Thursday 16 April 2009

Are you a terrorist?

The libertarian blogosphere is rightly annoyed that the Department of Homeland Security views as an important branch of right-wing extremist and potentially terrorist groups "those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely." Reason has developed a nice little quiz based on the DHS report (quoted above, footnote page 2). Based on my answers to the quiz, I just might be a terrorist too.

Everyone seems to have forgotten (or not noticed) that DHS similarly put out a report on potential left-wing extremist terrorism.
DHS/Office of Intelligence and Analysis defines leftwing extremists as groups or individuals who embrace radical elements of the anarchist, animal rights, or environmental movements and are often willing to violate the law to achieve their objectives.
DHS worries that the lefties will engage in cyber attacks. Presumably the left are smarter and understand that internet thing while the right are too busy building shelters in the middle of Wyoming. They also worry a bit about real-world attacks by the animal rights folks - perhaps sensibly so.

Aren't we all potential threats?

Update: Roissy provides a wonderful satire on Reuters reporting on the DHS report. Follow the first link with caution, as Tyler warns that Roissy is evil.

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