[excon]

Hello:

Aren't conservatives supposed to be hawkish on terror? They tend to be when it comes to foreign terrorists, but many are taking umbrage at a new West Point report on violent far-right extremists home-grown right here in the U.S. Earlier this week, the Combating Terrorism Center (CTC) at America's leading military academy published an extensive report on the "dramatic rise in the number of attacks and violent plots originating from individuals and groups who self-identify with the far-right of American politics." Christian fundamentalists, Militia movement groups, Skinheads, neo-Nazis, and violent anti-abortionists were all cited in the report, titled Challengers from the Sidelines: Understanding America's Violent Far-Right. These factions may harbor different ideological goals, but as this chart shows, they've all ramped up their violent tactics in trying to achieve them

So says a report from West Point. What are we to make of this? Are these the groups who are emptying the gun shops?

[cdad]

Actually so says an opinion piece that disconnects itself from west point.

Lets play fair now. Since you have been branded as a far right extremist.

[excon]

Hello dad:

I noticed the editorial error on my part and fixed it. I think you'll find the link now takes you to the report.

excon

[paraclete]

Interesting there has been a drop in far right violence in the past four years, perhaps a change in political environment wasn't condusive to such groups but yes, ex, such groups need to be watched closely as they are consumers of firearms

[tomder55]

Great ;another moron teaching our officer corps. Between Dr.Arie Perliger at West Point and Michael Vlahos at the Naval War College ,our only hope is that the Citadel and VMI are graduating great officers.

I, a' right winger' (with all the disclaimers I've used in the past of that depiction), disassociate myself with violent groups like skin heads ,neo-nazis ,violent anti-abortionists ;anti-Federalists et al . I won't bother to read the whole 147 page report . I'm sure I'm not the only one here who won't .

[paraclete]

I agree with you, Tom, the far right is not a place to be. Such movements are to be resisted just as the far left is to be resisted

[cdad]

Hello dad:

I noticed the editorial error on my part and fixed it. I think you'll find the link now takes you to the report.

excon

Here is what I resent about the report. It gives things in a blanket fashion and throws a dragnet of all encompassing flavor just because you might hold a certain attitude.

There are many that hold the constitution high and believe in rights. As we see in discussions here the extent and province of those rights are highly debated. But by no means does it make any one of us an automatic extremest. According to the report that is what I find most disturbing is how it reads that it IS an automatic attatchment to an extreme group.

[speechlesstx]

The views expressed in this report are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of the Combating Terrorism Center, U.S. Military Academy, Department of Defense or U.S. government."

In other words, the report is less useful than cow manure and yet stinks as bad.

[excon]

Hello again, Steve:

It was written under the mantle of the Combating Terrorism Center of West Point.. It's NOT an op-ed piece.

I'm surprised you didn't call it the liberal media.

Bwa, ha ha ha.

excon

[speechlesstx]

That disclaimer is from the "report." It is only the views if the author... it's meaningless bullish*t.

[speechlesstx]

Bottom of page 1.

[excon]

Hello Steve:

Well, there you go..

excon

[talaniman]

It is important to note that this study concentrates on those individuals and groups who have actually perpetuated violence and is not a comprehensive analysis of the political causes with which some far-right extremists identify. While the ability to hold and appropriately articulate diverse political views is an American strength, extremists committing acts of violence in the name of those causes undermine the freedoms that they purport to espouse

A subtle but important distinction the author makes so as NOT to broad brush, or lump people into a general category. You didn't have to read the whole thing to glean this from the FIRST page.

[cdad]

A subtle but important distinction the author makes so as NOT to broad brush, or lump people into a general category. You didn't have to read the whole thing to glean this from the FIRST page.

Sure you didn't. But the whole thing is based on a belief system. Its goal is to show cause and effect. With long standing beliefs being suspect.

[excon]

Hello:

Look. I didn't read all 127 pages. All I saw was that it was written by West Point.

But, I don't think the report was based on the writers belief system... I don't think people are digging in, in Northern Idaho because they like the weather... I don't think the empty shelves at the nations gun shops can be ignored.

The interesting part of this thread, is that you righty's absolutely DISAVOW any notion that ultra right wingers DO attack.

excon

[tomder55]

I, a' right winger' (with all the disclaimers I've used in the past of that depiction), disassociate myself with violent groups like skin heads ,neo-nazis ,violent anti-abortionists ;anti-Federalists et al .

[excon]

Hello again, tom:

I disassociate myself with violent groups

Thanks for standing up. I'll mark that down.

Excon

[speechlesstx]

I have always rejected extremists and wackos of any stripe. But you libs conspire amongst yourselves.

[bigwig]

I would also like to know what defines an "attack". Does this mean verbal attacks? Actual physical attacks? Or just meetings? This data is junk. Every right minded person whether left or right does not identify with this kind of person and thinks they should just go away.

Extreme left + Extreme right = zero solutions (oh wait that's our govt)

[paraclete]

Yes we would all like wachos, gangbangers, militants of any hue to just go away but sadly they are not going to do because they have nowwhere to go.

You built a haven for these people back in the days when you thought everyone was rational, upright and shared in the grand dream and so your laws reflected that and they took advantage of it