Backwoods militias suspected of being behind biowar threat

THE FBI's domestic terrorism unit is investigating the possible role of illegal militia groups in the spate of anthrax outbreaks in Florida and New York.

Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma bomber who killed 168 people when he blew up a federal building in 1995, was a supporter of one such group, the National Alliance.

Others have threatened to use biological weapons, including anthrax, botulism, and ricin, in their struggle against what they see as a global conspiracy between the US administration and the United Nations to disarm and enslave them. Every state has its own "patriot" group of disaffected right-wing Christian radicals opposed to central government and federal regulations. Most are organised along paramilitary lines.

The FBI estimates their numbers at up to 40,000, with the larger militias in backwoods country areas. They claim they are mobilising to fight the "New World Order".

In places like Idaho, Texas, Montana and West Virginia, they wear army surplus camouflage uniforms and train with assault rifles and explosives against the day when they might have to defend themselves against direct interference from the federal authorities.

They range in outlook from Pat Robertson, a failed 1988 presidential candidate, with his vision of a "Christian America" to the sinister Posse Comitatus, Aryan Nations and Minnesota Patriots' Council, who favour armed insurrection.

All have links with the National Rifle Association, the influential lobby group which represents weapons' manufacturers, hunters and gun clubs and campaigns for the right of all Americans "to own and bear arms".

There is some doubt as to whether this right is enshrined legally in the American constitution but the NRA has powerful supporters in both senate and congress and no-one has yet managed successfully to challenge the all-pervasive nationwide gun culture.

Most of the militias' philosophy is based on white-supremacist principles, looking down on blacks as "mud people" and Jews as instigators of the global plot against them and manipulators of the world economy for their own benefit.

Despite their redneck reputation, they have developed a sophisticated communications network using computer e-mail, shortwave radio, and fax. The North American Patriots, a group with members from California to Kansas, publish a newsletter entitled Firearms and Freedom.

After the disastrous FBI storming of the Branch Davidian headquarters in Waco, Texas, and the Ruby Ridge stand-off fiasco, where an FBI sniper killed an unarmed woman in a mountain cabin, the militias have turned to the threat of biological weapons to up the ante.

In January 1999, police and security forces responded to 30 anthrax hoaxes in southern California alone. Since then, there have been thousands of false alarms across the country.

Many aimed at government buildings, including deliveries of envelopes containing suspicious white powder, were militia inspired. Others targeting schools, hospitals or newspapers were sent by disgruntled former employees or jilted lovers.

However, the FBI has never discounted the possibility someone might lay hands on lethal biological agents. In 1992, two members of the Minnesota Patriots' Council were arrested carrying vials of ricin, an extremely dangerous toxin. They intended to use the substance to kill police officers over a local feud.

Larry Wayne Harris of the Aryan Nations managed to buy samples of bubonic plague over the internet. Fortunately, the plague bacteria were inert.

Three members of the Republic of Texas bought what they thought was anthrax in 1998. It turned out to be anthrax serum, the liquid used to inoculate people against the infection.

An FBI source said yesterday that up to 80% of the weapons of mass destruction inquiries carried out in the last few years involved the threat of anthrax.

Before the death of a British-born newspaperman in Florida last week, only 28 people in the US had died from effects of the bacterium in the last 100 years.

Before biowar became a potentially popular hobby, anthrax was known as "wool-shearer's disease" because it had been contracted only by farmworkers in close contact with sheep, a prime carrier of the infection.

An FBI source said: "We can never rule out al Qaeda's possible role in the current deliberate spread of anthrax. It is causing more panic than anything else and has not, thankfully, been disseminated in a very efficient way if the object was to inflict casualties.

"But our own militias may also have a hand in some or all of the incidents. Copycats and hoaxers could also be having a field day. The problem is, we just can't afford to drop our guard."

--been waiting for this to start. We'll see if the US press and the goobermint will start parroting similar. Already saw senator bil graham of florida say something might close to this day after the wtc/pentagon attack. he started mumbling noise about 'timothy mc veigh" and "militia" and etc. Senate intel committee.

I know it might be painful for some consider, but clinton is *not* president anymore, the stuff that's happening can't be constantly blamed on him, not all of it. a lot of it, sure, but not all of it. Comes a time you have to realise it's bush and the repubs running the show now, so what happens is on their watch, that's just reality.

We'll see what happens. I'm not really liking some the rhetoric lately. so far, it's still sort of more or less business as usual domestically, well, if you discount the new and improved gutting of the constitution they are pushing.

would be nice if they just concentrated on getting the illegals out of the country en masse instead of this other stuff they are doing.

Wonder why exactly that they aren't? too good of an idea, might dramatically reduce the internal terror threats, might actually go a long way to make the country more secure?

We'll see if it gets worse. Right now I am 50/50 on this administration, by no means are they 100% pure e-vile like the klintoons, but too much weird stuff is still going on to ignore. Granted, this is an english newspaper, written with very little in the way of accuracy, but still....the track record of the US media isn't much better, demonization of various people, notably firearms owners and proponents of honesty in government, gets you an official government and media description of "dangerous". If you question strange happenings in government, that makes you "anti-government" fully, even see that here on this forum a lot. Even just questioning, not even accusing, just expressing a desire to investigate and discuss the possibilites that maybe there are some bad and crooked elements in government gets you labeled as a commie, or anarchist, or some such term.

That's why I think it's better to stay independent and non aligned with any major party. Being aligned might tend to make you overlook questionable actions, or excuse them too readily. Extremely easy if you are talking about 'the other guys", not so easy when "your guys" are "in power", which is a curious phrase we use describing an administration, isn't it? "In power".

Sure would be nice one 4 year period if the people were "in power" sometime.

Wow, what a steaming load of...

Man, where do I start?

Pat Robertson wears camouflage and trains with assault rifles out in the woods? BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! This writer doesn't have a clue, does he?

All have links with the National Rifle Association,

"All", eh? Such ridiculous overstatement is a sure sign of either an incompetent propagandist, or a totally unreliable "reporter" who reports his preconceptions as if they were fact. And what, if anything, does he mean by "links"? Never trust a "reporter" who uses vague innuendo instead of clear language supported by evidence.

</Liberal wishful-thinking mantra OFF>

What nonsense. While there are some militia groups based on "white supremacist principles" it's utterly false to say that "most" are. In truth, "most" are based on concerns that the Constitution is in danger, and are as conscientious of liberty for all as anyone.

I still laugh about the fact that Phil Donahue had the Michigan Militia send a representative to appear on his show, and Phil was all set to grill him about the group's alleged racism -- only to discover that the MM representative was black.

Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma bomber who killed 168 people when he blew up a federal building in 1995, was a supporter of one such group, the National Alliance.

It was Eloheim City, not the National Alliance.

Names?

Every state has its own "patriot" group of disaffected right-wing Christian radicals opposed to central government and federal regulations. Most are organised along paramilitary lines.

They aren't all Christians. Nice tag, DMF.

The FBI estimates their numbers at up to 40,000, with the larger militias in backwoods country areas. They claim they are mobilising to fight the "New World Order".

Wow, genius, you got one right.

In places like Idaho, Texas, Montana and West Virginia, they wear army surplus camouflage uniforms and train with assault rifles

They don't have 'assault rifles'. They are illegal without a class III, genius.

and explosives against the day when they might have to defend themselves against direct interference from the federal authorities.

Any proof?

They range in outlook from Pat Robertson, a failed 1988 presidential candidate, with his vision of a "Christian America"

Pat Robertson is part of that group? I never knew that....(/Sacrasm)

to the sinister Posse Comitatus, Aryan Nations and Minnesota Patriots' Council, who favour armed insurrection.

Tagging all by the actions of a few Nazi's.

That is the BS. Most of them HATE the NRA. That is the biggest pile of BS I've ever heard. I'm sending a letter there.

There is some doubt as to whether this right is enshrined legally in the American constitution

No there isn't. Read the constitution.

but the NRA has powerful supporters in both senate and congress and no-one has yet managed successfully to challenge the all-pervasive nationwide gun culture.

Yeah, because there are 5 million of us that are defending ourselves from jerks like you.

I don't like militias, but they aren't Nazi's. I know a few of these people. They don't give a rip about race or Jews, but the UN.

Wow, genius, you actually got one right.

Proof?

In January 1999, police and security forces responded to 30 anthrax hoaxes in southern California alone. Since then, there have been thousands of false alarms across the country.

Do you have proof of who did it?

Proof?

OK, you got two jerks and you blame the NRA, who these people hate. F-you Bruce, you stupid piece of crap.

Larry Wayne Harris of the Aryan Nations managed to buy samples of bubonic plague over the internet. Fortunately, the plague bacteria were inert.

Aryan Nations is not one of us.

Three members of the Republic of Texas bought what they thought was anthrax in 1998. It turned out to be anthrax serum, the liquid used to inoculate people against the infection.

They failed.

An FBI source said yesterday that up to 80% of the weapons of mass destruction inquiries carried out in the last few years involved the threat of anthrax.

And whose behind it? Source? Proof?

"But our own militias may also have a hand in some or all of the incidents. Copycats and hoaxers could also be having a field day. The problem is, we just can't afford to drop our guard."

Innocent until proven guilty, jackass.

And once again, I don't like 'militia groups', but where's the f'ing proof?

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.