A visit from the Klan
Well, it's happened again. So nice of the Klan to visit our subscribers on Christmas Eve, too.
A reader who lives in zip code 27410 wrote me: Did everyone receive the application to join the KKK in their paper today, or are we just lucky? I trust the paper did not know my carrier was inserting this garbage into the paper. If it is considered advertising, I may be wrong, but I think you can refuse advertising that is distasteful to most people. I would hope we won't be receiving these in the future.
Then a little while later she wrote back: I didn't realize when I wrote you earlier that I didn't know all the facts regarding the KKK application. It was not inserted in the paper, but according to a disclaimer at the bottom of the form, this is the case: "The attached newspaper/magazine is for weight purposes only and should not be considered an endorsement of either this flyer or the Knights Party." The KKK advertisement was rolled up and placed under my
newspaper.
Pam Platt, public editor of The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., wrote about this very thing in her column in November. (I linked to it last month.) Her explanation of the practice of using newspapers to weigh down the fliers is most likely the same here.
As for the Knights' tactic of using another medium to convey their message, they may not be wearing hoods anymore, but they're still using disguise and deceit to spread their word. And the method is not peculiar to Louisville's Klansmen.
Such groups have employed the parasitic practice of wrapping fliers in another legitimate publication for six to seven years, and it has occurred from California to Maine, Potok said, adding that there's not much that can be done about that.
Tossing the fliers into the trash is one thing that can be done. Or, if you want to have some fun, calling the number attached and harassing them is another. I can think of some others, as I'm sure you can, but they would be wrong. Or at least it would be wrong for me to suggest them.
Comments (1)
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I am happy the klan used that method. I always wanted to get a leaflet from them. I joined after finally finding one!
Posted on September 13, 2006 12:04 PM