Hawkeye: Right-Wing Extremist

Well, the news is out and I'm not afraid to admit it... I am a "Right-Wing Extremist" (RWE). Don't believe me? Just ask Homeland Security chief and former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano. Her agency, the Department of Homeland Security, is warning law enforcement officials about a rise in "rightwing extremist activity", in a report entitled: "Right-wing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment." To see the full report in PDF format, go HERE.

A footnote attached to the report defines "rightwing extremism in the United States" as including not just racist or hate groups, but also groups that reject federal authority in favor of state or local authority. "It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single-issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration," the warning says.

According to that definition, I am a "Right-Wing Extremist" along with many others. Because I now or have in the past supported single-issue groups which oppose abortion and immigration, I am a RWE. Because I oppose the authority of the federal government in areas where it does not belong, I am a RWE. Because I believe in states' rights, I am a RWE.

But I am not ashamed of being called a "Right-Wing Extremist". According to the definition in the DHS report, I find myself in good company. By that definition, Ronald Reagan would be considered a RWE. So would most of our Founding Fathers. Thanks for the compliment Janet.


Right Wing Extremists