Manufacturing the Muslim Menace - Political Research Associates

Private Firms, Public Servants, and the Threat to Rights and Security
23 Statement of David G. Major, President, The Centre for Counterintelligence
and Security Studies (CI Centre) Before the U.S.
House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee
on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, “Enforcement
of Federal Espionage Laws” Hearing January 29, 2008.
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/5791255/Statement-of-David-G-
Major
24 For a description of intelligence fusion centers and their role in
the wider domestic security infrastructure, see Thomas Cincotta,
“Platform for Prejudice” (Somerville: Political Research Associates,
2010).
25 See Priest and Arkin, “Monitoring America,” Washington Post
(December 20, 2010), 7-8.
26 Chameleon Associates. http://www.chameleonassociates.com/
27 Ken Sanz & Associates, “Intelligence for Law Enforcement and
Domestic Security.” http://www.police-intelligence.com/intel_
homeland.php
28 Anti Terrorism Accreditation Board. http://www.atabon
line.org/joomla/index.php ATAB says it merged safety courses by
FEMA, Department of Transportation, the U.S. Army, and Federal
Fire Academy a Power Point to make it easy to understand.
29 Among the competitors are Phoenix Group Consultants, Ultrasafe
Security Solutions, Borelli Consulting, National Registry for
Counter-Terrorism Professionals, Institute of Terrorism Research
and Response (ITRR), CEO Intel Center (Ben Venzke), Innovative
Analytics & Training, Gleason Research Associates, Government
Training Institute, Extreme Terrorism Consulting, LLC,
American Military University, Henley-Putnam Institute, GCOM
Consultant, International Institute for Counter-Terrorism, and
Halo Corporation. PRA’s landscape review suggests that most private
vendors are careful to avoid Islamophobic messaging. Nevertheless,
additional research may be necessary for public agencies
to ensure that these providers are responsible. For instance, ITRR
a $125,000 contract with Pennsylvania state law enforcement
agencies to provide intelligence reports on peaceful protests, from
an animal rights demonstration to a gay and lesbian festival.
See Laura Rozen, “Rendell ‘Deeply Embarrassed’ over spying
on peaceful groups,” Politico (September 14, 2010).
http://www.politico.com/blogs/laurarozen/0910/Rendell_
Deeply_embarrassed_over_spying_on_peaceful_groups.html
30 See Center for Investigative Reporting for in-depth tracking of taxpayer
money spent on homeland security.
31 See U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, OJP
Grants Management System (GMS), “Computer Based Training,”
(June 2007). http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/gmscbt/
32 See Center for Investigative Reporting for in-depth tracking of taxpayer
money spent on homeland security.
33 Letter from Dr. Anthony Bennett, Disclosure Branch Chief,
Records Management Division, Mission Support Bureau, FEMA,
dated Jan 28, 2011: The Homeland Security Grant Program
(HSGP) funds are awarded to State Administrative Agencies or
local and county governments which, in turn, sub-grant or award
funds to sub-recipient vendors. The entities under this request
[such as CCI, CI Centre, FFMU, ICTOA] would have been awarded
as sub-recipients of an HSGP award. FEMA does not maintain information
on sub-recipients or vendors. You may contact State and
local governments to carry out this request.
34 Bilal Kaleem, Muslim American Society, electronic correspondence
to Thomas Cincotta (March 29, 2010). The Federal Bureau of Investigation
staffed a table inside the speaker’s hall at the October,
2010 International Counter Terrorism Officers Association conference
where conference speakers equated Islam with Nazism.
35 Congress approved $842 million for SHSP grants and $832.5 million
for USAI grants for 2010. These programs fund are dedicated
towards law enforcement terrorism-prevention oriented planning,
organization, training, exercise and equipment activities. U.S. Department
of Homeland Security, FY 2010 Preparedness Grant Programs
Overview (Dec. 8, 2009).
36 Letter from Dr. Anthony Bennett, Disclosure Branch Chief,
Records Management Division, Mission Support Bureau, FEMA
to PRA, dated Jan 28, 2011.
37 Federal Emergency Management Agency, Protection and National
Preparedness, National Preparedness Directorate, National Training
and Education Division, Course Review and Approval Process
(State and Federal Sponsored Courses) (December 2008).
https://www.firstrespondertraining.gov/webforms/pdfs/
approval_process.pdf
38 Federal Emergency Management Agency, Protection and National
Preparedness, National Preparedness Directorate, National Training
and Education Division, Federal Sponsored Course Catalog
(November 22, 2010). https://www.firstrespondertraining.gov/
odp%5Fwebforms/ The December 2010 State-approved Course
Catalog describes two potentially problematic California state
courses; Terrorism Liaison Officer covers “Understanding Militant
Islam,” and a separate course on Inmate Radicalization Awareness
covers “Islam fundamentals.” Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Protection and National Preparedness, National Preparedness
Directorate, National Training and Education Division,
State Sponsored Course Catalog (December 6, 2010). https://www.
firstrespondertraining.gov/odp%5Fwebforms/PRA found that
state administrative agencies in Washington and Florida approved
trainings by Security Solutions International, one of the private
firms profiled in this report, in the fields of Special Weapons and
Tactics (SWAT), Special Response Team (SRT), and “Building
Safety and the Terror Threat.”
39 Counter-Terrorism Training Coordination Working Group (convened
by U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs),
Counter-Terrorism Training and Resources for Law Enforcement (October
21, 2010). http://www.counterterrorismtraining.gov/faq.
html
40 International Counter-Terrorism Officers Association, Inc., Form
990-EZ, Schedule A (2008).
41 See Brian J. Corrigan, “Profile,” LinkedIn (November 10, 2010).
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/brian-j-corrigan/15/239/232
42 International Counter-Terrorism Officers Association, Inc., Form
990-EZ, Schedule A (2008).
43 Gabriel, Islam and Terrorism, 33.
44 “ICTOA 7th Annual Conference,” Netcity Radio (The Griffith
Center) Channel, YouTube (August 4, 2009). http://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=gO1VC16u0SM
45 Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, “Course Description: Counter Islamist
Terrorism Training June 14, 23-24, August 5-6, and September
22-23” (2010). See also, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office,
“Course Evaluations” (June, August 2010); Sam Kharoba, “Understanding
& Preparing for 21st Century Crime,” Power Point
Presentation (2006). http://www.ssa.gov/oig/investigations/
PCIE-ECIE/presentations/Sam_Kharoba.pdf Jodie Tillman,
“Pasco deputies to receive training in spotting radical Muslim terrorists,”
St. Petersburg Times (November 7, 2010). http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/pasco-deputies-to-receive-traini
ng-in-spotting-radical-muslim-terrorists/1132748.
At a cost of nearly $30,000, Kharoba trained Pasco County’s GIS
analysts, patrol officers, honorary deputies, and volunteer safety
officers on “how to identify ideological patterns and beliefs common
to Islamist extremists,” how to develop information assets,
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