Remember When Homeland Security issued a report about terror threats from the military?

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

And remember how the Republicans got their panties in a wad about it?

"I am disturbed and personally offended by the Department of Homeland Security's view that returning military veterans and gun owners are likely to commit terrorist acts," said Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).

Said the DHS Report, "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."

So Republican policies of easy access to firearms AND the Republican policy of keeping the economy in the toilet for as long as possible might - just might - lead to incidents were individuals who are already mentally unstable might be pushed over the edge. And if these persons were former military, there could be dangerous consequences.

I'm so terribly sorry that Rep. Bilirakis had his tender feelings hurt. Really. So terribly shocked that something as horrible as that could happen.

[msanthrope]

1. You mean when Janet Napolitano had to issue an apology for suggesting that ex-military

might be recruited for terror attacks?????

I hate that she was right.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

2. Yes. How DARE she examine the evidence dispassionately...

and come to logical conclusions.

She clearly hates America.

[msanthrope]

4. This fucker was dishonorably discharged in 1998...Fort Bragg, psyops. nt

[SQUEE]

5. Psyops? Dishonorable?

Please define what you think you are saying, I am only seeing that he was less than honorable, and also so called PsyOps could be anything from a information specialist to an interogator, it is no where as sinister as people are making it out to be. Looks like this guy started out in ADA, then changed his MOS after his Hawk program was shuttered... Lets not add some form of sinister credibility to an obvious shitbird.

This douche probably never even served in combat and thought he was "gonna get him a hadji" never realizing Sikhs have been very instrumental in fighting Islam for centuries...

[JoeyT]

7. Little slip there at the end.

We're not supposed to be "fighting Islam", as you put it.

Or at least we're not supposed to admit that it was a holy war under Bush.

[SQUEE]

8. I can see where you might think it was my idea,

should have added a roll eyes, was more trying to convey the thought process of the types that see anyone in Mufti as a muslim and a terrorist.

[JoeyT]

12. Sorry about that.

That was a bit dickish of me.

[msanthrope]

3. Here's the report....

http://www.fas.org/irp/eprint/rightwing.pdf

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

6. Thanks for posting that

I should have remembered to do it with the OP.

From the Report, "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 boost their violent capabilities."

There has also been persistent concern (I found an article dated 1996) that White Supremacists were using the military for training purposes. They join with no intention of defending their country -- just to get weapons and tactical training that they can use against civilian authorities later.

[LittleGirl]

9. that is downright scary

thanks for your post.

[hack89]

11. This guy was a peacetime soldier with no combat experience

he doesn't even appear to have served in the combat arms.

He was kicked out of the Army 14 years ago - a lot can happen in 14 years.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

14. They have weapons training in the military

And this guy hit the SLPC's radar of hate groups back in 2000. He has a history.

[TahitiNut]

10. Wade was NOT a "returning" veteran.

He served in a peacetime Army and got a "less-than-honorable" discharge. That alone, IMHO, should disqualify him on a background check.

As a Viet Nam veteran, I'm all-too-aware of the stigma associated with being a "returning veteran" and take umbrage at smears against a demographic of which I'm a part.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

13. Read the report...

Edit: The guy was on the Southern Povery Law Center's radar starting in 2000. Unless he had a "Saul on the Road to Damascus" moment sometime in 1999, this guy was bad news on the day he was discharged.

[TahitiNut]

15. I understand that.

But, it's NOT due to him being a "returning veteran" ... and I'm pretty sure the seeds of his problems were evident even before he enlisted. But sometimes they're desperate for warm bodies. As I've said, I don't believe someone with a "less-that-honorable" discharge should pass a background check. In MY ideal USA, an honorable discharge (into the "well-regulated militia&quot should be a prerequisite for gun ownership.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

16. It's not "because" he's a returning veteran...

As the report says, you're talking about young men (mostly) who are prone to making very bad decisions even under ideal conditions. And given ongoing economic hardships and a 24/7 diet of rightwing radio, these are persons who are highly susceptible to being recruited. Combine that with the fact that white supremacist groups are actively seeking out these young men, and you have the potential for trouble.

And as I said elsewhere, some white supremacist groups are using the military as a training program for militants who will later turn these skills on civilian law enforcement officers.