Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
For Immediate Release: April 22, 2009
Sen. Steve Russell, flanked by Veterans and members of the Legislature,
voices concerns regarding a recent report from the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security
Veterans and Supporters Call for Apology from Homeland Security
over
Report on ‘Right-wing Extremists’
Local veterans and supporters came to the State
Capitol on Wednesday to voice their criticism of a recently released
report issued by the Department of Homeland Security. The report,
“Right-wing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate
Fueling Resurgence on Radicalization and Recruitment,” suggested
those who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as individuals
who opposed abortion and supported Second Amendment gun rights
were a potential threat to national security.
Before being elected to the State Senate, Steve
Russell, R-Oklahoma City, served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
He now chairs an organization called “Vets for Victory.”
Russell said he was stunned by the Homeland Security report.
“The report’s opening sentence states that there is
no evidence of impending attack but then proceeds to offer assessment
without fact that veterans make up a fertile recruiting ground
for domestic terror groups. In the most shameful manner, the report
singles out returning war veterans as the most likely candidates
for domestic acts of terror and opines that America’s Iraq
and Afghan veterans pose great danger to the security of the United
States.”
In response to the report, Russell has also authored a Senate
Resolution critical of the current administration’s “mischaracterization
of our wartime service.”
“I say administration because the report includes opinion
from both the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice. My
resolution also takes issue with the blatant political and ideological
profiling of tens of millions of average Americans who treasure
legal citizenship, sound fiscal spending, a culture of life and
the right of an individual to bear arms,” Russell said.
“In one fell swoop, this ‘assessment’ crosses
the line between considering political dissent and expression,
to that of violating civil liberties by being unduly singled out
as a profiled threat to society at large.”
For more information contact:
Sen. Russell's Office - 405-521-5618
