If you look at total homicides in the U.S. (based on 2012 which is the last fully recorded year) the F.B.I. says there were 14,000 total homicides and 8000 of those were by gun. They don't break out mental illness related. The CDC claims to count unreported homicides (don't know how they got them if unreported but...) and they have the total at 16,800 with 11,000 by gun. Again, no mental status documented. So, the average of all of these is 15,000 homicides, 9500 by gun in a population of 315 million people at least 125 million are packing.

I don't know how it plays on your observation about drugs but...if we eliminate the homicide rates in 3 U.S. cities (Detroit, L.A., New Orleans) the homicide rate by gun is cut by 70%. There may be a relationship to drugs. But more interesting;

The ratio of 15,000 to 315 million is insignificant. The ratio of 9500 to 315 million less so...How is it then that we are a violent nation? By statistical evidence we appear to be pretty civilized and lawful. So why so anxious to take our guns when the data says we don't use them anyway?

The issue at hand was (still is) completely unclear. I think I already said I misunderstood the intent. You have left no doubt now though with this posting. "Find evidence or non-evidence (what in hell is 'non-evidence?) to prove that left extreme is no worse than right extreme." This is a Freudian slip, a menial and pedestrian view of the subject or a justification-seeking for ones own extreme position. My position is that any extreme is damaging. And the 12 points describe all extremes and could apply to religion, sexual preference or any special interest.

In the first paragraph of your initial posting you said that those with many of these characteristics can't recognize them in himself. I didn't see the multiple ironies in that until now. You figure out the first irony. The second though is that there can be no argument because the rightists can't see themselves. Kind of like a vampire looking in the mirror. So, anyone arguing an opposing position is summarily dismissed predicated on the evidence at hand, the 12 points. Just blame them of that behavior when it's convenient and dump it back on them. And of course point to all the fact based research that is available to the dummies...don't ever tell them where to find it though. And definitely don't publish it.

There is no, repeat, no research that proves as you suggest that your 12 points are fact, beyond doubt and argument, note - beyond doubt and argument- assignable to one political polar extreme or the other. There are however millions of opinions and theories and books that go both ways. If your intent was to inspire debate, my original misunderstanding, you would have published the offsetting data, in exactly 12 points. Lacking that it is a legitimate mistake to assume this list is all-encompassing as said above. My mistake already atoned for.

Blaming the reader for not researching more opinion and theory is an easy out. Facts count, theory is just that. With that, I concede to you; Fact; right wing extremism is damaging and right wing extremists are incapable of recognizing their miscreant ways as you have pointed out. I have no such fact-based opinion of l*****t extremism at this time because you have provided no facts on that subject.

Now I am going to go find a strong drink and figure out how to deal with my newly diagnosed authoritarian thingamajig and you-too whatsit...

Thanks for setting me straight. My mistake was thinking that the intent of the original post was to spark debate resulting in thoughtful problem solving ideas in which case one would naturally think that another, comparative data set (l*****t in this case) is needed. I now understand that this is a discussion of the stratification of rightist extremism. The outcome of this can only be that rightist extremists have caused damage; the very premise going in. Frankly, if one wants to participate in lop-sided rhetoric, Fox News, CNN and NBC already provide active websites...

You have a point. Extremists all act, well, extreme. I would really like to see the l*****t list from the author because at the moment it looks like the current list is a one-size-fits-all.

You mention that the purpose here is to discuss cause and effect of right wing extremism. To have merit as a serious debate this will require comparative conclusions. Therefore it is fair to ask, are there 12 traits for left wing extremist? And for moderates? Without these comparative, offsetting data there is nothing to debate.