CNN Likens White Supremacists to ISIS: ‘In a Lot of Ways They’re Almost Identical’

‘The main difference: ISIS is actually more sophisticated in its messaging’

SIDNER (voice-over): “They promise a better life. Purity. A way to erase modernity and get rid of people who don't think like them. In song and words they tell their followers to fight for what they believe in. Sound familiar? 

SIDNER (on screen): “Are there similarities between, for example, white supremacists groups here in United States and ISIS?” 
BAER: “In a lot of ways, they're almost identical.” 
SIDNER (voice-over): “Bob Baer should know. He's spent decades as a CIA operative in the Middle East. Now back in America, he points out the grievances of home grown hate groups virtually match those of terrorist groups in the Middle East.” 
BAER: “I think at the bottom of this, there's a feeling of both for the ISIS and the white supremacists. A feeling of injustice, whether it was from the south or a marginalized, you know, white people. And they think that they've been robbed or something. You look at the Sunnis, ISIS; those people think they were robbed with the invasion of Iraq. And they are trying to re-impose justice.”
SIDNER (voice-over): “Dylann Roof is a case in point. A web site registered in his name features a manifesto that blast modern America and blames black people and other minorities for its current state. ‘I hate the sight of the American flag. Modern American patriotism is an absolute joke.’ And goes on to say, ‘I have no choice. I am not in a position to, alone, go into the ghetto and fight.’ And online is where Roof and so many other angry, dispossessed people now find an audience for their hateful views.” 
LEVIN: “Whether it's ISIS or American domestic extremists are looking for young people generally in their 20's socially isolated who either have a little bit of familiarity with the ideology or are unstable, frustrated, and angry and would be susceptible to it.” 
SIDNER (voice-over): “The main difference? ISIS is actually more sophisticated in its messaging using sleek videos. White supremacist, not so much. Still, ask any expert on the subject and they'll tell you homeroom terrorism is more dangerous to the average American than ISIS. Take a look at this map created by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which track hate groups in America. Those are the numbers of hate groups in each state. And former CIA operative Baer says predicting their member's behavior is far more difficult than that of ISIS recruits.” 
BAER: “Frankly, I'm more worried about domestic terrorism because the fact is most are fairly benign. Just because you fly the rebel flag doesn't mean you can turn violent.” 
SIDNER (voice-over): “The real danger is when the message connects with someone like Dylann Roof, ready, willing, and able to carry it out. Sara Sidner, CNN, Los Angeles.”

Video files
Full
Compact
Audio files
Full
Compact