Homeland Security Department Slanders Veterans!

The Rightwing Spew Machine has sure done a big 180 since January. And it was so seamless. From one day to the next, their slogans changed. Or in some cases, the slogans stayed the same but they meant the opposite of what they meant the day before.

They still shriek “Traitor!” and “You Hate America!” to everybody they disagree with. Only now, the President of the United States is the “Traitor!” Same goes for all those America-hating Socialists who voted for him.

Conversely, the people who hate and slander and threaten Obama are the “Patriots.” The louder and more hateful the speech (using the term loosely), the more “patriotic.” I’m not providing any links, but if you’ve surfed a few rightwing blogs lately, you know what I’m talking about. There are some demented twisted people out there.

And now the Republican Party has its panties in a twist because of a Homeland Security warning. Wait, I thought the Homeland Security Department was our friend and anybody who criticized our friend was a flagburning — oh, that’s right, now the government is our enemy. OK, got it. Damn, I’m really trying to keep up here…

As you’ve probably read, the Homeland Security Department has issued a warning to law enforcement agencies that rightwing extremist groups might use the tanking economy and Obama’s race to stir up hatred and recruit more members. The same report also warned that some returning veterans — if they’re having trouble adapting to civilian life after being on the battlefield — could be susceptible to these extremist recruiters.

VETERANS!!!!! Oh boy, a soundbite! Spin baby spin!

House Republican leader John “Woody” Boehner was on it like flies on shit: “To characterize men and women returning home after defending our country as potential terrorists is offensive and unacceptable.”

Woody was joined in his tantrum by Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla.; Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas; and Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Indiana.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano replied: “Let me be very clear — we monitor the risks of violent extremism taking root here in the United States. We don't have the luxury of focusing our efforts on one group; we must protect the country from terrorism whether foreign or homegrown, and regardless of the ideology that motivates its violence.”

For once, government scrutiny isn’t limited to just environmentalists, anti-war protesters and people with Middle Eastern names. No wonder the Far Right is having a hissyfit.

cross-posted at Bring It On!