Posted on 03/24/2009 5:41:02 AM PDT by GoldStandard
A state security report that's causing an uproar among conservatives has led to an apology from the head of Missouri's Public Safety Department.
The 8-page report was produced by the Missouri Information Analysis Center. It was designed to be a training document for law enforcement on how to identify homegrown threats. But considerable backlash from conservatives has prompted an apology from the state.
The report, entitled "The Modern Militia Movement," paints right wing groups as a potential domestic security threat.
But how those groups are defined is what has caused the uproar.
"It seems like it's an attack on a lot of right wing views, a lot of views that I find very sacred," said conservative Clayton Bowler of Springfield.
Christians, anti-abortionists, tax resistors, anti-immigration advocates and supporters of third party candidates like Ron Paul are all listed as characteristics of "ideologies" to watch out for.
"I started reading it, and I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, that sounds like me in some of these things.' I'm a Christian, I'm pro-life, I'm a conservative," said Bowler, who stumbled upon the report accidentally while surfing through the blogosphere.
That Internet chatter quickly trickled up to Jefferson City, where conservative lawmakers were poised to take action this week.
"I don't want to evolve into a society where people are watched just because they're out participating in some freedom of speech activity," said State Rep. Shane Schoeller of Willard. (To view more video of Schoeller's comments, click HERE.)
By late Monday afternoon, the Department of Public Safety apologized for targeting any third party political candidates in its report.
"I have ordered that the offending report be edited to excise all reference to Ron Paul, Bob Barr or Chuck Baldwin," wrote Department of Public Safety Director John Britt in a letter to the candidates released to KY3 News. "I regret that those components were ultimately included," Britt went on.
"While the intent of the report was only to identify certain traits that are sometimes shared by members of militia organizations, this report is too easily misinterpreted as suggesting that militia members may be identified by no other indicator than support for a particular candidate or political organization," wrote Britt.
That apology still doesn't go far enough for some conservatives, and Republicans believe the controversy could cause a political program for Gov. Jay Nixon, whose name appears on the report's letterhead.
Missourians United For Life has filed a complaint with the American Civil Liberties Union against Nixon, who is, for now, standing by the rest of the report.
That offends Bowler.
"There's a better way to say it. You can say anti-Semite without using the word Christian," said Bowler. "I think it needs to be written from a more balanced perspective," he said.
This is fine as far as it goes, but it leaves the unanswered questions of “who” wrote it, “why” and “how” was it to be used. More digging needs to be done as it sounds like elements of Missouri state government have a tyrannical streak in them.
John Britt needs to either be more forthcoming or be fired.
Notice, he regrets that they were included.
He doesn't say it's wrong, he just regrets it they were included.
"While the intent of the report was only to identify certain traits that are sometimes shared by members of militia organizations, this report is too easily misinterpreted as suggesting that militia members may be identified by no other indicator than support for a particular candidate or political organization," wrote Britt.
BS!
The intent of the report was to vilify conservatives, to give "Law Enforcement" a valid reason for harrassment of same conservatives.
If you've read the report, do you notice that there's not one liberal trait to look for? It's ALL conservative traits.
They merely “apologized” for including Paul, Barr and Baldwin, yet no word about the other “characeteristics of a terroris” like “Christian, tax resister, anti-abortionist”?
Low volume ping list
FReepmail me to be on, or off, this list.
“Missourians United For Life has filed a complaint with the American Civil Liberties Union against Nixon”
He’s dead, Jim.
Lipstick on a pig.
It doesn't surprise me that the GOP is now officially considered a "third party", but I'm still trying to figure out who that leaves as the "second" party.
And yet there have been over 2000 crimes committed by ELF (a leftist group and likey members of that 3rd party, the Green party) and 4 members are on the FBI's most wanted list. source: Glenn Beck's show last night.
To say nothing about ACORN’s criminal activities in and around St. Louis.
Excellent point.
I would consider it an honor if the government thought it needed to fear me.
“The Modern Militia Movement,” paints right wing groups as a potential domestic security threat.
It only threatens fascist minded politicians bent on destroying the United States.
How much do you want to bet that this was a ploy to protect radical Leftists and Islamic Jihadists from being looked at? You just run this crap against Christians and Conservatives and use the backlash to put ALL ideology and religious beliefs off limits?
“Apologized?”
Once upon a time, my brother and I were rough housing and he accidentally jammed his thumb in my eye. He apologized and, suddenly, it was as if nothing had ever happened. It was weird. (/s)
Amen, FRiend.
The problem is that our goobermint isn’t smart enough to fear its citizens. If they were, they would be able to smell the revolution that is brewing.
You kidding me, in MO I would be a person to watch since I have a Gadsen Flag and an NRA sticker on my truck.
My fiance informed me of my person of interest status...
Bomb throwers would likely not have an NRA sticker on their vehicle. The MHP and Department of Public safety overlooks the obvious again.
This is a protected group so it's not PC to mention this problem.
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