[Kevin]

Not trying to defend them, but when they weren't lynching people and burning crosses, they sort of used to act like a rotarian type organization -- at least back in the 20's.

Things like white supremacy, anti-Catholicism, etc. were fairly common in those days, so folks didn't think much of these things. I'm not saying it's right, but I think that this is a fairly accurate representation of the attitude of the era.

They virtually ran the state of Oklahoma in the 20's, along with other states. I'm told my great-great grandfather was a member.

If he's referring to the 1920's though, there were a lot of people who believed that their involvement in the Klan was a civic service like the Rotarians, the Junior League or something to that effect. They absolutely did have a dark and evil side though.