Begin forwarded message:
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: March 16, 2007 4:59:55 PM PDT
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Citing 1995 OKBomb, Homeland Security Now Targeting
"Radicalized" US CITIZENS
NEW HOMELAND SECURITY TEAM TO FOCUS ON DOMESTIC TERRORISTS
HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY MICHAEL CHERTOFF TESTIFIES WEDNESDAY
BEFORE A SENATE PANEL
By Mimi Hall, USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-03-14-homegrown_N.htm?
POE=NEWISVA
WASHINGTON — The Homeland Security Department says it has created a
new unit to combat the threat posed by "homegrown terrorists" —
citizens or legal residents who plot attacks from inside the
nation's borders.
"This phenomenon presents a real and serious challenge to our
nation," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told a Senate
panel.
Chertoff emphasized that violent extremists "represent a small,
fringe element within the American Muslim community" and that
members of that community have been "outspoken in their opposition
to terrorist violence." He noted that the last major attack by
homegrown terrorists was the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995.
Homeland Security Chief Intelligence Officer Charles Allen's new
unit will address all forms of extremist activity but will focus
mainly <sic> on the threat from Muslims who have been "radicalized."
The group has met with officials in 18 cities from Albany, N.Y., to
Sacramento to get a handle on the problem. Allen said members have
found that:
•Radicalization is a growing problem in prisons and at
universities. Impressionable students are particularly susceptible
to charismatic leaders aiming to "instill a brand of extreme
ideology."
•There are groups in the USA that serve as "gateways" for
radicalization. <<The same way marijuana is allegedly a "gateway"
drug leading to use of harder drugs like cocaine and heroin?>>
•Extremists "manipulate social situations to create perceptions of
victimization," provoking police or [provoking] political responses
that can then be used as propaganda.
Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman, I-Conn.,
pointed out that Europe's biggest problem is homegrown terrorists.
The London and Madrid train bombings were carried out by citizens
or longtime residents.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, the top Republican on the committee,
said the government's efforts to secure the nation's borders and
screen airline passengers may help keep out foreign terrorists but
don't protect against the rise of terrorist cells [within our
borders].
Chertoff said some Muslim groups are working with his office to
combat radicalization. Jenn Kauffman of the Arab American Institute
said her group looks forward to working with Homeland Security.
Salam Al-Marayati, executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs
Council, said the USA does not have the extremism seen in Muslim
communities elsewhere.
"It's the Muslim community's role to eliminate violent extremism,
which is what it is doing," he said.
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