A recently released report by a West Point think tank links people with a strong belief in individual freedom to violent, far right movements. The report sparked outrage from conservatives, according to the Washington Times.
The report, titled "Challengers From the Sidelines: Understanding America’s Violent Far Right," was posted last week by the U.S. Military Academy's Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, N.Y. It was written by Arie Perliger, who directs the center’s terrorism studies and teaches sociology to cadets.
The report states that there were 350 acts of violence against people or property by the "far right" in 2011. It does not break down the attacks to show who the victims/perpetrators were.
The report claims liberals are "future-oriented" while conservatives are "past-oriented" and interested in preserving the status quo.
The article first addressing the report received 1,600 comments from concerned and outraged readers.
According to the Washington Times, "the left has applauded the West Point paper."