JoAnn Fleming, executive director of the Tyler-based tea party powerhouse organization Grassroots America-We The People, sent a remarkable email to followers last week complaining about harsh political attacks being launched against her.

That itself might not be so surprising, given that Fleming is always outspoken and thus somewhat a target as head of the tea party group.

No, what made us — and Fleming — do a double-take is that the verbal bombs being thrown against her were coming from those inside her organization.

She reported being called a “Saul Alinsky acolyte.” She said she was told she was “going to hell” and accused of being “inaccurate and petty.”

Being referred to as an Alinsky follower probably hurt the worst, because that would be a full turncoat to the cause. It also is the most laughable.

But words hurt and Fleming was shocked (shocked!) that such behavior was taking place within her group.

And what do you suppose brought about such a miasma? All it took was for Fleming to lead her group to do the right thing.

We are referring to the decision by the organization’s board of directors to withdraw its endorsement of Mary Lou Bruner to be the Republican nominee to the State Board of Education from this area.

Bruner nearly won the nomination outright in the March party primaries, with Keven Ellis of Lufkin barely earning enough votes to make it to the second round.

That’s when real questions began to arise about some of Bruner’s bizarre beliefs, which included that the Democratic Party was responsible for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and others even more bizarre. We can’t help noting Bruner would have a fun time with Donald Trump, who seems to believe Ted Cruz’s father is to blame.

More than that, however, Grassroots America became concerned that some of what Bruner was saying was, uh, a bit less than truthful or accurate. Her public prevarications included the preposterous notion that more than 50 percent of children enrolled in Texas public schools are in a special education program. That and other inaccurate statements were made before a group of superintendents meeting in Kilgore who immediately called her out.

Rightly, Fleming’s organization said it took a second look after news reports about that meeting. It found Bruner wanting and the endorsement was withdrawn. That probably played a role in Ellis’ wide runoff victory, but most thoughtful East Texas Republicans had long before determined Bruner was the wrong candidate to represent them. For that, Fleming is suffering all sorts of calumny from members.

And this surprises her?

Over-the-top tactics have always been a part of her group’s playbook. There’s nothing new there. Of course, the words usually are directed at moderates or liberals (though there are few of the latter in East Texas).

Now, Fleming is learning firsthand that once the weaponry of personal destruction is used, it becomes the tool of choice.

Having said that, we would suppose most members of Grassroots America agreed with the decision to back away from Bruner, who threatened to be an embarrassment to our region and harm our state. The situation is a reminder that within any group staked across the political spectrum, some fringe believers will join in and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

Having seen its tactics of choice directed at its own leader, perhaps we will see a kinder, more gentler tea party from Tyler in the future — though it is not likely much will change.