Terrorism in the USA:threat & response

[JPS]

The WMD charge is predicated on the seeking of manufacture of EFPs. A wee bit of a stretch in my humble opinion but if an EFP is a WMD...

[Schmedlap]

WMD in Iraq was a purely rhetorical argument. One cannot even attempt to objectively prove or disprove rhetoric.

[jmm99]

Weapon of mass destruction; specifically this section:

The US Code provides several different definitions of weapons of mass destruction, applicable in different contexts:

For the general purposes of national defense,[19] US Code[20] defines a weapon of mass destruction as:

"any weapon or device that is intended, or has the capability, to cause death or serious bodily injury to a significant number of people through the release, dissemination, or impact of—

toxic or poisonous chemicals or their precursors;

a disease organism; or

radiation or radioactivity."[21]

For the purposes of the prevention of weapons proliferation,[22] US Code defines weapons of mass destruction as:

"chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, and chemical, biological, and nuclear materials used in the manufacture of such weapons."[23]

For the purposes of US Criminal law concerning terrorism,[24] weapons of mass destruction are defined as:

"any destructive device as defined in section 921 of this title;

any weapon that is designed or intended to cause death or serious bodily injury through the release, dissemination, or impact of toxic or poisonous chemicals, or their precursors;

any weapon involving a biological agent, toxin, or vector ...; or

any weapon that is designed to release radiation or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life."[25]

The cited section 921 defines a destructive device as:

"any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas—bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces [113 grams], missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce [7 grams], mine, or device similar to any of the devices described in the preceding clauses...."[26]

19.^ US CODE: Title 50—War and National Defense
20.^ US CODE: 50, ch. 40—Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction
21.^ US CODE: 50, ch. 40, § 2302. Definitions
22.^ US CODE: 50, ch. 43—Preventing Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism
23.^ US CODE: 50, ch. 43; § 2902. Definitions
24.^ US CODE: Chapter 113B—Terrorism
25.^ US CODE: Title 18, § 2332a. Use of weapons of mass destruction
26.^ US CODE: Title 18, § 921. Definitions

Context, context, context.

[Seabee]

Are any of these "heroes" ex military?

[carl]

Ken's take on all this is the wisest. I wouldn't make any kind of judgment until the exact details of the offenses are known, what evidence they have and, maybe most important, who exactly the "undercover agent" was and how he fit into the whole thing.

[davidbfpo]

A curious, if wandering NYT article 'Militia Draws Distinctions Between Groups' and within is this:

The crucial moment of that tension came Saturday night when one of the Stone family members — desperate and on the run from the law — called the local militia commander, Matt Savino, and begged for help in getting guns or shelter. Mr. Savino offered neither, not only refusing to help but in fact calling the State Police, who passed the call to the F.B.I.

Note:

Mr. Savino said that he converted to Islam in the late 1990s...

Now that seems likely to be a catalyst for angst amidst the militia scene; a comment from an armchair afar.

Link:http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/01/us/01michigan.html?hp

[bourbon]

A curious, if wandering NYT article 'Militia Draws Distinctions Between Groups' and within is this:

Note:Now that seems likely to be a catalyst for angst amidst the militia scene; a comment from an armchair afar.

Link:http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/01/us/01michigan.html?hp

Maybe, but it is an inaccurate perception that religion or racial issues are the main driving issues behind the militia movement - or at least in the 1990's version.

The hipsters from Vice magazine had a good program on VBS.TV called Norm’s Militia Scrapbook, where they went and talked with the founding members of the Michigan Militia. It is an illuminating video; these guys weren’t hung up on any racial or religious issues.

[jmm99]

From the NY Times, Militia Members Released Until Trial in Michigan Plot:

By NICK BUNKLEY
Published: May 3, 2010

DETROIT — A federal judge on Monday ordered that nine members of an extremist militia accused of plotting to kill police officers be freed on bond until their trial, saying that prosecutors did not demonstrate that the defendants would pose a danger if released.

The judge, Victoria A. Roberts of Federal District Court, said the defendants would be subject to home detention, electronic monitoring and curfews. Judge Roberts said they were not allowed to have access to weapons or have contact with one another unless their lawyers were present.
....
“They were talking about killing police officers,” Leslie Larsen, the Federal Bureau of Investigation agent in charge of the Hutaree investigation, testified. “I don’t think you can joke around about that.”

Judge Roberts and the defendants’ lawyers expressed frustration that Ms. Larsen was unable to answer most questions she was asked, generally saying that she needed to review her notes or that she had not read many of the reports her colleagues had prepared about the group.

Ronald W. Waterstreet, an assistant United States attorney, told the judge that about 25 Hutaree members had not been indicted and could potentially help the defendants flee if they were released. But Judge Roberts cited the other members who had not been charged with any crimes as reason to believe “the offenses charged against these defendants may not be as serious as the government contends.”

Judge Roberts' official bio and Wiki.