I caught this last night, and thought it was an above average documentary, poised some questions, I think are probably worth discussing. 'Homegrown' covers terrorism that begins with immigrants who are often US Citizens, and covers a well known and publicized example closely, the Ft. Hood shooting in 2009, and some less known examples, as well as mentioning the San Bernadino shooters and Boston Marathon bombers....
The film spends a lot of time with Phillp Mudd, a high ranking anti terrorism official, who I believe has retired from the FBI, and also had an uncomfortable interview with Stephen Colbert, back in 2013. He is someone who tracked suspects, listened to wiretapped calls, authorized and built massive federal cases against Shiva Shaneeq, who was sentenced to 17 years for conspiracy to provide material support to terrorist groups.
Shivas family also is interviewed, and paints a picture of a loving and caring child, who was wrongly convicted by the government. I found these to be painful, but also frustrating, as the case against him was VERY strong, and detailed in the film.
Increasingly, these types of cases are occurring, often using CI's and cooperating witnesses to build cases against homegrown terror suspects, who sometimes are traveling to fight for ISIS, providing support, or planning to attack and kill in the US. Sometimes there is no real threat, just the intent. Is this justice? What do you do with those planning to murder innocents in the name of Jihad? Phillip Mudd, in a pretty poignant moment describes sometimes wanting to call the suspects, often teenagers or young adults, who have had some type of event that causes radicalization, and tell them 'son don't do this'.
Mudd also seems frustrated with the US tactics on these, but stands by his convictions, which I tend to agree with, in this case, even when talking with the family of Shiva. I think there are definitley cases of disgusting US overreach,(Newburgh Sting) and the feds trump up cases, as they do in almost all levels of the game.....but I feel limited sympathy for those who plan to gun down tourists outside the white house, or execute co workers. The sentences are harsh, and we see more and more. In San Diego, there have been several instances of Somali cab drivers being indicted on very similar crimes.
Anyone else catch this?
The film spends a lot of time with Phillp Mudd, a high ranking anti terrorism official, who I believe has retired from the FBI, and also had an uncomfortable interview with Stephen Colbert, back in 2013. He is someone who tracked suspects, listened to wiretapped calls, authorized and built massive federal cases against Shiva Shaneeq, who was sentenced to 17 years for conspiracy to provide material support to terrorist groups.
Shivas family also is interviewed, and paints a picture of a loving and caring child, who was wrongly convicted by the government. I found these to be painful, but also frustrating, as the case against him was VERY strong, and detailed in the film.
Increasingly, these types of cases are occurring, often using CI's and cooperating witnesses to build cases against homegrown terror suspects, who sometimes are traveling to fight for ISIS, providing support, or planning to attack and kill in the US. Sometimes there is no real threat, just the intent. Is this justice? What do you do with those planning to murder innocents in the name of Jihad? Phillip Mudd, in a pretty poignant moment describes sometimes wanting to call the suspects, often teenagers or young adults, who have had some type of event that causes radicalization, and tell them 'son don't do this'.
Mudd also seems frustrated with the US tactics on these, but stands by his convictions, which I tend to agree with, in this case, even when talking with the family of Shiva. I think there are definitley cases of disgusting US overreach,(Newburgh Sting) and the feds trump up cases, as they do in almost all levels of the game.....but I feel limited sympathy for those who plan to gun down tourists outside the white house, or execute co workers. The sentences are harsh, and we see more and more. In San Diego, there have been several instances of Somali cab drivers being indicted on very similar crimes.
Anyone else catch this?
