Way, way back at the beginning of the Washington Free Beacon, I was stunned to find myself presented with a very special award from the Southern Poverty Law Center.* A "Certificate of Appreciation" was presented to "Mr. Sonny Bunch" for my "important contribution to the ongoing fight against hatred and intolerance in America." I was told my name "will be added to the Wall of Tolerance in Montgomery Alabama, to provide inspiration to all those who choose to take a stand against hatred."
We at the Washington Free Beacon were so touched by the recognition that we placed the certificate in a very public place where all could see: the break room.
As you can see, some caring soul affixed a Post-It note highlighting that "The Free Beacon [hearts] Diversity—The SPLC Says So!" We were honestly quite touched by the gesture.
Needless to say, we were shocked and saddened to find the SPLC writing kindly about noted anti-Israel author and activist Max Blumenthal, who was regularly cited as an inspiration by the neo-Nazi killer Glenn Miller. Blumenthal, whose father Sidney is a close confidante of the Clinton dynasty and who hosted a party for his son's book comparing Israel to Nazi Germany, is not to blame for the attacks, the SPLC has assured us. Noting that the killer was a big fan of Blumenthal is, apparently, beyond the pale. The SPLC slammed the Washington Free Beacon and PJ Media's Ron Radosh for simply noting that Blumenthal's anti-Israel rhetoric lines up nicely with neo-Nazis and Klan leaders.
It is perhaps unsurprising that the SPLC wants to deflect this sort of criticism, given that the SPLC's listing of the Family Research Council as a "hate group" inspired Floyd Lee Corkins to open fire in that organization's lobby. It is, however, disappointing to see the SPLC go to bat for a notorious anti-Israel writer such as Max Blumenthal.
As a result of the SPLC's dispiriting action, I have decided to reject the certificate of appreciation I was given two years ago. To reinforce my disgust with the SPLC's shameful actions, I burned the certificate in the alley behind the Free Beacon office. We captured the moment on video for your entertainment:
Hopefully the SPLC will take my demonstration to heart and reject their alliance with noted hatemongers such as Max Blumenthal.
*This very special award may or may not have been part of a fundraising scam aimed at SWPLs who subscribe to The New Yorker. Hard to say.