For personal reasons, this may very likely be my last political post until the next presidential election gets under way.
You may remember that right before Ron Paul had a big rally in Missouri, the police were notified that all Ron Paul supporters were dangerous. Under public protest, that letter was "officially" rescinded and my life as a terrorist was over (at least officially - you know that police were told to still be on the lookout for third party candidate supporters).
My life as a not-terrorist has ended already because now the Department of Homeland Security has labeled me as a Right Wing Extremist. In fact, according to the Department of Homeland Security, there are a lot of people that are Right Wing Extremists. Here are some of the people who are a threat to America:
- Hate groups (Really? You had to put out a memo on this).
- People who are anti-government (If you're not with us, you're with the terrorists).
- People who think government control should be moved to the state and local level (that's where I get lumped into this mess and become a wing nut).
- People who are pro-life.
- People who believe immigration laws should actually be enforced.
- Military veterans (because of McVeigh, you're all suspect - the memo uses McVeigh as the example).
- Anyone feeling economic pressure should be careful because you are susceptible to be recruited into one of the above mentioned wing-nut groups.
This so much reminds me of Bush's skewering of the word "Patriot" during his reign on the throne. If you disagreed with him, you weren't a patriot, you might not even be a 'Merkin. Your 1st Amendment Rights did not include criticizing his decisions.
Now, if you disagree with the dangerous financial decisions of our government, you're a wing nut and once again your 1st Amendment Rights don't include criticizing the central government.
One thing that I have found mildly upsetting is the personal attacks on people, including myself. I don't agree with Obama's economic plan. I've made that clear. Instead of showing the strengths of His plan to me and agreeing to wait to see how the thing plays out (or agreeing to disagree), the attack becomes personal and I'm a wing nut. Can't we argue the merits of the plan without dropping to that level?
I also dislike being automatically lumped in as a Republicrat. If I don't agree with Obama, I must be a Republican. Except that I didn't agree with Bush either. I refuse to take part in the charade that we have a two-party system. I wouldn't like it if it was truly a two-party system because "us versus them" is too limiting but I see it as a one-party system and I watch as people are played against each other with increasing disgust while politicians laugh all the way to the bank.
Where I think the people who took part in the Tea Party protests should be commended for actually getting out, voicing their opinion, and getting some attention, others think they are nothing but a bunch of whiners and wing nuts.
For me, it's not so much about what was said (because there were plenty of side notes to the protests that I don't agree with) but that people are getting involved and getting vocal. That has been the political message for this blog from the beginning. Study the issues, look beyond the words, support what you want, and make your voice heard. Take an active role in the direction of this country. That's what these people did and now the Department of Homeland Security has labeled them as a threat to the country.
Today's question is an old one that can never be truly answered but give it your best effort to earn some Sword Points.
Where do you draw the line on the Freedom of Speech?
For me, as far as the Tea Parties go, I think these people should be allowed to peaceably assemble and voice their criticism for bailing out failed businesses and pushing for a budget with an astounding deficit. I think that a second set of people should be allowed to call the first set whiners and wing nuts.
I don't think that the Department of Homeland Security should send out a memo to law enforcement agencies labeling everyone in the first group as potential terrorists.
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