Home Grown Extremists.
This is dangerous ground, home grown extremists being labeled in the United States. In my opinion there are certainly areas where you can identify home-grown extremists efforts; black panthers, KKK, Unibomber, and other types however we as citizens have to be careful how large a brush we grant the government in finding these 'groups'. Remember that it is very easy for the government to say 'you're a threat' and instantly wipe away the majority of your rights. You also have to be very thorough especially when the rationale for the label is "possible" threat. Almost every group of every kind has an element of it that doesn't follow along with the logic of the rest. That Westboro Church for instance, while they preach a very hateful message they have not engaged in any act to illicit physical harm, nor have they violated their right to assemble and right to speak. Many people disagreed with recent court engagements that waived any legal avenue against this group. But, in my opinion, it was completely justified. Simple point is they didn't break any rules and though their message may be perceived as insane by the vast majority of citizens that is not enough to wave the bill of rights.
But this general dislike of the Westboro church and its message could easily be construed into 'something that may become violent or illicit violence in response' but does that make it home-grown extremism? No it doesn't.
The point is, be careful not to allow rhetoric by politicians and leaders lead you to assume that you are in some imminent danger. Frankly, throwing around terms like 'home grown extremists are as much of a danger as Al-Queda' is simply ignorant, fear based, and in all accounts insane. We live in a dangerous time when the government can label a group of individuals, with no tangible rationale for the governments concern, extremists.
When they speak of the "Tea Parties" in this method remember that there are individuals right now that oppose the Tea Parties and are actively attempting to infiltrate rallies wearing Nazi garb and preaching violence, no I'm not making that up. Be careful what you take as truth in this matter. And remember, once the Pandoras box is open, you don't know what may come out.
Maybe some of our current leaders need to read a little more about what happened in the colonies between 1770-1776. Consider this, Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Hancock, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere, John Adams and the like were all labeled 'extremists' by England.
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But this general dislike of the Westboro church and its message could easily be construed into 'something that may become violent or illicit violence in response' but does that make it home-grown extremism? No it doesn't.
The point is, be careful not to allow rhetoric by politicians and leaders lead you to assume that you are in some imminent danger. Frankly, throwing around terms like 'home grown extremists are as much of a danger as Al-Queda' is simply ignorant, fear based, and in all accounts insane. We live in a dangerous time when the government can label a group of individuals, with no tangible rationale for the governments concern, extremists.
When they speak of the "Tea Parties" in this method remember that there are individuals right now that oppose the Tea Parties and are actively attempting to infiltrate rallies wearing Nazi garb and preaching violence, no I'm not making that up. Be careful what you take as truth in this matter. And remember, once the Pandoras box is open, you don't know what may come out.
Maybe some of our current leaders need to read a little more about what happened in the colonies between 1770-1776. Consider this, Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Hancock, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere, John Adams and the like were all labeled 'extremists' by England.
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