VCU Student Group Named in a Leaked Terror Threat Assessment

In what came as a surprise to both the Virginia state police and the public, especially the Muslim Student Association at Virginia Commonwealth University the Virginia State Police 2009 terrorism threat assessment was leaked.

The document was never intended for the public and carries the following warning at the top of the page:

" This is LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE information and is protected by Code of Virginia Title 52-48 and 52-49 unless otherwise noted.
Further distribution of this document is restricted to law enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies, and Department of Defense organizations only.
Prior approval shall be obtained from VFC for dissemination to other agencies.
Persons or organizations violating distribution restrictions may be prosecuted and will be prohibited from receiving future documents.
NO REPORT OR SEGMENT THEREOF MAY BE RELEASED TO ANY MEDIA SOURCES."

Despite this warning the document somehow found its way on to the internet and caught some Virginia students by surprise. Members of the Muslim Student Association at VCU were shocked to find that they are in the document as possibly being a front organization for The Muslim Brotherhood. On page 41 the document states:

"There are indications the VCU chapter of the Muslim Student Association is a front organization for the Muslim brotherhood, and is possibly involved with terrorism financing and recruitment."


The Muslim Brotherhood is the U.S. chapter of The International Muslim Brotherhood and is one of the worlds most influential Islamic fundamentalist groups and has a violent history in the Middle East. In the U.S. they prefer to operate behind the scenes and rarely identify themselves as members of the brotherhood even to other Muslims.

According to the Va State Police document the International Muslim Brotherhood has influenced such groups as Al-Qa'ida and Hamas. The U.S. chapter’s mane international objective is reportedly to support Hamas. Some of their suspected activities include member recruitment, fundraising, and subversive political pursuits.

Dr. Reuban Rodriguez, VCU Dean of Students told channel 12 news that this is

"Not even close to anything we've been contacted either by law enforcement or anybody outside the VCU community as being a problem with this student organization,"


And

"They raise donations so that people do not have to go hungry not only in the Richmond community but around the world as well,"


VCU says the only financing done by the group is for those less fortunate. Two predominately African American schools, Virginia State and Virginia Union Universities, are also mention in the report for contributing to the presence of race based extremist groups.

Kent Willis of the American Civil Liberties Union told channel 12:

"In essence, this is a report that uses both demographic and racial and religious stereotypes to assume that terrorism exists but then backs it up with no information,”


The Virginia State Police are not commenting on this document. I sent emails to both the state and national offices of Muslim Student Association asking them to comment, I have not received a response from either at this time.

Ohio: Child Protective Services Face Budget cuts

For the first time in Ohio's history the number of child abuse and neglect cases being reported toped 100,000 and Governor Ted Strickland's state budget plan has child protective service workers concerned.

Under Governor Strickland's proposed budget  $62 million usually used for child protective service by the counties of Ohio would be shifted to the state subsidized childcare program. This is just one of a series of cuts that have forced many counties to lay off caseworkers.  Director of the Hancock County Department of Job and Family Services, Judy Wauford, says that she has lost a large portion of her staff and most of her funding for protective services. Under these conditions protective service agencies are finding it difficult to keep up with the cases and respond to complaints within 24 hours as mandated by the state.

According to statistics released by Public Children Services Association of Ohio statewide reports of abuse and neglect are up by 14% and Franklin County has shown an increase of 16%. The report also says that the number of children being removed from their homes is down by 9% despite the increase in reports.

Child abuse and neglect can have many causes; drugs and alcohol as well as mental illness may be the first to come to mind.  However it is believed that the current economy and foreclosures are at least in part to blame for the spike in reported cases. As some parents struggle with the usual personal and marital issues their frustrations can be compounded by layoffs, foreclosure and other financial issues. They find themselves overwhelmed and unable to cope, the resulting stress can be taken out on the children.