State patrol leader defends MIAC reports; points to D.C. shooting
JEFFERSON CITY — After first telling Missouri House members that the state’s controversial “fusion center” would be unlikely to release strategic reports on possible terrorist threats in the future, the head of the state highway patrol pointed to a shooting today at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., to point out how important the reports are.
Missouri Highway Patrol Superintendent James Keathley, who oversees the Missouri Information Analysis Center, or MIAC, said the kind of reports the MIAC produces are important to protect lives.
“I don’t know if a prediction could have changed the outcome of the abortion-doctor killing or the situation in Little Rock,” Keathley said. “We’ve had a lot of things happen here in the last few weeks that show trends,” including, he mentioned, today’s shooting at the Holocaust Museum.
In each of the three cases, the killing of Dr. George Tiller, the shooting of a military recruiter in Little Rock, and the Holocaust Museum shooting, controversial MIAC reports had made reference to possible violence by similar extremists.
“It’s a fine line,” Keathley said in talking about the controversial MIAC report that indicated that some members of militia groups also support third-party candidates such as Ron Paul, Chuck Baldwin or Bob Barr. It was the mentioning of the names of those candidates that brought criticism upon the center and led to the legislative hearings led by Rep. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield.
At the hearing today, Keathley and the new MIAC director, Lt. David Hall, indicated that similar strategic reports weren’t in the works and would be unlikely to be issued in the near future — but they didn’t close the door on future reports. Keathley said they’re important tools for law enforcement if done right.
Dixon said the purpose of the committee is to determine what, if any, legislative oversight might be necessary to avoid the release of any future reports that appear to profile law-abiding citizens because of their political views.
The Washington nutcase was a Wash U. and Clayton High grad. Should alumni of those institutions be put on this list like former members of the military?
Seems to me it’s time for Mr.Keathley to retire. His extremely foolish remarks indicate that he believes anyone that supports a third party candidate is a potential terrorist. Since Lt. Hall seems to agree with him maybe he should retire along with Mr. Keathley. Next thing he’ll probably recommend is housing anyone that isn’t with his political party and political thinking in internment camps. Now we have to be cautious that all of our thoughts are politically correct for Mr. Keathley and the Missouri Highway Patrol or face being placed on a terrorist list.
Grampa
His name was Pvt. William Andrew Long. Would it have been too much trouble for the Post Disgrace to look that up rather than just refer to him, incorrectly, as “a military recruiter in Little Rock”.
Maybe MIAC has a point. Maybe we should be watching anti-semetic “preachers” and people who listened to their hate speech for twenty years.
Mr Keathley needs to engage his brain before he engages his mouth. The 88-year-old shooter of the officer in Washington, DC, is a convicted felon who has a long history as a white supremacist. If the justice system in the US really worked on behalf of law-abiding citizens, the SOB would’ve been rotting in a federal penitentiary for his participation in a plot to kidnap members of the Federal Reserve years ago.
The MIAC people did their job and were crucified for it. James Keathley, who oversees MIAC for the Missouri Highway Patrol Superintendent was correct in saying these reports are important to protect lives.
Now Mr. Keathley and the new MIAC director, Lt. David Hall, said that no reports would be issued in the near future.
What a shame. Just because of the right wingers howling protests.
Thanks for the information, Tony. Keep us informed.
First, MIAC is no joke. They are the tool the liberal government is using to intimidate all who do not have politically correct thoughts. All who disagree with the President and his minions. So we have a couple of screwballs on the loose. One was being watched by the FBI (did no good) and one a convicted felon. Gee, how did he get that gun and how did he get it inside the gun free zone? Mr. Keathly needs to retire forthwith.