THE THREAT FROM WITHIN

Lingamfelter Report
April 17, 2009

The “Threat” From Within

Dear Friends,

I suppose if I had not seen this with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. Of course I am referring to the Department of Homeland Security report entitled “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment.” You can find this at http://www.gordonunleashed.com/HSA%20-%20Rightwing%20Extremism%20-%2009%2004%2007.pdf where among other things you will read this:

“Paralleling the current national climate, rightwing extremists during the 1990s exploited a variety of social issues and political themes to increase group visibility and recruit new members. 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.”

In my study of history, when oppressive governments want to crack down on dissent, they demonize their opponents. No question about it that conservatives are concerned about this administration. But to suggest that if you are pro-life, concerned about what is being done to the institution of marriage, worried about your right to keep and bear arms, or heavens forbid, actually have participated in combat to protect the freedoms we all love (like I did along with many of you), that you are somehow a threat to this nation is an insult that defies elaboration.

Here is the one that I find particularly offensive as a combat veteran:

“DHS/I&A assesses that rightwing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to exploit their skills and knowledge derived from military training and combat. These skills and knowledge have the potential to boost the capabilities of extremists -including lone wolves or small terrorist cells -to carry out violence. The willingness of a small percentage of military personnel to join extremist groups during the 1990s because they were disgruntled, disillusioned, or suffering from the psychological effects of war is being replicated today.”

I don’t know about you, but this makes me very angry. This is a slap in the face of returning veterans. I would tell you that we need to stand against such nonsense and make clear to our elected officials that if we oppose the actions of this administration, that opposition is rooted in a time-honored and peaceful tradition of the right to free speech and the right for the people to petition their government. To infer that veterans are a threat to freedom is way over the top. I hope you will make your voice heard on this. Today!

In the meantime, let me suggest where the government might like to spend some time dealing with real problems and threats to the nation:

–Narco-terrorism along the Mexican border

–The rise of international piracy to US commerce

– Missile proliferation in North Korea and Iran

– The rise of radical Islam that seeks to proliferate violence throughout the world

– The black market trade of nuclear materials

– Cyber attacks by China on the interests of American business and government

– A growing national debt that threatens the economic viability of the nation

If Washington will just do some of this, I’ll bet it will keep our government busy enough to ensure that the rights of free Americans will not be threatened by politically and ideologically motivated bureaucrats who think our enemies are the very people who defend us from many of the threats above.

By the way, don’t hold your breath waiting for this report: “Leftwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Redistributionist and Confiscatory Policy Designed to Impoverish America and Working Moms and Dads.” Not a chance…

Sincerely,

L. Scott Lingamfelter
Delegate, 31st District
Virginia House of Delegates