Expect More Violence Aimed at Government, Financial Services Firms

Some law enforcement officers, security consultants and hate group trackers are now suggesting that some people and groups are talking and acting in ways that point to more incidents of violence against government buildings, courthouses, financial institutions and their employees and visitors. With some politicians condoning the murder-terrorism of the man who piloted his plane in the IRS building in Texas, some of the fringe elements of the so-called tea party movement, “open carry” folks visiting numerous Starbucks, and the ease of mailing bomb and anthrax threats to officials, there is a growing feeling that the U.S. may soon face a Murrah-type incident, or at least growing numbers of violent incidents adding up to significant loss of life and property.

The Oklahoma City bombing occurred on April 19, 1995 when Timothy McVeigh, with the assistance of Terry Nichols, destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. It was the most significant act of terrorism on American soil until the September 11 attacks in 2001, claiming the lives of 168 victims and injuring more than 680. Motivated by the federal government's handling of the Waco Siege and the Ruby Ridge incident, McVeigh's attack was timed to coincide with the second anniversary of the Waco Siege.

Every week the toll rises. Two days ago, a gunman apparently angry over business dealings wounded a father and son at their financial services company inside an office building, then shot himself as police closed in, authorities said. On the same day, authorities were investigating a suspicious letter sent to the Vance Federal Building in downtown Birmingham, Ala. A hazmat team was called to the building after an employee opened the letter and found a white powder inside.

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