Report Cites Regent University as Possible Terrorist Recruiting Center

The Virginian Pilot is reporting that a Virginia State Police report compiled in association with Homeland Security cites Hampton Roads as a potential breeding grounds for terrorism. The report, which was never intended to be released to the public, cites, among other organizations, Regent University as a possible terrorist recruiting center. The report also cites the potential growing problem of white supremacist organizations. Here's a report quote on these organizations which are increasingly aligned with the GOP and Christian Right:

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White nationalist groups are recruiting individuals who may be more apt than their predecessors to commit acts of violence, including military veterans skilled in weapons and tactics. FBI investigations suggest the white nationalist extremist movement is attracting recruits who view illegal immigration and multiculturalism as attacks against the white race. As many white nationalists view themselves as patriots defending their own view of the U.S., this form of extremism tends to have more members with military experience.

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While Regent University has some normal students who attend the university because it allows part time students more readily than the full blown public universities in Virginia, it has more than its share of Kool-Aid drinking "true believers" who candidly I find a bit scary. Here are some highlights from the Pilot story"

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In addition, it mentions Regent University, an evangelical Christian school in Virginia Beach, and a Chesapeake-based anti-abortion group. The report acknowledges that none of the Virginia groups it singles out has engaged in any violent activity and says there is no intelligence indicating that terrorists are planning attacks in the state. Nevertheless, it adds: "In order to detect and deter terrorist attacks, it is essential that information regarding suspected terrorists and suspicious activity in Virginia be closely monitored and reported in a timely manner."

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The 2009 threat assessment is a product of the Virginia Fusion Center, a multi-agency intelligence clearinghouse that opened in the basement of State Police headquarters in Chesterfield County in 2005. Funded in part with grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the center shares information with a variety of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, private industry and the military. The Virginia center has operated largely under the public radar. Its records are exempt from the state Freedom of Information Act, and disseminating information received from the center is a misdemeanor.

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"We appreciate the Virginia Fusion Center's diligence in identifying potential threats," said Carlos Campo, vice president of academic affairs at Regent. "However, we believe that specifically naming Christian universities and associating them with radical extremists is overreaching." . . . . A Department of Homeland Security report issued earlier this month on right-wing extremism drew widespread outrage in conservative circles, including a blast from Robertson on his daily TV show "The 700 Club."

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Among the potential terrorist threats identified in the Virginia report were: . . . Two anti-abortion groups, including the Chesapeake-based Army of God and Life.

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It will be interesting to see what letters to the editor, if any, are submitted by the local wingnut faction.