Freedom of Information Act request seeks 'basis' for 'Extremists' report

[Desertdog]

At least somebody is going for the truth in this stupid "assessment."

Why call Americans 'extremists?' DHS asked
Freedom of Information Act request seeks 'basis' for report


The Thomas More Law Center of Ann Arbor, Mich., says it has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Department of Homeland Security demanding why it calls Americans who oppose abortion, support 2nd Amendment gun rights and dislike lax immigration law enforcement "extremists."
 
"This is not an intelligence report but a diatribe against those who oppose the policies of the Obama administration," said Richard Thompson, president and chief counsel for the organization.

"It is a declaration of war against the American people and our constitution. It is a prelude to extreme gun control legislation and hate speech laws targeting Christian churches and others who oppose abortion and same sex marriage," he continued. "The federal government should be focusing its attention on the 35 radical Muslim compounds in the U.S. training its followers on how to kidnap and kill Americans."

The report had been unveiled earlier by talk-radio host and WND columnist Roger Hedgecock.

WND reported the DHS's report had alerted police across the nation to watch out for those who may have anti-abortion bumper stickers, claim the 2nd Amendment right of personal possession of weapons or express loyalty to U.S. Rep. Ron Paul or third-party political candidates.

The Law Center's request seeks the "basis" for the "assessment."

The report, called "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment," specifically singled out military veterans as vulnerable to rightwing extremism.

Final part of story is at;
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=95149

[Perd Hapley]

Funny.   

[roo_ster]

According to this article:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090416/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/napolitano_right_wing_extremists_9
the report was classified "For Official Use Only" (FOUO).

That is used for three purposes:
1. To protect proprietary data from companies that work with gov't.
2. Protect sensitive data that is not classified from being subject to FOI requests.

[Perd Hapley]

He could tell us number 3, but then he'd have to kill us. 

[seeker_two]

He could tell us number 3, but then he'd have to kill us. 

We seem to have a lot of spooks on this board....makes me wonder just where DHS got their info for this report....

Maybe all this ruckus IS fistful's fault..... 

[El Tejon]

While they are at it, can they find out why we have DHS?

[MicroBalrog]

While they are at it, can they find out why we have DHS?

Have you not learned it in law school? Government agencies never go away.

Realism police >>>>>>

[El Tejon]

DHS=>Department of Bureaucratic Security.

Humor Police=>

[ronnyreagan]

This report doesn't deviate from the 2005 FBI terrorism report that much, and I'd say you could easily find a basis for it in that.

The terrorism preventions for 2002 through 2005 present a more diverse threat picture. Eight of the 14 recorded terrorism preventions stemmed from right-wing extremism, and included disruptions to plotting by individuals involved with the militia, white supremacist, constitutionalist and tax protestor, and anti-abortion movements

[grampster]

In the interest of the "Fairness Doctrine" when can we expect the release of the report on the dangers of left wing extremism?   :rolleyes:

[ronnyreagan]

In the interest of the "Fairness Doctrine" when can we expect the release of the report on the dangers of left wing extremism?   :rolleyes:

Already done.

[makattak]

Already done.

Huh.

Funny how that one lists specific groups and tactics. Also paints the "leftwing extremists" as nice protestors who aren't interested in hurting anyone. (I.e. interested in "Cyber-attacks" on "economic assets")

As opposed to the other one with broad generalizations, no specific groups or tactics. Just "Watch out for those Right-wingers!" Then it lists what POLITICAL VIEWS will denote right-wing extremists.

Oh yeah. They're definitely just looking out for terrorism. I can't find bias in these reports at all.

[buzz_knox]

The report on lefties is a bit disingenous, if not fraudulent.  It describes their "no harm" doctrine, and ignores the fact that many of the left-wing groups do not follow this doctrine, including those that engage in tree-spiking, installing road hazards in logging areas, committing arson, etc.

[AZRedhawk44]

+1 mak.

Also, the generalization that them rightwingers are all likely to be lone wolf single man terrorist cells is quite convenient.  Allows for picking up any old forum troll (or similar disgruntled non-Obamite) and shipping him to gitmo rather than a day in court for unjustified arrest and detention.

I hope this FOIA is successful.  I want to see Napolitano eat crow on this (and in everything else she does as "Homeland Czar").

[ronnyreagan]

Funny how that one lists specific groups and tactics. Also paints the "leftwing extremists" as nice protestors who aren't interested in hurting anyone. (I.e. interested in "Cyber-attacks" on "economic assets")

Which yet again mirrors the 2005 report.

In contrast to the ALF and the ELF, which have pursued a philosophy that avoids physical violence in favor of acts of property damage that cause their victims economic harm, right-wing extremists pursued a qualitatively different method of operation by targeting people.

I can't claim to be an expert on this topic or anything so I can't say much as to how accurate these are, but I can see that it's nothing new. I guess you could argue that the older reports were biased too.

[ronnyreagan]

Also, the generalization that them rightwingers are all likely to be lone wolf single man terrorist cells is quite convenient.

It doesn't say they are "all likely" to be lone wolves, it says those lone wolves are likely the most dangerous and difficult to stop.
And again it's old news. From the 2005 report:

The bombings in Oklahoma City, Atlanta, and Birmingham also brought an awareness of a new type of threat from those who may be sympathetic to extreme political or social ideologies, but who commit acts of violence outside of the auspices of structured terrorist organizations or without the prior approval or knowledge of these groups’ leaders.The roles of McVeigh and Nichols in the Oklahoma City bombing, and the bombings by Rudolph, exemplify the FBI’s “lone offender” category of terrorist for those who engage in terrorist activities free from organizational guidance.

[AZRedhawk44]

It doesn't say they are "all likely" to be lone wolves, it says those lone wolves are likely the most dangerous and difficult to stop.
And again it's old news. From the 2005 report:

But... funny how that muslim kid on the east coast that drove his SUV through the cafeteria of his school wasn't an Islamic terrorist, or the one at the Salt Lake City mall with the shotgun (also muslim) wasn't an Islamic terrorist, or Malvo wasn't an Islamic terrorist...

But those right wing criminals can be called terrorists.  That's just peachy.

[longeyes]

The DHS report was a litany of Establishment fears, certainly not a presentation of hard investigative facts with police relevance.

Some might call it a confession of their sins; they know in their hearts to whom they have given offense and whom they despise.

[Standing Wolf]

The DHS report was a litany of Establishment fears...

Nailed it again, longeyes.

[longeyes]

It is only natural that a paranoia collective, which is what "the Establishment" appears to be becoming, would fear, most of all, "the lone wolf."

[Waitone]

I still think the "report" reads like a screed from the Southern Poverty Law Center and its front man Morris Dees.

[roo_ster]

I still think the "report" reads like a screed from the Southern Poverty Law Center and its front man Morris Dees.

Which it is, since the SPLC is the unnamed watchdog group it goes to some length not to name.