On Wednesday's CBS Evening News, correspondent Bob Orr highlighted a
report released by the far-left Southern Poverty Law Center claiming a
recent increase in the number of militias, and warning of the
possibility of increased violence by anti-government, right-wing groups
and individuals, angry at Democratic party control of the government
and of a black President holding office. Orr warned: "Officials say a
sour economy, a Democrat-controlled government, and a black President
present the kind of perfect storm that could further fuel the growth of
the militia movement."
Orr's report notably ran just eight minutes after a piece filed by fellow correspondent Ben Tracy in which Tracy had referred to [1]
the anti-government views of some anti-ObamaCare protesters who have
showed anger at recent town hall events. Tracy: "Some experts believe a
growing anti-government sentiment, fueled by extraordinary events such
as the bailouts of the banking and auto industries, is spilling over
into the health care debate."
Anchor Katie Couric introduced Orr's report:
Federal agents are becoming increasingly concerned about a rise in the number of heavily armed militia groups springing up around the country. A report out today says the movement is fueled by extremists who are angry with the government and dislike having an African-American in the White House.
After recounting recent training activity by militias, Orr cited the
Southern Poverty Law Center without identifying it as a left-leaning
group:
It's all part of what the Southern Poverty Law Center calls a resurgence in the anti-government militia movement. A report out today claims 50 new militia training groups have sprung up in less than two years, and the right-wing extremists, historically motivated by a distrust of government, are now especially angry about the election of America's first African-American President.
Orr recounted recent murders committed by individuals known to hold
right-wing views before relaying that the Southern Poverty Law Center
does not expect the level violence of the 1990s when the Oklahoma City
bombing occurred, before the CBS correspondent concluded: "But
officials say a sour economy, a Democrat-controlled government, and a
black President present the kind of perfect storm that could further
fuel the growth of the militia movement."
Below is a complete transcript of the report from the Wednesday, August 12, CBS Evening News:
KATIE COURIC: Federal agents are becoming increasingly concerned about a rise in the number of heavily armed militia groups springing up around the country. A report out today says the movement is fueled by extremists who are angry with the government and dislike having an African-American in the White House. With more on that story, here's Justice correspondent Bob Orr.
BOB ORR: In Ohio, citizen soldiers train for urban combat while snipers in Michigan practice with high-powered weapons. And their call to arms echoes across the Internet.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN IN MILITARY OUTFIT AND COVERED FACE SPEAKING ON A WEB SITE: You have the right to keep and bear arms. Go out and buy a gun.
ORR: It's all part of what the Southern Poverty Law Center calls a resurgence in the anti-government militia movement. A report out today claims 50 new militia training groups have sprung up in less than two years, and the right-wing extremists, historically motivated by a distrust of government, are now especially angry about the election of America's first African-American President.
MARK POTOK, THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER: We've seen a real streak of racism injected into the movement, and I think the reason for that primarily is the idea that the enemy, the federal government, is headed by a black man.
ORR: The report cites recent attacks carried out by lone-wolf actors, motivated by radical ideologies. Three Pittsburgh police officers killed by an avowed white supremacist. A Wichita doctor murdered by an anti-abortion rights protestor, and a Holocaust Museum security guard gunned down by a Nazi sympathizer. Now law enforcement authorities are urging the public to be vigilant.
PAUL KURTZ, CBS NEWS HOMELAND SECURITY ANALYST: If you have an individual who's consistently talking about taking up arms against innocents, against government, that should be a clear red flag for people to take action.
ORR: The report concludes the threat from radical groups and militias is not as great as it was in the 90s, a decade that brought the fiery standoff at Waco and the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building. But officials say a sour economy, a Democrat-controlled government, and a black President present the kind of perfect storm that could further fuel the growth of the militia movement. Bob Orr, CBS News, Washington.
-Brad Wilmouth is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.