Letters, May 29, 1995

ENEMIES OF THE STATE

"I'm scared, and I'm sure that many feel the same way. How could we let this radical movement build without our noticing?"

Keivn J. Chown Detroit, Michigan

Your report on organized militias in the U.S. [COVER, May 8] was both interesting and alarming. To think that people have become so paranoid that they believe the United Nations is trying to take over the U.S.! Those in the militias who blame the Federal Government, immigrants and the U.N. for their problems need to come to grips with reality.

Christopher Maurer Germantown, Maryland AOL: ChrisM7657

This country's militias and other extremist right-wing groups are more of a threat to democracy than Russia or China ever was. Listening to members of these organizations reminds me of Germany at the start of Hitler's rise to power. People who belong to such extremist groups would have been jailed if they were in any country but the U.S.

Joel Esterman Havertown, Pennsylvania AOL: NOSNOWJOEL

Hate groups have always been as American as hominy grits. Rather than seek a new enemy without, Americans should confront the old enemy within.

William Bedford Toronto

Armed militias are the mirror reflection of the paramilitarization of federal law enforcement. The frightening images of tanks, helicopters and armored carriers assaulting the compound in Waco, Texas, encouraged many fearful, disturbed people to stockpile arms, play guerrilla-patriot and wait for the Apocalypse. The Oklahoma City bombing is Act II of the Waco tragedy. Act III will follow the "politics of escalation" because militias are the new Viet Cong to be rooted out of their enclaves. The government has not yet admitted to itself that it is already infected with a militaristic virus that has spread to many of its concerned citizens.

Jerry A. Worley San Jose, California AOL: JerryW6506

Perhaps the militias' paranoia comes not so much from Waco as from the wave of crime in this country. We are all tired of feeling unsafe on our streets. Our country is rapidly deteriorating, and it may soon be too late to do anyting about it. In a way, one cannot blame the militias for their beliefs.

Kevin Maltby Hayward, California AOL: KMaltby

I hear paramilitary-group leaders trying to tidy up their images and portray themselves as patriots, when in reality they are nothing but the Klu Klux Klan in camouflage instead of sheets. While they can believe and hate anything or anyone, they should not be allowed to stockpile military-type weapons or call for the overthrow of the government. I have no desire to live in a police state than monitors my every move, but I feel infinitely more terror at the thought of the kind of country these people seem to want.

Jane C. Smith St. Paul, Minnesota

By today's definition, would the "patriots" who participated in the Boston Tea Party be considered terrorists?

Joseph Engels Gravois Mills, Missouri

Paramilitary groups that vilify the U.S. government should recognize their good fortune in being ruled by a government that so generously tolerates them. In most other countries members would be shot to death or imprisoned or the groups would be forcibly disbanded.

Cliff Johnson Studio City, California