Janet Napolitano Regrets If Right-Wing Extremists Are Offended But Not Apologetic
Posted in Department of Homeland Security on April 16th, 2009 by John H – Be the first to commentHomeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano appeared on numerous networks to discuss border security in advance of Obama’s meeting with Mexican President Felipe Calderon.
Some of the networks were a little more willing than others to broach the subject of the recent Department of Homeland Security assessment of “right-wing extremists.”
As if shocked by the absurdity, or perhaps audacity, of some claims that the DHS should apologize to veterans for assessing them as prime candidates for “right-wing extremism”, Janet Napolitano’s defense stings a tad like “some of our best friends are veterans.” Furthermore, she cites her personal experience as U.S. attorney for Arizona during which time Timothy McVeigh bombed the Murrah Building in Oklahoma as if it were clear, unbiased support for the assessment.
However, in response to the footnote definition of “right-wing extremism”, Janet Napolitano does conceded that she would have rewritten it in the “wordsmithing, Washingtonese” tradition that goes on after-the-fact.
That sounds a little like code for burying it further in the document to me.