The new enemy of America

I have recently discovered that I am a potential threat to the safety and security of the United States of America.

It was, of course, a great surprise to me. I have always considered myself a good American, a patriot, a tax-paying, law-abiding citizen, and a lover of country. I vote, I stand during the National Anthem, say the Pledge of Allegiance with my hand over my heart, and have attended Memorial Day services for over a decade. I have flown the Stars and Stripes from my front porch every single day since Sept. 11, 2001. And now, agents of the land I love have suggested that I may be a threat to the nation.

According to the report that recently was released by someone in Homeland Security, I apparently fit a profile. I thought profiles were illegal, but apparently they are not.

Why, then, do I keep getting searched at the airport? The searches should be confined to those who “fit the profile” of a potential terrorist. Or maybe only the “new profile,” which I apparently fit, is now acceptable. What makes me a threat to the nation?

1. I believe in the sanctity of life. I am a pro-life advocate who believes that what society calls a “fetus” is a human being whose life, regardless of the circumstances of conception, is sacred. I believe that life is conceived in the mind of God even prior to conception in the womb. I believe in the position held by the Church from its foundation and the position revealed in scripture. I further believe that the sick, the aged, the infirm, the handicapped, the mentally ill — and all other human beings — are also included as persons whose lives have intrinsic value.

2. I believe in the strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. I do not think it is a “road map” but that it is a “standard” — open to amendment, to be sure, but not open to whims and the changing political winds of the moment.

3. I support the Second Amendment and believe that the founding fathers believed in the right to keep and bear arms. The founding fathers, with good cause, did not trust government and felt that an armed citizenry was a deterrent to tyranny.

4. I am a firearms owner. In fact, I am a darn good shot. Back in ancient times, I was among the 10 percent of Marines who fired “expert” with the rifle — the M14, in my case — and, since 1992, I have qualified as either an “expert” or as a “master” with the handgun (9mm, .38, .45, and .40 pistols). I am not so good with paint ball.

5. I am a military veteran. Apparently, someone in the government is afraid that the millions upon millions of men and women who were willing to die for their country and who gave years of their lives as a gift to America are, somehow, potential terrorists. I have yet to meet even a single veteran who hates his country or would even think of raising a hand against it.

It’s a funny thing — I thought that those guys who hijacked the planes on 9/11 and murdered over 3,000 people were threats to the nation.

I just assumed that people who adhered to Marxist-Leninist ideology were potential threats to freedom.

It was my sincere belief that the people who chanted, “Death to America,” or pointed nukes at our land were problematic.

I learned in school that people who advocated the violent overthrow of the government were those who needed to be held in check.

Silly me.

I have met the enemy and it is me.

Who knew? I always thought I was just a good citizen and a loyal American.

Apparently, I was wrong.

[Father David Epps is the founding pastor of Christ the King Church, 4881 Hwy. 34 E., Sharpsburg, GA 30277, between Peachtree City and Newnan. Services are held Sundays at 8:30 and 10 a.m. He also serves as a bishop to the Mid-South Diocese (www.midsouthdiocese.org ) and is the mission pastor of Christ the King Church in Champaign, IL. He may be contacted at frepps@ctkcec.org.]

For every David Epps, there's a Scott Roeder

Submitted by sniffles5 on Wed, 06/03/2009 - 4:10pm.

Interestingly, rightwing terrorist Scott Roeder shared virtually the same "profile" as David Epps.

What's a country to do?

edited to add:
Perhaps the Southern Poverty Law Center has the answer. From their 1998 guide to extremism in America:

"The militant anti-abortion movement is driven by three different but overlapping theologies that motivate violence: Christian Reconstructionism, Christian Identity and apocalyptic Catholicism."

Maybe the government should focus on these identifiable terrorist groups and disregard the boilerplate anti-abortion rhetoric of the David Epps/Ben Nelms/Nasti Christis of the world.

There are shades of grey on this issue.

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Autobiography of David Epps

Submitted by SPQR on Tue, 05/05/2009 - 11:39am.

the word "I" was the most used word in the column.

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It is an opinion column--my

Submitted by Father David Epps on Tue, 05/05/2009 - 4:56pm.

It is an opinion column--my opinion. Of course I use the word, "I."

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New Enemy

Submitted by AtHomeGym on Sun, 05/03/2009 - 4:23pm.

I endorse all your comments but just have one question--why did you not fly Old Glory 24x7 prior to 9/11/2001? Did that incident give you an instant injection of patriotism? I think not, but I'm sure you have your own reasons for your actions or inactions.

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America's enemies

Submitted by swac on Sat, 05/02/2009 - 9:15am.

A gun toting preacher with a little paranoia. Not a christian I can believe in. I wonder in what part of Christ's teachings he finds justification for his militaristic leanings. Certainly not from the Sermon on the Mount.

Have we forgotten Timothy McVeigh. The Oklahoma bomber or how about these recent happenings:-

• Late in April, 150 federal, state, and local law enforcement
officers carried out simultaneous raids in four Alabama counties in a sweep that yielded 130 grenades, a rocket launcher, and 2,500 rounds of ammunition.. In the town of Trussville, it took a U-haul truck to cart away all the materiel. At the Collinsville camper belonging to militia "major" Taymond Dillard, agents first had to defuse trip-wires rigged to explode hand grenades to kill intruders.

• Right-wing vigilantes arrested in a scuffle at one of the May 1 immigration marches, in Washington D.C., was found to have a stash of automatic weapons and explosives in his home.

• Now this, the violence allegedly thwarted at Falwell's funeral. One of the suspects is a soldier at Fort Benning - yes, he traveled all the way from Georgia with his munitions. Another was a high school student.

Homeland Security should be on guard from both right and left wing zealots. To do otherwise would be a dereliction of duty.

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swac your conclusions are a stretch at best..

Submitted by S. Lindsey on Sun, 05/03/2009 - 12:15am.

"Have we forgotten Timothy McVeigh. The Oklahoma bomber or how about these recent happenings:-

You really want to compare McVeigh with the report that states returning Military vets might be extreamist..???

"Late in April, 150 federal, state, and local law enforcement
officers carried out simultaneous raids in four Alabama counties in a sweep that yielded 130 grenades, a rocket launcher, and 2,500 rounds of ammunition.. In the town of Trussville, it took a U-haul truck to cart away all the materiel. At the Collinsville camper belonging to militia "major" Taymond Dillard, agents first had to defuse trip-wires rigged to explode hand grenades to kill intruders."

I have read the ABC and AP stories and have failed to find what "RIGHT WINGED" group they were part of.. Is it your contention that all militas are Right Winged fringe groups??

"Right-wing vigilantes arrested in a scuffle at one of the May 1 immigration marches, in Washington D.C., was found to have a stash of automatic weapons and explosives in his home."

Please cite the story from a credible source.. Thomas Paine is not one I would cite.. I am unable to find that story..

"Now this, the violence allegedly thwarted at Falwell's funeral. One of the suspects is a soldier at Fort Benning - yes, he traveled all the way from Georgia with his munitions. Another was a high school student."

Again please state what group these people are aligned with and what specifically makes them a "Right Winged" fanatic??

Swac there is a HUGH difference in pointing out groups like ALF and ELF.. and just sort of pointing over there and saying watch them too..

I will not lower my standards.. So UP YOURS..

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