Thursday, December 1, 2022

QOTD -- What Range?!

 

"The United States remains in a heightened threat environment. Lone offenders and small groups motivated by a range of ideological beliefs and/or personal grievances continue to pose a persistent and lethal threat to the Homeland.  Domestic actors and foreign terrorist organizations continue to maintain a visible presence online in attempts to motivate supporters to conduct attacks in the Homeland.  Threat actors have recently mobilized to violence, citing factors such as reactions to current events and adherence to violent extremist ideologies. In the coming months, threat actors could exploit several upcoming events to justify or commit acts of violence, including certifications related to the midterm elections, the holiday season and associated large gatherings, the marking of two years since the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and potential sociopolitical developments connected to ideological beliefs or personal hostility. Targets of potential violence include public gatherings, faith-based institutions, the LGBTQI+ community, schools, racial and religious minorities, government facilities and personnel, U.S. critical infrastructure, the media, and perceived ideological opponents."  -- summary of a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin, issued yesterday by the Department of Homeland Security.   "...motivated by a range of ideological beliefs..."  Bullshit.  The "range" is from neo-Nazi to Christofascist white supremacist to far-right anti-government militias.  DHS isn't doing anybody any favors by refusing to identify the unmistakable perpetrators of the vast majority of threats against the targets listed.