A Missouri State Police report that informed officers that militias are a danger, and that many militia members subscribe to fundamentalist Christian, anti-abortion or anti-immigration movements. It also informed officers that members are usually supporters of third-party presidential candidates, such as U.S. Rep. Ron Paul.
AT reported on the outrage, and now the Missouri State Police have reportedly "shelved" the report. The Southeast Missourian writes:
Uproar over a law enforcement document linking various right-wing organizations with the modern militia movement prompted the Missouri State Highway Patrol on Wednesday to cease distribution of the report.
Outrage over the report had been brewing for weeks among conservatives who say they're unfairly singled out as possible criminals. On Wednesday morning, that anger spilled into the Capitol when Republican Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder called on Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon to place the head of the Department of Public Safety on administrative leave pending an investigation of the report. ...
The outcry prompted James Keathley, the superintendent of the highway patrol, to stop distributing the document to law enforcement officers. In a letter released Wednesday afternoon, Keathley also said he will create a process that ensures he and Department of Public Safety director John Britt will read all future reports before they are released.
"Had that report been reviewed by either my office or by leaders of the Department of Public Safety, it would never have been released to law enforcement agencies," Keathley said.
I suppose this is just an isolated incident, and doesn't reflect any ominous trends. Or maybe not.
Hat tip: Dan Cooper
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