influenced science cles are vetted by other scientists. ing might of a movement determined to and promoting disclosure of conflict of But the most important issue to consider make abortion—and premarital sex and interest when scientists publish in journals, about researchers on both sides of this condom use—somehow disappear. Abor- are quoted in the press, or testify before leg- polarized issue is not that scientists may tion’s link to breast cancer and depression islative or regulatory agencies (see box). have agendas. It is that the quality of the are two of the more influential claims of “Science is not a pure endeavor,” says science produced by B.A.D. scientists is B.A.D.scientists. Merrill Goozner, director of the project. unmistakably shoddy. In the case of anti- “The anti-abortion movement says “You can hire scientists to manipulate pro- abortion B.A.D. scientists, their strongly there is an association between abortion tocols of studies, if they had a mind to, so held Christian Rightist beliefs have inter- and negative things but never determines that companies can get the results they are fered with their ability to practice rep- an underlying cause because none is plau- looking for. Or, if the scientists get differ- utable science. Despite this deficiency, and sible,” says Kelly B. Blanchard, president ent results than the desired ones, they can despite vehement challenges by main- of Ibis Reproductive Health, a research make sure the report never sees the light of stream researchers, the “knowledge” that center based in Cambridge, MA. “It may day.” In deploying B.A.D. science to change abortion harms women has successfully be true that women with less education and policy, the Christian Right merely borrows become part of the vocabulary of anti- less money are more likely to have abor- a tactic perfected by these other power abortion activists. tions and it might be true that women with brokers.

THE PUBLIC EYE13 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye

Abortion Breast-Cancer While Brind does not conduct basic B.A.D. Scientists Syndrome research himself, he reviews data collected Joel Brind, Ph.D. he most prominent advocate of the and analyzed by others, while adding his In his off-work time from teaching Tposition that abortion is linked to own analysis. With the help of co-authors, general biology and endocrinology breast cancer is a good example of an he reviewed the studies statistically and con- at Baruch College in New York, Brind has focused on showing that having agenda-driven scientist. Joel Brind, a cluded there was a relative risk of 1.3 on a an abortion Baruch College professor, identifies his scale where 1.0 means no risk of breast can- increases a women’s conversion from Judaism to Christianity cer and 2.0 means demonstrated risk. Even risk of getting as the turning point in his career which until though 1.3 is too low to show risk by gen- breast cancer. that time had been focused on general erally accepted standards, Brind felt this jus- Jesse Cougle, M.Sc. endocrinology. After his conversion expe- tified his hunch, and he published the Cougle, a co-author with Rear- rience, he joined the National Right to Life results, claiming that having an abortion don and Coleman on nine pub- 5 8 lished papers, has been a clinical Committee. “With a new belief in a mean- puts a woman at risk for breast cancer. In psychology doctoral student at University of ingful universe, I felt compelled to use his mind, this evidence would some day Texas at Austin since 2001 in the Labora- science for its noblest, life-saving pur- prevent women from making the wrong tory for the Study of Anxiety Disorders. pose,” he wrote in a magazine published for choice, either through deterrence or by legal Priscilla Coleman, Ph.D. a medical audience by the Christian Right prohibition. A frequent coauthor with David group Focus on the Family.6 Within months, Danish authors issued Reardon, Coleman lists “post- By entering into the Christian Right’s a better study that refuted his conclusions, abortion emotional sequelae” on 9 her list of interests in her vita for anti-abortion philosophy, Brind embraced at least to most of the scientific community. Bowling Green University, where she is religious beliefs rooted in Catholicism, By 2003, the National Cancer Institute Assistant Professor in the School of Family Calvinism, and the modern Evangelical concluded that, “Having an abortion or and Consumer Sciences. movement. This theology identifies abor- miscarriage does not increase a woman’s Philip G. Ney, M.D. tion as a sin, because it is the willful mur- subsequent risk of developing breast can- Ney is a child and family psychia- der of a person; but it can be forgiven by cer.”10 But Brind’s prior belief in the link trist Victoria, British Columbia. was fervent, and he energetically brought His early work on the connection the grace of God. To warn against sin and between abortion and child abuse has been to forgive transgressions are two hallmarks his message beyond the world of scientific quoted in the Pro-Life Encyclopedia and regu- of Christian thought, and they translate journals by placing no less than nine pop- larly cited by other B.A.D. researchers. into simultaneously condemning and ular articles in The National Right to Life 11 David Reardon, Ph.D. showing apparent compassion for women News. Author of numerous books on who have had abortions. While the Chris- In an additional review of studies pub- PAS, Reardon founded the Elliot tian Right is committed to opposing abor- lished since 1996, Brind displays his Institute in Springfield, Illinois, to oppose abortion by demonstrating tion, its anti-abortion campaign has the uncompromising tone in criticizing what that it is harmful to women. added value of bolstering the power of he sees as their methodological flaws: politicians who also find raising the topic Vincent Rue, Ph.D. It is only reasonable to conclude, The founder of the now-inactive Institute beneficial. from all extant evidence, that for Pregnancy Loss, Rue has written about To come to his conclusion linking breast induced abortion is indeed a risk fac- PAS with Anne Speckhard. His 1987 paper cancer and abortions, Brind undertook tor for breast cancer, despite the cowritten with Speckhard and Wanda an epidemiological study measuring the Franz, the head of the National Right to strong and pervasive bias in the Life Committee, was presented to Congress level of risk for contracting disease across recent literature in the direction of as a white paper in 1987. He has made a liv- groups of people. Although not an epi- viewing abortion as safe for ing as an independent consultant and expert demiologist himself, Brind reviewed exist- witness for anti-abortion issues. women….It is deplorable that in ing studies on abortion and breast cancer, an era in which women’s rights Anne Speckhard, Ph.D. which as a collection were inconsistent. To appear so prominently on the polit- A scholar of psychological trauma, mainstream scientists, this suggests there ical and public health landscape, Speckhard wrote an article in the is no relationship. According to Phyllis Journal of Social Issues in 1992 women should be denied the right that defined PAS as a form of post-trau- Wingo, chief of the cancer surveillance to know about the breast cancer matic stress disorder. She has also done branch for the Center for Disease Control, risk-increasing effect of such a com- studies interviewing Russian women who “In epidemiology, if there’s a true rela- have had abortions, finding a high percent- mon matter of choice as induced tionship, you’d expect to find the major- 12 age (80%) of her interviewees had PAS. abortion. ity of studies would show some consistency.”7

THE PUBLIC EYE 14 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye

For over 20 years Brind has waged his country have filed bills that either require chologically, and physically from their after campaign to make the abortion-breast women to receive biased counseling about effects. cancer link (ABC) common knowledge the risks of abortion or impose mandatory Beginning in 1987, he has written seven with an approach he calls “woman-cen- waiting periods. Thirty-one legislatures books for a general audience and dozens of tered.” He has written letters to medical have passed such laws, which state courts scientific articles in both agenda-driven and journals, contributed to nonscientific pub- in seven states have found unconstitu- more reputable publications claiming that lications such as National Review and tional.123 abortion is linked to higher rates of men- testified in many courtrooms and state- Uncertainty is built into scientific tal illness, traumatic stress, and death. He houses. He appeared before a Pennsylvania inquiry, but Brind is very certain he is says he hopes that exposing the prevalence court in support of a billboard campaign right. Polly Newcomb, a cancer researcher of PAS will convince the courts to reverse by one of the advocacy groups he has nur- has said, “Circumspection, unfortunately, Roe v. Wade because the case was decided tured that wanted to broadcast the message is what you have to do to practice epi- in part on medical facts known at the time of the abortion/breast cancer link; in his tes- demiology. That’s something Brind is inca- of the decision—that a first trimester abor- timony before state legislatures from Alaska pable of doing. He has such a strong belief tion does not pose a health risk. “A demon- to Massachusetts, he called for laws requir- in the association that he just can’t evalu- stration that key factual assumptions in Roe ing clinics to warn women of the risks of ate the data critically.”124 were actually false might justify a complete abortion. He founded the Breast Cancer repudiation of Roe,” he wrote.15 Prevention Institute and his name has Post-Abortion Syndrome Trained as an electrical engineer, Rear- become a household word among anti- avid Reardon, founder of the anti- don decided to pursue further education abortion advocates in groups like the Dabortion Elliot Institute in Springfield, in biomedical ethics, receiving a doctorate National Right to Life Committee, the Illinois, joins Brind in analyzing impres- in 1995 from Pacific Western University. Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer, and sively complex statistics to support his anti- Reardon apparently hoped that he would Christ’s Bride Ministries. abortion stance. Reardon has been the gain credibility in the field he saw as hos- If increased restrictions on abortion most outspoken advocate of “post-abortion tile to his work—even though Pacific West- access are any indication, the results of his syndrome,” or PAS, the idea that women ern is an on-line, unaccredited institution. campaign are impressive. By 2005, law- who have abortions suffer socially, psy- “I was advised by several university pro- makers in every state legislature in the fessors that I would face tremendous obsta-

THE PUBLIC EYE15 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye cles in pursuing my research interests at to restrict access to abortion.”17 Yet B.A.D. scientists ignore a vital cau- most of the large universities where cultural Anti-abortion advocates produce data tion in statistics that demands researchers biases against any researcher who dares to they insist are persuasive. They are aided to show a link between two trends, say question ‘the sacred right to abortion’ in their beliefs by the structure of science breast cancer and abortion. Merely show- would provoke hostility, harassment, and itself. For instance, it is impossible to ing that two trends exist parallel to one obstruction,” Reardon explained.126 design an ethically acceptable study that another does not prove they are related. Rather than trying to enter academia, shows definitively there is no harm. Researchers need to take the next step and he founded the Elliot Institute which spe- Researchers would have to prove the “null identify the data that demonstrates the cializes in generating papers on PAS and hypothesis”—that something cannot hap- causal link. advocating compassion for women who are pen—a notoriously tough challenge. The methodological problems of B.A.D. “abortion survivors.” His also calls his B.A.D. have taken advantage of this lack science go beyond this fallacy. In the parl- approach “woman-centered.” Other organ- of definitiveness and jumped into the ance of basic statistics courses, they don’t izations now champion the cause of post- opening, filling the gap with their own con- “control” for other things that might influ- abortion syndrome, including the Catholic clusions. ence their results, like economic, social, or Project Rachel, the Evangelical Operation Outcry, and Christian “crisis pregnancy centers” affiliated with networks like Heart- Corporate Junk Science beat International and Carenet that offer Junk Science runs rampant in the Bush Administration. Merrill Goozner, director of the Integrity in post-abortion counseling. Science project of the Center for Science in the Public Interest tracks the problem. First, the 200- Reardon often is at odds with the peer plus science-based advisory committees that support such federal entities as the Environmental review process in scientific publishing that Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration and Occupational Safety and Health Adminis- tration are being stacked with people Goozman dubs pro-corporate “scientists for hire.” This means is designed to maintain standards and fur- that people with overt conflicts of interest are being allowed to foment public policy, potentially ther the discovery of scientific truth. The undermining our health and safety. process involves a sometimes lengthy give- and-take between authors and reviewers Take hexavalent chromium as an example. When the chemical’s safety was being evaluated in New Jersey, pro-industry Environmental Toxicologist Dennis Paustenbach, a man described by the Star before a study or article is accepted for pub- Ledger as someone who “rarely met a chemical he didn’t like,” was called in as an expert. Although lication. Then subsequent review, com- OSHA once classified hexavalent chromium as a “potential lung carcinogen” and warned users that mentary, and new research add to a shared exposure could cause permanent eye damage and irritation to the nose, throat and lungs, Pausten- understanding of the topic at hand. While bach told a state EPA panel that the chemical poses no risk to human health. not perfect, peer review depends on the As a result, by 2004 the New Jersey EPA had relaxed its limits on the toxin, from 10 parts per million scrupulous critique of fellow researchers, in soil to 6100 parts per million. In addition, the chemical companies were able to walk away from especially ones in the same field. numerous polluted sites without doing any clean-up whatsoever. Like Brind, Reardon places similar While this is a particular heinous example, Goozner says that similar scenarios are becoming increas- material in different journals, referring ingly common. “It comes up all the time in medicine, too. A drug company goes to the FDA to get back on his own previous articles or even approval for a new drug. The drug company funds a trial to prove that the drug is safe and effective and it then goes before an FDA advisory committee. What they don’t disclose is that some of the letters to the editor, generating the con- specialists on the committees are in the pay of the companies whose products are being evaluated or versation almost single-handedly. Most are working for their competitors. In the last two years alone there have been several dozen examples scientists are not convinced, describing of these types of conflicts of interest.” his work as marred by unwarranted claims Three of the nine members of an FDA panel currently evaluating an insulin inhaler for use by Type I and methodological shortcomings. diabetics have direct ties to either Pfizer Pharmaceuticals or its technological partner, NEKTAR In a 2004 letter to the editors of the Therapeutics. The Cox-2 inhibitor scandal in 2004, in which the FDA pulled the anti-inflamma- Journal of Anxiety Disorders, two researchers tory drugs Bextra, Celebrex and Vioxx from the shelves after first overlooking evidence of cardiovas- critiqued a paper by Reardon and his cular risk, seems to have had little impact on the agency or the drug masters that fill electoral coffers. associates Phyllis Coleman and Jesse Cougle. The distortion of drug research goes beyond the FDA. Goozner cites the National Academy of Sci- “We believe that Cougle, et al., operate with ences, a supposedly independent body that provides data to a host of federal agencies, as an offender. strong political views regarding abortion, “Very often the people on evaluation panels have consulting jobs with the companies they are going to evaluate. When they are reviewing something like the level of pollution we should tolerate, the and unfortunately their biases appear to health and safety of the American people is put at risk.” One example: the National Academy of Sci- have resulted in serious methodological ences was told to study the safety of mercury levels in fish and one of the panelists was discovered to flaws in the analysis published in your have previously worked for the fish industry. Although the exact extent of his influence is unclear, journal,” they wrote. Of Reardon and warnings on albacore tuna now tell pregnant women to reduce their intake of the mercury-containing fish to 12 ounces per week. Prior to 2001, pregnant consumers were told to avoid tuna completely. his colleagues they added: “All are involved in building a literature to be used in efforts – Eleanor J. Bader

THE PUBLIC EYE 16 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye psychological factors. They set up faulty review irrelevant. tion audience eagerly accepts what they see “apples and oranges” comparison groups Scientific inquiry is a highly specialized as proof to reinforce their beliefs that abor- such as comparing the mental health of form of scholarship, and only a very few are tion must be stopped. Through the posi- women who give birth to those who have trained in the rigor of the scientific method tioning of ideological beliefs as supported abortions, instead of looking at women as it is practiced with today’s standards. by what appears to be scholarly research, who had abortions and comparing them Many of us cannot follow the arguments B.A.D. science can be uncannily effec- to those who, through lack of access, carry raised and countered by B.A.D. scientists tive. Arkansas, Nevada, and Wisconsin all unwanted pregnancies to term. They also and their critics, and we rely on others to require pre-abortion counseling about overlook problems with self-reporting of explain what is going on. Most scientific abortion’s psychological effects, and South stigmatized events like abortions and ignore writing is highly technical, with its own Dakota’s counseling law was overruled in studies that refute their claims. vocabulary, tone, and style, and it is not court.20 Although professional epidemiologists intended for a general audience. Anti-abortion advocates like Brind and may succumb to such mistakes, the peer The inaccessibility of much scientific Reardon, ones who wear the lab coats but review process usually points these short- writing has several effects. It reinforces the not the respect of scientists, have not been comings out, and further work in the area deterred by the response of the scientific benefits from their scrutiny. B.A.D. sci- community. Even though a panel at the entists take advantage of this drawn out National Cancer Institute has concluded, process to move the debate into public view The “knowledge” that “Induced abortion is not associated with before they are discredited by scientists. an increase in breast cancer risk,”21 and the At times, Reardon and his co-authors abortion harms women American Psychiatric Association does not acknowledge the limitations of some of his recognize PAS as a legitimate syndrome, data, visible in one paper suggesting a link has successfully become such high status pronouncements are irrel- between previous abortion and substance evant to the followers of B.A.D. scientists. use during pregnancy. part of the vocabulary The success of their performances relies on “All of the above interpretations [sub- volume before a general audience, not on stance use using pregnancy is the result of of anti-abortion the fidelity of their technical merits. grief, remorse and depression over a past In the eyes of many anti-abortion fol- abortion] are speculative at this point.” activists. lowers, challenges to their spokespeople’s “The data were derived through the credentials and professionalism are beside exclusive use of self-reported interview the point. Those who count, the grassroots data, and subsequent research should incor- voters, financial supporters and govern- porate information derived from other notion that its content is too difficult for ment officials of the movement, may value sources of information.” the average person to grasp. While it this work more for its zeal and impact “The generalizability of the findings is increases the value of science and the than for its legitimacy, especially if it can necessarily limited,” and “The limitations stature of scientists in our culture, the nec- further the anti-abortion cause. Eventually of the design preclude causal assump- essary posture of uncertainty renders the B.A.D. scientists will be repudiated in the tions.”18 process vulnerable to papers that appear to public sphere, not just in the halls of sci- Still, Reardon insists that his analysis challenge that uncertainty but which ence, but meanwhile their voices carry a lot demonstrates that abortion is harmful to embody bias. This has become highly of weight. These men (and some women, women. He spends a good deal of time problematic for the cause of abortion see sidebar) can readily be cast as crusaders refuting his critics in the journals, respond- access. in a righteous war, one their supporters are ing to criticisms of his work and challeng- Mainstream media coverage of Reardon convinced they will win. The reluctance of ing the results of others, which on one level and Brind’s contentious claims often many to engage in dialogue with B.A.D. looks as if he were following the protocol describe them as part of legitimate scien- scientists has only served to allow their of peer review. Nevertheless, many scien- tific debate. The general public then har- biased claims to be broadcast without tists continue to dismiss his work as biased bors some vague awareness of a possible interference. “There has never been a and agenda driven.19 But in propelling the controversy. Critics of B.A.D. science are debate on the ABC link,” claims the Coali- debate off the pages of scholarly publica- irritated that their scholarly arguments tion on Abortion/Breast Cancer, “because tions into a more receptive public forums have little influence in the court of public our opponents know they would lose.”22 by public speaking and popular writing opinion. Reproductive rights advocates B.A.D. science seems to invite sarcasm directed at anti-abortion audiences, he in become incensed that logic and science have among its critics, which is both under- some ways makes the failure to pass peer not served them well. And the anti-abor- Politicized Science continues on page 20

THE PUBLIC EYE17 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye Book Reviews Phyllis Schlafly and Grassroots Conservatism: world she helped build, he challenges the knee-jerk idea that con- A Woman’s Crusade servative foundations and think tanks wholly powered the Donald T. Critchlow resurgence of the Right. Princeton University Press “Schlafly’s talent, in part, was her ability to translate conser- 438 pages, $29.95, hardcover, 2005 vative ideas to grassroots activists and motivate them to achieve Reviewed by Abby Scher political goals,” writes Critchlow. She is not an intellectual, he If you are under 40, you may never have heard of Phyllis says, but a partisan. Schlafly. Now in her 80s, she is a woman of relentless energy who Different moments brought out and energized different ghostwrote Barry Goldwater’s 1964 campaign book, A Choice parts of her politics, he asserts. Her embrace of divine author- Not an Echo, while organizing her deep network of Republican ity, anti-abortion politics, and a traditional home moved into women to support the ultra-conservative for the Republican pres- the foreground in reaction to feminist gains and the Supreme idential nomination. She ran for Congress twice, first Court’s endorsement of secularization and pro- in 1952 when she was only 27 years old, and again choice in the 1960s and 1970s. But it was there in 1970. And, while deriding the New Deal as when she earlier argued that anti-communism incipient socialism that was a threat to the Repub- was a battle on behalf of Christianity against the lic, she championed anti-communism in the godless and that limited government rested on McCarthy Era. As the search for internal enemies “God’s grace.” In the 1960s, she argued that dried up in the early 1960s, Schlafly cowrote books Americans were losing the cold war and were too “proving” that the new threat was the fearsome easily led by their (liberal) leaders due to grow- missile gap with the Soviets (a gap later acknowledged ing hedonism and materialism, a charge she laid to be wholly false). on feminists a decade later. Despite her syndicated radio shows and promi- Her greatest accomplishment may not have nent role as national vice president of the National been the defeat of the ERA, but her ability to Federation of Republican Women in the 1960s, imagine and forge new coalitions. During that many Americans first glimpsed her power when she struggle, she reached out to conservative evan- championed the Stop ERA movement in the 1970s gelicals for the first time, trained them in pub- and early ‘80s. She was impossible to ignore as she lic speaking and advocacy, and had them work mobilized conservative ground troops state by state hand in hand with the conservative women of her base. She mobi- —seemingly out of nowhere—to blister the Republican and lized new women from outside of the party structure while bro- Democratic establishments and block the enactment of an kering a peace with the stalwart conservative women loyalists. Equal Rights Amendment for women. Throughout these periods, Critchlow observes, she maintained Schlafly drove feminists crazy, both because she out-organ- a populist anti-elitism, whether against the moderate East ized them, and because she should have been one of them. How Coast Republicans linked to financiers and free trade who she could a public figure of her accomplishments—a woman in the fought for control of the party, or against the feminists who she limelight, constantly traveling, while her husband and six chil- successfully portrayed as out-of-touch intellectuals who scoffed dren stayed at home—defend the idea that a wife should be sub- at the protection of the home so valued by other women. servient to her husband? How could an activist who built She also remained (and remains) a GOP loyalist, even though women’s power to anchor the conservative wing within the the party’s power brokers kept her out of the inner circle, and Republican Party and who demanded that women be treated even after her suspicious defeat as president of National Feder- equally in that arena ultimately overlook the struggle for equal- ation of Republican Women in 1967. The federation’s mem- ity in other areas of life? To add to the confusion, she once pub- bership dropped by half after her defeat, as her loyalists left in licly admired suffragists for their “moral obligation to public life.” droves. Although he never quite illuminates the conundrum that is More than Critchlow, perhaps, I now see Schlafly an inno- Schlafly, Donald Critchlow, a professor of history at St. Louis vator who departed from pre-war conservatism in key ways. A University, has written a worthy biography of the woman and Catholic, she was active in her local chapter of the National Con- her times. While some of his interpretations of the rise of the ference of Christian and Jews, and rejected the anti-Semitism Right might rile—he discounts the role of racial divisions, for that tainted many conservatives after the war. Nor was her ecu- instance—the sweep of his book is admirable, and he maintains menicalism universally popular. She was spurned by Fred a respectful dialogue (albeit mainly in his footnotes) with those Schwarz after approaching him to create a joint Catholic- who would disagree. Protestant anti-communist organization because Schwarz By focusing on Schlafly and the grassroots conservative believed it would be suspect among his evangelical base. She was

THE PUBLIC EYE 18 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye less rabidly anti-New Deal than some, can Party. But he overlooks the way her And: continuing to embrace Social Security, tactics emerge directly from the middle Our policy should be to eliminate public housing and other social programs class women’s club movement with roots discrimination against women and in the 1950s. early in the century. Like other middle to achieve equity for women with- An attractive, photogenic, and skilled class club women, Schlafly marshaled out sacrificing traditional women’s public speaker who kept her cool under facts and figures, displaying charts and rights. fire, she represented a fresh new image of maps in her talks. Her focus on education a level-headed conservative. —creating anti-communist reading lists And: Schlafly was also creatively multime- and materials for women to use in self- Liberal policies all require govern- dia, building on the power of radio, print guided study groups, for example—is ment to take over the functions of and eventually video to reach the grass- straight out of the women’s club playbook the family and reduce family rights. roots. It was in print that she flicked on with roots early in the century. My own the incendiary high beams; through her research on women’s groups during Looking back, Schlafly has said she had syndicated columns, monthly newsletters, McCarthyism found such grassroots a role in launching the Christian Right— and books, she helped shape the politics even though, as Critchlow argues, she is of millions who read them. To defeat the not totally of that movement. While Democrats in 1988, instead of writing her embracing traditional family values usual campaign book, she commissioned Schlafly drove feminists against the corrosion of materialism and a popular video on Willie Horton, a con- feminism, Schlafly and her supporters are victed murderer who committed rape more leery of big government and while on furlough in Massachusetts, the crazy, because she encroachment on civil liberties. And the state governed by Democratic candidate Christian Right has a decidedly Protestant Dukakis. out-organized them cast, unlike Schlafly’s ecumenical, family Schlafly also admirably kept her cool values campaigns. By 1979, Beverly as a tactician. For example, in the ERA and could have been LeHaye had founded Concerned Women battle, she held at bay those who wanted of America (CWA) as an evangelical to denounce the amendment as a form of one of them Protestant organization. socialism or UN-style consolidation of As family values advocates sitting power at the top; her more reserved strat- between the wings of the party, her net- egy ultimately proved effective. This was work could potentially have been a bridge in contrast to some pro-ERA forces, who between them. Ironically, with the rise of linked the issue to abortion rights by expertise embraced by conservative the Right, Schlafly’s power seems to have insisting that equality under the law women as much as liberal ones. All these diminished. With 50,000 members at its meant states had to pay for abortions, a women legitimized their claim on a place height (compared to 600,000 in CWA), tactic that might have contributed to the in public life by developing their expert- the Eagle Forum and Schlafly never found defeat of the amendment. ise, showing a faith in reason that a powerful foothold in the party. Crafting arguments that focused on Critchlow overlooks in arguing that While southerners angry that the fed- family values and the necessarily differ- Schlafly rejects the Enlightenment. eral government (eventually) defended the ent roles of men and women, Schlafly Nor does Critchlow fully value how civil rights of blacks arguably played a big- managed to enlarge the coalition oppos- Schlafly’s rhetorical choices contributed ger role in generating disgust at big gov- ing the ERA. The coalition included to her eventual power and credibility. By ernment than Schlafly. And the fight Mormons and Orthodox Jews, not just mixing the language of liberty and the against the New Deal produced new Catholics and Protestants. It included early documents of the Republic, rights intellectuals who popularized free market political novices, but she trained her language and values language, Schlafly arguments, enlarging the GOP’s base. troops to act like her: smile when being spoke in a way that connected with many As the Right grew, Schlafly’s voice became attacked, be groomed and poised for TV, of those at the grassroots who were strug- less important. Yet her leadership in the and, especially, be a lady. As Critchlow gling to find their own voice. It made her 1970s ERA battle, building on her expe- points out, this approach spoke volumes arguments sound reasonable within riences in the decades before, was invalu- to the male, middle-aged state legislators American discourse. able in helping create a rupture of the who controlled the fate of the ERA, in The separation of church and state is status quo and a sense that the liberal jug- sharp contrast to the message sent by a time-honored pillar of an American gernaut could be stopped. outspoken feminists exuding the coun- Constitution and culture… but it was terculture. never meant that religion should be Abby Scher is editor of The Public Eye and Critchlow argues that Schlafly’s polit- excluded from public life or from our a sociologist. ical training ground was in the Republi- schools and colleges.

THE PUBLIC EYE19 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye

POLITICIZED SCIENCE continues from page 17 gency Contraceptive Drug Plan B Was Unusual,”, GAO- 14 Barry Yeoman, “The Scientist Who Hated Abortion and 06-109 (Washington, D.C.:U.S. GAO, November, Did Something About it,” Discover, February 2003, 24: standable and unfortunate. The agenda- 2005) 21. 54-9, republished at http://www.barryyeoman.com/arti- driven quality of their scholarship coupled 4 See Patricia Jasen, “Breast Cancer and the Politics of Abor- cles/hatedabortion.html at April 19, 2006. with their sometimes nontraditional tion in the United States,” Medical History, 2005, 49: 423- 15 David C. Reardon, T.W. Strahan, J.M. Thorp, and 44, at 425. resumes may seem laughable or infuriating M.W. Shuping, “Deaths Associated with Abortion 5 Ibid. Compared to Childbirth—A Review of New and Old to some. But to dismiss these advocates as Data and the Medical and Legal Implications,” Journal 6 Brind quoted in Chris Mooney, “Research and Destroy: of Contemporary Health Law and Policy, 2003-2004; cynics or dispassionate tacticians who How the Religious Right Promotes its Own “Experts” to 280(20); 283. crassly manipulate unthinking anti-abor- Combat Mainstream Science,” Washington Monthly, 16 October 2004, 34. David Reardon in June 8, 2005 email correspondence tion masses would be a mistake. It might with Noel Diamond at http://www.noahdiamond 7 be better to see them as efficient cogs in Barry Yeoman, “The Scientists Who Hated Abortion,” .com/reardon.html. Discover, February 2003. At http://www.discover. 17 the machinery that drives the current com/issues/feb-03/features/feathated/April 19, 2006. Correspondence between Jillian Henderson and Katharine Miller and journal editors Michel Hersen and movement to limit women’s reproductive 8 Joel Brind et al., “Induced Abortion as an Independent Cynthia Last, January 13, 2004 on file at PRA.

Risk Factor for Breast Cancer: A Comprehensive Review 18 health and freedom. and Meta-analysis,” Journal of Epidemiology and Com- Priscilla K. Coleman, David C. Reardon, Jesse R. Cougle, munity Health, 1996, 50:481-96. “Substance Use Among Pregnant Women in the Con- Pam Chamberlain is a Research Analyst text of Previow Reproductive Loss and Desire for Cur- 9 with Political Research Associates and a Mads Melbye, “Induced Abortion and the Risk of Breast rent Pregnancy,” British Journal of health Psychology, Cancer,” New England Journal of Medicine, 9 January (2005), 10, 264, 265. member of the Public Eye editorial board. 1997, 336:81-85. 19 See for instance, Brenda Major, “Psychological Impli- Eleanor J. Bader contributed reporting to this 10 National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet, “Abortion, Mis- cations of Abortion—Highly Charged and Rife with article. carriage, and Breast Cancer,” March 21, 2003, at Misleading Research,” Canadian Medical Association http://cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/abortion- Journal, May 13, 2003; 168 (10) 1257-1258. miscarriage, at May 2, 2006. 20 “Nationwide Trends: Biased Counseling and Mandatory 11 http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/wsas/departments/natu- Delay,” NARAL Pro-Choice America, at http://www.pro- End Notes ral_science/faculty/brind.html , at April 24, 2006. choiceamerica.org/choice-action-center/ 1 Conard LAE, Gold MA, “Emergency Contraceptive 12 Joel Brind, “Induced Abortion as an Independent Risk in_your_state/who-decides/nationwide-trends/ Pills: a Review of the Recent Literature,” Current Opin- Factor for Breast Cancer: A Critical Review of Recent biased_counseling.html , April 19, 2006. ion in Obstetrics & Gynecology 2004; 16:389-395. Studies Based on Prospective Data,” Journal of Ameri- 21 http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/ere-workshop-report, can Physicians and Surgeons, Vol 10, No. 4, Winter 2005, 2 Ayelish McGarvey, “Dr. Hagar’s Family Values,” The at April 24, 2006. 109. Nation, May 30, 2005, http://www.thenation 22 Press Release, Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer, .com/doc/20050530/mcgarvey, at April 26, 2006. 13 “Nationwide Trends: Biased Counseling and Mandatory “Glamour Magazine Challenged to a Debate on Delay,” NARAL Pro-Choice America, at http://www.pro- 3 Brian Alexander, “Whose Body is it, Anyway?” Glamour, Abortion-Cancer Link,” April 20, 2006, at choiceamerica.org/choice-action-center/ May 2006, 298. “Government Accountability Office, http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/start/ on April in_your_state/who-decides/nationwide-trends/ “Report to Congressional Requesters: Decision Process 24, 2006. biased_counseling.html , April 19, 2006. to Deny Initial Over-The Counter Marketing of the Emer-

POLITICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES BOOKSTORE Reports and books from the premier watchdog on the US Right Special rates for Public Eye readers!

Our Activist Resource Kits Books by PRA Associates Defending Justice (2005): $10 Right-Wing Populism in America by Chip Berlet and Defending Immigrant Rights (2002): $5 Matthew N. Lyons: $15 Defending Public Education (1999): $5 Mobilizing Resentment: Conservative Resurgence from the Defending Reproductive Rights (2000): $3 John Birch Society to the Promise Keepers by Jean Hardisty: $10 Defending Democracy (2001): $3 Eternal Hostility: The Struggle Between Theocracy and Democracy by Frederick Clarkson: $10 Special Reports: $3 ______Deliberate Differences: Progressive and Conservative Campus Activism in the United States (2004) To order, call PRA at 617.666.5300 Privatizing the Common Wealth: The Pioneer Institute (2002) Or send your check with $3.50 postage for first item plus $1.50 for each additional item to: Calculated Compassion: How the Ex-Gay Movement PRA, 1310 Broadway, #201, Somerville, MA 02144 Serves the Right’s Attack on Democracy (1998 ) www.publiceye.org Challenging the Ex-Gay Movement: A resource packet (1998) Visa and Mastercard accepted

THE PUBLIC EYE 20 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye ……Reports in Review…… REPORT OF THE MONTH

Blacks and Same-Sex Marriage “civil rights” are “the protections and privileges of personal lib- Jumping the Broom: A Black Perspective on Same-Gender erty given to all US citizens by the United States Constitution and Marriage Bill of Rights.” By the Equality Maryland Foundation, Inc. and the National Black Unfortunately, Jumping The Broom also relies too heavily on Justice Coalition, November 2005. comparing the Same-Sex Marriage Movement struggles with the The Equality Maryland Foundation, Inc. and the National African American Civil Rights Movement: Black Justice Coalition have issued a reader-friendly pamphlet call- Some blacks are offended when gays and lesbians equate the ing on African Americans to realize how important the Same Sex same-sex marriage movement with the African American Marriage movement is to vital members of their community, Black civil rights movement. When white gays and lesbians over- gays and lesbians. shadow the voices of black gays and lesbians and discuss the In Jumping The Broom: A Black Perspective On Same-Gender ability to marry as a matter of “civil rights,” some blacks may Marriage, the groups take on key objections to same-sex marriage, feel like the comparison diminishes the stain on our nation explaining: marriages don’t have to be religious services; gay mar- that has resulted from centuries of slavery, lynching, and seg- riages were forced to exist behind closed doors in the past—even regation. We should remember, however, that many gays among well-known community activists and celebrities; nur- and lesbians are members of our community, the black com- turing families are not only for heterosexuals; and, the word “mar- munity, and were an integral part of our black civil rights riage” carries more tax, insurance and other legal protections for movement. (p.12) a couple than the words “civil union” or “domestic partnership.” As the writers themselves appear to note, the two movements But the main point the pamphlet wants to hammer home is are not equal—and have no need to be. If anything, the Same- that the opportunity to marry someone you love should be an indi- Sex Marriage Movement can be inspired by the African Ameri- vidual’s choice and not necessarily sanctioned by the government. can Civil Rights Movement without being a new version of it. This, they argue, is a civil right. The pamphlet explains that – Karen Carillo

Other Reports in Review Taking over the Courts subject to the “advice and consent” of the Sen- efforts when the Democrats lost the majority Turning Right: Judicial Selection and the ate. By having the executive and legislative in the Senate in 1995. Mostly through delay- Politics of Power branches share power, the founders intended ing tactics, the Senate Republicans managed for the judiciary to be the third branch of gov- to avoid the nomination of many judges, by Melody Barnes, Leadership Conference on ernment. Implied is the desire to nominate consensus candidates or not. Civil Rights, July 2004. judges who can count on broad or bipartisan Bush Jr. took these efforts one step further This report is a good primer for how the support. Over the centuries, a complex process by nominating candidates who were even Republicans have managed to “pack” the developed to meet this mandate, including the further Right than Reagan and Bush Sr.’s courts in the last two decades. President’s consultation with the two Senators nominees. Once the Republicans obtained the The courts constantly make decisions that of the state where the appointment would take majority in the Senate in 2002, they began either strengthen or undermine the right to place, known as the “blue slip” process. rushing nominations and sidelined the “blue be free from discrimination, to organize a Republicans have completely subverted the slip” process in maneuvers that leave a bad union, or the right to clean air and water. balanced approach that developed over the taste in anyone’s mouth. Only one check However, don’t look to this report for an centuries while controlling the presidency remained to stop the flow of right-wing examination of the differences in ideology and Congress. It started in the 1980s and early ideologues: the filibuster. To eliminate this between Right-wing and mainstream judges. ‘90s when the Reagan and Bush Sr. adminis- final obstacle, Senate Majority Leader Frist This report is about how the Right has trations made decidedly one-sided appoint- proposed a dramatic alteration of long-stand- subverted the Constitution’s checks and ments. The Clinton Administration reverted ing Senate rules to bypass the filibuster, balances in the selection of judges. to the old practice of nominating consensus referred to as a “nuclear option.” This option Article II of the Constitution gives the Pres- candidates, but it was thwarted even in those was eventually avoided by a compromise, ident the power to nominate federal judges,

THE PUBLIC EYE21 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye which further eroded the voice of the Demo- of Lesbians and Gays, provides advocacy use to maintain power are exclusionary back cratic minority. for family members worried about what room decision-making and gerrymandering As a result, today the dealings between the they see as dangerous cultural influences. that dilutes or concentrates black’s voter White House and the Senate regarding judi- They are all closely networked and heav- strength, whichever is most damaging. Both cial selections are a far cry from cooperation. ily influenced by strict Biblical interpretations are considered discriminatory by the Voting The Leadership Conference report ends with of homosexuality as a sin and discredited Rights Act, and, according to the report, the an impassioned plea to take the politics out psychological theories on its causes. The US Department of Justice has issued objec- of the process again. This way we may one day report chronicles the history of the ex-gay tions to Louisiana voting changes 96 times realize the promise of the Constitution: a movement from its beginnings in 1973, the since 1982. truly independent judiciary “free from polit- same year the American Psychiatric Associa- The examples of whites pouring “old poi- ical winds and popular beliefs, that blindly tion stopped describing homosexuality as a son into new bottles” to preserve power— dispenses justice.” – Ursula Levelt mental disorder. The report also notes that the drawn primarily from court records—are waves of ex-gay activism were crafted in shocking. For instance, then-Governor Treen response to the gains of the LGBT movement. resisted any redistricting plan in the 1980s that Save the Children Their discussion of an ex-gay conference included a majority Black district for New Youth in the Crosshairs: The Third Wave illustrates the movements’ tactics: targeting Orleans, arguing a hypocritical race-neutral of Ex-Gay Activism Christian families and church communities, position: “districting schemes motivated by Jason Cianciotto and Sean Cahill, National Gay presenting testimony of conversion and racial considerations, however benign, and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute, New York redemption in a highly charged religious smacked of racism.” and Washington, D.C., March 2006. atmosphere, and promoting the pseudo- Similar reports are available for Florida, http://www.thetaskforce.org/downloads/crosshairs. science of anti-gay research. Among them: Alaska, and New York. – Pam Chamberlain pdf clients will feel better after conversion; homo- There’s a new wrinkle in the Christian sexuality is caused by dominant mothers, Bush without Warrant passive, unemotional fathers, and sexual abuse; Right’s use of homophobia: an ex-gay move- Presidential Authority to Conduct War- and homosexuality is linked to alcoholism, ment targeted at youth. In response to teens rantless Electronic Surveillance to Gather drug addiction, and suicide. coming out at earlier ages and finding new sup- Foreign Intelligence Information – Pam Chamberlain port in many schools and faith communities, Elizabeth B. Bazan and Jennifer K. Elsea, Con- groups like Focus on the Family and Exodus gressional Research Service, Washington, D.C., International have developed programs to Still Fighting for the Vote in January 5, 2006. “convert” gay and lesbian adolescents to het- Louisiana J. Edgar Hoover and other government erosexuality. This 100-page report skillfully Voting Rights in Louisiana 1982-2006: spies rarely made any pretense to legality. analyzes the trend. A Report of RenewtheVRA.org They just did what they wanted. But Bush and The authors identify three waves of the By Debo P. Adegbile, Leadership Conference on Co. seem to enjoy sprinkling legal justifica- Christian Right’s ex-gay activism: early Civil Rights and the Leadership Conference on tions here and there for such misdeeds as attempts to “cure” adult homosexuals, appeals Civil Rights Education Fund, Washington, D.C., warrantless spying on Americans and mis- to gay men and lesbians to make lifestyle March 2006. http://renewthevra.civilrights.org. treatment of Guantanamo prisoners. They cre- changes themselves in a Christian context, and ate a quasi-legality that thumbs its nose at the now a focus on Christian youth (and their par- Louisiana’s failure to help displaced voters law and dares the courts to answer back. ents). Challenging the concept of a “cure,” the from New Orleans vote after Katrina only This was a brief written at the request of a authors’ review of the available research on the highlights a longstanding scandal: it is harder Congressperson about whether President ex-gay movement’s “conversion therapy” and for African Americans in Louisiana to exert Bush could bypass the Foreign Intelligence other tactics shows these strategies do not political power today than it was 125 years ago. Surveillance Court and spy on people in the accomplish their intended goal. A key 2002 Although almost one-third of Louisiana’s US without a warrant. They patiently expose study by Shidlo and Schroeder instead found population is African American, no African the cynical legal ploys of the Bush Adminis- people suffered even greater depression, sui- American has ever been elected to a Louisiana tration, including the claim that it can bypass cidal thoughts, sexual dysfunction, and rejec- state court or the U.S. Congress, or joined the the court because of Congress’ “declaration of tion of religion after the “therapy.” bench of the Louisiana Supreme Court. war” (legal permission for Bush to use force). The report focuses on several of the groups First enacted under Lyndon Johnson in No, they say, Congress revised the act that cre- that have proliferated in recent years. Focus 1965, the Voting Rights Act is the primary ated the court right after September 11th on the Family runs a traveling ex-gay roadshow lever for whatever political power African and made no such exception. The Bushites also called Love Won Out. Exodus International Americans have achieved in the state; it is refer to court cases decided before the law was now hosts Exodus Youth. Love in Action, the scheduled to expire in 2007. By revealing enacted to justify their scheme. The staff oldest program, runs Refuge, a substance how officials with stubborn supremacist lawyers strip away such legal fig leaves shroud- abuse and “sexual addiction” treatment pro- attitudes sought to block Black voting power, ing Bush’s lawlessness but it remains to be gram for teens. And PFOX, Parents and this report shows why it is vital to renew the seen whether Congress heeds this report. Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, modeled Voting Rights Act. –Abby Scher directly from PFLAG, Parents and Friends Among the stealth tactics Louisiana whites THE PUBLIC EYE 22 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye

A DOG-LOVER SPEAKS ministries, and he covered the issue on the “To speak a bit fancifully, the FBI agents are May 11th broadcast of his “700 Club.” He like dogs, and the CIA officers like cats. The said the American Civil Liberties Union and pointer, the retriever, the hound has a defi- the Communist Internationale “pulled a Eyes secret takeover” of Americans United. nite target, and goes for it. The cat is furtive, RIGHT slinks about in the dark, pounces unexpect- He continued with another faux fact: edly at the time and place of its choosing.” “[AU director and minister] Barry Lynn is so extreme, he has said that if a church is burn- MOVE OVER, CHRISTOPHER Source: Judge Richard A. Posner (U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit), “The Reorganized U.S. Intelligence System ing down, the city shouldn’t bring the fire REEVE After One Year,” National Security Outlook, American department and trucks to spray water on the Warner Brothers’ new movie, “Superman Enterprise Institute, April 11, 2006. church because that violates separation of Returns,” brings the action hero back to church and state.” BATTLE OF THE REVS Earth as a Christ figure who has returned First calling for the Venezuelan presi- from heaven (Krypton) to save the world TV preacher Pat Robertson sounded like he dent’s assassination, now this. You can sure from the devil (Lex Luthor, played by Kevin was time transported from the 1950s in say anything when you control your own TV Spacey). At least that is the interpretation of claiming that Americans United for Separa- network. Stephen Skelton, author of The Gospel tion of Church and State was part of a secret Source: “TV Preacher Pat Robertson Launches Bizarre According to the World’s Greatest Superhero, conspiracy. Attack On Americans United,” Americans United for who encourages using the film as a way for Robertson’s ire was raised by the group’s Separation of Church and State, May 11, 2006, www.au.org. evangelicals to witness to their friends this opposition to federal funding for prison summer. Source: Stephen Skelton, “The Gospel According to the Man of Steel,” New Man, May/June 2006, 21.

TEAM AMERICA (NOT THE CARTOON!) Team America, the anti-immigration advo- cacy group, sure doesn’t pull any punches while mobilizing the troops. That’s not sur- prising given who is at the top: Bay Buchanan (Pat’s sister) and Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO), the two-fisted guy who put the anti-immi- grant movement on the map. As the Senate was deliberating on a new immigration bill in May, Buchanan cried out (via email) to her Team America members: “It’s still a national suicide pact!” and “The vote to legalize and massively increase the invasion into this country is coming in the next 7 days!! The organization is at war!” Lest you think Team America is a stream of negativity and warlike metaphors, Buchanan also called on supporters to buy Dunkin’ Donuts since the company announced it will only hire documented workers. A little sugar to go with the spice. Source: Bay Buchanan, “U.S. Senate races toward national suicide…but there is a glimmer of hope,” TeamAmericaPac listserv email, May 19, 2006. Call Roll RJ Matson,

THE PUBLIC EYE23 SUMMER 2006 The Public Eye

★ Special 25th Anniversary Rate ★

Individual/Non-Profit Organization $15 $29✕ ❍ Subscribe! Anniversary Year Special! Yes, I want to subscribe to The Public Eye, the quarterly Student/Retired/Low-Income $10 of PRA. Please send a subscription to the address below. Outside U.S., Canada, and Mexico add $9.00/surfacemail, $14.00/air mail ❍ Subscription (4 issues) $______Support Political Research Postage (outside U.S., Canada, and Mexico) $______Associates! Donation to support the work of PRA $______Yes, I want to help PRA unmask the Right and its attacks (Donors of $50 or more receive a subscription to The Public Eye) on democracy and diversity for another 25 years. I have enclosed a contribution of $______toward your work. TOTAL $______(donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law) ❍ Check Enclosed (Make payable to Political Research Associates) ❍ Charge my Mastercard/Visa Name

Account # ______Exp Date ______Address

Name ______City State Zip Code

Signature ______❍ My subscription is a gift to the person listed above. Please enclose a card to let them know the gift is from Mail form with payment to: SUBSCRIBE

Political Research Associates, 1310 Broadway, PRA SUPPORT ______Suite 201, Somerville, MA 02144-1837

For information on additional materials available from PRA, please visit our website: www.publiceye.org and order on-line.

NON-PROFIT ORG. ThePublicEye U.S POSTAGE NEWSLETTER PAID BOSTON, MA Political Research Associates PERMIT NO. 54584 1310 Broadway, Suite 201 Somerville, Massachusetts 02144-1837 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER THE PUBLIC EYE 24 SUMMER 2006