Militia ‘Preparing For War’ Expert Calls For A Federal Law Banning The Groups

Even after the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building, Congress still doesn’t appreciate the peril posed by militias, a leading expert says.

“The government, as a whole, does not take these groups seriously,” said lawyer-author Kenneth Stern of the American Jewish Committee.

His new book, “A Force Upon the Plain,” examines the militia movement. It was published after last April’s bombing that killed 168 people.

Two bombing suspects awaiting trial have ties to right-wing militia groups.

Many militia organizers say they abhor the violence of Oklahoma City and argue that they are arming themselves only for protection against the government.

They contend the government and federal law enforcement officers are the ones terrorizing citizens.

Stern disagrees.

Congress held hearings last year on the federal sieges at Ruby Ridge, Idaho, and Waco, Texas, but hasn’t examined the threat of domestic terrorism posed by militias, he said.

“Members of Congress don’t appreciate who these groups are and the dangers they pose,” Stern said. The Republican-controlled Congress would rather court militia sympathizers in the mistaken belief “they are our type of guys.”

Some Republicans and militia groups share common agendas opposing gun control, environmental laws and abortion, Stern said.

But militia philosophy “is out of the political mainstream,” he said.

“They are not talking about working within the system but fundamentally see themselves as preparing for war against the government.”

During a Spokane visit Monday, Stern called for a congressional investigation of militias and a federal law banning the groups.

“No American should have to live next door to a private army,” he said before speaking at Gonzaga University.

Stern estimates there are somewhere between 10,000 and 40,000 active militia members in the United States, “but there’s no way to know a precise count. The people who are watching believe it is growing.”

A researcher for the American Jewish Committee, Stern wrote a report sent to Congress just days before the Oklahoma City bombing. The report said militias were organized in 36 states and posed an increasing danger.

“Not only do militias foster terrorism, but they also give America a thuggish image,” he said. “For those reasons, there needs to be federal legislation that outlaws private armies.”

But without another act or two of domestic terrorism, Stern said, “I think the chance of getting such a law passed is zilch.”

On another topic, Stern said the “most stark form of racism” in the United States is directed at American Indians.

Blacks, Jews and other minorities wouldn’t tolerate the racist attitudes directed at Native Americans, he said.

In particular, he referred to the names of sports teams that trivialize religious and cultural values held by American Indians.

“Can you image a football team called the Washington Blackskins? Or how about the Kansas City Rabbis or the Boston Pontiffs? How about a halftime show where they paraded out a huge crucifix?”

Unlike other minorities, American Indians don’t have a national organization to champion their cause or to serve as a clearinghouse on racist incidents.

“Indians and their supporters are more interested in simple survival issues,” Stern said.

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