Welcome to the Club!

I would like to officially welcome my fellow conservatives into an exclusive club…The Suspected Terrorist Club.  Your benefits are unwanted scrutiny by government officials and a free pass to Crazy Town.  Please enjoy your benefits.  They may not last long.

Here’s an excerpt from Michelle Malkin’s syndicated column on a document she found from DHS (Department of Homeland Security):

What and who exactly are President Obama’s homeland security officials afraid of these days? If you are a member of an active conservative group that opposes abortion, favors strict immigration enforcement, lobbies to protect Second Amendment rights, protests big government, advocates federalism, or represents veterans who believe in any of the above, the answer is: You.

The DHS document, titled “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment”, states the following:

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.

There are other groups and types of individuals mentioned but you get the point.  Many conservative beliefs are listed in some form or another so that basically no one right of center is spared.

Malkin has verified that the document is legitimate.  DHS argues that they have done similar reports on left-wing extremism in the past.  However, it appears that these were reports on specific, named movents and not a sweeping generalization of a particular group of people with similar political beliefs.

Of course, the catch-all is the term “hate-oriented”.  When all else fails, loons on the left always toss this one in for good measure.  Speak out against abortion?  Well, you’re a hater.  You must hate women.  You must hate that women can “choose”.  Speak out against high taxes?  You must hate and want the poor to die at the doorstep of the “rich”.

Brought to you by a “suspected terrorist” on behalf of…