I know I could potentially get flamed pretty hard for this, but I guess I just wanted to make my thoughts known.
First, I wanted to say that I thought that the report issued by DHS on the anti-government groups out there was a solid run-down of the considerations behind a lot of the Stormfront-esque groups that have indeed been buying a lot of guns and sponsoring tea parties and whatnot. Indeed, a great deal of actual antigovernment extremists in the 1990s were engaging in a lot of the activities that they are now doing again.
But this definition of what "right wing" means is, in my mind, totally unacceptable:
"Many right-wing extremists are antagonistic toward the new presidential administration and its perceived stance on a range of issues, including immigration and citizenship, the expansion of social programs to minorities, and restrictions on firearms ownership and use."
I understand that this is not a formal definition of a right-wing extremist used in the report, but this is way, way too broad.
Now, let me be clear: I oppose those who oppose gay marriage to the hilt. I oppose those who are racist, and I am wary of those who think they need a gun to hide behind instead of facing the world.
But I must say, it is wrong for us to use the term "right wing" to describe these groups.
I don't for a minute think that the GOP's agenda won't run us aground, nor do I think that they comprise the majority of passively racist Americans.
But to say that Grover Norquist is the same as the KKK?
Nope. Sorry. Doesn't fly with me.
The fact is, if the Bushes had said this about us, it would be wrong. Oh wait: they did. They spied on green groups, anti-war groups and demonized them all the same.
Let's not be like them, guys. I don't think this report meant to categorize all GOPers with groups like Stormfront. And while there have been more linkages than I would like these days between actual pundits and hate rhetoric (see Michelle Bachman and Glenn Beck), most real right wingers want a lot of the same things we do. I can't say that I will make common cause with them, but unless you are actively trying to bring down the country through violence, your viewpoint is acceptable.
Can we all agree on that?
So my advice to President Obama would be, please be careful. If there are real dangers and real linkages, highlight them. But let's not paint with the McCarthyite brush.
To do that is truly anti-American.