Right Wing Extremism: Homeland Security Threat

Jeffrey Jena: "Enemy of the State? Me?"
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Here's the report from the Department of Homeland Security, "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment."

The report offers this definition of "rightwing extremism":

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.

"Disgruntled Military Veterans" are of particular interest to the government.

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses 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. These skills and knowledge have the potential to boost the capabilities of extremists—including lone wolves or small terrorist cells—to carry out violence. The willingness of a small percentage of military personnel to join extremist groups during the 1990s because they were disgruntled, disillusioned, or suffering from the psychological effects of war is being replicated today.

— (U) After Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1990-1991, some returning military veterans—including Timothy McVeigh—joined or associated with rightwing
extremist groups.

— (U) A prominent civil rights organization reported in 2006 that “large numbers
of potentially violent neo-Nazis, skinheads, and other white supremacists are now
learning the art of warfare in the [U.S.] armed forces.”

— (U//LES) The FBI noted in a 2008 report on the white supremacist movement that some returning military veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have joined extremist groups.

We must be wary of our returning military veterans.

Sure, they risked their lives, serving our country.

Now, they may be apt to turn their skills on us!

They are the potential enemy!

Very nice. Way to respect our vets! Truly disgusting!

I think it's important to be clear about the emphasis of this report.

Yes, it's offensive that the "Rightwing" is being singled out as a group deemed dangerous and potentially violent.

It's highly offensive to single out returning members of the military as risky characters. Extremely offensive.

It should be noted that the report's focus is on "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."

That definition makes me more than a bit uneasy. It could be broadly interpreted and used to harass good people. For instance, I support states' rights. Does that make me dangerous?

Still, there's no question that there are extremists that pose a threat to the safety of the public.

The report notes the extremists to watch "may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration."

Yes, there have been abortion clinic bombings. Abortionists have been targeted. Some have been murdered.

It's reasonable for law enforcement to pay attention to potential risks and dangerous figures and groups.

What troubles me about this is that it seems to open the door to harass law-abiding citizens with conservative views.

Because I oppose abortion and support Wisconsin Right to Life, am I a "Rightwing extremist"? Does Homeland Security consider me a threat?

Am I a threat because I criticize Obama and his radical policies on this blog?

The report provides this "outlook":

DHS/I&A assesses that the combination of environmental factors that echo the 1990s, including heightened interest in legislation for tighter firearms restrictions and returning military veterans, as well as several new trends, including an uncertain economy and a perceived rising influence of other countries, may be invigorating rightwing extremist activity, specifically the white supremacist and militia movements. To the extent that these factors persist, rightwing extremism is likely to grow in strength.

(U//FOUO) Unlike the earlier period, the advent of the Internet and other informationage technologies since the 1990s has given domestic extremists greater access to information related to bomb-making, weapons training, and tactics, as well as targeting of individuals, organizations, and facilities, potentially making extremist individuals and groups more dangerous and the consequences of their violence more severe. New technologies also permit domestic extremists to send and receive encrypted communications and to network with other extremists throughout the country and abroad, making it much more difficult for law enforcement to deter, prevent, or preempt a violent extremist attack.

I don't make bombs. I have no guns. I have no criminal record. I don't participate on radical websites. So I don't think I fall in the government's category of Right-wing extremist high risk individuals.

But maybe I shouldn't feel at ease. Maybe I should be concerned that government is monitoring me. This report could be used to infringe on my rights.

After all, that's the sort of paranoia that the Leftists babbled about when President Bush was in office. Russ Feingold milked that fear. It landed him a lot of face time on Meet the Press and other Sunday morning shows. He became the darling of the radical Left.

I don't want to respond to this report like the Leftist loons responded to the Bush administration. I'm not alarmed.

However, I would feel better if I could see the government's report on Left-wing extremism.

I assume there is one. The government can't just be calling the Right-wing a threat. That would be a blatantly political move.

I hope it's not the case, but maybe there isn't a report on Left-wing extremism.

Maybe Leftist radicals, extremist community organizers, Bill Ayers and his comrades, wacky preachers, and other subversive, violent types aren't seen as a threat because they've been assimilated into the Democrat Party and the Obama administration.