Janet Napolitano, 3rd Secretary of Homeland Security and refugee from the state of Arizona.Let's see, what did I do today? I waved at my son as he left this morning for school. I read a few chapters. I kissed my wife. I taught a class on the Roman Republic. I taught a class on the history of religions. I made a few art prints for one of my clients. And, oh yes, I became a right wing extremist and a potential terrorist.
How did I accomplish all that in one day? Thanks to our very own former governor and now Secretary of Homeland Security, all I had to do was be a political and social conservative. In a document sent to police agencies across the US, the Department of Homeland Security warns of possible terrorism because of right wing extremists:
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.The document goes on to include such subversives as returned US veterans or Christian Identity organizations.
Janet doesn't have to sneak around to find people who may fit her category of a right wing extremist. She can ask me any questions she wants. I'll tell her anything she wants to know:
Yes, I am a Christian and go to church to boot. Yes, I support the definition of marriage between one man and one woman. No, I do not support gay activists who try to change the definition of marriage or to inculcate gay propaganda on children. Yes I own a gun. Several of them. Yes, I also buy ammunition. Yes, I think that the 10th amendment should be upheld - you know - the one guaranteeing states rights over the federal government. Yes, I am pro-life. No, I don't think people who are in the US illegally should be extended benefits paid by tax dollars. No, I don't like the French. Yes, I support limited government. Yes, I store food in the house. Yes, I exercise my 1st amendment right peaceably to assemble and to petition for redress in such occasions as tea parties.
Here's an idea, Janet, that's really right wing, extremist, and scary:
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. (Declaration of Independence)Thomas Jefferson wrote that and he owned guns too. And do you know what? Back in his day, he was called a Left Wing Extremist.
Posts
9 comments:
I must go on record as saying that much of what Euripides claims, I claim as well. For the record:
I serve one God Who is eternally existent in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I serve only one God because there is only one God, and He is a jealous God at that. No matter what a human court may say, marriage is a sacred covenant between a man, a woman, and God. No sodomite union can legitimately lay claim to this title. That I am pro-life should be a conclusion that follows of logical necessity from the above statements, but since Scripture has once again been proven accurate in that false prophets have gone forth claiming to be Christian while promoting a culture of death, I will state it plainly. I am pro-life.
So what is the safeguard that I will not turn into a terrorist? As I said at the beginning,
I serve one God Who is eternally existent in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I serve only one God because there is only one God....
"Let's see, what did I do today?...."
Sometimes you get to the end of the day and say "I really accomplished something today." Good on ya, sounds like you had a good one. That family, work and teaching stuff sounds OK too. :)
Dear Janet,
Hi from AZ!
Wow. What would we do without Homeland Security alerting us to the potential threat of our nation's veterans morphing from Hero to Terrorist after a few slick suggestions from right-wing extremists?
All this time I misguidedly thought we were proud of their service, and grateful for their dedication, courage and extraordinary sacrifice.
Thanks, Janet! I'll feel really safe once all those edgy vets are rounded up and rehabilitated or deported to Mexico; whatever you think is best.
p.s. When are you going to address the larger threat of all those family members of U.S. vets? Now there's a problem cooking. You know how THEY are; flying flags and 'semper fi' bumperstickers - we'll probably need a bail-out to fund their removal, too. (The sooner the better).
Thankfully Yours,
So-Paranoid-I-Forgot-How-to-Use-My Brain-U.S.-Non-Christian-Nation-Citizen
Everybody needs to calm down... This isn't the first time that this has happened. In April of 91, the government warned of left-wing extremists being the current threat to America. Earlier this year the Department of Homeland Security issued a warning about left wing extremists possibly committing cyber attacks. And also, for the record, both memo's were initiated while George W. Bush was still in office. They are not targeting any political party. They are merely warning of the EXTREMISTS, for example people like James G. Cummings. Ill admit the wording was far from clear. From my interpretation, it wasn't necessarily targeting those who have conservative values. It warns of true extreme fringe groups trying to recruit possible future extremists. Just because somebody is a part of the "Conservative Underground" does not mean they are being watched. Roger Hedgecock can calm down.
This would be just another report, if it weren't for the section about US veterans and identification by mere opposition to such things as abortion or immigration. Yes, it talks about extremism and yes, it is a political tool against the nebulous hate crime.
The report on right wing groups, it turns out, was prepared by the Extremism and Radicalization Branch of DHS' Homeland Environment and Threat Analysis Division. That Division falls under the purview of the Under Secretary For Intelligence & Analysis -- or, in this case, the Acting Under Secretary For Intelligence & Analysis Roger Mackin, who was appointed on September 10, 2008 by noted left wing partisan George W. Bush.
That's right- it's not the Obama administration that requested or researched the report, it was the Bush administration.
PF:
Thanks for the information and clarification. You make a great point.
It may surprise you to know that I didn't like the Bush administration's abuse of power as well, so finding out that this report was started during the Bush administration isn't a big surprise or a big disappointment. Homeland Security is not one of the best concepts to come out of the Bush administration, even though after 9/11 the people of the US practically demanded such action.
What this means is that the executive branch has been given another power tool to be able to abuse. The fact that the Obama administration (and Janet who I disliked as governor) supports the power structure that Bush created doesn't make me like the Obama administration either. If Obama is unwilling to give up power, who can we trust to restore power back to the people?
You need to read this blog.
http://mombloggings.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the link GH. I've added her to my blogroll.
Post a Comment
I welcome the sharing of opinions, even those opposed to mine. However, I reserve the right to delete any commentary as I see fit. Do not assume that I agree with or endorse any comments just because I allow them to remain.