I have already written several posts about the entirely bogus "controversy" surrounding the recent Department of Homeland Security report on right-wing extremism.
In several of these posts, I noted how the closely it resembled the similarly bogus controversy from a few months back regarding the stimulus legislation, the only difference being that this trumped up right-wing scandal had not really managed to make its way into the halls of Congress.
Well, now that one last difference has been erased:
House Republicans demanded Wednesday that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano detail how the controversial "right-wing extremism" report was compiled, using a rare legislative maneuver that ensures that the Democrats must take a public stand - one way or another.
...
House Republicans filed their request under the chamber's Rule XIII, Clause 7 - called "a resolution of inquiry" - which will force the Homeland Security Committee to vote within 14 legislative days on the Republican request. The request covers all documents relating to the intelligence assessment titled "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment."
The panel is required to vote on the resolution in an up-or-down vote and send it to the floor within the time period, stating that the request for information has been reported favorably or unfavorably.
The resolution is sponsored by Mr. King and every ranking subcommittee member, as well as Minority Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia and Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, Republican Conference chairman.
This is absolutely unbelievable and just one more reminder of the lesson I repeatedly fail to learn: never underestimate the ability of the Right and their allies in Congress to generate "controversy" out of absolutely nothing at all.
