The Department of Homeland Security recently changed its previous color-coded Terror Alert System, devised shortly after the Department’s creation in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, to a new “bulletin” notification.
According to the DHS website, the change was allegedly made as a means of recognizing an “upgraded” terrorist threat environment.
“We are in a new phase in the global threat environment, which has implications on the homeland,” DHS said on its National Terrorism Advisory System page. “Particularly with the rise in use by terrorist groups of the Internet to inspire and recruit, we are concerned about the ‘self-radicalized’ actor(s) who could strike with little or no notice. Recent attacks and attempted attacks internationally and in the homeland warrant increased security, as well as increased public vigilance and awareness.”
The types of terrorism advisories now consist of:
— Bulletin: “Describes current developments or general trends regarding threats of terrorism.”
— Elevated Alert: “Warns of a credible terrorism threat against the United States.”
— Imminent Alert: “Warns of a credible, specific and impending terrorism threat against the United States.”
Why more Americans don’t trust establishment Washington
“Though we know of no intelligence that is both specific and credible at this time of a plot by terrorist organizations to attack the homeland, the reality is terrorist-inspired individuals have conducted, or attempted to conduct, attacks in the United States this year,” DHS said.
The department noted that it “is especially concerned that terrorist-inspired individuals and homegrown violent extremists may be encouraged or inspired to target public events or places.”
Citing the recent San Bernardino, Calif., and Paris attacks, DHS further noted that “terrorists will consider a diverse and wide selection of targets for attacks,” although they tend to target places where they expect little armed resistance.
“In the current environment, DHS is also concerned about threats and violence directed at particular communities and individuals across the country, based on perceived religion, ethnicity, or nationality,” the Department said, a statement that appears to contain more of a political message than an actual warning, given that there has not been an uptick in “violence directed at particular communities and individuals” – unless, of course, you want to count violence committed or threats by Muslim extremists or Leftist-backed “protesters” against Americans based on their “religion, ethnicity or nationality.”
There is additional subliminal messaging in this newly implemented “warning system,” which of course is never inexpensive, considering all the manuals and other materials that now have to be updated.
Consider this passage: “DHS is especially concerned that terrorist-inspired individuals and homegrown violent extremists may be encouraged or inspired to target public events or places.”
The last time DHS discussed “homegrown” terrorists and extremists, it was talking about “right-wing” political opponents that included returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and essentially anyone who disagreed with Barack Obama’s radical Left-wing ideology.
The report’s description[PDF] makes clear its anti-conservative slant:
Rightwing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.
The fact is that anti-government sentiments were then, and are now, evident in both the political “Right” and “Left,” given the rise of presidential contenders Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., for Democrats and billionaire businessman Donald Trump for Republicans.
Maybe that reality is why the report actually drew bipartisan criticism when it was released.
Politicizing every issue
“The fact the report singles out issues like abortion and immigration shows it was put together from a left-wing political perspective in order to vilify mainstream conservatism by lumping those values into the same category as neo-nazis and terrorists,” charged Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., as quoted by The New American. “This is a dangerous road to travel.”
“I am disappointed and surprised that the department would allow this report to be disseminated” to law-enforcement agencies, added then-chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., in a letter to then-DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano.
“This report appears to raise significant issues involving the privacy and civil liberties of many Americans — including war veterans,” Thompson cautioned. “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.”
Politicizing homeland security is just par for the course with this administration, as it politicizes every issue, from gun violence to life on college campuses and climate science.
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