You might be a radicalized rightwing extremist if…

By Michelle Malkin  •  April 15, 2009 10:47 AM

…if you are heading out to a Tea Party today!

Here’s my syndicated column on the DHS hit job. A few may be inclined to give DHS the benefit of the doubt. Andrew McCarthy reminds you of the many reasons why you should not.

***


(Photoshop: Tennyson Hayes)

You might be a “radicalized rightwing extremist” if…
by Michelle Malkin
Creators Syndicate
Copyright 200

What and who exactly are President Obama’s homeland security officials afraid of these days? If you are a member of an active conservative group that opposes abortion, favors strict immigration enforcement, lobbies to protect Second Amendment rights, protests big government, advocates federalism, or represents veterans who believe in any of the above, the answer is: You.

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano has turned her attention away from acts of Islamic jihad on American soil (which she now refers to as “man-caused disasters”). Instead, her department is sounding the alarm over an un-quantified “resurgence” in “rightwing extremism activity.” On April 7, DHS sent a nine-page warning memo to law enforcement offices across the country titled “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment.”

The report includes a sweeping definition of the threat:

“Rightwing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.”

You cannot ignore the context or the timing of this DHS report. It’s no small coincidence that Napolitano’s agency disseminated the assessment just a week before the nationwide April 15 Tax Day Tea Party protests. The grass-roots events organized by fiscal conservatives, independents, Libertarians, and yes, even some blue Dog Democrats were fueled by the “current economic and political climate” of bipartisan profligate spending and endless taxpayer-funded bailouts. The growing success of the loose-knit movement has invited scorn, ridicule, and fear-mongering from Obama’s supporters. Liberal bloggers have likened the Tea Party movement to neo-Nazis, militias, and even Weather Underground terrorists.

These attempts to demonize the Tea Party movement come on the heels of widespread conservative-bashing over the recent shooting sprees in Pittsburgh and Binghamton, New York. Taking Hillary Clinton’s advice to “never waste a good crisis,” left-wing pundits and analysts have blamed the tragedies on everyone from Rush Limbaugh to Fox News to the NRA.

The DHS spokespeople I talked to on Monday insisted that the report was not a politicized document and that DHS had done similar assessments on “leftwing extremism” in the past. But past domestic terrorism reports have always been very specific in identifying security threats – such as the Animal Liberation Front and the Earth Liberation Front – and very specific in identifying their methods and targets, including repeated physical harassment, arson, and vandalism against pharmaceutical companies, farms, labs, and university researchers.

By contrast, the Obama DHS report is an overarching indictment of conservatives. “Rightwing extremist chatter on the Internet continues to focus on the economy, the perceived loss of U.S. jobs in the manufacturing and construction sectors, and home foreclosures,” the assessment warns. When I asked DHS spokeswoman Sara Kuban to explain who was responsible for this “extremist chatter,” she could not and would not name names.

Moreover, the report relies on the work of the left-leaning Southern Poverty Law Center to stir anxiety over “disgruntled military veterans” – a citation which gives us valuable insight into how DHS will define “hate-oriented” groups. The SPLC, you see, has designated the venerable American Legion a “hate group” for its stance on immigration enforcement. The report offers zero data, but states with an almost resentful attitude toward protected free speech: “Debates over appropriate immigration levels and enforcement policy generally fall within the realm of protected political speech under the First Amendment, but in some cases, anti-immigration or strident pro-enforcement fervor has been directed against specific groups and has the potential to turn violent.”

“Potential to turn violent?” So did the hysterical fervor whipped up by Capitol Hill over the AIG bonuses, which prompted ugly death threats from across the country. No mention here, though. Not “rightwing” enough. Nor will you see Obama DHS warnings to police and sheriff’s departments about self-proclaimed bank terrorists such as Bruce Marks of the aggressive Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America or the mob activists of ACORN who have committed burglary, stormed corporate executives’ homes, and vowed to conduct “civil disobedience” by “any means necessary” in response to the “current economic and political climate.”

If you can redefine dissenting opinion as “hate,” you can brand your political opponents as “extremists” – and you can marginalize electoral threats. “Antigovernment?” “Pro-enforcement?” “Disgruntled?” Feeling taxed enough already and “recruiting” and “radicalizing” your friends and neighbors through “chatter on the Internet?”

We are all rightwing extremists now. Welcome to the club.

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Posted in: Homeland Security

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Comments


  1. #101
    On April 15th, 2009 at 2:01 pm, cpodug said:

    eq, b-cat – you mised lgm’s point. He believes it takes a long time to write reports because it takes HIM a long time to write reports, especially if he has to be coherent.

  2. #102
    On April 15th, 2009 at 2:02 pm, DesertLover said:

    eq01 …

    I agree … the whole “report” reads like nothing more than a cut and paste of BO’s campaign rhetoric …

    Doesn’t take long to put that together when you aren’t citing any actual data and are simply generalizing …

  3. #103
    On April 15th, 2009 at 2:03 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Finally, it takes a long time to write reports like this. Most of the work was done by Bushies.

    Yeah, Rove hates the American Legion.

  4. #104
    On April 15th, 2009 at 2:06 pm, Salt said:

    On April 15th, 2009 at 1:55 pm, lgm said:

    That’s the opposite of what I’m doing. Unless you think about how the King reacted to the play in Hamlet.

    Claudius killed his brother and later arranged for Laertes to fight Prince Hamlet with a poisoned rapier.

    Yes, we can all clearly see how this is the exact opposite of portraying MM as a criminal. I suppose next you’ll tell us you weren’t really comparing MM to King Claudius?

    DesertLover said (#73):

    Attempting to compare ALL VETERANS with McVeigh…

    lgm said:

    Nobody did that. Relax.

    Perhaps you can explain your reference to McVeigh since you wished to tie his archetype directly to the DHS report.

    Finally, it takes a long time to write reports like this. Most of the work was done by Bushies.

    Ultimately, everything is Bush’s fault for you, isn’t it?

    This report was released under the current administration. They own it. Unless you believe that Napolitano and Obama were powerless to stop it?

  5. #105
    On April 15th, 2009 at 2:06 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    Klaatu

    The universe grows smaller every day, and the threat of aggression by any group, anywhere, can no longer be tolerated. There must be security for all — or no one is secure… This does not mean giving up any freedom except the freedom to act irresponsibly.I am fearful when I see people substituting fear for reason.
    I am leaving soon, and you will forgive me if I speak bluntly. The universe grows smaller every day, and the threat of aggression by any group, anywhere, can no longer be tolerated. There must be security for all — or no one is secure… This does not mean giving up any freedom except the freedom to act irresponsibly.
    Your ancestors knew this when they made laws to govern themselves — and hired policemen to enforce them.
    We of the other planets have long accepted this principle. We have an organization for the mutual protection of all planets — and for the complete elimination of aggression. A sort of United Nations on the Planetary level… The test of any such higher authority, of course, is the police force that supports it. For our policemen, we created a race of robots — Their function is to patrol the planets — in space ships like this one — and preserve the peace. In matters of aggression we have given them absolute power over us. This power can not be revoked. At the first sign of violence they act automatically against the aggressor. And the penalty for provoking their action is too terrible to risk.
    The result is that we live in peace, without arms or armies, secure in the knowledge that we are free from aggression and war — free to pursue more profitable enterprises. Now, we do not pretend to have achieved perfection, but we do have a system, and it works. I came here to give you these facts. It is no concern of ours how you run your own planet, but if you threaten to extend your violence, this Earth of yours will be reduced to a burned-out cinder. Your choice is simple: join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration. We shall be waiting for your answer. The decision rests with you.

    Mr. Harley: Your impatience is quite understandable.
    Klaatu: I’m impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it.
    Mr. Harley: I’m afraid my people haven’t. I’m very sorry… I wish it were otherwise.

  6. #106
    On April 15th, 2009 at 2:07 pm, xler8bmw said:

    Finally, it takes a long time to write reports like this. Most of the work was done by Bushies.

    lgm: as usual out of context. Yes, the Bush administration did create SOME of this regarding islamic terrorism but, it didn’t point out right wing extremism the way this document has been rewritten by the current DHS officials.

    Please get your facts correct before spouting and spewing your uneducated non-facts.

    This is a complete revisionist and rewritten document with the typical excuse blame it on Bush because this administration is creating smoke and mirrors to hide it’s ultimate plan to socialize america and keep people fearful and always spying on their neighbors!

  7. #107
    On April 15th, 2009 at 2:08 pm, max said:

    LGM, certainly that is one of your most idiotic and offensive posts…

    you should apologize to your hostess.

    weasel

  8. #108
    On April 15th, 2009 at 2:10 pm, Flyoverman said:

    lgm,

    The historical equivalent of this DHS report was when Napoleon Bonaparte (true story)asked his General Staff to prepare a deployment plan for the French Army to defend France.

    Rather than do their homework, the staff drew up a plan that deployed the French Army uniformly along France’s borders. When the report was presented, Napoleon reviewed it and remarked, “What are we trying to stop here; smugglers?”

  9. #109
    On April 15th, 2009 at 2:13 pm, Flyoverman said:

    lgm,

    One other point. It does not atter who wrote the report. It DOES matter who SIGNED the report. Signing it is your approval of the content and YOU become the owner. It’s the DHS Secretary’s monkey!

  10. #110
    On April 15th, 2009 at 2:24 pm, vinny said:

    I can’t figure out if the handle lgm or chapoteer, is being used by Charles Johnson. The talking points are the same.

  11. #111
    On April 15th, 2009 at 2:41 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    Ah, Charles Johnson. A September 10th liberal mugged by reality, who typed words against jihad for a few years, but who has returned to the cozy world of 9-10, where the scariest enemies are Christians who believe in Intelligent Design.

    I’d bet money he votes Obama in 2012, especially since the apparent GOP front-runners, Jindal and Palin, both believe in God.

    BUt, you gotta give him credit, he has mad computer skilz, and when he decides to run down a hugely successful internet forum into the ground, he does it first class all the way.

  12. #112
    On April 15th, 2009 at 2:49 pm, Right_Wired said:

    We need to find out what the DHS’s bank of IP addresses are and check every conservative blog’s history to see who they are monitoring.

  13. #113
    On April 15th, 2009 at 2:54 pm, stillontheroad said:

    LGM does not let the facts get in the way of a good fantacy. But then, he is a swinging member of the Liberal tribe.

  14. #114
    On April 15th, 2009 at 2:55 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    Rush Limbaugh and Mrs. Malkin are too well known for any rough stuff, but they’d better not take a single risky deduction, and had better hire an accountant to double check their taxes, because I can see Obama using the IRS against his critics.

    In years past, the press would howl, even if a Democrat POTUS was doing it to Rethuglicans, but now they’d keep it hushed.

    Until the Wesley Snipes/Helio Castro-Neves style tax trials started, no doubt in a venue favorable to Obama, like DC or San Francisco.

  15. #115
    On April 15th, 2009 at 2:59 pm, DBNinKY said:

    Most of the work was done by Bushies.

    Further proof that you’re a plant, sent here to incite.

    In what universe would this even be plausible, that members of an administration in charge would write (however amateurishly and haphazardly) a report that indicts members of its own party?

  16. #116
    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:15 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On April 15th, 2009 at 1:22 pm, Ilovemycountry said:

    And a great name to fit YOUR profile…DUMBASS. You’re right, this IS fun!

  17. #117
    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:27 pm, rightisright said:

    DHS actions of watching and placing radical American citizens such as conservatives, libertarians, red dog dems and any taxer payer concerned about the future of their country is a step towards 2nd violent American Revolution.
    When the giverment starts suppressing it’s own legal, law abiding citizens with different opinions they are forcing those said citizens to protect themselves, their families and most of all their liberty to live as the Constitution of United States says, they will revolt.
    Do remember the signers of the Declaration of Independence were committing treason by signing said document. Will we give our country up without a fight? Be beholding to socialist, anti-citizen groups in government, to have complete control over ours lives?
    These questions are easy for me to answer, as I’m off to a Tea Party this afternoon here in the Peoples Republic of Eugene/Springfield, Or. and they’ll get my guns “out of my cold dead hands.”
    I’m sure Obomamatrons are reading and watching these radical websites like MM, does that make me a person to be listed as….?

  18. #118
    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:29 pm, Speakup said:

    those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely.

    Hmmm, someones leaving out Constitutional authority or maybe that’s just too restrictive for this administration.

    Who’s extremist?

  19. #119
    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:29 pm, stillontheroad said:

    I just cannot shake the label I like to use to denote all Liberals – They are The Wad. When I see the drivel ILovemycountry and LGM spew – it just fits.

  20. #120
    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:30 pm, Salt said:

    On April 15th, 2009 at 2:06 pm, Salt said:

    Perhaps you can explain your reference to McVeigh since you wished to tie his archetype directly to the DHS report.

    In re-reading, I see that the DHS report itself makes this ridiculous point. The American Legion chief appears to have summed this up:

    In a letter to Napolitano, [American Legion Chief David] Rehbein underlined the document’s mention of Oklahoma City bombing author Timothy McVeigh’s US Army background and called it “as unfair as using Osama bin Laden as the sole example of Islam.”

    source

    However, it appears that Napolitano is standing by this poorly written report no matter what.

    “Let me be very clear: we monitor the risks of violent extremism taking root here in the United States. We don´t have the luxury of focusing our efforts on one group; we must protect the country from terrorism whether foreign or homegrown, and regardless of the ideology that motivates its violence,” Ms. Napolitano said.

    source

    Yet, they seem to be focusing on “homegrown” and “right wing” groups without feeling the need to even name any? How is this useful to local law enforcement? If law enforcement acted on such vague notions, would anyone be shocked when the Obama administration through them under the bus for “misinterpreting” the report?

    Liberals cried foul over wiretaps of foreign telephone calls with specifically stated organizations approved by a FISA court, but yet they’re okay with this broad brush against conservatives simply because their point of view is not being questioned?

  21. #121
    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:30 pm, SHoward said:

    On April 15th, 2009 at 1:22 pm, Ilovemycountry said:

    High School Dropouts, Welfare Recipients, Drug Addicts, Losers, Bigots, Idiots….. man this is fun, so many names fit your profile.

    Sorry ILMC. Those club names belong to Democrats.

  22. #122
    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:30 pm, yohannbiimu said:

    Of course there ARE NO “left-wing extremists” out there to worry about. Of course, there is no such thing as a “left-wing extremist” in the left-wing extremists’ world.

    There are two sorts of people in their universe: “patriots” (who slavishly bow, nod, give praise to, obey, and believe in everything that has anything to do with Barack Obama); and, there are “radicalized right-wing extremists” (who are horrified with the growing deification of a street agitator who has been built up by the media, and his agenda to tear down every institution that has made the United States into the great country that most of us were born into).

    Yup, I’ll identify with our Fascist government’s definition of a “radicalized right-wing extremist.” I used to simply consider myself as a proud citizen of the United States, but if their’s is the new definition of what a proud citizen of the United States is, then so be it. Everyone knows that the left wants to kill the meaning of words and to denigrate language in order to stupefy the population, so this is so unsurprising.

  23. #123
    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:31 pm, Salt said:

    threw* them under the bus. /self-correction

    Trouble with homonyms today, I guess.

  24. #124
    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:33 pm, cpodug said:

    Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. – First amendment to the US Constitution

    This is not negotiable. SCOTUS has agreed in past rulings that this right applies to all, not just the Lefties. Of course, our assemblies are invariably more peaceful than the libtards.

  25. #125
    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:37 pm, jim m said:

    xler8bmw—”This is a complete revisionist and rewritten document with the typical excuse blame it on Bush because this administration is creating smoke and mirrors to hide it’s ultimate plan to socialize america and keep people fearful and always spying on their neighbors!”

    Considering no one here has seen the report as it existed in January, how do you know what it did and didn’t say when Bush was in office?

  26. #126
    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:43 pm, stillontheroad said:

    The fact of the matter is — Janet Nep. signed off on it – period, end of story. End Game. This clown act of a Gov owns it. No excuses, no backtracking, no blaming the previous admin. will get them out of this.

  27. #127
    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:43 pm, CW4_KGP said:

    Spartacus was a right wing radical.

    I am Spartacus!!!

  28. #128
    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:43 pm, maisy said:

    I’ve heard that many servicemen are already unhappy with Obama…..Do you think perhaps this is meant to cause dissent and trouble ? Just saying….Seems like a stupid thing to do when you attack the very defense of the country………I also heard that many weapons were taken OUT of National Guard headquarters which I thought was really strange….

  29. #129
    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:47 pm, Speakup said:

    the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

    Daaaa, this Pres. has already said we need a new bill of rights, whats a couple of amendments along the way?

    Who’s extremist?

  30. #130
    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:48 pm, John Deaux said:

    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:27 pm, rightisright said:
    DHS actions of watching and placing radical American citizens such as conservatives, libertarians, red dog dems and any taxer payer concerned about the future of their country is a step towards 2nd violent American Revolution.

    Really, just think of the logistics of keeping track of millions of Americans. This is a government run by Democrats. They’re not that efficient.

    This was just a bad attempt to intimidate people into not showing up at the tea parties.

    Has the ACLU issued a statement on this yet?

  31. #131
    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:51 pm, moonshot said:

    so is anyone going to update this story? Fox news is reporting that the entire report was done by the Bush administration and there is also a wingnut lefties version as well…only it wasn’t leaked.

  32. #132
    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:57 pm, Salt said:

    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:51 pm, moonshot said:

    so is anyone going to update this story? Fox news is reporting that the entire report was done by the Bush administration and there is also a wingnut lefties version as well…only it wasn’t leaked.

    I would be interested in an update (if true), but these points do not excuse the report. A similarly vague “wingnut lefties” version would be just as ridiculous. Do you have a link?

    Also, without knowing what this report looked like before Jan 20 as Jim M noted, the focus remains on the DHS secretary who continues to fully endorse it. No amount of “blaming Bush” here will make it any less owned by President Obama and Secretary Napolitano.

  33. #133
    On April 15th, 2009 at 4:09 pm, moonshot said:

    Catherine Herridge has been reporting on it all day. Shep Smith said it was intentionally meant to stir up partisan silliness etc. No way!

  34. #134
    On April 15th, 2009 at 4:25 pm, spackle said:

    What is so dumb about leftists is that they are creating a self fulfilling prophecy. One only need to look across the pond to the UK to see what over a decade of hard nosed Socialism can do. Labour and the Tories are going to lose a LOT of votes to the BNP. And it serves them right.

    People are not stupid and know what they see with their own eyes. Recently Tom Tancredo was speaking at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill when leftist Nazi Brownshirts disrupted things so badly (including smashing open the window to the room) he had to be escorted out of the building. People say we are in the midst of a “Culture War”. I say we are in the midst of a “Soft Civil War” and this is just one of the first salvo’s fired over the bow of rational thinking Americans by the Obama administration and his fellow travelers. They are indeed playing a dangerous game. I am not saying that ordinary Conservatives will turn into the Nazi’s and racists that they so eagerly seek. But they will radicalize the people with whom they have backed into a corner. What choice will they have?

  35. #135
    On April 15th, 2009 at 4:38 pm, xler8bmw said:

    On April 15th, 2009 at 3:37 pm, jim m said:
    xler8bmw—”This is a complete revisionist and rewritten document with the typical excuse blame it on Bush because this administration is creating smoke and mirrors to hide it’s ultimate plan to socialize america and keep people fearful and always spying on their neighbors!”

    Considering no one here has seen the report as it existed in January, how do you know what it did and didn’t say when Bush was in office?

    It’s a little thing called news maybe you have heard of it. Just use google and it will give you the information that you’re looking for.

    The document was rewritten

  36. #136
    On April 15th, 2009 at 5:07 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    I am not joking, if the BNP dropped their “whites only” policy which probably rightfully gets them tagged as racists, maybe substituted an admissions policy of UK born citizen swearing allegiance to the Queen, they could be a mainstream party. Most of their policies otherwise seem pretty reasonable.

  37. #137
    On April 15th, 2009 at 5:15 pm, jim m said:

    Funny, xler8bmw, I have googled “rewrite right wing DHS report” and come up with nothing. Do you have anything definitive?

    (Some of the report refers to things that happened since the election, so some of it was written since November.)

  38. #138
    On April 15th, 2009 at 5:23 pm, Wile E Coyote said:

    Well, if you haven’t done anything wrong, you shouldn’t be worried that someone is watching you.

  39. #139
    On April 15th, 2009 at 5:38 pm, lgm said:

    Salt said (#103):

    That’s the opposite of what I’m doing. Unless you think about how the King reacted to the play in Hamlet.

    Claudius killed his brother and later arranged for Laertes to fight Prince Hamlet with a poisoned rapier.

    Wingnuts and MM acolytes can get anything wrong. I wrote “the play in Hamlet”, not “the play Hamlet”. Keep flipping through the Cliff Notes, you’re sure to find it somewhere.

    Perhaps you can explain your reference to McVeigh since you wished …

    Wrong again.

  40. #140
    On April 15th, 2009 at 5:52 pm, Salt said:

    On April 15th, 2009 at 5:38 pm, lgm said:

    Wingnuts and MM acolytes can get anything wrong. I wrote “the play in Hamlet”, not “the play Hamlet”. Keep flipping through the Cliff Notes, you’re sure to find it somewhere.

    What makes me a wingnut? I thought you were opposed to ad hominem attacks? I am well aware of the play within Hamlet. I have read Hamlet in its entirety and just recently saw the Kenneth Branagh production on HBO. A full copy of all of Shakespeare’s works sits on my shelf. I have on a couple of occasions corrected others here who have misquoted Shakespeare with regards to lawyers. Why insult me personally when it still doesn’t prove your point?

    Hamlet’s point in the “Murder of Gonzago” was to trap Claudius in his guilt. My point in my original post was that your comparison is to demonstrate that MM and others here are guilty of rightwing extremism otherwise we would not be upset by this report (as Claudius was). Was this not your reference?

    Your vagueness does not mean that I got it wrong. Please elaborate. We would be interested to hear what you meant if I have missed your point.

    Perhaps you can explain your reference to McVeigh since you wished …

    Wrong again.

    You’ll note that I had already corrected this error (post 119). I can admit when I err, can you?

  41. #141
    On April 15th, 2009 at 6:15 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    lgm,

    I am so embarrassed for you. That is saying something. Truly.

  42. #142
    On April 15th, 2009 at 6:33 pm, Papa Louie said:

    DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano has turned her attention away from acts of Islamic jihad on American soil (which she now refers to as “man-caused disasters”). Instead, her department is sounding the alarm over an un-quantified “resurgence” in “rightwing extremism activity.”

    Napolitano defended this report on rightwing extremism in the United States by saying:

    “We must protect the country from terrorism whether foreign or homegrown, and regardless of the ideology that motivates its violence.”

    In other words, Rightwing Extremism = Terrorism.
    She may have referred to Islamic terrorism as “man-caused disasters”, but her new term for domestic terrorism is “rightwing extremism”. Don’t her own words make that clear?

  43. #143
    On April 15th, 2009 at 6:43 pm, Papa Louie said:

    …the agency highlighted how right-wing extremists over the past five years have used the immigration debate as a recruiting tool.

    I’m sure the agency also highlighted how left-wing extremists like Code Pink have used the Iraq war as a recruiting tool. And, how left-wing environmental terrorist groups like ELF have used Global Warming and its threat to Polar Bears as a recruiting tool. Yes, I’m sure we’ll find that somewhere in the report, too, if we just look hard enough.

  44. #144
    On April 15th, 2009 at 7:31 pm, Jim M. said:

    Janet Napolitano issued a statement today standing by the report:

    http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/16/napolitano-stands-rightwing-extremism/

    “The document on right-wing extremism sent last week by this department´s Office of Intelligence and Analysis is one in an ongoing series of assessments to provide situational awareness to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies on the phenomenon and trends of violent radicalization in the United States,” Ms. Napolitano said in a statement.

    “I was briefed on the general topic, which is one that struck a nerve as someone personally involved in the Timothy McVeigh prosecution,” Ms. Napolitano said.

    “Let me be very clear: we monitor the risks of violent extremism taking root here in the United States. We don´t have the luxury of focusing our efforts on one group; we must protect the country from terrorism whether foreign or homegrown, and regardless of the ideology that motivates its violence,” Ms. Napolitano said.

    While she states her Department does not have the luxury of focusing on one group (really?), the report does in fact focus attention on what she perceives to be the right, while never mentioning leftist groups. And, if DHS does not have the luxury of focusing on “one group” why is the report limited to extremism on the right?

    The most amazing part, however, is her hypocrisy-dripping disclaimer:

    “We are on the lookout for criminal and terrorist activity but we do not — nor will we ever — monitor ideology or political beliefs.

    In fact, that is what the report does. It identifies the “risks” by ideology and political beliefs. Moreover, the report goes so far as to request local law enforcement assistance in monitoring these groups. From page 8 of the report:

    (U//FOUO) DHS/I&A will be working with its state and local partners over the next several months to ascertain with greater regional specificity the rise in rightwing extremist activity in the United States, with a particular emphasis on the political, economic, and social factors that drive rightwing extremist radicalization.

    It is clear that the mission of DHS is now to chill and disuade people’s First Amendment Rights. If you harbor conservative values (regardless of the party you associate with), you are an extremist. If you are critical of the Obama Administration, you are a racist. If you believe in the Constitution, you are anti-government. If you are against harboring illegal aliens, you are both a racist and anti-government. If you are pro Second Amendment, you are dangerous. And if you are a Veteran, you are a danger to society. As a Veteran, I find the position of DHS a betrayal by my government.

    This is madness. I have warned before that anti gun groups should think twice about what they want – any restriction that can be placed on any right in the Bill of Rights can be read as “reasonable” for all others. Here we have perhaps the first step in that admonition coming true – planting the seeds for restrictions of people’s First Amendment Rights.

    I seem to recall a former German Corporal running the same playbook some 70 years ago.

  45. #145
    On April 15th, 2009 at 8:19 pm, ofbbg said:

    I’m beginning to hear the faintest whisper in the background. It’s saying, “Enemy of the State”! It’s getting louder…………

  46. #146
    On April 15th, 2009 at 9:26 pm, jangar said:

    Well, call me a hater, but that’s how I feel about the way this administration is constantly seeking ways to continue to decieve the public (just like it did in the primaries and general), take away constitutional rights, and grow government into something like a dragon.

  47. #147
    On April 15th, 2009 at 9:34 pm, maisy said:

    FIRE Janet Napolitano

  48. #148
    On April 15th, 2009 at 9:39 pm, lgm said:

    Salt said (#139):

    What makes me a wingnut?

    That’s not a serious question.

    I thought you were opposed to ad hominem attacks?

    Calling you a wingnut is not an ad hominem attack, it’s an insult. An ad hominem argument would be to say that you must be wrong because you’re a wingnut. I said you are wrong and a wingnut. Get the difference?

    Hamlet’s point in the “Murder of Gonzago” was to trap Claudius in his guilt. My point in my original post was that your comparison is to demonstrate that MM and others here are guilty of rightwing extremism otherwise we would not be upset by this report (as Claudius was).

    Second time’s a charm, Saltie!

  49. #149
    On April 15th, 2009 at 9:57 pm, Salt said:

    On April 15th, 2009 at 9:39 pm, lgm said:

    Salt said (#139):

    What makes me a wingnut?

    That’s not a serious question.

    Sure, it is. Evading it as rhetorical doesn’t lend yourself any more credibility.

    I am sincerely curious why you believe that I, personally, am a wingnut.

    Calling you a wingnut is not an ad hominem attack, it’s an insult.

    This is funny. An Ad Hominem attack is to attack the individual rather than the argument itself. You led your response with the insult and finished with one. You did not truly reply with any substance to my argument, only to quibble over the distinction of saying the play in Hamlet. I have since responded that I knew exactly what you meant the first time you said it which leaves only the insult.

    You admit it’s an insult and that you were attacking me personally. One can presume that you did so in order to discredit my argument. Unless you really do have some sort of grudge against me personally? Considering that we do not know each other, it seems more likely that you were countering my argument. Ergo, it is Ad Hominem.

    An ad hominem argument would be to say that you must be wrong because you’re a wingnut. I said you are wrong and a wingnut. Get the difference?

    I get the difference that you are no better than those that ridicule you personally here even though you are usually so fond of the Ad Naseum Tu Quoque.

    How was I wrong? You have not yet truly elaborated on this point. You misunderstood, perhaps, what I meant when I said the Claudius was a murderer. Were you, or were you not, comparing MM and other conservatives here to King Claudius?

    Hamlet’s point in the “Murder of Gonzago” was to trap Claudius in his guilt. My point in my original post was that your comparison is to demonstrate that MM and others here are guilty of rightwing extremism otherwise we would not be upset by this report (as Claudius was).

    Second time’s a charm, Saltie!

    No, my original comment is still valid. Your assumption that I did not know about Hamlet’s intention with the mousetrap play was invalid, yet you persist in believing that I was wrong and you were right.

    Your inference here seems to be that anyone that is not guilty of being a “rightwing extremist” should have no issues or questions over this report. That is, itself, a logical fallacy.

  50. #150
    On April 15th, 2009 at 10:03 pm, 4 Borders Pundit said:

    Malkin:

    Liberal bloggers have likened the Tea Party movement to neo-Nazis, militias, and even Weather Underground terrorists.

    What I’m going to post about is something else liberal bloggers have likened the movement to: teabagging. Even Kos, as close to an icon as liberals have on the Internet (though his MSM appearances have dropped off a lot lately, perhaps as MSM gatekeepers started paying more attention to the words of his legion of blackshirt followers), has used the term.

    I won’t define it here, and will only link to what it refers to on my site, but it is a reference to a sexual act. That is what it is, but in the case of liberals, they are sarcastically implying that tea parties equate to an unusual sexual act, and therefore one performed by perverts.

    In fact, the act is more commonly performed by gay men — which makes the slur a paradox for a certain liberal, free-for-all sector of American society, one commonly visible at dKos.

    Liberals must live in a strange world when it is acceptable to swallow a jibe at one’s own mores and practices in order to take a stab at mainstream America.

    Even CNN’s Anderson Cooper tossed one off (so to speak) about it being difficult to talk when one is teabagging.

    Har har.

  51. #151
    On April 16th, 2009 at 3:24 am, RabbidSquirrel said:

    Even CNN’s Anderson Cooper tossed one off (so to speak) about it being difficult to talk when one is teabagging.

    Andersons next thought during the segway: Why do I have the sudden urge for salty walnuts?

  52. #152
    On April 16th, 2009 at 10:59 am, DBNinKY said:

    “Even CNN’s Anderson Cooper tossed one off… .”

    The Teabag reference is offensive.

    What’s more, should the supposedly pro gay-lesbian rights MSM engage in on-air humor that can be seen as denigrating to homosexuals – humor that some may interpret as skirting homophobia?

  53. #153
    On April 16th, 2009 at 11:32 am, MtsEdge said:

    In fact, that is what the report does. It identifies the “risks” by ideology and political beliefs.

    Absolutely. She was interviewed on F&F this a.m. Her defense was what I would call a diversion…she predictably brought up Tim McVeigh (14 years ago, is that her most recent example…what about the stats that say that vets are LESS likely to commit suicide, for example, than the general pop?). Anyway, when questioned about whether the definition of right-wing extremist would include Catholics who are pro-life, she tried to downplay the question. Then she mentioned an example of “left-wing” extremists, such as “animal rights” groups, followed by a statement that DHS’ job is to “fight terror in our homeland.” I would have loved for F&F to follow up with a question such as, “Why then does the report focus on “right-wing” extremists? Why are the only examples of extremists cited in the report “those who feel strongly against abortion or immigration”? (Side note: “Immigration” is a legal act…aliens are those who enter this country illegally. There is NO SUCH THING AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.)

    Why doesn’t the report mention “extremists” in the environmental movement (responsible for damaging property, starting fires, and causing human injury and death?), or perhaps the Code Pinkos, or ELF?

  54. #154
    On April 16th, 2009 at 11:45 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    Tim McVeigh? She did not mention the Los Zetas gang shooting up the border towns-on BOTH side of the border, killing policemen, hunting AMERICAN citizens who oppose them. The Los Zetas are indeed veterans–of the Mexican Army-generally deserters. Their American made weapons tend to be M-16 stolen from the Mexican Army. Just doing the murders Americans won’t do?

    Put me down as a radicalized rightwing extremist Madam Secretary. Now do lunch with Secretary Hillary.

  55. #155
    On April 16th, 2009 at 12:03 pm, MtsEdge said:

    On April 16th, 2009 at 11:45 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    I noticed that she was quick to mention her experience w/the Murrah Bldg. bombing, but what about the 14 years since?

    The events you mentioned don’t fit the liberal template, so they don’t make the report…

  56. #156
    On April 16th, 2009 at 9:35 pm, MuscleDaddy said:

    While DHS is out looking for their blond-haired, blue-eyed terrorist, the enemy is already IN the gate.

    – MuscleDaddy

  57. #157
    On April 17th, 2009 at 12:29 pm, Dimsdale said:

    On April 15th, 2009 at 9:57 pm, Salt said:

    Nicely done, Salt!

    But don’t confuse lgm with facts. Those pesky things get in the way of his neosocialist outlook on life.

    Our resident navel gazer just likes to play Devil’s Advocate (I am operating under the presumption that he does know better than his “aguments” imply).

  58. #158
    On April 19th, 2009 at 3:36 pm, Carson said:

    There have been a lot of complaints about this report of, “right-wing extremist”. It is a very valid fact is it not?

    The government has been operating outside of the United States Constitution and the rule of law for some time.

    It is only a matter of time before people go french or mcveigh on them.

    We need to take the warning seriously. We should try and keep our eyes open for any threats to our public officials. They need our help.

    That is what all of the groups have been trying to do is to help them get back on track and back to operating under the rules set forth by the United States Constitution.

    Many of us could have kept our mouths shut and been safer personally. Then again a person can only go so far. Especially when our efforts are spurned. How far is one to go? Especially with the conflict of interest.

    We need to face it. We have lost control of our country, on our watch. I think that has been part of the problem. All many have done is just watched. Then again the same was true at the founding of this once great nation.

    Some talk about the North American Union. It has already been put in place. The only thing is it hasn’t been made official.

    Some talk about One World Order. I has already been put in place. The only thing is it hasn’t been announced officially.

    Didn’t you wonder whose orders were being followed when they pass the bailout bills without reading them?

    No matter what we want, as long as those in control can print up fiat currency they will always be able to thwart the efforts of honest people with real money if they want to. All they have to do is fire up their printing machines.

    P.S. Think about it. We have those in the government that are rewarding illegal activity with things like work permits after being caught.

    We have those in the government that are rewarding bad business decisions with trillions of dollars.

    We have those in the government reward those that aid and abet criminal activity.

    It will either be them that join us in obeying the law or us that join in, in their criminal activity.

    Are we all to join in, in the not seeing anything like the way illegal invaders parade up and down our streets, and our government does nothing, when we suspect there are those that lay in wait on the criminals in the government?

    What will be the rewards?

    There are no easy answers, it seems, in these trying times.

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