Could Someone Please Explain…
Posted by MEC on March 29, 2010
… why the “Christian” militia members who were arrested this weekend for plotting to kill law-enforcement officers in order to spark an uprising against the U.S. government are not considered terrorists?
The federal indictment [PDF file] cites five charges against them, including “attempt to use weapons of mass destruction”, but does not mention “terrorist” or “terrorism”.
Is it because they’re grossly distorting the teachings of the Bible, not the Koran?
12 Responses to “Could Someone Please Explain…”
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Charles II said
There’s no good reason. They were charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction. That is by definition, terrorism. Maybe the prosecutors will add a charge of terrorism if they want to put additional pressure on these guys, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
Phoenix Woman said
As David “DDay” Dayen points out, this is the same stuff the Mahdi Army does. So is it terrorism yet?
Stormcrow said
PW, check out Count One.
Gawd Dayam. I’ve never heard that particular word mentioned in an actual Grand Jury indictment before in my life. Until I read that one.
Compared to that, “terrorism” is a Johnny-Come-Lately misdemeanor.
These guys are in a LOT of trouble.
Charles II said
I dunno, Stormcrow. Terrorism can get you disappeared, tortured, and/or dead from said torture. Being an AmCit has proven to be a pretty feeble defense.
I would point you to USC 2332b [granted, this transcends international borders, but if the Huttaree had a day trip to Canada to buy lunch, that probably would have sufficed] in which it says that conspiring to commit an offense is punished as harshly as the offense itself. Conspiracy for murder gets the death penalty.
MEC said
Last night, Keith Olbermann emphasized that the Hutaree were preparing for war against Antichrist, and that 24% of Republicans believe Barack Obama is the Antichrist. I’ve seen no evidence that the Hutaree had explicitly made that connection, but I firmly believe that the election of a black man as President set them off. On the same show, Mark Potok of the Southern Poverty Law Center said that the Hutaree began their activities in 2008.
Charles II said
I guess having a black man as president is almost the same as six billion people perishing in famine, hate, disease, war, and mostly going to hell.
MEC said
Emptywheel points out, “This group started conspiring war against the United States on August 16, 2008, [soon] after Obama got the presidential nomination. And Obama is scheduled to appear before University of Michigan’s graduation on May 1.”
Heckuva coincidence there.
Charles II said
To “Deadatheism”: You may notice that your off-topic, mentally-iffy post is missing.
Deadatheism said: “Crystal Night, Atheists!”
You might be surprised, but invoking the events that led up to the Holocaust is likely to make people think you are an extremist. If I thought you were more mentally focused, I might think this was intended as a death threat, though to whom would be unclear. As it is, it sounds more like a loon wailing over the moor.
Deadatheism said, “DOWN THE TOILET!!!”
This is exactly what we do with spam, which this comment was. Except that we save a copy, just in case it proves necessary to contact your service provider or some other authority figure.
Speaking of which, did you know that your IP is 24.203.53.144? That corresponds to Le Groupe Videotron Ltee VLCA 150 Beaubien Ouest Montreal QC H2V-1C4 CA. I mention this simply to give you fair warning that if you want to try to continue using this site to spread hate, it will be rather easy to ask your ISP to remind you of your terms of service.
And here I thought all Canadians were such polite and civil sorts.
Phoenix Woman said
He’s Dennis Markuze from Montreal and he’s indeed certifiable:
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/09/update_on_dennis_markuze.php
He uses various pseudonyms, including David Mabus.
Charles II said
Yes, well he just took his third tour through with this nonsense, and at this point it’s not even rolling around the rim before hitting the spam bucket. Interestingly, this is a new IP (72.12.103.179), corresponding to CIDC Internal use 1575 Henri-Bourrassa W. #255 Montreal QC H3M-3A9 CA. Hacking? Or just multiple accounts?
The latest advises adding comment moderation to the blog. Whatever demons are roiling around inside this character seem to be fighting with one another.
Stormcrow said
Both IPs are in Montreal so at first glance I’d doubt hacking. If he were laundering his connection that way, the victim system could just as easily be in Montevideo or Paris.
Charles II said
Good point, Stormcrow.
One has to wonder about someone who pays for completely different accounts simply to post unintelligible but threatening material online.