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Paranoia: an unfounded or exaggerated distrust of others, reaching delusional proportions. Paranoids constantly suspect others are out to get them.
An April 7 Department of Homeland Security “assessment” of the pending danger of “rightwing extremists” to launch violent attacks against the federal government says more about the state of our “intelligence” resources than about any extremist threat or even right-wingers.
It begins on a solid foundation of equivocation, speculation and self-delusion: “The DHS/Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) has no specific information that domestic rightwing* terrorists are currently planning acts of violence, but rightwing extremists may be gaining new recruits by playing on their fears about several emergent issues. The economic downturn and the election of the first African American president present unique drivers for rightwing radicalization and recruitment.” (I added the italics.)
That asterisk refers to another wishy-washy generalization down page that springs full-grown from the furtive imagination of people who are true , true believers — it must be true because all our friends just know it's so:
“Rightwing extremism,” we learn, includes hate-groups and one-issue groups “based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups,” as well as those who reject “federal authority in favor of state or local authority.” The latter would, of course, include Thomas Jefferson, a widely known revolutionary who disseminated hate speech and called for the violent overthrow of the legitimate government. He was a bit paranoid about being hanged, you know.
Here are a couple of key phrases showing the imminent danger: “have not indicated plans to carry out violent acts” and “not yet turned to attack planning.”
At one point it suggests returning military veterans might be recruits for hate groups. Never mind that the FBI found that from October 2001 through May 2008 only 203 veterans out of 23,000 had joined groups so identified. Whether the grouips really are, or not, is another matter.
The 9-page document makes repeated references to the “historical election of an African Ameican president” as a driving force for hatred without once documenting this supposition. It talks about all sorts of race-based hate, again without substance other than a couple of vague references to years-old incidents in no particular context.
It mentions “fear and paranoia,” “extremist paranoia” and twice refers to “rightwing extremist paranoia.”
But it then talks about a decline in such right-wing extremist groups following the bombing in Oklahoma City (and the execution of the perpetrator), disruptions of terrorist plots (Ruby Ridge and Waco were mentioned earlier) and new legislation banning paramilitary training.
You are not paranoid if they really are out to get you.
But you just might be paranoid if you envision plots for which there is no documented evidence other than your own vivid imagination and suspicions of those right-wing extremists over there ... and back there ... and under there.
Government that overtaxes and abuses its citizenry, ignores any Constitutional limits to its power, rejects historical reverence for natural rights and liberties, and generally advocates and embraces tyrannical behavior, deserves derision and hatred.
Leaders of the "right" or "left", no matter what racial or ethnic background, that continually support such unconstitutional government, no matter how popular or admired, also deserve derision.
That their stooges and weasels label those that oppose them "extremists" is certainly expected, since demonizing and marginalizing is more successful than actually debating principles and the proper role of government.
As the iron fist of the federal government tightens, more and more common citizens will begin to wake up to their awful situation, and realize that they have allowed themselves to be duped by the those that mean to control them. If they love liberty, and choose to oppose the changes, they too will be demonized and marginalized. This is nothing new.
As Samuel Adams stated: "If you love wealth more than Liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of Freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."
Sam also suggested, "If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin."
Has that time come?
If you have faithfully served your country in the military and have traditional beliefs...you just might be a terrorist!
Yeah...in OPPOSITELAND!
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