O xein', angellein Lakedaimoniois...

...or: A Changing Tone on Violent Capabilities

A month ago, Janet Napolitano, President Obama's new Homeland Security Secretary, told the German newsmagazine DER SPIEGEL about "the continued threat of terrorism and the changing tone in Washington". A "changing tone", one hopes, would suggest disawowing the shameless appeasement of the Muslim countries we saw under the Bush administration. But no such luck. The "changing tone" means (I am not kidding!) that the use of the word "terrorism" ought to be avoided when discussing Muslim, well, terrorists.

SPIEGEL: Madame Secretary, in your first testimony to the US Congress as Homeland Security Secretary you never mentioned the word "terrorism." Does Islamist terrorism suddenly no longer pose a threat to your country?

Napolitano: Of course it does. I presume there is always a threat from terrorism. In my speech, although I did not use the word "terrorism," I referred to "man-caused" disasters. That is perhaps only a nuance, but it demonstrates that we want to move away from the politics of fear toward a policy of being prepared for all risks that can occur.

While that would be almost hilarious weren't it yet another and even more shameless attempt to suck up to Islam, there are different perceived threats to which the term "terrorism" is, so it seems, more easily applied. For example Christians. A report on "Rightwing Extremism" from the Office of Intelligence and Analysis, part of the Homeland Security Department, states:

Antigovernment conspiracy theories and “end times” prophecies could motivate extremist individuals and groups to stockpile food, ammunition, and weapons. These teachings also have been linked with the radicalization of domestic extremist individuals and groups in the past, such as violent Christian Identity organizations and extremist members of the militia movement.

Yes, we all now it were Trappist monks who flew the airliners on 9/11. That's why some "antigovernment conspiracy theories", for example those of then Congressman Cynthia McKinney, don't count. They are, after all, not "rightwing" antigovernment conspiracy theories. But hey! Militia movement?

The possible passage of new restrictions on firearms and the return of military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communities could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks.
[...]
Returning veterans possess combat skills and experience that are attractive to rightwing extremists. DHS/I&A is concerned that rightwing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to boost their violent capabilities.

The Sage from Texas writes:

"Is there ANYTHING more immoral than sending our sons to die by the orders of their country----and by the way, if you do make it home, you will be considered a security threat because of your military training.

That is unspeakable.

Go tell the Spartans that we lie here in obedience to their laws, and that they won't have to hire more homeland security agents to keep an eye on us because we're dead."

Cross-posted at Roncesvalles.