Napolitano calls citizens ‘domestic rightwing terrorists’ and ‘extremists’
By Linda Bentley | April 22, 2009
The state’s former governor, now Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano issued a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Assessment (I&A) report on April 7 titled “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment,” the contents of which sounded more in line with a Jeff Foxworthy comedy routine called “You might be a rightwing extremist.”
If you oppose restrictions on firearms, lax immigration enforcement, the policies of Obama with regard to immigration, citizenship, expanding social programs, one-world government, Communism, same-sex marriage, free trade agreements, loss of U.S. jobs to third world countries … and so on, you just might be a rightwing extremist.
However, it’s not a stand-up comedy routine. Napolitano’s testimony during her first appearance before Congress as Homeland Security Secretary was noticeably devoid of the word “terrorism,” as she referred to the actions of Islamist terrorists as “man-caused disasters.”
Napolitano had no problem with the word “terrorist,” which was used 13 times in the 10-page I&A report, to describe American citizens and returning military veterans.
The report states, “The possible passage of new restrictions on firearms and the return of military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communities could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks.”
It goes on to say, “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.”
The report attempts to paint anyone who believes the country’s march toward socialism, Communism and/or “One World Government” that would usurp the sovereignty of the United States and its Constitution, as conspiracy theorists.
The backlash over Napolitano’s report continues.
A complaint was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of East Michigan on April 16 against Napolitano and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder by Michael Savage, broadcast journalist and host of the popular conservative syndicated radio talk show “The Savage Nation;” Center for Bio-Ethical Reform (CBR), a pro-life, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization; CBR Executive Director Gregg Cunningham; and Kevin Murray, a former U.S. Marine who served honorably in the war in Iraq.
The complaint states DHS’s official policy, publicly approved by Napolitano, declaring citizens as rightwing extremists “is designed to deter, prevent, and preempt activities that government officials deem to be in opposition to the policies advanced by the Obama administration … are considered harmful, dangerous, and a threat to national security. By deterring, preventing, and preempting such activities, federal officials seek to influence domestic public opinion in support of the favored policies of President Obama.”
Plaintiffs assert, “The Rightwing Extremism Policy is a tool of intimidation for federal, state and local government officials. It provides a basis for government officials to abuse their positions of power to stifle political opinion and opposition. It also provides political adversaries with a basis for making official complaints and allegations against ‘rightwing extremists’ to government officials, thereby empowering the ‘heckler’ with a ‘veto’ over controversial political messages.”
David K. Rehbein, national commander of The American Legion also took offense to the report and drafted an open letter to DHS that stated, “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.”
Pointing to the section of the report about rightwing extremists concerns during the 1990 regarding “the perception that illegal immigrants were taking away American jobs through their willingness to work at significantly lower wages,” Rehbein said, “This is more than a perception to those who have lost their job,” and asked Napolitano, “Would you categorize union members as ‘Rightwing extremists?’”
Since these events, some citizens are calling for Napolitano’s resignation, while others are demanding her termination.