U.S. Prepares For Possible Y2K Violence

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U.S. Prepares For Possible Y2K Violence

Updated 3:29 PM ET August 31, 1999

By Jim Wolf

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government is preparing for possible violence from cults, guerrillas, hate groups and end-of-world-fearing zealots as 2000 approaches.

Law enforcement officials are working on contingency plans to cope with everything from cyber attacks to bombs at New Year's Eve parties, though they say they lack knowledge of specific, credible threats.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation "expects to see increased and possibly violent activities among certain domestic groups related to the millennium," a top FBI official warned Congress in July.

Michael Vatis, head of a new FBI-led interagency center to protect critical U.S. infrastructure, cited in particular a fringe view among white supremacists that the world is on the verge of a final apocalyptic struggle.

This requires the faithful "to prepare for the Second Coming of Christ by taking violent action against their enemies," Vatis told a special Senate panel in July on the Y2K technology glitch.

The panel is looking into pitfalls of the Y2K problem, a coding glitch that could cause ill-prepared computers to misread 2000 as 1900 and trigger system-wide shutdowns.

Vatis did not cite possible targets but FBI Director Louis Freeh has said they included Jews, non-whites and their "establishment allies, i.e. the federal government."

The FBI counter-terrorism section "has been planning for any violent activity by such groups," said Vatis, who is leading a separate drive to thwart cyber attacks that could disrupt the economy or government.

At issue is the fear that Jan. 1, 2000, may seem like a watershed date for fanatics ready to put end-of-world rhetoric into action.

Robert Blitzer, who retired last November as head of the FBI's domestic counter-terrorism arm, cited the case of Buford Furrow Jr., the white supremacist who pleaded not guilty Monday to killing a Filipino-American letter carrier after shooting up a Jewish community center in the Los Angeles area.

Furrow turned himself in to the FBI after the Aug. 10 attacks. He allegedly told authorities the shooting was a "wake up call to America to kill Jews."

Groups with similar views or apocalyptic cults like Heaven's Gate, 30 of whose members committed mass suicide in 1997, may deem the rollover to 2000 "a good time for them to make their mark on history," said Blitzer.

"I know there are still continuing to be serious threats from abroad," added Blitzer, who now consults on counter-terrorism at the Science Applications International Corporation in McLean, Virginia.

He was unaware of any specific credible threats but said foreign foes had already shown what they were capable of in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing in New York.

Freeh has warned Congress that white supremacist extremists may stage armed robberies to finance what some view as the coming "Battle of Armageddon" between the forces of good and evil. Some of these extremists believe that this entails whites fighting "Satan's heirs," the FBI chief told a Senate Appropriations panel on Feb. 4. In such a world view, he said, "Satan's heirs" were defined as Jews, non whites and their supposed allies in the federal government,

John Gordon, deputy director of the U.S. intelligence community, said the CIA and its 12 sister spy outfits were tightening their drills to monitor events at the date change.

"We are strengthening the communications processes between centers," he told a Senate Armed Services panel on Feb. 24. "We are preparing for the potential that there may be situations erupting worldwide and within our own systems environment."

In addition to the perceived threat from within, U.S. officials fear anti-Western guerrilla groups and others may try to take advantage of the federal stretch to keep tabs on any Y2K related failures. The White House is setting up a $40 million information coordination center to help policymakers with Year 2000 issues and coordinate any emergency responses.

"In some instances, it may not be immediately apparent whether a service outage is the result of the 'millennium bug' or a computer intrusion," Vatis testified. Such uncertainty could make Y2K an inviting date for malicious strikes, officials said.

Together with a Pentagon task force for computer network defense, Vatis's National Infrastructure Protection Center will hold a classified, two-day conference called "Preparing for Cyberwar," including Y2K contingencies, in early October.

======================================== End

Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), August 31, 1999

Answers

If they are truly targeteing white supremacists and assorted nutcases, no problem. What many people fear is being caught like a dolphin in a tuna net. We could use some reassurance that folks who have stated strong opinions, such as myself, won't be arrested in some sort of pre-emptive strike.

Confidence in the ethical conduct of alphabet soup agencies is at an all-time low, for good reasons.

-- Forrest Covington (theforrest@mindspring.com), August 31, 1999.


Sounds like Clinton thinking ahead and setting up the final solution for people who oppose pig boy.

-- John (Inthe@John.com), August 31, 1999.

They haven't had any 'credible' threats, but let's spend a few million dollars just in case....after all, it's only taxpayer's money...

-- citizen (lost@sea.com), August 31, 1999.

What concerns me is if the public and law enforcement are lead to believe that dissident libertarians or conservative Christians (who are critical of or even upset with the fedgov; eg., labeled as "anti- government") = cultist, anti-semitic, white supremecist terrorist nutcases.

There are lots of people who are angry (and have a darn good reason to be angry) at Uncle Sam yet are neither racist nor bent on fomenting terror. I certainly hope that people have the wisdom not to cash in their freedom for a little extra security, and that preemptive measures by the authorities to eradicate "thoughtcrime" will be vehemently resisted.

-- coprolith (coprolith@rocketship.com), August 31, 1999.


This is a pre-emptive CYA operation. Say "cyberterrorism," or "millennial violence" enough times and most people will start to believe it. I can see the press conference now: "Honest, folks, we (the federal govt) were ready for this. It wasn't a government failure that caused these problems, it was those nasty right wing, religious, survivalist wackos that kept your social security checks from getting to you."

Since we have leaders with no character or integrity, they will try their best to pass any blame on to local governments or other groups for failures in systems that they were responsible for. Just listen to their press releases. It's not that hard to figure out.

-- rob minor (rbminor@hotmail.com), August 31, 1999.



Don't worry, Forrest, they'll only target white supremacists and assorted nut cases.

Of course, anyone who disagrees with them will be labeled as either "white supremacists" or "nut cases" . . . or "right-wingers" or "extremists" or "mean spirited" or "hate-mongers" or whatever it takes to portray them (you? me?) as "enemies of the state."

And naturally the mainstream media will play right along and assist in the smear campaign (eg. Waco, Pro-lifers, businessmen, gun owners, anyone who doesn't vote Democratic).

And before you know it, Voila! you're stuck in a detention cell and the majority of the public is relieved that someone so dangerous is finally off the streets.

-- rick blaine (y2kazoo@hotmail.com), August 31, 1999.


Snip:

"Robert Blitzer, who retired last November as head of the FBI's domestic counter-terrorism arm, cited the case of Buford Furrow Jr., the white supremacist who pleaded not guilty Monday to killing a Filipino-American letter carrier after shooting up a Jewish community center in the Los Angeles area.

Furrow turned himself in to the FBI after the Aug. 10 attacks. He allegedly told authorities the shooting was a "wake up call to America to kill Jews.""

They have milked this incident for about as much publicity as is possible. They desperately need something more concrete to begin to stir the pot with. They'll find something out there to ramp up the propaganda mill with!!

Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), August 31, 1999.


Hey, Ray, do you have a link or an URL for that article?

-- rick blaine (y2kazoo@hotmail.com), August 31, 1999.

Here's the link:

Link

Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), August 31, 1999.


It's also head-lining on drudge.

www.drudgereport.com

-- nothere nothere (notherethere@hotmail.com), August 31, 1999.



"The U.S. government is preparing for possible violence from cults, guerrillas, hate groups and end-of-world-fearing zealots as 2000 approaches."

Sounds a lot like the some of the folks on this here Web site - don't it?

"People who want to survive Y2K should be prepared to kill."

(its@coming.soon), July 27, 1999.

"So, of course I want to see y2k bring down the system, all over the world. I have hoped for this all of my adult life." -- Gary North

"Do I wish to see the present Federal governmnet completely disemboweled? Yes, absolutely"

Paul Milne (fedinfo@halifax.com), July 05, 1999.

"Another Polly is dead. Good riddance. The rest will follow shortly anyway when TSHTF.

(its@coming.soon), August 15, 1999.

"Just about any sacrifice is worth getting rid of it (federal government) and moving BACK to a Constitutional republic with extremely limited Federal government powers. Even if it means the decimation of the population. If the population is 'content' to live under this tyranny, then they deserve to be wiped out as a result of Y2k. They do not deserve to call themselves 'Americans' because they have not the first clue what an 'American' is." - Paul

Milne, August 1, 1999.

-- Y2K Pro (y2kpro1@hotmail.com), August 31, 1999.


Hey Y2K Pro:

For the VERY FIRST TIME, I actually clicked on that statement that you always attribute to Gary North, and got to a web site that mainly seems to bash North's religious views (big surprise [yawwwnnnnnn]). The statement indeed is listed as the very first item, BUT NO REFERENCE AS TO WHERE OR WHEN IT WAS SAID OR WRITTEN BY NORTH IS GIVEN!!!

Do you happen to know where this statement that North supposedly said actually comes from? (Not that it makes any difference about anything, it obviously does not, but I am curious.)

-- King of Spain (madrid@aol.com), August 31, 1999.

I think people who religiously watch pro-wrestling on tv are nutty. Will they be on the list too? How about beanie baby collectors? Or people who spent a thousand bucks to get their Tickle Me Elmos for Christmas? There's a lot of loonies out there.

"If they are truly targeteing white supremacists and assorted nutcases, no problem"

Unfortunately, I think the Reno & Co. definition is much broader than this. Have you attended church regularly? Given to radical charities like Focus on the Family? Ever homeschooled? Now those people are really dangerous.

-- Mumsie (Shezdremn@aol.com), August 31, 1999.


Well, let's see now .....we had Waco which allowed the fed's to test our resolve against Posse Commitatus and CS gas (banned by the Geneva Convention for use in general warfare but ok for little American kids) and of course we failed the test miserably.........then the Crime Bill is stalled in Congress and don't you know here comes the Okla. City bombing to grease the skids for it's passage, which is what happened......then as Calif. debates very restrictive measures over gun shows and various weapons, here comes good ol'Buford Furrow who somehow can't aim over 2 ft. high from the ground ....voila! the legislators are a blur as they rush to pass anything Comrade Gray Davis desires. Isn't life just full of amazing coincidences?

-- saveamerica (JB90@hotmail.net), August 31, 1999.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

-- Spanky (nospam@spamfree.net), August 31, 1999.



Translation: Ol spanky is one of the following:

"The U.S. government is preparing for possible violence from cults, guerrillas, hate groups and end-of-world-fearing zealots as 2000 approaches."

-- y2k pRO (y2kpro1@hotmail.com), August 31, 1999.


Y2k Amateur, which branch of the Socialist Party are you a member of.

Your Pal, Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), August 31, 1999.


Howdy Y2K Pro, long time, no chat...

"moving BACK to a Constitutional republic with extremely limited Federal government powers."

http://www.libertarian.org/

Tick... Tock... <:00=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), August 31, 1999.


"In some instances, it may not be immediately apparent whether a service outage is the result of the'millennium bug' or a computer intrusion," Vatis testified.

*Sigh*

Whatever the "cause" the effects are the same... or similar.

Being prepared... to weather any local Y2K class "5" hurricaine/tornado's... is the only way of wisdom possible within such uncertainty.

Wonder if "they" get that?

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), August 31, 1999.


Ray:

Because I don't wear the white sheet of your organization, does not make me a Socialist.

-- y2k pRO (y2kpro1@hotmail.com), August 31, 1999.


y2kamateur,

just thought I'd try using the same LOGIC in name calling that you use.

Your Pal, Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), September 01, 1999.


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