CNN apparently missed the multiple memos about the Southern Poverty Law Center’s misleading “hate group” list. Of course, some of the 917 groups the leftist organization lists are hateful, like the KKK and white nationalist groups, but a good chunk of them are misplaced.
For instance, in no sane planet should groups like Alliance Defending Freedom and Family Research Council be on this list. Yet, both fall under the SPLC’s “anti-LGBT” category.
CNN published a map Thursday morning warning Americans that these “hateful” organizations could be in a city near you.
The law firm Alliance Defending Freedom lives up to its name, representing individuals and groups who feel their religious freedom is being trampled upon. One recent case involved Trinity Lutheran Church in Missouri, who sued the state’s Department of Natural Resources because they were being denied state funds for a tire scrap program intended to improve playground safety. ADF won the case, with the Supreme Court ruling that for the state to deny Trinity Lutheran funds would be a violation of the free exercise of religion.
Ensuring playgrounds are safe for children. Yeah, real hateful.
The Family Research Council, which also made SPLC's list, works to defend traditional values. They describe themselves as "pro-marriage and pro-life."
Again, definition of hate?
Notably, the SPLC is the same group that Floyd Lee Corkins cited when he showed up to the FRC office with the intent to kill. Yet, that earned no space on CNN.
5 yrs ago, Americans saw how dangerous @splcenter's hate map is when a domestic terrorist attacked our HQ. Why is @CNN ignoring this? pic.twitter.com/Vmwizzjo6d
— FRC (@FRCdc) August 17, 2017
CNN aren’t the only clueless culprits. ABC News has also cited the SPLC report as fact. Sen. James Lankford (R-TX) took issue with the outlet’s narrative, noting that the network used their social agenda over crime.
“I found it odd that ABC would designate ADF as a hate group not based on any actual crime or action, but apparently based on their belief in religious liberty or traditional marriage.”
The SPLC’s standards, he concluded, are much too broad.