[Vision2020] Militia Story Raises Questions

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (February 25, 2012) Moscow-Pullman Daily News with sincere thanks to Bertie and Jim Weddell of Pullman and Frances and Frank Rodriguez of Moscow.

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Militia story raises questions
Responsible journalism should stimulate discussion, not stifle it. But Brandon Macz's article on "Militias on the Palouse" did just that (Daily News, Feb. 11 & 12). By devoting more than 2,400 words to the opinions of those who believe that militia members are harmless victims of the media, Macz created a set up: anyone who is concerned about militias is either prejudiced or has been duped by the media.
Nevertheless, we do have concerns about issues that were obscured by Macz. According to Macz, the Palouse Lightfoot Militia's mission is to respond to natural disasters. Why do they need guns, military training and camo? Is Macz aware their own Web page describes this militia as a "deterrent, defensive force"? Are they anticipating armed conflict? With whom? Why don't the militia members express their commitment to community safety by joining a community emergency response team instead of a militia?
Why didn't Macz mention the fact that the Palouse Lightfoot Militia's Web site says: "thanks to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) . . . ANYONE even slightly to the right of Che Guevera is a racist, gun-stockpiling, militia, racist goon." What do the militia members have against the Southern Poverty Law Center? Is Macz aware last month the Daily News carried a story about a partnership between the SPLC and Whitman College to teach school children in Walla Walla about civil rights? Are supporters of the SPLC not welcome in the militia, which claims to be nonpolitical?
A follow-up article addressing these questions would be very helpful.
Bertie and Jim Weddell
Pullman
Frances and Frank Rodriguez
Moscow
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If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck . . 

Seeya later, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Post Falls, Idaho

"If not us, who?
If not now, when?"

- Unknown


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