Right-Wing Militias Are Resurging -- Will They Produce More Terrorists Like Timothy McVeigh?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

We need to beware of the right-wing militia movement in America. It poses a danger to our democracy. And shamefully, it is fueled by a few mainstream politicians and media personalities.

After a decade out of the spotlight, the militant rightwing "Patriot" movement — which was responsible for such murderous terrorist acts as the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that claimed 168 lives and injured 500 — is on the rise.

And according to a new report from the Southern Poverty Law Center, this violent coalition of groups is united in their hatred of the government, and of the first black president.

The newly minted report, "The Second Wave: Return of the Militias," warns that authorities are worried about the acceleration in violent acts by radical right groups.

"Militiamen, white supremacists, anti-Semites, nativists, tax protesters and a range of other activists of the radical right are cross-pollinating and may even be coalescing," says the report. "This is the most significant growth we've seen in 10 to 12 years," according to one source in the report. "All it's lacking is a spark. I think it's only a matter of time before you see threats and violence."

As many as 50 new militia training groups have formed in two years. Shockingly, one of the groups, the Oath Keepers, consists of current and ex-soldiers and police officers. Its members are concerned about a coming dictatorship, concentration camps and a "New World Order." And they regard President Obama as "an enemy of the state."

Meanwhile, sales of guns and ammunition have increased over fears of gun control laws.

The Southern Poverty Law Center notes that in recent months, men with pro-militia, racist, anti-government or anti-Semitic sentiments have committed acts of murder — including the murder of six police officers since April. And a majority of the killers and conspirators were at least partially motivated by the election of Obama.

It's astonishing that mainstream politicians and media outlets have stoked the fires of militia extremism. This is both irresponsible and dangerous, and will only lead to acts of violence. They have legitimized the hateful and racist propaganda of the Patriot groups, including the outrageous claim that the president is not a U.S. citizen, and that he presides over a fascist-socialist government.

Glenn Beck of Fox News has called Obama a Marxist and a racist who hates white people. And he has linked the Obama administration with fascism. CNN's Lou Dobbs has opened the door for questioning Obama's citizenship, and has legitimized the conspiracy theories about Latinos wanting to conquer the Southwest.

Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., suggested that the president was planning reeducation camps for young people. Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Ala., channeling Joe McCarthy, warned that there are 17 "socialists" in Congress. And Texas Gov. Rick Perry echoed militia talk when he suggested Texas secede from the Union.

These militia sentiments were on full display at the anti-tax tea party protests, and they have continued at the health care town hall meetings, along with death threats against members of Congress. Some protestors have come to presidential events strapped with pistols and armed with semiautomatic assault rifles, creating conditions that are ripe for violence.

We can't ignore the threat of homegrown domestic terrorism. The far right militia groups are profoundly undemocratic. We underestimate them at our peril.

David A. Love is a writer and human rights advocate based in Philadelphia. His blog is davidalove.com. He can be reached at pmproj@progressive.org.

[Danno 1,228]

Gee, Steve your timing is a little off on this one.... didn't we just witness another Left-wing inspired act of murder this week as that peaceful protester was gunned down in front of school kids.

I think incident for incident, we can conclude some on the left.... are more likely to be inspired by Left-wing hate talk.

[Ban Hammer 13,400]

We need to beware of the right-wing militia movement in America. It poses a danger to our democracy. And shamefully, it is fueled by a few mainstream politicians and media personalities.

how can we forget it with you reminding us of the dangers of right wingers every day?

[alienlovechild 75]

Right-Wing Militias Are Resurging -- Will They Produce More Terrorists Like Timothy McVeigh

I predicted this months before but now it's in time for Halloween.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Right-Wing Militias Are Resurging -- Will They Produce More Terrorists Like Timothy McVeigh

I predicted this months before but now it's in time for Halloween.

Seriously - I believe that some militias will plan some kind of stand off with Federal Agents (ATF) like with Ruby Ridge. With a stand off, they are poised to win in that if one innocent person's blood is shed, it will embolden those already believing that Obama has perverted the Constitution and they will believe it is their right and obligation to protect the Constitution, with violence if necessary.

[Ban Hammer 13,400]

Right-Wing Militias Are Resurging -- Will They Produce More Terrorists Like Timothy McVeigh

I predicted this months before but now it's in time for Halloween.

Seriously - I believe that some militias will plan some kind of stand off with Federal Agents (ATF) like with Ruby Ridge. With a stand off, they are poised to win in that if one innocent person's blood is shed, it will embolden those already believing that Obama has perverted the Constitution and they will believe it is their right and obligation to protect the Constitution, with violence if necessary.

just one small problem: ruby ridge wasn't a planned event with the atf.......

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Right-Wing Militias Are Resurging -- Will They Produce More Terrorists Like Timothy McVeigh

I predicted this months before but now it's in time for Halloween.

Seriously - I believe that some militias will plan some kind of stand off with Federal Agents (ATF) like with Ruby Ridge. With a stand off, they are poised to win in that if one innocent person's blood is shed, it will embolden those already believing that Obama has perverted the Constitution and they will believe it is their right and obligation to protect the Constitution, with violence if necessary.

just one small problem: ruby ridge wasn't a planned event with the atf.......

Stockpiling weapons, IMO, is planning some kind of confrontation, particularly when the person doing the stockpiling of weapons has no regard for the Federal Government.

[Ban Hammer 13,400]

Right-Wing Militias Are Resurging -- Will They Produce More Terrorists Like Timothy McVeigh

I predicted this months before but now it's in time for Halloween.

Seriously - I believe that some militias will plan some kind of stand off with Federal Agents (ATF) like with Ruby Ridge. With a stand off, they are poised to win in that if one innocent person's blood is shed, it will embolden those already believing that Obama has perverted the Constitution and they will believe it is their right and obligation to protect the Constitution, with violence if necessary.

just one small problem: ruby ridge wasn't a planned event with the atf.......

Stockpiling weapons, IMO, is planning some kind of confrontation, particularly when the person doing the stockpiling of weapons has no regard for the Federal Government.

yet that stand off with the atf wasn't a planned event by weaver, as you so mentioned in your previous post....

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Right-Wing Militias Are Resurging -- Will They Produce More Terrorists Like Timothy McVeigh

I predicted this months before but now it's in time for Halloween.

Seriously - I believe that some militias will plan some kind of stand off with Federal Agents (ATF) like with Ruby Ridge. With a stand off, they are poised to win in that if one innocent person's blood is shed, it will embolden those already believing that Obama has perverted the Constitution and they will believe it is their right and obligation to protect the Constitution, with violence if necessary.

just one small problem: ruby ridge wasn't a planned event with the atf.......

Stockpiling weapons, IMO, is planning some kind of confrontation, particularly when the person doing the stockpiling of weapons has no regard for the Federal Government.

yet that stand off with the atf wasn't a planned event by weaver, as you so mentioned in your previous post....

Charles, if you believe that a tornado may hit in your area, and you stock up on canned food, water and other supplies, is that not 'planning'?

Edited September 15, 2009 by Col. 'Bat' Guano

[Dan J 277]

I am wondering how the Patriot Act might apply to this situation. If we do end up having individuals or groups committing terrorist acts in support of the Patriot/Teabag/Freedom movement, it could come back to bite some of those who originally supported it.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I am wondering how the Patriot Act might apply to this situation. If we do end up having individuals or groups committing terrorist acts in support of the Patriot/Teabag/Freedom movement, it could come back to bite some of those who originally supported it.

Perhaps. I think though, the hardcore militia types were anti-federal all along. I would be interested to know what they thought or did though after 9-11 and what were their thoughts in the aftermath. Maybe many of them did for awhile see the importance of national interests over individualism.

Edited September 15, 2009 by Col. 'Bat' Guano

[cdneh 3,112]

We need to beware of the right-wing militia movement in America. It poses a danger to our democracy. And shamefully, it is fueled by a few mainstream politicians and media personalities.

how can we forget it with you reminding us of the dangers of right wingers every day?

Bit tired eh?

[thepizzadude 26]

"First of all, the Republican Party is, collectively, coo coo for cocoa puffs...." quote from davidalove.com

Do you only depend on Left Wing biased News for everything you read and post...or do you ever take in both sides before you spew your left wing rhetoric?

Edited September 15, 2009 by thepizzadude

[SMOKE 1,426]

'Right-Wing Militias Are Resurging -- Will They Produce More Terrorists Like Timothy McVeigh?'

steven,

i live in OKC & lost people close to me in the bombing. you bringing it up daily & trying to tie republicans to McVeigh daily. is fvcking getting old quickly.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

"First of all, the Republican Party is, collectively, coo coo for cocoa puffs...." quote from davidalove.com

Do you only depend on Left Wing biased News for everything you read and post...or do you ever take in both sides before you spew your left wing rhetoric?

I don't believe the Republican Party is crazy. I do believe the Radical Right though have a stranglehold on the party. They are the ones who have polarized all political sensibilities with their extreme views. If any of them actually applied their logic with any consistency, they would denounce Reagan, the man who ironically most of them regard as their patron saint, as a liberal RINO.