American Legion responds to DHS’ unwarranted fear of veterans
April 14th, 2009
A friend of ours in the deep southland sends us the letter that the American Legion national commander, David K. Rehbein sent to Department of Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano in response to the report that TSO wrote about yesterday which expressed an unwarranted fear of us right-wing veterans. The letter reads;
Dear Secretary Napolitano,
On behalf of the 2.6 million-member American Legion, I am stating my concern about your April 7 report, “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence and Recruitment.”
First, I want to assure you that The American Legion has long shared your concern about white supremacist and anti-government groups. In 1923, when the Ku Klux Klan still yielded unspeakable influence in this country, The American Legion passed Resolution 407. It resolved, in part, “…we consider any individual, group of individuals or organizations, which creates, or fosters racial, religious or class strife among our people, or which takes into their own hands the enforcement of law, determination of guilt, or infliction of punishment, to be un-American, a menace to our liberties, and destructive to our fundamental law…”
The best that I can say about your recent report is that it is incomplete. The report states, without any statistical evidence, “The possible passage of new restrictions on firearms and the return of military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communities could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks.”
The American Legion is well aware and horrified at the pain inflicted during the Oklahoma City bombing, but Timothy McVeigh was only one of more than 42 million veterans who have worn this nation’s uniform during wartime. To continue to use McVeigh as an example of the stereotypical “disgruntled military veteran” is as unfair as using Osama bin Laden as the sole example of Islam.
Your report states that “Rightwing extremists were concerned during the 1990s with the perception that illegal immigrants were taking away American jobs through their willingness to work at significantly lower wages.” Secretary Napolitano, this is more than a perception to those who have lost their job. Would you categorize union members as “Right Wing extremists”?
In spite of this incomplete, and, I fear, politically-biased report, The American Legion and the Department of Homeland Security share many common and crucial interests, such as the Citizen Corps and disaster preparedness. Since you are a graduate of New Mexico Girls State, I trust that you are very familiar with The American Legion. I would be happy to meet with you at a time of mutual convenience to discuss issues such as border security and the war on terrorism. I think it is important for all of us to remember that Americans are not the enemy. The terrorists are.
He had a lot more control than I would - I guess that’s why he’s the commander. I hope he addresses that racist hate group the Southern Poverty Law Center’s participation in this farce some day.
I have a favorite quote from Samuel Johnson that addresses this very same subject in his 18th century book “The Patriot”;
“It is the quality of patriotism to be jealous and watchful, to observe all secret machinations, and to see publick dangers at a distance. The true lover of his country is ready to communicate his fears, and to sound the alarm, whenever he perceives the approach of mischief. But he sounds no alarm, when there is no enemy; he never terrifies his countrymen till he is terrified himself. The patriotism, therefore, may be justly doubted of him, who professes to be disturbed by incredibilities…”
Thanks to Michelle Malkin, Gateway Pundit, Nice Deb and Free Republic for the links.
__________________
The problem with Christianity is not that it has be tried and found wanting, but that it has been found difficult, and so left untried.
-G.K.Chesterton
There's two members at my house that are appalled and fully support the National Commander's concerns.
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"Truth is treason in the empire of lies" Ron Paul
"There is something very masculine about a stogy. In this modern age of emasculated, limp-wristed, quiche-eating nancy boys, it stands tall as one of the last icons of teeth gritting manliness." C. Gadsden
Ahh remember "Earth Watch" from the Babylon 5 series.
All too well. The media durring the election campaign reminded me and still does remind me of them.
__________________ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5,6)
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." Benjamin Franklin
American Legion responds to DHS’ unwarranted fear of veterans
April 14th, 2009
A friend of ours in the deep southland sends us the letter that the American Legion national commander, David K. Rehbein sent to Department of Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano in response to the report that TSO wrote about yesterday which expressed an unwarranted fear of us right-wing veterans. The letter reads;
Dear Secretary Napolitano,
On behalf of the 2.6 million-member American Legion, I am stating my concern about your April 7 report, “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence and Recruitment.”
First, I want to assure you that The American Legion has long shared your concern about white supremacist and anti-government groups. In 1923, when the Ku Klux Klan still yielded unspeakable influence in this country, The American Legion passed Resolution 407. It resolved, in part, “…we consider any individual, group of individuals or organizations, which creates, or fosters racial, religious or class strife among our people, or which takes into their own hands the enforcement of law, determination of guilt, or infliction of punishment, to be un-American, a menace to our liberties, and destructive to our fundamental law…”
The best that I can say about your recent report is that it is incomplete. The report states, without any statistical evidence, “The possible passage of new restrictions on firearms and the return of military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communities could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks.”
The American Legion is well aware and horrified at the pain inflicted during the Oklahoma City bombing, but Timothy McVeigh was only one of more than 42 million veterans who have worn this nation’s uniform during wartime. To continue to use McVeigh as an example of the stereotypical “disgruntled military veteran” is as unfair as using Osama bin Laden as the sole example of Islam.
Your report states that “Rightwing extremists were concerned during the 1990s with the perception that illegal immigrants were taking away American jobs through their willingness to work at significantly lower wages.” Secretary Napolitano, this is more than a perception to those who have lost their job. Would you categorize union members as “Right Wing extremists”?
In spite of this incomplete, and, I fear, politically-biased report, The American Legion and the Department of Homeland Security share many common and crucial interests, such as the Citizen Corps and disaster preparedness. Since you are a graduate of New Mexico Girls State, I trust that you are very familiar with The American Legion. I would be happy to meet with you at a time of mutual convenience to discuss issues such as border security and the war on terrorism. I think it is important for all of us to remember that Americans are not the enemy. The terrorists are.
He had a lot more control than I would - I guess that’s why he’s the commander. I hope he addresses that racist hate group the Southern Poverty Law Center’s participation in this farce some day.
I have a favorite quote from Samuel Johnson that addresses this very same subject in his 18th century book “The Patriot”;
“It is the quality of patriotism to be jealous and watchful, to observe all secret machinations, and to see publick dangers at a distance. The true lover of his country is ready to communicate his fears, and to sound the alarm, whenever he perceives the approach of mischief. But he sounds no alarm, when there is no enemy; he never terrifies his countrymen till he is terrified himself. The patriotism, therefore, may be justly doubted of him, who professes to be disturbed by incredibilities…”
Thanks to Michelle Malkin, Gateway Pundit, Nice Deb and Free Republic for the links.
If you are expecting an appology, I wouldn't hold your breath. The now POTUS when he was a candidate called ICE officers terrorists. He has yet to appologize.
__________________ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5,6)
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." Benjamin Franklin
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