Those Pesky Haters

On the second page of the DHS report on right wing extremism is found this statement:

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 illegal immigration.

This makes me wonder if talking about how much someone would love to put a bullet into the president's head while making a commencement speech would qualify as rightwing extremism. It would necessarily have to be rightwing since it's obviously hate oriented... right?... that is, I guess, unless you're normally "mild mannered" and apologize afterward, then I'm sure it's just hunky-dory.



I suppose we also have nothing to fear from the people who laugh about shooting presidents as long as they're nice left-wingers. I do think however, just to be fair, they should have given a disclaimer to any pro-life, pro-constitution, or religious students that might have been graduating that day: "Kids, don't' try this at home"

As a foot-note, Hevesi was in the midst of a campaign against John Faso for the office of NY State Comptroller-and Bush was in the midst of a campaign against real terrorist-when these words were spoken. The voters disagreed with Faso's assessment that he was not fit for office and gave Hevesi another term to begin the first day of the following year. Hevesi resigned after pleading guilty to felony charges days before his new term was to begin.