Christian vs.

Islamic Extremism 1

Domestic Extremism and Terrorism in America: A Comparison of Christian Extremism and Domestic Islamic Extremism

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 2 Abstract As the attacks on September 11, 2001 demonstrated, America is the number one target for international terrorist organizations. Attacks on U.S. soil and against U.S. citizens aboard by groups like al-Qaida, Hezbollah and other radical Islamic groups show that America is squarely in the cross hairs of these groups. However, within recent times, these old enemies have emerged in a new place and another old enemy resurfaced. Individuals with ties to al-Qaida and other radical Islamic groups are living in the U.S. and rightwing extremist movements such as the Christian Identity movement and White Supremacist groups are enjoying a renaissance. All of these movements have their ideologies rooted in religion and intolerance for other races; in particular people of the Jewish faith and the wanton destruction of the U.S. socio-political structure. This study will seek to explore the origins, ideologies, links among, and threats posed by these groups.

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 3 Introduction to the Study As is evident from the September 11, 2001 attacks and subsequent thwarted plots the U.S. is the prime target for international terrorists. As such, much of the focus of national security has been on dismantling terror groups overseas and protecting the nation from an attack from these groups and their followers. The government has spent billions of dollars focusing on the global war on terror (Belasco, 2010), while almost overlooking the domestic threat here at home (Norwitz, 2009, p. 173). Norwitz further states that this singular focus on the international terror threat does not give a complete picture of terrorism nor does it show the extent of the domestic threat (p. 173). He contends that counterterrorism measures regarding domestic terrorism seem more like an afterthought rather than a priority despite the fact that domestic terror groups have shown their ability to carry out deadly attacks. This inattentiveness has allowed domestic terrorism and homegrown extremist groups to foster and find a new life. Groups such as the Christian Identity movement and White Supremacists like the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and the Aryan Nations are enjoying a revival of sorts. They are recruiting new followers and are using technological innovations like the internet to disseminate their message of hate (Zhou, Reid, Qin, Chen, & Lai , 2005). While these movements have adopted new means of communications and publicity, the driving motivations behind these groups are largely unchanged from their predecessors religion, racism and their belief that America needs saving (Mahan & Griset, 2008, p. 191). In keeping with their racist and Christian supremacy beliefs, these rightwing groups have extreme anti-Semitic views (Juergensmeyer, 2003, p. 33). As dangerous as these far right Christian and supremacist are, they are not the only domestic threat to national security. Radical Islamic groups have penetrated the U.S. borders and now live among the same people they wish to harm. These domestic Islamists are just as

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 4 deadly and determined as their international counterparts; primarily because they are following their orders or have received training and financial backing from them (Homegrown Threat , n.d.). Radical Muslims living in the U.S. who had ties to al-Qaida or other radical Islamic groups planned many of the recent thwarted terror plots (Department of Justice [DOJ], 2010, p. 1; Escobar, 2010; Rubin, 2010; Schmitt & Lipton, 2009). One of the driving motivations behind theses radical Islamists is their great contempt for the U.S. due in large part to; the U.S. presence in Arab nations and the U.S. support of Israel (Kamien, 2006, pp. 15-16; 18-19). Like the Christian right and other supremacist groups, radical Muslims have a deepseated hatred for Jews (Kamien, 2006, p. 64). This mutual enemy in Judaism has made for strange bedfellows; in the months and years following 9/11, domestic extremists reached out to radical Islamists and offered their support (Levine, 2009; Reynalds, 2005; Ross, 2007). Precisely how close these groups are to forming a partnership and carrying out an attack is unclear, but what is clear is that they both pose a significant threat to national security and the government and law enforcement should not ignore them. This paper will attempt to explore the nature of the threat presented by each group, their origins, affiliations, motivations and the measures taken to dismantle and mitigate their impact and influence. Statement of Problem The U.S. is the last remaining super power; as such, it is no stranger to being a target for international radical groups. This is not to say that the U.S. is unfamiliar with domestic extremism; to the contrary, the nation has a long-standing affair with domestic terrorism and extremism. According to George and Wilcox (1996, p. 15), extremism in America existed since the first settlers. Conflicts among Native American tribes, rivalries, prejudice and oppositions within the same tribes undeniably all had a footing in extremism (George & Wilcox, 1996, p.

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 5 15). Incidents of radicalism and extremist groups on the left and the right continued to be born as the centuries past. From the various Ku Klux Klans to the Communist Party USA to the Black Panther movement and the militias, the U.S. history is rich with extremist movements. (George & Wilcox, 1996). However, following the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, the various domestic terrorist movements lay largely dormant due to intense scrutiny from the government (Department of Homeland Security [DHS], 2009, p. 2), but they were nonetheless still a threat (Romano, 2005). Their numbers dwindled as there were improvements in the economy and the U.S. continued to show their supremacy as a superpower (DHS, 2009, p. 2). Then came 9/11 and the focus further shifted to international terrorist organizations, as securing the homeland against this threat took precedence. In the meantime, with the focus of the government on the global war on terror domestic extremists where slowly regrouping and gaining in strength. The events of 9/11, the economic downturn, and the election of the first African American president incited these movements and they are once again regaining prominence (DHS, 2009, p. 2). Their presence has become so significant that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has acknowledged their threat and released a report, in which they stated that these groups present a serious threat to national security, particularly rightwing extremist movements (DHS, 2009). One year later the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Robert Mueller, echoed this sentiment when he stated that domestic terrorists pose as big a threat as al-Qaida (Whittell, 2010). Not to be outdone homegrown Islamic movements are also growing in numbers and its followers are coming up with plot after plot on ways to attack the U.S. at home. In an article earlier this year, the New York Daily News outlined the various attempts by domestic Muslim

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 6 jihadists to attack the U.S.; many of the individuals involved were American citizens (New York Daily News, 2010). Likewise, as though on cue there has been a rash of recent plots and incidents carried out by rightwing extremists; some with ties to established extremist groups, others seemingly acting alone. Some motivated by religion, some by race, and others by displeasure with the government. As previously stated this domestic threat presents the U.S. not with a new problem, but rather a unique one. Government and law enforcement agencies must strive to not only protect the nation from international terrorists but also from this homespun danger as well. Finding the right balance to combat these various organizations and their followers, whilst not sparking a third war, here in the U.S., creates a delicate situation. Understanding Extremism To discuss the origins of extremism it is imperative to get an understanding of what extremism entails. According to George and Wilcox (1996, p.54) extremism is when a person takes their beliefs (political, social or otherwise) to its limits even if their beliefs are unfounded, harmful and impractical. They view those who hold different worldviews as their enemy and seek their removal. Coleman and Bartoli (n.d.) added, an extremists beliefs lie outside the general realm of what is considered normal or ordinary by a society. All extremists exhibit similar characteristics as identified by Laird Wilcox (George & Wilcox, 1996, pp. 56-61), advocacy of double standards, name-calling, character assassination and a proclivity to surround themselves with people of a similar mindset. However, the far left and the far right have very differing worldviews. Far left radicals believe in social change and that people, a nation and the economy flourishes when differences in status, power and wealth are removed and people are allowed to participate in mutually beneficial relationships (Clark,

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 7 1998, p. 34). Leftists argue that a society without substantial equality is not socially responsible.Clarks summarization of right wing extremist views contends that a tiered social ranking is an important element for a proper society. Persons need to know where they stand in relation to others; that is they need to know their status. Without that there is no motivation to progress, society will become complacent, and no growth will occur. The focus of this paper will be rightwing extremism and those who that train of thought. Rightwing radicals are concerned with conservatism, authoritarianism, racism, patriotism, and nationalism (George & Wilcox, 1996, p. 23). The ideologies behind far right wing radicals include Nazism, fascism, religious fanaticism and anti-socialism (George & Wilcox, 1996, p. 171). The Christian Identity, White Supremacist, and radical Islamic movements are all prime examples of groups that follow the rightwing doctrine. Origins of Extremism in America As previously stated the concept of extremism in America, while it is certainly a dynamic phenomenon, is by no means a recent development. The first set of American extremists or right-wingers is oft times linked to the white European settlers. Native Americans did not take kindly to these foreigners and exhibited nativism or as George and Wilcox put it, resentment towards foreigners and aliens (p. 16). The result was battles that led to the massacres and killings on both sides of the battle. The arrival of the pilgrims on Plymouth Rock saw the arrival of a group of individuals that were largely religious extremists, attempting to escape religious persecution. As George and Wilcox stated, they were not fleeing religious persecution in the classical sense but rather freedom to practice their own rigidity and prejudice. Extremism continued to gain ground in the second half of the 1700s with the American Revolution. The revolution is seen by many as the

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 8 birthplace of the militia (Mulloy, 2004) and the banding together of a misfits, malcontents and troublemakers for overthrowing the current administration (George & Wilcox, 1996, p. 16). George and Wilcox also noted that a vigilante group by the name of the Regulators was present in America as early as 1769. In the 19th century, extremism in America continued to expand. The systematic extremism that exists today first appeared with the establishment of the Anti-Masonic movement or Anti-Freemasonry. This group was steadfastly opposed to the secret organization of Freemasons; a group they ironically viewed as being extremists. The movement which opposed the elitist and secretive nature of the Masons is viewed as the first example in America of a preservatist anti-elitist mass movement based on the more provincial and traditional elements in the society (Lipset & Raab, 1970, pp. 39-40). Perhaps the incident that sparked the AntiMasonic movement was the disappearance and presumed murder of a former Mason, William Morgan, who was writing a tell-all book that, would shed a negative light on the Masons. This sparked protests against Freemasonry. However, the Anti-Freemasonry extremists pale in comparison to the premier extremist organization of the nineteenth century (George & Wilcox, 1996, p. 20), the Ku Klux Klan. This group first appeared around 1865 during the Reconstruction of the South after the Civil War. They were opposed to the civil rights and equality that the government was giving African Americans. As a response to what they viewed as a severe injustice of the white mans liberties, they committed many racially motivated crimes against the black race and those who supported them.

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 9 The Klan The KKK or the Klan, which many view as a racist, anti-Semitic, terrorist movement (Anti-Defamation League, n.d.), historically expressed their hatred and intolerance through Protestant Christian terrorism (Martin, 2010) and today is fragmented into more than 150 chapters (Anti-Defamation League, n.d.). The Klan was a powerful force at three separate periods in time. During these times, they were successful in frightening African Americans and usurping the new black freedom granted by authorities in the South. The actions of the group resulted in the deaths of hundreds of African Americans and even more assaults on the black community (Du Bois , 1935, pp. 674675). The first decline of the Klan, can be credited in large part to a 1870 ruling by a federal grand jury which declared that the group was a terrorist organization (Frost, n.d). Another factor which led to the Klans first decline was the anti-Klan laws passed in 1871, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1871. The Klan and other supremacists movements that existed at the time were replaced by separationist and repression laws or the Jim Crow laws (Ohio Central History, 2005). The second coming of the Klan, founded by William J. Simmons, occurred between 1915 and 1944. One of the major factors surrounding the rebirth was the 1915 D.W. Griffith film, Birth of a Nation, the film adaptation of Thomas W. Dixons book The Clansmen (George & Wilcox, 1996, p. 29). This movie sensationalized the first Klan and promoted white supremacy (Vera & Gordon, 2003, p. 187). Other factors include the Great Migration, when a great many African Americans migrated to the industrilaized north in search work (Ohio Central History, 2005) and the anti-Semitic rhetoric developed following the trial and subsequent lynching of Leo

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 10 Frank (Frost, n.d). Frank was a Jewish-American businessman accused of the murder of a thirteen-year-old girl by the name of Mary Phagan (Afran & Garber, 2005, p. 95). Simmons Klan which was estimated to have four million members in 1920 (Time, 1965) differed from its predecessor. Their hatred was not only directed against African Americans but also against Jews, other minorities, foreigners and non-Protestants (Ohio Central History, 2005), they also touted nativism (Frost, n.d). The decline of this second Klan began in 1925 following the Indiana Grand Dragon, David C. Stephensons charge of rape of murder of Madge Oberholtzer (George & Wilcox, 1996, p. 30). Couple this with the Great Depression, other scandals, including support for the Nazis and it is clear why the Klan was disbanded in 1944 (Frost, n.d; George & Wilcox, 1996, p. 30). The third resurrection of the Klan came about during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s (Ohio Central History, 2005). This installment of the group was primarily based in the south and carried out many fire bombings resulting in the deaths of several social activists and NAACP workers (Egerton, 1994, pp. 562-563). Members of the Klan continued their discriminations and violent well into the 1980s and 1990s. In 1987 the mother of a young man lynched by members of the KKK successfully won a $7 million judgment against the Klan and one of the men convicted of his murder was executed on June 6, 1997 (Simkin, n.d.). Today the Klan is splintered into many different chapters making it difficult to penetrate. Estimates of Klan membership numbers are between five thousand and eight thousand, with growing numbers due in part to intensified recruiting based on contemporary topics; such as illegal immigration and the same-sex marriage debates (Knickerbocker, 2007). The election of the first African American president further fueled the resurgence of the Klan (Mangus, 2009). While one Klan website touts Christianity, family, love and a non-violent resolution to the race

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 11 war (Welcome to the Ku Klux Klan!, n.d.), other chapters adopted more Nazi doctrines, including their paraphernalia (Ku Klux Klan Affiliations , n.d.). The Klan remains one of the foremost extremist groups existing in America and a definite threat to national security. The Christian Identity Movement The Identity movement, which has a small following in comparison to other extremist movement, serves as an influence for many White Supremacist groups and other extreme antifederalism organizations (Extremism in America, 2005). This movement has its foundations rooted in British Israelism which believes that white Europeans are the direct descendants of the Israelites; the ten lost tribes of Israel and thus the Chosen Ones (Barkun, 1994, pp. 3-5). Christian Identity is much like British Israelism except for one major detail; Identity followers hold extreme anti-Semitic views. Bristish Israelism did not state that Jews were not from Israel but rather that they were not the Chosen Ones like European whites (Barkun, 1994, p. 121). Christian Identity followers contend that modern day Jews are not from the House of Israel but rather they are descendants of a Turkish tribe called the Khazars who converted to Judaism (Barkun, 1994, pp. 136-142). Some followers take the anti-Semitic sentiment further to state a belief that Jews are the children of the devil, born out of a tryst between Satan and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Barkun, 1994, ch. 8). Another ideology held by Identity followers is that the world is getting ready for one last battle between good and evil, in which White Christians or the Chosen Race must defend the earth from the Jewish conspiracy and its allies. Due to their designation as the Chosen Ones Identity, followers believe that only Caucasians have souls, and can earn Gods favor or gain salvation (Barkun, 1994, p. xi; Quarles, 2004, p. 68). Followers of this movement point to religious works to justify their beliefs. For instance, in justifying their opposition of mixing of races, Identity followers point to scripture that refer

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 12 to Gods people being led astray by those of another race (Quarles, 2004, p. 68). In reasoning for their anti-Semitic views, Identity followers put forth a book believed to the creation of a Zionist congress from 1897. The manual, The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion outlines a twenty-four step sequence essential for the Jewish-communist conspiracy to take over the world (Juergensmeyer, 2003, p. 155). As is seen, Christian Identity followers have a clear racist doctrine that they live by, one in which lesser races preceeded Adam and Eves existence and where known as the beasts of the fields (Quarles, 2004, p. 70). The movement also holds traditional views regarding women, abortion and homosexuality (Quarles, 2004, ch. 3). The ideologies of the movement acted as the influence of several individuals who committed crimes in the name of Christianity and American militia movements (Juergensmeyer, 2003, p. 20). The perpetrator of one of the most brazen acts of domestic terrorism carried on U.S. soil was exposed and influenced by the Identity movement teachings. Timothy McVeigh, the mastermind behind the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, was not a member of the organization but was familiar and swayed by the movements teachings and concepts (Juergensmeyer, 2003, p. 31). Identity has and continues to be a bedrock for many other anti-government, Christian militia and supremacist groups. One of the main characteristics of the movement is its ability to assimilate with other radical rigtwing movements (Juergensmeyer, 2003, p. 255). The formation of alliances with other dangerous and radical movements has the ability to transform this group into something much larger and landed the movement on the DHS watch list (DHS, 2009, p. 4). American Jihadists When the concept of a jihadist is mentioned visions of the Middle East and radical Islamists almost immediately come to mind. Seldom, if ever does the thought of these

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 13 individuals living in the U.S. come to mind; however, they are and they pose one of the biggest threats to national security. Not only are Islamic terrorists living in America now, but their presence is not a recent occurrence. Groups such as Hamas and al-Gamaat al-Islamiya served as predecessors to al-Qaida. These groups were able to infiltrate America and establish footholds in some of the countrys heartland states (Emerson, 2003, p. 29). They were also able to recruit followers, who either attempted or carried out attacks on American soil culminating with the attacks on September 11, 2001 (Emerson, 2003, pp. 29-30). Dating as far back as 1989, in Kansas City radical Muslims have gathered to plot against and denounce their enemies (Emerson, 2003, p. 2). Emerson goes on to recount how he stumbled across a meeting of radical Muslims on Christmas day in the Oklahoma City Convention Center. During the meeting the leader of Hamas, Khalid Mishaal, and other other speakers preached violence towards Jews, Christians and other infidels (Emerson, 2003, p. 6). This was in 1992, almost nine years before the September 11 attacks. In the time following his initial encounter, the domestic radical Islamic movement has continued to grow and flourish as Islamic terrorist groups in the east recruit and gain support from like minded individuals in the west. Like the homegrown Christian Right and White Supremacist, jihadists are utilizing the internet to spread their message of hate. One of the most recent recruiting methods utilized by al-Qaida is the publication of a magazine, Inspire, which urges Muslims to wage personal jihad against infidels in the U.S. (Hagmann, 2010, 1). Hagmann continues on to state that the purpose of the magazine is to appeal to followers of Islam living in the west and to encourage them to carry out attacks on westerners. The magazine describes in vivid detail the best method of attack for mowing down a crowd ( 7-11).

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 14 The radical Islamic movement that exist in the U.S. today shares many of the same views as their domestic rightwing counterparts. The main driving force behind the Christian Identity movement and domestic Islamic extremist is that of religion intertwined with some political motivations. Whereas the Christian Identity movement is motivated by Christian ideals, radical Islamists are driven by their Islamic faith. These jihadists, particularly those affliated with alQaida, are opposed to the U.S. presence and influence in Middle Eastern (Islamic) countries (Kamien, 2006, pp. 15-16) as well the U.S. support of Israel against Palestine (Kamien, 2006, pp. 18-19). The radical Islamic, Christian Identity and White Supremacist movements all share a major ideology, in their anti-Semitic views. All the groups involved have conspiracy theories regarding Jews. Islamic extremists contend that the Zionists have dispossessed the Palestinians and usurped control of the al-Aqsa mosque, a holy shrine in the Islamic world (Kamien, 2006, p. 18). They further argue that these Zionist and the U.S. are working together to break up the powerful and most important Arab nations into controllable fragments that will be unable to pose a threat to Israel (Kamien, 2006, p. 19). Likewise, the Christian Identity movement believes that Jews are seeking to control the world. This common hate thread seems like it might be able to stitch together an unlikely bond among these groups. Past and Present Threats There is a common misconception among the general public that international terrorist groups pose the biggest threat to national security. According to Norwitz (2009) this assumption might be rooted in the fact that people perceive terrorists driven by radical Islam doctrines to be more dangerous due to their religious zealotry, their supposed ability to obtain and use chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons and their desire to cause mass causalities

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 15 (p. 175). This is of course correct for groups like al-Qaida and other similarly minded groups; however, some domestic terrorist/extremist groups have already committed similar acts of wanton violence. Groups and individuals motivated by similar ideologies as the Christian Identity and White Supremacist movements carried out attacks in the past against minorities, mixed race couples, the banking system and abortion clinics (Norwitz, 2009, p. 175). Joseph Paul Franklin, a Phineas Priest an offshoot of Identity - killed at several mixed race couples, committed hate crimes against Jews, and attempted to murder Larry Flynt and civil rights activists Vernon Jordan (Montaldo, n.d). Eric Robert Rudolph also known as the Olympic Park Bomber is responsible for a series of bombings across the South between 1996 and 1998, which resulted in the deaths in two individuals on July 26, 1996 in the Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta (Eric Rudolph Charged In Centennial Olympic Park Bombing , 1998). A rightwing extremist and antiabortionist Rudolph called himself a Roman Catholic in the war to end the holocaust, meaning abortion (Gross, 2005). He stated that the bombings were not religious or racially motivated but rather they were attacks against abortion and were political (Bennett, 2007, p. 49; Wyatt, 2005). The most shocking and deadly act of domestic terrorism is course the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma that claimed the lives of 168 people. A jury found Timothy McVeigh guilty for this horrendous crime and sentenced him to death, His execution occurred in July 2001. While McVeigh did not belong to any established extremist group, he shared ideologies with militant Christian groups (Juergensmeyer, 2003, p. 11). His radicalization grew in response to the actions taken by the government regarding the Waco standoff in 1993; he

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 16 saw the deaths of the Branch Davidian followers as an execution carried out by government (McVeigh, 2001). Even prior to the Waco siege McVeigh demonstrated some radical ideals; the military reprimanded him for buying a White Power t-shirt at a KKK protest (Michel & Herberk , 2002, pp. 87-88). An adamant supporter of the right to bear arms, he was a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) but found their views regarding gun rights too weak and left the group (Michel & Herberk , 2002, p. 111). One of McVeighs inspirations was what the FBI called the bible of the racist right, The Turner Diaries (Applebome, 1995). In the novel, which according to Juergensmeyer (2003, p. 32) reads like a news account of the bombing, the main character detonates a bomb with a truckload of fertilizer and fuel oil in order to destroy a federal building. The same method utilized by McVeigh on April 19, 1995. By piecing together these various segments of McVeighs past and beliefs it is clear that while he sympathized with militia groups there appears to be no direct link with any specific extremist organization and his actions were driven by a deep disdain for the government. More recently, lone wolf rightwing extremists ramped up their assault on the American public. James von Brunn, murdered a black Holocaust Museum security guard, and Scott Roeder, killed George Tiller, an abortion doctor in Kansas. Investigations by authorities showed that while both men were extremists they were not active in any groups but had expressed their views to associates and on websites (Fields & Perez, 2009). Von Brumm had extreme antiSemitic views, which he expressed on various far right websites. An act that many people will not soon forget but often overlook as possibly being the handiwork of a rightwing domestic radical is the Anthrax attacks in 2001, shortly after 9/11. Due to the timing of the attacks, many believe that domestic radical Islamists are responsible;

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 17 however, since there were no arrests the possibility remains that rightwing radicals are to blame. Authorities did identify a person of interest in Bruce Edwards Ivins, a senior biodefense researcher at the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) (Willman, 2008). Ivins committed suicide after learning he was about to be brought up on criminal charges for the attacks. A far right extremist did show the capabilities for making CBRN agents in another situation. The home of an antigovernment extremist living in Massachusetts, Michael Crooker, contained homemade batches of ricin, a highly lethal biological weapon made from castor beans (Norwitz, 2009, p. 176). According to Norwitz ricin is one the most toxic plant toxins known to man and if inhaled can cause tissue damage to the lungs possibly resulting in death. Norwitz goes to chronicle several other rightwing extremists attempts to manufacture ricin and other CBRN agents; such as sarin gas and hydrogen cyanide (pp. 176-177). Not to be out done domestic radical Islamists are also busy at work trying to find ways to attack the interior. These American jihadists are every bit as deadly, dangerous and determined as their international counterparts. Emerson (2003), points out that homegrown radical Islamists targeted the U.S. long before 9/11 (p. 29). In February 1993, radical Muslims living in the U.S. carried out the first attack on the World Trade Center. The intended purpose of the attack was the collapse of both Towers and to kill thousands, however the bomb only managed to kill six but wounded more than 1000. In June of the same year, authorities arrested Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman and nine of his followers for planning a Day of Terror in New York City. They planned to bomb five prominent landmarks in New York, the United Nations Headquarters, the Lincoln Tunnel, the Holland Tunnel, the George Washington Bridge, and the FBI's main New York office at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building (Hirschkorn, 2001).

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 18 Since 9/11, the onslaught of plots by domestic radical Islamists is relentless. In March 2006, Mohammed Reza Taheri-azar, an Iranian-born American citizen sought to avenge the deaths of Muslims worldwide and to punish the U.S. government. He drove an SUV into a group of pedestrians at UNC-Chapel Hill injuring six (ABC, 2006). In 2009 Najibullah Zazi, a Pashtun citizen of Afghanistan and legal permanent resident was arrested after it was discovered that he along with others had planned to carry out suicide bombings in Grand Central Station and Times Square (Wilson, 2009). In May 2010, there was a plot by alleged Times Square bomber, Faisal Shahzad to attack Grand Central Station (Hennessey & Serrano , 2010). Even more recently the FBI foiled plots by would be terrorists in Ashburn, Virginia and Portland Oregon. On October 27, 2010, authorities arrested Farooque Ahmed, 34, a naturalized U.S. citizen in his Virginia home after he conspired to bomb several Washington Metro stations with people he thought to be al-Qaida (Finn, Hsu, & Gibson , 2010). Almost one month later on November 26, FBI agents arrested Mohamed Osman Mohamud a 19-year-old Somali-American student for his attempt to set off what he thought was a car bomb at a tree lighting ceremony (USA Today, 2010). Couple the aforementioned plots with that of the Christmas Day Bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (James, 2010) and it is clear that these convicted and alledged terrorists are using diverese techniques and are not limiting themselves to one particular area. When Mohamud was asked why he chose his target he stated that he chose it because it is a state that, nobody ever thinks about (CNN, 2010, 1). Thus far none of these recent plots have been unsucessful due in large part to intensified surveillence techniuqes, new legislation and improved information and data sharing capabilities by the various agencies. Their failure to be successful will not however

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 19 daunt radical Islamists, but rather it will act as fuel for their anger and hatred and will only make them try harder and with more complicated plots. Affliations As previously stated the Christian Right and White Supremacist movements are forever linked. Their hatred for minorites, foreigners and Jews coupled with their anti-federalism, antiabortion and anti-homosexuality views created a near unbreakable bond. There is little to no evidence to support the idea that these groups will form an alliance with any other anti-US transnational group. Furthermore, the likelihood of this happening is slim unless the international group opposes a common enemy like people of Judaic faith, or those of another race. The reasoning behind this is that the aforementioned groups are pro-U.S.; they might oppose the government or other races living within the US but they are inherently pro-American. Like Islamic jihadists, they envision a pristine, utopia made according to their specifications. Yet despite their pro-American stance, white supremacists in the past reached out and offered support to radical Islamic followers. Due to their mutual disdain for the Jewish community, the leader of the Aryan Nations, August Kreis, posted a letter on the organizations website offering friendship and support for Islamic terror groups (Reynalds, 2005). In the letter, Kreis wrote that the organization would strive to help those who fight to bring the downfall of the Judaic-influenced societal infrastructure of the West (Reynalds, 2005). Additionally, it is believed that four months after 9/11 the leader of a White Supremacist group and the supporter of a radical Islamic group met in Florida (Ross, 2007). Reportedly the extremists met to discuss their common enemy, praised Hitler, Hamas and suicide bombers (Levine, 2009). They also discussed something even more disturbing; how the White Supremacist group could launder money and provide financial assistance to radical Islamic terrorist (Levine, 2009).

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 20 The likelihood of a union has since faded, as there have been attacks by White Supremacist followers on the Muslim community, as in the case of Eric Lee Garner. In April 2010, a jury sentenced Garner to seventeen months in prison for threatening to kill a Muslim woman and her six-month-old baby (Carter, 2010). In other instances, violent White Supremacists attacked and firebombed Muslim Mosques; such as Eric Ian Baker, who received a fifteen-year sentence for his part in the firebombing and vandalism of a Mosque in Columbia Tennessee (Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI], 2010). The proposed Muslim community center and Mosque near ground Zero is also an area of contention for the Christian Right and supremacists movements. Some of followers of these movements joined Pamela Geller, the veteran co-founder of the anti-Muslim group Stop Islamization of America (SIOA), in protesting the construction of Corboda House (Bray, 2010). This intensified hatred for the Muslim world will undoubtedly only incite the rage and anger of radical Islamists in their fight against the U.S. The result will likely be more plots and attempts to attack the U.S. here at home and aboard. Which will cause retaliation from domestic terrorist and rightwing extremist groups; this will create a perpetual cycle of violence, one the government must seek to end. As recent as November 27, 2010, a Muslim Mosque was set ablaze. The Salman Alfarisi Islamic Center, is the same Mosque terror suspect Mohamed Osman Mohamud worshipped (Cooper & Duara, 2010). There is a great possibility that this incident is not part of a domestic rightwing movement, but it shows the anti-Islam sentiment that exists in the U.S.

Christian vs. Islamic Extremism 21 Conclusion Terrorism in general is a dynamic phenomenon, one that is constantly evolving, adapting, and finding new supporters. The characters involved in domestic extremism and terrorism changed since the 14th century, but the modus operandi remains the same, to bring about change in the social and political world through hate, discrimination, and intolerance even if it involves violence. As illustrated domestic terrorists both rightwing and radical Islamists, have similar goals and ambitions as international terrorists. While none of their past attacks were as successful as 9/11 that does not mean that their presence and threat is any less significant. The goals of both domestic rightwing extremists and domestic jihadists are not yet a realization. As long as there is a debate about abortion, immigration, race, gun control, and opposition to the established government domestic far right extremists will exist. As long as the U.S. is present in Arab nations and supporting Israel domestic and international Muslim extremists will continue to wage war on the U.S. The government and law enforcement must continue to press and fight terrorism on all fronts, aboard and here at home.

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