“Branded With The Scarlet E”

By: Corey Thompson, “The Thirsty Quill”

I must admit that my editorial today may seem a bit tardy. The topic of this commentary is one that was discussed and debated ad nauseam a week ago, yet I chose to remain silent until I allowed my initial emotions to subside. Ultimately, my frustration gave way to the burning fingers that now hover above the keyboard, poised to respond and express what so many have wanted to say.

Last Tuesday, our very own Department of Homeland Security issued a 9-page report, in which it outlined what the department perceives as a growing “threat” to our national security. While I acknowledge, appreciate, and applaud the important role that the department plays in protecting the “security of our homeland,” I must conclude that the report is nothing more than a disrespectful slap in the face to millions of red-blooded, flag waving, ‘God Bless America’ singing, apple pie eating patriots who love the great nation in which we live.

Under the direction of Secretary Janet Napolitano, DHS pressed forward with a report that was nothing short of distorted categorizations of Americans who endorse many conservative-based values, beliefs, and ideologies. Napolitano’s firestorm of label-slapping included branding military veterans, Second Amendment advocates, champions of Pro-Life causes, people of deep religious conviction, and those who oppose illegal immigration, same-sex marriage, and the expansion of federal authority…as “extremists.” In other words, the report was primarily aimed at the base of the conservative movement, and the very people who were to participate in the April 15^th ‘Tea Party’ protests. 

Let’s begin with an honest assessment of the release date: Tuesday, April 14th. Now to be fair to DHS and Secretary Napolitano, the report was actually released back on April 7^th. However, it was not shared with the mainstream media (or the public) until the 14^th. Coincidentally, last Tuesday (the 14^th) just happened to fall on the eve of the nationwide Tea Parties. Let’s face it folks, nothing spews forth from the bowels of Washington, D.C. by mere chance. We cannot overlook the sordid truth that this report was intentionally made public just a few hours before the Tea Parties were to commence. 

Don’t take my word for it. Go print the report and read it on your own. It will be well worth the paper and ink to educate yourself on what the Department of Homeland Security deems as a current “threat.” Be sure to have a pen and highlighter handy, just in case you see something that jumps out at you. You never know, the proverbial “boogeyman” that Janet Napolitano is warning us about might just be the little old lady who lives across the street or is sitting next to you in the pew at church. You’ll certainly want to be on the lookout for her suspicious activity…especially if she were to slap a politically-charged bumper sticker on her 1993 Crown Victoria, or worse, drop a few crumpled greenbacks into the collection plate. Beware, the enemy does indeed live among us!

Our forefathers were rightwing extremists by definition. They loathed oppressive government that trampled upon the rights, liberties, and individualism of the people. They believed that governments were instituted to protect people, not to scare them. They believed that taxes should have limitations, and that the revenue generated from those taxes should be used responsibly.

The founders upheld the ideals of a person’s right to protect his or her life and property, even if that meant with gunpowder and a single-shot musket. They were idealists and dreamers, and most held true to some form of religious conviction, although they were careful to never force their faith upon their fellow man. They believed in life, a person’s right to that life, and that the authority of taking a life was reserved strictly for the punishment of criminals and those who posed an imminent threat.

These men revered those who were brave enough to serve and stand unwavering between tyranny and death’s doorstep. They threw off the chains of their own oppressive government (rather aggressively, I might add). Today our founding fathers are hailed as heroes in the annals of American history, and they have been immortalized in marble and stone monuments named in their honor.

Yet now, in the fractured, twisted, and bent times in which we live, the same idealism (being carried out through PEACEFUL means) is seen as a radical, anti-government “threat” to the safety of the United States.

Make no mistake, this is nothing short of a scare tactic being employed by the liberal front. In releasing this report, DHS has done two things:

One, they have immediately categorized those who are currently speaking out against the current state of our government, and have labeled them as a potential threat, and even worse, an “extremist.”

Second, they have sent a strong warning to those who may be curious about the movement (i.e.: the Tea Parties): do not associate yourself with those wild-eyed radicals! It’s sort of like when your mother warned you not to go to the rock concert because everyone there was a “pot-smoking rebel/hippie” who “was on their way to Hell.”

The same principle holds true in this case. Indeed, somewhere in America there are a handful of nuts, idiots, and ‘lone wolves’ who are true extremists with violent tendencies. But the people I saw last week were average Americans, stirred to action out of concern for the country they love. The people I saw were the ones that our forefathers would be very, very proud of.

What did they get in return? They got dismissed and disrespected by the liberal media. Worse, they were branded with a Scarlet ‘E’ by the very government that in their hearts and minds they truly want to make better…not only for themselves, but for their posterity…just like the original rightwing extremists: George, Thomas, James, John, and Alexander.

In an era when suspected terrorists are being released, while flag waving Americans are being labeled as extremists, we must stand our ground. While an interrogator, charged with protecting our nation (homeland security), is on the eve of indictment and seemingly has fewer rights than the mastermind behind 9/11, we must not waver. While our elected officials are more concerned with putting our brave men and women on trial than they are with prosecuting known enemies, we must continue to speak out.

It’s hard to believe, but Hugo Chavez may have actually received a warmer reception last week, from the current administration, than conservative Americans. He actually got a firm handshake with the promise of cooperation and respect, despite differences in political philosophy. The moment received fair coverage by the American media. Those of us at the Tea Parties could only wish to be so lucky.  

How strange it is, when those who cried foul over wiretaps under the Patriot Act, have suddenly reversed course and identified the “real threat” as their fellow countrymen. Something is wrong here. Our values and our principles have been compromised and must be reestablished before it’s too late.

There was one more thing that DHS did by releasing this report. They genuinely believe that conservatives will become so enraged by this unjustified labeling, that some lone wolf nut may actually act upon it…and ultimately lend credibility to Secretary Napolitano’s assumptions. Moving forward, our protests and demonstrations must be loud, boisterous, and well-planned…but they must also be above reproach, never once giving this report a firm leg on which to stand.