PrintApril 14, 2009
DHS warns of single issue groups as a threat
Yes, it's true: those leaked documents showing that the Department of Homeland Security warning of "groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single-issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration," are genuine. Audrey Hudson of the Washington Times reports:
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." ....[Homeland Security spokeswoman Sara Kuban] said, however, that the department had published reports on left-wing radicalization as well, though she could not name one."These types of reports are published all the time. There have actually been some done on the other end of the spectrum, left-wing," Ms. Kuban said.During the campaign, we were frequently told that opposition to Obama coiuld only be based on racism. Now that he is president, there are ominous signs that opposition on the issues is being anathemized as extremist and violent.
What ever happened to the left wing slogan "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism"?
Hat tip: Ed Lasky
Update - Michelle Malkin writes:
I have covered DHS for many years and am quite familiar with past assessments they and the FBI have done on animal rights terrorists and environmental terrorists. But those past reports have always been very specific in identifying the exact groups, causes, and targets of domestic terrorism, i.e., the ALF, ELF, and Stop Huntingdon wackos who have engaged in physical harassment, arson, vandalism, and worse against pharmaceutical companies, farms, labs, and university researchers.By contrast, the piece of crap report issued on April 7 is a sweeping indictment of conservatives. And the intent is clear. As the two spokespeople I talked with on the phone today made clear: They both pinpointed the recent "economic downturn" and the "general state of the economy" for stoking "rightwing extremism." One of the spokespeople said he was told that the report has been in the works for a year. My b.s. detector went off the chart
