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Terrorism Center at West Point Warns Against Danger of American Limited-Government Activists and ‘Far Right’

Jan. 18, 2013 11:30am Tiffany Gabbay

Editor’s note — We’ll be discussing this story and all the day’s news during our live BlazeCast from 1pm-2pm ET…including your questions, comments & live chat:

The Combating Terrorism Center (CTC) at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point released a study Tuesday warning against American “far right” groups including the “anti-federalist” movement and strong limited government activists.

The report, titled “Challengers from the Sidelines: Understanding America’s Violent Far-Right,” posits that in recent years, and especially since 2007, “there has been a dramatic rise in the number of attacks and violent plots originating from individuals and groups who self-identify with the far-right of American politics.”

The analysis, conducted by West Point professor and CTC director of terrorism studies Arie Perliger, noted that his study “concentrates on those individuals and groups who have actually perpetuated violence and is not a comprehensive analysis of the political causes with which some far-right extremists identify.” He added that an in-depth look at the data provided addresses three crucial questions:

(1) What are the main current characteristics of the violence produced by the far right?

(2) What type of far-right groups are more prone than others to engage in violence? How are characteristics of particular far-right groups correlated with their tendency to engage in violence?

(3) What are the social and political factors associated with the level of far-right violence? Are there political or social conditions that foster or discourage violence?

The West Point professor said anti-federalists “espouse strong convictions regarding the federal government, believing it to be corrupt and tyrannical, with a natural tendency to intrude on individuals’ civil and constitutional rights. Finally, they support civil activism, individual freedoms, and self government. Extremists in the anti-federalist movement direct most their violence against the federal government and its proxies in law enforcement.”

Perliger also identified limited government activists as belonging to one of three categories: “a racist/white supremacy movement, an anti-federalist movement and a fundamentalist movement.”

According to the Washington Times, the report also draws correlation between mainstream conservatism and what it dubs the violent “far right.” The study then goes on to laud liberals as forward-thinking while maintaining that conservatives harbor a more archaic mindset.

“While liberal worldviews are future- or progressive -oriented, conservative perspectives are more past-oriented, and in general, are interested in preserving the status quo,” the report states.

“The far right represents a more extreme version of conservatism, as its political vision is usually justified by the aspiration to restore or preserve values and practices that are part of the idealized historical heritage of the nation or ethnic community.”

Citing a reported 350 “attacks initiated by far-right groups/individuals” in 2011, the analysis characterizes the liberal-democratic system as inclusive and “designed to emphasize civil rights” while far-right ideology inherently “excludes” minorities.

Perlinger’s study, however, has not gone without meeting a degree of criticism. Speaking to the Times, a Republican congressional staffer slammed: “If [the Defense Department] is looking for places to cut spending, this junk study is ground zero.”

He added that the Combating Terrorism Center should be focused on radical Islam and, at the least, publish a companion report underlying the dangers of left-wing terror groups like “the Animal Liberation Front, Earth Liberation Front, and the Weather Underground.”

The CTC describes itself as “one of the leading academic institutions devoted to the study of terrorism” whose research is informed by three core components including” studying emerging threats, challenging conventional logic and offering counter intuitive insights.”

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (468)

Dunedainn
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:58pm
No more autoplay videos, please. Thanks!

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myptofvu
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:44pm
Where is the list of the so called 350 attacks? Does it include the imaginary use of the N word on the steps of Capitol Hill that day?

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Watcher1952
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:44pm
With all due respect to the institution of West Point…..this penis head is working for the government….what else did you expect the person to say. He didn’t mention the NBPP cuz that’s Holders People….OWS is Barack Hussein Obamas People……articles like this are written published by Liberal/Progressive twits for the dumb down people who will believe. The hell of it is the so called News Media airs it as factual…… Get ready AMERICA…change is a coming

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FANGS
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:44pm
Arie Perliger, You are a discrase to America. You are a radical left wing Activist. All acts of violence are coming from the Democratic Media Unions and demostrators. Are You mentally unstable? If You work for us Taxpayers, I Petition for You to have a phychyactric evaluation done soon. Your Mind and the way you think are Communistic, bitter, hateful and dangerous. You are mentally unfit to be a professor.

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- RDavis49
  Posted on January 18, 2013 at 2:06pm
  The top qualifications and requirements to be a liberal, socialist, progressive democrat is that you have to have some sort of mental defect, no common sense and be mentally brainwashable.
  
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DougHuffman
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:40pm
Is this not more of Obama’s demonization of the opposition as enemies,
as DHS has already done and as the media has previously noted?

Where does such castigation put such as I, that has decided that the
right represented by the Republican Party is not right enough? Angelo
Codevilla’s essay ‘America’s Ruling Class – And The Perils of
Revolution’ becomes more prescient and informative with each such
counter-terrorism “study” (them’s scare-quotes).

http://spectator.org/archives/2010/07/16/americas-ruling-class-and-the/print

Codevilla’s essay clearly informed Hillsdale College’s Constitution
lecture series. Does the Federal Executive believe these academics
enemies too?

Thanks for attending me. I didn’t conveniently find a Scarborough address.

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truthnstuff
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:35pm
The communists are getting worried. They see too many rising up against the tyranny they are trying to impose on the country. Their rants are becoming more and more fact-less emotion. The fuehrer may ahve overplayed his hand and the tide is turning.

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- RDavis49
  Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:41pm
  This is when we need to be careful…. once they start to feel the real threat, that’s when the those in power will begin to bring out and use the power they’ve acquired against America to hold on to the ground they’ve already taken. Communism is here…. wake up America or your lives will no longer be your live….
  
  Report this comment
RDavis49
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:35pm
Gun control is not only about (if at all) safety for our children, gun violence, cutting down on crime, hunting, sports shooting, or any of the things being pushed as an excuse for or against guns. Gun control is about “GOVERNMENT CONTROL” (liberals, progressives, communist whatever name the Democrats want to call themselves today) over the people and the destruction of the Constitutional Rights of the American People. Why? Because the rich Bankers, the Soro’s of this world and their puppet ELITE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS want full control of this country and they’re afraid of an armed resistance taking them out when they make their full push. Why else would they be brainwashing our young military officers at West Point against the efforts of the Constitutionist Right? So, the best way to deal with that is “Gun Control and Gun Confiscation”. It’s COMMUNISM at our doorstep and while they have Americans pitted against one another, they’re chopping away at our constitution. Obama, Jarrett, Bill Ayers, Frank Davis and a host of others are COMMUNIST and their “Dream” is to destroy America. The idiot democrats like Reid, Pelosi and the Main Stream Media are simply their tools and useful puppets by which they accomplish their goals. When will you people wake up and unite as an American people against this threat to America.

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Frederick_Douglass_Republican
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:34pm
The want to breed a new generation of military who will obey commands to massacre those who support the constitution. They’re probably about halfway there now.

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Lord_Frostwind
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:29pm
Is this the same pack of smarts that have been telling us Al Qaeda is no longer a player? Yeah, I REALLY trust what any of these dumpkofs believe as a terrorist threat. For the record, I have absolutely no intention of taking terrorist action, but if you come from me and mine, don’t expect me to fight fair.

I’m either a fellow citizen, or I am one of the worst enemies you will ever face. Make your choice, because the time to decide is running out.

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Mapache
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:27pm
Maybe we should be concerned about a military that considers citizens the enemy?

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- RDavis49
  Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:58pm
  I, being retired military, know all to well that there are those in our military, in all levels of service, who would have no problem pulling a trigger on an American citizen if ordered to do so. The brain washing of the military is underway even as I write this by the EEO offices and other liberals in key positions. These kids are being turned against even their own parents and sibblings if they disagree with the government. Sure there’s those who would dispute my claims, but it doesn’t make it any less true. I am an oath keeper and I always will be. Oaths mean nothing to a communist like Obama, they’re just words to them. Communism is chopping at the base of the American cultur people and our elected officials are just watching it happen. Get rid of the old worn out, do nothing senators and congressmen and women and elect some new, fresh patriotic, constitution believing americans into our government.
  
  Report this comment
sheik
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:26pm
The Obamster machine is turning reality on its head. The enemy for these ‘progressives’ are us; they want to do away with us altogether and replace us with Mohammedan savages.

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Daddy Hawg
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:16pm
Outright proof of the progressive infiltration of our fighting forces. Now we know why the Fort Hood shooting has not been labeled a terrorist attack and the survivors are not getting the benefits they worked for.

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M24
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:09pm
Oh Yes Thats who I Would Like To Walk Into Battle With, Damn I feel Safer Already,Who’s On point ? Gunnie Look After The New Lt. He Has trouble finding His Six.

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TEIN
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:09pm
a ” status quo” government framework (US Constitution under a Republic) that allows me to prosper and pursuit of my own happiness without bounds or a “progressive, forward thinking” set of policies that progresses backwards to destroy any culture that implements it???
That is a hard choice……(sarcasm)…when “progressives” come up with something new and works…let me know…..

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moreteaplease
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:03pm
This is all the left needs to paint ANYONE with conservative views as dangerous and this professor knew that.

“While liberal worldviews are future- or progressive -oriented, conservative perspectives are more past-oriented, and in general, are interested in preserving the status quo,” the report states. ”
————————————————————————
No! Conservatives are interested in saving the country from falling under the thumb of a tyrannical government. This guy is just trying to stir the liberal pot.

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Free_Thought
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 12:57pm
Simply put…. The truth hurts. The teaparty and conservatives were soundly beaten by the dems for a number of reasons. Most of which because they showed a complete lack of intelligence, manners, class and compassion. They still do. I dont recall any dems having a watermelon hanging in their front yard. I dont recall any dems wearing tshirts that said “we need to put the white back in the whitehouse.” I also do not recall people at rallies with stuffed monkeys with obama tshirts on. As well when have you seen a liberal call families of murder victims and tell them they are lying? It is vile and disgusting. If you cant see it, that is your own schizo mentality.

Why do you really think that west, mourdock, brown, akin and almost bachmann got voted out? Your mindset is too skewed and outdated to be taken seriously. How many secession petitions were filed under bush’s two terms? We fought bush, not the usa. We are fighters while you “patriotic” americans want to turn around and runaway from the big bad black man. Start your own crazy utopia with glenn beck. freedomtown? is that what it is going to be called? You people have become a running joke.

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- Micmac
  Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:09pm
  And liberals could care less that 500,000 unborn babies are murdered every year. And Tea Partiers defecate on cop cars and destroy businesses? How does it feel to be sucking on the government teet?
  
  Report this comment
- Free_Thought
  Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:25pm
  Nice try bringing abortion into the conversation. The old conservative bible thumping go to. Its quite sad actually. And to be honest, i couldnt give a becks azz how many abortions happen. It is not illegal. It is a womans choice. And they are not babies. They are fetuses. No brains, no eyes, no hands, no legs. Get over it.
  
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- PROUD_2B_American
  Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:39pm
  Free, is exactly what your thoughts are worth (FREE_THOUGHT)
  
  Give it a rest, we all saw Occupy Wall street, and we’ve read Rules For Radicals. We’ve listened and our eyes are open.
  
  Your talking points and outright lies are meeting def ears. Your time, acting as though you’re an intellectual giant, talking down to all of us ignorant fools is over. Your FAKE and nauseating attempt to portray us as you have, is over.
  
  Time to go back under the rock you crawled out from under and make a new plan.
  
  Your side has PUBLISHED numerous books on their beliefs and goals. We see them for what they are now, and we see you for what you are.
  
  “We’re mad as hell, and we’re not going to take it anymore!”
  
  Report this comment
- Lord_Frostwind
  Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:41pm
  Actually I have seen all of those things done by Liberals, it was about 5 to 6 years ago if you remember correctly. My how funny it is to watch all the piety from the Liberals after everything they did to President Bush. It’s like watching a bunch of Ted Bundys talk about showing respect to women.
  
  You like to stand and your pedestal and say how, “we’re out of date,” “the country has changed,” and best of all, “you were soundly defeated,” in essence, shut up and go with what we have to say. Barely over 50% does not a sound defeat make, and most of all, everything you do depends on your ability to paint people as being the obstructions to your utopia, it’s actually quite disgusting when I think about it. Nevermind that in reality, your system never works, and it will come crashing down leaving nothing but human wreckage in its wake.
  
  And now you paint the people who disagree with you as an actual enemy, not figuratively. Consider the implications of this carefully, we are no longer an opposing view, we are an enemy something to be destroyed. That doesn’t have a habit of ending well. I’m certain you’ll say that, “well we are going to get rid of you politically and then just leave you to die out,” yeah, that gets said a lot and never ends up happening.
  
  When your dreams come crashing down, you’ll need someone to blame. And from all of this, I keep getting the feeling that somehow that person is going to be me and others like me.
  
  Report this comment
- truthnstuff
  Posted on January 18, 2013 at 1:42pm
  @Free_gas…you are a fact-less cretin. Have you ever seen a fetus ultra sound. Head, arms, legs….. Stupdity is why you and your ilk are not taken seriously.
  
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- Free_Thought
  Posted on January 18, 2013 at 2:21pm
  First off my days here are from over. And now i am to believe that a fetus is formed at 4 weeks. Nice try. And show me the lefts racism. Show me the rally shirts. You say you have proof. Bring it forward.
  
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- PROUD_2B_American
  Posted on January 18, 2013 at 3:11pm
  WHY SHUCKS, that puts us all in our place.
  
  You DO realize, YOU were a fetus once, right? You may not remember, but way back at conception, you were you.
  
  But, in your case, I DO find it kinda hard not to agree with the “No Brains” part of your prior comment. BUT…I digress
  
  Report this comment
- GhostOfJefferson
  Posted on January 18, 2013 at 4:01pm
  It would be nice if, since you can’t think freely, you’d at least attempt to think. Come here to spout boilerplate did you? Do you hold ANY opinions against the Left, FT?
  
  Report this comment
- Oldphoto678
  Posted on January 19, 2013 at 8:18am
  It really comes down to this. I don’t trust the far right, and the far right doesn’t trust me. So now what?
  I am a progressive lib, and to me the those of you that are on the other side are not my fellow countrymen. You are my enemy, and I’m pretty sure most of you feel that I am your enemy. So now what?
  
  Report this comment
RoDogg
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 12:55pm
Don’t worry fellow blazers …..

we all have dissociation disorder and will be put away without due process shortly. NDAA act!

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iamnotu
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 12:52pm
Typical hearsay from a college professor! Just another fine example of how our educational system has been over run with these leftist constitutional hating, dare I say, educator.
Worst part about it is he is in West Point, the place where our finest military leaders are to come from. Well why would that place be any different than any other where the progressives have infiltrated and started destroying within.

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Melvin Spittle
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 12:50pm
Are we awake now? We are now an active threat and have been classified as such for a few years. According to our government, we are the terrorists. Not OWS. We are now in the same threat category as drug cartels and a bigger threat than Islamic extremists.

This is the first step in an active campaign to destroy those that are enemies to their intent:

1. If you are a gun owner that has no affiliations, your label is lone wolf whacko.
2. If you own a gun and believe in God, you are labeled a fundamentalist threat.
3. If you own a gun….you get the picture.

You must create demons through deceptive propaganda and crisis. You must instil fear of this demon in the people. They are coming uncomfortably close to achieving this goal and when achieved, you will become a sheep or suffer the consequence.

As for me, I believe in God, limited government, and am a highly trained a combat leader that owns evil guns. I believe the 2nd Amendment was not created to protect my right to hunt, but to keep our government in check. According to these analysts and the DHS, I am a bigger threat than Maj Nidal Hussein. I am a bigger threat than a mass murderer!

What am I really? I believe in the oath I took, but the word of God above all. Twenty years ago I would be considered a model citizen. In less than 10 years I have not changed but our government now classifies me as a potential dangerous threat. I love God above all, my family, and my country. Since when did up become down?

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dave88
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 12:48pm
This is strange since 80% of all murders, radical behavior and terrorist tendency’s are from the far left.

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dustbunnieskill
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 12:45pm
This has the look and smell of the Lying King all over it!

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PROUD_2B_American
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 12:43pm
Ladies and gentlemen

the inmates are running the asylum

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PROUD_2B_American
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 12:38pm
The story is, they’re coming after US.

We’re working, paying our bills and trying to make ends meet, and these jerks are coming hard. Here we are, trying to mind our own business and be LEFT ALONE TO PURSUE HAPPINESS and this crap is in our face non stop

NOW they call attention to US as dangerous.

HOW MUCH more of an assault can this be………….. ON US????????

WHY ARE WE the problem?????????????????

THEY’RE COMING HARD, EVERY DAY, IN OUR FACE, RELENTLESSLY.
Standing up for the CONSTITUTION makes us a terrorist??????????????
SERIOUSLY??????

We’re in deeper trouble than any of us have ever realized.

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- ranepowel
  Posted on January 18, 2013 at 4:21pm
  http://i.imgur.com/xrMSQ.jpg
  
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balrog25
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 12:37pm
“The Corps has…” I recall fidelity to the Constitution being part of the course of study. If that has changed, then buckle up, the ride will get rough.

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woodyl1011fl
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 12:36pm
What this articles shows is the party politicization of the Army by the democrat party political officers who now control the US Army. This means that the democrat party will have a loyal group within the US military in the future. The oath the military takes upon entering the the US Military will soon mean absolutely nothing. The democrat party will have laid the foundation for our military to become part of their totalitarian plan for ruling the nation by discarding our Constitution and use the military to attack and destroy the democrats political opposition. Our greatest threat to our survival as free people is from within not from without. Really sad to see the politicization of West Point, those illustrious graduates of the past would be angry because they studied real history and knew the horrors that a political military brought to the world.

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