9/11 Commissioners Warn of Homegrown Terror
This undated image released by NBC shows Matthew Perry portraying Ryan King in the pilot episode of "Go On." Sneak peeks of NBC's new prime-time schedule will piggyback on network coverage of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, NBC announced Thursday. The unveiling will begin with commercial-free sneak previews of NBC's new comedies "Go On" on Aug. 8, after the evening's Olympics coverage, and of "Animal Practice" on Aug. 12, following the Olympics' Closing Ceremonies. (AP Photo/NBC, Jordin Althaus) / Jordin Althaus
The U.S. was slow to take seriously the threat posed by homegrown radicals and the government has failed to put systems in place to deal with the growing phenomenon, according to a new report compiled by the former heads of the Sept. 11 Commission.
The report says U.S. authorities failed to realize that Somali-American youths traveling from Minnesota to Mogadishu in 2008 to join extremists was not an isolated issue. Instead, the movement was one among several instances of a broader, more diverse threat that has surfaced across the country.
"Our long-held belief that homegrown terrorism couldn't happen here has thus created a situation where we are today stumbling blindly through the legal, operational and organizational minefield of countering terrorist radicalization and recruitment occurring in the United States," said the report, which was obtained by The Associated Press.
Special Section: Terrorism in the U.S.
"60 Minutes": Homegrown Terror
As a result, there is still no federal agency specifically charged with identifying radicalization or working to prevent terrorist recruitment of U.S. citizens and residents, said the report, slated to be released Friday by the Washington-based Bipartisan Policy Center's National Security Preparedness Group.
The group, headed by former 9-11 commission leaders Tom Kean and Lee Hamilton, laid out a detailed description of domestic terror incidents ranging from the Fort Hood, Texas, shooting spree and the attempted Christmas Day airliner attack in late 2009 to last May's botched truck bombing in New York's Times Square.
Over the past year, terrorism experts and government officials have warned of the threat posed by homegrown radicals, saying terror recruits who go abroad could return to the U.S. to carry out attacks.
But the U.S., the group said, should have learned earlier from Britain's experience. Prior to the 2005 London suicide bombings, the British believed that Muslims there were better integrated, educated and wealthier than their counterparts elsewhere.
Similarly, the U.S. believed that its melting pot of nationalities and religions would protect it from internal radical strife, the report said.
The terrorists, said the report, may have discovered America's "Achilles' heel in that we currently have no strategy to counter the type of threat posed by homegrown terrorists and other radicalized recruits."
U.S. officials have acknowledged the need to address the radicalization problem, and for the first time, the White House this year added combating homegrown terrorism to its national security strategy. The plan includes a "new interagency effort that brings together key stakeholders" and continued "outreach to communities across the country," said Ben Rhodes, the White House's deputy national security adviser.
The FBI, meanwhile, has worked to reach out to the Somali communities, in an effort to counter the radicalization of the youth.
The report also points to an "Americanization" of the leadership of al Qaeda and its allied groups, noting that radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who had links with suspects in the failed Times Square bombing and the Fort Hood shootings, grew up in New Mexico. And Chicagoan David Headley played a role in scoping the targets for the Lashkar-e-Taiba attacks on Mumbai in late 2008 that killed more than 160.
Abroad, Al Qaeda, its affiliates and other extremist groups have splintered and spread, seeking safe havens in undergoverned areas of Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and places in North and East Africa. That diversified threat has intensified as militants reach out to potential recruits through the Internet.
Assessing future threats, the report lists potential future domestic targets, including passenger jets, western or American hotel chains, Jewish or Israeli sites and U.S. soldiers, even at their own bases in America.
And it also warns that it is no longer wise to believe that American extremists will not resort to suicide bombings. As an example they point to Army Maj. Nidal Hasan, who has been charged with killing 13 people and wounding 32 in last year's shootings at Fort Hood, saying he had written about suicide operations in e-mails, and that his attack appeared to be one.
AP The report says U.S. authorities failed to realize that Somali-American youths traveling from Minnesota to Mogadishu in 2008 to join extremists was not an isolated issue. Instead, the movement was one among several instances of a broader, more diverse threat that has surfaced across the country.
"Our long-held belief that homegrown terrorism couldn't happen here has thus created a situation where we are today stumbling blindly through the legal, operational and organizational minefield of countering terrorist radicalization and recruitment occurring in the United States," said the report, which was obtained by The Associated Press.
Special Section: Terrorism in the U.S.
"60 Minutes": Homegrown Terror
As a result, there is still no federal agency specifically charged with identifying radicalization or working to prevent terrorist recruitment of U.S. citizens and residents, said the report, slated to be released Friday by the Washington-based Bipartisan Policy Center's National Security Preparedness Group.
The group, headed by former 9-11 commission leaders Tom Kean and Lee Hamilton, laid out a detailed description of domestic terror incidents ranging from the Fort Hood, Texas, shooting spree and the attempted Christmas Day airliner attack in late 2009 to last May's botched truck bombing in New York's Times Square.
Over the past year, terrorism experts and government officials have warned of the threat posed by homegrown radicals, saying terror recruits who go abroad could return to the U.S. to carry out attacks.
But the U.S., the group said, should have learned earlier from Britain's experience. Prior to the 2005 London suicide bombings, the British believed that Muslims there were better integrated, educated and wealthier than their counterparts elsewhere.
Similarly, the U.S. believed that its melting pot of nationalities and religions would protect it from internal radical strife, the report said.
The terrorists, said the report, may have discovered America's "Achilles' heel in that we currently have no strategy to counter the type of threat posed by homegrown terrorists and other radicalized recruits."
U.S. officials have acknowledged the need to address the radicalization problem, and for the first time, the White House this year added combating homegrown terrorism to its national security strategy. The plan includes a "new interagency effort that brings together key stakeholders" and continued "outreach to communities across the country," said Ben Rhodes, the White House's deputy national security adviser.
The FBI, meanwhile, has worked to reach out to the Somali communities, in an effort to counter the radicalization of the youth.
The report also points to an "Americanization" of the leadership of al Qaeda and its allied groups, noting that radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who had links with suspects in the failed Times Square bombing and the Fort Hood shootings, grew up in New Mexico. And Chicagoan David Headley played a role in scoping the targets for the Lashkar-e-Taiba attacks on Mumbai in late 2008 that killed more than 160.
Abroad, Al Qaeda, its affiliates and other extremist groups have splintered and spread, seeking safe havens in undergoverned areas of Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and places in North and East Africa. That diversified threat has intensified as militants reach out to potential recruits through the Internet.
Assessing future threats, the report lists potential future domestic targets, including passenger jets, western or American hotel chains, Jewish or Israeli sites and U.S. soldiers, even at their own bases in America.
And it also warns that it is no longer wise to believe that American extremists will not resort to suicide bombings. As an example they point to Army Maj. Nidal Hasan, who has been charged with killing 13 people and wounding 32 in last year's shootings at Fort Hood, saying he had written about suicide operations in e-mails, and that his attack appeared to be one.
Popular on CBSNews.com
- Powerball frenzy locks down most possible number combos
- 1 winning ticket sold in Fla. on Powerball
- Crash in small Va. town injures dozens during parade
- Authorities: N.Y. college student was killed by police 45 Comments
- Seven-time lottery winner shares secret to winning Powerball
- Texas tornado survivors start to return home
- The War in Chicago
- Official: Broken rail eyed in Conn. train crash
I also think rewards should be given to those who report home-grown terrorists.
Imam Rauf chose this particular time to raise erecting the Cordoba Mosque just to encourage Muslims around the World to ramp-up terrorist activities.
Islamics in the United States who appear to be peaceful at this time are just biding their time until they get enough Muslims integrated into society to begin their efforts to overcome our way of life.
Look at what happened in England, France and Denmark.
I also agree that those who have traveled to foreign countries, where known terrorist groups are recruiting more terrorists, should not be allowed back into this Country.
Even young children are beginning to express concerns over terrorism.
When the Commission on 9/11 revealed their findings on the disaster, that very afternoon, Congress went on their scheduled break.
I actually thought Congress would take action on the recommendations made by the 9/11 committee.
MORE FOOL ME.!!
Rauf's unwillingness to even discuss moving the Mosque shows his true colors.
His argument that Ground Zero cannot be considered sacred ground, because there are strip joints right across the street is pathetic.
Obama and Congress should resurrect the 9/11 Commision Report and actualy read it and follow the advice.
Maybe then our Homeland Security will improve.!!
Federal tax revenue on the sales of firearms and ammunition rose 45 percent in the last fiscal year. That is the highest annual increase on record, according to a new report from the Treasury Department?s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. By comparison, the annual average increase for fiscal years 1993 to 2008 was 6 percent.
Let?s see??.
1. House full of guns??. Check.
2. Rooms full of ammunition??. Check.
3. 2nd Amendment??. Check.
4. Over 85 million like me??. Check.
They have caused violence and anarchy everywhere in the world, they have gone.