Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on June 10, 2009

(Writer’s note: At the time this post was written, early news accounts cited the heroism of Stephen Tyrone Johns at the Holocaust Museum. As days passed and more information became available, it was determined that Johns was mortally shot early on, so was unable to perform the acts the early reports cited. I’ve debated about removing or revising this essay in the light of this new information, but have decided to let it remain, with just this preface. Johns’ heroism may be in question in some people’s eyes, but not in mine. Had he not been shot mortally, having found out the kind of courageous man that he was, I have no doubt that he would have performed the acts of heroism that the other guards at the museum did. He died in the line of duty at the Holocaust Museum. If this bothers any readers, and they feel compelled to write that Johns was not a hero, you are entitled to your opinion, but I will not consider posting them. I choose to let this post remain as it originally appeared as a tribute to Off. Stephen T. Johns and his family. Thank you.)

A despicable act occurred today in Washington, DC. James von Brunn, an 88-year-old white, left-wing extremist with a hateful, anti-Semitic website, a white supremacist who has served time in prison, opened fire on people visiting the Holocaust Museum. Von Brunn’s extremist activities have been a matter of record since the 1980s. He has been a deranged, hateful man for decades. He was a lunatic with no value for human life.

One of the valiant guards who was shot by von Brunn, Stephen Tyrone Johns, has died. Johns was a hero today, as were the other museum guards. They launched quickly to protect the people in the museum from the crazed gunman. I can only imagine the terrifying chaos and terror in the museum today. In so doing, Johns, age 39, lost his life while protecting others. Such selfless sacrifice to keep visitors, including children, away from danger and to keep them from being killed, much like our military and WWII veterans did on Normandy and other battlefields long ago.

Please put Stephen Johns’ family in your prayers. They are grieving over this terrible loss of someone they dearly loved.

Sadly, this tragedy has been snatched up by despicable bottom feeders who are quivering with delight that they have a tragedy they can blame conservatives again. No shame. They try to put on a somber face, piously denouncing these acts. But it’s all a game.

There are extremist left-wingers in the blogosphere who are grasping at bizarre, hate-driven straws, and are now “angrily” hanging this act of domestic terrorism on mainstream conservatives. Say what? This is sick exploitation. And von Braunn hated Pres. Bush, John McCain, Christians, Jews, blacks, and other conservatives. Associating him with conservatives is pure nonsense, but left-wingers are desperate and don’t let pesky things like facts deter them from attacking the Right.

Did they denounce any Muslims or blacks when Pvt. William Long was murdered in cold blood last week in Arkansas? No, they were silent. I do not blame blacks nor Muslims nor black Muslims for this despicable shooting, nor do any other Christians or conservatives I know. But liberals turned around and did boldly blame all Christians for abortionist Dr. Tiller’s murder.

When Playboy magazine posted that hateful power-rape of conservative women article, did they denounce this violent “rape wish list”? No, they did not, although many liberals did speak out in comments written in conservative blogs. One leftist blog started posting that writer Michelle Malkin should be killed. Has Internet “hate” crimes been lodged against any of these dangerous left-wingers?

This is a morally decrepit game, and today it is exploiting the tragedy at Holocaust Museum. The MSM is blaming Rush Limbaugh and other “crazy” right-wing conservatives for all that is wrong in the world and for the shooting at the Holocaust Museum. Joan Walsh of Salon spewed lack of objectivity and guilt by association and hate about this today. She linked von Brunn to all people who question Barack Obama’s citizenship, “he was a birther,” which slyly means that anyone who wants to see Obama’s mysterious birth certificate is hateful and an extremist, just like von Braunn. Joan said she felt that, while the murderer who pulled the trigger is most responsible, conservatives should also feel responsible about Johns’ murder. Especially Rush Limbaugh.

I’m responsible for this, Joan? Because I’m white, Christian, and conservative? Rush is responsible, too? What about the black Muslims? Are they all responsible for Pvt. Long’s murder? Same game, Joan. Same game.

She never mentioned Pvt. Long’s murder as an example of a hate crime committed by an extremist. The murderer, Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, boldly said yesterday in court that he was glad that he had killed the soldier. No, she only cited Dr. Tiller’s murder, because… because why, Joan? You know the answer to that one.

I’m anguished about the shooting at the museum. But do I feel that I am responsibile for it? No. Nor should you. Only von Braunn is responsible.

From GayPatriot, an excellent commentary:

…It should come as no surprise to those who follow left-wing blogs that some were quick to blame mainstream conservatives for the actions of the lone, loony extremist who opened fire earlier today at the Holocaust Museum in our nation’s capital, murdering security guard Stephen Tyrone [Johns].

At present, there is little (if any) evidence that this anti-Semitic white supremacist read, or was even familiar with mainstream conservative blogs, web-sites or ideas. He drew his inspiration from ideologies which we conservatives have regularly criticized. Indeed, he was critical of Republican presidents and the ideology left-wingers ascribed to the previous president’s foreign policy:

For example, he unleashed his hatred of both Presidents Bush and other “neo-conservatives” in online essays. As even some “progressives” such as the influential Adbusters magazine publicly admit, “neoconservative” is often used as a derogatory code word for “Jews”. As well, even a cursory glance at “white supremacist” writings reveals a hatred of, say, big corporations that is virtually indistinguishable from that of anti-globalization activists. Today’s shooting remind us of the persistence of anti-Semitism, a hateful ideology which has found a home among extremists of all political and partisan perspectives. It is neither a phenomenon of the right or the left, but of certain deranged individuals looking for a group to blame for their own sufferings and on whom to project their own insecurities. Those who would blame conservatives (with whom the shooter had no philosophical kinship whatsoever) for the shooting manifest a preference of blaming us for all manner of ills while ignoring the reality of the situation at hand. They would do better to condemn the man for his murderous deeds and acknowledge that in doing so, they are making common ground with others holding different political views and with different partisan labels than their own.

This is not to say he was a a man of the left. He definitely was not. He is a hateful extremist, steeped in ideologies condemned by those on both sides of the political aisle.

From Michelle Malkin, with a portion of a refreshing turnaround by political writer Kathy Shaidle about the shooter:

The man accused of opening fire at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC on June 10, James W. von Brunn, left a trail of unhinged writings around the internet.

The anti-semitism of von Brunn is the first thing one notices when visiting these bizarre websites. However, like those of most “white supremacists”, many of von Brunn’s political views track “Left” rather than “Right.” Clearly, a re-evaluation of these obsolete definitions is long overdue.

For example, he unleashed his hatred of both Presidents Bush and other “neo-conservatives” in online essays. As even some “progressives” such as the influential Adbusters magazine publicly admit, “neoconservative” is often used as a derogatory code word for “Jews”. As well, even a cursory glance at “white supremacist” writings reveals a hatred of, say, big corporations that is virtually indistinguishable from that of anti-globalization activists.

James von Brunn’s advocacy of 9/11 conspiracy theories also gives him an additional commonality with individuals on the far-left.

So, based on this new information about the leanings of von Braunn, how many left-wing extremists will demand liberals take responsibility for this horrible act and apologize to conservatives and Rush Limbaugh for jumping to an erroneous conclusion? How about you, Joan at Salon? No apology yet, but I’ll keep looking for it.

Audacity of the Year Award: Mayor Phil Gordon of Phoenix, AZ is exploiting the Holocaust Museum tragedy. Within only a few hours, he addressed the public that he lays blame for this shootout at the feet of his law-enforcement adversary, Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Gordon and Arpaio disagree about how to enforce illegal alien laws in Arizona. Arpaio enforces the laws, Gordon wants Arpaio to ignore them and wants open borders… a nightmare for citizens. Read the story and summary of JD Hayworth’s radio interview with Arpaio: Sheriff Joe Arpaio Blamed for DC Shootout by Phoenix Mayor.

Additional reading:
Michelle Malkin: The DHS “right-wing extremism” report and the Holocaust shooter
Sister Toldjah: Leftwingnuttia commences after anti-Semitic lunatic kills guard at Holocaust Museum
Matthew Vadum, The American Spectator: The Left Won’t Let This Shooting Go to Waste
This ain’t Hell, but you can see it from here: Vindication

Categories: Bless Our Troops, Conservatism, Government, Illegal Immigration, National Security, Religious Views, Social and Political Climate
Tags: Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, domestic terrorism, hate crime, Holocaust Museum, illegal aliens, JD Hayworth, Joan Walsh, left-wing extremist, Mayor Phil Gordon, Phil Gordon, Phoenix, political, politics, Rush Limbaugh, shootout, Stephen Tyrone Johns, Washington DC, white supremacist