Most of us, who are conservatives do not agree with, and stand in direct contrast to the racist views of white supremacist Richard Butler. Most of us would confront him physically in order to stop his plans and damage his proselytizing of neo-Nazi hate mongering. However, the misfortunes of Rev. Butler were reported with such glee and rejoicing in a Feb.7th AP story that we wonder who is guilty of the most hate, Rev. Butler, or the system that bankrupted him. The AP story headlines "Hate leader digs in as Idaho stands against him". He lost his little 20-acre compound, his chapel,  was refused permission to rent a conference room in a local hotel and generally asked to be run out of town in Coeur d'Alene Idaho as a result of a civil rights lawsuit. He is appealing the case, but no lawyer will represent him.

There is no doubt the man is dreadfully wrong. And hate speech is not to be tolerated. But the vindictiveness and spite with which the Associated Press reported the story should make the reader wonder, as I did, whether the AP or Mr. Butler showed the most hate.

It is tempting to kick an adversary when he is down, particularly one who represents the epitome of the evil you have fought all of your life but it does nothing for your character and the cause for which you stand. The story should have been reported, definitely. But the hatefulness of the journalist should not have exceeded the hatefulness of Mr. Butler.

It serves no purpose.