Safe from Tree Huggers and Puppy Lovers

I realize that old news isn't technically "news" at all, but it's sometimes interesting to step back and marvel at our government's consistency. According to TBO, the Homeland Security Department is still focusing on possible terror threats from radical environmental and animal rights activists while ignoring the risks that might be posed by right-wing extremists. Reading this, we'll all sleep better tonight knowing we are safe from the antics of redwood tree squatters and rabid puppy lovers. At the same time, America can rest assured that we will not violate the rights of the Timothy McVeighs of the world.

This rabid hatred of the left, contrary to all reason, has a long history. Many years ago (beyond the memory limits of the collective psyche), the U.S. government decided to support a strong leader in Iraq who could unify the country, harrass Iran, and massacre the leftist commies running around the Middle East. This great leader then set out killing his opponents, many of whom were Communist, using lists that were partly provided by the U.S. CIA. Unfortunately, this man that the U.S. fell in love with happened to be a genocidal maniac. But what can you expect? People do what they are hired to do.

Of course, vilification of the left has a long history in the U.S. Years ago, our tax dollars were being spent to pay FBI agents to constantly tail a very threatening figure by the name of Martin Luther King, Jr. who was spreading (gasp!) the teachings of non-violence. I wonder how many FBI agents are currently tailing Charlton Heston or Jerry Falwell.