Houston-Area Tea Party Leader Had Ties to Fascist Party
As recently as 2003, the president of the Greater Fort Bend County Tea Party had a very different title: director of propaganda for the American Fascist Party.
James Ives, a prominent Tea Party activist who has hosted statewide rallies and political debates and has been a regular contributor on conservative radio, was the AFP's fourth in command, commenting about the party’s principles on a fascist message board. An image of Ives in what appears to be a black uniform with yellow shoulder patches can be seen in a 2006 promotional video for the party.
Ives tells a more ...
Comments (38)
David McLemore via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Undercover, eh? Not even a blog item? A short story? The word 'bullshit' comes to mind.
Kelly Smith via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Nice Photoshop job. If youre going to remove someone from a photo, don't leave random body parts.
Justin Williams via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This is similar to Sean Hannity and his friendly ties with NEO Nazi Leader Hal Turner.
Proud Texan
Watch 'em scramble.
Judy Burns via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Gross, but please proofread. Careless errors distract from the message. It's Ft Bend
Kevin Creamer via Texas Tribune on Facebook
point 1: I think it was to protect the identity of the innocent, not a bat photoshop job
point 2: I'm relatively sure Ft. is the accepted abbreviation for Fort.
Kurt Mogonye via Texas Tribune on Facebook
@Kevin: It's Fort BEND, not Fort BENT!
Mac Mcclure via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Next report from the Texas Tribune will be that we have a Fascist President of the United States. Wait a minute!! you will not see that report because it is true and you know TT cannot report the truth about a Democrat.
Terry Bradley via Texas Tribune on Facebook
More likely doing research for his current job.
Andrew Goldberg via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I had run ins with Fascists in the Ft. Bend area...they ARE dangerous. Most don't even understand who they are or what they are doing.
Andrew Goldberg via Texas Tribune on Facebook
President Obama is no Fascist, and the only group he's biased against is the same one plagueing us all- CONGRESS.
Steven Kite
In other breaking news, water's wet and Republicultists are evil.
Neil Moyer via Texas Tribune on Facebook
A neighbor of yours, Bruce Bird??
Todd Dwyer
Funny how anyone in the media merely suggesting that some services shouldn't be for profit gets them branded a socialist far and wide and is held up as proof that the media is biased, but being a former officer in the American Fascist Party is barely a blip on the radar. I will be surprised if this story gets legs beyond the Tribune, but here's hoping. I know they have a partnership with the NYT.
Todd Dwyer via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Mac - Please educate us as to why it's true that the President is a fascist. I mean, besides the fact that you said so. Thanks.
*crickets chirping*
Susie Martinez-Dominguez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Figures
Mike Openshaw via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Well, had I actually heard of this guy, I guess he might of had some problem with the leader of the North Texas Tea Party's Chinese Wife and Ugandan daughters (me).
In FOUR YEARS, you've come up with ONE GUY in ONE local Tea Party. Wow, I guess it's really a serious problem!
Samdavis
Not all fascists are TEA Partiers but apparently all TEA Partiers are fascists.
Michael B Openshaw
Right Samdavis. As leader of the North Texas Tea Party, you can ask my Chinese wife and Ugandan daughters about what a fascist I am. Or maybe talk to Katrina Pierson of the Garland Tea Party.
Don Hoisager via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Lets not forget where Obama came from previous to his current role - he was a congressman as well. If congress is the problem he was certainly part of it. Check his voting record I think you'll understand.
hans5162@ix.netcom.com hans
No surprise that a tea bagger would be affiliated with a fascist party. No surprise either than Dan Patrick would regularly put him on his radio show. You're judged by the company you keep. I always suspected Senator Patrick kept a couple of brown shirts in his closet. Now his legislative agenda makes sense.
Derick Smith via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Racists, Facists, Bigots and similar minded people are all still are attracted to the Tea Party. The rabid denial and the silly ignorant knee jerk reaction to mention Obama exposes the narrow minded defensiveness of the average Tea Party Bigot. Todd I still hear crickets chirping.
train
There was once a small newspaper in Calif that blew the lid off the John Birch Group. Or maybe they called themselves a "Society." Sounds so much more gentile. Not much going on these days with investigative reporting. If a small paper could pull it off so many decades ago, where is the Texas Tribune now? It's not about innuendo. Or gossip. It's about documentation. Get to work.
Toni Mikel via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I realize and am aware of President's voting record Don! That's why I voted for him. He did not vote for war in Iraq, voted conscientious and for the People. I want a President that will represent We The People not Corporate America only. He serves us all. Not just 47%! And he's fought hard for Military Veterans. Michelle also. Yep. I'm pretty proud of our successes of ending senseless wars, saving of our economy , saving of Automakers, giving us National Healthcare totally by 2014. Cut Trillions of waste from budget. Stocks are recird high. Lowest unemployment since 2008 God crash. Returned us to respected leaders in World's View. frankly opinions of Terrorist or Iran or NKorea i could care less. of i forgot killed Osama! Yep I'm proud.
Toni Mikel via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Forgive me God. GOP economic crash; they take credits for greed train wreck
Gritsforbreakfast
Back in 1991 there had been a couple of abortion doctors shot and I was hired by Planned Parenthood of Austin to investigate extremist groups for about a year. In that role I attended several Fascist and Aryan meetings and events but never published anything on it - they wanted intel, not to give the nutjobs publicity. (And truly, they were a rather pathetic, unimpressive bunch, in all - the actually dangerous folks came from the fringes of the Operation Rescue movement, which to its credit did its best to marginalize them.) So having performed such "undercover" work, which wasn't really undercover since I used my own name, I'm less troubled by the fact that nothing was published. I could see somebody making hay from my attending those meetings or finding my name on a sign-in sheet and drawing erroneous implications from the fact that I never publicly wrote about it. But volunteering for a propaganda director role seems quite a different kettle of fish.
Marko Ramius
Go to the American Fascist Party web site, it sounds much closer to the Democratic Party than anything else.
http://www.americanfascistmovement.com/platform.html
Dale Curry
Tea Party leader is a fascist? Are we supposed to be surprised? Hardlt, the tea party is the largest collection of fascist and bigots since the Dixiecrats (a/k/a Southern Republicans)
Mike Openshaw via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Derick, and that's why the Tea Parties were key in the election of people like Ted Cruz, Scott Turner and James White in Anglo districts; while the Democrat party was busy using the Voting Rights Act to defend two ANGLO incumbents in a redistricting fight
Jim Vogas
I can see how someone who liked the Fascist Party would also like the Tea Party or other extreme right-wing organizations. Just look at the 14 defining characteristics of Fascism:
1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. (3-cornered hats and coiled-snake flags, anyone?)
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Approval of torture, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.
4. Supremacy of the Military
5. Rampant Sexism - Male-dominated government. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.
6. Controlled Mass Media
7. Obsession with National Security
8. Religion and Government are Intertwined - Use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion.
9. Corporate Power is Protected
10. Labor Power is Suppressed
11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment - Police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism.
13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
14. Fraudulent Elections - Elections are manipulated by smear campaigns, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media.
http://rense.com/general37/char.htm
Christopher Malone via Texas Tribune on Facebook
http://greaterfortbendteaparty.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1423:jamess-response&catid=38:general&Itemid=62
Christopher Malone via Texas Tribune on Facebook
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ed Farris / (713) 334- 4888 ed@farrisandassociates.net
Official Statement from James Ives, Greater Fort Bend County Tea Party President
RICHMOND, TX – March 19, 2013 – This is my official response to the recent article entitled “Houston-Area Tea Party Leader Had Ties to Fascist Party” written by Emily Ramshaw which appeared in the Texas Tribune on Monday, March 18, 2013.
“I was not made aware of this story or contacted by the author for my comments until the day before the story was published, and was not made aware of the story being published until 20 minutes prior to its placement on the Tribune’s website. It is clear that the author did not do her due diligence in researching the background of my involvement in the now-defunct left-wing group, and decided to proceed with publishing the article despite its lack of credible sources and background research. The author and publication even used an old personal photograph, which was pulled from a basic search site, and altered it to fit the narrative (and likewise, made mention of an obviously photoshopped personal photo in the 2006 video, used and made without my consent or knowledge).
“Before jumping to conclusions about my involvement in the now defunct left-wing fascist group, I ask that you go back and read all of my speeches, posts, radio podcasts and writings over the past five years. All are public record and available any time. You will clearly see that the theme of my works, which are public, is my fervent love of my country, God, my family, liberty and The Constitution.
“Yes, it is true that I did write six posts on the now defunct AFP Yahoo group in 2003. I never attended any meetings, never attended a single event and never physically met anyone associated with the group. Due to my intrigue of the growth of government and its infringement on our liberties in 2002 and 2003, I had the idea to write a book and to do adequate research, I wanted to learn the left-wing’s opposing viewpoint and understand why they felt the way they did.
“This research of contrary beliefs is standard operating procedure and is no different than what Andrew Breitbart did and others regularly do every day, including members of our own Tea Party. Our goal of attending such events, meetings, town halls, and social sites of those with opposing viewpoints is nothing more than to understand our adversaries, see how they communicate and how they reach those of like mind.
“I would also like to note that information in this recent article was sent to several other news sites, none of which felt the information was credible and chose not to publish or run with the story. In addition, for unknown reasons, several area political figures were contacted days before I was contacted, despite my being the principal of the story.
“Over the last five years, my life has been blessed to be joined by the very best people that I have ever met. These Patriots give their time and their money, their hopes and their vision of a better, freer America. Their deep love of country and of our shared heritage, along with their determination not to waver in its defense, gives one hope in the ultimate restoration of liberty. I am proud to count myself among them and stand with fellow citizens nationwide.
Many of you know me, have worked with me, and we have much yet to do. As for myself, I have nothing to hide in any of this matter. I hope that you, too, will stand with me.”
About the Greater Fort Bend County Tea Party (GFBCTP)
The Greater Fort Bend County Tea Party was started in 2009 out of the citizens’ frustration with our growing national debt and increased infringements on our liberties as afforded to us in The Constitution. The current Board, which is elected every year and stands together, consists of: James Ives, President; Melissa Ives, Secretary; Ed Farris, Treasurer; Carla Abramczyk, Matthew Fritzer, Chris Malone; Ed Svoboda, Allen Murrell and Adee Jacobson.
For more information about GFBCTP, visit the organization’s website at www.greaterfortbendcountyteaparty.com, follow us on Facebook at “Fort Bend Tea” or on Twitter @FortBendTea.
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Dan Kuhr
Will the Greater Fort Bend County Tea Party have a 'brown shirt' branch? After a hard day's work, the members can entertain themselves in carnal delights with each other, at a discreet rented resort.
R Gary Stephens
Watch Dewhurst, Cruz, Perry, Patrick and all the rest run for cover. Didn't we suspect this?
Michael Hull
Left-wing fascists, huh? That's convenient. But why are the right-wing politicians apparently running from you if these guys were left-wing fascists (as opposed to right-wing fascists we all know--Nazis and the like)?
Rudy Gonzales
This certainly validates my contention that bigoted misfits have bastardized the once proud party of Lincoln and Reagan. Sadly this has been brought about by the radicalization of the TEA-Republican party which is now made up of Birchers(B1), Birthers(B2), Evangelicals(E), Libertarians(L) and TEA-types, which all hide behind each other to deflect concentrated criticism. Now we can add the American Fascists party as one of the fringe elements morphing into the now defunct TEA-Republican party. The real problem are the self-grandizing leaders like Paul Ryan and Eric Cantor who pursue their strict radicalization terms without conversing or compromising. These misfits fringe elements have morphed into anti-Obama hypocrites on issues outside of each other while using "scorched earth' tactics under the once respected Republican(R) mantra. This James Ives minimizes those he associated with and appears to minimize his actions to limit publicity, but that worked like Romney-Ryan distancing themselves from the likes of Todd Akin, Roger Rivard, Rick Berg, Richard Mourdock, John Koster and even Paul Ryan who wanted to define or re-define rape and demean women. Now comes the question of Dan Patrick who now says James Ives is no longer welcomed on his show for audience, but has taken the same stances as James Ives. Dan Patrick, a one-time toxic talk show host on radio and TV, benefited from James Ives's actions in getting voters to vote TEA-Republican in Texas. It is extremely funny how these radical fringe elements seem to lie about their past to stay in the once proud party of Lincoln and Reagan. And look at the who's-who of the names listed, Michael Quinn Sullivan, Jonathan Saenz, David Dewhurst, Ted Cruz and state Rep. Rick Miller of Sugarland, Texas. They all are distancing themselves from James Ives because of these revelations. Debra Medina, a well-known and visible TEA party activist, has been dragged into this story by commenting it’s “so hard to know who you’re working with sometimes.”
Steven Schafersman
Thank you for exposing one of the true Fascists in the U.S. -- one in the Tea Party movement. A common Fascist characteristic is to try to deceive others and James Ives is really okay with that. He keeps calling the American Fascist Party a "left-wing" group; everyone knows that Fascists are extreme right-wing, just like the Tea Party Republicans. He's trying to distort the truth; maybe that's why the AFP made him their Director of Propaganda. But he asked them to remove him from that position after he was exposed on March 18. Leaving office was probably a good idea. Keep having those ideas, James.
andré delepierre
From France,
Back to my high school days, we listened to Woody Guthrie presented to us by our History teacher ; I still remember the photograph on the record. Woody was carrying a case to protect his guitar, the case shaped like a small coffin. Written on the case " This machine kills fascists".
Texas needs plenty guitar bands... What we read about Texas and the US is just appalling. And many thanks to the journalists, great job, America at its best