Veterans a Focus of FBI Extremist Probe

Veterans a Focus of FBI Extremist Probe

online.wsj.com

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation earlier this year launched a nationwide operation targeting white supremacists and "militia/sovereign-citizen extremist groups," including a focus on veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, according to memos sent from bureau headquarters to field offices.
The initiative, dubbed Operation Vigilant Eagle, was outlined in February, two months before a memo giving a similar warning was issued on April 7 by the Department of Homeland Security.

(visit the link for the full news article)

*Mod Edit to repair link.



[edit on 4/17/2009 by AshleyD]

This is truly disgraceful. What will this group of lunitics do next? Why on earth would men and women who were and are still committed to protecting the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies foreign and domestic go on a rampage and become terrorists in their own land? This is lunacy
The liberals should worship the very ground that these proud men and women have walked on. God Bless America and her prescious treasures....the American Warrior! protector of our freedoms and voices!
Well America....here you have the typical liberal crapola twords those who serve this proud and great nation.
Just because one nut back in the 1990's who blows up one building, that all vet's are crazed.


online.wsj.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

[edit on 17-4-2009 by Bejing]

*Mod Edit to repair link.

[edit on 4/17/2009 by AshleyD]

reply to post by Bejing


Your source link is broken..............

ATS needs a system so when links are broken you don't have to type in all these words..........

I think this study had been blown out of proportion.

Governments need to do contingency studies because if they don't and something bad happens people get bent out of shape because they didn't see it coming.

There is no indication that veterans are being targeted or being singled out in this case, but we can't forget that sometimes in desperate times desperate people do desperate things and if those individuals have military training they can do some serious damage a la Timothy McVeigh.

I'm a veteran of the war in Vietnam and remember all too well the way we were vilified as a group because of the actions of just a couple of veterans at a time when non-veterans were rampaging in the streets and on campus, so I'm a just a little sensitive to these matters.

Currently, I think a mountain is being made of a mole hill.

Here's your link:

online.wsj.com...

"This is an assessment of things just to be wary of, not to infringe on constitutional rights, certainly not to malign our veterans," she said on NBC's Today Show.

[...]

"We're not doing an investigation into the military, we're not looking at former military members," he said. "It would have to be something they were concerned about, or someone they're concerned is involved" with extremist groups.

online.wsj.com...

[edit on 2009/4/17 by GradyPhilpott]

Here is a link to this story.

online.wsj.com...

BTW, this is what Janet NApolitano "CLAIMS".

"This is an assessment of things just to be wary of, not to infringe on constitutional rights, certainly not to malign our veterans," she said on NBC's Today Show.

online.wsj.com...

Claiming this while doing the contrary is nothing more than hypocresy at it's worse...

This woman should be formally charged with treason for implementing measures that are UnConstitutional, and never be allowed to work on any office of the government.

reply to post by GradyPhilpott


And we are grateful for your service. I was in the service too, and I believe you haven't taken the time to read what is being implemented by the DHS, and Janet Napolitano.

They are targeting veterans, and any American who wants to defend the Constitution of these United States.

Here is part of a lawsuit being made against Janetr Napolitano and the DHS on this issue.

The Report specifically mentions the following political beliefs that law enforcement should use to determine whether someone is a “rightwing extremist”:

Opposes restrictions on firearms
Opposes lax immigration
Opposes the policies of President Obama regarding immigration, citizenship, and the expansion of social programs
Opposes continuation of free trade agreements
Opposes same-sex marriage
Has paranoia of foreign regimes
Fear of Communist regimes
Opposes one world government
Bemoans the decline of U.S. stature in the world.
Upset with loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs to China and India
. . . and the list goes on
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on behalf of nationally syndicated conservative radio talk show host, Michael Savage, Gregg Cunningham (President of the pro-life organization Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, Inc (CBR)), and Iraqi War Marine veteran Kevin Murray. The Law Center claims that Napolitano’s Department (DHS) has violated the First and Fifth Amendment Constitutional rights of these three plaintiffs by attempting to chill their free speech, expressive association, and equal protection rights. The lawsuit further claims that the Department of Homeland Security encourages law enforcement officers throughout the nation to target and report citizens to federal officials as suspicious rightwing extremists and potential terrorists because of their political beliefs.

online.wsj.com...

Just because anyone unstable at any moment could resort to violence, it doesn't mean the government should be labeling ALL Americans as possible terrorists. This is not only stupid, but UnConstitutional.






[edit on 17-4-2009 by ElectricUniverse]

With all the Socialist programs being implemented, you have to wonder why they mention people who fear "COMMUNISM" are targeted also.

reply to post by Bejing

Are you thinking there are no liberals, Democrats or progressives who are veterans or who are currently serving in the military? You would be wrong - the military is becoming less solidly GOP every election cycle since 2000.
Your comment is very inflammatory especially to me as I have family who have serve in both the military and in the State Department for generations.
I don't think you can get away with portraying liberals and Democrats as anti-military anymore...that's just plain divisive and disrespectful and untrue.

reply to post by ChrisCrikey



Was everyone in your family a Liberal?

Why is it that a large group of Liberals always protest against our soldiers, and agree to disarm all citizens of this REPUBLIC?

I don't think the OP was specificaly saying every Liberal, but are you going to claim that there is not a large mayority of Liberals who do these things the OP and I mention?...

reply to post by ElectricUniverse

Nope - just about split down the middle and you can imagine the political arguments I have grown up with because on both sides we've had people who were very serious about politics and a lot of people much smarter than I. Political and world historians. My father (career army officer and middle east specialist) passed away before 2000 but most of my family switched to the Democratic party in 2000 because of GWB's evangelical Christian crusade among other reasons.

By 2004 everyone but one member of my extended family abandoned the GOP mostly because the younger generations were really being hurt by GOP economics and also in disagreement with the war in Iraq and the money grab going on. My father is undoubtedly still rolling over in his grave over GWB's arrogance and middle eastern policies. My father served in three wars, was a Republican but I doubt he'd be one today. We all agree he'd be aghast at what has happened to the GOP. My grandfather was with the State Department, a diplomat and professor of international law. He ended up a Democrat too. Go figure.

I am as liberal as they come, and this story enrages me! I wish the labels would stop already. Obama has proven that he is just an extension of Bush, maybe I am just figuring this Democrat/Republican/all the same deal out late in the game.

To target our brave soldiers as extremists is very wrong and cowardly, and it will backfire on those who do the targeting.

This type of nonsense is happening out of fear, our government is scared that we are waking up to their nonsense and we won't take it anymore, so they target those they themselves have trained. Disgusting.

reply to post by ChrisCrikey



Do you even know what being a Republican means? It doesn't mean that the Republican party is representing what a REAL Republican is....

A Republican is an advocate of the REPUBLIC, which is the nation where you live, and is against all forms of dictatorship.

I also served in the military, and you should know by what your father should have told you that the military always is pro-Republican, and anti-Democrat, because when Democrats are in office our military among other Americans suffer.

I am not saying that the Republican party has not done things that are UnConstitutional, but when they do these things they are not representing what a REAL Republican is.

Even the forefathers of this nation made it clear that the one form of government which should be guaranteed in this Union is a REPUBLICAN for of government.

Americans have been slowly indoctrinated into not knowing their roots, and slowly allowing for the Republic to be turned into something it was never meant to be.





[edit on 17-4-2009 by ElectricUniverse]

reply to post by Cloudsinthesky


That's the right link
However, you can find another link to the story on Drudgereport.com
Its located on top left

reply to post by Bejing



Your links are really broken, I gave the right link in one of my responses.

I wonder why I need a certain amount of characters to respond to a question. ??

Originally posted by ElectricUniverse

Do you even know what being a Republican means? It doesn't mean that the Republican party is representing what a REAL Republican is....

A Republican is an advocate of the REPUBLIC, which is the nation where you live, and is against all forms of dictatorship.

Just like a true Democrat believes in Democracy. BTW, this isn't really a Republic, it's a Representative Democracy. Everything in our society, everything, including the makeup and interpretation of our Constitution, depends on majority rule by vote.

I also served in the military, and you should know by what your father should have told you that the military always is pro-Republican, and anti-Democrat, because when Democrats are in office our military among other Americans suffer.

"Suffers" how, exactly? By reducing its size and redefining our role in the world? I'd think the best way to honor the sacrifices of our brave soldiers, past and present, is to work harder toward the goal of making their jobs unnecessary through a real effort at Peace. But, then again, there's a lot of right-wing schizophrenia going around, so I don't expect you to either agree with or even really understand that statement.

I am not saying that the Republican party has not done things that are UnConstitutional, but when they do these things they are not representing what a REAL Republican is.

Well, they're the ones who are running the Party, so your choices are limited. We all know everyone on this board is all talk when it comes to taking "real" action (the kind that involves guns and guillotines) so you either infiltrate the Party and shape it in the image of your choice or you shut up and let things be. Or whine pointlessly on the Internet. It's really up to you.

Even the forefathers of this nation made it lear that the one form of government which should be guaranteed in this Union is a REPUBLICAN for of government.

No, Democracy is the Truth of America. A Republic as defined by most Republicans is something more along the lines of an Oligarchy. If you truly believe in our founding documents, in the concept that All Men Are Created Equal, then a Republic as most "Republicans" support is about as UN-American as can be.

Originally posted by The Nighthawk

Just like a true Democrat believes in Democracy. BTW, this isn't really a Republic, it's a Representative Democracy. Everything in our society, everything, including the makeup and interpretation of our Constitution, depends on majority rule by vote.

A Democracy is the mob rule with no respect for minorities. This is a representative REPUBLIC not a Democracy. Iraq under Saddam Hussein was a DEMOCRACY. Under a Democracy a dictatorship can be installed in a nation. In a Representative REPUBLIC everyone must be represented even if the mayority votes to take away the rights of minorities.

Originally posted by The Nighthawk
"Suffers" how, exactly? By reducing its size and redefining our role in the world? I'd think the best way to honor the sacrifices of our brave soldiers, past and present, is to work harder toward the goal of making their jobs unnecessary through a real effort at Peace. But, then again, there's a lot of right-wing schizophrenia going around, so I don't expect you to either agree with or even really understand that statement.

How exactly?... by being undermanned, soldiers having to do double their duties because there is not enough money. The DEmocrats voted not to give money to the REpublican party which was going to be sent to offer more protection for our troops, and DEMOCRATS were using this as a political tool trying to make the Republican party side with the DEMOCRATS...

Originally posted by The Nighthawk
Well, they're the ones who are running the Party, so your choices are limited. We all know everyone on this board is all talk when it comes to taking "real" action (the kind that involves guns and guillotines) so you either infiltrate the Party and shape it in the image of your choice or you shut up and let things be. Or whine pointlessly on the Internet. It's really up to you.

Oh wow, I guess I shouldn't say anything because the almitghty Nighthawks says so...

Obviously you have no idea what FREEDOM OF SPEECH means...

Instead of trying to tell people to shut up because you don't agree with them, you should be responding to other threads more to your liking....

Originally posted by The Nighthawk
No, Democracy is the Truth of America. A Republic as defined by most Republicans is something more along the lines of an Oligarchy. If you truly believe in our founding documents, in the concept that All Men Are Created Equal, then a Republic as most "Republicans" support is about as UN-American as can be.

Really?... i wonder why the main goal of Democrats is to not only install Socialist programs but to disarm ALL Americans...

The forefathers of this nation made it clear...

U.S. Constitution - Article 4 Section 4

Article 4 - The States
Section 4 - Republican Government

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.

www.usconstitution.net...

So perhaps you should be the one to shut up, since obviously you are not aware of what the forefathers agreed on, and bleed for to guarantee rights for ALL future generations of Americans...

[edit on 17-4-2009 by ElectricUniverse]

edit: wrong thread.

[edit on 17-4-2009 by lee anoma]

Originally posted by Bejing
This is truly disgraceful. What will this group of lunitics do next?
(snip)
The liberals should worship the very ground that these proud men and women have walked on. God Bless America and her prescious treasures....the American Warrior! protector of our freedoms and voices!
Well America....here you have the typical liberal crapola twords those who serve this proud and great nation.

Nice polarizing rhetoric.
You are aware that:

The documents outlining Operation Vigilant Eagle cite a surge in activity by such groups. The memos say the FBI's focus on veterans began as far back as December, during the final weeks of the Bush administration, when the bureau's domestic counterterrorism division formed a special joint working group with the Defense Department. WJS

This was started under the Bush administration.
Why are you blaming Obama and liberals for this?


Here we have FOX news fanning the flames about the report, and how if this were done by Bush there would be outrage...only to finally admit it was done UNDER his administration and not Obama's.

Don't rely on FOX for facts they will inevitably make you look foolish when they decide to backtrack as usual.

- Lee

EDIT: added link.
This was the right thread my error.

[edit on 17-4-2009 by lee anoma]

Originally posted by lee anoma
This was started under the Bush administration.
Why are you blaming Obama and liberals for this?

Easy, why didn't Obama and his administration put a stop to this and not release it? They don't seem to be putting up too much of a fuss; and this is the ammo they love to use to smear Bush.

reply to post by lee anoma


Did the Republican administration signed, and agreed on this? or was it the Democrats?...

Just because the FBI had memos "weeks" before the end of the presidency of Bush, it doesn't mean the Republicans were in favor of this.

It has been under the DEMOCRATS that this policy was implemented.

The Republican party implemented other policies which are alson Unconstitutional, but in this case it is clear who was behind it.

Just like months before the presidency of Bush, Clinton was already promoting an international group of nations uniting militarily to fight against Saddam's regime. Under the Clinton administration the war against Iraq started by bombing Iraqi military instalations.... Yet the whole war was blamed on Republicans when most Democrats were in favor of it before it started....

There is a faction which has infiltrated both the Democrat and Republican party, for the sole motive of transforming this nation, and the policies being implemented are LEFTIST/Socialist....

Regretfully for a long time many in power in the Republican party do not represent what real Republicans are, and what we believe in.




[edit on 17-4-2009 by ElectricUniverse]