Thursday, April 16, 2009

A Footnote to Janet Napolitano's "Apology"

Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano issued an apology to veterans today. Well, sort of.

The ire of veterans groups was raised when a report titled Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment.

The report suggested that veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq could be suspectible to recruitment by right-wing extremist groups a la Timothy McVeigh.

Napolitano said, "If there's one part of this report that I would rewrite ... it would be that footnote."

But in the ten page report references were made to "returning military veterans" seven times while references to the election of President Obama were made six times.

The implication is clear. Some angry white male who served in Afghanistan or Iraq is going to be recruited by a right-wing extremist group lurking behind an alleyway, be supplied with armaments and assassinate President Obama.

A footnote my foot.

While it is the job of the federal government to monitor internal threats the language in this report is nothing more than a pathetic attempt to stifle legitimate dissent against President Obama, render him above criticism and equate all right-wing thought with hatred.

The Obama Administration needs to get over itself.

3 comments:

Anderson said...

As a veteran on a recent Fox show pointed out, Napolitano wants to eliminate the word terrorist when it comes to the jihadists, but when it comes to "right-wing nuts", it's all fine and dandy?

This is getting scary, and I'm not sure what is worse: that the Obama Administration is harrassing free speech and assembly for those who disagree with it, or that people are blind to the injustice here. I don't know how anyone can say there is no MSM bias to the left after the coverage of these tea parties. Perhaps the numbers are worrisome for the left. I find it appalling that people can disregard others' rights so easily because they do not fall in line with their beliefs. With liberty and justice for all, not for some!

Baltics said...

Obviously, the Left is capable of prejudice whether or not they admit it. The apologies are more about getting caught than any sincere respect for those people who were offended. The stereotyping of groups of people is prejudice. Veterans and demonstrators are not racists or dingbats when they point out our emperor is naked.

dnewby said...

Napolitano has simply feigned a weak apology to the loudest complainers: military veterans.

She remains unapologetic toward the rest of the people who take offense. This report didn't just slip through a couple of dozing final proof editors. The FBI admittedly coordinated on this report, and Napolitano was admittedly briefed on it prior to its release.

This was premeditated and represents a pervasive attitude. Our liberties to think and freely express ourselves are in jeopardy. When it comes to a free society, we either stand together or hang separately.

I recommend the action items highlighed in the following article. Let's make this DHS report as meaningless as our local phone directory:
http://helmsmansociety.com/Issues/2009/spartacus042909.htm If the direct link doesn't work, go to helmsmansociety.com