Distrust or Derision?

[goesh]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/firs...st-recruiters/

"Napolitano: Veterans are Targets of Right-Wing Extremist Recruiters
Homeland security chief says report could have been written differently, but imperative was to release details on right-wing extremists.
......

It added that new restrictions on gun ownership and the difficulty of veterans to reintegrate into their communities "could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks.
......

Of particular interest among radicals is possible recruitment of returning troops with "combat skills and experience" so as to boost their "violent capabilities," the report said. "



She isn't saying much about military personnel, all their training, all their loyalty, all their discipline, all their commitment, all their sacrifice, all their professionalism, all their hard work, all their pride, blod sweat and tears so strongly manifested since the start of two major wars in this decade. Where in the he** is she getting such information and conclusions to make such a vile inference?

The Legion steps up to the plate:

"But American Legion National Commander David Rehbein, who is to meet with Napolitano on Friday, told FOX News on Sunday the evidence suggests that troops are more likely to be first responders than extremists during an attack on the homeland. He added that he is less concerned about the apology than about the way the department reached its conclusions. "

Well no kidding, a voice of reality amidst some downright stupidity coming from a national leader. I am enough of a fossil to recall the days when the Red Menace was a threat and people worried that the Russians might invade. Calmer heads prevailed saying they probably couldn't build enough ships to get that many men over here in the first place but if they did, millions of Vets with deer rifles would be backing up our military on the beaches.

[MikeF]

Mr. Ricks started another conversation here discussing a trend with young people and national service.

I'm not sure where he is headed, and I'm not sure that even he knows, but it is interesting...

After I spoke at Princeton the other night, I was surprised by the stream of young men who came up to told me that they are joining the Marines or Army after graduation.

On reflection, I shouldn't have been, because lately I've been noticing this phenomenon of graduates of elite universities going into the military. This isn't a tidal wave, or even a fad, but I think a steady self-selection.

Lately I have spoken with three men, by coincidence all 24 years old, who have good entry-level jobs in Washington foreign policy and journalism circles, who are planning to chuck all that and become Marine officers in the coming year. I also know Matt Pottinger, once reputed to be among the best Wall Street Journal reporters in Beijing and a fluent Mandarin speaker, who signed up and went to Marine Officer Candidates School. He is now serving in southern Afghanistan.

What is going on here? I think two things, one negative, the other historical.

http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/posts...ve_drab?page=1

v/r

Mike

[jmm99]

from Goesh
Calmer heads prevailed saying they probably couldn't build enough ships to get that many men over here in the first place but if they did, millions of Vets with deer rifles would be backing up our military on the beaches.

In some circles (not only gun controllers, but also at DHS), fears exist about those "millions of Vets with deer rifles" - and all the non-vets with deer rifles as well. There are also fears of another Tim McVeigh. And, perhaps, the rightwing extremist report was released in an attempt by DHS to "balance" its 2008 and 2009 reports on leftwing extremism - which have more substance.

See this thread for more discussion on the political spin; and this one for more on "leftwing extremism".

Some civilians see the military as people because they know them as people. Others see the military as stereotypes because they do not know them as people.

[goesh]

good points, JMM99. The VFW, the Legion, the DAV and Auxilaries and other lesser Veteran groups stand in sharp contrast to ELF and the Anarchists.

[goesh]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,517233,00.html


WASHINGTON — For the first time, an accused domestic terrorist is being added to the FBI's list of "Most Wanted" terror suspects that includes Usama bin Laden.

Daniel Andreas San Diego, a 31-year-old computer specialist from Berkeley, California, is wanted for the 2003 bombings of two corporate offices in California.

Authorities describe San Diego as an animal rights activist who turned to bomb attacks and say he has a tattoo that proclaims, "It only takes a spark."

I may start sporting a tattoo that says, "It only takes 5 lbs of trigger pull."

[AmericanPride]

Why is it absurd to consider that US combat veterans may possibily join right-wing militias? The Army has well known and long-time gang problem -- so what is the difference? I suspect there may be other stereotypes projected here that are unrecognized.