Posted on 04/16/2009 1:22:47 PM PDT by jazusamo
A key House Republican Thursday called for a hearing to investigate a Department of Homeland Security report that highlights security risks posed by extremist groups and disgruntled veterans.
Rep. Peter King (N.Y.), the ranking Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, has asked for a hearing into the matter, one day after the committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said he was “dumbfounded” by how the agency could release such a report.
DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, who has endured a barrage of congressional criticism over the report, on Thursday made the rounds of the morning news programs, appearing in five interviews to defend her agency’s monitoring of right-wing extremist organizations. The report also stated that threats could come from “military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communities.”
Napolitano said lawmakers who had criticized the report — including House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), who called it “offensive and unacceptable” — had misconstrued the statements about veterans and were using it as political ammunition.
“He wants to make some political hay,” Napolitano said on NBC’s "Today Show" of Boehner’s comments. “This (report) is an assessment of things just to be wary of, not to infringe on constitutional rights, certainly not to malign our veterans.
“So I think what has happened is taking a few words. There has been a lot of spinning out there in Washington, D.C.-land, but all we’re trying to [say] is, look, there is situational awareness that needs to go on.”
King said the report could have a tumultuous effect on the veteran and military community.
“These men and women are fighting, putting their lives on the line,” said King on MSNBC’s "Morning Joe" on Thursday. “We said we'd never repeat Vietnam as far as how we treat returning veterans, and we're doing it now … [the report] would have to be demoralizing [for troops]. It would have to be demoralizing.”
In Thompson’s letter to Napolitano on Wednesday, he criticized the report, which was authored by the Office of Intelligence and Analysis, for infringing on Americans' civil liberties.
“This report appears to raise significant issues involving the privacy and civil liberties of many Americans — including war veterans,” the letter read. “As I am certain you agree, freedom of association and freedom of speech are guaranteed to all Americans — whether a person's beliefs, whatever their political orientation, are ‘extremist’ or not.”
Napolitano hasn’t budged much from her initial defense of the report on Wednesday, calling the findings an “assessment” that was “not meant to be accusatory," and that the department was monitoring groups based on their risk level and not their ideology.
“The last thing we want to do at the Department of Homeland Security is infringe on anyone's constitutional or civil rights,” she said. “I think everybody needs to take a deep breath. There was — I think there was a lot of Washington spin going on yesterday about this report.
“But all it was saying is, look, there’s a constant and constantly changing threat environment in the United States. Our job is to protect against terrorism whether it comes from abroad or internally.”
King was left dissatisfied.
“On that, her answer was totally disingenuous,” he said.
Other findings released in the report include an assessment that President Obama’s election is being used as a recruitment tool by hate groups.
The report highlighted organizations that deny federal authority over state or local jurisdictions while also specifically mentioning groups motivated by single policy issues, such as “opposition to abortion or immigration.”
It also warns of the possibility that new gun control legislation could spark unrest, stating that law enforcement groups have been worried about the rise in weapons and ammunition purchases documented in the months since Obama won election.
They should be sent to Guantanamo immediately.
That’s nice, Rep. King, but they aren’t listening to you either.
The "D" there is significant, indicating there are still some Dems who have at least a glimmer of an idea what this country is all about.
You’re right, their minds are made up.
Janet Reno Napolitano needs to be watched by DHS. She should scare the hell out of every legal, law abiding American. Her actions are nothing short of treason
A bright spot, lets hope there’s more with Thompson.
“extremist groups and disgruntled veterans”
This translates to conservatives & honorable vets who AREN’t liberal leftists power-mad RATS that’s controlling the govt.
These people are beyond incompetent. They are dangerous threats to our freedom and liberty and should be run out of office.
Isn’t it interesting that the DHS report doesn’t mention any concerns about our returning military veterans becoming “left-wing” extremists. They only mention right wing extremists. Are they suggesting that the majority of our military members are Republican/conservative/rightwing and therefore if they are going to become extremists it would be to the “right”?
There should be much more of an OUTRAGE over this
The left gets its way alot because it knows how to raise a stink. Conservatives could learn alot about being better street fighters.
Napolitono’s boss needs a butt reaming too.
Everything I’ve seen that came out of Tim McVeigh’s mouth sounds like typical Moveon rally fair. “Unlawfull unjust war in Iraq etc”
Re: “The “D” there is significant, indicating there are still some Dems who have at least a glimmer of an idea what this country is all about.”
*******
Yes, and some of the Dems who still have a glimmer of an idea of what this country is all about were present at the local tea party here near L.A. last night! They are as angry with themselves as with anyone — for not paying enough attention to who and what Obama IS and voting for him. BIG mistake and they admit it now.
A very good point. I would bet they realize left-wing types don’t put their lives on the line for our country therefore our military are all right-wing extremists.
THANK YOU REP. KING!
Number 1: "Extremist groups" Say what?
Number 2: "Disgruntled Veterans" What disgruntled veterans?
I'm not sure if King used these terms, but whoever did is an idiot.
We are not extremest in nature, and there has been no evidence whatsoever that there are any veterans poising to commit acts of terrorism.
This is the same demonization of veterans that took place after the Vietnam War. The left sure talks a good game about supporting the troops, but when push comes to shove, they loathe them and can't help showing it in public.
Napolitano should be fired for this unscrupulous action on her part.
They should find out who wrote it and prepared the research. It sounds like it was written by graduate student interns or college students who had recently taken a PoliSci course taught by a liberal professor or Cultural Marxist. It has the same kind of paranoid liberal ideas about conservatives. Almost like a parody of liberal paranoia.
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