2009-04-07 Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment

2009-04-07  US Department of Homeland Security \reports\PDFs\right-wing extremism http://www.fas.org/irp/eprint/rightwing.pdf Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment This is a leaked US government document which was not supposed to be shown to the general public. Key Findings

boost their violent capabilities. Commentary:
 * The DHS/Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) has no specific information that domestic rightwing* terrorists are currently planning acts of violence, but rightwing extremists may be gaining new recruits by playing on their fears about several emergent issues. The economic downturn and the election of the first African American president present unique drivers for rightwing radicalization and recruitment.
 * Threats from white supremacist and violent antigovernment groups during 2009 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 rightwing extremists and even result in confrontations between such groups and government authorities similar to those in the past.
 * Rightwing 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 current economic and political climate has some similarities to the 1990s when rightwing 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.
 * During the 1990s, these issues contributed to the growth in the number of domestic rightwing terrorist and extremist groups and an increase in violent acts targeting government facilities, law enforcement officers, banks, and infrastructure sectors.
 * Growth of these groups subsided in reaction to increased government scrutiny as a result of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and disrupted plots, improvements in the economy, and the continued U.S. standing as the preeminent world power.
 * The possible passage of new restrictions on firearms and the return of military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating 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 rightwing extremist groups, as well as potentially spur some of them to begin planning and training for violence against the government. The high volume of purchases and stockpiling of weapons and ammunition by rightwing extremists in anticipation of restrictions and bans in some parts of the country continue to be a primary concern to law enforcement.
 * Returning veterans possess combat skills and experience that are attractive to rightwing extremists. DHS/I&A is concerned that rightwing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to
 * 2009-04-15 Sheppard's Conspiratorial Freakout
 * "An April 15 NewsBusters post by Noel Sheppard asserted that the Department of Homeland Security report on right-wing extremism " enraged conservatives questioning not only the timing of this report's release within days of liberal media representatives blaming the shootings on rightwing talkers, but also just before Wednesday's tax protesting Tea Parties." Sheppard later expresses concern that the report "conspicuously coincident with high-profile cop killings as well as protests against the current administration's fiscal policies" and demands to know "how it got leaked to the press."
 * In fact, right-wing radio host Roger Hedgecock is taking credit for revealing the report in his WorldNetDaily column.
 * Hedgecock's column makes the popular right-wing claim that any disagreement with Obama or his policies gets you branded as a "terrorist", when in fact (a) it is the violent nature of the disagreements that is the problem and (b) there are plenty of people who non-violently disagree with Obama or his policies, and none of them seem to be feeling at all worried that Obama will retaliate. Got links for this, but haven't had time to post them. 

&ldquo;The DHS/Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) has no specific information that domestic rightwing* terrorists are currently planning acts of violence, but rightwing extremists may be gaining new recruits by playing on their fears about several emergent issues. The economic downturn and the election of the first African American president present unique drivers for rightwing radicalization and recruitment.&rdquo;   