American Legion to Napolitano: Apologize

[cwo_ghwebb]

Of all the smears listed in the new DHS warning about “right-wing extremism,” none are more dastardly and despicable than the insinuation that returning military veterans represent a security threat to the nation they willingly served. The Commander of the American Legion has sent the following letter to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano explaining to her that military veterans are not the enemy:

Secretary Janet Napolitano
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528

April 13, 2009

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.

Sincerely,


David K. Rehbein
National Commander
The American Legion

Hot Air » Blog Archive » American Legion to Napolitano: Apologize

Another 'brilliant' appointment by the Messiah.

[Matthew]

This smacks of the same BS levelled at Nam vets. Wondering if we will get the Obama devotees to say anything about this. I won't hold my breath. Like the USS Cole forgiveness debacle.

[3M3tib]

I'm a Vietnam veteran. For years, any time a vet committed any sort of a crime, the news media reported it using the phrase "another crazed Vietnam vet." I thought we had grown out of that, but it looks like the new Homeland Security head honcho didn't get the memo. I like to look for positives, though. While this memo is insulting, it does make it very clear where the current administration is with regard to veterans. Great message: We've trained you to take lives and sent you on multiple extended tours of duty far away from home so now we consider you to be some kind of potential terrorist because we're afraid of what you might be thinking. Thanks from a grateful nation.

[Matthew]

Originally Posted by 3M3tib

I'm a Vietnam veteran. For years, any time a vet committed any sort of a crime, the news media reported it using the phrase "another crazed Vietnam vet." I thought we had grown out of that, but it looks like the new Homeland Security head honcho didn't get the memo. I like to look for positives, though. While this memo is insulting, it does make it very clear where the current administration is with regard to veterans. Great message: We've trained you to take lives and sent you on multiple extended tours of duty far away from home so now we consider you to be some kind of potential terrorist because we're afraid of what you might be thinking. Thanks from a grateful nation.

Exactly, hermano. The true war veteran is still the covert bogeyman whenever Hollywood and similar mediadriven maniacs need to trot out a villian to divert attention. As you know, unless you were there, no one else can describe to you the combined terror and mixed exhiliration/guilt at surviving. NO ONE ELSE.
No it looks as we have yet to go beyond that. Just a new set of "villians". I guess this is part of the "change"we can believe in.

[aps45819 (Premo)]

“…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…”

No wonder the governmant doesn't like them, he's talking about congress

[cwo_ghwebb]

Originally Posted by aps45819

No wonder the governmant doesn't like them, he's talking about congress

The fake 'apology' from Napolitano sure didn't make me feel any better. She and the Administration seemed threatened by alpha personalities.

Sorry, I'm not going to turn into a Nonno or Boy just to please these clowns.

Napolitano is a fricken pig, lets all that BS out and then tries to back peddle. She should be in the kitchen making cookies instead of leading DHS.Pitiful!!