On 3/29/10 10:37 AM, lil abner wrote:
hk wrote:


March 29, 2010 http://detnews.com/article/20100329/METRO/3290334

Militia members arrested in Sun. raid to be charged today

At least seven were taken into custody in raids by an FBI-led Joint
Terrorism Task Force in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio

JENNIFER CHAMBERS AND DOUG GUTHRIE
The Detroit News

Federal prosecutors plan to unseal charges today against members of a
self-described Christian militia arrested Saturday and Sunday in
Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.

At least seven people were taken into custody in raids by an FBI-led
Joint Terrorism Task Force as part of an investigation into an
Adrian-based unit of the Hutaree, a group that professes it is
training in modern armed combat techniques for a prophesized coming
battle with the Antichrist.

The suspects are expected to make an initial appearance in U.S.
District Court in Detroit today, according to federal authorities, who
declined to discuss the charges behind the multistate arrests.

"Jesus wanted us to be ready to defend ourselves using the sword and
stay alive using equipment ...," one of the group's purported leaders
wrote on its Web site. "We, the Hutaree, are prepared to defend all
those who belong to Christ and save those who aren't. We will still
spread the word, and fight to keep it, up to the time of the great
coming."

The group's insignia, worn as a patch on military camouflage uniforms,
is a cross-shaped sword and the letters CCR for Colonial Christian
Republic. The Hutaree Web site features links to conservative
Christian news outlets along with photos and videos of combat training
sessions under the banner, "Preparing for the end time battles to keep
the testimony of Jesus Christ alive."

U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade said in Detroit on Sunday, "There is law
enforcement activity in progress, but I decline further comment
because I don't want to adversely affect its effectiveness."

Detroit FBI Special Agent Sandra Berchtold said warrants in the case
are under court seal and declined further comment.

'Too extreme'

A member of the controversial Michigan Militia said Sunday that the
Hutaree is a nationwide organization with an ardent following in
Adrian, 10 miles from the Ohio border just west of Detroit. "Their
philosophy and ours differ in many ways, so we don't do a whole lot
with them. They are too extreme or radical for us," said Jim
Gulliksen, coordinator of the Lenaway Volunteer Michigan Militia with
membership of about a dozen in the Adrian area. "I just kind of got a
bad feeling about the group and we did not want to associate with
them. They are a little too paranoid for me."

Mike Lackomar of Michiganmilitia.com said he heard from other militia
members that the FBI targeted the Hutaree after its members made
threats of violence against Islamic organizations. Lackomar said the
members of the Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia and
Michiganmilitia.com weren't arrested.

"Last night and into today (Sunday), the FBI conducted a raid against
homes belonging to the Hutaree. They are a religious cult. They are
not part of our militia community," Lackomar said.

Lackomar said he was told there were five arrests Saturday and another
five early Sunday. The FBI declined to comment.

One of the Hutaree members called a Michigan militia leader for
assistance Saturday after federal agents already had began their raid,
Lackomar said, but the militia member -- who is of Islamic decent and
had heard about the threats -- declined to offer help. That Michigan
militia leader is now working with federal officials to provide
information on the Hutaree member for the investigation, Lackomar said
Sunday.

"They are more of a survivalist group, and in an emergency, they
withdraw and stand their ground. They are actively training to be
alongside Jesus," he said.

Gulliksen said he heard about the raids when he was in church Sunday
morning. He immediately contacted local law enforcement, "to make sure
they knew we weren't really affiliated with Hutaree."

Gulliksen said he believes national security tensions are high and the
FBI may well be focusing on conservative groups because of anger over
the federal overhaul of health care.

"A few months ago, I believe one of their (Hutaree) members down South
was arrested on some sort of weapons charge," Gulliksen said.
"Everything is getting a little nervous right now with all the threats
against congressmen and all."

Law enforcement swarmed a rural, wooded property Saturday evening near
Adrian, neighbors said. Two ramshackle trailers sat side-by-side on
the property, the door to one slightly ajar late Sunday, as if it had
been forced open.

Phyllis Brugger, who has lived in the area for more than 30 years,
said some people who lived there were known as having ties to militia.
They would shoot guns and often wore camouflage, according to Brugger
and her daughter, Heidi Wood.

"Everybody knew they were militia," Brugger said. "You don't mess with
them."

About a month ago, 50 vehicles showed up on the property, and the
women said neighbors assumed something bad was going on.

The leader of the local group, Gulliksen said, is a man who goes by RD
Merzonik on the group's Web site.

"I've met him. He's an opinionated man who likes to share those
opinions," Gulliksen said. "The Hutaree is a nationwide group, but I
have met a couple of the members here and I can say they all belong to
one specific church. Our concern is the protection of our nation.
Religion appears to be a big part of what they are doing."

Muslims shocked

Hutaree members use nicknames sometimes linked to their rank, within
an elaborate system for Hutaree soldiers that includes titles such as
"Radok, Boramander, Zulif, Arkon, Rifleman and Lukmore." A parable for
commanders suggests, "You may be a leader of flesh but in heaven,
leaders are of spirit."

Sources from the Michigan militia community said one of the FBI raids
took place Saturday during a wake for a Hutaree member who had died of
natural causes. A Hutaree leader was arrested during the wake while
agents were conducting raids.

Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council on Islamic-American
Relations of Michigan, made an announcement Sunday during the group's
anniversary banquet about receiving a call from a journalist about the
alleged threat against Muslims.

"Don't allow this news to scare you away from practicing your faith,"
Walid said.

Gasps were heard throughout the banquet hall when the news was
announced. Walid said he will call local authorities about more
information on the allegations. He urged local Muslims to recommit
themselves to their faith in light of the accusations.

The Southern Poverty Law Center recently reported a resurgence in
politically motivated militias, which emerged in the 1980s under
perceived threats to conservative rights and conspiracies about a
United Nations takeover when President George H.W. Bush spoke of a
"New World Order."

Militia groups came into the national spotlight in 1995, after the
bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City. Michigan native
Terry Nichols and Timothy McVeigh were convicted in the bombing, which
killed 168 people. Nichols and McVeigh attended Michigan Militia
events, a group which believes citizens have constitutional authority
to organized an armed force. The Michigan militia denied Nichols and
McVeigh were members.

Militia popularity declined during the administration of President
George W. Bush, but the Southern Poverty Law Center claims the number
of groups espousing anti-government doctrines and political conspiracy
theories is again rising with anxiety over a perceived liberal agenda
of President Barack Obama. The report identified 512 groups throughout
the country, including 47 in Michigan, second to Texas, with 52.



***

"Jesus wanted us to be ready to defend ourselves using the sword and
stay alive using equipment ...," one of the group's purported leaders
wrote on its Web site.


I wonder if Jesus called on his cell phone? Maybe Sarah Palin will
speak on behalf of these nutcases at their bail hearing.






Doesn't sound like they are preparing to attack government or anyone.
By the past declarations by some in the Justice Department I guess being
Christian and living in the woods or rural area and having a few
firearms they are terrorists threatening the imported Muslim threat.



These weaponed-up morons running around in the woods in "militias" are
not followers of jesus, even if they call themselves christians.


--
Conservatives - just pretend Obama's health care legislation is another
unnecessary war and you'll feel better about it.