Missouri Backs Water on Militias and Terrorism

Remember the Missouri Information Analysis Center report that said Ron Paul supporters and other independent or third party folks could be terrorists and recommended that law enforcement place them on watch lists? Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon (DEMOCRAT) claims "overzealousness" was to blame and has withdrawn the report.

"I'm confident that some of the overzealousness of this previously formed unit will be appropriately managed," Nixon said.

The report, which no longer is being distributed because of the controversy, says many militia members subscribe to fundamentalist Christian, anti-abortion or anti-immigration movements. It also notes that members usually support third-party presidential candidates and Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, who ran unsuccessfully for president last year.

The document was created by the Missouri Information Analysis Center, which collects intelligence from state and federal agencies to combat terrorism and criminal activity. It was designed to be read only by police and not the general public.

Anger over the report's conclusions has bubbled among conservatives for weeks. The controversy intensified Wednesday after Republican Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder held a news conference in the Capitol and called for Nixon's director of public safety to be disciplined.

Several hours after Kinder's news conference, Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. James Keathley said he had halted distribution of the report and said no future reports will be issued from the state's fusion center before he and Public Safety Director John Britt approve them.

I feel so much safer knowing that Missouri law enforcement is not behind me thinking I'm a terrorist...