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To put those 865 cleared people in context—other than being among the 1.5 million names on the FBI's terror watch list—they were also among "More than 100 million such checks [that] have been made in the last decade." (FBI quote).

So, 865 clearances from some 75 million cleared checks have morphed into a political crisis big enough to destroy the Constitution of the United States.

The GAO report and Lautenberg's press release created scores of mind-numbingly panicked headlines like this one at Philly.com: "Terror watch list no bar to guns."

The story stated, "Citing a 'terror gap,' Lautenberg introduced legislation to give the U.S. attorney general authority to stop the sale of guns or explosives to terrorists."

Regurgitating the word "terrorists" is as far as anybody in the lazy, airhead media will ever go. None of these guardians of the people will ever read the bill.

The first wave of media prep work for the "terror" legislation came with the issuance of two government reports—one from the State Police in Missouri and the other from the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Besides having Homeland Security funding in common, the other connection is that after posting they were both withdrawn as offensive and highly political.

The Missouri report, titled "Modern Militia Movement," suggested that people with strong views on gun control, U.S. sovereignty, immigration and abortion, and who openly supported third-party candidates like NRA Board member Bob Barr (former federal prosecutor and U.S. congressman) or U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, should be given special scrutiny as "right-wing extremists." After a storm of protest, it was shelved.

That March 2009 "restricted" document, published through a Missouri Department of Homeland Security "fusion center"—a state/urban center/homeland security satellite—was not an anomaly.

A far more damaging and paranoid document was produced by a shadow internal DHS group called "Extremism and Radicalization Branch, Homeland Environment Threat Analysis Division."

Upon reading it, most rational Americans might conclude that "extremism and radicalization" are rampant at the Department of Homeland Security.

That document opened with this statement of purpose: "Federal efforts to influence domestic public opinion must be conducted in an overt and transparent manner, clearly identifying United States government sponsorship."

That lofty announcement was altered by a direct footnote.

"Law Enforcement Information Notice:
This product contains Law Enforcement Sensitive (LES) information ... and is not to be released to the public, the media or other personnel who do not have a valid need-to-know."

So much for "overt." Everything about this is "covert."

The report is titled, "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence In Radicalization and Recruitment."

Americans worried about the economy or concerned over the United Nations, sovereignty, immigration policies, and even those who opposed the election of Barack Obama, are labeled as "extremist," and their concern considered "hate."

The DHS report upset so many segments of society, especially active duty service members, veterans and gun owners, that it was quickly withdrawn. Ultimately, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano apologized to vets, but no apology was offered to gun owners.

The document and the "reasoning" behind it are dangerous. Withdrawing it means nothing. It is the entrenched attitude that is important.

Secretary Napolitano said it was a mistake to release it.

The real mistake, in her mind, is that the public learned about it and many Americans were greatly offended.

Make no mistake: The underlying distrust of Americans, especially Americans who are free to own firearms, will continue to grow in the months and years to come. And it has one giant, underlying goal—to further destroy Americans' civil liberties in the name of "closing the terror gap."