SPLC Apologizes to Ben Carson

Dr. Ben Carson at The FAMiLY Leader Celebrate the Family Event – 11/22/14.
Photo credit: Dave Davidson – Prezography.com

This news broke last night.  The Southern Poverty Law Center apologized to Ben Carson for adding him to their “extremist files.“

Here is part their statement:

In October 2014, we posted an “Extremist File” of Dr. Ben Carson. This week, as we’ve come under intense criticism for doing so, we’ve reviewed our profile and have concluded that it did not meet our standards, so we have taken it down and apologize to Dr. Carson for having posted it.

We’ve also come to the conclusion that the question of whether a better-researched profile of Dr. Carson should or should not be included in our “Extremist Files” is taking attention from the fact that Dr. Carson has, in fact, made a number of statements that express views that we believe most people would conclude are extreme.

They are described below. We laud Dr. Carson for his many contributions to medicine and his philanthropic work, and we, like so many others, are inspired by his personal story. Nevertheless, particularly because Dr. Carson is such a prominent person, we believe that his views should be closely examined.

So they apologize for calling Dr. Carson extreme, but they still think he’s extreme?  Most people do not believe preserving traditional marriage is extreme.  There may be a growing number who have given up the battle or may be ok with it, but that’s not the same as saying opposing gay marriage is extreme.

Frankly SPLC’s intolerance and hate of people and organizations with whom they disagree is extreme.  Also Maggie Gallagher brought up a great point this morning:

Congrats to Ben Carson, whose stature achieved something even a gunman shooting Family Research Council staff could not: getting the SPLC to admit that mainstream social conservatives are not extremists like the Klan.

Indeed!

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Shane Vander Hart

Editor & Founder at Caffeinated Thoughts

Shane Vander Hart is the founder and editor-in-chief of Caffeinated Thoughts.  He is also the President of 4:15 Communications, LLC, a social media & communications consulting/management firm.  Prior to this Shane spent 20 years in youth ministry serving in church, parachurch, and school settings.  He has also served as an interim pastor and is a sought after speaker and pulpit fill-in.  Shane has been married to his wife Cheryl since 1993 and they have three kids.  Shane and his family reside near Des Moines, IA.

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