MikeS: Guilty By Association?

RE: Militia forms in Bonners Ferry? Hunh?/ Huckleberries Online

MikeS: Back in the 90s I was working for the Times-News in Twin Falls. A pretty active militia group had formed and we were covering one of their meetings as were all kinds of network television crews. When I entered the meeting room at the Pioneer tavern, I saw a guy that had recently allowed me to witness the birth of his child, a unique birth since the mother was paralyzed from an ATV accident. I hurried over, gave him a big greeting, firm handshake and a “how’s the baby?” Turned out he was a member of the militia. Out of the corner of my eye I saw all the TV cameras turn in our direction. Most of the out-of-town journalists didn’t have the comfort level I had at the Pioneer. I never tuned in that night but kind of wondered if I was represented on national television as a member of a militia rather than as a small-town photojournalist.

Question: What impact will the militia forming in Bonners Ferry have on North Idaho’s image?