Tim McVey and Clinic bombers not terrorists

October 6, 2008

Oh lord. Tim Mcvey and abortion clinic bombers are ok, but ALF and ELF are the biggest threat! Oh yeah, spray paint could kill everyone in sight!!!

Officials: Domestic terrorism biggest threat in Pa.

By Christine Haines, Herald-Standard

10/06/2008

CALIFORNIA - There is more of a threat in Pennsylvania from angry individuals and activist groups than from foreign terrorists, according to state officials.

Pennsylvania's Homeland Security Director James Powers noted that individuals such as Oklahoma City bomber Terry McVey and abortion clinic bomber Eric Rudolph technically aren't terrorists because they were not part of a larger organization aimed at overthrowing the government.

"Tim McVey is not a terrorist, just very angry with the U.S. government," Powers said. "Whether a person is a terrorist or a criminal is irrelevant to me."Powers said his office is charged with preventing damage to critical infrastructure in the state, including transportation systems, financial systems, and public health care, as well as other areas vital to the health, safety and financial well-being in the state. Threats not only include terrorist attacks, but also natural disasters and other major disruptions.Powers said his office deals with six working groups to identify critical infrastructure: the agriculture, commercial facilities, energy and environmental, government facilities, public health and transportation security working groups. Powers said his

office relies heavily upon local responders such as police, fire, ambulance services, hospitals and utility companies to respond to emergencies and restore the situation to normal."All of this is designed for one goal: resiliency. We know we can't prevent everything. We need to focus on responding and recovery," Powers said.Powers said that when it comes to preventing attacks, his office relies on the Pennsylvania State Police."We do not have a state Bureau of Investigation." Powers said. "That falls to the state police."Lt. Col John R. Brown is in charge of the Executive Services Section of the Pennsylvania State Police. His department is in charge of security for the governor, lieutenant governor, their families, offices, official residences and the safety of visiting dignitaries. "Personal protection of an individual at their place of business is only as strong as the physical security in place at that facility," Brown

said.Brown said the main domestic extremist threats at present come from the Animal Liberation Front, the Environmental Liberation Front and a group called Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty, which targets business partners of Huntington Life Sciences, a British firm with offices in New Jersey.Brown said Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty has at times targeted the nursery schools attended by executives' children."The incidents in Pennsylvania have been relatively minor, with vandalism and property damage being the objective. He said that in March the group spray painted the Portland, Ore., home of a Wachovia executive for doing business with Huntington Life Sciences and the Animal Liberation Front has fire bombed the homes of business executives doing business with Huntington.Brown said domestic extremist groups generally start with lawful protests and their tone initially is polite.

The groups then progress to intimidation and harassment techniques, followed by criminal actions that may include the homes of executives.Brown said the department also provides risk and vulnerability assessments for businesses and public entities upon request. There is no cost for the assessments.