Kansas City News Blog

If you're interested in some bold political debate on the pros and cons of using massive government intelligence programs to run surveillance on people whose political candidates will

Just because Bob Barr wants you to live in fear doesn't make him a terrorist

never get more than 2 percent of the vote, you might want to pop over to the KY3's political notebook, specifically here and here. They've got some fantastic video and coverage of Wednesday's hearings on the Missouri Information Analysis Center in Jefferson City.

In March, Carolyn Szczepanski wrote about MIAC's "Strategic Memo" on militia activity, and how it had caused a stir by stating that support for political third parties, such as the Libertarians and their presidential candidate Bob Barr, could be construed as a sign that you're also in a violent militia. That goes for you too, guys-who-still-have-Ron-Paul-for-president bumper stickers.

It was a given that the hearings would attract passionate people with opposing political ideologies. But the assassination of George Tiller lit a new fire underneath the whole issue. That's because the MIAC report suggested anti-abortion protesters might be dangerous. There's a great clip of Rep. Jim Viebrock trying to convince everyone, and maybe himself, that the man charged with Tiller's murder is "not a terrorist, that is a murderer."