Homeland Security issues warning on right-wing extremist groups

DHS is warning law-enforcement agencies that we might see a spike in right-wing extremist groups because we have (A) the worst economy in 70 years and (B) our first black president. Take it away, Politico:

“The consequences of a prolonged economic downturn — including real estate foreclosures, unemployment, and an inability to obtain credit — could create a fertile recruiting environment for right-wing extremists and even result in confrontations between such groups and government authorities,” the report warns.

The report explains that threats so far have been “largely rhetorical,” but points to the April 4 shooting of three police officers in Pittsburgh as a “recent example of potential violence associated with right-wing extremism.”

Homeland Security is especially worried that returning vets are going to be recruited, the way some were by the militia movement during the early 1990s.

A few thoughts: Wow. This is really, really tone-deaf. Even if you ARE worried about something like this, you damn well better have some proof before you accuse your political opponents -- and returning war heroes -- of wanting to, you know, blow people up. It's essentially the same warning that Missouri's public safety department issued, and that went over SO well.

Second? I kind of understand why the DHS people are freaking out. The rhetoric about Obama is three times as heated as anything that got said about Clinton. It's absolutely your right to call him the Antichrist and accuse him of breaking into your kid's room at night to steal from Billy's piggy bank -- just don't be surprised if people look at you strange.

Jewwells P has tracked down a copy of the report.

Also? Another local blog, The Kansas Citian, has a post about the issue here.

Hat Tip: Many thanks, Jewwells P and Mikeybackwards!

Comments

[Wednesday!]

So let me get this straight ONE crazy white dude goes nuts and kills police officers, etc. and all of a sudden there are going to be more like him because of "right-wing extreamism" I tell ya, this country is getting more and MORE racist against white people every day. What about the hundreds of killings by black men every day...what do you call that...oh yeah, you call that a product of their poor, poor enviornment! Whatever!!!

[Jellybean]

The Homeland Security Act, the DHS, and the Patriot Act have been dangerous since their very beginnings. They are meant to intimidate anyone who openly disagrees with the government. Always were meant to do just that.
The philosophy of a Ruling Class isn't so great when you don't rule anymore.

[Sicem]

“Many right-wing extremists are antagonistic toward the new presidential administration and its perceived stance on a range of issues, including immigration and citizenship, the expansion of social programs to minorities, and restrictions on firearms ownership and use,”

Sooo.... Because I oppose some of the Presidents policies... I am an extremist and therefore a "threat" ???

[Jellybean]

Yes. Unless you strongly oppose the abuse of animals or the degredation of the environment. Then, you are a left-wing extremist and likely to launch a Cyber-attack.
Either way, I think the point is that we should all keep our mouths shut and nod appovingly at anything our govt says or does. And don't go excercising your Freedom of Asssembly either. That'll only make things worse.

[cigars]

I love this country but I am afraid of it's government............John

[RBranch]

Has anyone read "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand???

[Mr. Common Sense]

I'm not sure if this is the news provider's fault for failing to explain this, or if some of you people are really just this stupid, but being a conservative does not make you a right-wing extremist. The DHS is not worried about Rush Limbaugh. It is worried about lunatics who think they are waiting for the opportune time to take over the government.

These "militias" are out there. They have very little relationship with reality, and they are worrisome. They call them "right-wing" militias because they are, for the mostpart, anarchists. This makes them a different type of right winger than those of you who would prefer lower taxes and less government spending. Please don't pretend like this story means that the new administration is targeting dissenters to its political programs and calling them extremists. That just makes you look and sound ridiculous.

[Cliff S.]

Barney Frank needs his butt kicked for selling out our children and I am a veteran who used to believe in our government not any more thanks for nothing dirtbags.

[Sasquach]

Attention: All persons posting negative comments related to this report.

Your IP addresses have been recorded. Thank you for your cooperation.

[Sicem]

Funny that this would be released when people are assembling at TEA parties across the country to oppose our governments use of tax money... and the fact that we are taxed too much...

[Bart]

Seems like during the last administration, the left wingers were saying the same big brother was watching them... suck it up right wingers, your turn now. If both group's measure of right or wrong is just this same old paranoia BS... Or either can't make a sound argument without saying such paranoia BS, Then you should be both institutionalized!

[RBranch]

Mr. Sense, The Obama admin. is afraid of Rush Limbaugh, otherwise they would not have sent the attack dogs after him. This admin is scared to death of anyone who rises in opposition to them and thus targets them (us) as well. Be not fooled with the slick talk of "Hope and Change" This is a new ideal they speak of now and I for one am scared to death of them.
It does not make us " look and sound ridiculous" You seem to sound like one of them, looking to put down anyone who is opposed to this new ideal by calling them names. Just my thoughts

[Optimistic]

I have read the "Intelligence and Analysis" Assessment, tracked by CRIM-040300-01-05, and have come to one conclusion: if you aren't a blind-following, non-thinking, robotic drone, of the current administration and political apparatus, you are listed in this "Assessment" as a threat to the country. It could very possibly be said that the current "Democratic" party has overthrown the government of the United States of America. At very least, the "Democratic" party has overthrown the governing of the United States.

This supposed "Assessment", more closely represents a document that explains why the rouge, political structure of my country is holding their collective breath, quaking in their collective boots and hoping that the drone half of the population doesn't wake up before this Totalitarian coup-attempt is completely successful.

[Sicem]

According to the Homeland Security document, right-wing extremism "may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as abortion or immigration."

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=490506

I oppose abortion... Does that make me an extremist ??? It does identify individuals as being an extremist... not just groups... and not just militias...

[Mikeybackwards]

Funny that apparently no one with a voice to be heard in the Republican party is under 40 so they could have explained to them what 'teabagging' is.

Here is the Urban Dictionary definition

Don't follow the link until after tea time or you have had your lunch, otherwise you might lose both

[RBranch]

Another example of individuals, not just groups, being targeted in this assessment. Note the use of the words "adherents and individuals";

Pg 2
Rightwing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.

[Hunter]

This has nothing to do with color but where this nation is heading. Bad politics both sides plus I for one don't like a all democratic congress it is scary. I'm sure some of these off beat political figures will be gone but not to soon. Do we have any honest and God loving Man or Women without any self interest except for country and the RIGHT OF LAW BIDING PEOPLE to straighten out Washington. Since young age I use to hear this old saying: DO YOU KNOW WHEN A POLITICAN IS LYING, HIS LIPS ARE MOVING. When is this going to change!

[Elrond of Rivendell]

"Seems like during the last administration, the left wingers were saying the same big brother was watching them... suck it up right wingers, your turn now."

Funny, I don't recall any DHS warnings during the Bush administration about potentially dangerous left wing extremists.

[JewwellsP]

Has anyone read "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand???
Posted by: RBranch | Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 12:16 PM

I have, but I agree anyone who hasn't should.

[Mikeybackwards]

BTW - When people on both the right and left began to protest the USA Patriot Act, Leon Panetta, the former chief of staff for Bill Clinton came out and made what was a very telling statement: "I don't know what all the uproar is about, we had been trying to get the same powers since 1993."

However, far too many shouted down the protesters on this issue claiming that to criticize this measure (or the government) was tantamount to being a terrorist sympathizer, a 'surrender-monkey', or wanted America to lose the GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR.

Subsequently the FBI and Homeland Security began to infiltrate and spy on anti-war/peace groups, labor unions, anti-death penalty activists, environmentalists, and human rights activists. Now unfortunately, our fellow citizens from the conservative end of the spectrum are being unfairly targeted and subjected to the same violations of their civil liberties as those of us on the liberal end of the spectrum.

We all need to work together to force our Senators and Representatives to repeal the USA Patriot Act, the legitimization of warrant-wire tapping, and any other similar measures that abrogate our freedoms by a veto-proof margin.

It is time for us to reach across the political divide to protect us all.

[KC Vet]

Duh...the Patriot Act was President Bush baby. There's alot of (Republican) Haters in here. Bush bankrupted this country with your help and now you want to blame Obama for attempting to fix the mess you created by support Bush. Get real...

[JewwellsP]

We all need to work together to force Posted by: Mikeybackwards | Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 12:59 PM

The Gummit is prepared for that too, just google FEMA camp.

[Mikeybackwards]

EOR,

Then you weren't paying attention. Cops, Feebs, and other DHS types were all about the wiretapping, infiltration, and spying on left wing groups during Bush's terms.

[blarneology]

"Funny that apparently no one with a voice to be heard in the Republican party is under 40 so they could have explained to them what 'teabagging' is.

Here is the Urban Dictionary definition "

No wonder so many on the left live off the gub'mit dole with responses like this. It just shows why this country is in such bad shape.

[Jellybean]

It's a two step process to increased govt power by effectively removing the citizen's rights.

Step 1 - Patriot Act suspends Civil Rights of anyone suspected of being or assisting a terrorist.
Step 2 - Define "terrorist" in such general terms that anyone and everyone could be one.

It started in the Bush Admin and is being continued so far in this Admin.
This is not a left vs right issue, it's a people vs govt issue.

[blarneology]

"Duh...the Patriot Act was President Bush baby. There's alot of (Republican) Haters in here. Bush bankrupted this country with your help and now you want to blame Obama for attempting to fix the mess you created by support Bush. Get real..."

Actually it was congress' baby,
Bush didn't spend in eight years that zerObama has in just a few months.

Get real learn a little about what is going on.

[JewwellsP]

The fun has already began in England it seems.
Look out America, you're next.

Police raid dozens of homes as climate change activists arrested
Council spends £60,000 snooping through bins on early morning raids

[Jellybean]

Here's the trick played on the Congress members that supported the Patriot Act:
As soon as it was passed, Bush then issued a "signing statement" saying that he could withhold from Congress how it is being used.
I remember having an arguement with my Bush/Cheney loving step-dad at the time - asking him how he'll like that unconstitutional Presidential power if Hillary gets elected next.
Hopefully, there will be a bi-partisan outcry now.

[blarneology]

HaH, the wording was in the paperwork when congress felt like power needed to be compressed down in case of more terrorist attacks. You guys all trying to pin this all on Bush is laughable. He made use of the power granted to him by congress and the screaming masses.

There wasn't wholesale spying on leftwing groups and blah blah blah, that is ridiculous.
This doesn't mean there is wholesale spying on right wring groups/people. It just means they are trying to demonize them for future justification of bad acts. Kind of like how they justified the actions of waco and ruby ridge.

This is ugly but ignorant finger pointing at the last administration or saying "now it's your turn" just dumbs down the discussion to the point of uselessness.

[Rhonda]

Wow, I think you folks are reading a lot into this report that isn't necessarily there. I read it yesterday and found it really interesting. Most interesting to me was that membership in extreme militia groups had decreased subtantially after the Oklahoma City bombings. Seems that the less violent members were shocked at where this hate speech can actually lead.

And for you all who think this is some kind of Obama administration plot, here's what CNN said at the end of this morning's report on this...

"But conservative radio talk show host Roger Hedgecock was not persuaded. "If the Bush administration had done this to left-wing extremists, it would be all over the press as an obvious trampling of the First Amendment rights of folks and dissent," he told CNN.

In fact, the Obama administration in January did issue a warning about left-wing extremists. Both reports were initiated during the administration of former President George W. Bush."

[blarneology]

CNN, there's a reason they just keep going lower and lower in the ratings.

[Name withheld by request]

The "threat" is fake. There are no crazy militias organizing to overthrow the government. This is all just a smokescreen to distract us from the way the government is slipping a noose around all of our necks. Additionally, it chills dissent and gives LEOs a justification for arresting and investigating protestors.

The type of "research" that supports these police training documents seems to be put together by the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League, two disreputable organizations with massive agendas and much to hide.

[gee]

Rhonda--

You make some good points, but--

The left-wing extremists reported on seemed to have more specificity. What people are objecting to here is the generalized grouping in the new report. For example, veterans, people who are anti illegal immigrant (a large chunk of people right there), anti-abortion, etc. What's happening is people are reading the descriptions and thinking, "that sounds a lot like me . . ."

Bart--

Actually, Patriot I came to fruition under Clinton after the OKC bombing. It was a power grad then, and Bush managed to grad more with Patriot II.

This isn't a conservative/liberal thing anymore--this is about an over-reaching federal govt.

[Jellybean]

Mr. Hedgecock must not have noticed the outcry after Dec 2005 when the NYT reported Bush authorizing the electronic survellance of American's international calls and emails without obtaining warrants or informing Congress.
How about reserving the right to torture? Detaining without due process?
Some people think it's not a problem as long as the definition of "suspected terrorist" is not them. The problem is that the definition can easily be ALL OF US.
It is ALL ABOUT over-reaching federal govt. Particularly of the Executive Branch.

[Ben]

Guys, let's respond to the report itself (http://video1.washingtontimes.com/video/extremismreport.pdf), not put up straw men to beat down.

This is an assessment. The title is very, very unfortunate. However, if it had been focused on white supremacists and abortion-clinic bombers, it would have numbered 8 pages instead of 9. Those are the people that it is concerned with, not Rush Limbaugh or the NRA.

The wording is speculative, general, and raises some good points. Many members of the black community believe that Obama will not live to see the end of his term due to his race. Also, throughout history, unemployed young men have always been a problem for their countries. Veterans, some suffering lingering PTSS, return to find no jobs available while huge spending bills for special interests are being flown through Congress. They may be vulnerable to extremist groups.

However, what is missing from this report is something that every cop knows. Rational, slow anger does not translate into violent action unless provoked. This is a report on what may happen. Let us calm down, wait, and see what they do about it. If they act against peaceful conservative groups, then there is a problem, not before.

[blarneology]

"How about reserving the right to torture? Detaining without due process? "

Actually neither of these were done to U.S. citizens. I don't give a rats ass what happens to other people our laws and our B.O.R.'s apply to us not others.

Bush didn't authorize the electronic surveilance program, it was already approved in the law. This also was merely surveilance of people outside the U.S. people started pissing and moaning because a citizen might be conversing with this individual outside the U.S. who was being watched and therefore could inadvertently also be under surveilance. It was asinine then and it's asinine now.

Oh yea, by the way Obama is also currently using this same stuff yet people don't see nearly as upset in the media or from the hypocritical left.

Yea it is a left/right thing. It's a left right thing all day long. The left feigned horror at this during the bush time and kept blaming him for passing this(something he could not do). They also seemed to conveniently forget that Patriot act started in the Clinton times because it just wasn't fun to put blame squarely where it belongs. The left then continued to pass along these lies along with so many others(like the war for oil lies) for no other reason except they were passed out these bullet points and used them whether accurate or not.
Now we get to the Obama time and it's all okay even though many of these same things were pissing them off before.
It's humorous to watch how hypocritical so many people are.
You will only see a few of us who have been speaking out about the gub'mit as a whole over the past few years the rest of you are just hypocrites who want to get your panties in a wad over politics and not over what is right or wrong.

[Jellybean]

"Actually neither of these were done to U.S. citizens."

The NYT and CNN must have been mistaken.

[blarneology]

Most likely,

[Stop Breath Count to 3]

Nowhere did it say people who dont support Obama are right wing extremist . It said there may be an increase in activity of such groups which honestly is just damn common sense. Take a breather guys, Go have your TEA party over high taxes even though most of us just got a tax break brought to you by Obama....

[Jellybean]

I heard they're giving free "tea bags" at those parties. I'll pass.

[blarneology]

"Nowhere did it say people who dont support Obama are right wing extremist . It said there may be an increase in activity of such groups which honestly is just damn common sense. Take a breather guys, Go have your TEA party over high taxes even though most of us just got a tax break brought to you by Obama...."

Actually no you didn't. Your other taxes are going up as you receive that extra $10 on average a week from the all mighty zer0bama. So no most of us didn't just get a tax break. We got actual tax breaks from the last administration, while they spent money like drunken sailors. zer0bama is just a worse version of the last administration.

[Rhonda]

I'm not as rich as you, blarney, so I don't think I'll see the tax increases that you're concerned about.

[Nemesis]

It's good to see people who do not have their head in the sand. My observation is that the Congress passed and repealed specific laws that caused our curent demise and even now, Government is calling those who have the audacity to object on the "corrective action" the government undertook, extremists.

"Many members of the black community believe that Obama will not live to see the end of his term due to his race."

I do not agree with Mr Obama, but I hope this does not come true. A race war is the last thing we need. But that type of thing would suit the puppet masters in giving them (the NWO) the window of opportunity to seize a strangle hold on power and on the American people and getting the one thing they lust for the most: Martial Law. I believe Mr. Obama will disillusion most of his race, because I don't think Mr. Obama will keep any of his key campaign promises.

What is ironic is that our founding fathers objected to the very things WE are objecting to.

[JewwellsP]

Amen to that, just more of the same ol same ol.
Heck most of noboma's cabinet is from the previous cabinet.
If I recall though, the choice pushed onto America was either-
"Change" OR
"Same ol' Same ol'"

[Chuck Rizzo]

I'm not rich Rhonda but I paid taxes when you get $40 a month extra it really doesn't matter when your paying 15-20k in.

I found the report did have some racist elements, they pointed out that Obama was the first black president. So him being Black and the right wing being white. If you read into it at all which is extremely easy to do, it was watch out for white people wanting to do bad things because the president is black.

As far as wire-tapping. I still don't care. They heard me last night screaming about how awesome it was for Buck to be the back-up catcher and jackin two homers one being a grand-slam.

[Mikeybackwards]

Actually, there is only one "Patriot Act". As I noted above, Clinton, as early as 1993 tried to get many of the powers Bush was given (local note of interest - one of the primary authors of the 2001 USA Patriot Act was none other than local conservative Republican and UMKC Professor of Constitutional Law - Kris Kobach, when he worked as part of the DOJ under Ashcroft) by Congress within 24 hours of 9/11.

Clinton did ask for and received many powers to investigate and 'prevent' domestic terrorism in the wake of Oklahoma City, but was denied (by the Republican-conrolled House) the sweeping powers later to be granted to the executive branch by both Republican and Democratic legislators (only Russ Feingold of Wisconsin voted against USA Patriot Act) in the USA Patriot Act.

One of the least known (and I think most egregious) powers granted by the USA Patriot Act is the power to demand records of book purchases or book borrowing from any bookseller or library without a warrant. If they do made such a demand, it is a felony for the librarian or bookseller to disclose this demand to anyone including one's attorney.

Just like Clinton's original request for such powers in 1993 was an over-reaction and attempted over-reach to the 1993 car-bombing of the parking garages of the WTC and his later request were an over-reaction and over-reach in response to Oklahoma City; so USA Patriot Act was an over-reaction and over-reach in response to 9/11.

These powers should not be in the hands of either a liberal or a conservative executive branch. They are unconstitutional, and should be repealed/over-turned.

Likewise the expanded power to perform warrant-less wiretapping and surveillance of American citizens or permanent residents (holders of green cards) and expanded FISA court authority that both the Republicans and Democrats (including Barack Obama) voted to give the executive in July 2008 should be repealed/over-turned.

[Rhonda]

"most of noboma's cabinet is from the previous cabinet"

jewells, that just isn't true.

"I'm not rich Rhonda but I paid taxes when you get $40 a month extra it really doesn't matter when your paying 15-20k in."

chuck, that sentence doesn't diagram, so I'm not sure what you're saying. Sounds like you mean that the tax cut you got wasn't very much. I agree. But that's not the same as having your taxes go up.

[Sasquach]

"How about reserving the right to torture? Detaining without due process? "

"Actually neither of these were done to U.S. citizens. I don't give a rats ass what happens to other people our laws and our B.O.R.'s apply to us not others."

Actually, at least 1 U.S. citizen detained without due process. Made quite a federal case. See Hamdi v. Rumsfeld. Hamdi was a U.S. citizen captured as an enemy combatant in Afghanistan in 2001 (he claimed he was merely a relief worker). He was initially transported to Guantanamo Bay. When it was discovered that he held US (as well as Saudi) citizenship, he was transferred to a naval brig in Charleston, SC. After his father brought a habeas petition, the Bush Administration fought to have him held as an enemy combatant and to deny him access an attorney and to the courts. They eventually lost when the SCOTUS handed down a plurality opinion that really only agreed on 1 thing: US citizens cannot be denied access to the courts (regardless of the Bush administration's stance).

I'm fairly certain that Hamdi was not the first case to raise this issue, but that the petitioner in the prior case had his case tossed around in the courts before the DOD finally released him to the civillian courts to be charged in an unrelated case, thus skirting the issue (I'll have to look that up when I get home to make sure).

Either way, the BOR applies to anyone within our jurisdiction (or at least it is supposed to) regardless of citizenship status. It is used as a defense quite often by illegals in criminal cases. The only time it gets fuzzy is when a person is taken into custody outside of the boarder of the US or its territories (like enemy combatants). There are cases on that as well, but this post is long enough as it is.

[Jellybean]

Sasquach -
Yesterday I sent James a link to a video I thought you would enjoy (to pass onto you).
Did you get it? If not, I'll ask about it again.

[Marvin]

Chuck,

If you don't have a problem with wiretapping, you haven't read the Constitution. Note, there's more to it than 5 words in the 2nd amendment.