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Unfortunately, it's not just CNN that's using the term "right-wing extremists." A correspondent on FOX used it tonight when referring to the "fringe elements" within Saudi Arabia. My blood boils every time I hear the phrase used in reference to Islamic nutballs/terrorists.

Help me out here, if you would please. I also heard the phrase "right-wing extremists" used on FOX yesterday. My first reaction was the same as yours: "Huh? Where's that coming from?" Why would they want to equate it to "Right Wing" and add the Whacko to it? Here's where I need your help in getting educated. Wouldn't "Skinheads" like the guys in Idaho be considered "Right Wing Extremists?" I mean, aren't those people extreme in their beliefs to the point of GREAT EXCLUSION of certain groups as well?
I kinda shrugged off the use of the phrase because I felt that it was probably a correct phrase - or not far off base.

Educate me folks. . .(now my fear of flaming begins?) ;-)

Pardon my butting in, but maybe I can help. Using right wing to describe the islamic terrorists is problematic, but so also is using the same term to describe skinheads and neo-nazis. The problem lies in a faulty understanding of Left-Right ideology.

A more appropriate (although not perfect) way of understanding Left v Right is to think of it in terms More Government versus Less Government. The Left believes in more government. Government dictating what we ought to do, how we should think, where we can go, etc. The Left generally thinks in terms of groups and group movement. The Right believes in less government. More liberty for the individual to decide for themselves. The Right thinks in terms of individuals. Individuals are judged on their own merits. With this (very simplfied definition)in mind, the islamic terrorists, Bin Laden, Al Queda, Taliban, et al are hardly right-wing. Their ideology revolves around a highly centralized, domineering government. they think in terms of the group (islam). They believe that some sort of quasi-government/religious bureacracy should dictate peoples' lives. They come from an ideological bent that has more in common with old Soviet Communism than any thing else, save possibly, Naziism. Those who espouse the americanized version of neo-naziism are also the nasty children of the Left. Their ideology is based in groupthink. They desire a centralized militaristic form of government founded upon racism and bigotry. They generally believe in a managed economy rather than free enterprise. More governemtn controls (to favor their group), rather than less.

It bothers me also, that the term right wing is bandied about when describing those I would consider "control freaks." Those who love liberty, believe that individuals (regardless of race, creed, color, etc) should stand on their own merits, who desire representative government, less government, equality before the law, etc are the True Right.