"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot… So then, because you are lukewarm, I will vomit you out of My mouth." Revelation 3:15-16.
You might be a rightwing extremist if…You think killing unborn babies is wrong…You believe that the right to bear arms is actually in the Constitution…You think that people should not be rewarded for coming to America illegally…You dare to prepare for the global famine and other calamities predicted in the Bible…You believe that local and state solutions are superior to enlarging the federal bureaucracy or…You are a veteran who served your country.
So (with apologies to Jeff Foxworthy) that is my synopsis of a recent U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s recent report. Americans can appreciate a good joke, but this is no laughing matter. Our own government is calling biblical and conservative beliefs dangerously extreme and radical!
The Department of Homeland Security recently issued a report warning law enforcement officials nationwide about the dangers of ''right-wing extremism.'' The most jaw-dropping aspect of this report is that its definition of “right-wing extremist” applies to any conservative or value-centered person!
Actually, no that's not what it says. It does say that people like Dr Tiller's murderer and guard Johns' murderer exist and come from a lunatic fringe of right-wing extremism. You are certainly free to be whatever form of winger you choose right up until you advocate or use violence to further your ends. There are some Constitutional bars to things like Establishing A Religion. If you'd like to wear the mantle of those who advocate violence or commit it in the name of your view - so be it.
These folks love to point at Islam and particularly Islamic Extremists as modern day devils and don't seem to see their own claims as equivalent. The institution of Religious Law and extreme means to accomplish it are the goals of the group they demonize and it is different, how, from their own? It isn't even a matter of rhetorical lunacy, it only depends on which of the current versions you read or listen to. Oh to be sure, the deities are different and that piece is exactly as meaningless to this question as is the weather.
I'm a member of the left and while I could build imaginary scenarios requiring violent action in regards to the government but that includes the extinguishing of our form of government. I can't work up to extremism in rhetoric or even in philosophy. The right offers up entirely too many opportunities for criticism and mockery for me to need to go to extremism. They are easy.
It seems sad to have to point out to anyone that there is such a thing as dangerous extremism and mocking it will lead to juxtapositions like this one, Holocaust Museum murder and a Right-Wing Extremist membership card. Are you surprised that in the spirit of the preceding post I'll call you idiots? Shoot, that doesn't sound mean enough - assholes is better.
2 comments:
The more I hear of these people, the more I get angry. It is crazy that the far right in this country celebrates, minimizes, or points blame on others for the extremism that is coming to fruition just lately.
I actually am a little on edge with hearing news of this type of extreme views. I for one, do not want to walk into my nearest public institution and have some nut go off shooting at my family or friends just because I am not the same color or race as him.
You said this very well. I am tired of how easily the rightwing pundits carelessly ramp up the rhetoric to a boiling state, and then say...well, whatever it is they say to deflect the blame. The DHS report was correct about the extremists on the right and left, and it's time for the GOP to grow a pair and distance themselves from the crazies.
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