Come'on! Is anyone truly surprised? I love this article that I read on this particular blog. It's really well-written and I think everyone should read it. (I'll paste it below because it's hard to read on the original source blog).
By Nathan Jones
LighthousePrayerLine.org Are you a student of Bible prophecy who has discovered that the Bible teaches the planet will soon be under the control of the one-world government of the Antichrist before Jesus comes and institutes His one-world government? Do you believe the Bible teaches murdering our children is wrong and homosexuality destroys lives and that we should speak out against them? Do you feel the increasing immorality is fueling increasing crime, and wish to defend your children with a firearm? Do you love America and want to see it obey its own Constitution limiting federal power and enforcing its own immigration laws? Are you a military veteran who has bled for the freedom of your country?
If you can answer "yes" to just one of these, then you are now considered by America's own Department of Homeland Security to be a "domestic rightwing terrorists."
The Document
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Extremism and Radicalization Branch, in coordination with the FBI, released their ten page Homeland Environment Threat Analysis on April 7, 2009, titled "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment." The purpose of this "one of a series" of threat analysis is "to facilitate a greater understanding of the phenomenon of violent radicalization in the United States" so that all "law enforcement officials... may effectively deter, prevent, preempt, or respond to terrorist attacks against the United States."
While the document declares the Threat Analysis must be made in an "overt and transparent manner," the document also commands that "no portion of the LES information should be released to the media, the general public, or over non-secure Internet servers."
The Threat Analysis reports that "domestic rightwing terrorists" are energized by a series of current political and social factors: the economic downturn, the election of an African-American president, the possible passage of new restrictions on firearms, immigration and citizenship, the expansion of social programs to minorities, anti-Semitism directed by a perceived "cabal of Jewish 'financial elites,'" the rise of a "New World Order," and the large numbers of returning "military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communities."
In response to these factors, the DHS claims "domestic rightwing terrorists" are recruiting veterans for paramilitary training and purchasing and stockpiling weapons and ammunition. They are teaching "their children specifically xenophobia and antidemocratic ideals." And, they are using "the Internet and other information age technologies" for the purposes of planning and implementing "violent extremist attack" upon the government.
The document claims such violence has already begun "in two instances in the run-up to the election" when "extremists appeared to be in the early planning stages of some threatening activity targeting the Democratic nominee, but law enforcement interceded." It also cites the Oklahoma City Bombing by since-executed Timothy McVeigh.
The document parallels today's conditions with 1990, stating "prominent among these themes were the militia movement’s opposition to gun control efforts, criticism of free trade agreements (particularly those with Mexico), and highlighting perceived government infringement on civil liberties as well as white supremacists’ longstanding exploitation of social issues such as abortion, inter-racial crimes, and same-sex marriage."
For people who are concerned about an impending collapse of the United States, the Threat Assessment warns that "historically, domestic rightwing extremists have feared, predicted, and anticipated a cataclysmic economic collapse in the United States." Those who believe this may happen are "conspiracy theorists" who fear "declarations of martial law, impending civil strife or racial conflict, suspension of the U.S. Constitution, and the creation of citizen detention camps."
That concern, the document claims, is fueled by those who believe in "'end times' prophecies." The document says end-time Bible prophecy teachings "have been linked with the radicalization of domestic extremist individuals and groups in the past, such as violent Christian Identity organizations and extremist members of the militia movement."
On a brighter note for all Americans involved, the Threat Assessment reports it "has no specific information that domestic rightwing terrorists... [are] currently planning acts of violence." Also, it shares the view that "both rightwing extremists and law-abiding citizens share a belief that rising crime rates attributed to a slumping economy make the purchase of legitimate firearms a wise move at this time."
The DHS/I&A "will be working with its state and local partners over the next several months to ascertain with greater regional specificity the rise in rightwing extremist activity in the United States, with a particular emphasis on the political, economic, and social factors that drive rightwing extremist radicalization."
The Response
In only the few days since what must have been its leak to The Washington Times newspaper, the DHS Threat Assessment has created a clamor of angry responses. Americans who love their country, its laws and the Bible feel insulted and betrayed that our own government would label over 50% of the population "domestic rightwing terrorists."
Well known speakers like former President Ronald Reagan's son Michael have expressed their incredulity. And Jay Sekulow, chief counsel at the American Center for Law & Justice, is even "preparing a legal analysis and will be launching a nationwide campaign in the days ahead to demand that Homeland Security remove the references from its warning."
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano defended the report, saying that only the definition of right-wing extremism that was included in a footnote should be reworded to be more sensitive.
My Analysis
Concerning the DHS Threat Assessment document, I've read over the ten pages and have found it disturbing. Its claim that Americans who do not agree with the liberal bent of the current administration are paranoid, shows just how paranoid the current administration is.
In part, I can understand the racism element involved in the government's paranoia. Despicable white supremist groups do ooze out of their pits now and then and wouldn't mind taking a pot-shot at President Obama, or anyone else outside of their hometown for that matter. For these white supremist groups the Threat Assessment is certainly addressing, it is well-founded to keep an eye on such groups. But, that racism is somehow tied to the pro-life and pro-marriage movements is an outrageous inference.
As for the paranoia that conservative values equal terrorist values, that inference shows the highest and most unfounded levels of paranoia. The United States has been a nation composed of many ideologies and values throughout its history that for the most part have lived peaceably side-by-side. That the liberal ideology would believe it has to call competitive ideologies "terrorists," proves those who hold to that terminology must themselves be fearful bigots. Fearful bigotry produced the most dreadful event in American history - the Civil War. Is that what the current DHS guard is advocating?
As for Christians who believe in God's moral law and students of Bible prophecy, being seen as terrorists is a chilling thought. Christians only have to look at other large democracies like India to see that democracy doesn't protect its Christian citizens when the government would rather not have them around.
When did such a transition take place in the United States, that our "apple pie" Americans who love God and country such as myself would be seen as the enemy? The answer coincides when the values of the Bible were ejected from our society. A free and truly democratic society that values life and liberty cannot survive without those who hold to God's moral law. True freedom requires Jesus Christ, the Bible, and a foundation that rests firmly on what God calls right and wrong.
I do hope that every intelligence agent who is scouring my article to discern the thought and intents of my heart comes to understand this.
Your Response
Homeland Security gives addresses to its personnel for comments and questions. We, too, should also offer DHS our comments and questions in a civilized and loving fashion.
"For comments or questions related to the content or dissemination of [the Threat Analysis] document, please contact the DHS/I&A Production Branch at IA.PM@hq.dhs.gov, IA.PM@dhs.sgov.gov, or IA.PM@dhs.ic.gov."
