If You Are Reading This, You May Already be a Terrorist

The State of Missouri Information Analysis Center recently issued a no-longer-secret report on domestic terrorism. The Feb. 20 report called "The Modern Militia Movement" specifically identifies people who "display Campaign for Liberty, Constitution Party, or Libertarian material. These members are usually supporters of former Presidential candidate: Ron Paul, Chuck Baldwin, and Bob Barr." The report identifies red flags that can identify potential domestic terrorists:

• Bumper stickers for third-party candiates like Ron Paul
• Talk of "New World Order" conspiracy theories
• Opposition to the Federal Reserve and support of the gold standard
• Opposition to US Army takeover of Homeland Security
• Opposition to the North American Union
• Opposition to universal military service
• Tax resistance
• Possession of subversive literature: "pictures, cartoons, bumper stickers that contain anti-government rhetoric. Most of this material will depict the FRS, IRS, FBI, ATF, CIA, UN, Law Enforcement, and 'New World Order' in a derogatory manner."

One of the examples shown is the Gadsden Flag ("Don't Tread on Me"). Lt. John Hotz of the Missouri State Highway Patrol said the report comes from publicly available, trend data on militias. It was compiled by the Missouri Information Analysis Center, a "fusion center" in Jefferson City that combines resources from the federal Department of Homeland Security and other agencies. "All this is an educational thing," Hotz said of the report. "Troopers have been shot by members of groups, so it's our job to let law enforcement officers know what the trends are in the modern militia movement." This was not meant to be a public report (although it was not technically classified). Since it is partially compiled from the federal Department of Homeland Security and other agencies, it would be reasonable to assume that other states and localities are preparing similar reports, and is an indication that these federal agencies have similar perspectives.