If you think the conservative "Tea Party" movement is daunting, take a
look at a new report issued by the Department of Homeland Security
that says right-wing extremism is on the rise throughout the country.
In the report, officials warn that right-wing extremists could use the
bad state of the U.S. economy and the election of the country's first
black president to recruit new members to their cause.
In the intelligence assessment issued to law enforcement last week,
Homeland Security officials said there was no specific information
about an attack from right-wing extremists in the works.
The agency warns that an extended economic downturn with real estate
foreclosures, unemployment and an inability to obtain credit could
foster an environment for extremists to recruit new members who may
not have been supportive of these causes in the past.
In November, law enforcement officials were seeing more threats and
unusual interest against then- President-elect Barack Obama than ever
before.
ThinkProgress notes some key take-aways from the report:
Anti-immigration: “Rightwing extremist groups’ frustration over a
perceived lack of government action on illegal immigration has the
potential to incite individuals or small groups toward violence. If
such violence were to occur, it likely would be isolated, small-scale,
and directed at specific immigration-related targets.”
Recruiting returning vets: “Rightwing extremists will attempt to
recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to exploit their
skills and knowledge derived from military training and combat.”
Gun-related violence: “Heightened interest in legislation for
tighter firearms...may be invigorating rightwing extremist activity,
specifically the white supremacist and militia movements.”
On Jan 11, 7:09 pm, VT Sean Lewis <[email protected]> wrote:
> White Power USA: The Rise of Right-Wing Militias in America
>
> http://opendebateforum2.blogspot.com/2010/01/white-power-usa-rise-of-...
>
> Since President Obama’s election, there’s been a surge in hate crimes,
> political murders and assassination threats in this country. Right-
> wing militias are on the rise in several states, and high rates of
> unemployment have further stoked anger against racial minorities and
> recent immigrants. Independent filmmakers Rick Rowley and Jacquie
> Soohen go inside the white nationalist movement to file an exclusive
> report. [includes rush transcript]
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