{"id":157,"date":"2009-04-17T16:18:03","date_gmt":"2009-04-17T16:18:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/lynnvsekulow\/2009\/04\/call-dhs-rightwing-extremism-r.html"},"modified":"2009-04-17T16:18:03","modified_gmt":"2009-04-17T16:18:03","slug":"call-dhs-rightwing-extremism-r","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/2009\/04\/call-dhs-rightwing-extremism-r.html","title":{"rendered":"Call DHS “Rightwing Extremism” Report What It Is: Offensive"},"content":{"rendered":"

Barry, let’s call this Homeland Security report on “Rightwing Extremism” what it is – offensive and insulting to millions of law-abiding citizens – including veterans and pro-life supporters – who exercise their constitutional rights to speak about issues that matter most to them.<\/font><\/p>\n

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Here’s the definition of “rightwing extremism” that appears in the DHS report:<\/font><\/p>\n

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“Rightwing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.”<\/font><\/p>\n

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And, what’s even more troubling, we are now learning that the DHS issued this report after its own reviewers expressed concern about the language used in the report.<\/font><\/p>\n

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The Associated Press <\/a>is reporting <\/font>that the civil rights division inside the Department of Homeland Security expressed concern about the report – specifically about the definition of “rightwing extremism.”  <\/span>The offensive definition apparently was “flagged” by the internal reviewers, but apparently, that didn’t matter.  <\/span>The report was issued anyway – with the offensive language intact.<\/font><\/p>\n

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Of course, there are extremists on both sides of the spectrum and the federal government should do all it can to protect us from those who break the law and commit violent and deadly crimes.   <\/span>But, come on Barry, this report is not narrow in its focus and is disturbing because of the sweeping characterizations that it makes.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

Nowhere in this report is there any mention of Al Qaeda cell groups operating domestically here in the United States. DHS has taken its focus away from rooting out those people that are bent on causing harm to the United States.  <\/span>Instead, they seem more interested in using government resources to monitor pro-life citizens who are exercising their free speech rights by holding up a sign in front of an abortion clinic.  <\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

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There’s growing outrage <\/font>on Capitol Hill <\/a>about this report.  <\/span>The Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss) said he was “dumbfounded” by how the agency could release such a report.  <\/span>And, now Rep. Peter King of New York, the ranking Republican on the Committee, is calling for a hearing into the matter.<\/font><\/p>\n

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This just doesn’t cut it.  <\/span>The DHS needs to remove this language.  <\/span>Let’s go after the REAL terrorists – not the millions of law-abiding citizens who happen to have strong feelings and voice their concerns about immigration or protecting the life of the unborn.  <\/span>Last time I checked, that was still protected by the First Amendment.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/font> <\/p>\n

To subscribe to “Lynn v. Sekulow” click <\/font>here<\/font><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

<\/font> <\/p>\n

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 <\/font><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Barry, let’s call this Homeland Security report on “Rightwing Extremism” what it is – offensive and insulting to millions of law-abiding citizens – including veterans and pro-life supporters – who exercise their constitutional rights to speak about issues that matter most to them.   Here’s the definition of “rightwing extremism” that appears in the DHS…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":163,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,36,116,27,38,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-abortion","category-free-speech","category-homeland-security","category-military","category-national-security","category-war-on-terrorism"],"yoast_head":"\nCall DHS "Rightwing Extremism" Report What It Is: Offensive - Lynn v. 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FEC, Sekulow ensured that the constitutional rights of young people remain protected with a unanimous decision by the high court guaranteeing that minors can participate in political campaigns. A nationally recognized and respected defender of religious freedom, Sekulow has assembled one of the most prestigious law firms in the nation.  Founded in 1990, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses in constitutional law.  The ACLJ, under Sekulow's direction, is involved in public interest and public policy issues working to protect religious and constitutional liberties. In 2007, the Chicago Tribune concluded that the ACLJ has \"led the way\" in Christian legal advocacy.  In 2005, TIME Magazine named Sekulow one of the \"25 Most Influential Evangelicals\" in America and called the ACLJ \"a powerful counterweight\" to the ACLU.  Business Week said the ACLJ is \"the leading advocacy group for religious freedom.\"  Sekulow's work on the issue of judicial nominees - including possible vacancies at the Supreme Court - has received extensive news coverage including a front page story in The Wall Street Journal.  In addition, The National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the \"100 Most Influential Lawyers\" in the United States (1994, 1997).  He is also among a distinguished group of attorneys known as \"The Public Sector 45\" named by The American Lawyer (January\/February 1997).  The magazine said the designation represents \"45 young lawyers outside the private sector whose vision and commitment are changing lives.\" Sekulow brings insight and education to listeners daily with his national call-in radio program, Jay Sekulow Live!, which is broadcast throughout the country on nearly 850 radio stations.  Sekulow also hosts a weekly television program, ACLJ This Week, which tackles the tough issues of the day and is broadcast on a number of networks nationwide including the Trinity Broadcasting Network and FamilyNet.  Sekulow is also a popular guest on nationally televised news programs on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, CNBC, and PBS.  He frequently contributes articles and commentary to national publications and is often quoted in the nation's leading newspapers including USA Today, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and Washington Times. A graduate of Mercer University, Sekulow graduated cum laude receiving both a bachelor's degree and doctor of jurisprudence from Mercer University where he served on the Mercer Law Review as an editorial staff member.  Following graduation, Sekulow served as a tax trial attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service.  In that capacity, Sekulow prepared and brought to trial tax cases on behalf of the United States Department of Treasury in United States Tax Court. He also received a Ph.D. from Regent University, with a dissertation on American Legal History, and is the author of numerous publications and law articles. 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