Report: Obama's life at risk in health care battle

By Daniel Tencer White House officials are "privately admitting concern" for President Barack Obama's safety as incidents of attempted or threatened violence against the president skyrocket in the midst of the country's heated health care debate.

That's the word from an ABC News report that says racist groups are thriving on the backlash in some corners of the United States to a black president who is working overtime to overhaul the country's social safety system.

"Experts say a sharp growth in so-called militia groups that helped spawn a wave of domestic terrorism in the 1990s—and are now using YouTube, rock music and the Internet to recruit members and spread hate and fear—shouldn't be ignored," the report says.

Brad Garrett, a former FBI agent who now consults for ABC News, told the network that the Secret Service "cannot afford to pass on anyone" because "they really do fear that something could happen to [Obama].

"It's certainly a scary time," he said.

From ABC News:

Garrett said statements like one recently made by controversial radio host Rush Limbaugh comparing a logo for the White House plan to a Nazi symbol "legitimizes people who are on the edge to go do something or say something."

"And if you go and take a look at this, you will find that the Obama health care logo is damn close to a Nazi swastika logo," Limbaugh said.

Limbaugh's comments are part of a growing trend of influential figures stirring up hatred—or even implicitly pressing for violence—against the president.

A California city councilman is under pressure to resign after sending emails joking about assassinating the president. And yet another talk show host is under investigation after advising a caller not to waste ammunition on target practice, and "save it for the administration."

ABC reports:

The Secret Service is investigating a Maryland man who held a sign reading "Death to Obama" and "Death to Michelle and her two stupid kids" outside a town hall meeting this week. And in New Hampshire, another man stood across the street from a Presidential town hall with his gun on full display.

Los Angeles police officers apprehended a man Thursday after a standoff with him inside a red Volkswagen Bug car in Westwood, CA—the latest disturbing case even though officials said the man had mental problems.

The Southern Poverty Law Center is reporting a dramatic rise in the number of hate groups across the US, while federal authorities are launching a "Lone Wolf Initiative" to track down individuals who may be looking to commit political violence.

"White House officials privately admit deep concern and have told the Secret Service to keep security tight, even if Obama objects," ABC reported.

M.C.L. Comment: I'm glad to see that the right wing have rediscovered there's something called freedom of speech when they tired to restrict it under the George W.Bush presidency. Since Barack Obama went from Senator Obama to President Obama the right wing media have been inciting violence. From Glenn Beck's fake concerns for the country well being to Rush wishing for failure the right wing have been beating the drum for their unhinge followers to do something to take their country back.

We see and hear what happen when these nuts take their overlords in the right wing media seriously cops being shot because someone (cough Glenn Beck) told them that President Obama is going to take away their guns, Dr.George Tiller was shot and killed in church by a pro-life zealot because people like Bill O'Reilly play up to those folks and you see with these town halls people. There was guy that showed up to a town hall where President Obama was speaking with a gun strapped to his leg and holding up a sign and I'm paraphrasing it"The tree of liberty from time to time need to be water" but surprise he left out the other part and the other part goes with the blood of patriots and tyrants. And now these clowns are carrying signs wanting death for the president, these are the same ass clowns that told liberals and Democrats to shut up because we're hurting the country with our criticisms of President Bush.

If one of these nuts go the extra mile and does something to the president these right wing talk show host should not only lose their broadcasting licence some of them should be facing some jail time.