Mich. militia members cleared of charges that accused them of plotting war against government

Washington Post ^ | March 27, 2012 | Ed White

[CreviceTool]

DETROIT — A federal judge dismissed the most serious charges Tuesday against seven members of a Michigan militia who were rounded up as homegrown extremists accused of plotting war against the U.S., saying their expressed hatred of law enforcement didn’t amount to conspiracy against the government.

The decision is an embarrassment for the government, which secretly planted an informant and an FBI agent inside the Hutaree militia four years ago and claimed members were armed for war in rural southern Michigan.

[CreviceTool]

Holder tried to channel Janet Reno with this flimsy prosecution from hell - he succeeded in that ambition.

[Individual Rights in NJ]

It’s funny how I can read it in “conservative”. When the author says “Had weird beliefs that thousands of Canadians Troops were ready to invade Michigan.”

I read that as the reporter vaguely paraphrasing what I am guessing a reference this man must have made at some point to that NAFTA related document from the Bush admin era that recounts North American security situations, and that other bill or something I vaguely recall which changed the law on having foreign troops on our soil or something (which I don’t believe every became any kind of law).

What I mean here is, you can make anything sound extreme and unless you’re extremely familiar with details of these things, even an attempt at an explanation comes off crazy.

A unfortunate part of human nature!

[cripplecreek]

Meeks lives less than a mile from me. He’s not my kind of people but he’s also no threat.

He wants to be left alone and believe what he wishes to believe, just like I do.

[radioone]

Once Obamacare is found Constitutional and we find there are no more “limits” on Federal Power, it should be an easy reach that even “thinking” about an overthrow, or maybe just disagreeing with government will be grounds for incarceration, or worse.

[TigersEye]

...and claimed members were armed for war in rural southern Michigan.

One of the founding principles of our nation is that every American should be prepared for war. I don't think it was ever a requirement but at one time it was very strongly encouraged. Barring some serious incapacitating condition.

[muir_redwoods]

I contend that preparing to wage war against the government is a patriotic act, the more so as the government continues it’s march toward tyranny.

Plotting is different from being prepared should the necessity arise.

[Peter Libra]

This is of course good news. A sobering second read by me, noted that David Stone and his son, Joshua had been held without bond for two years. I, not being too familiar with Michigan procedures would assume held in some sort of custody. Pretty near a guilty sentence in it's self. They still face gun charges on Thursday, it read.

I will have to do some reading on the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. The apparent prohibition of military being used against civilians, where ordinary law enforcement should be enlisted. Twice been ignored however in the last forty years or so.

[RicocheT]

This federal judge looked at the prosecution’s evidence and ruled the prosecution had not proved acts occurred sufficient to show violations as charged. The judge ruled from the bench and did not send the case to the jury. This is rarely done and it is good to see some judges hold to the ideas of fairness and justice.

[Sarajevo]

There are those in government that are scared........very scared.

[Bon mots]

Thomas Jefferson himself saw where the Republic was headed and once said, with regret:

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
It is its natural manure.
                                        ~ Thomas Jefferson