Homeland Security viewing issue groups as Extremists

[johnharris]

[Seminole]

[redbarron06]

Under this report anybody showing up at the tea party tomorrow or anybody that believes in 10A can be a extremists.

[1gewehr]

They can call us whatever they want. Legally, ethically, and morally, they are still wrong.

[Tim Nunan]

So she stills sees citizens as a threat:

http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1239817562001.shtm

Release Date: April 15, 2009

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

The primary mission of this department is to prevent terrorist attacks on our nation. The document on right-wing extremism sent last week by this department’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis is one in an ongoing series of assessments to provide situational awareness to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies on the phenomenon and trends of violent radicalization in the United States. I was briefed on the general topic, which is one that struck a nerve as someone personally involved in the Timothy McVeigh prosecution.

Let me be very clear: we monitor the risks of violent extremism taking root here in the United States. We don’t have the luxury of focusing our efforts on one group; we must protect the country from terrorism whether foreign or homegrown, and regardless of the ideology that motivates its violence.

We are on the lookout for criminal and terrorist activity but we do not – nor will we ever – monitor ideology or political beliefs. We take seriously our responsibility to protect the civil rights and liberties of the American people, including subjecting our activities to rigorous oversight from numerous internal and external sources.

I am aware of the letter from American Legion National Commander Rehbein, and my staff has already contacted him to set up a meeting next week once I return from travel. I will tell him face-to-face that we honor veterans at DHS and employ thousands across the department, up to and including the Deputy Secretary.

As the department responsible for protecting the homeland, DHS will continue to work with its state and local partners to prevent and protect against the potential threat to the United States associated with any rise in violent extremist activity.
*************************************************************************************************************************************************

Then there is this:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/04 ... alization/

The government considers you a terrorist threat if you oppose abortion, own a gun or are a returning war veteran.

That's what House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith, R-Texas, said Wednesday in response to a Department of Homeland Security report warning of the rise of right-wing extremist groups.

Smith, who said the report on "right-wing extremism" amounts to "political profiling," said that DHS is "using people's political views to assess an individual's susceptibility to terror recruitment." He joins a growing chorus of protest from irate conservative groups that are protesting the report's findings.

The report, titled "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment," released last week by DHS' Office of Intelligence and Analysis, said while there is no specific information that domestic right-wing terrorists are planning acts of violence, it suggests acts of violence could come from unnamed "rightwing extremists" concerned about illegal immigration, abortion, increasing federal power and restrictions on firearms -- and it singles out returning war veterans as susceptible to recruitment.

A senior Republican Judiciary Committee aide tells FOX News that the Obama administration "should immediately retract the report and apologize," saying that according to the report, pro-lifers, anyone who lost their jobs or are one of the thousands of military veterans who have fought to prevent another 9/11 could be suspect.

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano defended the report Wednesday, saying it is part of an ongoing series of assessments to provide information to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies on "violent radicalization" in the United States.

"Let me be clear: we monitor the risks of violent extremism taking root here in the United States," Napolitano said in a statement. "We don't have the luxury of focusing our efforts on one group; we must protect the country from terrorism whether foreign or homegrown, and regardless of the ideology that motivates its violence."

The report follows a similar report released in January by DHS that detailed left-wing threats, focusing on cyberattacks and radical "eco-terrorist" groups like Earth Liberation Front, accused of firebombing construction sites, logging companies, car dealerships and food science labs. The report notes that left-wing extremists prefer economic damage on businesses to get the message across.

"Their leftwing assessment identifies actual terrorist organizations, like the Earth Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Front. The rightwing report uses broad generalizations about veterans, pro-life groups, federalists and supporters of gun rights," said Smith. "That's like saying if you love puppies you might be susceptible to recruitment by the Animal Liberation Front. It is ridiculous and deeply offensive to millions of Americans."

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-FL, told FOX News he was "offended" by the report's suggestion that returning troops could be potential targets for extremist groups.

"I am very offended and really disturbed that they would even say our military veterans, our returning war heroes would be capable of committing any terrorist acts," he said. "Where do they get off doing that? I demand an apology from [Napolitano] and even the President of the United States."

Veterans' groups are also taking issue with the report, which says disgruntled vets are considered coveted recruits for groups looking for "combat skills and experience."

"Returning veterans possess combat skills and experience that are attractive to rightwing extremists," the report reads. "[DHS] is concerned that rightwing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to boost their violent capabilities."

Pete Hegseth, chairman of Vets for Freedom, said the report represents a "gross misunderstanding and oversimplification" of the country's service members.

"It's amazing they would single out veterans as a threat to this country," said Hegseth, an Army veteran who served in Iraq. "It underscores a pervasive belief that some are trying to spread that veterans are victims and we're coming home as damaged goods that need to be coddled instead of celebrated."

The report prompted a harsh and swift reaction for the American Legion on Monday. In a letter to Napolitano, American Legion National Commander David Rehbein blasted the report as incomplete and politically-biased.

"The American Legion is well aware and horrified at the pain inflicted during the Oklahoma City bombing, but Timothy McVeigh was only one of more than 42 million veterans who have worn this nation's uniform during wartime," Rehbein wrote. "To continue to use McVeigh as an example of the stereotypical 'disgruntled military veteran' is as unfair as using Osama bin Laden as the sole example of Islam."

Napolitano said in her statement on Wednesday that she was aware of the letter, and plans to meet with Rehbein sometime next week.

"I will tell him face-to-face that we honor veterans at DHS and employ thousands across the department, up to and including the Deputy Secretary."

"We are on the lookout for criminal and terrorist activity but we do not nor will we ever monitor ideology or political beliefs," read Napolitano's statement. "We take seriously our responsibility to protect civil rights and liberties of the American people, including subjecting our activities to rigorous oversight from numerous internal and external sources."

Herb London, president of the Hudson Institute, a Washington-based think tank, said DHS' latest report "clearly appears to censor right-wing opinion," while its earlier assessment of left-wing extremists does not.

"I must say it's chilling, it worries me a great deal," London said. "I never have encountered a time in American life when condemnation of a president is not permitted. This really did strike me as odd, indeed."

London called on President Obama to repudiate the right-wing report.

"What is the message here? That conservative organizations are not permitted to engage in any language that might be described as unfavorable to the president," London said. "Keep in mind this is entirely subjective to begin with."

[backwoodsman]

TO SEMINOLE:

actually seminole, thomas jefferson was a federalist, who initially opposed a bill of right's saying it was unnecessasary,,on the other hand patrick henry, an anti-federalist,was a major proponent of the bill of rights,,,, look it up my friend, question authority, you might just find it has a selfish agenda.

[backwoodsman]

PATRICK HENRY , recently uncovered to be a right wing extrememist, legislation in the works to remove his signature from the decleration of independence, other signers to this document are now under investigation, scholars from mexico,california and illinois are being brought in to further investigate their intentions,,,,,,lol,, so now we're back to trying to protect our 1st ammendment rights, this country is starting to remind me of that movie demolition man,,, are we going to be instructed as to how to wipe our backsides in a politically correct fashion next?

[wlhawk]

I would like to thank the DHS Secretary for reminding me that as a veteran, gun owner and supporter of the principles upon which this country was founded, that I am an extremist and a threat to her government. Janet Napolitano should spend a few hours reading "The Federalist Papers".

[johnharris]

[backwoodsman]

white racist militia groups?,,,,,, ok besides the fact that my truck has rebel flags and NRA stickers on it, first , i have southern pride and am proud of the fact my parents instilled in me a work ethic, courtesy,manners, and a backbone!!!!, i am not racist!!, this surely seems a ploy by napolitano , to pit the ethnic groups against one another, in order to pull minorities, to their side, the side of tyranny,a nation without freedom of speech, it makes sense, they dont want to enforce immigration laws,, that's a lot of new votes if they just give them all amnesty, forget the fact that 40 percent or more of them have criminal backgrounds ranging from burglary to murder! al sharpeton is always ready to fan the flames of hatred,, if a man will work ,and respect his neighbors, and honor the constitution , i never have a problem with him.,,,, SECOND--pointing fingers at our returning veterans of war, many who returned in casket's paying the ultimate price, our fore fathers spoke of, and the ones who made it back, suddenly are suspect of being potential terrorist,to the federal government?,,,, what a crock of crapola!!!!, THIRD,,, angry over a black president?,,, i think not,,,, americans are angry at the rights being ignored, the fact that illegal's somehow above the law, and that our senators and representative's seem hard of hearing suddenly,,,,,i sincerely hope that our nation's minorities, and i mean the american one's, not illegals, have the power of mind to see the propaganda being shoveled our way,, i served honorably with all walks of people,, we stood together, ,,, i think out of being at the tea party, and seeing the other's on television ,the best sign I saw out of all of them was this",,,,,LEAGALIZE THE CONSTITUTION!!!!,,,,,,all done through non-violence, it seems to me, the manure napolitano is pushing is meant to antagonize reaction,,,, i know we can impeach governors, mayors ,presidents, vice presidents,,,, but what about someone appointed to an office, i really dont think napolitano has the best interest of law abiding americans at heart. are we to believe that the first ammendment exists only for the benefit of high ranking government officials and whomever they deem to have that right?,,,,, just thinking out loud folks,, what's your take?

[TacticaLogic]