A 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.”
From the report –
(U) Illegal Immigration
(U//FOUO) Rightwing extremists were concerned during the 1990s with the perception that illegal immigrants were taking away American jobs through their willingness to work at significantly lower wages. They also opposed free trade agreements, arguing that these arrangements resulted in Americans losing jobs to countries such as Mexico.
(U//FOUO) 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. Debates over appropriate immigration levels and enforcement policy generally fall within the realm of protected political speech under the First Amendment, but in some cases, anti-immigration or strident pro-enforcement fervor has been directed against specific groups and has the potential to turn violent.
(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that rightwing extremist groups’ frustration over a perceived lack of government action on illegal immigration has the potential to incite individuals or small groups toward violence. If such violence were to occur, it likely would be isolated, small-scale, and directed at specific immigration-related targets.
— (U//FOUO) DHS/I&A notes that prominent civil rights organizations have observed an increase in anti-Hispanic crimes over the past five years.
— (U) In April 2007, six militia members were arrested for various weapons and explosives violations. Open source reporting alleged that those arrested had discussed and conducted surveillance for a machinegun attack on Hispanics.
— (U) A militia member in Wyoming was arrested in February 2007 after communicating his plans to travel
Also, this section which should sound fairly familiar from the passage of the Immigration Resolution with the wording of ‘economic hardship & lawlessness’ —
(U) Economic Hardship and Extremism
Historically, domestic rightwing extremists have feared, predicted, and anticipated a cataclysmic economic collapse in the United States. Prominent antigovernment conspiracy theorists have incorporated aspects of an impending economic collapse to intensify fear and paranoia among like-minded individuals and to attract recruits during times of economic uncertainty. Conspiracy theories involving declarations of martial law, impending civil strife or racial conflict, suspension of the U.S. Constitution, and the creation of citizen detention camps often incorporate aspects of a failed economy. Antigovernment conspiracy theories and “end times” prophecies could motivate extremist individuals and groups to stockpile food, ammunition, and weapons.
These teachings also have been linked with the radicalization of domestic extremist individuals and groups in the past, such as violent Christian Identity organizations and extremist members of the militia movement.
SA, I don’t think your question is what this report is about. I think we have always called domestic terrorism, ‘domestic terrorism.’ What did they call the Oklahoma City bombing? I always have thought we can have foreign and domestic terrorism. Depending on one’s politics, domestic terrorism might have to pass a few more political tests than say something coming in from outside the country. For example, during the coal mining strikes, those giant jacks are sometimes thrown down. People have been shot, and yes, killed. That to me is domestic terrorism. I expect if I grew up in a coal town, I might feel differently about the violence. (or so I have been told)
The War on Terror has been renamed “The Overseas Contingency Operation” by Obama. Terrorist acts are being referred to as “man-caused disasters.” Here is a quote from DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano:
Sure.
I remember that nutcase Rudolph, oh gosh,what was his name? The guy who was bombing clinics. He was a domestic terrorist, or the bomb planted in Atlanta during the Olympics, or the doctors who were assisanted for performing abortions, oh wait, John Mohamed sniper. I don’t think I need to pick which is worse, home grown or foreign, they are all hideous.
Come on Elena, answer the question. Sighting specific cases is the same tactic as others sighting specific cases involving illegal immigrants. Honestly, which do you think would most likely pose the bigger threat? Documented US citizens, or undocumented people entering our country illegally? If you have to keep score it is 9 to 1 in favor of foreign terrorists.
By the way Elena, foreclosures in the US are up 40% over the same time last year. Did PWC pass another Resolution that I wasn’t aware of ???????????
I don’t understand why gangs like MS13 aren’t considered threats in this report. What about “eco-terrorists”? And why are right-wing extremists prone to violence, while left-wingers apparently only engage in computer crime?
Emma,
It’s because MS-13 members are made up of Democratic voters’ relatives.
SA,
Now why are you being obtuse? Hey, you are the one bragging that the resolution worked, that lots of people left legal and illegal. It’s really only common sense that dictates they were living a home, either rented or owned. People then did not seem to care how they left, as long as they left. Now you have people like Michael blaming the entire global economic collapse on “illegals” because of all the forclosures. It’s all very conveluted when you try to tease out what point you are trying to prove. I just keep it simple and historical, I find history is the best teacher and guide no matter what the present circumstance.
Also, the 9-11 attackers were here on student visa’s, what this blog and almost all others concentrate on, are the people coming over the border, let’s be honest here. Our ports, in my mind, create more of a danger than our southern border. If a dirty bomb or other device needed to reach American, it wouldn’t come on the back of a poor migrant mexican. Please, don’t throw in the drug dealers, that is a seperate issue.
Elena,
I have no clue what you just said. Maybe it’s late, but most here blamed the foreclosure related financial ills of PWC on the Resolution chasing out the illegals. I’m just making the point that foreclosures occur without the passage of a Resolution as well indicating that the Resolution was not necessarily to blame. A tongue in cheek comment. Anyway, are you ever going to answer the question in #54 above?
Emma, that was funny. Thanks for bringing that up. I always thought it was a pretty arrogant bumper sticker. That is a term I never heard until I was an adult. What exactly does it mean, someone?
(question not directed at Emma since she will be left here with us earth folks)
Emma, I mentioned eco-terrorists in my comments. I think they are just as bad as any other kind. George Bush ordered the study, or rather his administration to assess the dangers. Maybe eco-terrorism isn’t a huge threat now. Certainly the computer hacking is. It can shut down nations. (did I just read something about computer terrorism being linked or organized crime?)
I believe I did answer you SA. both are equal in my mind. A-G-A-I-N 😉 I will “say” it slower. T-h-e 9-1-1 a-t-t-a-c-k-e-r-s w-e-r-e a-d-m-i-t-t-e-d
o-n l-e-g-a-l s-t-u-d-e-n-t v-i-s-a-s. Sorry, I am tired and am sick so I really should just go to sleep. My point is, that I think we have much bigger fish to fry in this country, as far as crisis facing us, than immigration. Just my opinion.
The report may have been requested by Bush, but Janet Napolitano reviewed it, signed it and released it. And who knows the political motivations of the “researchers”?
Moon-howler, I’ll leave you with this thought before I go to sleep:
“I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints. The sinners have much more fun.” — Billy Joel
I am trying to put myself in my republican friends shoes. If Bush’s adminstration, even though Clinton may have requested it, came out with a report that left wing extremism was on the rise, watch out, I would find it very suspect. Of course, Bush was caught illegally spying on a group of senior aged quakers, so if that is as leftie as the danger gets, I think we are all pretty safe from that side of the left wing extremism danger threat!
I think the point that every one is missing, once again.
Is that, here we have a federal entitiy, that is categorizing certain types of free Americans into a group that is to be watched and suspected for mearly exercising their first ammendment rights. This entity
( Homeland Security) is fairly new on the scene and by the way, has no charter in the United States Constitution for it’s existence, is profiling those who express any dislike for what the present administration is doing. Considering the fact. that there is, an amendment in the Constitution, which confirms the right to express that dislike,( and it happens to be the First Amendment) we should be asking ourselves, who do these people of this federal entity think they are.
A newly created federal agency that has no right to exist,discribing the free people who express their dislike for the actions of the presidential administration that supports this so called agency, as extremeists. Some body please tell me what is wrong with this picture.
If there are any extremists in this scenario it is those whom feel it is just fine and dandy for a federal angency to have anything to say at all. Let alone tell law enforcment departments through otu the United States to keep an eye on these “bad people”
Just another way for a power hungry puddle of political slime to divide the population of our great nation for the purposes of keeping the power they have stolen through a fraudulent election.
As far as I am concerned there is not one person that holds elected office in Washinton DC whose actions don’t deserve to be investigated and prosecuted for crimes against the people of the United States.
I welcome all debate on the issue. What the “left and the right” sides of the federal government has been slowly pushing forward in the name of “the war on terror and the war on drugs” is nothing more than treason and an afront to the greatest document ever drafted and to the brave men who penned it.
Sharkey
To understand the intent behind this report we must take into account that there were two reports released to the DHS. One concerning the Right wing extremists and one about the left wing extremists. Why was the report concerning the right wing sent to all the law enforcment angencys around the country and they were not sent the report concerning the left wing extremists. A quetion that shouls srise during any debate about extremism of any type. Why would the Obama admistration only warn of the possablity of trouble from the right wingers. Maybe because that is whom they fear will stop the agenda that is being forced upon a public that clearly understands the threat to the constitution and the freedom it gaurantees.
Elena,
It’s a new day, so I’ll c-o-m-m-e-n-t on your reply. Based on your a-n-s-w-e-r you feel that there are just as many people within the US that want to do us harm as there is in other countries. Even if that were true, then I would have to say that those from other countries that we know absolutely nothing about would have to be the worst of the two threats. It’s harder to trace the activities of undocumented people, as the IRS and ICE can attest. If they boycott the census, then that is even less information that we know about them. At least with US citizens it’s a case of ‘I know where you live’.
SA, I agree with Elena – terrorists from both sides are equally bad. Being blown up by Eric Rudolph isn’t less fatal.
We may not know what is going on in other countries and are therefore less able to track potential terrorists, but the home-grown variety blend in well until they commit their crime. There are advantages and disadvantages to each.
I think I heard that less than 3% of the containers coming into this country are inspected. Anyone willing to pony up the bucks to hire enough staff to remedy this?
It is indeed true that only a very small percentage of containers on cargo ships entering US ports are inspected. It is a very big problem.
thanks for being a g-o-o-d sport SA 😉@Second-Alamo
Welcome Sharky,
Those are valid questions regarding why right wing appeard more dangerous than left wing.
However, many would argue that the Bush administration did more to threaten consitutional values than this president. Not sure how President Obama is threating any consitutional values. Bush and his adminitration approved torture, approved wiretapping, and that is just the first two that come to mind instantly.
“However, many would argue that the Bush administration did more to threaten consitutional values than this president.”
Elena, I’ve said this before: The previous Administration set up the play, and the current one is making the touchdown. Obama is taking full advantage of the inordinate powers that the Executive Branch has assumed. I’ve actually opined that Bush was quietly supportive of Obama, given his hatred of McCain and his hugely unprecedented assistance to Obama during the Lame Duck period (assistance to Obama’s transition team, etc.). Just a thought.
Oh yes, one more thing, Obama has been President for barely three months, and look at all the damage he has already managed to do.
“Damage he has already managed to do”. That is a load. From your perspective, perhaps, but to the over 60% of people that approve of the job he has done thus far, we do not believe he has inflicted “damage” in any way. Certainly not the damage done to our country’s image during the previous administration.
TWINAD, I agree with you. I’m glad that Obama has moved so quickly on issues I care about. Where was the outrage when Bush did all these things that the right-wing complains about? Where were their voices then? Oh, yeah, he was a Republican so it didn’t seem to matter. Now that there’s a “D” in the White House, the earth appears to be coming to an end. Haha.
AWC,
What damage?
I agree Censored. The incitement of anger by Fox News is to make up for the fact that their party has no good ideas, and no good issues on which to build a calm, centrist movement. So, instead of a calm centrist movement, they are going with what the have left: a crazed, dangerously agitated, but very small minority of people gathering to protest something. Even if they’re not sure what. All of the big mistakes were made under Bush, but no incitement was organized and paid for by Fox News then. This timing is no coincidence.
@Elena The warrantless wiretapping “talking point” is old and tired, and it surprises me to still see it when a federal appeals court in January upheld the practice for the purpose of collecting foreign intelligence, even if it is being done to Americans. This decision can only be appealed to the Supreme Court. Despite President Obama’s campaign promise, he has not repudiated or even discontinued this practice.
So I assume you agree that Mr. Obama, just like Mr. Bush, is also “threating any consitutional values,” as you say.
Emma,
I am hopeful that many elements in the Patriot Act will be revisited. Now that a democrat is in office, I am sure the republicans will have no problem re-entering that particular piece of legislation.
It doesn’t concern you that President Obama is keeping wiretapping in his arssenal still? He realizes what a valuable tool he has, and he is reneging on his campaign promise to do away with it.
And on Friday, April 3, 2009, the Obama DOJ argued that the Patriot Act bars any lawsuits of any kind for illegal government surveillance unless there is “willful disclosure” of the illegally intercepted communications. This means that the government is pretty free to intercept ALL of your communications, and you can’t do a thing about it if the government says they did not “willfully disclose” those communications to the public.
Doesn’t that take just a little bit of the shine off of this new President?
So Obama is clearly cherry-picking the elements of the Patriot Act that suit him. He’s no fool.
Perhaps the risk factor from far right extremists is greater when you have a progressive in office. Not just a progressive, but the first black to hold that office. Conversely, I would expect the risk factor to be higher for far left extremists when someone like Bush was in office.
Fox News is just going to wave the bloody shirt on this one until their arms fall off. I have been watching them build into a crescendo since Obama took office. When O’Reilly starts looking like the moderate, you have reason to worry.
Now THAT is funny M-H!
“When O’Reilly starts looking like the moderate, you have reason to worry.”
Emma,
I don’t have problem accepting that this President has some issues. I am more concerned right now with Tim Giegtners (sp?) ties to wall street actually. I am hoping that my liberal blow hards, teaming with conservative right wing people like Bobb Barr will start ramping up the talk about the Patriot Act next year. There is enough on our plate that is an immediate crisis.
I am not very well wrapped in ideology from either conservatives or liberals. I am sitting back and seeing what happens. For some reason, I am not horribly worried like I was last year. I know that companies are already starting to repay the TARP money. It is times like that that I am reminded why I really hate politics.
As I hear about each new right wing extremist conspiracy claim against the US government and Obama, I can’t help but imagine that average Americans are just turned off to right wing extremists. Glenn Beck really did claim there are concentration camps, and screamed and cried about it as if it was real. He and other extremist right wing pundits criticized Obama for the pirate incident. What?
I think the average person is tuning these people out. Perhaps when they realize this they will cut it out.
It may lead to violence, but they really want to regain the White House. I don’t see how inciting hatred and hysteria among easily manipulated people will regain the White House. So then what is this about, TV ratings?
ShellyB, can you provide a few examples of ‘new right wing extremist conspiracy claims’ you have heard about? Also, you mentioned that Glenn Beck claimed there are concentration camps, care to explain further or provide a link?
I think I know what you are talking about but I’m not sure… I remember Glenn Beck being asked about FEMA concentration camps and he debunked them. I don’t ever remember him claiming them to exist. Please provide a link or explain further if I’m wrong.
Hello, just tune into Fox News. If you watch it for 20 minutes you will see what I am talking about. Also you can read the DHS report quoted in this thread. Or also right wing talk radio.
I’m glad to hear Beck recanted. But when you say something crazy on national TV and retract it later, it is still irresponsible. Because not everyone who saw the concentration camps episode will see the retraction.
I know that Beck is distraught that Obama won. And I know that he and others in right wing media are playing to an audience of people who are also distraught. I’m just questioning whether teabagging and stockpiling weapons is a valid way for a “news” network to rebuild our nation’s oldest political party.
Especially if there are security risks.
ShellyB, so what your saying is that anything you hear on Fox News is a ‘right wing extremist conspiracy’? Good to know you have such a loose definition of ‘right wing extremists’ let alone ‘conspiracies’. I suppose if I told you that Obama saying 90% of all of the guns seized in Mexico come from the U.S. is a lie you would consider that a ‘right wing extremist conspiracy’ as well huh.
Beck never stated that there were FEMA concentration camps, he said that people have been asking about them and he debunked them. They were made up from 10 year old video’s out there on the web. Again, please provide some sort of proof…
It’s funny how when liberals protest anything it’s all over the news and totally legit (like ACORN’s bus tour of AIG execs houses). When there is a protest against government spending and taxing it’s called a right wing conspiracy and diminished with offensive sexual references.
Just a suggestion, MSLSD doesn’t always show things in the same light just as FOX doesn’t either.
ShellyB, by your same logic… if you watch MSNBC for 20 minutes are you seeing ‘left wing extremist’ and their ‘left wing conspiracy theories’?
You still have not provided any proof to back up your statements nor have you answered my question… if I told you that Obama saying ‘90% of all the guns seized in Mexico are from the U.S.’ is a total lie would you say that was a ‘right wing conspiracy’?
By the way, I heard that on Fox if it helps you answer the question…
Hello, according to FactCheck, Fox’s figures are bad as well.
“But if a rough figure given by Mexico’s attorney general is accurate, then the actual percentage of all Mexican crime guns traced to U.S. sources is probably less than half what the president claims, and more than double what Fox news has reported.”
http://www.factcheck.org/politics/counting_mexicos_guns.html
Hi Censored… I got my numbers from what ATF Special Agent William Newell said in an interview. I can accept that the figures may be different according to factcheck but that still doesn’t answer why Obama and his adminstration continue to stick to the 90% quote.
Do you have any idea as to why they would do this when ATF numbers, as well as factcheck, prove that to be incorrect?
Hello, I think they’re (Obama admin.) looking at just the traceable guns – the ones the US was asked to trace – and not considering the total number of guns seized after crimes. I think the numbers are being manipulated by both sides. I’m not aware of Fox adjusting its numbers either.
Fox not adusting their numbers doesn’t concern me as much as our President. The Obama administration is directly misleading the public on the issue at best, at worst they are flat out lying.
Once again every one of you are missing the point. The issue at hand is not right or left.
The issue is freedom. Will we have it or no.
That is the point. We are being crowded and hurried so much every day that we don’t have time to digest the facts of the days mail let alone read and comprhend a thousand page bill that the president is desperately trying to get passed as law.
Question, why is he in such a hurry. The methods he and pelosi are using are nothing short of strong arm of the class used by other “great leaders” in history. I’m sure you folks remember them, at least some of them?
Great men like adolf hitler, mao tse tung, joeseph stalin, idi amin, just to name a few.
You folks are spending what little time you do have hacking at each other, Only fools and useful idiots slam each other when they are in the same cage being lowered into a cess pool.
There is no one on either side of the imaginary aisle.
There is no aisle, dont you get it.
They play on the fact that they have succeeded in seprating the family and the community. Now they are working on all of us as a nation of individuals. They work together in everything they do. That is hwo you keep power.
You knuckle heads are still conentrating on the problems instead of the solution.
And all those greedy scum bags in all government at all levels are laughing their asses off because you all are doing exactly what they have trained you monkeys to do.
They have created an “us and them” world which puts blocks between anyony one who might be capable of organizing a new party.
The American Patriot Party.
We don’t care if you are black white green yellow gay lesbian.
we only demand two things of you.
Gain knowledge and pass it on and more importantly love and beleive in the Constitution Of The United States as it was writen.
With knowledge you are powerful, with truth you are free.
With both you are an American.
Corny? NOT HARDLY! If they continue to pull off this giant hoax we are doomed.
Get rid of the us and them attitude. or they win.
Sharkey