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Posted on 04/16/2009 4:00:39 PM PDT by Signalman
ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, announced today that it has filed a federal lawsuit against Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. The lawsuit claims that her Department’s “Rightwing Extremism Policy,” as reflected in the recently publicized Intelligence Assessment, “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment,” violates the civil liberties of combat veterans as well as American citizens by targeting them for disfavored treatment on account of the political beliefs. General - PDF Links Click here to read the Law Center’s complaint.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on behalf of nationally syndicated conservative radio talk show host Michael Savage, Gregg Cunningham (President of the pro-life organization Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, Inc (CBR)), and Iraqi War Marine veteran Kevin Murray. The Law Center claims that Napolitano’s Department (DHS) has violated the First and Fifth Amendment Constitutional rights of these three plaintiffs by attempting to chill their free speech, expressive association, and equal protection rights. The lawsuit further claims that the Department of Homeland Security encourages law enforcement officers throughout the nation to target and report citizens to federal officials as suspicious rightwing extremists and potential terrorists because of their political beliefs.
Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center stated, “The Obama Administration has declared war on American patriots and our Constitution. The Report even admits that the Department has no specific information on any plans of violence by so-called ‘rightwing extremists.’ Rather, what they do have is the expression of political opinions by certain individuals and organizations that oppose the Obama administration’s policies, and this expression is protected speech under the First Amendment.”
Thompson added, “Janet Napolitano is lying to the American people when she says the Report is not based on ideology or political beliefs. In fact, her report would have the admiration of any current or past dictator in the way it targets political opponents.”
The Report specifically mentions the following political beliefs that law enforcement should use to determine whether someone is a “rightwing extremist”:
* Opposes restrictions on firearms * Opposes lax immigration * Opposes the policies of President Obama regarding immigration, citizenship and the expansion of social programs * Opposes continuation of free trade agreements * Opposes same-sex marriage * Has paranoia of foreign regimes * Fear of Communist regimes * Opposes one world government * Bemoans the decline of U.S. stature in the world. * Upset with loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs to China and India * . . . and the list goes on
The Law Center is asking the court to declare that the DHS policy violates the First and Fifth Amendments, to permanently enjoin the Policy and its application to the plaintiffs’ speech and other activities, and to award the plaintiffs their reasonable attorney’s fees and costs for having to bring the lawsuit.
Click here to read the Department of Homeland Security’s Report.
The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life. It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America. The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.
Well we wanted conservatives to wake up and start playing hardball.... nicely done.
She needs to resign her office. What a nazi heifer.
(( ping ))
The Thomas More Law Center continues to go after scumbags.
Show support by donating.
What options are available to the American citizen when our US Congress and POTUS ignores court decisions including up to USSC and just basically tells us to go to hell.
“...violates the civil liberties of combat veterans as well as American citizens by targeting them for disfavored treatment on account of the political beliefs.”
Well, I’ll be damned, there are men with eggs left in this country.
Way to go Savage!
You have my total support!
Savage is talking about the lawsuit now. He’s ripping into Napolitano and Obama.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090416/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/napolitano_right_wing_extremists_9
“The senior Democrat of the House committee with oversight of the department said the report raises privacy and civil liberty issues. “This report appears to have blurred the line between violent belief, which is constitutionally protected, and violent action, which is not,” Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., wrote in a letter to Napolitano.”
Woo Hoo...the writing is on the wall..I think they will lose the lawsuit
Thanks for the ping, Lancey!
thanks, bfl
Lets use the Ku Klux Klan Act, which was written to protect, “Republicans, Catholics and Negroes” in the Reconstruction South!
We could get Judge to issue a Federal Injunction, and then pull Justice officials into Court (The U.S. Marshals did this for Pro Abortion Judge Kelly, here in Wichita) — anyway, pull Justice officials into Court and have them state, under oath, that they will NOT violate Civil Rights!
That would be funny!
Woo Hoo! That didn’t take too long!
RE: “Savage is talking about the lawsuit now. He’s ripping into Napolitano and Obama.”
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Terrific news!
Outstanding!
Thanks for the ping, Lancey.
I have little knowledge of law. I did not read the entire documents referenced below but I believe that citizens can sue individual career government employees both as individuals and bureaucrats. I do remember news reports about the Berkeley case, however
see also HUD employees can be sued
Neighbors in Berkeley did not like that a HUD project would bring people into their neighborhood who were mentally disabled or disabled through substance abuse.
The neighbors were immediately attacked by HUD appointed and career government employees.
"San Francisco HUD office initiated an eight-month investigation into the neighbors' activities and beliefs. During the course of its investigation, HUD officials questioned the neighbors under threat of subpoena about their views and public statements regarding the challenged project; directed them to produce an array of documents and information, including all involved parties' names, addresses, and telephone numbers and all correspondence or other documents relating to their efforts in opposition to the project; informed them and a major metropolitan newspaper that they had violated the Fair Housing Act; and advised them to accept a 'conciliation proposal' that required them to cease all litigation and the distribution of 'discriminatory' newsletters and flyers."
If I recall correctly news items at the time reported that the courts ruled that individual HUD bureaucrats could be personally held accountable.
As we fight against radical Muslims trying to kill millions of Americans this is no time to hamper our government BUT! this is not something that was initiated by a citizen.
hehehe... I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the flak that idiot Janet is getting over this report.
I want names, NAMES!!!, of the people who actually wrote the report. They should be fired on the spot. I’m going to be contacting my Senators and Congressman tomorrow and make that demand. I want to see heads roll, starting with Janet’s.
Every member of this website fits the mold .
Excellent news. Thanks for the ping, Lancey,
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