Homeland Security has issued an alarming report — alarming, at least, to those who haven’t been paying attention — that warns of further substantial growth in already resurgent right wing radicalism.
In light of the widespread reports of blatant racism, hate and calls to violence during Wednesday’s consistently mean-spirited “tea parties,” around the country, this warning should be taken very seriously.
Incidentally, this report has stirred up wide-eyed protest from Conservative quarters.
Thorne Dreyer / The Rag Blog / April 16, 2009
Federal agency warns of radicals on right
Nine page report sent to police
By Audrey Hudson and Eli Lake / April 14, 2009
The 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.”
Copyright 2009 The Washington Times, LLC
Source / The Washington Times
Go here to see the report in .pdf form.
Thanks to Carl Davidson / The Rag Blog
There is an unfortunate political dynamic shaping up.
There are smart Keynesian economists like Paul Krugman who warn that the amount of politically possible stimulus funds is too little, too late to do what folks expect and need.
Others are warning that the total cash amounts of the bailouts are likely to revive uncontrolled inflation.
Others like myself would argue that not only is inflation likely to get out of hand in a year or so, but that when you do finally revive consumer spending, you will also soon run into another oil price shock that will cause even worse problems than last year.
So what happens if the many skeptics of the currently configured Keynesian policies are correct and things do get worse?
I personally doubt that someone as wise as King Solomon could clean up the global economic wreckage that the deregulated investment banks left behind.
If not, then the anti-government tea bag crowd gets vindicated for having said they tried to warn Obama, but he wouldn’t listen. Which translates into pressure for the right wing critics to replace Obama in favor of something supported by big money; an agenda that could make GWBush look compassionate by comparison.
If so, the issues of whether there could have been better federal investment policies can never get proper consideration. Like a policy centered on bank nationalization and their tougher regulation, together with a more aggressive economic reinvestment program based on meeting minimum long term public need.
Several web-sites have posted a similar article and I think we’ve all reviewed not only the news ‘promotion’ of this, but in our own minds.
It reminds me of the story that Aesop wrote:
THE BUNDLE OF STICKS
An old man on the point of death summoned his sons around him to give them some parting advice. He ordered his servants to bring in a faggot of sticks, and said to his eldest son: “Break it.”
The son strained and strained, but with all his efforts was unable to break the Bundle. The other sons also tried, but none of them was successful. “Untie the faggots,” said the father, “and each of you take a stick.” When they had done so, he called out to them: “Now, break,” and each stick was easily broken. “You see my meaning,” said their father.
Union gives strength.
MSM and dissident groups are doing just that; untying the knot and inciting division.
Thanks to the I-net and MSM/mass communication, they stand a much better chance if people are willing to listen to this propaganda.