With each passing week, it seems more and more people in our country are discouraged from making any attempt to have a meaningful discussion of opinions and beliefs. This week's example is a report from the Department of Homeland Security titled "Right-wing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment."

It's not a coincidence this report came out right before April 15, Tax Day, when a number of conservatives voiced their disappointment with the current administration and its policies on taxation and spending. These gatherings of conservatives, called "Tea Parties," are planned events, many of which have already taken place in major cities around the country. They usually draw thousands of participants and have all been peaceful and civil in execution. Of course, with many planned on Tax Day, various left-wing organizations, such as ACORN, have expressed interest in infiltrating these parties and causing chaos. Still, it's supposedly the right wing we should fear.

Seriously, everyone should read the report. There are few facts to back up the claims of possible trouble from "right-wing extremists." Most of the report deals with assumptions, claiming the bad economy and an African-American president will fuel right-wing extremist violence. Considering the content of the report, primarily talks of Timothy McVeigh and hardcore racists, the term "right wing" seems a bit misleading. The main groups discussed are militias and white supremacy groups. It would've been more honest to title the report "Militias, White Supremacists and Unstable Crazies," but then again, those terms don't evoke thoughts of conservatives and Republicans like the term "right wing" does.

Looking through the report, the only shred of evidence to back up the claims is the shooting of three police officers by a nutcase in Pittsburgh earlier this month. He apparently felt President Barack Obama was going to take away his guns, a feeling fueled, according to the left, by right-wing talk show hosts around the country. MSNBC, the Huffington Post and CNN have all said the rantings of Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity made the shooter fear Obama would confiscate all of his guns, thereby leading to the shooter's rampage. Of course, any reasonable person who has looked at Obama's record, which includes opposing illegal gun use in fighting off home invaders, endorsing an Illinois handgun ban, limiting purchases of guns and calling for the elimination of assault weapons can see Obama does support liberal gun control laws. I am in no way condoning the atrocious shootings earlier this month, but the attempt of the left-wing media to link honest discussions of the president's record with a lunatic who killed cops is dishonest at best and horrible at worst.

Of course, the report could be another attempt in a long line of liberal initiatives to marginalize and eliminate any opposition to their opinions. There was a discussion in the DHS report of a "conspiracy theory" that this administration would suspend Constitutional rights. Looking at what's been going on so far, I have to say I fear for the First Amendment. Obama surrogates attempted to prosecute those who said negative things about Obama during the campaign. His "Fight the Smears" Web site was actually less factual than the smears launched against him. Obama, along with his chief of staff and other Democratic has-beens, tried to marginalize Rush Limbaugh by anointing Rush as the head of the Republican Party and having their lapdogs in the media attack him at any opportunity they had. We see Obama calling the Republicans a "Party of No," despite the fact they have offered alternatives to his policies. It seems like the old slogan of "Change We Can Believe In" has turned into "Attack Them To Shut Them Up."

It's not only Obama who seems to oppose right-wingers exercising First Amendment rights. Democrats in Congress have been trying, and failing, to get the Fairness Doctrine passed, ensuring all viewpoints will get equal airtime on the radio. This is in response to the fact conservatives dominate talk radio and therefore should be stopped. The Fairness Doctrine is intended to bring "competition" to radio. I have to concede there are not many alternatives to conservative radio, unless you count Air America, sports talk, sex talk, country, classical, jazz, pop, rock, rap, R&B, hip-hop and Christian music. To Obama's credit, he doesn't support the Fairness Doctrine, but in the past has supported "localism," which allows the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revoke broadcasting licenses from stations that don't serve "community interests." 

So, for those who still believe in a free exchange of ideas, I encourage you to check out the Miami University College Republicans' Conservative Week next week. Each day is dedicated to a separate conservative principle with events planned and literature to pass out. Friday is scheduled as "First Amendment Day," dedicated to the celebration of the freedom to exercise our religion, freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom to assemble and freedom to petition the government. We will also be encouraging all of you to exercise your freedom of speech as well, allowing you the opportunity to "tell" us what you think of our conservative beliefs by throwing a pie in our face. It will be a fun, informative week for all to enjoy. That is, unless the Department of Homeland Security designates us as a "right-wing extremist group" and shuts us down.