Rah, you might want to go read the linked story that takes you to sipsey street and actually read what Mike wrote when all this went down. The worst thing he called them were "nuts" and he felt this way long before the raids. He and other militia people had good reason to distance themselves from this group. They said things that scared other militia groups. However, obviously, saying things, like they said, were not deemed illegal this time. I think that's a good thing. It was what this group said, that scared other militia groups away. What's funny is they never really did anything illegal, although I think the majority of militia groups thought that by their words, they were. I also think the arrest and the timing were important. I think the feds pulled up way to early, if ever. I'm not sure the Hutaree would have ever done anything. If anything, they were just a bunch of blowhards, going around talking big about what they want to do, much like the GA geriatric terrorist that were arrested a little while back. Big talk, a bunch of blowhards. A lot can be taken from this, such as don't throw people under the bus before hand, and don't throw them under the bus, just because the feds bust them. It can come back and bite you in the butt.
I do however find it something very extraordinary that they were not convicted as guilty.
I do agree with your notion that none of these leaders, especially Mike V, are perfect or are their ideas flawless. We always need to question them, their ideas, and especially their motives.
I still think the "No Fort Sumter" rule is a good rule to maintain the moral high ground. That was coined by Mike V, and I think it still stands good moral high ground. I think he's also applied that well in the case of the Hutaree.
I do agree that throwing people under the bus, just because the Feds bust them, is a very bad idea. I think Mike V threw the Hutaree under the bus before the raid even happened, which is something else to note. Don't throw people under the bus.
