DHS Report On Right-Wing Requested By Bush Administration

Think Progress:

Yesterday, a Department of Homeland Security report about the rising radicalization of "rightwing extremists" was leaked. The right wing was immediately incensed, viewing the report on radical "extremists" as an attack on "conservatives." MSNBC host Joe Scarborough, for example, tried to suggest it was a report about Republican "loyalists."

Read the whole story: Think Progress

Comments

[Cinnamonape]

Malkin was flipping out about this the other day...with the "smoking gun" that it was an Obama "plot" being the references to foreclosures and unemployment. It really shows just how distorted her lifestyle has been...thinking that this economic crisis has only recently manifested itself. Anyone with eyes, or not living in some Upper Class neighborhood with her Bush Administration connected husband...would have seen the reality two or more years ago.

The FBI isn't stupid. They knew the economic situation was deteriorating under Bush...that poverty was increasing, that foreclosures and bankruptcies were on the rise...and this drove some individuals (not all...some) into extremist groups.

Malkin also claimed that the earlier reports on left-wing radical groups were quite specific. Actually this report also "names names". But they also discussed profiles and tendencies in those earlier reports...and noted mainstream groups, like the Sierra Club, Humane Society, and even the Audubon Society that served as "recruitment groups".

But Malkin only wants to spin things her way...because she herself is one that frequently espouses violence, harassment, and crack downs on groups whose opinions she is incapable of tolerating.

[LeftLeanWing]

I did think it was improbable that Napalitano could have pulled together a team, commission an assessment report on domestic terrorism and have it completed and leaked in the few weeks she's been in her cabinet position .

Thanks for clearing this up .

[Rmath]

Apparently there's no honor among thieves. Bush was probably just as worried that he couldn't contain or control the actions of right-wing extremists in his own party.

[montecarlo408]

The fact that Bush's Press Secretary Dana Perino is griping about this makes me think that this was leaked on purpose to the unsuspecting and often intellectually lazy media to create controversy.

[LeLoup]

How can Scarborough equate right-wing extremists with Republican "loyalists"?
Why did Malkin went trough the roof at the publication of this report?
Drudge flashed huge headlines "They're watching you"; where was this guy when Bush was the Prez?

Do some conservatives have something to hide?

[LeftLeanWing]

Those former members of the Bush Administration who were aware of the original request could have cleared this up immediately. The Knew their TEAM have requested this study..

But they didn't.

It seems that every time THOSE PEOPLE think they have something it seems to blow back into their own faces.

[lmnop13]

Well h3ll, of course Bush did.
I don't know why these hand wringing right wingers are so surprised by this little govt. memo. After they granted him all this power, did they assume that it wouldn't be used against them too?
Gullible I guess.

[watchful123]

Republicans are a danger to this country. They don't mind all of us being on board the Titanic as long as the captain is one of their own.

[TParrish]

I am a Democrat, and I disagree with the statement that Republicans are a danger to this country. Look, every organization, philosophy, and religion attracts nut cases. The nut cases are the danger. These people attach themselves to a cause and dig in like a tick. While intelligent, thoughtful members of the cause are sanely stating their case, the nut cases are blowing something up or burning something down, and even though they are a minority in the group, they get the most press. There is a very fine line between being an activist and a terrorist, and the whack jobs cross the line all of the time. The Republican-embedded nut cases are a danger to this country. So are the liberal-embedded nut cases.

[lmnop13]

This is so true.
There are activists, and there are zealots. Zealots do not think, they only react. It doesn't matter what your political affiliations are. If you're a half cocked freak, well you'll continue to be one no matter who you vote for.
I do not think that all Rep. are a danger to this country. It isn't fair to stereotype an entire group. I'm sure that a lot of them stayed home yesterday, on purpose.

[waverly]

Yes, there are radical elements on both sides of the aisle but I have to disagree with you. Only the Republican party has cornered the market on hostility. It is broadcast daily by the right wing media, the Republican base and Republican politicians. They spew hatred, lies and anger. If Republicans were not a danger then their politicians and their base would urge their media to tone down the venomous rhetoric. Instead they fall into it to feed the flames. They have even called people to take up arms against our government. This behavior only emboldens the extreme radical right toward violence. This is the difference between the two parties and makes the majority of Republicans dangerous.

[ProgressiveVoice]

I agree with you to a certain extent but, you have to admit, it begs the question, "Where ARE the sane Republicans?"

As far back as 2003/2004, I have been astonished that the conservatives have just gone along with Bush, when his policies were beyond radical. I expect it of Fox News, the neo-cons and the radical right but, if I was a Republican, I would have been screaming and protesting as loud or louder than any of the opposition - not that we heard much from opposition leaders.

No Republican politicians have publicly stepped up and spoken rationally, essentially allowing the nut-case faction to speak for the party as a whole. So, yes, the Republican party is a danger, as they have been for the last 8 years. They failed to stand up to Bush and protect the ideals this country was founded on - the "new" Republican Party, ie. the nut-case faction, is not only dangerous, they are anti-American in a way we've never seen before. Even the so-called communists that politicians attacked in the 50s were less anti-American then the current GOP.

[LaurenMarie984]

yeah but liberal-nuts aren't members of the NRA or worried the government is going to take their guns away. There already have been two direct links between FNC right-wing extremism and gun violence (killing upwards of 6 people including cops). Other than the weathermen, whose violence targeted non-living things and only killed the two guys making a weapon, left-wing extremists aren't inclined to violence. Look at pro-life protesters who during their regular picketing (every day) have been known to shoot doctors. People who work in women's clinics, who 90% perform non-abortion procedures like providing health care to low income women who can't afford a doctor, have to wear bullet proof vests as part of their daily going to work routine.

I agree, there are wackos on every side of everything, but the ones that worry people are the ones with violent inclinations. Their behaving like Al qi.ada with public of xenophobia. these people are a Glenn Beck episode away from Timothy Mc Vay.

[watchful123]

Oh well, Joe is still ranting this morning, trying to further the talking points on this DHS report on right wing extremists.

I wish Morning Joe would invite Republicans on the show who can tell us what their plan is for providing affordable healthcare in the country...for creating jobs. Where are the answers?

[maggienash65]

I heard him this morning. Going to continue it on his talk show and keep on spinning the falsehoods!!!!!

[vippy]

Yes, like he said the rich will quit creating jobs. They are not creating jobs now but laying off more people so they can pocket more. Make more money, pay more taxes, it is that
simple, what don't they get? Besides, close the loopholes offshoring money to foreign
banks and we don't need more taxes.

[VOTER]

Yes, Morning, Joe showcases the "mourning" ratings for MSNBC.

If we want lies and distortions, there is always Fox.
The execs at MSNBC are fools hiring Joe and Mika. Rethug fools!

[felisa11]

will msnbc and cnn mention this fact to their listeners?

the red headed bimbo on Cnn was interviewing someone yesterday all but saying the the Obama administration was disrespecting our military by saying they would nevvver think of protesting our gov't....really...my son is in the Navy and he says there are lots of racists there talking about President Obama is not their president..my son and his friends handled the situation deftly. I was proud.

it is truly pathetic and sad that they only report with very little info and make up the rest with their fake outrage.

[numbnuts]

What bothers me the most is that people actually believe what Fixed news, Morning Joe ,and the right wing AM machine spews daily.
It is so ingrained that you can't talk any sense into the mindless hoardes.
I have relitives that went to the Tea party yesterday and they loved it.
You can pick your friends but not your family!

[Decipherer]

Wouldn't it be a refreshing moment for all of us if once, just once, one of the innumerated people and organizations actually apologized for their error(s)?

Not going to happen, sadly.

The only talkers I am aware of who have apologized for getting something wrong are Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow. You may not agree with some of their opinions, but you can be reasonably confident they are presenting information that is well-researched, truthful, and not made up.

Same holds true for Ed Schultz, but we'll see.

[numbnuts]

I appreciate KO very much for just that fact. When he makes a mistake he admits it!
I haven't seen RM apologize for anything yet. She is genuine, and I believe what she says on her show she truly believes.

[ConservativeHippie]

Does it bother anyone that "they" are monitoring all of us?

[TParrish]

Uh, this is the Internet. Monitoring is kind of the point.

[TParrish]

RE: My previous comment. Sorry, I get your point, I shouldn't post just after getting back from the gym. oxygen debt, you know.

[montecarlo408]

I had to get a check by the FBI when I worked at my state's AG office. They told me that I had the most boring life they had ever investigated, so nope, I'm not worried. Of course, that was before I started posting here. My posts are harmless, though.

[LaurenMarie984]

The whole point of posting on a public places is to be heard/seen. monitoring is technically the goal. and hey, if "they" are, then it's getting through the chain of command a lot more efficiently than a petition would...

[McFlipFlop]

This should be headlined.

I hope it makes the tv news -- needs to.

We need to fight back against the lies and rhetoric, methinks.

[YunekFlava]

Hey Bush knew he was representing a party that was about to fall over the cliff, and they would try to take the country with it. FOX Netowrk is a Troupe of TasteslessTrash-Talking Townies masquerading as journalist. They seize on the fear and hatred of others and blind them with theatrics.

They are using the public to advance their own agenda: a big bump up in the rating$, which is revenue for the advertisers, network and even tied-in bonuses for the townies, themselves.

Pathetic these folks can't see what's right in front of them. Or do they? Losers always want to hang around other losers, for fear they will be detected as a loser.

[sytgrl]

Where were the cries about political spying last week when a US Congressman announced to the media he had a list of socialists in congress?

[PepperzMom]

So why are the Goofy Ol' Peabrains going pos-tal on this if the report/study was requested the Bush administration, the same way that the "left wing" report study was.

Notice that the left wing report hasn't casued much of a stir...my but some folks have such thin skin!