Homeland Security warns of "right wing extremists"

From Fox News, comes this article about a new report from our benevolent and all-loving government [emphasis added below]:

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.

DHS' Office of Intelligence and Analysis issued an intelligence assessment last week that said it has 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. ...

Article here. So, if you’re stocking up on guns and ammo, you clearly fit the .gov’s profile of a “right wing extremist”. And heaven forbid you're a returning combat veteran, who served with distinction and honor. Or, as the DHS might call you, a ticking time bomb. You are vulnerable to "radicalization" by the siren song of right wing extremism. Well, at least now you know how your government thinks about you.

You can read the DHS report, dated 07-APR-2009, here.

In contrast, the Fox article notes the kinder, gentler perspective the government has on "left wing extremists":

But some critics have said the DHS is equating conservative views to right-wing terrorism, but a DHS official countered that earlier this year, the department issued a mirror intelligence assessment of left-wing extremist groups.
...
The assessment, dated Feb. 5 and titled "Left-wing Extremists Likely to Increase Use of Cyberattacks Over the Coming Decade," concentrates largely on the technical savvy of left-wing extremists and not bloodshed.

"The perception that cyberattacks are non-violent aligns well with ideological beliefs, strategic objectives and tactics of many left-wing extremists," the earlier report reads. "The increasing reliance of commercial business and other enterprises on cyber technologies, including interconnected networks and remote access, creates new and expanding vulnerabilities that technically savvy left-wing extremists will exploit."

The report specifically mentions "eco-terrorist" Earth Liberation Front, which has been accused of firebombing construction sites, logging companies, car dealerships and food science labs. The report notes that left-wing extremists prefer economic damage on businesses to get the message across.

"Their no-harm doctrine includes claiming to ensure the safety of humans, animals and the environment even as they attack businesses and associated operations," the report reads. " Direct actions range from animal releases, property theft, vandalism and cyber attacks, all of which extremists regard as non-violent, to bombings and arson."

You will kindly note that “left wing extremists” are “technically savvy”, unlike those Neanderthal brutes on the right. In addition, when left wing extremists firebomb something, they only do so in the name of nonviolent peace and goodwill, and for the good of “the environment”. Indeed, as the article notes (citing a DHS report), when left wing eco-terrorists firebomb something they do so merely to “get their message across”. See, it’s a simple exercise of their First Amendment rights. Evidently, DHS thinks firebombs are a form of expressive conduct (but only when left wingers use them).