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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

It’s Time To Learn About Militias

Idaho Secretary of State Pete Cenarrusa finally has seen the light. All he needed to flip the switch was a devastating car bomb and dozens, possibly hundreds, of dead Americans in an Oklahoma City federal building.

Now, Cenarrusa, the longest-serving public servant in Idaho history, says he was duped into lending his name and office to the militia movement. Said Cenarrusa: “I’m not supporting the militia, because I don’t know anything about them.”

In this instance, ignorance no longer is bliss.

Everyone knows that Oklahoma bombing suspect Timothy McVeigh had loose ties to the militia movement. We also should know that law-abiding groups don’t attend meetings in military fatigues and combat boots. Nor do they urge followers, as U.S. Militia Association director Samuel Sherwood apparently did at a March 2 meeting: “Go up and look legislators in the face because some day you may be forced to blow it off.”

Although belated, the renunciation of the militia movement by a rock-solid conservative like Cenarrusa is welcomed. Other elected officials who have flirted with the far-right movement should do likewise - like U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth, R-Idaho, Lt. Gov. Butch Otter and Superintendent of Schools Anne Fox.

The conservative position - smaller government, less regulation and fewer taxes - is a long-standing, honorable one, with wellreasoned advocates. But that position becomes marginalized when you add to it a hatred for government, stockpiling of weapons, vigilantism, angry rhetoric, and paramilitary training.

On the other hand, those who for political reasons intentionally blur the distinction between conservatives and the ultraright militia are shameless opportunists.

The difference between mainstream conservatives and the militia was shown clearly in Pinesdale, a small community in Ravalli County, Mont. One of Montana’s most conservative towns, Pinesdale passed a resolution in support of law enforcement when militia members squared off with county authorities.

Republican Idaho Gov. Phil Batt has it right, too.

Batt said he has no problem with the peaceful assembly of citizens. But he condemns any group that gathers with the purpose of inciting violence, spurring racism or organizing efforts aimed at violent resistance against the federal government.

Batt’s voice is one of reason in the aftermath of the horrible Oklahoma bombing. Other conservatives should heed it - as Cenarrusa finally has done.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = D.F. Oliveria/For the editorial board