Homeland Security director Janet Napolitano was lambasted a few weeks ago for releasing publicly her thoughts concerning the growing number of militant groups here in the US. She mentioned that many disgruntled former military servicemen were either forming these groups or at least joining them. She miscalculated the backlash and probably, unintentionally I’m sure, simultaneously encouraged ex-soldiers and marines to do just what she claimed was occurring. I don’t have facts to support the above statement, but I’m guessing there is a level of truth to it.

Most of these groups are not dangerous; as a matter of fact it may be a proper venue for disgruntled ex-military, military wannabes, and anti-government rightwing pseudo-revolutionist to burn off some of their anger and hostility. Eventually, I hope the majority of these folk will mature and realize operating a government is not all black and white nor is it easy.

I said, “Most of these groups are not dangerous…” However, there are some that are potentially dangerous and those groups seem to be growing also. On the far left are the environmentalist groups and on the right are the racist groups and extreme religious fundamentalist groups. I have concern about all these factions but this is my biggest fear and one we all need to be aware of especially when engaged in debate with people on the verge of blowing their top.

I did not vote for Obama and the reason I did not vote for him has nothing to do with bigotry or racism, contrary to what Wright, Sharpton, and the rest of the race baiters say. I did not vote for him because I believed he was too naïve, inexperienced and promising a change for the good in the way we live far beyond what God himself could do. Obama is obviously far more intelligent than most of us and he has a surplus of wonderful qualities but his politics are far too socialistic sounding for me. Now, that is why I didn’t vote for him.  

My concerns are for those on the verge (see above) as well as skin heads, Arian Nation/Neo-Nazis and whoever else shares those imbecilic notions.  I suspect they interpret the tea-parties, town hall meetings, and the growing grassroots movement against the new administration’s policies as a clear sign that most of the white-ish population just doesn’t want a black man running the country and I, for one, want to make it clear that’s absolutely wrong. As a matter of fact, had she run for president I would have voted for Condoleezza Rice.

Wondering why this has shown up in the middle of a blog on spying? Because the government must take whatever measures it deems necessary to spy on these groups. Yes, is the answer to your next question. We do spy on them but usually at a level less sophisticated than we do with potential foreign adversaries, such as Iran. Law enforcement keeps a close eye on these groups and when there is evidence wire tapping is permitted. Their criminal enterprises are busted and culprits prosecuted. ATF, FBI infiltrate groups and funnel intelligence back to their respective agencies and so on. However, with all that’s being done I don’t think we’ve taken the newest threat as seriously as we should. The problem is that we—our own citizens—are preventing this by taking a stand on such things as gun control and government intrusion into our personal lives.

Before you react to what I’ve just written and click to something else hear me out. I have four hand guns and two rifles. I’m still mulling over how I will answer questions on the 2010 government census form that I don’t believe is anyone’s business. I’ve been a republican for over forty years with no plans of changing, ever.

Our government does all kinds of things outside the continental limits of the US that they cannot do here. Although there are rules set by our government that apply to espionage in a foreign land we American citizens don’t really care how spying is carried out there, we just want it done and done accurately. That isn’t so here in America, just read the accounts—and watch the movie adaptations—of glorified anarchists allegedly standing up for their rights and claiming protection under various articles of the US Constitution. And it seems every time an account makes the news there is a ground swell of support for the poor soul that was simply exercising his or her right as a free citizen. Never mind what it was that brought that free citizen to the attention of authorities in the first place. Hollywood and tabloid news tend to make heroes of the anarchist and villains of law enforcement and other participating government agencies. The point of all this is to say that some (the free citizen and others mentioned above) fancy themselves as revolutionists who believe their cause is just and will make better the world we live in. Underlying that false revolutionist mentality we usually find a person or group entwined somehow in illegal activity such as tax evasion, polygamy, illegal weapons, drugs, prostitution, environmental terrorism as well as those who not only claim their own interpretation of constitutional rights but hide behind their own interpretation of the Bible as well.

These groups, if you will allow me to clump them together, concern me for the very reason I mentioned earlier. Are they misinterpreting my disagreement with the Obama administration because he is black and if so do they think this disagreement is a mandate for them to act on? A man brought a gun to a town hall meeting to make a point. I don’t know if he is a member of any of these groups or if he is just angry and wants someone to see just how angry. But if he’s an average citizen, like you and me, think about the anarchist and consider what lengths he might go to especially with the aid and encouragement of other like minded psycho’s.

How to find out who is thinking this and how to find those preparing to act violently toward the president and other representatives of Obama’s administration is a question needing to be answered. How to do it without stepping all over the US Constitution is another matter entirely.