Retired brain surgeon and potential Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson is hitting back hard at the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) for placing him on its “extremist” watch list.

“When embracing traditional Christian values is equated to hatred, we are approaching the stage where wrong is called right and right is called wrong. It is important for us to once again advocate true tolerance,” Carson says. “That means being respectful of those with whom we disagree and allowing people to live according to their values without harassment. It is nothing but projectionist when some groups label those who disagree with them as haters.”

The SPLC watch list is, some might say, a fund raising tool with a political bent. Even so, it’s surprising to see Carson listed on it. In 2011, the SPLC put Sen. Rand Paul on the list for what it called “electoral extremism.” He was one of 23 listed as members of an “extremist Right.”

The Intelligence Report has compiled an accounting of 22 men and one woman with extreme right-wing views who sought public office during the 2010 election season — including five who succeeded. Those who won their races are marked “elected.”

Now, unlike the usual Klansman and Nazis, new and old, who are also – and deserve to be – on the list – Carson’s only thought crime appears to be his belief in traditional marriage. This is the primary statement from Carson that resulted in his being labeled an “anti-gay” extremist by the SPLC:

When embracing traditional Christian values is equated to hatred, we are approaching the stage where wrong is called right and right is called wrong. It is important for us to once again advocate true tolerance. That means being respectful of those with whom we disagree and allowing people to live according to their values without harassment. It is nothing but projectionist when some groups label those who disagree with them as haters.

The rationalization – which amounts to self-parody at this point – is here. His real crime, in the SPLC’s view, would appear to be opposing the politics of Barack Obama while Black: