The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Politics & RKBA => Topic started by: Rastus on April 14, 2009, 12:52:05 PM
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http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/14/federal-agency-warns-of-radicals-on-right/ (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/14/federal-agency-warns-of-radicals-on-right/)
Federal agency warns of radicals on right
9-page report sent to police
By Audrey Hudson (Contact) and Eli Lake (Contact) | Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Department of Homeland Security is warning law enforcement officials about a rise in "rightwing extremist activity," saying the economic recession, the election of America's first black president and the return of a few disgruntled war veterans could swell the ranks of white-power militias.
A footnote attached to the report by the Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis defines "rightwing extremism in the United States" as including not just racist or hate groups, but also groups that reject federal authority in favor of state or local authority.
"It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single-issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration," the warning says.
The White House has distanced itself from the analysis. When asked for comment on its contents, White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said, "The President is focused not on politics but rather taking the steps necessary to protect all Americans from the threat of violence and terrorism regardless of its origins. He also believes those who serve represent the best of this country, and he will continue to ensure that our veterans receive the respect and benefits they have earned."
The nine-page document was sent to police and sheriff's departments across the United States on April 7 under the headline, "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment."
It says the federal government "will be working with its state and local partners over the next several months" to gather information on "rightwing extremist activity in the United States."
The joint federal-state activities will have "a particular emphasis" on the causes of "rightwing extremist radicalization."
Homeland Security spokeswoman Sara Kuban said the report is one in an ongoing series of assessments by the department to "facilitate a greater understanding of the phenomenon of violent radicalization in the U.S."
The report, which was first disclosed to the public by nationally syndicated radio host Roger Hedgecock, makes clear that the Homeland Security Department does not have "specific information that domestic rightwing terrorists are currently planning acts of violence."It warns that fringe organizations are gaining recruits, but it provides no numbers.
The report says extremist groups have used President Obama as a recruiting tool.
"Most statements by rightwing extremists have been rhetorical, expressing concerns about the election of the first African American president, but stopping short of calls for violent action," the report says. "In two instances in the run-up to the election, extremists appeared to be in the early planning stages of some threatening activity targeting the Democratic nominee, but law enforcement interceded."
When asked about this passage, Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan said, "We are concerned about anybody who will try to harm or plan to harm any one of our protectees. We don't have the luxury to focus on one particular group at the exclusion of others."
Congressional debates about immigration and gun control also make extremist groups suspicious and give them a rallying cry, the report says.
"It is unclear if either bill will be passed into law; nonetheless, a correlation may exist between the potential passage of gun control legislation and increased hoarding of ammunition, weapons stockpiling, and paramilitary training activities among rightwing extremists," the report said.
The FBI was quoted Monday as saying that, since November, more than 7 million people have applied for criminal background checks in order to buy weapons.
The Homeland Security report added: "Over the past five years, various rightwing extremists, including militias and white supremacists, have adopted the immigration issue as a call to action, rallying point, and recruiting tool."
The report could signify a change in emphasis for Homeland Security under former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano. A German magazine quoted Ms. Napolitano as rebranding "terrorism" as "man-made disasters." Since its inception in 2003, the department has focused primarily on radicalization of Muslims and the prospect of homegrown Islamist terrorism.
Ms. Kuban said, however, that the department had published reports on left-wing radicalization as well, though she could not name one.
"These types of reports are published all the time. There have actually been some done on the other end of the spectrum, left-wing," Ms. Kuban said.
A similar headline was used in a report issued in January, Ms. Kuban said, although she could not provide the content of the headline.
Ms. Kuban said she did not know how long the new report had been in the making.
"The purpose of the report is to identify risk. This is nothing unusual," said Ms. Kuban, who added that the Homeland Security Department did this "to prevent another Tim McVeigh from ever happening again."
The Homeland Security assessment specifically says that "rightwing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to exploit their skills and knowledge derived from military training and combat."
Jerry Newberry, director of communications for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said the vast majority of veterans are patriotic citizens who would not join anti-government militias.
"As far as our military members go, I think that the military is a melting pot of society. So you might get a few, a fractional few, who are going to be attracted by militia groups and other right-wing extremists," he said.
"We have to remember that the people serving in our military are volunteers, they do it because they love their country, and they believe in what our country stands for," he said. "They spent their time in the military defending our Constitution, so the vast majority of them would be repulsed by the hate groups discussed in this report."
The Homeland Security report cited a 2008 FBI report that noted that a small number of returning military veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have joined extremist groups.
The FBI report said that from October 2001 through May 2008 "a minuscule" number of veterans, 203 out of 23,000, had joined groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, the National Socialist Movement, the Creativity Movement, the National Alliance and some skinhead groups.
"Although the white supremacist movement is of concern to the FBI, our assessment shows that only a very small number of people with prior military experience may have an affiliation with supremacist groups," FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said Monday when asked about the FBI report.
A 2006 report from the Southern Poverty Law Center, an organization that monitors white supremacists like the Klan, said that white-power groups had an interest in the kind of training the military provides.
Mark Potok, director of the center's intelligence project, said the Homeland Security report "confirms that white supremacists are interested in the military. There is some concern, and there should be, about returning veterans, one need only think of the example of Timothy McVeigh, who was in the first Iraq war."
Mr. Potok added that he was generally pleased with the report.
"Basically, the report tracks fairly closely with what we have been saying for some time now. They mention us a couple of times, though not by name," he said.
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Could you imagine if a Republican Administration sent out a memorandum like this warning of BLACK organizations with a LEFT WING agenda?!?!?!
ACLU, where are you?
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Could you imagine if a Republican Administration sent out a memorandum like this warning of BLACK organizations with a LEFT WING agenda?!?!?!
ACLU, where are you?
Probably on the case, they same way they were with that letter that went out to midwestern law enforcement warning about Bob Barr and Ron Paul supporters. This is W.'s legacy, unfocused paranoia on the part of people with badges and guns that has the government questioning our loyalty. If Obama wants to prove he's worthy of the office he will shut this down hard. He's done it with affirming our refusal to commit torture and ordering Gitmo closed, but this is even more serious. We cannot have a coutry where the government feels free to view, and then inexorably treat, people as "enemies of the state" if we don't vote the right way.
FQ13 an annoyed libertarian
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"Most statements by rightwing extremists have been rhetorical, expressing concerns about the election of the first African American president, but stopping short of calls for violent action," the report says. "
I have read a lot of criticism on Obama on this forum, but always on his actions and words, never on his ethnicity. Does that mean that DRTV is exempt from this type of scrutiny?
Ocin
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Happy Birthday, OCIN!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Happy Birthday, OCIN!!!!!!!!!!!!
(http://www.smiliez.nl/smiliez/yahoo/08.gif)
Thanks Haz.
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Probably on the case, they same way they were with that letter that went out to midwestern law enforcement warning about Bob Barr and Ron Paul supporters. This is W.'s legacy, unfocused paranoia on the part of people with badges and guns that has the government questioning our loyalty. If Obama wants to prove he's worthy of the office he will shut this down hard. He's done it with affirming our refusal to commit torture and ordering Gitmo closed, but this is even more serious. We cannot have a coutry where the government feels free to view, and then inexorably treat, people as "enemies of the state" if we don't vote the right way.
FQ13 an annoyed libertarian
That's funny that you blame W (as usual) I don't recall HIS "Jack booted Thugs" murdering law abiding citizens in Waco, or Ruby Ridge Idaho.
Your bigotry is showing.
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That's funny that you blame W (as usual) I don't recall HIS "Jack booted Thugs" murdering law abiding citizens in Waco, or Ruby Ridge Idaho.
Your bigotry is showing.
No bigotry. Clinton would probably have done the same thing (as the examples you cite demonstrate, and I was there at a protest demonstration in Waco). Its just the mind set that if the president says its ok then the law be damned that bothers me. Just like the warrant less wiretaps. I have no problem with strong security measures, but I do have a problem with a president, Clinton, W., Obama, who just says "trust me, I don't need to be held accountable". The reason for that, is that that attitude quicly makes its way down through the ranks to justice department prosecutors and federal, and then state LEOs. Remember that I'm a libertarian, I have no particular love (or trust) for either party. Yes I was bothered by W. but that doesn't mean I won't hold Obama to the same standard. This isn't a partisan issue for me, its about liberty.
FQ13
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No bigotry. Clinton would probably have done the same thing (as the examples you cite demonstrate, and I was there at a protest demonstration in Waco). Its just the mind set that if the president says its ok then the law be damned that bothers me. Just like the warrant less wiretaps. I have no problem with strong security measures, but I do have a problem with a president, Clinton, W., Obama, who just says "trust me, I don't need to be held accountable". The reason for that, is that that attitude quicly makes its way down through the ranks to justice department prosecutors and federal, and then state LEOs. Remember that I'm a libertarian, I have no particular love (or trust) for either party. Yes I was bothered by W. but that doesn't mean I won't hold Obama to the same standard. This isn't a partisan issue for me, its about liberty.
FQ13
You do not seem to have done so yet.
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You do not seem to have done so yet.
Guys been in office three months. I'll wait and see. I figure he's owed the same two years it took Reagan to start turning things around. If he hasn't, I'll be voting GOP in 2010. As I say, I have no loyalty to either party. I'll judge on results.
FQ13
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So I guess this makes me a right wing extremist because my wife and I have taken and continue to take self defense and shooting courses? Now I'm sure I'm being overly paranoid here, but do I need to start worrying about some LEO knocking on my door and wanting to know why I we are taking all these courses?
Of course if asked why I felt I needed 3 martial arts classes and 5 defensive shooting classes the answer is simple...
I didn't figure you (LEO) would provide personal security for my family 24/7 so I took it upon myself to get my family armed and educated and CAPABLE of defending ourselves.
Course the government won't see it that way. :-\
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Tom,
I bet you're at or close to the top of the list! ;D I wonder if their internal list goes something like this:
1. Rush Limbaugh
2. Alex Jones
3. Tom Bogan
4. Michael Bane
.......
I'm sure I'm probably on some list somewhere because I openly call for the repeal of the ban on select-fire weapons manufactured after 5/19/86, and the repeal of the NFA of '34.........
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I'm sure I'm probably on some list somewhere because I openly call for the repeal of the ban on select-fire weapons manufactured after 5/19/86, and the repeal of the NFA of '34.........
Does that make you a right wing extremist, a racist, a communist or a Muslim extremist? Its kind of hard to tell these days. Whatever you are, I bet you're shifty, wanting one of those evil weapons. ;D
FQ13 who thinks you are the poster boy for common sense by raising this point
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Does that make you a right wing extremist, a racist, a communist or a Muslim extremist? Its kind of hard to tell these days. Whatever you are, I bet you're shifty, wanting one of those evil weapons. ;D
FQ13 who thinks you are the poster boy for common sense by raising this point
Dadgummit, Quaker! I think you are clairvoyant or some big word like that! ;D Though I must say that a 'muslim extremist' is a bit out there for me, but that's never stopped government before......... ;D
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Lets see.....
Top Secret military clearance, NICS fingerprints, 32 Nuclear Power stations, 4 Dept of Defense Nuclear Faclities, General Dynamics employee, Nuclear Fuel Services employee.....
I think I'm on a list somewhere, they know where I poop for goodness sake...... ;)
Fellas, there ain't no hidey hole big enough for all of us....
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There was a previous post here regarding this "leak" of the "letter". I'm glad not all of the people at HSA come from the Democrat party, and there are a few that regard this "letter" as bird cage fodder.
I think I highlighted (until I got tired) multiple "right wing" references to religious and "anti" American activity.
How Dare They! (sarcasm added)
The MSM quietly didn't make this an issue on the Nightly News, as the ridiculous nature, and totally biased opinion, renders it impotent, insulting, and frankly BULLS***!
The double standard would apply however, if the parties were reversed.
Oh, I guess I'm on the list too.
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Oh, I guess I'm on the list too.
You're in good (or at least fun) company twyacht. Hazeritas, or should I make my patented Quaker Mojitos?
FQ13 who, in deference to m'lette ,has long since stopped giving a "fig" about whose list he's on
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Tom,
I bet you're at or close to the top of the list! ;D I wonder if their internal list goes something like this:
1. Rush Limbaugh
2. Alex Jones
3. Tom Bogan
4. Michael Bane
.......
I'm sure I'm probably on some list somewhere because I openly call for the repeal of the ban on select-fire weapons manufactured after 5/19/86, and the repeal of the NFA of '34.........
Don't forget Glenn Beck, G. Gordon Liddy, Michelle Malkin, Walter Williams, and me.... 8)
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The" Nuge " is to show up in San Antonio Texas , for a Tea Party event at the Alamo tomorrow . Let's see what the Media tries on this event. ;D
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The" Nuge " is to show up in San Antonio Texas , for a Tea Party event at the Alamo tomorrow . Let's see what the Media tries on this event. ;D
Aw...damn, you're gonna make me drive an hour to San Antonio instead of the Capitol. :)
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The 'media' will stay away from Uncle Ted. He talks too much common sense.
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The 'media' will stay away from Uncle Ted. He talks too much common sense.
Hit!
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The 'media' will stay away from Uncle Ted. He talks too much common sense.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiYyHNgeFA8&feature=PlayList&p=68DD02CFF22C72DC&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiYyHNgeFA8&feature=PlayList&p=68DD02CFF22C72DC&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2
Oh Tom, you shouldn't have done this..... ;D Now Eric has a link to drop on the 1911 crowd when we get going on the perennial debate of 1911 vs. Glock. ;D
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Oh Tom, you shouldn't have done this..... ;D Now Eric has a link to drop on the 1911 crowd when we get going on the perennial debate of 1911 vs. Glock. ;D
But at least it's a NUGENT link ;D
By the way I'm Honored by the ranking you gave me on the Governmental sh!tlist. ;D
I'm not worthy.
But I'll keep trying ;D
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Just remember how Hitler started small, he began to marginalize the Jews. They were greedy, taking all the wealth from the pure Aryans, monopolizing all the good jobs, etc.
See a pattern here?
Once one group has been marginalized, it is pretty easy to start adding to the circle. The first were those greedy bankers who got their contractual bonuses, now the moral majority. Who is next?
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Once one group has been marginalized, it is pretty easy to start adding to the circle. The first were those greedy bankers who got their contractual bonuses, now the moral majority. Who is next?
Don't forget all of us who are clinging to our God and our guns.... ;D
Really....who didn't see this coming?..... ::)
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Posted on another thread, but Jan. 26, the Left Wing Extremist Report came out also from DHS, it about mirrors the Right Wing.
http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/Leftwing_Extremist_Threat.pdf
Didn't here that from Rush, or Beck, or Hannity, but it is true.
Sometimes I like being an Independent. Politicians frankly ALL stink!
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As I was reminded, the only real difference in the reports, is the bashing of the military being more likely to be part of a Right Wing group....
The Dems can;t help themselves, regarding the military...