Extremism on the rise

Yesterday, Fox News put this out -- along with many other news outlets. So I had my choice of where to steal, um, lift, uh, where to *get* this info.

I was impressed by the integrity with which Fox relayed the story -- my stereotyping of that particular source being rather strong and negative.

Contrary to some other versions, the Fox story, after dealing with the gist of things, goes on to question assumptions.

What about extremism among the leftists?

The Homeland Security folks were ready -- referencing an earlier study done of those liberal numbnuts.

Fox did seem a little put out that the leftwing version of extremism à la The Homeland Folks concentrated less on the potential for violence and more on their propensity to understand and use technology.

Just a small dig.

Heh.

Seriously, though -- this assessment is not exactly a surprise to most of the citizenry. God bless, in fact, those for whom it *is* a shock, for they are surely... remarkable people --

Who most likely have their living room furniture covered in plastic and freezers full of what they call "TV Dinners."

I am afraid for Obama. I fear the people so rocked by race as to turn to the inflammatory reflex of violent response.

The growing degree of want and sense of loss for some U.S. Americans, particularly those whose losses are compounded by personal devastation, sacrifice, and, perhaps, war, will also drive extremist impulses -- and how to track these people without empowering Big Brother? (I know, I know. How many times have I already figured in FBI tapes -- those funloving people sporting videocams back in the days of my 'maintes manifestations'? I always posed full-faced and smiling.)

The question/thought I hope we all continually reflect upon? Whether or not, in order to preserve First Amendment rights (as we diversely interpret them), protection of the fringe elements of the extreme right and left must constitute the line in the sand.

The Department of Homeland Security is warning law enforcement agencies
that recent news is helping "right-wing extremist groups" recruit new members
and could lead to violence, and warns about the possible recruitment and
radicalization of returning veterans.

The report, issued last week, is part of an ongoing review of extremists on both ends of the political spectrum.

The latest assessment by DHS' Office of Intelligence and Analysis found
no specific information that domestic right-wing terrorists are currently
planning acts of violence, but right-wing extremists may be gaining new recruits
by playing on fears about the recession and the election of the first African
American president. The office called them "unique drivers for right-wing
radicalization and recruitment."

"Right-wing extremists have capitalized on the election of the first African American president, and are focusing their efforts to recruit new members, mobilize existing supporters and broaden their scope and appeal through propaganda, but they have not yet turned to attack planning," the assessment reads.

"The current economic and political climate has some similarities to the 1990s when right-wing extremism experienced a resurgence fueled largely by an economic recession, criticism about the outsourcing of jobs and the perceived threat to U.S. power and sovereignty by other foreign powers.," it continues.

The report also suggests that returning veterans are attractive recruits for right-wing groups looking for "combat skills and experience" so as to boost their "violent capabilities." It adds that new restrictions on gun ownership and the difficulty of veterans to reintegrate into their communities "could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks."

"Proposed imposition of firearms restrictions and weapons bans likely would attract new members into the ranks of right-wing extremist groups ... The high volume of purchases and stockpiling of weapons and ammunition by right-wing extremists in anticipation of restrictions and bans in some parts of the country continue to be a primary concern to law enforcement," the report says.

The assessment notes that right-wing recruitment grew in the 1990s
but subsided after increased scrutiny by the government following the 1995
Oklahoma City bombings.

It does state that in 2009 "threats from white supremacist and violent antigovernment groups ... have been largely rhetorical and have not indicated plans to carry out violent acts."

"Nevertheless, the consequences of a prolonged economic downturn-including real estate foreclosures, unemployment, and an inability to obtain credit-could create a fertile recruiting environment for right-wing extremists and even result in confrontations between such groups and government authorities similar to those in the past," reads a key finding in the assessment.

DHS spokeswoman Sara Kuban said the April 7 assessment is one in an ongoing series published by DHS "to facilitate a greater understanding of radicalization in the United States."

"DHS has no specific information that domestic right-wing terrorists are currently planning acts of violence, but right-wing extremists may be gaining new recruitments by playing on their fears about several emerging issues," Kuban said.