PrintApril 13, 2009
Those pesky rightwing extremists
World Net Daily (WND) made a nice splash today with their posting of an article based upon a purported Department of Homeland Security (DHS) "Unclassified/For Official Use Only" document titled, "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment."
Well, now, that certainly seems ominous. But is the document for real? The genuine article? Or is this just another one of those bogus documents/statements/check-this-outs that wash in over the internet transom and are thereby foisted upon us unsuspecting loony "conservatives." Done for the sole purpose of getting us all roiled up so the lefties can have a good laugh watching us fall all over ourselves in our latest panic over the vast left-wing conspiracy.
I don't think so. And it doesn't matter whether or not the original DHS document proves "genuine" or not. The thrust of the document is the same as can be seen in others at FEMA's U.S. Fire Administration site. To wit, "Infogram 10-09: March 12, 2009 - Hate Groups: A Growing Threat?"
According to the "Year in Hate" report recently released by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), there are approximately 926 active hate groups in the United States as of December 2008. This number is an increase of more than 4 percent from the 888 groups identified in 2007, and far above the 602 groups documented in 2000. The SPLC, a professional watchdog of right wing groups, suggests "the continuing rise has been fueled by immigration fears, a faltering economy, and the successful campaign of President Barack Obama."When reviewing the report, the Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) observed that the hate groups listed include neo-Nazis, white nationalists, white supremacists, neo-Confederates, racist skinheads, Klansmen, black separatists, etc. The document also discusses other groups that target gays or immigrants, and those specializing in producing racist music or propaganda denying the Holocaust.Senior officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) have on several occasions expressed their growing concern over these groups. "The most worrisome trend to law enforcement and private industry alike has been the increase in willingness by these movements to resort to the use of incendiary and explosive devices," said the ATF deputy assistant director.The EMR-ISAC recognizes that the attention given to transnational terrorism often overshadows the possible threat from domestic hate groups. However, FBI officials recommend awareness of such groups by law enforcement, fire, and the emergency medical services. To obtain greater comprehension of this growing American problem, read the "Year in Hate."
And just what is this "Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)" upon which the Fire Administration relies for its intelligence? According to DiscoverTheNetworks.org, the SPLC "Monitors the activities of what it calls ‘hate groups' in the United States" while it "Exaggerates the prevalence of white racism directed against American minorities." And this is the kind of outfit the Fire Administration/FEMA/DHS rely upon to assess threats to the country from terrorists? Just the Christian rightwing extremist ones, I suppose.
