Are You An Extremist - Part 2

As we mentioned yesterday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a report a while back detailing perspective "Extremists." What's surprising is that their description may include innocent citizens who just oppose the current direction that this administration is taking the country. If you do, you are considered a possible "Rightwing Extremist. (RWE)" The tone of the report sounds rather biased to begin with.  Go figure! This report came from Janet Napolatano.

So today's blog picks-up where we left off.  Here are four more excerpts from the report and a brief retort about each.

5 SOCIAL ISSUES
"Paralleling the current national climate, rightwing extremists during the 1990s exploited a variety of social issues and political themes to increase group visibility and recruit new members. Prominent among these themes were the militia movement’s opposition to gun control efforts, criticism of free trade agreements (particularly those with Mexico), and highlighting perceived government infringement on civil liberties as well as white supremacists’ longstanding exploitation of social issues such as abortion, inter-racial crimes, and same-sex marriage. During the 1990s, these issues contributed to the growth in the number of domestic rightwing terrorist and extremist groups and an increase in violent acts targeting government facilities, law enforcement officers, banks, and infrastructure sectors."

Retort: If you are against more government gun control - you're a "Rightwing Extremist." Go figure!  If you're against free trade agreements that take jobs out of the USA - you're a "RWE." If you are anti-abortion - you're a "RWE" If you support traditional marriage - you're a "RWE." In other words, if you disagree with any of Obama's policies, regulations, bailouts, takeovers, hand-outs - You're a "RWE." There is no other interpretation.

6 ECONOMIC COLLAPSE
"Historically, domestic rightwing extremists have feared, predicted, and anticipated a cataclysmic economic collapse in the United States. Prominent antigovernment conspiracy theorists have incorporated aspects of an impending economic collapse to intensify fear and paranoia among like-minded individuals and to attract recruits during times of economic uncertainty. Conspiracy theories involving declarations of martial law, impending civil strife or racial conflict, suspension of the U.S. Constitution, and the creation of citizen detention camps often incorporate aspects of a failed economy. Antigovernment conspiracy theories and “end times” prophecies could motivate extremist individuals and groups to stockpile food, ammunition, and weapons. These teachings also have been linked with the radicalization of domestic extremist individuals and groups in the past, such as violent Christian Identity organizations and extremist members of the militia movement."

Retort: So if you believe that a cataclysmic event (like Hurricane Katrina) could happen and you prepare for it - you're a "Rightwing Extremist." Actually all Preppers in general are also included as "extremists" because they are stockpiling food, first aid supplies, weapons, and ammunition among other things. If you have more than a few MREs (Meals Ready To Eat)  - you're on the list! If you believe that there is a possibility of civil strife - you're a "RWE." If you believe that a solar flare could destroy the grid system causing wide spread electrical failures - you're a "RWE." If you think that the Mayans actually predicted the End of Times - you're also a nutcase. Any of these beliefs place you all in one category and according to the DHS - you're the bad guy.

7 ILLEGAL ALIENS
"Rightwing extremists were concerned during the 1990s with the perception that illegal immigrants were taking away American jobs through their willingness to work at significantly lower wages. They also opposed free trade agreements, arguing that these arrangements resulted in Americans losing jobs to countries such as Mexico."

Retort: If you believe that people entering the country ILLEGALLY are breaking the law - you're a "RWE." If you think that ILLEGALS are taking jobs away from Americans - you're a "Rightwing Extremist." If you think America should close its borders - you're a "RWE."

Or

"Over the past five years, various rightwing extremists, including militias and white supremacists, have adopted the immigration issue as a call to action, rallying point, and recruiting tool. 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."

Retort: If you believe that it's unfair to give ILLEGALS who don't belong here free college tuition, free health care, free Social Security, free welfare, free food stamps - you're a "RWE."

8 CONSPIRACY THEORIES
"Fear of Communist regimes and related conspiracy theories characterizing the U.S. Government’s role as either complicit in a foreign invasion or acquiescing as part of a “One World Government” plan inspired extremist members of the militia movement to target government and military facilities in past years."

Retort: Deceased FBI Director J Edgar Hoover spent years fighting Communism here in the United States. He fleshed-out terrorists and revolutionaries for almost 50 years. There was and still IS the same threat. However, if you believe that Communists exist and are trying to subvert the American way of life, you are a "Rightwing Extremist."

Summary
If you care about America, you are an "extremist." Why you are Rightwing only Janet Napolatano can say. If you disagree with the current administration - you're also and "extremist." You are not allowed to disagree with the current government here in America any longer. Progressives are famous for labeling people who disagree with them. Hence we see: "Birthers," "Flat Earthers," "Homophobes," and "Rightwing Extremists" to name a few examples.

Using the DHS definitions, many of Americans are "extremists." Are you?