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No one wants to see the FBI fail in its orders. I would like to see, however, some correction of incompetence where and when it occurs. Do we at Free Republic have a legitimate role to play? I believe we do. The press has abandoned its watchdog mission of government to a watchdog mission over conservatives. There is yet hope that we can have an impact through the Internet that big media has discarded.

Since 9/11 I've been quietly (and often not so quietly) burning up with anger and rage to see Islamic fundies (not Arabs or Muslims, but those who publicially hate us and call for our deaths, destruction, etc) get punished for what they did. Going after "right-wingers" is not my idea of making this nation safer. Go back and read Clinton's remarks about the right vis-a-vis Oklahoma City and talk radio, for example. He said that he feared the radical right more than any other terrorist group. Unfortunately he was not talking about neo-nazis and white supremacist militia groups, but active, lawful conservatives (unless you think Rush is a terrorist).

Has this attitude befallen the FBI? I don't think so, but it has allowed incompetence to walk freely as long as the targets where of the wrong political stripe or group.

This brings me back to my point above. FReepers should challenge this, even if big media, in their hatred and zeal against conservatives, won't. I see nothing wrong at all for true patriots criticizing the government or agencies thereof (including law enforcement) when they are wrong.

Going after "right-wingers" is not my idea of making this nation safer

Hatfill doesn't get a free pass because he's right-wing. Not any more than Timothy McVeigh. There's evdience that whoever did this probably is a right-wing American (the date was written in Western style, etc.).

People can be right or left but they still have to respect democracy. They can't go around violating the peoples' laws. I know you agree with that, for sure. Not suggesting otherwise. But I think there's probably evidence leading the FBI to look toward Hatfill. I don't think they're picking on him just because he's right wing. His political views -- or the views of someone like him if he's not guilty, a possibility I allow for entirely -- provide a strong motive for this crime. Remember, Sen. Leahy was targetted; Sen. Gramm was not. The person who did this had some kind of axe to grind.

I want to be entirely fair: I appreciate that you're not saying that someone should get a free pass just 'cause they're right wing. But be entirely free to me: there's evidence here that the person who did this with a domestic right-winger. That's not some FBI fantasy. Even from what we know publicly, it so appears.

I see nothing wrong at all for true patriots criticizing the government or agencies thereof (including law enforcement) when they are wrong.

Who disagree with the proposition. I'm just not sure abut the "when they are wrong" part on the facts of this case. Can we agree on this?: Time will tell.