Alabama says Libertarians are Terrorists! Options

[Seeker]

Browse on over to the Alabama Homeland Security website: http://www.homelandsecurity.alabama.gov/ta...ti-gov_grps.htm

They say that anyone who believes in the principles of the U.S. Constitution, the 2nd amendment, small government, anti-war and foreign intervention then you just might be a terrorist! Funny thing is, these are Libertarian beliefs.

Opposition to a strong federal government is not new. The first Continental Congress wrestled with this issue when they first created the “Articles of Confederationâ€Â before our present day Constitution. George Washington marched troops into Pennsylvania to uphold the power of the Federal Government to collect taxes. In fact, we fought a civil war over the issue of individual and states versus federal rights.

Today’s anti-government groups have their origins in the shock and outrage among a number of groups to include gun rights groups, tax protestors, and white supremacists over the government actions with the Branch Davidian religious cult at Waco and and white supremacist Randy Weaver at Ruby Ridge along with recent laws that limited gun ownership. A coalition of these groups called for the formation of “leaderless resistanceâ€Â groups—the beginning of “unorganized militiasâ€Â. Few people involved in this self styled “Patriot Movementâ€Â are criminals but there are some on the extreme fringe that are convinced that the Government has been subverted and that their freedoms must be aggressively defended to the point of attacks on our governing institutions.

In general, these terrorists claim that the U.S. government is infringing on their individual rights, and/or that the government's policies are criminal and immoral. Such groups may hold that the current government is violating the basic principles laid out by the U.S. Constitution and that a new world order is attempting to enslave humanity. Some groups also believe that the government and other organizations are transgressing the rule of God as described in the Bible. Some groups see themselves as separate nations within the United States, taking the initiative to establish their own laws and common-law courts.

Blog Commentary:

http://www.chrisbrunner.com/2007/05/09/lib...ate-of-alabama/

The Alabama Department of Homeland Security (ALDHS), established in June of 2003, has recently constructed a website that defines Domestic Terrorists as those who oppose gun control and a strong federal government.

Under the heading “Anti-Government Groupsâ€Â, the site displays a flag that is widely considered one of the first symbols of American patriotism and reads, “In general, these terrorists claim that the U.S. government is infringing on their individual rights, and/or that the government's policies are criminal and immoral. Such groups may hold that the current government is violating the basic principles laid out by the U.S. Constitutionâ€Â¦Ã¢€Â

While Anarchism is defined by a lack state control and Communism is a maximization state control, two polar opposite concepts, the page that follows reads, “Anarchists groups are the 21st Century’s version of left wing or communist groups of the last. Anarchists believe that any government or organization that has power over othersâ€Â¦will eventually become corrupt and abusive.â€Â

If I’m not mistaken, the idea that government, if not kept in check, will become corrupt and abusive was first made popular in this country by our founding fathers, not a bunch of terrorist anarchist groups. This was the very reason for the implementation of the United States Constitution! In fact even Section 35 of the Alabama Constitution warns of this danger is it declares, “the sole object and only legitimate end of government is to protect the citizen in the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property, and when the government assumes other functions it is usurpation and oppression.â€Â

The Alabama.gov site continues, “Most of these groups operate around larger urban areas and colleges/universitiesâ€Â¦ Some are focused on issues such as World Trade, International Debt, and military involvement in foreign culturesâ€Â¦ The theme is always the same. Big [government] is bad. Rich are using the poor to stay rich. Our government in particular is using its power immorally.â€Â

In short, if you oppose gun control, taxes, military intervention, most of our national debt being held by foreign nations, or just a large federal government, you might be a terrorist!

The very idea that those who value their personal rights and liberties are being labeled terrorists by the State of Alabama is not only absurd and egregiously offensive, it completely contradicts the ideals our federal and state governments were founded on! The people of Alabama should be outraged!

These Alabama.gov pages can be reached by visiting the Alabama Homeland Security TAP Course, clicking on "Domestic Terrorists", and then on "Anti-Government Groups".

Digg Commentary: http://www.digg.com/politics/Libertarians_...tate_of_Alabama

[Seeker]

What really amazes me is that the Gadsden Flag, literally one of the first icons of American freedom and patriotism, is being used to denote domestic terrorism.

The snake icon was first used by Benjamin Franklin as a symbol of strength in unity, and has since been adopted as a Libertarian symbol.

[impala454]

you really have problems with taking things out of context don't you.

Few people involved in this self styled “Patriot Movement” are criminals but there are some on the extreme fringe that are convinced that the Government has been subverted and that their freedoms must be aggressively defended to the point of attacks on our governing institutions

In general, these terrorists

it's calling people who believe they need to attack governing institutions terrorists. so, unless it's a libertarian belief that attacks on government institutions are good, they're not calling you a terrorist.