According to the site (TabRight.com):
"This week the Department of Homeland Security released a 9 page government report on Rightwing Extremism (to download, see link at the bottom of this article). Conservative Talk Show Hosts from Rush Limbaugh to Sean Hannity noted the timing of its release to the April 15th Tea Parties, its generic focus and potential for abuse.
Focusing on one footnote in particular, several critics suggested it lays the foundation for the Administration to strike out at virtually anyone, organization or even political party that vocally oppose President Obama’s policies. The report states: “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.”
Veterans groups, including The American Legion, found significant issues with the report’s notation on veterans: “Returning veterans possess combat skills and experience that are attractive to rightwing extremists. DHS/I&A is concerned that rightwing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to boost their violent capabilities.”
In a letter to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, American Legion National Commander David Rehbein wrote “The American Legion is well aware and horrified at the pain inflicted during the Oklahoma City bombing, but Timothy McVeigh was only one of more than 42 million veterans who have worn this nation’s uniform during wartime. To continue to use McVeigh as an example of the stereotypical ‘disgruntled military veteran’ is as unfair as using Osama bin Laden as the sole example of Islam.”
On Thursday, in defending the report, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano reacted to the public response by stating the definition provided for Rightwing Extremism could have been phrased differently. Napolitano was quoted “If there’s one part of that report I would rewrite, in the word-smithing, Washington-ese that goes on after the fact, it would be that footnote.”
Link to article (which also contains a link to download report): http://tabright.com/2009/04/17/3282/
You have indicated this comment should be removed.
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .