Feds' inconsistent terrorism definition

Visit our News page Feds inconsistent on definition of “terrorism” The shooting at the Sikh temple qualifies as “terrorism.” The Ft. Hood massacre and the murder of a soldier at an Army recruiting center do not. That’s according to the Obama administration (see the Fox News article below, highlights added). This inconsistency demonstrates that this administration is consistent about one thing: allowing political correctness to dictate how it deals with Islamic terrorism. Questions raised over feds' consistency on 'terrorism' definition in wake of shootings By Catherine Herridge http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/16/questions-raised-over-feds-consistency-on-terrorism-definition/ Questions are being raised about the consistency of the government's standard for what qualifies as "terrorism," as recent high-profile shootings bear that label while tragedies like the Fort Hood massacre do not. According to the Patriot Act, domestic terrorism is defined as an act of violence that is intended to "intimidate or coerce a civilian population, to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion or to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping." [Editor’s note: Sounds like the Ft. Hood massacre to us.] The shooting earlier this month at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin where six were killed by an alleged neo-Nazi military veteran was publicly described by the attorney general as an act of terrorism motivated by hate. "That is precisely -- precisely what happened here. An act of terrorism, an act of hatred, a hate crime that is anathema to the founding principles of our nation and to who we are as an American people," Attorney General Eric Holder said Aug. 10. The shooting Wednesday in Washington, D.C., of a security guard at the conservative Family Research Council is also being handled as an act of domestic terrorism, a source told Fox News. An FBI affidavit says the accused gunman uttered a statement to the effect of, "I don't like your politics," before reaching into a backpack for a handgun and opening fire. But the federal government has declined to label other tragedies as such. A recruitment center shooting in the summer of 2009 by a man who described himself as an operative for Al Qaeda in Yemen was not handled as a terrorism case. It was prosecuted in an Arkansas state court. And the Fort Hood massacre in November 2009, when 13 were killed and more than 30 wounded, has never been described officially as an act of terrorism even though the alleged shooter shouted "Allahu Akbar," or God is great, when he opened fire. "Now, you know, we can have really a legal discussion about whether it's a hate crime or an act of terrorism," Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, told Fox News. "I just wish there was some consistency here and certainly to me Fort Hood would be the classic case (of) what should be a clear case of terrorism." The Defense Department has dealt with Fort Hood in the context of workplace violence. As part of its ongoing investigation of the massacre, one of the soldiers who was injured, Sean Manning, said that was an insult. The recent movie theater massacre, in which a former neuroscience student is accused of killing 12 and wounding 58 others, is not being formally described as an act of terrorism -- but Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said at a hearing on Capitol Hill that the federal government is involved. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACT for America P.O. Box 12765 Pensacola, FL 32591 www.actforamerica.org ACT for America is an issues advocacy organization dedicated to effectively organizing and mobilizing the most powerful grassroots citizen action network in America, a grassroots network committed to informed and coordinated civic action that will lead to public policies that promote America’s national security and the defense of American democratic values against the assault of radical Islam. We are only as strong as our supporters, and your volunteer and financial support is essential to our success. Thank you for helping us make America safer and more secure. The news items, blogs, educational materials and other information in our emails and on our website are only intended to provide information, news and commentary on events and issues related to the threat of radical Islam. Much of this information is based upon media sources, such as the AP wire services, newspapers, magazines, books, online news blog and news services, and radio and television, which we deem to be reliable. However, we have undertaken no independent investigation to verify the accuracy of the information reported by these media sources. We therefore disclaim all liability for false or inaccurate information from these media sources. We also disclaim all liability for the third-party information that may be accessed through the material referenced in our emails or posted on our website. HOW CAN I TELL OTHERS ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION? Send a personalized version of this message to your friends. HOW CAN I SUPPORT YOUR ORGANIZATION? Click here to give an online donation.