Tabernacle of Hate: Seduction into Right-Wing Extremism, Second Edition

In Appreciation

xxxiii In Appreciation To Ollie, whose mere presence illuminates a room and fills the soul with light. To Cheryl S., my spiritual twin sister, for always being there. To Gary and Billy, two friends who are closer than brothers. To Donna Jean, Cindy, Bill T., friends who have added immensely to my life. Jack N., Eric, Henry, Gary, David, Tim, and Rudy: you should never have gotten in trouble; it was not your fault. My sincere apologies to Larry and Donna, Greg and Nancy, Tom and Barbara, Dan, Alton, Barry, Hoyte and Charlotte, Rodney and Susie, Annie, Trent, Bruce and Phyllis, Richard and Connie, Kent, Jack and Sybil, the kind folks of Pontiac, Gainesville, and Mountain Home, and to anyone else I may have hurt in any way. Special thanks to Dennis Graves, a news reporter with integrity and compassion, and all the other media that acted truthfully and without bias; attorney John VanWinkle; U.S. Assistant Attorney Steve Snyder; Gene Irby of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division; Federal Agents Jack Knox, Danny Coulson, Bill Buford, Bill Hobbs, and all the other Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents who rescued me and helped restore my confidence and respect in the United States government. Thanks to Agent Mark Dukeshier for his support. And to Carol, who treated me like a human being while I was in prison. To Bill Buford of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Thomas Garrett of the Baxter Bulletin for permission to use some of their photographs. To Mike Farrell, of TV’s M.A.S.H., for his encouraging telephone call to me. To the Cult Awareness Network, the Anti-Defamation League, the Southern Poverty Law Center, other human rights organizations and various law-enforcement seminar officials: thank you for your encouragement. xxxiv | In Appreciation To “Plus Two” Toastmasters for accepting me and for being a sounding-board, allowing me to work out inner emotions, without rejecting or judging me. Your encouragement has been a blessing. Special thanks to friends Peter Pactor and Tana Grubb for pushing me concerning this book. To Bob Henry for listening and giving me insight into the production of this book. To Howard Goldenthal of the Canadian Broadcasting Company for believing in my story to recommend it; to Sean Fordyce, my original publisher; to Peggy Hubble and Jennifer Hill, my publicists, for taking a chance on me. To the late George Hawtin, the late A. E. Knoch, and the late Ernest L. Martin, for their insights into the historical, scientific, spiritual , and doctrinal background of scripture. To Kay, Brenda, Tommy, Red, Danny, Monica, Pam, Helen, Barry, Terry, Stanley, Steve, Bertha, Alton, Sam, Mike, Donna, Mike K., and Marcie—childhood friends who gave me such wonderful memories. To all my school teachers—especially Mrs. Sadler, Mr. Decker, Mr. McCoy, and Mr. Rock—who taught me a love and thirst for learning and to always ask questions. To Mike, David, Susan, Diane, Gary and Larry: employers and bosses who gave me a chance after coming home from prison. Finally, eternal thanks to my mom and dad, my grandmother (and grandfather, now deceased) and all my family, and to my wife’s entire family, for being supportive of me even when I broke your hearts. I love you all. Especially to my sister, Karen: my battles have been nothing compared to yours. Your strength and courage have always been an inspiration to me. Tabernacle of Hate ...