Rightwing Extremism: Current
Economic and Political Climate Fueling
Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment
In its key findings at the beginning of the report, DHS admits that threats from the right “during 2009 have been largely rhetorical and have not indicated plans to carry out violent acts.” But further on, the report warns that, “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.” You just can’t be too careful, you know. With economic times being what they are, and a new administration taxing and deficit spending us into economic oblivion, enough people might get really angry, and who knows what they might do. Why, they might even go out and join an organized protest!
Well I might as well go ahead and confess that I could well already be in DHS’ sights. Please don’t look down upon me as I confess my sins. Can I bring myself to say it? Today, April 15th, 2009, my wife and I attended a…. shhhhh….. tea party.
I understand these subversive events happened today in cities around the country. I happened to participate in the one that took place in Lafayette Park, just behind the White House. In case DHS is looking for evidence, here are some pictures.
Storming the Gates
Romantic Radicals
Adam Smith Subversive
7 comments:
“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.”
Sounds like their talking about the Klan and their crowd! I'm confused. There is no mention of the word conservative, (That's what you believe in, right?)rather the term "right wing extremeist".
So are you suggesting that you and your fellow (wait for it) "teabaggers" are right wing extremists, or do you think that people who don't think like you (I'll pass on the cheap joke)think that conservatives = right wing extremists?
I mean it's easy for some conservatives to think that way. Afterall they are very found of calling liberals "the radical left". You know in their political spectrum it goes something like this conservatives (the good), moderates (the will soon convert), left wingers (the bad and the ugly). As if once you pass moderate there are no more shades of opinion.
Anyway I hope you enjoyed your day. I would've joined you if you had started worrying about out of control spending, four years ago. I'm sure there where some ideas suggested for some new anti-Obama emails.
By the way who do you like to be the Republic nominee in 2020? You might have a shot aganist the 72 year old incumbent President Clinton.
Talking points?
"I would've joined you if you had started worrying about out of control spending, four years ago."
Tit for tat argument?
Why not learn to agree when the issue is correct?
Dear cousin, Giovanni. Surely you can do much better than that.
1. I have to conclude that you are either just rattling my chain or you did not bother to carefully read the shoddy “analysis” of the DHS report. But then again, just look at the portion you quoted.
“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.”
I would think that conservatives (and even liberals, for crying out loud) would be chattering on the internet about the “economy, the perceived [really now?] loss of U.S. jobs… and home foreclosures.” But it is nice and convenient to paint anyone who has real and legitimate concerns about the unprecedented direction we are being taken with the broad brush of right wing “extremist.” Hey, let’s even throw in the race card by grouping them with un-named white supremacist groups who might object to an African American president. While were at it, let’s throw in anyone who is concerned about illegal immigration, so we can taint them with the same broad brush. And let’s not forget those dangerous veterans coming back from Iraq.
A real intelligence report would cite specific groups made up of real people. It is supposed to contain actionable intelligence information so decision makers can take appropriate action. But this is not an intelligence report, but rather a vague piece of fluff that serves no other purpose but to make a political statement, attempting to smear (and even criminalize) people who have legitimate political differences with the current administration.
2. “I would've joined you if you had started worrying about out of control spending, four years ago.”
Actually, I did, and in case you haven’t been paying attention, here is just a sample from previous blogs:
http://mdcrustacean.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html
“My main area of disapproval is Bush’s seeming abandonment of some key conservative principles, with fiscal responsibility first and foremost among them. Though the legislative branch was for the most part controlled by his own party, he allowed government spending to skyrocket, and fiscal deficits along with it.”
http://www.delawaretalkradio.com/downwithabsolutes/?p=580
“I find it extremely disappointing that even with Republicans in charge of Congress, the Bush administration has spent money like a drunken sailor and run up the deficit. But then again, it’s not like the other side has ever believed in spending restraint, and even now they are proposing more than a trillion dollars in new spending, above and beyond the multiple “bailouts” which have already exceeded $1 trillion in the aggregate.”
Unlike much of the left, conservatives (to be distinguished, when necessary, from Republicans) have a record of intellectual consistency and honesty, and were screaming about government spending during the Bush administration louder than anyone else was. For better or for worse, they are probably responsible for the defeat of Republicans in 2006 and 2008. I would guess that enough of them got disgusted sat out the elections, and helped tip the scales in the other direction. (I didn’t go that far, but rather held my nose and voted Republican as the lesser of two evils.)
By contrast, even though the left correctly complained about deficit spending during the Bush administration, the complaints were pure hypocrisy, because much of the left actually believes in deficit spending, subscribing to the crazy Keynesian theory that deficit spending is somehow beneficial to the economy. And even if it is not, their worldview advocates a larger government that takes a larger share of the economy (and control of our lives). That view is anathema to me, no matter who is in the White House. But if deficits of $200-450 billion in the Bush Administration were so terrible (and they were), why do some people think it is so wonderful for the Obama Administration to run up deficits of $1.2 trillion (and counting) in its first 100 days?
Anonymous
Why not learn to agree when the issue is correct?
Now that's arrogance! Sean,Rush,Laura and Ann have taught you well dittohopper!
A. Prepared by the Extremism and Radicalization Branch, Homeland Environment Threat Analysis
Division. Coordinated with the FBI.
I guess your concluding that there are many political appointments in that Homeland Environment Threat Analysis Division. Don't they report directly to David Axlerod? I understand that William Ayers is on their short list.
B. You stated that conservatives "have a record of intellectual consistency and honesty" and you proved your point when as you said (I didn’t go that far, but rather held my nose and voted Republican as the lesser of two evils.)
Instead of voting for Mondale in 84 I wrote in for Gov. Jerry Brown.
C. How does the honorable Senator from Minnesota Al Franken sound?
That's all the time I have today! Let's Go Mets!
Perhaps I should be a little more forgiving now that I notice that you responded at 1:04 am. Maybe you were tired, but exactly what was your point?
**********************
First let me comment about your response to “Anonymous”, I think his or her point was the same as mine: If you really think Bush’s deficits were a bad thing, it makes no sense to defend Obama’s tripling of the deficit in his first 100 days. But instead of acknowledging the point, you chose to engage in name calling and ad hominem attacks, which of course are no substitute for real debate.
*************************
Now onto your responses to me...
” I guess your concluding that there are many political appointments in that Homeland Environment Threat Analysis Division. “Well, not exactly. I am concluding that DHS, like any other intelligence or law enforcement agency, has plenty of good and dedicated intelligence analysts, but also has its share of flunkies who should have been put on a Performance Improvement Plan a long time ago, if not canned (the latter rarely happens in the government). Usually, there is a process in place before a draft intelligence assessment ever sees the light of day, in order to make sure that the report’s premises, conclusions and recommendations are complete, well supported and accurate. I suspect that didn’t happen this time because the conclusions and recommendations happened to suit the preferences of the new political appointees at DHS.
The report at hand is a shoddy piece of work. Ironically, it is correct in its assertion that there are right wing crazies out there who should be watched before they do something dangerous or stupid. But it is also hollow, dangerous and downright offensive to group the right wing crazies (whoever they may be) with people who happen to have legitimate beefs and concerns and political differences with the current direction of the country. The report makes no attempt to draw a distinction.
I’m not sure what your point was in item B. I cast my first ballot for Jerry Brown in the 1976 Maryland primary. Ah but I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.
Item C: I have no comment about Franken, because I don’t know a lot about Coleman. May whoever genuinely got the most votes win. This seems to be the year to elect inexperienced celebrities.
As for “Go Mets”… why not? It’s been a long time since I’ve given a rat’s rear about the Orioles.
Leo
Real quick, I see that Napolitano made a statement being critical of this report. Hats off to you. Sorry this is late but weekends are a bear for me. Lately my weekends have stretched from Friday until Tuesday. Stay well, I look at this siteevery few days so you'll be hearing from me again.
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