Mark D. Roberts comments at length on this nasty piece of work by Doug Ireland. Here’s Ireland’s response to Roberts, whose blog is often promoted by Hugh Hewitt.

Ireland’s original article quotes at length Chip Berlet, whom I quoted, somewhat favorably, here. Clearly Berlet’s opposition to demonization is context-specific. When he’s speaking for consumption in the mainstream press, he comes across as one who wishes to pour oil on troubled waters. When he’s speaking to a more "select" audience, he’s somewhat less restrained. If calling people names is counterproductive, then clearly Ireland and his readers (check out the comments) haven’t gotten the memo.