Democratic Head of HSS Napolitano Crumbles Under Phony “Extremist Veteran” Reference, Giving Credibility to Lunatic Right.

As the Republican Party continues to strain the boundaries of credibility in their search for an issue, the majority party continues to act like they have marginal acceptance and controversial policies they’re ready to run from. Take this pathetic acquiescence to a trumped up accusation by the party of patriotic secessionists:

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano apologized today to U.S. military veterans who took offense at being mentioned in a domestic intelligence report that concluded that a declining economy and the nation's political climate could fuel a resurgence of right-wing extremism, saying any slight was unintended.-Washington Post

It was an unintended "slight" because the patriotic right wing flag wavers created a phony issue. Simply put, it's a projection of their own lack of veteran support (downgrading veteran PTSD, under funding vet health care and in Wisconsin- a free college education with no state funding to back it up).

What Napolitano doesn’t understand is that the intelligence report was just that, a field report, not a warmed over political press release. For Republicans, the idea that returning military veterans might have a few psychological problems after their tour of duty, is not only ridiculous but an insult to their service. Like the report says:

The Department of Homeland Security's intelligence section stated, "The return of military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communities could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks."

Once the Democratic Napolitano gave in, the flood gates of phony legitimacy were opened for this priceless over-the-top right wing reaction:

Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.) the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, asked the director of national intelligence's ombudsman to investigate the report for "evidence of unsubstantiated conclusions and political bias."

I hope Hoekstra shows the same outrage over the “left wing” reports wording and vilification of war protestors and liberal activist groups that pose no danger to the public. Don’t hold your breath. It wasn't so long ago such an investigation was portrayed by the Republicans as a "witch hunt."

But the bigger problem is Napolitano’s penchant to fold under the pressure of political criticism. If anything, this might be lay bare how easily she can be manipulated to produce certain outcomes that could actually weaken the security interests of this country.