Family Security Matters

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Family Security Matters logo, Screengrab from Family Security Matters

Family Security Matters (FSM) originated in 2003 as a project of the Center for Security Policy, a US think tank that advocates hawkish foreign and domestic policies to "soccer moms" under the banner of homeland security.

FSM is, according to Rightweb, 'a rightist advocacy outfit based in Washington, DC, that bills itself as the "national security resource for American families." Closely connected to other hardline outfits through overlapping board members, FSM has, since 2004, served as a high-profile and controversial advocate of hardline policies on the "war on terror." It has championed a tough line on Iran, China, and other perceived enemies; supported the Iraq War; and promoted preferential treatment of Israel.'[1]

Links with Center for Security Policy

FSM has been described by Media Matters for America as a front group of the Center for Security Policy (CSP). In supporting this claim it reported that FSM's phone number was answered by the CSP.[2]

A 2004 version of the Family Security Matters website gave the organisation's post address as "The Family Security Group, c/o The Center for Security Policy".[3]

In the About Us page extant in 2004, a year after FSM's formation, editorial director Gay Bryant stated that: "A year ago we formed an alliance with the Center for Security Policy, www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org, a prestigious nonpartisan Washington think tank whose aim is to promote world peace through American strength. This association gives us access to vital security information from inside the heart of Washington, D.C."[4]

Family Security Group President Carol Taber stated that: "To bring you the truth, we have partnered with The Center for Security Policy in Washington, D.C., a think tank devoted to national security issues. It is a highly respected, non-partisan, non-profit organization. Last year, I heard its president, Frank J. Gaffney, Jr. (a former Assistant Secretary of Defense) give a speech that deeply inspired me to serve my country by using my experience as a publisher of women’s magazines to communicate to American women what we need to know."[5]

The same page featured a quote from Gaffney himself, who stated:

We will draw upon the knowledge of the staff and associates of the Center for Security Policy and a wealth of other resources to address topics that are directly relevant to the concerns all of us have.[6]

A schedule to the CSP's 2004 tax return listed the centre as owning 51 per cent of "Family Security Group, LLC".[7]

Media Matters for America suggests that Family Security Matters represents an attempt by the CSP to promote an alleged 'security moms' demographic.[8]

According to Rightweb:

FSM's board of advisers includes James DeGraffenreid, chair of CSP's board; Paul Vallely, a conservative radio talk show host; Laura Ingraham, a right-wing commentator with a nationally syndicated radio show; Arthur Waldron, a well-known China hawk associated with the so-called Blue Team, an informal group of defense policy strategists who, prior to 9/11, led the effort to make China the top U.S. security concern.[9]; and James Woolsey, the former CIA head who has helped organize a lengthy list of hardline foreign policy advocacy outfits, including Americans for Victory over Terrorism, the Coalition for Democracy in Iran, and the Committee for the Liberation of Iraq. Brigitte Gabriel, president of American Congress for Truth, is one of FSM's contributing editors.[10]

People

Staff

Board of Advisors

Board of Directors

Contributing editor

Adrian Morgan is a contributing editor to Family Security Matters.[12]

Authors

Resources

Contact

Website: www.familysecuritymatters.org

Notes

  1. Rightweb Family Security Matters last updated: October 11, 2007
  2. FOX's "security mom" expert spouted Bush-Cheney talking points, Media Matters For America, 29 September 2004.
  3. About Us, Family Security Matters, via the Internet Archive, archived 12 August 2009, accessed 18 October 2009.
  4. About Us, Family Security Matters, via the Internet Archive, archived 12 August 2009, accessed 18 October 2009.
  5. About Us, Family Security Matters, via the Internet Archive, archived 12 August 2009, accessed 18 October 2009.
  6. About Us, Family Security Matters, via the Internet Archive, archived 12 August 2009, accessed 18 October 2009.
  7. Center for Security Policy, Form 990, Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, 2004.
  8. 'FOX's "security mom" expert spouted Bush-Cheney talking points', Media Matters, 29 September, 2004.
  9. " The Yellow Peril Revisited," by Tom Barry and Jim Lobe, IRC, July 1, 2002
  10. Rightweb Family Security Matters last updated: October 11, 2007
  11. 'About: Board', web.archive.org/Family Security Matters website, Accessed from the Internet Archive dated 18 January 2008, accessed 3 April, 2009.
  12. Adrian Morgan, Contributing editor, FSM website, accessed 5 Oct 2009