‘Fusion center’ data draws fire over assertions

Politics, banners seen as suspect.

By T.J. Greaney Columbia Daily Tribune

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Tim Neal of Miller County was shocked recently when he heard a radio program about a strategic report compiled by state and federal law enforcement agencies to combat terrorism.

Titled “The Modern Militia Movement,” the report is dated Feb. 20 and designed to help police identify militia members or domestic terrorists. Red flags outlined in the document include political bumper stickers such as those for U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, talk of conspiracy theories such as the plan for a mega-highway from Canada to Mexico and possession of subversive literature. But when Neal read the report, he couldn’t help but think it described him. A military veteran and a delegate to the 2008 Missouri Republican state convention, he didn’t appreciate being lumped in with groups like the Neo-Nazis.
[MORE]

View the Report Here

MIAC Strategic Report

Stereotyping AKA Profiling

Succinct Summary from the REASON blog:

"The MIAC report should probably be revised. It also claimed that opponents of ILLEGAL immigration were more likely to me militia members. Since the majority of Americans oppose illegal immigration, that means that the majority of Americans are more likely than average Americans to be in militias. That is not possible."

What purpose could it serve putting the majority of Americans into a suspect class?

Missouri report on militias, terrorists draws criticism

The Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. | A new document meant to help Missouri law enforcement agencies identify militia members or domestic terrorists has drawn criticism for some of the warning signs mentioned.

The Feb. 20 report called "The Modern Militia Movement" mentions such red flags as political bumper stickers for third-party candidates, such as U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, who ran for president last year; talk of conspiracy theories, such as the plan for a superhighway linking Canada to Mexico; and possession of subversive literature.

"It seems like they want to stifle political thought," said Roger Webb, president of the University of Missouri campus Libertarians. "There are a lot of third parties out there, and none of them express any violence. In fact, if you join the Libertarian Party, one of the things you sign in your membership application is that you don't support violence as a means to any ends."

But state law enforcement officials said the report is being misinterpreted.

Lt. John Hotz of the Missouri State Highway Patrol said the report comes from publicly available, trend data on militias. It was compiled by the Missouri Information Analysis Center, a "fusion center" in Jefferson City that combines resources from the federal Department of Homeland Security and other agencies. The center, which opened in 2005, was set up to collect local intelligence to better combat terrorism and other criminal activity, he said.

"All this is an educational thing," Hotz said of the report. "Troopers have been shot by members of groups, so it's our job to let law enforcement officers know what the trends are in the modern militia movement."

But Tim Neal, a military veteran and delegate to last year's state GOP convention, was shocked by the report's contents.

"I was going down the list and thinking, 'Check, that's me,'" he said. "I'm a Ron Paul supporter, check. I talk about the North American union, check. I've got the 'America: Freedom to Fascism' video loaned out to somebody right now. So that means I'm a domestic terrorist? Because I've got a video about the Federal Reserve?"

Neal, who has a Ron Paul bumper sticker on his car, said the next time he is pulled over by a police officer, he won't know whether it's because he was speeding or because of his political views.

"If a police officer is pulling me over with my family in the car and he sees a bumper sticker on my vehicle that has been specifically identified as one that an extremist would have in their vehicle, the guy is probably going to be pretty apprehensive and not thinking in a rational manner," Neal said. "And this guy's walking up to my vehicle with a gun."

But Hotz said using factors in the report to determine whether someone could be a terrorist is not profiling. He said people who display signs or bumper stickers from third-party groups are not in danger of harassment from police.

"It's giving the makeup of militia members and their political beliefs," Hotz said of the report. "It's not saying that everybody who supports these candidates is involved in a militia. It's not even saying that all militias are bad."

Posted on Sat, Mar. 14, 2009 02:22 PM

Garden City Bank consents to FDIC order

by Mark Davis on February 27, 2009 - 3:41pm
KC Star

Regulators have ordered the Garden City Bank, which has a Lee’s Summit branch, to clean up its loan problems, evaluate management and present a business plan.

[more]

From the Desk of Senator Claire McCaskill

From:Senator McCaskill [mailto: senator_mccaskill@mccaskill.senate.gov]
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 12:44 PM
To: johnmitchell@winning.com
Subject: From the Desk of Senator Claire McCaskill

Dear Mr. Mitchell:

I just want to set the record straight in regards to the recently passed Economic Recovery Act.

First, this legislation provides one of the largest tax cuts in American history. Unlike tax cuts passed in the Bush administration, these tax cuts will go to most people who live in Missouri, instead of primarily helping those people who make more than a million dollars a year. Almost one third of the bill, over $247 billion, will go back directly into the pockets of hard working, middle class families and individuals. Also included are a series of important tax cuts for small businesses that are the engine of our economy. These small businesses will be a big help in creating jobs to get us out of this economic mess.

Second, this legislation provides a massive investment in our roads, bridges, electric grid, railways, alternative energy, rural broadband, and scientific research. Jobs, jobs, jobs – millions of jobs. Within hours of the President signing the bill, Missouri was the first state to put people to work as MoDOT began fixing a dangerous bridge over the Osage River near Tuscumbia using the additional federal dollars for Missouri’s highways. We will receive $637.1 million in additional funds for Missouri roads and bridges.

There is a lot of misinformation about this legislation out there. All of the spending in this bill is through formula funding or competitive grants or loans. There are no earmarks. The money in the bill for rapid transit will be available to eight different high traffic corridors in our country, and they must compete for those funds. There is no bullet train to Las Vegas in this bill. Yes there is some funding for helping American manufacturers build alternative energy products, including batteries. Once again, this will create jobs and has the added benefit of getting us out from under the thumb of foreign oil.

This legislation is not perfect, but the Chamber of Commerce, most Republican governors in this country, economic experts, and the National Association of Manufacturers supported it. And the alternative was to do nothing. With thousands of Missourians losing their jobs every month, doing nothing just didn’t cut it for me. I’m proud I was able to work with some of my Republican colleagues to take some spending out of this bill that wasn’t going to create jobs and add oversight and accountability.

We have to remember that America can handle any problem that comes along. Our work ethic and ingenuity will prevail. This tax cut and stimulative spending will not cure the illness, but it will stop the bleeding. Together the tough grit of the American people will ultimately cure the illness. Don’t bet on failure, not in America .

All best,

Senator Claire McCaskill

---

Sunday, March 1, 2009 5:02 PM

Senator McCaskill:

This is an amazing email from you Senator. It is so full of distortions and lies I find it unbelievable that you would expect any one to believe you. Over 70% of Americans are against this gigantic barrel of pork. To say is does not have any pork is a gigantic lie. You know it is a reward bill for the far left that supported BO’s left wing agenda. How much does Acorn get (I know you love them because they illegally helped get you elected)?

There is not anything to help the economy recover but a massive government spending to reward Democrat toadies and enhance the governments rule over American citizens.

You are very rich so the economy will not affect you. Our children and grand children can not afford this gigantic spending package.

You must believe that if you tell the big lie long enough Americans are stupid enough to believe it.

I’ll even bet you will support Kathleen Sebelius for Health Secretary. This is the friend of late term baby killer “The Death Doctor” Tiller. Sebelius called this abortion provider a Kansas health care provider. He gave thousands to her campaign for Governor of Kansas.

She will fit nicely in BO’ cabinet of tax cheats and liars

Sincerely

John Mitchell