NewsOn6.com - Tulsa, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports - KOTV.com | Veterans Rally over Department of Homeland Security Report
Department of Homeland Security's report says veterans returning from the Iraq War could be prime targets for extremist groups.
Department of Homeland Security's lists Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh as an example.By Charles Bassett, NEWS 9
OKLAHOMA CITY -- A group of veterans rallied at the state Capitol as they're outraged over a recent report released by the Department of Homeland Security.
The report drew criticism almost immediately after it was released. It's says veterans returning from the Iraq War could be prime targets for extremist groups. But a group of Oklahoma veterans reject those claims.
The report drew criticism almost immediately after it was released. It's says veterans returning from the Iraq War could be prime targets for extremist groups. But a group of Oklahoma veterans reject those claims.
"It has the affect of a slap in the face...followed by a slug in the gut," Sen. Steve Russell, U.S. Army, RET. said.
Surrounded by other veterans, state senator and Iraq war veteran Russell had harsh words over the recently released Department of Homeland Security report.
"When you have an entire section of the report that's entitled disgruntled returning war veterans let's make no mistake about what the intent of the report is," Russell said.
In one section of the report it says, "Rightwing extremists groups will attempt to recruit returning veterans because of their military training and combat." It lists Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh as an example.
"Some of them indeed want to do what happened in Oklahoma City...that is commit violent acts within the Homeland," Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said.
"The suggestion that we would become like Timothy McVeigh should be hateful to all Oklahomans who witnessed first-hand that he did not represent our honorable veterans of that war or does not represent the honorable veterans of any war," Russell said.
Napolitano has apologized, saying she honors veterans but still her office monitors risks of violent extremism in the U.S.
"The threat of terrorism, whether from a foreign source or domestic source, is with us," Napolitano said. "We have to minimize the risk of it and we have to be ready to deal with it."
But veterans say the department's concerns are aimed at the wrong group of individuals.
"This was a careless report unfounded on any basis," Russell said. "We call for these facts to be put forth."
Russell is introducing a resolution calling for the report to be retracted and a formal apology issued.
Read the full report and secretary Napolitano's response to the report.
Frequently, unemployment is merely reported as a statistic, but The Oklahoma Impact Team is taking a closer look at the people behind the numbers. More>>
The recall affects eight models of cars and trucks dating back to 2005, but Tulsa dealers say the problem is easy to fix and is mostly a preventative measure. More>>
Dozens of people from across the globe are in Tulsa to play pool as Magoo's is hosting the first T-Town Classic – One Pocket Tournament. More>>
Wednesday afternoon, several airlines which serve Tulsa decided to cancel flights in and out of Tulsa on Thursday as the winter storm approaches from the west. More>>
Frequently, unemployment is merely reported as a statistic, but The Oklahoma Impact Team is taking a closer look at the people behind the numbers. More>>
There are new developments in the federal lawsuit against Oklahoma's child welfare agency. More>>
Tulsa police say a quick-thinking grade schooler saved her mother from a deadly situation. More>>
Medical personnel from In His Image gave life saving treatment to a man who had been trapped in earthquake rubble for more than three weeks. More>>
