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Napolitano Apologizes to Vets for Report
DHS had painted soldiers as prone to right-wing extremism
By Harry Kimball
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Posted Apr 16, 09 4:30 PM CDT
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(Newser)
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Janet Napolitano apologized today for language in a recent Homeland Security report suggesting that veterans were more likely to be wooed by far-right extremist groups, CNN reports. “The return of military veterans facing significant challenges,” said the report evaluating domestic threats, “could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone-wolf extremists.” The report cited Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, a veteran.
“McVeigh was only one of more than 42 million veterans,” said the commander of the American Legion. To use him “as an example of the stereotypical ‘disgruntled military veteran’ is as unfair as using Osama bin Laden as the sole example of Islam.” Of the report commissioned by the Bush administration, Napolitano said, “I apologize for that offense. It was certainly not intended.”