Despite military denials, the Southern Poverty and Law Center reports that in trying to makeup for lower numbers of recruits enlisting, the military has relaxed standards to the point that they’re beginning to see large numbers of racist skinheads and neo-Nazis in their ranks:

Large numbers of potentially violent neo-Nazis, skinheads and other white supremacists are now learning the art of warfare in the armed forces. Department of Defense investigators estimate thousands of soldiers in the Army alone are involved in extremist or gang activity. “We’ve got Aryan Nations graffiti in Baghdad,” said one investigator. “That’s a problem.”

Southern Poverty Law Center President Richard Cohen urged Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to adopt a zero-tolerance policy regarding racist extremism among members of the U.S. military. . . . Military extremists present an elevated threat both to their fellow soldiers and the general public. Today’s white supremacists become tomorrow’s domestic terrorists.

With development such as this, is it any wonder why we keep hearing about unprovoked incidents of abuse, torture, and murder committed by some U.S. troops against Iraqi civilians?

What a nice thought to know that the U.S. is training the hateful to turn their hate into violence.