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When Johnny Comes Marching Home, be on your guard!

by tlreed | April 15, 2009 at 11:10 pm

279 views | 35 Recommendations | 8 comments

One has to wonder what will happen as the soldiers fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq return home and try to re-assimilate back into civilian life and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano appears to be taking this question very seriously. A controversial Homeland Security Department intelligence assessment warned that military veterans are likely recruits for right-wing extremists, using the recession, massive government debt and spending, as well as racist feelings towards Jewish finance mavens, Mexican immigrants and America’s first black president to their advantage. Military veteran Timothy McVeigh who was responsible for the 1995 “Oklahoma City bombing” is cited in the assessment as an example of a veteran becoming a domestic terrorist.

On April 15, in defense of the assessment, Janet Napolitano – who was “personally involved in the Timothy McVeigh prosecution” – stated: "Let me be very clear: we monitor the risks of violent extremism taking root here in the United States. We don’t have the luxury of focusing our efforts on one group; we must protect the country from terrorism whether foreign or homegrown, and regardless of the ideology that motivates its violence. "

Note: The Homeland Security Department was created in the wake of 9/11 with the stated intention of preventing terrorist attacks against the United States. The department is often characterized by its use of the “National Threat Advisory” to instill fear in the American public and the “Transportation Security Administration” to harass senior citizens and business travelers at airports.

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albertacowpoke

at 03:23 on April 16th, 2009

While I agree that war should be avoided at all cost, I also think now that there are two wars going on, the country has an obligation to returning vets. The young troops are in their early 20s and have grown up in a society of plenty. Going to Afghanistan or Iraq is, for most of them, a culture shock. Combine this with the devastation they see and you can imgine what it does to their brain. I know this first hand from my deployment to Bosnia.

At the risk of rambling, this is a health care issue that should be monitored by DVA. Some vets may develop the attributes of a Timothy McVeigh, but that is a minority. I know it only takes one. All this to say, troops must be debriefed on their tour on return to the US or Canada. They must be triaged for mental problems and treated as necesssary.

tlreed

at 02:13 on April 16th, 2009

While I dislike the fearmongering of the Homeland Security Department, there are very real consequences that follow the return of troops hardened by warfare... Yet another reason that war should be avoided at any and all costs.

hussain

at 00:10 on April 16th, 2009

A very true assessment indeed. The prevailing situation in Pakistan is consequence of the Afghan war against Soviet invaders because a large number of Pakistanis have been fighting in Afghanistan.

lds_colejv

at 10:58 on April 16th, 2009

Being an intelligence officer by profession, as well as a Iraq and Kosovo veteran, I read the report from two perspectives. The one as an intelligence professional agreed with the report that "discgruntled military veterans" ARE a prime recruiting targets for right wing extremist groups (whomever they may be, I believe the report uses three-four different names in describing these groups). I found the report to be biased, but accurate in the fact that in tough economic times, recruiting increases for all extremist groups, not just right wing. As a military veteran I would like me service be seen as patriotic as I was serving to protect and defend the constitution and will continue to do so should any extremist attempt to attack it. I know that there are many who feel the same way.

jazzyzazzy

at 05:40 on April 16th, 2009

Our Heroes deserve to be treated and admired with upmost respect,but the enemy is among us now so I fear for the soldiers.

QueensHart

at 05:45 on April 16th, 2009

Yes, Albertacowpoke a very good comment.

StandUpToRacism

at 07:48 on April 16th, 2009

Nowpublic.com used to "hound" me about putting "Opinion" at the beginning of all my pieces. However this piece seems to have "opinion" in the note section, yet the piece is allowed to stand without an Opinion disclaimer. Is it opinion that they are "instilling fear" and "harassing"? Or is it fact? Could the fact be that they are merely "doing their jobs?"

tlreed

at 16:13 on April 16th, 2009

My words were "The department is often characterized by....", would you disagree?

ljdillon (not verified)

at 18:50 on May 17th, 2009

I find it difficult to understand a government that would in one hand ask my brother (literally, his name is John) to risk his life in defending our constitution, and in the other suggest, in public, that his war-time service may push him to extremist terrorist activities. We are a public that is less than grateful for the service of our veterans if we would allow the possibility of a few extremists to taint the service of the great many men and women who have, and continue, to defend our very right to freedom. I agree that extreme situations can push any human being to extreme behavior, however, to blatently and publicly point a finger (when you have the kind of power this woman has) is irresponsible and offensive. I pray for all the men and women that are still overseas, and hope they come home safely...just as my brother has.